Creator: Liklik Media Release Date: Wednesday June 3rd, 2026 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeleen Sapsi Jessica (Angeleen Sapsi) drugs Maria (Nellie Seta) putting her in a risky situation. Daniel (Joseph Paul) tries to help, but misunderstanding arises when Maria’s father finds his daughter at Daniel’s residence. Episode 9 leans heavily on plot convenience to further the story. This is evident when Daniel, who has been shown as heavily intoxicated, suddenly sobers enough to carry a passed-out Maria to his room. In addition, Jessica conveniently obtains the key card to Daniel’s residence and hands it over to Maria’s father, and the absurdity of vendors selling coconuts on hotel premises strains credibility. Together, these contrivances make the episode feel disjointed and undermine its overall realism. The casting of father and daughter lacks verisimilitude, making their relationship less convincing. Establishing a character’s ethnic background is of utmost importance especially for a diverse location such as Papua New Guinea. Joshua Komet as Maria’s father is not an ideal choice given that the characters do not resemble each other. Additionally, Maria’s father appears too young to be cast as a father for an adult woman. Unless a logical explanation is provided in the script, this remains an unconvincing casting. On the other hand, responsible depiction of an intimate and risky scenario was handled with grace. Though the scene could have easily become uncomfortable, it is managed with care and sensitive framing showing Daniel as protecting Maria rather than exploiting her. This results in each shot respecting the characters’ dignity. Final Verdict: Episode 9 has casting errors and relies too much on plot convenience. However, risky scenes were filmed responsibly.  ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Despite its narrative shortcomings, the episode's responsible treatment of difficult situations helps preserve its sincerity.

The Minister for Health Elias Kapavore was pressed for an answer regarding the plight of mothers at Port Moresby General Hospital at parliament this week during question time.This was after a media report from ABC News circulated on social media showing mothers giving birth on hospital floors, which caused outrage towards the government. The inquiry was brought up by Member for Okapa, Saki Soloma, who asked Minister Kapavore to clarify what specific issues are being faced by the country’s health system resulting in such a predicament in the Port Moresby General Hospital. Minister Kapavore insisted that his department was aware of such an issue and chastised overseas media for exposing patients’ identity. “It is not right for foreign media to intrude upon local hospital and expose patients as it infringes on patient rights.” Minister Kapavore continued explaining that NCD’s private care health systems were not in the best condition. “Port Moresby General Hospital is a Level 6 Specialist Hospital not a Level 1 Private Care Hospital.” “Mothers should not be going to Port Moresby General Hospital constantly to give birth; they should be going to Level 1 hospitals.” “But currently we do not have those facilities.” He gave examples which included Gerehu Hospital, undergoing major renovations to expand its inpatient bed capacity. Kilakila sub-district hospital is also anther which is still under construction, and the Metoreia Urban Health Centre which recently opened its maternity ward. He appealed to mothers to avoid putting too much pressure on PMGH by visiting other available health facilities that provide maternity and delivery services. “Port Moresby General Hospital needs to focus on developing its specialist services.”

Creator: Liklik MediaRelease Date(s): Friday May 29th, 2026; Sunday May 31st, 2026 Episodes Reviewed: Episode 7 & Episode 8 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeleen Sapsi, Carlos Zeng, Matthew Alaima EPISODE 7: BLAISE STEPS IN Misunderstanding circulates among community members. Now they’re demanding answers from Maria (Nellie Seta). Although Blaise (Carlos Zheng) is the focus of this episode, he does not get much screen-time. Blaise gets approximately eight seconds of screen exposure not including the teaser. Frankly, this episode should be named, ‘Caught in the Middle’, since much of the plot revolves around Maria being questioned about her and Daniel’s relationship as well as the company’s purpose in attempting to purchase land. Close up shots of actors’ reactions need to be utilized. EPISODE 8: JESSICA FINALLY CROSSED THE LINE Maria (Nellie Seta) goes to a nightclub where Daniel (Joseph Paul) and his associates including Jessica (Angeleen Sapsi) are having a party. Maria’s scene action in this episode is inappropriate to the setting. There was no smooth transition from her being considered an outcast to suddenly attending a corporate night out event (Was she invited?). Secondly, Maria's business of carrying coconuts into a nightclub feels out of place and somewhat tacky. Overall, the scene feels disjointed because Maria’s inclusion in the company night out is sudden and her choice to bring coconuts clashes with the nightclub setting, leaving the moment feeling tonally inconsistent. Swaying camera movement in this scene was an excellent choice as it enhances the drunken atmosphere of the club. Final Verdict: Episode 7 does not build on the rivalry between Daniel and Blaise. Meanwhile, in episode 8, Maria’s stage business is unfitting. Episode 7: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) Episode 8: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) Overall: Common sense must prevail when it comes to setting scene action and building the plot.

