Mara Cepeda
@maracepeda.bsky.social
Philippines Correspondent for The Straits Times | AJF ‘21 fellow | UNRAF ‘23 fellow | 📥 cmara@sph.com.sg | Views are my own.
Voted early today as a journalist!
I’m standing with leaders who choose honesty, justice, and the common good — those who listen, and fight the right battles with us.
Vote wisely, folks! Damay-damay tayong lahat dito 🇵🇭
I’m standing with leaders who choose honesty, justice, and the common good — those who listen, and fight the right battles with us.
Vote wisely, folks! Damay-damay tayong lahat dito 🇵🇭
April 28, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Voted early today as a journalist!
I’m standing with leaders who choose honesty, justice, and the common good — those who listen, and fight the right battles with us.
Vote wisely, folks! Damay-damay tayong lahat dito 🇵🇭
I’m standing with leaders who choose honesty, justice, and the common good — those who listen, and fight the right battles with us.
Vote wisely, folks! Damay-damay tayong lahat dito 🇵🇭
LOOK: The US’ anti-ship Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missile system arrives in northern PH on April 26 for the maritime key terrain security operations, part of the Balikatan exercises between American and Filipino troops.
📸 LtC John Paul Salgado
📸 LtC John Paul Salgado
April 27, 2025 at 2:29 AM
LOOK: The US’ anti-ship Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missile system arrives in northern PH on April 26 for the maritime key terrain security operations, part of the Balikatan exercises between American and Filipino troops.
📸 LtC John Paul Salgado
📸 LtC John Paul Salgado
What first caught my eye was the chaos – books everywhere, piled like memories. In a quiet corner in PH’s business district, Mang Nanie offers something rare: a place to read, to belong, and to believe in stories again.
Here’s the story of Mang Nanie.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Here’s the story of Mang Nanie.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
April 26, 2025 at 2:24 AM
What first caught my eye was the chaos – books everywhere, piled like memories. In a quiet corner in PH’s business district, Mang Nanie offers something rare: a place to read, to belong, and to believe in stories again.
Here’s the story of Mang Nanie.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Here’s the story of Mang Nanie.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
What did 2022 teach us? A purist mindset loses elections. Politics is addition. Strategic alliances aren’t always pretty – but that’s how you win.
April 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
What did 2022 teach us? A purist mindset loses elections. Politics is addition. Strategic alliances aren’t always pretty – but that’s how you win.
I’ve wrestled with my faith, wounded by archaic teachings & scandals that rocked the Catholic Church.
But Pope Francis made me believe again.
Even when the Church felt distant, he stayed close to the least, the lost & the doubting.
Maraming salamat.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
But Pope Francis made me believe again.
Even when the Church felt distant, he stayed close to the least, the lost & the doubting.
Maraming salamat.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Asia mourns Pope’s death: ‘His humility brought many back to the fold of the Church’
Asian leaders paid tribute to Pope Francis, who championed the weak, the marginalised and the poor. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I’ve wrestled with my faith, wounded by archaic teachings & scandals that rocked the Catholic Church.
But Pope Francis made me believe again.
Even when the Church felt distant, he stayed close to the least, the lost & the doubting.
Maraming salamat.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
But Pope Francis made me believe again.
Even when the Church felt distant, he stayed close to the least, the lost & the doubting.
Maraming salamat.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
A Jesuit Pope always felt right. Pope Francis walked with the poor, the queer, the women, the cast aside. He faced fire among the conservatives, but he never wavered. He's a moral compass in a dark, chaotic world.
Rest easy, Lolo Kiko. Thank you for giving us hope.
Rest easy, Lolo Kiko. Thank you for giving us hope.
April 21, 2025 at 8:29 AM
A Jesuit Pope always felt right. Pope Francis walked with the poor, the queer, the women, the cast aside. He faced fire among the conservatives, but he never wavered. He's a moral compass in a dark, chaotic world.
Rest easy, Lolo Kiko. Thank you for giving us hope.
Rest easy, Lolo Kiko. Thank you for giving us hope.
Happy Easter, everyone! 🙏🏻🐣
April 20, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Happy Easter, everyone! 🙏🏻🐣
In the Philippines, well-entrenched dynastic clans have co-opted the party-list system that was meant to keep them in check.
The same families are set to dominate the May midterm polls.
On the @straits-times.bsky.social with Angie de Silva
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
The same families are set to dominate the May midterm polls.
On the @straits-times.bsky.social with Angie de Silva
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
April 18, 2025 at 11:25 PM
In the Philippines, well-entrenched dynastic clans have co-opted the party-list system that was meant to keep them in check.
The same families are set to dominate the May midterm polls.
On the @straits-times.bsky.social with Angie de Silva
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
The same families are set to dominate the May midterm polls.
