Apl.de.Ap is taking his advocacy beyond music as he leads an ambitious environmental mission

APL.DE.AP SETS SIGHTS ON PLANTING 380 MILLION TREES ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES

Harold de Mesa 
Wazzup Philippines
November 14, 2026

From global music stages to Philippine farmlands, the Black Eyed Peas star is taking on an ambitious environmental mission aimed at restoring agricultural lands and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

Filipino-American rapper Apl.de.Ap is taking his advocacy beyond music as he leads an ambitious agroforestry initiative targeting the planting of 380 million trees across the Philippines. 

The Grammy-winning member of the international music group Black Eyed Peas is championing a large-scale agricultural and environmental undertaking that seeks to restore degraded farmland, promote sustainable farming practices, and create better economic opportunities for Filipino farmers.

What initially began as a campaign to plant 100 million coconut trees has evolved into a broader agroforestry program that incorporates other high-value crops, including cacao, coffee, and moringa, alongside coconut plantations.

The expanded approach is designed to establish more productive and sustainable agricultural landscapes rather than relying on single-crop farming.

BEYOND TREE PLANTING: BUILDING SUSTAINABLE FOOD FORESTS

At the heart of the initiative is agroforestry, a farming system that integrates trees and agricultural crops within the same area.

By combining coconut trees with other crops, the project aims to improve soil health, encourage biodiversity, rehabilitate degraded agricultural lands, and provide farmers with additional sources of income.

The approach also seeks to make agricultural production more resilient to environmental challenges while maximizing the economic potential of farmland.

According to a feature published by Vogue Philippines in December 2025, the project’s first phase could cover approximately 700,000 hectares across major Philippine islands, with the long-term ambition of expanding the initiative to 380 million trees. 

A RETURN TO HIS ROOTS

For Apl.de.Ap, whose real name is Allan Pineda Lindo, the agricultural advocacy is also deeply personal

Having grown up in a farming family in Pampanga, the international recording artist has spoken about his childhood experiences helping his grandmother tend their family farm.

His return to agriculture reflects a desire to help Filipino farmers gain greater recognition, economic opportunities, and access to sustainable farming practices. 

The initiative also seeks to encourage younger generations to see agriculture not merely as a traditional livelihood but as an important sector with opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and national development.

A GREENER FUTURE FOR FILIPINO FARMERS

Beyond its environmental objectives, the project carries a broader vision of strengthening rural communities and creating more sustainable sources of livelihood.

Through diversified agricultural production, farmers could benefit from multiple harvests and income streams while contributing to soil restoration and climate resilience.

If successfully implemented at its envisioned scale, the initiative could become a significant model for combining environmental rehabilitation with agricultural development.

From planting coconut trees to establishing diversified food forests, Apl.de.Ap’s advocacy sends a message that environmental protection and economic progress can grow together.

For a country whose communities and livelihoods are closely tied to agriculture, the ambitious goal of planting 380 million trees represents more than a reforestation campaign—it is a vision of a greener landscape and a more sustainable future for Filipino farmers.

Sources: Vogue Philippines; GMA News; Philippine Information Agency.

UN chief to attend 49th ASEAN summit in Philippines

UN chief to attend 49th ASEAN summit in Philippines

Antonio Guterres scheduled to meet with Philippine president and hold bilateral meetings with several heads of delegations, deputy spokesman says

Diyar Guldogan
AA (aa.com.tr) (Turkiye)
13 November 2026

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will arrive in Manila, the Philippines, on Saturday to attend the 49th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said Friday.

The summit, hosted by the Philippines under the theme “Navigating Our Future Together,” will bring together regional leaders to discuss shared challenges and strengthen cooperation.

During his visit, Guterres is scheduled to meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and hold bilateral meetings with several heads of delegations, Haq told the reporters.

"On Sunday, he will attend the opening ceremony of the summit, and on Monday, he will take part in the 16th ASEAN United Nations Summit, which marks the 15th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership between the two organizations," he added.

Haq said Guterres is expected to underscore ASEAN's importance and the region's considerable influence and capacity to address major challenges both regionally and globally.

He will also highlight cooperation between the United Nations and ASEAN in areas including conflict prevention, climate action, sustainable development, peacekeeping and human rights.

The UN chief's engagements on Tuesday will include a meeting with the UN country team in the Philippines, a dialogue with young people and attendance at the closing ceremony of the ASEAN summit, Haq said.

