#pasay

(Written by Andrea Davenport / Online News Correspondent of The Brighton Bugle)

C.W.: The following national news report contain references to an active shooter situation, political violence, gunfire, and high-intensity security standoffs. Reader discretion is STRONGLY ADVISED!!!

PASAY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION -- On Wednesday night (March 13th, 2026 -- Pasay local time), mainstream media organizations heard several gunshots, prompting a total lockdown within the Senate building on the 2nd floor in Pasay City. The suspected active shooter operation drew a massive security presence around the Senate compound, playing out in real-time before reporters from News 5, ABS-CBN News, and other television and radio outlets. Quad Cities' newspaper outlet 'The Brighton Bugle' embarked on an emergency flight to Metro Manila, followed by a direct bus transit to this said city, to cover the rapidly developing situation and gather eyewitness accounts from the scene.

Tensions escalated sharply when a warning shot recently rang out, surrounding the current senator's refuge of 'Ronald "Bato" Marapon dela Rosa', a former police officer & head chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a corporate endorser for Yes2Health Incorporated. Twelve minutes before 8pm, ABS-CBN News reporter 'Zyann Ambrosio' personally provided a firsthand account to The Brighton Bugle, confirming that the volatile firefight was centered at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) building. NBI agents and Ambrosio immediately sought out the suspected active shooter; the individual was nowhere to be found at that specific location.

Riot police identified the initial warning shot as having been fired by retired Police Major General (PMG) and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms named 'Mao Aplasca'. While the primary suspect identified as 'Mel Oragon', a 44 y/o driver and confidential agent of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), was subdued and taken into custody at the scene. Some journalists and cameramen were hurt in the ensuing chaos, suffering minor injuries as they fled or scrambled for cover. Senate officials, security personnel, Dela Rosa himself, and mainstream media reporters were gradually and safely evacuated throughout the night. Remarkably, no one was killed at the time of this publication.

Philippine president 'Ferdinand Romualdez "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.' said in the Tagalog dialect that he has not yet issued instructions on the transfer or arrest of Dela Rosa, who faces an unsealed case involving alleged crimes against humanity cited by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Addressing the public, President Marcos Jr. urged those affected by the shooting incident to remain calm and avoid panic, assuring The Brighton Bugle that his current administration expects to get to the absolute bottom of the matter from all operational sides.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) issued a public statement on social media addressing the incident: "[We are saluting] our colleagues who stood their ground to deliver accurate and timely information to the public in spite of the confusion and danger that unfolded in the Senate. We call on newsrooms to extend psychological first aid to their frontliners. NUJP's peer supporters are likewise ready to provide assistance to colleagues who may have experienced trauma", the organization noted.

The statement further heavily criticized administrative oversight: "State security forces must at all times ensure the safety of civilians and members of the press, instead of acting as private bodyguards of politicians. All these point to the failure of the Marcos Jr. administration to implement the arrest warrant against [Dela Rosa]. The immediate surrender to the [ICC] could have prevented the situation from descending into chaos", it concluded.

Hours after the incident, which sources confirm was ultimately limited to warning shots, the GSIS headquarters in Pasay City officially shifted to a work-from-home arrangement to ensure the safety and security of their employees and visiting members, pensioners, and other regular visitors. Physical transactions have been temporarily suspended across all services near the Senate perimeter.

Regarding Senator Dela Rosa, he does not appear to be visibly stepping down anytime soon. He just left the premises, where he had been housed for at least two nights, and has been placed under protective custody from the immediate pressure of the international warrant of arrest issued against him as part of the former administration's controversial drug war. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that no formal records are in existence to enable his departure to the Netherlands or vice versa.

What began as an active shooter turned out to be an exchange of unauthorized warning shots. Investigators are now tasked with deciphering how a high-profile political sanctuary became a real crime scene because of one of the law enforcement agency's confidential sources. Although the situation on the inside of the complex is not posing an immediate physical threat, the incident underscores the diplomatic intricacies of potentially claiming territory during a conflict.

Fandreas… We witnessed this kind of shooting firsthand, a dark reminder of the real danger that journalists face daily to report the whole truth on the front line. The short-term crisis on the inside of the GSIS compound has calmed down, but the long-term political and diplomatic confrontation continues unabated. Dela Rosa is on hold to leave the country, praying to seek a fair trial from the ICC; even the active shooter was actually given a warning shot, and the Senate building remains under heightened security as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this unprecedented incident.

