‘EXTRAORDINARY’ CRISIS SPURS IFRC PLEA FOR PHL
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
THE Philippines is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis after a series of disasters — a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi), and Super Typhoon Uwan (Fung-Wong).
In response, foreign governments, Unicef, and UN agencies have pledged P447.5 million ($4.6 million) in aid.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has also launched a P1.34-billion global appeal to intensify assistance.
IFRC global appeal
The IFRC’s revised emergency appeal supports the Philippine Red Cross, targeting 284,904 people across several provinces.
The appeal seeks 18 million Swiss francs (P1.34 billion) to pro-
vide emergency shelter, health services, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and livelihood support.
Funding, however, remains inadequate, jeopardizing the ability to deliver vital aid as communities struggle to recover.
“The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters, but this series of events is anything but ordinary. Urgent support is needed to scale up relief efforts, prevent further loss of life, and help the country recover from this latest catastrophe,” the IFRC said.
UN OCHA: Evacuations saved lives ACCORDING to the National Disas-
ter Coordinating Council, Typhoon Tino left 214 dead, 502 injured, and 125 missing, affecting 4.3 million people across 33 provinces.
A week later, Super Typhoon Uwan battered 71 of the country’s 84 provinces.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA) reported that 1.5 million people were evacuated ahead of Uwan—one of the largest coastal evacuations in Philippine history.
UN Resident Coordinator Arnaud Peral praised the government’s preparedness: “Efficient preemptive evacuations and timely responses
says financial system’s total resources up 6.54% to ₧35.581T
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
of
The resources of
declined by 14.73 percent from the P498.3-billion level of resources these banks had in September
Meanwhile, digital banks (DGBs) also contributed to the total financial resources of Philippine banks, amounting to P149.7 billion or 0.50 percent of total resources. The total resources of DGBs were the fastest growing among banks and non-banks that are part of the Philippine financial system. The total resources of DGBs increased by 33.89 percent from the P111.8 billion it posted a year ago.
Meanwhile, resources lodged in non-banks amounted to P5.990 trillion in September 2025. This was a 2.77-percent year-on-year increase from P5.828 trillion.
THE Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will be transitioning to a diagnosisrelated grouping (DRG) payment model from the current all case rate (ACR) system to improve quality of care, enhance efficiency and ensure more equitable access to health services.
“2027 would be the soonest foreseeable year that the shift could be implemented
fully,”
PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Edwin M. Mercado told BusinessMirror on Friday.
A Philippine DRG grouper is being developed by PhilHealth based on Thailand’s DRG grouper software, documentation, libraries and technical support from the Thai CaseMix Centre (TCMC). The Philippine DRG system is a patient classification
By Ada Pelonia
to
of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Cristina Roque, PAMPI said this is in support of the government’s call to maintain the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities (BNPCs) this year.
“We are pleased to share that PAMPI and its member-companies will heed this call by maintaining current prices of BNPCs throughout 2025. Other members have expressed that even for products that are not considered
A TOWN is surrounded by floodwaters after the onslaught of Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) in Cagayan province, northern Philippines on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. CAGAYAN POLICE PROVINCIAL OFFICE VIA AP
THE PRC Water Search and Rescue Team assists individuals trapped on a roof in the Talamban barangay of Cebu, Philippines, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS VIA AP
‘EXTRAORDINARY’ CRISIS SPURS IFRC PLEA FOR PHL
undoubtedly saved lives.”
The NDRRMC reported 26 deaths, 47 injuries, and two missing after Uwan. As of today, 480,000 people remain displaced in more than 6,000 evacuation centers. UN agencies have prepositioned food, tents, hygiene kits, and cash assistance.