The National Government and Enga Provincial Government have strengthened their commitment to preserving Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support cultural development in Enga Province.Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Belden Namah praised Enga for maintaining its cultural centre since before Independence, describing the province as a national leader in cultural preservation. Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr. Namah commended Governor Peter Ipatas for his leadership over the past three decades, saying Enga remains the only province to have continuously maintained its cultural centre while hosting annual cultural shows despite challenges such as tribal conflicts. He announced government support of K750,000 for Enga, including K500,000 for the annual Enga Cultural Show and K250,000 for the maintenance and development of the Enga Cultural Centre. Mr Namah said the MOU would strengthen collaboration between the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the Enga Provincial Government to support cultural research, heritage documentation and cultural promotion programs. Governor Peter Ipatas welcomed the partnership and thanked the minister for delivering on his funding commitment. He said preserving Enga’s culture has been a long-standing priority for the provincial government, noting that the province has expanded its cultural centre to include a museum aimed at preserving traditions and history for future generations. Governor Ipatas also stressed the importance of maintaining authentic cultural practices, saying the Enga Cultural Show remains unique by showcasing traditional customs without incorporating modern or western influences. He said tourism has significant potential to contribute to Papua New Guinea’s economy but stresses the need to address law and order issues to attract more visitors. The governor added that Enga has been investing in tourism infrastructure, including supporting small accommodation providers, in preparation for future growth in the sector.

Director: Nathan GrenoCast: Michael B. Jordan, Juno Temple, Tracy Morgan Rating: PG | Genre(s): Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy, Family | Run Time: 1hr 42mins HEARTWARMING ANIMATION WITH A REGURGITATED PLOT “Curiosity comes with consequences.” Ollie (Michael B. Jordan), a curious Pookoo and Ivy (Juno Temple), a Javan accidently transform into each other’s species and must now find a way to change back. Swapped is a reflection of society at its core – a network of interaction that involves risk. Themes of courage, resilience, friendship and betrayal are portrayed but Swapped raises the stakes by incorporating the laws of the animal kingdom – of predator and prey. The storyline is straightforward yet amazingly complex as it entwines the ambitions of each character into one journey. What makes Swapped stand out, is its portrayal of civilization through the lenses of both a child and an adult. A younger audience may enjoy the innocence in Ollie striking a friendship with Ivy and relate to his curiosity and adventurous spirit, whereas grown-ups recognize the consequences Ollie faces that come with being part of interacting with a flawed community. Because of this, Swapped works simultaneously: as an adventurous story for children and as a thoughtful commentary for adults. Michael B. Jordan delivers a strong performance as Ollie, further proving his versatility beyond live-action roles and into animation. However, his voice sometimes feels a bit too mature for the character, which slightly affects the overall believability of the role. The film’s use of colour is also effective in shaping the mood. Bright, vibrant tones are used to create a cheerful and playful atmosphere, while darker shades dominate during the villain’s invasion, heightening the sense of danger. Final Verdict: Swapped is a charming and entertaining animated film that revisits the familiar body-swap formula but does so with heart and humour. While the storyline feels somewhat predictable, its message about friendship and resilience appeals to all ages. ★★★★☆ (4/5) A light, enjoyable story for kids, with just enough depth to offer thoughtful moments for adults.