On the @straits-times.bsky.social with Angie de Silva
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Defence Sec Pete Hegseth tells US allies Japan and the Philippines that ties remain “iron-clad,” but he skips South Korea in his maiden trip to the Indo-Pacific. @straits-times.bsky.social’s Walter Sim, Wendy Teo, and I look into what this means for the region.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
March 31, 2025 at 3:53 AM
Defence Sec Pete Hegseth tells US allies Japan and the Philippines that ties remain “iron-clad,” but he skips South Korea in his maiden trip to the Indo-Pacific. @straits-times.bsky.social’s Walter Sim, Wendy Teo, and I look into what this means for the region.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
In Hegseth’s visit to Manila today, the US was out to dispel doubts in its reliability as an Indo-Pacific security partner. But analysts remain cautious if the Philippines can fully depend on its longtime ally under Trump.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
US reinstates $670m military aid to Philippines in show of ‘iron-clad’ support under Trump
US fully restores military aid but analysts say President Trump’s record raises doubts about Washington’s commitment to its Indo-Pacific allies. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
March 28, 2025 at 10:13 AM
In Hegseth’s visit to Manila today, the US was out to dispel doubts in its reliability as an Indo-Pacific security partner. But analysts remain cautious if the Philippines can fully depend on its longtime ally under Trump.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Will the Philippines filing a 2nd legal case vs China make any difference this time? History suggests the battle for the South China Sea won’t be won in a courtroom alone.
Explored the pros and cons for my Opinion cover for The Straits Times.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-...
Explored the pros and cons for my Opinion cover for The Straits Times.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-...
March 24, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Will the Philippines filing a 2nd legal case vs China make any difference this time? History suggests the battle for the South China Sea won’t be won in a courtroom alone.
Explored the pros and cons for my Opinion cover for The Straits Times.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-...
Explored the pros and cons for my Opinion cover for The Straits Times.
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-...
How ironic that the strongman who built a legacy on bypassing due process now wants it for himself – a right that Duterte denied from the thousands brutally slain in his bloody drug war.
March 11, 2025 at 6:25 AM
How ironic that the strongman who built a legacy on bypassing due process now wants it for himself – a right that Duterte denied from the thousands brutally slain in his bloody drug war.
Rodrigo Duterte seemed untouchable once. But today, that facade has crumbled.
PH’s ex-strongman president is ARRESTED as the ICC issues warrant over crimes vs humanity over his brutal drug war that killed thousands.
Historic day.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
PH’s ex-strongman president is ARRESTED as the ICC issues warrant over crimes vs humanity over his brutal drug war that killed thousands.
Historic day.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Ex-Philippine president Duterte arrested over deadly drug war
The arrest comes amid his deepening rift with incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
March 11, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Rodrigo Duterte seemed untouchable once. But today, that facade has crumbled.
PH’s ex-strongman president is ARRESTED as the ICC issues warrant over crimes vs humanity over his brutal drug war that killed thousands.
Historic day.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
PH’s ex-strongman president is ARRESTED as the ICC issues warrant over crimes vs humanity over his brutal drug war that killed thousands.
Historic day.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
The campaign trail in the Philippines has turned into a proxy war between 2 presidents – the incumbent Bongbong Marcos and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
What’s at stake? The future of their dynastic clans.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
What’s at stake? The future of their dynastic clans.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Marcos vs Duterte: War of words heats up Philippines’ midterm polls campaign
Campaign trail speeches turn into attack opportunities for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
March 3, 2025 at 12:04 PM
The campaign trail in the Philippines has turned into a proxy war between 2 presidents – the incumbent Bongbong Marcos and his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.
What’s at stake? The future of their dynastic clans.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
What’s at stake? The future of their dynastic clans.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
To remember is to defy goes the rallying cry of the thousands of black-clad Filipinos who went to EDSA today to protest Pres Marcos' removal of Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted his late father, the dictator.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
‘No freedom without protest’: Filipinos defy Marcos’ snub of People Power anniversary
Filipinos protest President Ferdinand Marcos Jr again excluding Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted his late father. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 11:46 AM
To remember is to defy goes the rallying cry of the thousands of black-clad Filipinos who went to EDSA today to protest Pres Marcos' removal of Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted his late father, the dictator.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
To remember is to defy goes the rallying cry of the thousands of black-clad Filipinos who went to EDSA today to protest Pres Marcos' removal of Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted his late father,the dictator
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
‘No freedom without protest’: Filipinos defy Marcos’ snub of People Power anniversary
Filipinos protest President Ferdinand Marcos Jr again excluding Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted his late father. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM
To remember is to defy goes the rallying cry of the thousands of black-clad Filipinos who went to EDSA today to protest Pres Marcos' removal of Feb 25 as a holiday to mark the anniversary of the People Power Revolution that ousted his late father,the dictator
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Defence Secretary Gibo Teodoro doesn't mince words against Beijing as he defends Manila's plan to acquire the US-made Typhon missile system. Watch and read our interview with him here!