Aid from global partners
• New Zealand: P26M via IFRC for recovery support
• Korea: USD 1M (P59M) in humanitarian aid
• United States: USD 1M (P59M) plus military assets for logistics, shelter, and water
• European Union: €1.25M (P85M), including P17M for Cebu earthquake survivors
for recovery and rebuilding
Unicef: Child-focused response
THE Unicef deployed $541,008 (P31M) from the UN’s emergency fund and internal resources. Its interventions include:
• Water and Hygiene: 3,500 water kits, 4,000 hygiene kits for 4,000 families
• Nutrition: Therapeutic food, breastfeeding kits, micronutrient supplies for 1,215 children and 280 mothers
• Education: 19 temporary learning spaces, 2,728 kits for 9,600 students and 436 teachers
• Health: 10 emergency health kits for 5,000 people
Unicef flagged heightened risks for children and women in crowded evacuation centers and is preparing cash assistance for families in Catanduanes.
Harnessing
AI, digital tech, focus on TAC to mark PHL hosting of Asean
By Samuel P. Medenilla
ARNESSING Artificial In-
Htelligence (AI) and digital technologies as well as the commemoration and the 50th Anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) will be among the highlights of the Philippines’ hosting of the 2026 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, according to President Ferdinand Marcos.
The chief executive made the announcement during the national launch of the country’s hosting of the Asean Summit next year at the Foro de Intramuros, Manila, last Friday.
With the theme of “Navigating Our Future, Together,” Marcos said the Summit next year aims to come out with a unified position on the use of AI to address “evolving security challenges,” disaster response, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and enhancing businesses.
“By promoting the safe, ethical, responsible, equitable and sustainable adoption of AI in all areas such as trade facilitation, digitalization and innovation, we aim to enhance regional competitiveness, support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and unlock new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable growth,” Marcos said.
However, he said, “AI will not replace human touch,” but only augment the capacity of workers.
During the Summit next year, the Philippines will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the TAC, which, Marcos said, played a crucial role in fostering international cooperation and dialogue in the last five decades.
Through the commemoration, he hopes it will promote peace and stability through dialogue, adherence to international law, and enhanced cooperation on traditional and non-traditional security issues.
Under the Philippines’ chairmanship of Asean, Marcos said he is also making a breakthrough in finally ending the civil war in Myan-
PhilHealth…
Continued from A1
system wherein inpatient cases that have similar clinical management and resource use are grouped together. Each group has a specific relative weight assigned which directly correlates to its cost.
In the fourth quarter of this year, PhilHealth has started data collection through electronic claims forms (CF) to track diagnosis complexity, and electronic statement of accounts (eSOA) for financial data analysis.
The more hospitals that submit their data, the faster PhilHealth and the Philippine Institute of Development Studies (PIDS) will complete the study and build the necessary infrastructure for DRG, Mercado explained.
Both PhilHealth and PIDS aim to finish the data analysis stage by the fourth quarter of 2026, including pilot testing in ready hospitals, Mercado added.
Price hikes…
Continued from A1
BNPCs, they are willing to maintain prices as well,” PAMPI said.
The group, which represents the country’s leading meat processing companies, added that its members would absorb the additional cost of raw materials.
“Despite the continuing rise in the cost of raw materials, packaging and production, our members are willing to absorb these additional costs as part of our commitment to help Filipino families cope with inflationary pressures.”
PAMPI noted that it remains steadfast in its partnership with
mar. The armed conflict in the Southeast Asian country erupted following a military coup in 2021.
He appointed Foreign Affairs
Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro as the Philippines’s Special Envoy of the Chair on Myanmar to facilitate the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
“We are confident that she shall bring a constructive, principled, and inclusive approach to supporting the people of Myanmar, guided by her mandate and the Five-Point Consensus, as we work together towards peace, stability, and reconciliation,” he said.
Marcos said conferences for the 2026 Asean Summit will be held in Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Laoag, Iloilo, Tagaytay, and Clark to showcase the country’s diversity and culture.
“Together, these venues tell the story of a nation that mirrors Asean itself—diverse yet united, traditional yet forward-looking, and increasingly future-ready through innovation and through technology,” he said.
The unity, he said, will also be reflected in the Asean Philippines 2026 logo and stamp, which were also launched on Friday.
The new logo features an image of a rice stalk with grains representing the 11 members of Asean, a weave pattern to show their merging cultures, as well as a wave and balangay to reflect the theme of the Summit next year.