CONTRIBUTED SCREENGRAB COURTESY: Darylle Sarmiento and Karen de Guzman via ABS-CBN News BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: TEGNA

SOURCES: *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QgEUKWcIBQ&t=2572 *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBIlWjbcPpU&t=21540 *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91J3AX3MiXE&t=5447 *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJAa2lNwYW8 *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lkj2po3Qy0w *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkz4okrucMk *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOu8dPe3x4 *https://www.facebook.com/1464250259/videos/1338215254841505/ *https://www.facebook.com/100044537672013/videos/1152104017102274/ *https://www.facebook.com/100072393875472/posts/991317703291350 *https://www.facebook.com/100072393875472/posts/991847806571673 *https://www.facebook.com/officialgsis.ph/posts/1384441363721698 *https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/13/asia/gunshots-philippine-senate-dela-rosa-intl *https://tutubi.ph/putukan-at-lockdown-sa-senado-ano-ang-nangyari-sa-gitna-ng-tensyon-kay-sen-bato/ *https://bandera.inquirer.net/445820/senate-guard-unang-nagpaputok-bilang-warning-shot-agent-gumanti-palasyo *https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2228455/shots-fired-in-senate-as-it-gives-bato-dela-rosa-refuge *https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/14/alleged-gunman-in-senate-shooting-incident-identified-arrested-police-0959 *https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1275017 *https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/987593/story/ and *https://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/bato-dela-rosa-no-longer-within-senate-premises

(Written by Pacifica Elise Northwest / Business Reporter of The Brighton Bugle)

PASAY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION / SPIJKENISSE, NETHERLANDS -- A major restructure within the plenary session hall as former Eat Bulaga's noontime host and outgoing Senate president 'Vicente "Tito" Castelo Sotto' officially steps down in Pasay City, which has now been elected as the new Senate president 'Alan Peter Schramm Cayetano'. Twelve (12) Filipino senators are about to let everything go as they have graduated to conclude their senatorial terms, except for those whose terms were automatically renewed.

Last Monday afternoon (May 11th, 2026 -- Pasay local time), security footage obtained exclusively by The Brighton Bugle showed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) pursuing 'Ronald "Bato" Marapon dela Rosa', a former police officer & head chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), endorser for Yes2Health Incorporated, and current senator. Dela Rosa, who has been largely absent from Senate sessions, was reportedly chased by NBI agents, according to the video evidence.

Dela Rosa verbally attacked newly elected Senate president Cayetano, complaining that he was not receiving his monthly salary under the "No Work, No Pay" policy rule. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant on him, which was later upgraded to a wanted list by Wednesday (May 13th). Sources suggest from our Quad Cities' newspaper team that he is possibly to transfer and arrest the said Philippine senator to Afrojack's hometown in the Netherlands, but it is unlikely as he is under protective custody for now.

After a prolonged absence, The Brighton Bugle confirmed his situation to the mainstream news media with his violent, explosive commotional anger, which is more unsettling to them: "Hinahanap na ako ninyo, sumesweldo! Hindi mapapakita! Ngayon, hinanap ko ng [mga ahenteng] NBI, nag-wrestling at sugatan ako; this is the [motherf*****g] Senate! Wala na siya'y [g4g0ng] respeto sa insitusyunado sa Senado! Bakit ganon ang NBI!?", he said in Tagalog dialect.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) lists senators under Salary Grade 31, which is equivalent to about PHP290,000 to PHP330,000 a month plus allowances before tax (or U$D4,722 to U$D5,373 dollars). Salary payouts are subject to Republic Act #10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law of 2017. Here in both states, Oregon does have a combined state tax of 11.5%, which is rated between 4.75 and 6.75 percent. Uncle Sam in America grabbed the share of U$D426.33. The Quad Cities, however, are unlikely to deduct state tax. Dela Rosa's annual income was U$D61,724.40. In his hometown of Davao del Sur, we can expect a 30% tax deduction for his expensive monthly salary, citing the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

At the first regular session of the 20th Congress, the ICC made its announcement public, following its initial release around Halloween in early mid-November 2025. Our newspaper team secured an exclusive copy of the document. Meanwhile, newly elected Senate president Cayetano, formerly the Senate Minority Leader, has pledged to address the urgent matter of his current arrest warrant, which stems from a decade-long war on drugs under former Philippine president 'Rodrigo Roa Duterte' spanning the mid-2010s up to the onset of the global Chinese pandemic.

He is listed as "at large" and is accused in a separate, though related, case. But the Supreme Court is seeking to block the enforcement of ICC warrants. He is also identified as an "indirect co-perpetrator" with Duterte in the "common plan" to commit killings during the war on drugs. Dela Rosa and former Philippine president Duterte are now simultaneously charged with crimes against humanity, according to the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber 1.

For this publication, Senator Dela Rosa remains a fugitive from the ICC, facing charges of crimes against humanity tied to the Philippines' war on drugs. His erratic outburst—targeting Senate leadership and NBI agents—underscores the legal and political turmoil surrounding his case. While Dutch authorities have not confirmed extradition plans, his protective custody status suggests a precarious limbo. The Supreme Court's resistance to the ICC warrants further complications to his fate, leaving his future in legal limbo.

