HEADS UP: Will Rabiya Mateo Win Miss Universe Crown No. 5? (May 17)

Here's a heads up from reportr on news that you need to know today, May 17:

CULTURE EXPLAINED

• We talked to an OG queenmaker to find out why Filipinos are obsessed with pageants, Miss Universe in particular
• Stay with reportr and the Summit network for breaking news on Rabiya Mateo’s campaign for the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown. Live telecasts starts at 8 a.m. Manila.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

• Starting today, voter registration will resume in the NCR Plus Bubble.
• Starting today, GCash will charge a fee for cash-ins at 7-Eleven. Here’s what you need to know. 
• Meralco said it would resume sending disconnection notices to costumers in the NCR Plus Bubble with overdue payments after the region was downgraded to "GCQ with Heightened Restrictions."

QUARANTINE NEWS

• It’s the first working day of ‘GCQ with Heightened Restrictions.’ Check out this video explainer to find out what that means.
• Here’s a timeline of all the quarantine types we’ve had since March 2020. That’s 11 seasons as of our count.

NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Fire hit a portion of the PGH yesterday, forcing hospital staff to move COVID-19 patients and transfer 12 babies to the Sta. Ana hospital.
• Here’s where you can donate for the PGH fire victims.
• The Comelec will consider the pandemic when drafting rules for the 2022 presidential campaign.
• President Rodrigo Duterte offered a theory on why many Filipinos can understand Tagalog when the reverse is not true for native Tagalog speakers and other languages -- cinema.
• Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a bill seeking cash aid for pregnant workers in the informal sector, calling it an "economic booster.
• China is building a giant replica of the Titanic, hoping to lure tourists to a new theme park.