Prior to attending the launch of the 2026 Asean Summit, Marcos also met with world-renowned actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, an international human rights lawyer, in Malacañang to discuss how to strengthen press freedom and the potential of AI to broaden access to justice.
“This is contingent upon the data collected from hospitals to ensure we accurately capture complexities and costs. And precisely why both PIDS and PhilHealth enjoin hospitals to participate in modernizing our payment systems,” Mercado said.
The PhilHealth chief recently issued an advisory, calling on private hospitals and infirmaries to participate in shadow billing by submitting the CF5 and eSOA as soon as possible.
The CF5 contains valuable inpatient data necessary to capture the complete clinical picture of each case, including primary diagnosis of up to 12 secondary diagnoses and up to 20 procedures done, as well as newborn weight, if applicable.
Meanwhile, the eSOA will be analyzed alongside the CF5 to determine the resources used for each particular case.
the DTI in promoting consumer welfare and ensuring the availability and affordability of essential goods in the market.
Meanwhile, the DTI recently released this year’s Noche Buena price guide, assuring the public that there will be no price hikes on select holiday staples.
In a statement, the agency said that of the 256 holiday food items across 14 categories, 129 retained their prices, while 95 posted minimal increases due to higher costs of ingredients, packaging and labor.
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
PhilHealth Corporate Affairs Group Vice President Walter Bacareza told reporters in a briefing on Friday that the state health insurer has been pushing for the adoption of the DRG system.
“DRG is a direction that will guide us to be more responsive in the amount of benefit packages that every Filipino needs,” Bacareza said.
The DRG system will be applied partially to selected diseases to test its impact, Bacareza added. The move will benefit members as it would reduce their out-ofpocket expenses since PhilHealth’s coverage will be adjusted based on both the patient’s sociodemographic profile and the severity of their medical condition, Bacareza explained.
PhilHealth currently adopts a “one-rate-fits-all” structure, paying hospitals a fixed amount per illness or procedure, regardless of case severity. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
Gathered inpatient costing and clinical data will be utilized for developing the rates and refining the clinical groupings of the DRG system.
The DTI explained that the guide also presents new categories, such as nata de coco and kaong, to reflect the increasing demand for dessert ingredients. Furthermore, the DTI said it has also secured price rollbacks on six items following consultations with manufacturers. This includes CDO American Style Ham 500g, now priced at P170, down from the previous market price of P174; King Sue Piña Ham 800g, now
Spaghetti Sauce 500g, now at P48.5 from P52. With these adjustments, the DTI said that four ham products have been reverted to their 2024 prices, while select queso de bola and spaghetti sauce will now be sold at prices even lower than those of last year. DBM: 98.1% of ₧6.326-T spending plan
A PRC rescue team assists individuals trapped on a roof in the Talamban barangay of Cebu, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS VIA AP
www.businessmirror.com.ph
Palace, DBM chief: Zaldy Co spews baseless claims to avert prosecution
By Samuel P. Medenilla
MBATTLED former Ako
EBicol Party list representative Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co is now resorting to baseless and wild allegations that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the insertions of P100 billion worth of projects in the bicameral version of the 2025 national budget, to avoid facing accountability, according to Malacañang.
‘Tino’
It also denied rumors circulating online that the chief executive has summoned his security advisers since the Palace is now in “panic mode” due to the former lawmaker’s claims.
On Friday, Acting Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave M. Gomez, Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, and
See “DBM,” A11
damage to sugar sector hits ₧1.2B–SRA
By Ada Pelonia
THE damage to the sugar industry in the Visayas caused by Typhoon Tino has surged to over P1.2 billion, according to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA).
Zaldy Co tags Romualdez, PBBM in ₧100-B insertions
By Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz
FSRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the assessment was conducted only recently after its research facilities recovered from the destruction brought about by the typhoon.
“We have seen entire fields decimated by Tino, especially in the fourth and fifth districts of
In a statement, the SRA said typhoon Tino ravaged over 53,000 hectares covering the mill districts in Negros Island, Capiz, Iloilo, Leyte and Cebu and affected more than 16,000 sugar farmers.
