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Sam Beltran
SCMP Contributor
Sam Beltran is a journalist based in Manila who has written for publications in the Philippines and around Asia. Her stories explore food, lifestyle scenes, popular trends, and sub-cultures as windows into society and the human condition.
Sam Beltran is a journalist based in Manila who has written for publications in the Philippines and around Asia. Her stories explore food, lifestyle scenes, popular trends, and sub-cultures as windows into society and the human condition.
Languages Spoken:
English
The bloc’s foreign ministers meet in Cebu amid concerns that diplomacy could slide into tacit acceptance of military rule.
While Asean members such as Malaysia and Vietnam have shown strong post-pandemic growth, tourist numbers have lagged in the Philippines.
Its ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget might not be enough to close long-standing gaps, experts say.
With gas supply at a current well set to run out by 2027, potential new sources could help avert an energy crisis in Luzon.
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The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.
The move reflects an ‘America first’ policy approach and treats certain allies in the region as ‘strategically insignificant’, analysts say.
The fatal collapse of a garbage landfill in Cebu has also exposed lax enforcement and poor waste management.
Washington is looking to reposition itself as the main peacemaker in Southeast Asia following Beijing’s mediation successes, analysts say.
Critics say the visit may be viewed as the bloc’s new chair endorsing a controversial junta-led election in Myanmar.
Christina Frasco’s cover appearance has drawn accusations from critics that self-promotion is being prioritised over strategy and results.
Doctors have hit back, saying that they are being unfairly blamed for deeper systemic failures in healthcare financing.
Given Asean’s policy of non-interference, the Philippines may be better off leaving peace negotiations to the US and China, experts say.
The US$27.7 million contract covers combat management systems for two next-generation Philippine Navy frigates.
The proposal, which requires visa-exempt visitors to provide five years of social media history, comes amid moves to toughen US borders.
Analysts said the exits risk deepening public scepticism over whether politically connected contractors can be held to account.
Analysts said the death removes a pivotal witness and exposes weaknesses in how authorities have handled evidence and testimony.
Critics are worried that the massive budget would either fall prey to corruption or not be enough to tackle long-standing problems.
Deepening political feuds, ex-president Duterte’s ICC arrest and the South China Sea dispute have reshaped the Philippine landscape.
While the ruling has been hailed as a win for human rights, it may not have much impact on Duterte’s ICC case, legal analysts say.
Australian police are looking into a trip the two suspects made to Davao City, but Philippine officials say it is not connected to the shooting.
Measures to rein in tech companies risk opening the door to tighter state oversight of online platforms, analysts say.
The former lawmaker, who is facing charges linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, is suspected to have fled to Portugal.
The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.
Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.
Analysts urge Asean to take ‘urgent, coordinated action’ if it hopes to mediate an end to the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
Prosecutors accuse Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya of pocketing millions for a government-funded flood control project that was never built.
A new survey shows Marcos’ satisfaction ratings at only 21 per cent – his lowest since taking office in 2022.
Cybercrime officials have uncovered a ‘definite link’ between the massive graft scandal and laundering rings run by banned gaming operators.
Corruption, complacency and climate chaos conspire to turn the Philippines’ natural hazards into man-made tragedies.
