As the country’s heat index continued to fluctuate, events within the Philippines and worldwide began to escalate. One after another, people were left reeling from the things that happened this month.

From political and economic standoffs to shocking celebrity news, here are some of the most memorable events that left their mark on world history this past month.

1. UST washes hands off senatorial bet

(Photo from Lance Bernardino/TomasinoWeb)

The UST administration denied endorsing senatorial candidate Eric Martinez, whose campaign posters bearing the University’s name and logo appeared along Dapitan Street.

The poster featured an unofficial UST logo, atop Martinez’s number in the ballot, with the glaring phrase “May KANDIDATONG SENADOR na taga USTe.”

In a reply to an email to TomasinoWeb, Office of the Secretary-General executive assistant Emmanuel Batulan clarified that the University does not endorse any political candidate, nor did it authorize using its name and logo in campaign materials.

The University directed Martinez to take down both print and digital versions of the poster.

UST also clarified that Martinez was a Business Administration student but did not earn his degree from the University.

2. Thomasians elect new set of officers for A.Y. 2025-2026

(Photo from TomasinoWeb)

The UST Central Commission on Elections proclaimed four new student leaders for the vice president, secretary, auditor, and public relations officer posts of the Central Student Council.

Incumbent PRO Annie Agon was elected vice president with 18,367 votes. Without an elected president, this makes her the highest-ranking student official in UST.

Biochemistry junior Nashville Mauricio was proclaimed as the new CSC secretary after gaining 16,823 votes.

For the position of auditor, political science junior Joseph Coronel was elected with a total of 16,357 votes.

Finally, another political science junior, Heavenly Nerizon, assumed the PRO position with 9,327 votes, giving him the win ahead of financial management freshman Nathan Blaza’s 7,918 votes.

3. J-Hope comes to Manila

(Photo from J-Hope’s Instagram account)

BTS’ J-Hope stunned Manila with his two-day concert titled Hope on Stage held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena last April 12 and 13. Fans from all over the country flocked to the arena, with tickets being sold out only days after details were released.

J-Hope electrified ARMYs with 27 songs, backed by a live band and crew of dancers.

Locals held various activities outside the arena, such as booths selling BTS merchandise and a photo wall featuring a J-Hope standee for fans to take pictures with.

J-Hope’s return marked the first time in nearly eight years that a member of the seven-person band from Korea had returned to the Philippines to perform.

4. Google Maps adds West Philippine Sea

(Photo from Google Maps)

The West Philippine Sea appeared on the seas to the West of Luzon in Google Maps on April 14. Previously, this body of water was shown as South China Sea on the map platform.

Upon searching for the Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, results showed the area surrounded by a body of water identified as the West Philippine Sea.

However, in a statement, Google said this was nothing new.

“The West Philippine Sea has always been labeled on Google Maps. We recently made this label easier to see at zoom levels,” Google said.

An official of the National Security Council hopes this could signal that recognition of Manila’s claim over these waters was not confined within the national government. However, neighboring countries such as China commented that this naming will only further heighten tensions between the two countries, stating that the waters have always been referred to as the South China Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in said territory.

5. Dredger ship capsizes in Occidental Mindoro

(Photo from Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog)

The Filipino-flagged dredging ship MV Hong Hai overturned off the coast of Barangay Malawaan in Occidental Mindoro on April 16, which shocked the locals of the barangay who witnessed the event.

The ship had 25 crew members onboard, according to local authorities and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). PCG spokesman Captain Noemie Guirao-Cayabyab immediately disclosed that rescue efforts were ongoing, with eight Chinese and six Filipinos missing. As of this writing, nine remain missing, with two individuals confirmed dead.

According to local authorities, the vessel was preparing to depart for Manila with a cargo of sand when it suddenly tilted and capsized. The cause for this remains unknown.

6. Filipino actress Nora Aunor dies at 71

(Photo from National Commission for Culture and the Arts)

Nora Aunor, one of the biggest stars in Philippine cinema, died on Wednesday, April 16. She was 71.

No further details regarding the cause of her death were disclosed.

“Her voice, presence, and artistry shaped a legacy that will never fade,” Aunor’s daughter, Lotlot de Leon, said in an Instagram post.

Aunor was born to an impoverished family in eastern Camarines Sur. She rose to fame in television, music, and film for seven decades. Aunor managed to sweep multiple awards for her work, including a Best Actress award for her performance in the 90s film Andrea, Paano Ba Ang Maging Isang Ina?

7. Trump imposes tariffs, fuels US-China trade war

(Photo from Fox Business)

US President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on all Chinese goods as part of his initiative to put the American economy first, above all.

In response, China imposed a 125% tariff on goods coming from the US.

Trump’s move further fueled the ongoing trade war the US has had with China since January 2018, when the US president began placing various tariffs on Chinese-made products.

However, China was not the only country affected by the increase in tariffs. Trump has made similar demands to countries like Mexico and Canada, raising tariffs on products coming from them in order to help boost the US economy’s growth.

The Philippines has also been given the same treatment. A 17% tariff will be placed on Philippine goods imported into the US, which is much steeper than the previous 10% baseline tariff on products entering America from anywhere in the world.

According to Trump, the tariffs would urge American consumers to buy US-made goods.

8. Pope Francis dies at 88

(Photo from Vatican News)

Known to Filipinos by his beloved title “Lolo Kiko,” Pope Francis died of a stroke and heart failure, the Vatican says, on Easter Monday, April 21. He was 88 years old.

Before his death, the pontiff was hospitalized for 38 days since February due to multiple health issues, mainly respiratory illnesses and double pneumonia.

The former Pope requested to be placed in a simple coffin. Prior to his death, he expressed his desire to be buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major outside the Vatican. He also requested that his tomb have as minimal decoration as possible, with only the word “Franciscus” to be inscribed.

Five days after his death, a solemn Requiem Mass was held, with hundreds of people from all over the world traveling to Italy to attend his funeral.

9. Lapu-Lapu festival incident in Vancouver kills 11 Filipinos

(Photo from BBC News)

A car that rammed into revelers killed 11 people in Vancouver, Canada, on April 27.

The incident happened during the annual Lapu-Lapu festival celebrated by the local Filipinos.

Investigation identified a 30-year-old man, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, as a suspect, who now faces eight counts of second-degree murder over the incident.

10. Bong Go, Erwin Tulfo lead in OCTA senatorial survey

(Photo from Octa Research Group)

A recent survey released by the OCTA Research Group on April 28 revealed that senatorial reelectionists Bong Go and Erwin Tulfo are the top preferences.

According to the survey, Go clinched the top spot at 64.2 percent, followed by Tulfo in second place with 61.2 percent.

Other senators like Bong Revilla and Tito Sotto also remained top contenders for senator in the upcoming elections.

Certainly, April 2025 was no rest for the weary, with one heartstopping event happening right after another. Although only four months have passed into 2025, April has already established its mark in our world’s history.