See “Tino,” A12
ORMER House Committee on Appropriations chairperson and Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co on Friday claimed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was behind the insertion of P100 billion worth of projects into the national budget during the bicameral conference committee. He said he now fears for his life, claiming he has been threatened to stay silent.
YUCHENGCO-LED Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) sees its trade flows reaching P330 billion
by the end of 2025, supported by steady demand from large corporate clients and a surge in supply chain finance.
Co, in “Part 1” of the video statement, claimed that the instructions to “insert P100 billion worth of projects in the Bicam” came directly from the President.
“I hope they won’t kill me before I release everything...I just did what I was ordered to do, but now I’m ready to face everything,” said Co, who made the statement without being under oath.
The timing of the video’s release was seen in some quarters as dubious, as it precedes a vaunted “anti-corruption rally” next week initiated by the Iglesia ni Cristo and billed as an “interfaith” initiative with other churches and sects.
The release to reporters of the video also happened just as the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee was holding its first major hearing
in weeks, since Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson reassumed the post as BRC chairman. On Thursday, Lacson had declared that he was ruling out any Zoom testimony by Co, saying that allowing him to participate virtually might give him a platform to dish out testimony of no probative value—or worse, containing propaganda, without him facing the risk of being cited in contempt and detained by the Senate.
Warned he would be ‘shot’ CO claimed that the administration is “using all resources of the country to silence” him and that he had been warned he would be “shot” if he spoke publicly. He did not state who gave the warning.
See “Co,” A11
In a statement on Friday, RCBC said growth will be driven largely by companies under its Institutional Banking Group, particularly those in the telecommunications, energy, petroleum infrastructure
Fight vs cross-border crimes seen boosted with Asean extradition pact
By Samuel P. Medenilla
WITH the signing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Extradition Treaty (AET), President Ferdinand Marcos said the regional bloc’s efforts in combating crossborder crimes will be greatly enhanced and also serve as basis for greater collaborations in the future, including a legal framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
TBy Ada Pelonia
HE National Food Author -
ity (NFA) will file a plunder case against its mid-level employee over the missing and alleged sale of rice stocks worth around P53 million.
NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the agency will file with the Office of the Ombudsman the plunder case before yearend.
“We’re almost done with the case buildup [...] This is a multiyear series of actions that [started in 2021] and resulted in missing or lost stocks,” Lacson told reporters in a press conference in Quezon City on Friday.
He explained that the employee is currently active, but no longer holds a position that would influence the grains agency’s rice stocks.
“There are two courses of action on cases like this. It’s either you transfer that person so they won’t influence [rice stocks] or suspend them,” Lacson said.
“As soon as the case is filed, the suspension will be automatic,” he added.
However, the NFA chief did not divulge the total volume of rice
stocks lost and where these were distributed.
“We don’t have an idea where that person brought the missing rice stocks. But in the rice industry, if you take rice or palay, it has nowhere else to go. Ibebenta ulit [It’ll be sold again],” Lacson said. He also noted that the lost rice stocks did not affect the country’s buffer stock.
Meanwhile, Lacson said the country’s buffer stock currently stands at 460,000 metric tons (MT), which can feed Filipinos for 12 days.
He added that despite the calamities and continuous release of rice under the government’s P20 per kilo rice program, the grains agency was able to purchase more palay or unmilled rice than it was able to release them.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) recently announced that the government’s cheaper rice program is now available in all provinces nationwide.
“Our target for this year is to end with an inventory of around 400,000 MT, so that we can prepare for the P20 rice roll-out in 2026,” Lacson said.
The new treaty harmonizes the legal principles on extradition of nationals, procedures for provisional arrest and documentation, and mechanisms for the settlement of disputes and implementation of Asean members.
“The signing of the AET will be a defining moment in our effort to bring to justice those who have acted against the law,” Marcos said in his keynote address during the 13th Asean Law Ministers’ Meeting (ALAWMM) in Taguig City last Friday.
“With this landmark treaty, we send a clear message to the world that we are united and that our legal foundation is stronger than ever,” he added.
