epaselect epa09660418 A surfer rides a wave in San Narciso, Zambales province, Philippines, 30 December 2021. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa08790445 A man stands on the shore of Manila Bay in Manila, Philippines, 01 November 2020. Super Typhoon Goni, with winds forecasted to reach over 240 kilometers per hour, made landfall on 01 November 2020, in the Philippine provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Quezon. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa09350406 Filipino skateboarder Egie Chavez performs during the Red Bull Mind The Gap skateboarding contest in Manila, Philippines, 17 July 2021. Skateboarding is one of the non-contact sports that is allowed in the Philippines modified lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa07179707 Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and Philippines' President Rodrigo Duterte (R) raise a toast during a State Banquet at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, Philippines, 20 November 2018. President Xi Jinping is on an official state visit to Manila following his attendance to the APEC in Papua New Guinea and a visit to Brunei. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO / POOL

epa07876207 Frans Steyn (bottom) of South Africa in action against Muharua Katjijeko (top) of Namibia during the Rugby World Cup match between South Africa and Namibia in Toyota, Japan, 28 September 2019. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY

epa07858046 Peceli Yato of Fiji scores a try against Australia during the Rugby World Cup match between Australia and Fiji in Sapporo, Japan, 21 September 2019.The Rugby World Cup is being held in Japan and will run from 20 September to 02 November 2019. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO EDITORIAL USE ONLY/ NO COMMERCIAL SALES / NOT USED IN ASSOCATION WITH ANY COMMERCIAL ENTITY

epa06409756 Fighters of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) rest in the Sierra Madre mountains of Luzon region, Philippines, 29 December 2017 (issued 30 December 2017). Communist rebels celebrated the 49th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered a stop to peace talks between the Philippine government and communist rebels, and has labeled them as terrorist following recent attacks on government forces by the rebels in provinces outside the Philippine capital. The NPA claims that the government is using its campaign against illegal drugs, terrorism and the declaration of Martial Law in the southern region of Mindanao as tools to commit human rights violations. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa08461668 (02/25) A woman covers her nose as health workers enter an alley in Manila, Philippines, 22 May 2020. Four volunteer health workers were nicknamed 'Astronauts' by residents of Village 775, Zone 84 in Manila as they resemble such when donning their protective equipment. The healthcare volunteers conduct home visits twice a day to people infected or suspected to be infected with the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes the COVID-19 disease in one of the densely populated villages in Manila. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO ATTENTION: For the full PHOTO ESSAY text please see Advisory Notice epa08461666

epa08965481 An image taken with a drone shows a mural of the late former Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna at a housing community on their death anniversary in Taguig, Philippines, 26 January 2021. Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter were killed along with seven others in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, USA on 26 January 2020. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa07642176 (L-R) Rolando Enciso alias 'Anne Curtis Buntis', Joel Pedrigal alias 'Angel Locsin' and Roel Mendiola alias 'Maui Pokpok' prepare in a dressing room during the Miss Gay Chararat 2019, a gay beauty contest in Makati, south of Manila, Philippines, 10 June 2019 (issued 11 June 2019). The pageant is a project of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Barangay Council in San Antonio, Makati as part of their one week festival honoring Saint Anthony of Padua and in celebration of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) Pride month. Gay beauty pageants have been organized in the Philippines since the late 1970s. Contestants come from different backgrounds and professions with ages ranging from fourteen to more than sixty years old. In recent years, the country saw how gay pageants evolved from being part of local festivities to mainstream social spectacles at the national and even international level. Contestants regard pageants as opportunities to express their creativity, to create awareness against discrimination and to advocate for the recognition of their legal rights. Despite the strides made to break gender stereotypes, the LGBT community in the Philippines still feels that much has to be done to achieve acceptance and equality in a conservative and religiously-biased society. LGBT groups have continuously called for equal rights including legalization of same-sex marriage and the passage of the Anti-Discrimination Bill. At the end of June, thousands of members and supporters of the LGBT community are expected to join the LGBT Pride March. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET

epaselect epa07593411 Soldiers travel along a road during a patrol past damaged buildings in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur province, Philippines, 23 May 2019. On 23 May 2017, Islamic State terrorists belonging to the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf occupied Marawi City, triggering a five-month armed conflict that resulted in over a thousand deaths and left the city in ruins. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO ALTERNATE CROP

