Manila Meets Metropolis: Superman Cast Lands in the Philippines for Epic Fan Encounter

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and James Gunn soar into Manila for a historic visit — with a powerful stop at the Bridgetowne “The Victor” statue

 Faster than a speeding bullet and with more heart than a thousand fan letters, the cast and director of the new Superman film landed in the Philippines this week to a thunderous welcome that could rival any comic book crossover event.

Hollywood’s newest Man of Steel, David Corenswet, joined by the fierce and brilliant Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), and visionary director James Gunn graced Manila not just to promote the upcoming film — but to connect with a nation that has always celebrated heroes, both real and fictional.

A Hero’s Arrival

Filipino fans were out in full force as the Superman cast made their grand entrance at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for a red-carpet fan event that transformed the venue into a living comic book — complete with skyline backdrops, Daily Planet props, and a giant Fortress of Solitude installation.

“This is unbelievable,” Corenswet told the ecstatic crowd. “The love you’re showing us is what being Superman is all about — lifting each other up.”

Brosnahan, elegant and commanding, channeled her inner Lois Lane: “I’ve played journalists, comedians, and truth-seekers — but nothing compares to meeting fans who are this passionate and thoughtful. Thank you, Manila!”

A Cinematic Symbol Meets a Filipino Giant

But the event wasn’t just about lights, cameras, or capes. In a moment rich with symbolism, the trio made an unannounced stop at the iconic Bridgetowne “The Victor” statue — the towering steel sculpture that has become a modern landmark of Filipino strength and resilience.

Standing over 60 meters tall, “The Victor” — a triumphant figure reaching skyward across the Pasig and Quezon City boundary — served as the perfect metaphor for Superman’s own legacy: bold, aspirational, and forged from struggle.

As David Corenswet looked up at the colossal figure, he remarked:

“This is the Philippines’ Superman — a symbol of overcoming, rising above challenges, and believing in the impossible.”

James Gunn, visibly moved, added, “This isn’t just an art piece. It’s a story — and that’s what Superman is about. The world needs more Victors.”

Rachel Brosnahan knelt beside a group of fans gathered nearby and posed for photos with children dressed as Clark Kent, Wonder Woman, and The Flash. “If Lois were here,” she said, “she’d be writing a headline about this statue — and how it inspires a nation to keep climbing.”

Photos and videos of the cast standing at the base of “The Victor,” hands raised in salute, instantly went viral. One fan captioned it:

“From Metropolis to Manila, heroes recognize heroes. #SupermanInPH #TheVictorStandsTall #LookUpManila”

Beyond the Red Carpet

In addition to their appearance at Bridgetowne, the trio paid a heartfelt visit to a children’s hospital in Pasig. Corenswet, in full costume and character, lit up the ward with hugs, smiles, and hope.

“They didn’t just bring Hollywood to Manila,” said Wazzup Pilipinas founder Ross Flores Del Rosario, who covered the visit. “They brought humanity — and reminded us why we fall in love with heroes in the first place.”

At the exclusive fan premiere, attendees were treated to never-before-seen footage, including soaring action sequences, tender Clark-Lois scenes on the Daily Planet rooftop, and a first look at Lex Luthor’s chilling new persona.

A Legacy Cemented in Concrete and Courage

As their Manila leg drew to a close, fans were left not just with autographs and selfies — but with something deeper. A message.

James Gunn summed it up on stage:

“Every country we visit leaves a mark on our film. But the Philippines — with your warmth, passion, and grit — you’ve left a mark on our hearts. You are now a part of Superman’s legacy.”

And as the cape billowed in the breeze beside “The Victor,” perhaps the world’s most famous superhero met his match — not in battle, but in meaning.

Up, up, and Mabuhay!

Because here in the Philippines, even Superman finds strength.

Powering the Future: How PBBM’s Green Light Sparked Hope in a Remote Agusan del Norte Tribe

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Sitio Tagpangi, Buenavista, Agusan del Norte — June 21, 2025. In a small, isolated village carved deep into the mountains of Mindanao, hope finally arrived — not by road, but by the spark of solar power and the glow of connectivity.

For the first time, the classrooms of Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School, nestled in the ancestral lands of the Higaonon tribe, lit up with electric light and satellite internet — a revolutionary moment under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s landmark Last Mile Electrification Program.

This transformative initiative — a ₱1.295-billion collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) — aims to energize the country’s most isolated schools, ensuring no Filipino learner is left in the dark.

And in Sitio Tagpangi, the darkness was real.

From Shadows to Screens

For years, students here studied under flickering candles and kerosene lamps, while teachers struggled with limited resources and no access to digital tools. The isolation wasn’t just geographical — it was educational, economic, and deeply social. But all that changed on June 19, 2025, when government officials arrived bearing not just infrastructure, but the promise of inclusion.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, braving river crossings and treacherous mountain roads, led the historic energization mission. Under the beating sun and amidst the cheers of the Higaonon community, the school was switched on — literally and figuratively — powered by solar energy and connected to the world via Starlink satellite internet.

“This is an IP school. They got electricity last Monday, thanks to the quick work of NEA and DOE,” Angara proudly announced during a live video call with President Marcos Jr., who joined from Quezon City. “This is just the beginning. We are ready to roll out to the rest.”

The Department’s bold vision is to electrify 295 remote public schools across the country within the year. With this pilot launch, the dream has become a tangible reality.

A President’s Promise

During the virtual engagement, President Marcos Jr. encouraged the young learners with an inspiring message:

“Maganda yung bago ninyong laruan. Gamitin niyo nang husto ‘yan. Marami kayong matututunan. Pararamihin pa natin ito—especially in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.”

True to his administration’s commitment to inclusive education, the President vowed to ensure that no child, regardless of where they live, is left behind in the digital era.