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
US-made Typhon missiles to bolster security, deter ‘repressive’ China: Philippine defence chief
Mr Gilberto Teodoro Jr said the Philippines’ plans to acquire the missile system were an “internal matter”. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 16, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Defence Secretary Gibo Teodoro doesn't mince words against Beijing as he defends Manila's plan to acquire the US-made Typhon missile system. Watch and read our interview with him here!
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Guess who missed doing live sit-down interviews? 🙋🏻♀️
Catch The Straits Times’ exclusive interview with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr tomorrow at noon!
Shot with Tiyak Studio
📸 DND
Catch The Straits Times’ exclusive interview with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr tomorrow at noon!
Shot with Tiyak Studio
📸 DND
February 15, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Guess who missed doing live sit-down interviews? 🙋🏻♀️
Catch The Straits Times’ exclusive interview with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr tomorrow at noon!
Shot with Tiyak Studio
📸 DND
Catch The Straits Times’ exclusive interview with Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr tomorrow at noon!
Shot with Tiyak Studio
📸 DND
The campaign season kicks off for the midterm polls in the Philippines, where the 2 most powerful dynastic clans are at war.
It only gets crazier from here.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
It only gets crazier from here.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Marcos-Duterte feud kicks off midterm election season in the Philippines
At stake is VP Sara Duterte's political survival as she will be facing an impeachment trial. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 11, 2025 at 4:52 AM
The campaign season kicks off for the midterm polls in the Philippines, where the 2 most powerful dynastic clans are at war.
It only gets crazier from here.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
It only gets crazier from here.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
We spoke to Filipino immigrants in the US, including those who reached the country legally and have no criminal records, who are worried Trump’s tougher immigration policy would target them, too. They believe no one is safe.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
February 9, 2025 at 3:19 AM
We spoke to Filipino immigrants in the US, including those who reached the country legally and have no criminal records, who are worried Trump’s tougher immigration policy would target them, too. They believe no one is safe.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
The House moves as the president wishes.
So even if Marcos has repeatedly said in public that he doesn’t back Duterte’s impeachment, the actions of his allies tell us the truth.
And who was the first to sign Duterte’s impeachment case? Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
So even if Marcos has repeatedly said in public that he doesn’t back Duterte’s impeachment, the actions of his allies tell us the truth.
And who was the first to sign Duterte’s impeachment case? Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
February 5, 2025 at 10:11 AM
The House moves as the president wishes.
So even if Marcos has repeatedly said in public that he doesn’t back Duterte’s impeachment, the actions of his allies tell us the truth.
And who was the first to sign Duterte’s impeachment case? Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
So even if Marcos has repeatedly said in public that he doesn’t back Duterte’s impeachment, the actions of his allies tell us the truth.
And who was the first to sign Duterte’s impeachment case? Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
Sara Duterte’s impeachment by the House dominated by Bongbong Marcos’ allies is the ultimate sign that the UniTeam of 2022 was a scam.
When politicians play their game of thrones, the Filipino people lose.
Kaya pa, Pinas?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
When politicians play their game of thrones, the Filipino people lose.
Kaya pa, Pinas?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Philippine V-P Sara Duterte impeached for alleged misuse of funds
VP Duterte's impeachment signals intensified feud with her former ally President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
February 5, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Sara Duterte’s impeachment by the House dominated by Bongbong Marcos’ allies is the ultimate sign that the UniTeam of 2022 was a scam.
When politicians play their game of thrones, the Filipino people lose.
Kaya pa, Pinas?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
When politicians play their game of thrones, the Filipino people lose.
Kaya pa, Pinas?
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
The Philippine government suspects China has “extensive operations” to infiltrate the country’s security infrastructure. The NSC says to expect more arrests of suspected spies in the coming weeks.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Philippines eyes stricter anti-spy laws as fears of foreign espionage grow
The move comes as tensions mount over the South China Sea. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
The Philippine government suspects China has “extensive operations” to infiltrate the country’s security infrastructure. The NSC says to expect more arrests of suspected spies in the coming weeks.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
A sex education bill polarizes the predominantly Christian Philippines.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
Sex education Bill ignites firestorm in Christian-majority Philippines
Some provisions are seen as undermining parental authority. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
January 25, 2025 at 11:52 AM
A sex education bill polarizes the predominantly Christian Philippines.
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...
When the world feels like it’s slipping into darkness, all the more reason for us to keep the light burning. Doing what’s good isn’t just important; it’s also an act of defiance.
January 21, 2025 at 5:45 AM
When the world feels like it’s slipping into darkness, all the more reason for us to keep the light burning. Doing what’s good isn’t just important; it’s also an act of defiance.