Creator: Liklik Media Release Date: Wednesday May 27th, 2026 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeleen Sapsi Conflict stirs among Maria’s community as rumors of Daniel’s work threaten to destroy their livelihood. The characters delivered a mix of performances. Nellie Seta’s acting was noticeably more emotionally charged compared to previous episodes, driven by unfolding conflict. In contrast, Angeleen Sapsi, appears to really enjoy playing the devious Jessica. She displays confidence in her cruelty, turning menace into performance art. Meanwhile, the supporting characters’, appeared flat and disengaged; their dialogue felt stiff, as if recited from memory rather than lived in the moment. The dialogue felt stiff, like memorized recitation. Despite some compelling performances, particularly from Angeleen Sapsi, the inconsistent acting among the supporting cast weakened the overall impact of the episode. Regarding camerawork, every episode suffered from the same recurring issue; awkward camera placement that made the production feel amateurish. The storyline is missing key details, leaving critical questions unanswered. Daniel’s occupation remains unclear, as does Jessica’s professional connection to him. We do not learn the name of Daniel’s company or what it does. While Maria’s character and struggles are well established, Daniel’s role as an heir to a company is underdeveloped, making it difficult to fully understand his motivations or the stakes of the conflict. Final Verdict: Main character’s background is underexplored. ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) More development on Daniel and Jessica is needed.

The National Government will revisit its controversial decision regarding the hosting rights of the 2028 PNG Unity Games following concerns raised by the East Sepik’s leaders in Parliament today.Member for Wewak, Stanley Muts Samban questioned the Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sports, Kinoka Feo’s decision to remove East Sepik Province’s hosting rights for the 9th PNG Unity Games during parliament seating on Wednesday May 27th, 2026. He is arguing that the province had lawfully secured the bid through a signed agreement with the PNG Sports Foundation having fulfilled all requirements to host the Games, including paying a K50,000 bid fee and an additional K2 million to secure the hosting rights. He said preparations and infrastructure planning were already underway in the province before it was announced that the Games would instead be shifted to Southern Highlands Province. “The people of Wewak and East Sepik Province clearly won the democratic bid to host the ninth PNG Unity Games.” “We followed the rules, signed a legally binding host contract agreement with the PNG Sports Foundation and invested millions of kina into preparations.” Samban questioned the legal authority behind the decision, asking why East Sepik was being penalized for issues relating to venue readiness and project delays elsewhere. He further called on the Government to either reverse the decision and engage in consultations with East Sepik leaders or compensate the province for funds already committed to preparations. Responding to the concerns, Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sports Kinoka Feo acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the matter would be taken back to Cabinet for reconsideration. Feo said the original submission he had presented to Cabinet was intended to maintain the existing arrangement for East Sepik to host the Games. “Again, I want to make it clear that the decision was taken in the Cabinet room.” “Of course, the intent of the submission I took was a bit different. It was maintaining what we agreed to.” The Minister said discussions had already begun with the PNG Sports Foundation and the PNG Games Council to reconcile the matter. “I have instructed my CEO to take a paper back to Cabinet again just to reconcile this conflict.” Feo added that the Government would work towards a solution and make an announcement once consultations and reviews were completed. “As the Prime Minister always says, we are only human, we make mistakes.” “But this one was taken in full totality of all the conversations and issues that needed to be considered.”  “In due time I will be able to announce the solution going forward.”

Women’s empowerment and gender equality were at the center of discussions during the recent launch of the inaugural PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival in Port Moresby city.The festival was more than a cultural showcase; it was a platform to empower women socially and economically through traditional art and entrepreneurship. The launch brought together women leaders, cultural advocates, corporate supporters, and government representatives who pledged support for initiatives that strengthen women’s participation in business and community development. Among them was Lady Emeline Tufi Dadae, who expressed her appreciation towards PNG’s iconic cultural item. “The bilum is not only art. From start to finish, the finished product tells a story, demonstrates outstanding skills, and an intricate understanding of unique styles and patterns.” “Knowledge of bilum weaving has been passed on from many generations. It is part of the unique cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea.” Meanwhile NCD Governor, Powes Parkop, emphasized that bilum weaving has long been connected to the lives of Papua New Guinean women and families. “Bilums have protected infants – supported life – carried food and personal items.” “It’s a biological reference to the womb.” He also described the festival as a “powerful combination” that promotes both bilum as a national cultural representation and the role of women as the backbone of communities and families across the country. During the launch, concerns were also raised about the gap between policies supporting gender equality and the realities faced by women in the country. Governor Parkop said Papua New Guinea has constitutional goals promoting equality and participation, but stronger commitment and consistent action are needed to achieve actual change. Calls were made for the revival of the National Council of Women and the implementation of clear strategies to support women’s development nationwide. The National Capital District Commission also highlighted its 10-year Women’s Development Plan focused on creating safer and more supportive environments for women operating in city markets. The PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival has now been officially recognized by the National Cultural Commission as a national sanctioned cultural event.