epaselect epa06199018 A woman raises her feet as she rides a makeshift bicycle through a flooded road in Makati, south of Manila, Philippines, 12 September 2017. According to the latest forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) state weather bureau, Tropical Depression 'Maring' brought heavy rain causing floods, cancellation of classes and suspension of work in the government in Manila and Luzon as it continued to intensify heading for Southern Luzon. PAGASA said it is also monitoring another weather disturbance, Typhoon Talim which has winds of up to 120 kph and gusts of 145 kph. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa06698453 A tourist swims out of the 'Secret Lagoon' in El Nido, Palawan Islands, Philippines, 28 April 2018. According to reports, Philippine Senators Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito and Juan 'Sonny' Angara urged the Philippine government to promote other tourist destinations as the famous Boracay Island was closed for six months to tourists and non-residents for sanitation and development work, after the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte labeled the island as a 'cesspool' because of its water contamination. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa06152928 Elvira Miranda (C) together with relatives of Leover mourn during Leover's burial at the Manila North Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, 20 August 2017. The government's campaign against drugs has claimed more than 7,000 lives, of them 3,451 were killed in 68,214 police operations, while 96,703 people were arrested, according to official data. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa08221636 Filipino motocross rider Rizel Remolacio is chased by a drone during his practice run at the Vermosa Motocross Track in Imus, Cavite, south of Manila, Philippines, 16 February 2020. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa06066823 A Filipino beauty candidate poses for photographers during the media presentation of the Miss Philippines Earth 2017 held at a hotel in Manila, Philippines, 05 July 2017. A total of 40 environmentally aware and concerned Filipino young ladies will compete to represent the Philippines at the Miss Earth beauty pageant. Miss Earth is a pioneering beauty pageant that serves as a vehicle for environmental advocacy. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa08126229 A boy frolics in a lake as the Taal volcano continues to spew smoke and ash in Tanuan, Batangas, Philippines, 14 January 2020. Thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate as authorities in the Philippines raised the alert status of the Taal Volcano, which started spewing lava on 14 January. Ashfall has covered nearby communities and has also reached Manila, located 70 kilometers away. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa09771074 Jiwoo Park (L) of Korea and Elizaveta Golubeva of Russia crash during the Women's Speed Skating Mass Start semi final at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 19 February 2022. EPA-EFE/MARK CRISTINO

epaselect epa05572493 A police officer moves between houses during a police operation against illegal drugs at a slum area in Manila, Philippines, 06 October 2016. According to reports, three people were killed by the police during the operation, a couple of days after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out in response to EU and US criticism of the anti-drug campaign launched by his government. Since Duterte took office on June 30, more than 3,500 people have been killed in military operations and extrajudicial executions carried out as part of the anti-drug campaign, according to reports. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05951820 Filipino boys frolic in an inflatable pool along a bridge in Manila, Philippines, 09 May 2017. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05603334 YEARENDER 2016 AUGUST Filipino rescue workers carry a survivor after a concrete wall collapsed on top of houses in Manila, Philippines, 13 August 2016. According to initial reports, the wall collapsed due to heavy rains, killing two and injuring eight people. EPA/Mark R. Cristino

epa05706646 A woman is carried off by a crowd of devotees near the statue of the Black Nazarene during the procession at the Jones bridge in Manila, Philippines, 09 January 2017. The feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the most celebrated religious events in the predominantly Catholic Philippines, where more than 80 per cent of the population professes the faith. The wooden statue, crowned with thorns and bearing a cross, is believed to have been brought from Mexico to Manila in 1606 by Spanish missionaries. The ship that carried it caught fire, but the charred statue survived and was named the Black Nazarene. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa05042111 A Filipino carries a metal roof following a fire in Mandaluyong City, east of Manila, Philippines, 26 November 2015. At least 1,000 families were displaced after a fire razed through homes in a residential area in Mandaluyong City, reports said. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05751180 Serena Williams of the USA during play against Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia in the Women's Singles semifinal match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 26 January 2017. Williams won the match. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa09738076 Remi Koyama of Japan crashes on the rink following a challenge from goalkeeper Klara Peslarova (not pictured) of Czech Republic during the penalty shoot-out at the Women's Ice Hockey preliminary round match between the Japan and Czech Republic at the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, Beijing, China, 08 February 2022. EPA-EFE/MARK CRISTINO

epa05620885 YEARENDER 2016 OCTOBER Alleged drug users are bound with zip ties during a police operation against illegal drugs in Payatas, Quezon City, north of Manila, Philippines, 05 October 2016. According to reports, two people including a former police officer were killed and around 100 persons arrested during a police operation the day after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte verbally lashed out in response to EU and US criticism of his anti-drug campaign. EPA/Mark R. Cristino

