The Manila Times’ Blanca Mercado on why self-care matters in leadership and life

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court expressed satisfaction on Thursday after a survey showed that 51 percent of Filipinos are ready to accept its verdict on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. This pertains to a Social Weather Stations survey conducted from Sept. 21 to 27, 2026. The survey also found that 26 percent

LEGAZPI CITY — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Bicol is tightening water conservation and heat prevention measures at detention facilities ahead of the anticipated effects of a strong El Niño. Jail Senior Superintendent Jose Gemelo C. Taol, BJMP Bicol regional director, said the preparations followed directives from BJMP chief Jail Director

MANILA, Philippines — A 59-year-old passenger spent the night outside the Manila North Port in Tondo, Manila last Tuesday because she could not immediately secure the earliest trip to Bacolod. She then spent the next two days in the area waiting for her ship to depart on Thursday evening.  Speaking to reporters, Leonila Castillanes said

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — Classes at all levels in public and private schools in Lingig, Surigao del Sur were suspended Thursday at noon after a series of earthquakes, including a magnitude 5.9 tremor, jolted off its coast. Lingig Mayor Elmer Evangelio issued Memorandum No. 15 halting classes until further notice as a precautionary

COTABATO CITY — On Wednesday, the national government began releasing the monthly allowances of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) members serving in the Joint Peace and Security Teams (JPSTs), a security mechanism under the Bangsamoro peace agreement. The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) said 362 MILF members are deployed

MANILA, Philippines — The world of fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is getting smaller following the government’s offer of a P50-million reward for his capture. This is what Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Thursday. At a briefing in Bukidnon, Castro said operations to capture dela Rosa are ongoing, but she could not disclose

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — While thousands of farmers across the province watched their fields parched from the prolonged dry spell,  Roger Villegas stood beside stacks of freshly harvested palay on Wednesday, looking at an estimated P882,000 payoff. Initial crop-cut sampling conducted by Department of Agriculture (DA) Caraga technicians during a local harvest festival showed

COTABATO CITY — Police seized suspected smuggled cigarettes worth P3.7 million from a closed van at a checkpoint in the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on Wednesday evening, October 28. The Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) said personnel from the 1405th Maneuver Company of the Regional

The landmark modern gothic novel, Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” turned 50 this year. There’s been a flurry of gatherings, talks, and panels this month from Pasadena (at the Pasadena Presbyterian Church), to New York (New York Comic Con, the Strand, The National Arts Club) with a culmination in New Orleans. The Krewe of Boo dedicated a special float at the Halloween Parade last Saturday, and a screening of the 1994 “Interview with the Vampire” movie (with Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Kirsten Dunst) was held last Sunday. Tonight, there will be a special celebration at the 38th annual Anne Rice Vampire Ball and followed by a special book event at the Roussell Auditorium on Halloween. Often in the middle of this commemoration are authors Christopher Rice (Anne’s son), Leigh Bardugo and Eric Shaw Quinn. I had a celebration of my own chatting with Casey Copengco and Lynn Montejo of Anne Rice Philippines, about the first time they picked up a book from The Vampire Chronicles. Casey, who writes as CJ Edmunds, chanced upon “Interview with the Vampire” at the National Bookstore in Virra Mall in 1993. He recalls, “It was the blue Ballantine book with a plantation house on the cover, and it will always be my favorite edition. While my original got worn out, I had to buy a newer copy that later turned yellow. The book then was priced at P131!” “I was expecting more horror, but I didn’t expect it to be something more, something profound that would have a lasting impression and impact on me both as a reader, and as a writer.” “I would love for my work to be a reflection of my love and appreciation for Anne, and if it in turn can inspire a reader to write their own story, then so much the better. We all add to the endless cycle of reading and publishing.” Lynn got her hands on “Memnoch the Devil” (book five) in 1997. She says, “I had begun questioning many aspects of my spirituality and the book found me at the exactly the right moment. I was 17. I didn’t read The Vampire Chronicles in order, mostly because I was buying used or discounted copies and reading whatever I could get my hands on. “Oddly enough, I was never confused by reading the books out of order. It felt like listening to different relatives tell the same family story from their own perspectives, each revealing new details and contradictions along the way.” I can attest to this. Lynn adores how Rice “blended meticulous historical research with supernatural fiction so seamlessly. I love the rich, intricate details that create vivid mental images.” And as Casey would chime in, apart from images, they evoke feelings as well. Leigh Bardugo would agree, in her introduction to the beautiful 50th anniversary edition of book, she talks about how Rice’s vampire stories are “firmly rooted in history,” that Rice has a “mastery of atmosphere,” and beyond that “she wrestles with the moral questions posed by immortality in such deeply human ways.” Rice has achieved a thrilling, enduring work with one foot in the sexy, decadent, lush and another in the philosophical, theological, spiritual and historical. And yes, we all think she’s much more awesome than JK Rowling. Casey will be at the first AuthorCon on November 28 and 29 at the NBS Park in Mandaluyong. The 1994 “Interview with the Vampire” movie is available on HBO Max, and the three seasons of the ongoing “Interview with the Vampire” series is on Netflix. The book is also out there, waiting for you.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – A non-commissioned police officer stationed in Surigao del Sur was named the country’s top investigator for women and children’s protection cases during a national summit in Zamboanga City, regional police officials said on Thursday. Chief Master Sergeant Christine Intano of the Carrascal Municipal Police Station received the Outstanding Senior

LEGAZPI CITY — Ballistics tests have linked evidence recovered from the killing of broadcaster Adrian Loterte in Daraga, Albay, to a .45-caliber handgun associated with an earlier shooting investigation, the Bicol police said on Wednesday. The PNP Forensic Group’s Firearms Identification Section established the match after examining bullet slugs and cartridge cases recovered from the