Since 2004, the Anglican Church’s Adult Literacy Program has been helping individuals past school age, learn how to read and write but still face challenges to this day. Recently, church leaders from PNG and Australia gathered at Begabari, North Waigani in Port Moresby city to see how churches were helping communities. Church Partnership Program Coordinator George Michael Ambo said the Anglican Church’s literacy program began with a two-year curriculum but faced challenges in monitoring and sustaining schools across the country. Mr. Ambo said the program initially operated about 152 schools, many in remote areas, making monitoring difficult due to geographical challenges. “In 2014 to 2016, we tried to shift the way we do things by coming up with the Empowering Melanesian Adult Literacy curriculum, but that still did not work.” Through a partnership with the Building Community Engagement Program (BICEP), the Anglican Church later developed a new nine-month curriculum focused on basic literacy, post-literacy, and functional literacy. Mr. Ambo said the revised curriculum equips learners with reading and writing skills while also preparing them for employment or re-entry into formal education through Flexible Open and Distance Education (FODE) or TVET. “We’re getting learners to actually learn how to read and write and find employment after nine months or go back to formal education as well.” The literacy schools also provide small and medium enterprise (SME) training and partner with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock to introduce smart agriculture projects in rural communities. The functional literacy component includes lessons on nutrition, climate change, and identifying suitable cash crops that can generate income for households and communities. Mr. Ambo said the program is inclusive and caters for people with disabilities, women, and vulnerable groups. “Our curriculum is inclusive. We have disability-inclusive lessons, and we also focus on vulnerable and marginalized populations, especially women and young girls.” He acknowledged that infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly in urban settings, as many centres are not yet fully accessible for people with disabilities. The Anglican Church is now planning improvements under the next phase of the Church Partnership Program to make facilities more inclusive. Volunteer teachers are recruited from Grade 10 and Grade 12 graduates and undergo two weeks of training through the National Literacy Awareness Secretariat before being certified to teach. Mr. Ambo said the Anglican Church is also working closely with the National Department of Education to support the development of a national literacy policy, which is expected to be launched during Literacy Week in September in Popondetta, Oro Province. The program currently operates nine literacy schools nationwide, including three in Port Moresby, five in Oro Province with plans to expand further. Mr. Ambo said learner retention and sustaining teachers remain major challenges, particularly because many schools rely on donor funding. To address this, the program has introduced economic empowerment projects in communities to help sustain schools and teachers. One successful example is in Katima, Oro Province, where literacy learners have been trained in cocoa farming, rice farming, poultry, and piggery projects through partnerships with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock. The urban literacy schools charge a fee of K150 per learner, payable in instalments over nine months, while most rural centres provide free education services. Graduates receive recognized certificates signed by the National Literacy Awareness Secretariat, the program coordinator, and Anglican bishops, allowing some learners to continue into formal education pathways. Mr. Ambo said the literacy program has already produced many success stories, with former learners progressing into Grades 8 to 11 and others finding employment opportunities.