epaselect epa05554000 Filipino police investigators examine a crime scene after an alleged drug user was shot dead by unidentified men in Manila, Philippines, 24 September 2016. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has invited US President Barack Obama to investigate the extrajudicial killings during a visit at a police camp in General Santos City. Duterte had earlier invited the United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) to also probe on the killings. The UN announced on September 23, that it will be reviewing the Philippines situation on human rights on the 28th and 29 of September after Duterte's war on drugs has led to more than 3,500 deaths. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT

epaselect epa05081499 A Filipino worker, covered by gun powder returns to a backyard factory after transporting firecrackers in Bocaue, Bulacan, north of Manila, Philippines, 27 December 2015. The Department of Health has reported more than 50 injuries related to the use of firecrackers from 21 to 26 December, with numbers expected to grow as New Year celebrations near. Filipinos traditionally welcome the New Year with revelries and firecrackers, in the belief that loud noises drive away bad spirits and bring in good luck. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa04907384 A Filipino resident search for salvageable materials after a dike collapsed in Marikina City, east of Manila, Philippines, 01 September 2015. Local reports said, at least one hundred families were evacuated as scores of houses damaged when heavy rains caused a collapse of a dike nearby. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epaselect epa04994415 Filipino boxing icon, Congressman and Mahindra Enforcers playing coach Manny 'Pacman’ Pacquiao (R) attempts a shot against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' JR Quinahan (L) in Quezon City, east of Manila, Philippines, 25 October 2015. Pacquiao made his first shot in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) scoring two points against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. According to his promoter Bob Arum, Pacquiao is set to have his last fight on April 9, 2016 before focusing on his political career. Pacquiao is running for Senator in the 2016 Philippine elections scheduled on 09 May 2016. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05591539 A police mobile runs over protesters during a protest in front of the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines, 19 October 2016. Hundreds of protesters including Indigenous People, students and militant groups stormed toward the US Embassy to protest against the presence of US military troops and to support Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's independent foreign policy pronouncements. The protest ended violently as the protesters clashed with the police during the dispersal. Initial reports said at least five protesters and around thirty police officers were hurt. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05132562 Filipinos commouters ride a public train in Manila, Philippines, 29 January 2016. The Philippine economy grew at a 'respectable' 5.8 per cent in 2015, a slower rate than the previous year and missing the government's annual target, an official said 28 January 2016. Although still expected to be among the fastest in the region, gross domestic product (GDP) growth was slower than the administration's target of 7 per cent to 8 per cent, and down from 2014's expansion of 6.1 per cent. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05530137 US President Barack Obama looks on during a press conference at the landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Vientiane, Laos, 08 September 2016. Obama had attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Related Summits that took place in in Vientiane, Laos, from 06 to 08 September 2016. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa05106560 Filipino Gerald Fernandes (L) lands a punch against Filipino Rommel Ocsales (R) during a street boxing match marking the feast of Santo Nino (Child Jesus) in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, 17 January. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic devotees celebrate in various cities around the country to honor the Child Jesus. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO

epa09646137 A ballet dancer (2-L) reacts as a box runs out of masks during their rehearsals at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Manila, Philippines, 03 December 2021 (issued 17 December 2021). On 12 December 2021, the CCP opened its doors for the first live theatre performance with limited audience in nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic. For a group of people who spend most of their days in motion, the dancers' lives and livelihoods were suddenly halted. Over the past two years, theater doors have been locked, shows and productions have been put on hold, and dance rehearsals moved from studios to online. After receiving support from different groups and individuals, it gave birth to the Professional Dance Support Program (PDSP) under the CCP, a program initiated to support professional dance in the Philippines so they can continue on with their practice and performance. Dancers were tested for COVID-19, wore masks during training and strictly observed health protocols. They all trained in a bubble a week before the show, converting rooms such as the ballroom and dressing room into sleeping quarters. With the threat of the new Omicron variant looming, the fate of the performers once again hangs in the balance. But for now, they are able to return to the stage and conjure up a world of dance, hope, and joy for Filipino audiences once again. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET

epa09514684 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, CEO and Executive Editor of online news site Rappler poses for a portrait after an interview at a restaurant in Taguig City, Manila, Philippines, 09 October 2021. Maria Ressa, CEO and Executive Editor of online news site Rappler along with Dmitry Muratov, editor-in-chief of newspaper Novaya Gazeta were announced winners of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by the Nobel Committee in Oslo on 08 October 2021. EPA-EFE/MARK R. CRISTINO