Newsletter: Toxic lead still persists in Metro Manila air amid fuel crisis and despite interventions

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Danika Geronimo, Ateneo Research Communications

A hazy Metro Manila skyline reflects the persistence of airborne pollution in the Philippine capital. Ateneo de Manila University  researchers have recently found that toxic lead remains in the city’s air even decades after the phaseout of leaded gasoline, with major sources including local industrial activity, fossil fuel combustion, and legacy pollution. Much of this lead is carried aloft as particulate matter that can be deeply inhaled, posing particular risks to children and vulnerable individuals and communities. SOURCE: Aaron Vicencio, Ateneo de Manila University. CC BY-NC-SA

Counterintuitively, despite the ongoing fuel crisis and the over two decades since the global phaseout of leaded gasoline, toxic lead still lingers in Metro Manila’s air.

Newsletter: Satellite data shows NO2 concentration in Metro Manila down to pre-fire levels for two consecutive days

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. Coinciding with reports on Tuesday (28 April) that significant progress has been made in suppressing the fire, satellite data shows that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration in Metro Manila has fallen below 6 April (pre-fire) levels for two consecutive days. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke, and lower NO2 concentrations indicate a reduction in the volume of smoke emitted from the landfill fire. 

Newsletter: Daily monitoring of satellite data shows air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has done daily monitoring of satellite data since the Navotas landfill fire reportedly broke out on 10 April 2026. As of Thursday (23 April), the Bureau of Fire Protection has reported “smoldering conditions” onsite and satellite data show that air quality in Metro Manila has not returned to normal levels. Daily monitoring of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentration over Metro Manila (taken every 8:45AM), shows that levels are still higher than on 6 April, prior to the fire. Nitrogen dioxide is a pollutant produced from burning and is a component of smoke.

Newsletter: When Supply Outpaces Demand: Navigating Metro Manila’s Condo Market in a High-Rate Environment

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Metro Manila’s condominium market is entering a more complex phase - one defined by a growing imbalance between supply and demand, alongside the broader impact of rising interest rates and elevated operating costs. While residential development has remained active over the past several years, absorption has not kept pace, resulting in a visible build-up of available inventory across several submarkets.

Newsletter: OnGo Smart Advertising Brings “Health on the Go” Campaign to Communities Across Metro Manila and Nearby Provinces

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

OnGo Smart Advertising continues to promote community wellness through its Health on the Go Campaign, a corporate social responsibility initiative that partners with schools, barangays, and community organizations across various cities and provinces to support children’s health.

Newsletter: Xpress Expands Salaried Driver Model With Full Benefits as MMDA Reports Over 62,000 Road Crashes in Metro Manila

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) recorded 62,723 road crash incidents in Metro Manila from January to November 2024, resulting in 332 fatalities, underscoring ongoing safety challenges across the capital’s transport network.

Newsletter: BesCost Celebrates 11 Years as a Leading Large Format and All-in-One Printing Company in Metro Manila, Completing Over 8,000 Successful Projects

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

As it enters 2026, BesCost proudly marks its 11th year in the Philippine printing industry, standing strong as one of Metro Manila’s leading large format and all-in-one printing companies. Over the past decade, BesCost has successfully completed more than 8,000 printing and signage projects, helping thousands of businesses become more visible, professional, and trusted.

Newsletter: Between Earth and Sky: Sea salt plays key role in Metro Manila air pollution

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

by Danika Geronimo, Ateneo de Manila University Research Communications

Researchers from the Manila Observatory at the Ateneo de Manila University have co-authored new research that highlights the complexities of air quality in coastal cities, particularly Metro Manila. PHOTO: Veida Isabelle Bongco

Taking advantage of the worldwide shutdown of  human activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study co-authored by Ateneo de Manila University – Manila Observatory and University of Arizona researchers revealed surprising insights into how the naturally-occurring components of sea salt—sodium and chloride—combine with Metro Manila air and contribute to the city’s pollution.

Newsletter: Ortigas Connect Eyes Role as Growth Ecosystem for Metro Manila Entrepreneurs

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Ortigas Chapter, gathers Metro Manila founders and executives on October 24, 2025, 6:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m. at Edsa Shangri-La Manila to experience the chapter’s trust-based referral system, which has already generated ₱104 million in business this year.

Newsletter: Xpress Launches in Metro Manila, Introducing the Next Generation of Ridesharing

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Xpress, the newest ridesharing app backed by Cebuana Lhuillier, officially launches today in Metro Manila. The media event, held at UNWND Boutique Hotel - Makati City, welcomed members of the press and showcased Xpress's innovative features and commitment to providing convenient, reliable, and proudly Filipino transportation solutions.