The inaugural PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival in Port Moresby city, was launched on Sunday May 24th with National Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop calling for the event to become a permanent national platform promoting culture, tourism and women’s empowerment.Governor Parkop acknowledged the support of women leaders, corporate sponsors and cultural stakeholders who contributed to bringing the festival to life for the first time in the nation’s capital. The event was attended by Lady Emeline Tufi Dadae, representatives from the National Cultural Commission (NCC), the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), corporate sponsors and women’s associations. During his address, Governor Parkop described bilum as one of Papua New Guinea’s most important cultural symbols. “Bilum is not found anywhere else in the world except this island of New Guinea.” “It defines Papua New Guinea. When you see bilum, you know it is Papua New Guinea.” Additionally, it is also unique to the women of Papua New Guinea who continue to preserve and promote the tradition. “That’s the important combination we’re witnessing now. The bilum not just as a symbol but as an item unique to PNG women.” He said the event also serves as a platform for women’s economic empowerment, particularly for women involved in weaving, small-to-medium enterprises and cultural entrepreneurship. Governor Parkop stressed that the festival should not remain a one-off event but become an annual national cultural showcase hosted across different provinces. “This initiative must not be a one-off event. It must become an annual event.” The National Cultural Commission (NCC) officially certified the PNG Contemporary Bilum and Arts Festival as a recognised national cultural event. The launch also recognized pioneers who have promoted bilum internationally, including PNG designer and cultural advocate Florence Jaukae Kamel, who was commended for showcasing bilum on global fashion platforms. Governor Parkop also called for stronger national commitment towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Cultural initiatives such as the bilum festival can help create economic opportunities for women while preserving Papua New Guinea’s traditions.

Creator: Liklik MediaRelease Date(s): Friday May 22nd, 2026; Sunday May 24th, 2026 Episodes Reviewed: Episode 4 & Episode 5 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeleen Sapsi, Carlos Zeng EPISODE 4: WHISPERS AFTER THE RAIN Rumors spread of Maria’s (Nellie Seta) alleged affair with Daniel (Joseph Paul) leading to her being shunned from the marketplace. In this episode, Jessica’s (Angeleen Sapsi) antagonism towards Maria has shifted from basic passive-aggressive commentary to outright cyberbullying – a classic tactic of harming someone in the digital age. The character herself uses a lot of self-talk. An unnecessary element since Angeleen Sapsi is a strong performer who does not need much dialogue to portray Jessica effectively. A new character is introduced towards the end, Blaise (Carlos Zheng) – Maria’s coworker. Daniel’s profession is still vague. What does he do exactly? What position does he hold? Is he a businessman, a project manager, an executive? Obviously, he is someone who holds a high position, but other than that, his occupation remains unclear. Close-up shots need to be utilized in conversation scenes. EPISODE 5: DON'T TRUST JESSICA Jessica (Angeleen Sapsi) sows’ distrust between Daniel (Joseph Paul) and Maria (Nellie Seta). A new love rival steps into the picture. We see more of Blaise (Carlos Zheng) in this episode; however, his brief interactions seem more like a concerned brother than a love rival. If he is to cement his position as a potential suitor for Maria, he needs to step up his acting, hopefully in the next episode. Final cut was quite disappointing because of minor errors that could be easily avoided or reshot. For instance, when Joseph Paul’s character, Daniel hands over a report to Jessica and says, ‘Evolution Report’ instead of ‘Evaluation Report’. Again, close-ups need to be utilized during conversation and confrontation scenes. Final Verdict: Camerawork need improvement to enhance production appeal. Main characters need to step up their acting as they keep getting overshadowed by the antagonist as well as supporting and minor characters. Minor errors could’ve been avoided. Episode 4: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) Episode 5: ★⯪☆☆☆ (1.5/5) Overall: Still interesting but technical aspects need to be better.

Creator: Liklik Media Release Date: Wednesday May 20th, 2026 Cast: Nellie Seta, Joseph Paul, Angeleen Sapsi Main antagonist, Jessica (Angeleen Sapsi) begins to stalk Maria (Nellie Seta) as Daniel’s affection for her becomes obvious. This episode was disappointingly 2 minutes shorter than previous instalments. Camerawork when filming two people with height differences need improvement. A medium two person shot, close ups or a creative shot could’ve worked better. The over the shoulder shot with Maria as the focus places her at an awkward position where her face is covered by subtitles. Nellie Seta’s performance in this episode wasn’t her best. Her delivery of dialogue was flat and unnecessarily prolonged. Final Verdict: Too short for an episode. ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) Skippable.