Guterres is expected to return to New York on Nov. 19, he added.

Philippines qualifies for world men's curling championship for first time

Philippines qualifies for world men's curling championship for first time

Sportsnet Staff
November 13, 2026

Winter isn't a thing in the Philippines, but that hasn't stopped some ambitious men from helping the country make curling history.

Philippines' Marc Pfister compete against South Korea during the finals of men's curling at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Aaron Favila/AP Photo)

A Filipino squad, featuring three players from Switzerland and one from Canada with ties to the country, is going to the world men's curling championship for the first time after qualifying this week in Scotland.

The Philippines won one of six berths at the event after falling to Denmark in the bronze-medal match.

The result means Switzerland brothers Marc Pfister (the skip) and Enrico Pfister (second), Swiss third Christian Haller and lead Pedro Malvar of Markham, Ont. will represent the Asian country at the world championship in March in Saint John, N.B.

The event will include 18 teams, up from 13 in previous years.

The Swiss curlers were all part of a team that fell a bit short of qualifying for the Olympics earlier this year.

The Pfister brothers previously represented Switzerland in world championship competition. Haller was a former member of the Swiss national junior team, per The Athletic.

The Swiss curlers had stepped away from the sport to focus on their work careers before reuniting in 2023 over a group chat. All of their mothers hail from the Philippines.

Malvar is a former member of the University of Toronto curling team. He played for the Philippines in a qualifier for the world mixed doubles championship earlier this year.

ASEAN Summit: Let the world see the best of the Filipino

OPINION 

ASEAN Summit: Let the world see the best of the Filipino

Manila Bulletin Newsroom
Nov 13, 2026 

As the Philippines prepares to welcome world leaders and delegates to the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits on Nov. 15 to 17, Filipinos are presented with an opportunity that goes beyond hosting an international gathering—the chance to show the world who we are as a people.

This is our moment to demonstrate that Filipino hospitality is more than a familiar expression or a cultural trademark. It is a value reflected in how we treat others, how we conduct ourselves, and how we rise above our differences when the occasion calls for collective responsibility.

Under the theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippines is expected to welcome ASEAN leaders and international partners to Manila for discussions on regional cooperation, economic resilience, peace, and pressing geopolitical challenges. These are consequential conversations that will shape the region’s future. But while leaders deliberate inside conference halls, equally important is how the story of the Filipino people will unfold outside them.

How will we receive our guests? How will we behave on our streets, in public spaces, and in our everyday interactions with foreign visitors? Will our actions reflect the warmth, courtesy, discipline, and hospitality for which Filipinos are known for?

These questions deserve serious reflection.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s reminder to security personnel during the Nov. 11 send-off ceremony deserves to resonate beyond the uniformed services. His message was simple but meaningful: Filipinos care, but we also protect. We must demonstrate both warmth and vigilance.

Indeed, hospitality does not mean merely smiling at visitors. It means being respectful, accommodating, responsible, and mindful that our conduct contributes to the country’s image. It means showing courtesy to strangers, exercising patience amid traffic disruptions, following reasonable security measures, keeping public spaces orderly, and extending kindness even when circumstances become inconvenient.

The responsibility, however, does not rest on government agencies and security forces alone. Every Filipino has a part to play.

With more than 23,000 security personnel expected to support summit operations, authorities have made substantial preparations to protect delegates and maintain public safety, according to government announcements. But no security plan, however comprehensive, can replace the cooperation, discipline, and goodwill of an entire population.

This is also a moment for national unity. Political disagreements, competing ideologies, and criticisms of government are part of democracy. Nobody should be expected to surrender personal convictions or abandon legitimate concerns simply because the country is hosting an international event.

But there is a difference between exercising democratic freedoms and allowing partisan hostility to overshadow an occasion of national importance.

Whatever our political affiliations, we share one nationality and one responsibility: to represent the Philippines with dignity. Issues that can reasonably wait should be raised at another time and in appropriate forums. Legitimate grievances, meanwhile, deserve to be expressed peacefully and responsibly, with respect for the law and the rights of others.

Supporting the successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit is not an endorsement of any administration. It is an expression of patriotism and respect for our country.

The international community will not judge the Philippines solely by the statements made by its leaders or the agreements signed during the summit. Visitors will also remember the people they encounter, the atmosphere they experience, and the hospitality they receive.