Newsletter: UPD Study Investigates Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Mega Manila Rivers

[THIS IS A PRESS RELASE]

By: Maria Alexandra Marmol

Sources of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDC) contamination of Mega Manila rivers. (Photo credit: Sta. Ana, et al., 2023)

Under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) project, “Post-Wastewater Treatment Determination of Endocrine Disrupting Compounds for Interventions,” researchers of the UP Diliman College of Science Institute of Chemistry (UPD-CS IC) studied the rivers of Mega Manila and demonstrated the presence of EDCs, or endocrine-disrupting compounds.

Newsletter: Ben&Ben teases fans with cryptic billboards across Metro Manila

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Cryptic billboards and posters alluding to a new Ben&Ben release have recently appeared in strategic locations all over Metro Manila.

PhilPop releases finalist songs from Metro Manila

11/24/2020 02:07:28 AM

PhilPop just recently its batch of music entries from the National Capital Region, and it consists of a diverse, catchy, and radio-friendly showcase spanning  R&B, contemporary pop, and folk-influenced genres, depicting various tales of romance, forgiveness, and regret with precision and sensitivity.

StopOver: Mow's Bar

01/07/2019 07:18:15 PM

There's always a reason why Quezon City was called The City of The Stars, and we don't talk celebrities and their home networks situated within this area. The place has a lot of entertainment districts to offer – with some of them making lights by the dimmed hours of the night. QC has been the home to some of best gig venues in the metro such as Route 196, Sessions, and the iconic '70s Bistro.

However, one of the fast-rising (and evolving) music and hangout places in the metro is also situated at Quezon City – just nearby the popular Maginhawa eat strip. In fact, it's on the basement floor of the classic Kowloon House restaurant.

COD: The Return of the Comeback

12/20/2018 04:23:12 PM

It's 2018, you have been living away from your home for almost two decades; and all of a sudden, you waged a comeback in a snap – and just in time for Christmas.

Flick Review: All You Need is Pag-Ibig

1/10/2016 12:57:03 PM

Photo credits: starcinema.abs-cbn.com

Seems the Star Cinema-Antonette Jadaone experiment turned out so well for the romcom scene, eh? Perhaps, it was since her project with then-Cinema One Original That Thing Called Tadhana days.

Diskaril!

8/19/2014 7:28:33 PM

newsinfo.inquirer.net

Nagkaaberya na naman ang mga tren nung nakaraang linggo. Akalain mo, inararo ang Taft Avenue station?!

Sa isang hindi inaasahang sitwasyon, nagkakaroon ng mga serye ng depektibong tren ang Megatren, o MRT line 3 sa pagitang ng Magallanes at Taft Avenue stations nopng nakaraang Miyerkules, dahilan para magkaroon ng traffic sa bandang Taft Rotonda sa Pasay City, naging instant viewing venue ang lugar ng pinangyarihan, at uminit ang ulo ng mga netizens sa social media.

Tirada Ni SlickMaster: Colored Traffic

8/10/2014 10:34:03 PM

Matrapik na naman last week. Sinabayn pa ng ulan ni habagat at ng Bagyong Jose.

O, ano namang bago rito? Eh kung tutuusin naman ay parte na ng ating sibilisasyon ang mabigat na trapiko ah.

Flick Review: Metro Manila

10/18/2013 10:51:38 AM

Noir poetry is on the roll, and one of its biggest fruits was the movie known as “Metro Manila.” Nah, we should not be wondering on why the metropolitan has always been the subject of this type of artwork. Seems like poverty porn has always been a part of our cultural identity, eh?

It’s nice to notice though that Metro Manila was the British filmmaker Sean Ellis’ entry to the 86^th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Yes, pang-Oscars nga ang pelikulang ito, considering that it can actually be a convergence of Filip

OVER-DEVELOPMENT KILLS?

Yan ang patunay sa isang kasabihan na “lahat ng sobra ay nakakasama na.” Oo, kahit sa lebel ng mga gusali’t iba pang imprastraktura ang usapan.

Ewan ko lang ha. Pero sa panahon na umuusbong ang kaliwa’t kanang mga proyekto sa Kamaynilaan, mapa-skyscraper man o flyover, parang luamala din ang epekto ng kalamidad ditto. As in, nag level-up din ba, baagy na talaga naming hindi maganda. Nagsulputan na parang kabute ang mga gusali na nilaan apra gawing mga unit ng condo, nagkaroon din ng mga magagandang alternatibong ruta para kahit papaano ay maibsan ang nakakabadtrip na heavy traffic. Pero dahil sa mga tulad ni Ondoy noong 2009 at noong Agosto, ang isang simpleng sama ng panahon na kung tawagin ay Habagat, tila na-negate nito ang mga pagusbong ng mukha sa Metro Manila. Saklap.

Kaya minsa, naisip ko, deklikado nga pala ang pagiging labis na developed ang isang lugar. Sabagay, sa nasabing termino nga naman na “labis,” e matik na masama na rin e, kahit gaano pa kaganda ang layunin.