The President lauded the timely signing of the AET amid the growing threat of transnational crimes, including cybercrimes.
He said he hopes ALAWMM can also look into the ethical and legal implications of AI to ensure “laws can govern the digital space fairly and securely.”
“We must also intensify our efforts to be proactive, ensuring that Asean’s growth is sustainable, secure, and rooted in human dignity,” he said.
During the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), Marcos supported the calls for the mainstreaming of AI to help spur global economic growth.
Marcos stressed the importance of setting up such an inclusive legal framework to prevent “corruption, inefficiency, and impunity,” in society.
His administration has been using such a framework in its ongoing campaign against flood control project anomalies.
Before ending his speech, he also committed to extend support to Asean’s newest member, Timor-Leste as it prepares to join the ALAWMM.
Established in Bali, Indonesia in 1986, the ALAWMM serves as a vital platform for the Secretaries of Justice, Justice Ministers, and Attorneys-General of the Asean Member States for collaboration on legal matters.
“Asean is only as strong as the engagement of every member, every member state, and we value every voice at the table,” Marcos said.
“Let us continue on this path as we make the Rule of Law the most enduring promise we can make to our peoples. Together, let us honor that promise and work towards it, united in the belief that justice and fairness know no borders in ASEAN,” he added.
More Riyadh flights will boost Saudi arrivals
By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror
ADDITIONAL flights be -
tween Riyadh and several Philippine destinations are seen boosting the tourist arrivals from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
In a news statement, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, “Our shared values of hospitality, family, and faith make the Philippines a natural destination of choice for Saudi travelers. The Philippines expects further increases with the launch of new routes in 2025, including Riyadh–Cagayan de Oro and Riyadh–Zamboanga, complementing existing Riyadh–Manila and Jeddah–Manila connections [of Saudia Airlines].”
She added, “With enhanced air connectivity, we aim to bring the beauty and warmth of our islands even closer to the Saudi people.”
The Riyadh to Cagayan de Oro/ Zamboanga routes are actually connections from Manila. Saudia’s code-share agreement with Philippine Airlines allows the former to offer Riyadh-Cagayan de Oro and Riyadh-Zamboanga flights. Saudia flies 11 times a week on the Riyadhand Jeddah-Manila routes.
Tourism Undersecretary Verna C. Buensuceso, representing Frasco, recently met with Saudia Airlines General Manager Abdulrahman Alabdulwahab and Riyadh Air Vice President for Network Planning and Partnerships Wolfgang Reuss on the sidelines of the 26th UN Tourism General Assembly in Riyadh. They discussed the expansion of air connectivity and the development
of joint tourism promotion initiatives. Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raymond R. Balatbat also attended the meetings.
“As a destination, the Philippines continues to gain ground among Saudi travelers, recognized for its warm hospitality, competitive value, English-speaking service culture, and growing Halal-friendly tourism infrastructure. Saudi nationals enjoy visa-free entry to the Philippines for up to 30 days, making travel easier and more accessible,” said Frasco.
The Middle East continues to outperform other regions in international travel, in terms of destinations and as a source market for tourists. For Saudi Arabia, specifically, its outbound tourism is projected to reach US$25.49 billion by 2027, from $10.86 billion in 2021. “Saudi Arabia represents not just another emerging market, but a fundamental shift in high-yield tourism,” said travel consultant Dr. Jens Thraenhart in the Balanced Tourism website.
Saudi travelers stay up to an average of 19 nights in a destination, spending significantly above global averages. Outbound travel is driven by young professionals, with solo travelers now accounting for 78.82 percent of bookings, added Thraenhart, who also recently consulted for Saudi Tourism Authority.
Data from the DOT showed visitor arrivals from Saudi Arabia slipped by 3.25 percent to 18,237 in the 10 months to October 2025 versus the same period last year. The agency said among top destinations outside of Metro Manila
by Saudi tourists were: Cebu (23.29 percent of total), Aklan/Boracay (21.92 percent), Pampanga (15.07 percent), Palawan (8.22 percent), and Cavite (1.37 percent), “reflecting a strong preference for premium, family-friendly beach and resort experiences.”