Ultimately, our behavior during these historic days will help define how the world sees us.

Let us therefore set aside unnecessary animosity, resist divisiveness, and find common ground in our shared identity as Filipinos. Let us welcome our visitors not merely as representatives of foreign governments but as guests deserving of our respect and kindness.

The summit will end. The headlines will eventually fade. But the impression we leave behind can endure long after the last meeting concludes.

Let us make that impression count.

For once, let the world see us not through our political divisions, but through our shared humanity, generosity, discipline, and national pride.

Let us stand united, act responsibly, and show the best of who we are. Let us be gracious hosts to these global leaders.

PH journalist wins 3rd place in Global Media Awards

Inquirer.net’s Mayon bacteria report wins 3rd place in global awards

Inquirer.net
13 November 2026

MANILA, Philippines — INQUIRER.net data journalist Cristina Eloisa Baclig won third place in the Asia-Pacific category of the 2026 Global AMR Media Awards for her report on a newly identified bacterial species from Mayon Volcano in Albay that researchers say could contribute to future studies on antibiotic development.

Baclig was the only finalist from the Philippines in the category. She placed behind Bangladesh-based journalist and visual reporter Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, who won first prize for the story “Antimicrobial Resistance Threatens Bangladesh’s Coasts,” and clinical reporter Laura Andronicos of The Medical Republic in Australia, who took second place for the story “Rising Antibiotic Resistance Threatens Children and Remote Communities.”

Baclig’s winning story, “UP researchers identify new Mayon bacteria with antibiotic potential,” was among 134 entries from the Asia-Pacific region out of 382 submissions received worldwide.

From Mayon soil to antibiotic research

The story traced the discovery of Streptomyces mayonensis to a 2021 research effort by University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) scientists, who collected volcanic soil samples in Malilipot, Albay, about 500 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mayon Volcano.

The researchers initially isolated 30 bacterial strains from the samples, 13 of which showed varying degrees of antimicrobial activity against organisms that cause diseases in humans or plants, according to a Department of Science and Technology report.

One of the strains, initially designated A1-08T, was later studied to determine whether it was a previously unidentified species.

Through laboratory tests and genomic analyses, the researchers established that the organism was genetically distinct from known bacteria, leading to its classification as a new species named after Mayon Volcano.

Earlier tests showed that the strain had activity against several disease-causing microorganisms, including Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

It also showed activity against certain fungi and anticancer properties against human colorectal cancer cells.

The species belongs to the genus Streptomyces, a group of bacteria known for producing many antibiotics used worldwide. The study noted that Streptomyces species account for about 80% of the world’s antibiotics.

However, identifying the bacterium as a new species does not mean it has already yielded a new antibiotic or treatment. The researchers said further studies are needed to determine whether it can produce novel bioactive compounds and establish its potential pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.

Reporting on antimicrobial resistance

The report also placed the discovery within the broader global concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites no longer respond to medicines intended to treat infections.

As resistance develops, infections can become difficult or even impossible to treat, increasing the risk of severe illness and death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about one in six laboratory-confirmed bacterial infections worldwide in 2023 were resistant to antibiotics. The misuse and overuse of antimicrobial medicines are among the major factors driving the emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens.

The Global AMR Media Awards recognize journalists and other media practitioners whose work raises awareness of AMR through science- and evidence-based reporting.

The awards are organized by the Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA), a network with more than 300 media members from 33 countries.

Entries are evaluated by an independent panel with expertise in AMR, health and science journalism, and global health. Judging criteria include analytical reporting, use of facts, independence, impartiality, clarity and ethical soundness, as well as the ability to connect issues across sectors such as human and animal health, agriculture and the environment.

The winners were announced online Nov. 11 during the 6th Annual Global Media Forum, held ahead of World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2026.

Running from Nov. 18 to 24, WAAW is a global campaign that seeks to improve public understanding of AMR and promote action to prevent the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

This year’s theme, “One Health, one action: Prevent AMR now,” highlights the links among the health of people, animals, plants and the environment and the need for coordinated action across these sectors.

Baclig previously won first place in the online category of the Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards 2025 for her reporting on noncommunicable diseases in the Philippines, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes.

She also received recognition from the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2024 and 2025, the Philippine Press Institute’s Think Pink Awards in 2024, and the Bright Leaf Agriculture Journalism Awards in 2023.

