Angelina in Manila for ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit

MANILA, Philippines — Oscar-winning actress, filmmaker and humanitarian Angelina Jolie arrived in Manila early morning yesterday for the 2026 ASEAN Inclusive Growth Summit, where she will serve as a speaker.

Jolie arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Philippine Airlines flight PR103 from Los Angeles, California.

The actress will join Cambodian filmmaker Rithy Panh, who co-produced Jolie’s film “First They Killed My Father,” for a closing discussion on Cambodia, moderated by businesswoman Shamina Singh.

Filipina theater star and singer Lea Salonga and former beauty queen Kylie Verzosa are also scheduled to speak at the summit.

Broadcast journalist Rico Hizon will interview Salonga about her career and the lessons aspiring artists in the region can draw from her experience, while Versoza is expected to participate in the afternoon program, where she will discuss her ventures, including shapewear brand Solá and telehealth company &you.

Security up

As the ASEAN summit approaches, government agencies are tightening security and implementing traffic measures from Nov. 15 to 18 to ensure the safety of visiting leaders and minimize disruptions.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will deploy 1,418 personnel for traffic management and road clearing, while the Philippine Coast Guard will field 750 personnel, seven vessels and smaller boats to secure Manila Bay and summit venues.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has directed the Highway Patrol Group to coordinate with the MMDA on traffic management.

The National Capital Region Police Office will also establish assistance posts along affected roads and intersections, while the Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Presidential Security Command, will secure foreign leaders, hotels, roads and summit venues.

The MMDA urged the public to avoid designated ASEAN routes and nonessential trips.

The EDSA Busway route from Ayala to Roxas Boulevard will be converted into two lanes for authorized vehicles and convoys.

Road closures will be enforced from Nov. 15 to 18 along Atang dela Rama, Vicente Sotto, Pedro Bukaneg and Magdalena Jalandoni streets.

Roads surrounding the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City will also be designated security exclusion zones.

Motorists were advised to monitor traffic updates, take alternative routes and expect delays.

Flights disrupted

More than 300 flights, mostly to domestic destinations, will be cancelled or rescheduled due to the ASEAN Summit, the Department of Transportation announced yesterday.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said disruptions are expected to begin on Nov. 14, when heads of state are expected to start arriving, and continue through their departures after the summit.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines have announced flight disruptions, affecting routes to Macau, Caticlan, Iloilo and Tacloban, among others.

Malacañang, meanwhile, defended the clearing of vendors, street dwellers and small businesses along major roads, saying the measures are necessary to ensure the safety of visiting officials. — Andrew Ronquillo, Rainier Allan Ronda, Elijah Felice Rosales, Josiah Antonio, Michael Punongbayan, Mark Ernest Villeza, Evelyn Macairan, Helen Flores