Saudi travelers spent US$37.86 million last year, up 46 percent from 2023, according to the DOT chief, “confirming Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the Philippines’s fastest-growing and highest-value markets.”
Overall, there were 70,950 visitors from the Gulf of Cooperation Council countries from January to October 2025, a 9.33 percent drop from the same period last year.
The DOT has undertaken Muslim-friendly and Halal tourism initiatives to enhance the visit of tourists from the Middle East and other other Muslim-majority countries. As per the agency’s list, there are now 14 halal kitchens among its accredited accommodation establishments, while there are 289 Muslim-friendly restaurants across the country.
Megaworld Hotels and Resorts Corp. has also opened a Muslimfriendly beach Marhaba Boracay, a first in the Philippines. Likewise, Halal-certified meals are available from Philippines AirAsia on all its routes.
In this year’s Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) of Mastercard and CrescentRating, the Philippines climbed to eighth place, from 12th in 2024, in the list of top 20 nonOIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) halal-friendly destinations.
By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
CANADA has pledged over CAD 76.4 million (P3.21 billion) in new development projects and CAD 1.2 million (P50.4 million) in humanitarian assistance to support the Philippines’ recovery and long-term resilience. The announcement was made by Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai during his official visit to Manila on Friday. Sarai expressed condolences for victims of recent earthquakes in Cebu and Davao, as well as typhoons Tino (Kalmagi) and Uwan (Fung-Wong), commending the Philippines’s evacuation of over one million residents as “a commendable capacity and strength.” He warned that climate change is driving more frequent and severe storms, threatening lives and livelihoods across the region.
The new Canadian funding will target:
n Disaster risk reduction and preparedness
n Food and water security
n Ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation
n Greenhouse gas reduction and energy security
n Sexual and reproductive health services
n Nutrition programs for children affected by conflict and malnutrition 12 key devt projects approved CANADA’S investment will fund 12 new initiatives aligned with Philippine priorities:
n Climate Resilient Agri-Food Trade Promotion Support (CRAFTS)–CAD 5M to help women-led SMEs adopt climatesmart technologies and access global markets.
n Economic Linkages for Enhanced Value, Trade and Exports (ELEVaTE)–CAD 5M to boost export readiness for 400 SMEs, focusing on women entrepreneurs.
n Disaster Resilient and Climate Adaptive Food Systems (DRCAFS)–CAD 9.1M to strengthen food security for 15,000 smallholder farmers in disaster-prone areas.
n Building Capacities for EcoResilience–CAD 3.1M to restore 125,000 hectares of ecosystems and train 3,500 people in nature-based disaster risk reduction.
In case of conflict, 7 of 10 Filipinos willing to fight for country–survey
IN the event of a conflict, about 70 percent of adult Filipinos have expressed willingness to fight for the country, the survey results released by OCTA Research on Adult Filipinos’ Willingness to Fight for the Country showed.
The noncommissioned survey conducted from September 25 to 30, 2025, using face-to-face interviews, also showed that 30 percent remain unwilling or uncertain.
“This enduring sentiment reflects a deeply ingrained sense of patriotism and collective identity that cuts across socioeconomic, regional, cultural, and ethnic
divides. Defending the nation continues to serve as a unifying moral anchor for many Filipinos—a shared belief that transcends differences in background and circumstance,” read the survey, with 1,200 male and female probability respondents aged 18 and above and registered voters interviewed for the study. Support for national defense is robust across major areas, with at least seven in 10 Filipinos ready to fight—peaking in the National Capital Region with 79 percent and lowest in the Visayas (61 percent).
n Addressing Stunting in the Philippines–CAD 7.1M to improve nutrition for 140,000 mothers and children under five.
n Isla Maganda Peace Education Program–CAD 3.1M to deliver peace education to 44,000 children in conflict-affected regions.
n Sustainable and Transformative Action to Realize SRHR (STARS)–CAD 7.1M to expand sexual and reproductive health services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ individuals.
n Building Resilience through Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (BRIDGE)–CAD 3.7M to address water stress and promote gender-responsive disaster planning.
n Agsama Kape (Together for Coffee)–CAD 9.1M to help Indigenous women coffee farmers adopt climate-smart practices.
n Empowering Stewardship in the Coral Triangle–CAD 11.15M to support women-led marine conservation across 65,000 hectares.
n Energy is the Key to a Climate Stable Future (Enerkey)–CAD 11M to promote transport electrification and clean energy transition in the Philippines and Indonesia.
n Toward Sustainable Energy Security in Asean–CAD 2M to strengthen regional energy connectivity through the Asean Power Grid.
