As students wrapped up the academic year and summer is just around the corner, May 2025 made sure to leave its mark first. Here’s a rundown of the events—serious, strange, and everything in between—that made headlines this May.

1. UST Golden Tigresses finish third in UAAP Season 87

(Photo by Miguel Angelo Sumalinog/TomasinoWebPhoto by Miguel Angelo Sumalinog/TomasinoWeb)

Golden, still.

The UST Golden Tigresses ended their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball campaign with a bronze finish after falling to the DLSU Lady Spikers in four sets at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last May 3.

While some faces were graduating, the Tigresses’ story was far from over. Team captain Detdet Pepito and outside hitter Jonna Perdido would be returning for another season, signaling that UST’s roar will still echo next year. Meanwhile, veterans Pia Abbu and Renee Peñafiel were closing their UAAP chapter as they entered the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) rookie draft this June.

Adding to the momentum, UST would also take on hosting duties for UAAP Season 88, set to open this September.

2. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost elected as first American pope

(Photo by Alessandra Tarantino/AP News)

Following the death of Pope Francis in April, the Vatican conclave elected Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope. Taking the name Leo XIV, he became the first American to hold the papacy.

Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, once considered a strong contender for the position, was not elected. However, in one of his first major acts, Pope Leo XIV appointed Cardinal Tagle as the titular bishop of the Suburbicarian Diocese of Albano, the same post the new pope held before his election.

During the conclave, Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Tagle shared a lighthearted moment. Tagle recalled that at the 2013 conclave, a Colombian cardinal nicknamed him the “little boy” after seeing him with candies. This time, Tagle offered candy to Cardinal Prevost, who was sitting next to him and seemed to be breathing heavily. Tagle said this was his first act of kindness for the new pope.

3. The 2025 midterm elections

(Photo by Anjilica Andaya/Philstar.com)

May 2025 had all eyes on the midterm elections.

According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, this year saw the highest voter turnout in Philippine midterm election history, both in total numbers and percentage.

Leading the Magic 12 was Senator Bong Go, who broke records with 27,121,073 votes, the highest ever received by any senator. Joining him were Bam Aquino, Ronald dela Rosa, Erwin Tulfo, Kiko Pangilinan, Rodante Marcoleta, Panfilo Lacson, Tito Sotto, Pia Cayetano, Camille Villar, Lito Lapid, and Imee Marcos.

The elections were marred by disputes and questions over fairness. A team of international observers concluded that the 2025 midterm elections were neither free, fair, nor honest. Their report pointed to widespread cases of red-tagging, disinformation, voter disenfranchisement, and issues with voting machines, casting a shadow over the results despite the turnout.

4. Brownout hits mid-DOE press conference

(Photo from Newspapers.ph)

An awkward and ironic moment happened during the Department of Energy’s press briefing on May 15 about the power supply.

While Energy Secretary Raphael “Popo” Lotilla was addressing the public at the DOE headquarters in Taguig, the lights suddenly went out for about 10 minutes. This happened just after he had assured everyone that there was enough electricity to handle the summer’s high demand.

The Department of Energy, together with Manila Electric Company (Meralco), later explained that the blackout was caused by a technical issue within the building itself. The power interruption was isolated and affected only the DOE offices, not the wider power grid.

5. ‘What haffen, Vella?’

(Screengrab from ABS-CBN/YouTube)

An unexpected internet relic resurfaced this May, bringing back a viral clip from eleven years ago. The video featured former* It’s Showtime: Kalokalike* contestant Cristopher Diwata impersonating Jacob Black from Twilight.

This revival sparked a wave of memes and jokes and even led to new brand endorsements. Shopee Philippines featured Diwata in its May 15 Payday Sale campaign, where he delivered memorable lines such as “What haffen, vestie? I know, payday right?”

Meanwhile, Mang Inasal joined the fun by posting on social media, mixing fast-food cravings with a playful nod to his Twilight parody.

After more than a decade, Cristopher Diwata’s moment in the spotlight has returned, and he’s now enjoying a busy comeback.

6. SCTEX, NAIA incidents prompt call for reforms

(Photo from the Philippine Red Cross)

On May 1, a collision occurred on the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway, involving a bus, three cars, and a truck. The collision resulted in the deaths of ten people, including four children, and left 37 others injured.

A few days later, on May 4, a sports utility vehicle crashed through the outer railing and into the passenger entrance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. The crash claimed the lives of a man and a four-year-old girl, while four other people were injured.

In response to these incidents, the Department of Transportation admitted that there are weaknesses in enforcing road safety. Secretary Vince Dizon announced measures, such as mandatory drug testing for public utility vehicle drivers every three months, limiting the number of hours drivers can work without rest, and stricter checks to ensure vehicles are safe to operate.

The Land Transportation Office was also urged to improve its licensing process to prevent corruption.

7. Kanlaon volcano shows increased activity with recent eruptions

(Photo from the Philippine Air Force)

In the early hours of May 13, Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island erupted for the fourth time, impacting two cities and one municipality in Negros Occidental.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the eruption was moderately explosive and lasted for approximately five minutes at the volcano’s summit crater.

Phivolcs also recorded 31 volcanic earthquakes within 24 hours around Kanlaon Volcano on May 27. Continuous degassing was observed, with the volcano releasing about 1,124 tons of sulfur dioxide in a single day.

The volcano produced a moderate ash plume that rose 700 meters high and drifted toward the northwest.

8. Woman from a Makati drainage

(Photo from Reddit)

A Reddit post went viral, showing a woman emerging from a drainage area at the corner of VA Rufino and Adelantado Streets on May 26. The woman said that she entered the drainage to retrieve a cutter blade she had dropped.

Authorities later located the woman and provided assistance through the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The agency offered her temporary shelter and plans to provide livelihood support.

Makati police reported that three people have been using the city’s drainage system as a temporary shelter. CCTV footage from May 26 showed three individuals entering the same drainage opening where the woman was found. Officers discovered tools such as a screwdriver, pliers, wrench, and other metal items inside, raising concerns about possible illegal activities in the area.

9. Duterte photo exhibit opens in The Hague

(Photo from the Office of the Vice President)

After several months of detention in The Hague, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters launched an exhibit titled “Rodrigo Roa Duterte: The People’s President.” The exhibit is located outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) Detention Center and was visited by Vice President Sara Duterte.

The area, informally called "Duterte Park" by Filipinos, features various photographs and multimedia displays that highlight key moments from Duterte’s political career.

Duterte was arrested on March 11 and was immediately transferred to the ICC in the Netherlands to face charges related to his controversial drug war. He remains in detention at The Hague, awaiting a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23, where he will have the chance to respond to the allegations.

10. Thomasians celebrate Baccalaureate Mass amid weather-related delay

(Photo by Jhon Santos/TomasinoWeb)

For the Class of 2025, it was a fitting full-circle moment—starting their Thomasian journey with a rainy Welcome Walk and closing it with a rainy Baccalaureate Mass, both taking place in the same place it all began, the Quadricentennial Pavilion.

Originally set for May 30 at the UST Open Field, the Baccalaureate Mass was postponed to the next day and split into two batches, moving venues due to inclement weather.

Rain started to pour just as Thomasians were walking across the field at noon on Friday, prompting the postponement of the Mass. Still, students returned the next day ready to officially close their college chapter.

The morning batch went through the ceremony without issue, but the afternoon batch was once again met with rain even before their walk through the Arch of the Centuries.

The anticipated nine-minute pyromusical display capped off the event, pushing on despite the rain, with protective measures in place for students.

If May proved anything, it's that a lot can happen in just one month. With June just around the corner, one can only wonder: what’s next?