Community Empowerment Beyond the Classroom

Agusan del Norte Governor Angelica Amante, visibly moved, highlighted the impact on the Higaonon tribe:

“Ngayon po, very excited na silang pumasok. Hindi katulad dati na ayaw nila pumasok.”

The electrification goes beyond school grounds. Nearby homes are also benefiting from the newly installed solar power system, thanks to the support of ANECO (Agusan del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.), which partnered with NEA on implementation.

NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda reaffirmed the urgency of their mission:

“I committed to Sec. Sonny that all 295 Last Mile Schools will be covered and rolled out within the year.”

It was a promise rooted in equity — to bridge the gap between students in urban hubs and those tucked away in the remotest corners of the archipelago.

A Spark That Ignites Dreams

In Sitio Tagpangi, light now dances on blackboards where shadows once reigned. Students who once hesitated to go to school now rush in with anticipation. For them, electricity isn’t just power — it’s opportunity. It’s access to information, to modern tools, and to a broader world that had long felt out of reach.

The story of Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School is now a beacon — proof that real change doesn’t start in the corridors of power but in the flicker of a classroom light, the hum of a tablet booting up, and the joyful gasp of a child seeing the world beyond the mountains for the very first time.

As the electrification program powers forward, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a project—it’s a revolution of hope, inclusion, and dignity.

The light has been turned on. The future has begun.

Toxic Paints Still on the Shelves: EcoWaste Coalition Raises Alarm Over Hazardous Thai Spray Paints as National Poison Prevention Week Begins

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a shocking revelation that puts public health in the crosshairs, the EcoWaste Coalition has exposed the ongoing sale of lead-laced spray paints from Thailand in defiance of a national law that was supposed to protect the Filipino people from this silent poison. As the country kicks off National Poison Prevention Week, the watchdog group calls on government agencies to step up and crack down before more lives are put at risk.

The product at the heart of the controversy? Nikko Spray All-Purpose Quick Drying High Gloss Acrylic — a brand already flagged by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — yet continues to make its toxic rounds on local store shelves, from Pasay to Quezon City.

A Poison Hiding in Plain Sight

EcoWaste Coalition, known for its relentless advocacy for lead-safe environments, recently purchased eight variants of Nikko Spray Paint from different hardware stores. Using an X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, they detected dangerously high lead content in several samples:

Dark Green – 780 ppm

Orange Red – 4,092 ppm

Leaf Green – 5,887 ppm

These levels are far above the 90 parts per million (ppm) legal limit mandated by Philippine law — a threshold recognized globally as the most protective standard for lead in paints.

Even more alarming, previous laboratory tests commissioned by EcoWaste uncovered even higher concentrations in other Nikko variants, such as:

Medium Yellow – a shocking 52,200 ppm

Yellow – 19,800 ppm

Apple Green – 15,800 ppm

Such figures paint a disturbing picture of complacency and regulatory failure.

A Ban That Exists Only on Paper?

Despite the Chemical Control Order of 2013, which banned the use of lead in paint and enforced phase-out deadlines by 2016 and 2019 for decorative and industrial paints respectively, enforcement remains woefully lacking. Even after FDA advisories in 2023 and 2024 flagged specific Nikko variants as non-compliant and hazardous, these paints are still being sold — openly and without penalty.

Adding insult to injury, product labels fail to mention any lead content warnings, depriving consumers of their right to make informed choices. “While some precautionary text exists, there’s no acknowledgment of the extreme risks posed by lead exposure,” noted EcoWaste.

A Chemical That Damages for Life

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead is a “cumulative toxicant” that wreaks havoc on nearly every system in the human body — and young children bear the brunt of its damage. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities in children.

In adults, it is linked to high blood pressure, kidney failure, and reproductive issues. For pregnant women, the dangers are even more pronounced: miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and low birth weight are among the devastating consequences.

Crucially, there is no known safe level of lead exposure — zero is the only acceptable number.

Who Will Stop the Poison?

As National Poison Prevention Week (June 22–28) is observed under Presidential Proclamation No. 1777, EcoWaste Coalition is urging a whole-of-government response. Led by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Society of Clinical and Occupational Toxicology (PSCOT), and the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC), the week should not merely be symbolic — it must be catalytic.

EcoWaste is demanding:

Stricter customs screening for imported paints

On-ground enforcement at retail outlets

Sanctions against violators, including importers and sellers

Public education about the dangers of lead-containing products

In a joint effort with the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) and the Philippine Paint and Coatings Association, Inc. (PCCAI), EcoWaste has also released a “Public Notice on Lead-Containing Paints” aimed at arming consumers with vital information. (Access it here: ecowastecoalition.org/leadspraypaints)

A Global Example, Now Tarnished?

Ironically, the very same regulation that is being ignored today earned the Future Policy Award in 2021, recognizing the Philippines as a global leader in eliminating lead in paints. That honor now stands in sharp contrast to the grim reality on the ground.

“This is not just a regulatory lapse. This is a betrayal of public trust,” said an EcoWaste representative. “We have the law. We have the proof. What we don’t have is the willpower — and it’s costing lives.”

Conclusion: Wake Up Before It’s Too Late

As Filipinos mark another Poison Prevention Week, the haunting presence of toxic Thai spray paints on local shelves is a wake-up call to government regulators, importers, and consumers alike. The danger is not theoretical — it’s real, present, and deadly.

Until these poisons are pulled from our stores and our homes, the lead paint ban remains not a shield, but a broken promise.

Let us not wait for another tragedy to finally enforce what should have already been a done deal. The health of our children — and of generations to come — depends on it.

For updates and warnings on toxic consumer products, follow the EcoWaste Coalition’s alerts or visit: ecowastecoalition.org.