Spanning from the Dutch hometown of Afrojack in Spijkenisse to the Senate chamber in Metro Manila, Dela Rosa's case highlights the real-world clash between national authority and international law, with his legal future and the Philippines' stance on global justice hanging in the balance. His defiance may play well in Davao del Sur, but the ICC's net is tightening. For now, he's a man without a country or a paycheck.

SCREENGRAB PHOTO COURTESY: Philippine Daily Inquirer and ABS-CBN News

SOURCES: *https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/11/sotto-out-cayetano-in-alan-cayetano-is-new-senate-leader *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85WMUYo-6ME *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYdNhi2rMTI *https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2026/04/22/2522618/editorial-no-work-no-pay *https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-philippines-icc-judges-unseal-arrest-warrant-against-ronald-marapon-dela-rosa *https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/icc-office-prosecutor-welcomes-unsealing-arrest-warrant-ronald-dela-rosa-situation-philippines *https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2026/05/11/748975/senator-dela-rosa-returns-to-senate-as-icc-arrest-looms/ *https://remate.ph/arrest-warrant-vs-sen-bato-kinumpirma-ng-icc/ *https://remate.ph/sen-bato-inakusahan-ng-icc-sa-32-pagpatay-sa-war-on-drugs/ *https://remate.ph/dela-rosa-di-aalis-sa-senado-gagawin-lahat-para-mapigilan-pag-aresto-ng-icc/ *https://www.rappler.com/philippines/bato-dela-rosa-arrest-warrant-cayetano-senate-takeover/ *https://remate.ph/nbi-agents-na-dadamba-sana-kay-sen-bato-pina-contempt-sa-senado/ *https://remate.ph/de-lima-sa-video-ni-bato-na-tumatakbo-sa-hagdan-sa-senado-nasaan-ang-angas-mo/ *https://remate.ph/bato-di-tumanggap-ng-sahod-sa-nakalipas-na-6-na-buwan/ *https://remate.ph/sen-bato-isinailalim-sa-protective-custody-ng-senado/ *https://globalnation.inquirer.net/322984/look-bato-dela-rosa-now-among-iccs-at-large-defendants-list and *https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1274987

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PASAY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION / BACOLOD, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL -- The retail scene was jolted when "Pan the Bread", a Pinay virtual YouTuber, released her own playful 30-second spin on the iconic SM Malls jingle in late-October 2025. A bold move that challenged the six-decade reign of the corporate shopping giant. Her sole rendition, uploaded through short-form video platforms, reinterprets the iconic jingle by SM with a light touch of playfulness and modernity. Her adaptation maintained the catchy, nostalgic essence of the jingle but gave it her trademark vocal delivery, adapted to the Filipino netizens.

Since her debut in late-June 2021, Pan (an independent VTuber) has become emblematic of a new wave of virtual personalities shaking up how brands connect with audiences. This national retail powerhouse of ShoeMart Prime Holdings Incorporated (SMPHi) boasts 85 malls across the Philippines, and has extended its reach to China and Guam, with major hubs like 'SM City Cebu' and 'SM City Bacolod' complementing its iconic flagship 'SM Mall of Asia' in Pasay City, National Capital Region.

At the SM SaveMore Supermarket inside Double Dragon's CityMall, the so-called City of Gentle People are greeted by Dumagueteño shoppers for a distinct jingle, crafted specifically for the grocery and service needs, right here in southern Negros Island Region (NIR). SM has historically created jingles, including its 60th anniversary song rendition from a previous decade. Their digital-first mindset is an indicator of a change in ownership of older brands approaching the youthful, online-native demographics.

Composed in 1991 by 'Nonong Pedero' and first recorded by 'Diane Espejo‑Velasco' and 'Leo Valdez', the jingle has become a cultural staple in Philippine malls. Compared to the 2018 anniversary jingle of SM, which saw the involvement of Global Media Arts (GMA) Sparkle artist 'Gabbi Louise Garcia', the version of Pan is technically an unofficial collaboration with the brand, raising eyebrows of whether 'SM Prime Holdings' will consider formalizing such partnerships in the future.

Historically, SM has favored brief jingles, but with its 70th anniversary and 100th store on the horizon in 2028, there is growing anticipation for something more ambitious. Should licensing agreements be approved by national mall officials, a longer, VTuber-inspired jingle could mark a bold shift in the brand’s familiar sound.

Pan's VTuber-themed jingle came early to the online scene when SM heavily investing its next generation malls, including a PH₱150 billion push for sustainable, tech-integrated spaces, per cited by Bilyonaryo). Although her version is not officially released yet, it highlights a larger trend: legacy companies using VTubers to stay afloat in a world where retailers are merging digital and physical.