Baclig is also a fellow of the Environmental Data Journalism Academy-Philippines and the Jaime V. Ongpin Journalism Seminar of the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility. /dm

Indonesia wealth fund invests in PH renewable energy

Indonesia sovereign fund invests in Philippines RE market

Brix Lelis 
The Philippine Star 
November 12, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh capital from Jakarta is making its way into the Philippines, with Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund backing a portfolio of solar and wind power projects.

The Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) has invested in a 2.8-gigawatt portfolio of Singapore-based Vena Global Group Pte. Ltd., comprising operational, contracted and under-construction projects across the Philippines and Indonesia.

The Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) has invested in a 2.8-gigawatt portfolio of Singapore-based Vena Global Group Pte. Ltd., comprising operational, contracted and under-construction projects across the Philippines and Indonesia.

Financial details of the transaction were not immediately made available.

Vena Group CEO Nitin Apte described the Philippines and Indonesia as “important markets” in Southeast Asia’s energy transition, highlighting the partnership with INA as a key step toward bringing more projects to completion.

“Together, we can accelerate the delivery of high-quality renewable energy (RE) infrastructure that strengthens energy security, supports economic development and advances decarbonization,” Apte said.

For INA, the investment aligns with its strategy of partnering with experienced global and regional players to secure long-term returns while supporting the region’s energy transition.

“We look for investments that stand on their commercial merits while retaining clear strategic relevance for Indonesia,” INA CEO Oki Ramadhana said. “Together, we see a foundation for further investment in RE, both in Indonesia and across the region.”

In August 2025, the Vena Group signaled plans to expand its Green Fund partnerships across Japan, North Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia to accelerate regional RE development.

The Green Fund platform, originally launched in Japan, seeks to provide long-term institutional investors with access to RE projects developed and operated by Vena Energy.

“By bringing high-quality, long-term institutional investors alongside Vena Energy in selected RE portfolios, we can retain long-term ownership and operational involvement while rotating capital into our accelerated construction program and new growth opportunities,” Vena Group chief investment officer Simone Grasso said.

Through Vena Energy, the Vena Group currently owns and operates at least six assets totaling over 330 megawatts across the Philippines.

Approved investment to reach P1-trillion peso in 2026

BOI to reach P1-trillion investment goal in 2026

Logan Kal-El M. Zapanta
Inquirer.net
12 November 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest investment promotion agency (IPA) is confident of ending the year with at least P1 trillion in approved investments, enough to meet its full-year target.

Board of Investments (BOI) managing head Ceferino Rodolfo said the agency would “definitely” achieve its trillion-peso goal, banking on renewable energy and infrastructure projects still in its pipeline.

As of the third quarter, the BOI had already approved P900.06 billion in investments.

“The expectation is that we will hit (P1 trillion), and we are working to exceed it,” said Rodolfo, also the country’s trade undersecretary.

Energy-related projects, most of them involving renewable energy, accounted for the bulk of approved investments at P740.14 billion. For the past three years, renewable energy has topped the agency’s list of leading investment sectors.

Should the BOI merely meet its full-year target, its investment approvals would still fall substantially short of the P1.56 trillion recorded in 2025.

Shift in fund flows

At the time, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque attributed the lower target to expectations that investments would shift away from renewable energy projects, whose substantial capital requirements tend to jack up approval figures.

Rodolfo also explained that the BOI was now shifting its focus from registering investments under its own name toward creating a more conducive environment for investments across the country.

For instance, he cited the development of the 2026 Strategic Investment Priority Plan, which identifies priority sectors eligible for incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act, or “Create More” Law. The agency has also been involved in advancing plans for the proposed Pax Silica advanced manufacturing hub.

The BOI also leads the government’s green lane program, a P6.43-trillion pipeline of strategic investments eligible for expedited permitting.

“We’re focusing now on the enabling environment, long-term industrial policy planning,” Rodolfo added.

As part of this shift, he said the BOI would increasingly seek to channel investments toward other IPAs.

Asked whether this would translate into a lower investment approvals target for 2027, Rodolfo said the agency had yet to determine its goal for next year.

In 2025, the BOI accounted for 81.25 percent of the P1.92 trillion in investments approved by the country’s IPAs.

The Philippine Economic Zone Authority followed with P260.89 billion, representing 13.59 percent of the total. Other investment authorities accounted for roughly P100 billion combined, or about 5.2 percent. INQ