At present, she intentionally created an experiment of corporate mall song, driven by fans, though with a track record of the SM rewriting its jingles based on cultural occasions, a formal collaboration is not that unrealistic. The more important one is whether SM will consider VTubers to be brand ambassadors, which will put it on the vanguard of retail innovation in Southeast Asia. So far, Pan's clip is a proof of concept showing that even century-old mall anthems can be remade for a digital audience.

SCREENGRAB and PHOTOS COURTESY for REPRESENTATION: Pan VTuber via YT Shorts VIDEO and Bilyonaryo BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: Nexstar Media Group (formerly TEGNA)

SOURCES: *https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rjii205lO-4 *https://virtualyoutuber.fandom.com/wiki/Pan *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabbi_Garcia *https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2008/03/02/47853/my-musical-romance-sm *https://bilyonaryo.com/2025/09/04/the-future-of-shopping-sm-prime-pours-p150b-into-next-gen-sustainable-malls/property/ *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEz2fCJAefw *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEgyXA8Gs4Y *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_Prime *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_City_Cebu *https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SM_City_Bacolod *https://www.doubledragon.com.ph/files/DD%20Press%20Release%2025%20February%202015%20-%20Five%20CityMalls.pdf *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Zd765JwXI and *https://www.smsupermalls.com/about-us

(Written by Andrea Davenport / Online News Correspondent of The Brighton Bugle & Assistant Station Manager of ONC Holdings)

PASAY, NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION -- After nearly two (2) decades, both the domestic and international pageant competitions are waiting for this specific triumph… Filipino pageant enthusiasts are all excited in a flagship National Capital Region of Metro & Mega Manila where Miss Universe's freshly crowned 3rd runner up named 'Ahtisa Manalo' returns home Tuesday afternoon in the Philippines (December 2nd, 2025 -- Manila local time), more than a week after landing the rescheduled early morning arrival from Thailand on November 25th at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) - Terminal 1 in Parañaque.

Indie national vlogger 'Pageant Trend' and Quad Cities' newspaper outlet 'The Brighton Bugle' have both been on the ground to witness at the Manila City Hall (MCH) in Ermita, Metro Manila. Manalo returns home for the holidays in the municipality of Candelaria in Quezon province, days or weeks after the said ongoing homecoming parade today.

At 1pm outside MCH, they have taken photos with top officials of Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH), as well as mostly the Filipino fans. Before hitting the streets… Manila mayor 'Francisco Isko "Yorme" Moreno', on a courtesy call, recently awarded a ceremonial key to accept the 3rd runner-up winner. The Brighton Bugle toed it over to establish that she was an "Ambassador of Hope" because of the inspiration of her journey. She leaves the city hall down the stairs in Ermita, and kicks off the streets of Metro Manila to begin a homecoming parade an hour later.

Manalo wore her stunning crystal white 'Mak Tumang' gown as two (2) homecoming parades are in place as she proceeds first to Buendia Avenue, corner Francis Burton Harrison street, to roar out the crowd. The "Manila Girl" then boarded her float in empty flower-like boxes to traverse the busy streets of the metro. Then the parade passes its way through Taft Avenue, United Nations Ave., Pedro Gil, Quirino Ave., and Vito Cruz to catch a glimpse of the beauty queen.

The procession in a motorcade made its way to Pasay City, where Manalo changed to a fancy yellow convertible with flowers. She's circling around the ShoeMart (SM) Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, passing by the Main Mall and the North and South Parking buildings, waving to supporters along the Ocean and Pacific Drives. Around 4pm, the parade ended, and the mood matched that of a blockbuster movie premiere.

Two (2) of the provincial fans are very grateful, although the loss role as a consolation winner at MU. Nevertheless, being a runner-up after Mexico's Fatima Bosch Fernandez, Manalo has certainly captured the hearts of the whole country. Her success is being perceived by fans in NCR and her home province of Quezon as a triumph of the whole Philippines. She is supposed to go back to the municipality of Candelaria to spend time with her family of Manalo during her holidays.

Fandreas… It felt the whole energy in NCR and was literally off the charts! The confetti continues to fall, and the air is filled with music and traditions. Manalo looked just fantastic in that white dress, so queenly! And here among the busy, bright streets of Pasay at SM Mall of Asia, where the glitter never stifles, and the news never lags behind in making its fashionable trends.

PHOTOS COURTESY: Christian Mazo, Keithlynne Sasota & Pageant Trend via Google Maps & FB PHOTO BACKGROUND PROVIDED BY: TEGNA

SOURCE: *https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/966920/story/ *https://www.facebook.com/100044223319649/posts/1437755847708512 *https://www.facebook.com/100044580812914/posts/1431307318365282 *https://www.preview.ph/fashion/mak-tumang-designer-spotlight-a00191-20190331-lfrm *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SI6lgy6IJc *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qjnArXwnjo *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-lJTvSoGMM and *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoqwvq6Dr0k