Aid with accountability FUNDS will be delivered through multilateral and bilateral partners, not directly to government agencies, ensuring strict anticorruption safeguards.
Sarai emphasized Canada’s long-term approach: “We look at it from a long-term perspective— building readiness, resilient infrastructure, and crops that can withstand disasters,” he said, citing Canadian-backed potato varieties that tripled yields for Filipino farmers.
“Investing in people and processes ensures communities can stand on their own.”
During his Manila visit, Sarai met withEnergy Secretary Sharon Garin, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.
Discussions focused on energy cooperation, food security, and inclusive economic growth.
Canada remains one of the top six donors to the Philippines, having provided over CAD 1 billion in aid over decades. Sarai said stronger partnerships with like-minded nations will help Manila bolster sovereignty and resilience amid regional tensions.
percent) who are willing to fight for the country in the event of a conflict compared to those in the urban areas (67 percent).
Ex-DPWH Usec Bernardo returns to Blue Ribbon, tags senators
FORMER
By Butch Fernandez
Public Works
Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo testified anew at the Senate Blue Ribbon committee on Friday, providing more details about claims that several lawmakers had sought and received kickbacks for infrastructure projects.
At the hearing presided over by newly reinstalled Blue Ribbon chairman, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, the once-powerful Discaya contractor-couple Pacifico and Cezarah were directed by senators to go home and search for the “ledger” of transactions from kickbacks, which they had promised to provide Senate probers two months ago.
The Discayas were escorted by Senate security and police, from
the Senate building in Pasay City, where Pacifico had been kept in detention after being cited in contempt by the Blue Ribbon.
While the Blue Ribbon hearing was going on, House reporters received a video statement from Rep. Zaldy Co, whose request for a virtual testimony from abroad was earlier rejected by Lacson.
In his video, Co claimed he was forced to speak up because he was set up to be the “poster boy” for corruption by then-Speaker
Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Lacson said the supposed statement has no probative value because it is not a sworn statement, nor was made in the presence of a consular official.
Reading from his supplemental affidavit, Bernardo cited instances over three years when he caused the delivery of hundreds of millions to several lawmakers: incumbent senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Chiz Escudero and Mark Villar, who was former DPWH chief; and former senators Grace Poe, Nancy Binay and Juan Edgardo Angara, who is now Education Secretary.
In the cases of Binay, Angara and Poe, Bernardo said he or his subalterns dealt mainly with aides, and “presumably” the delivery of commitments was with the lawmakers’ knowledge.
Escudero’s lawyer Ramon Esguerra said: “There is no direct evidence presented in the testimony of Bernardo linking Senator Chiz to any criminal act. Speculations
and insinuations are not evidence. These are at best hearsay, lack basis, and are self-serving statements that will not stand in any court of law.
“We believe that these allegations are merely designed to besmirch and destroy Senator Chiz’s reputation, as well as that of the Senate.
In a statement, Estrada said: “I vehemently deny the allegations linking me to any flood control project. The claim that I supposedly received a ‘percentage’ from these projects is baseless, reckless, and unsupported by any credible evidence whatsoever.”
Estrada noted discrepancies between the two affidavits of Bernardo. “These glaring inconsistencies, omissions, and later embellishments cast serious doubt on the truthfulness, reliability, and motives behind his statements. Affidavits that materially contradict each other cannot be the basis of any honest
See “Blue Ribbon,” A12
By socioeconomic class, willingness is highest among Class ABC at 79 percent, followed by Class D (70 percent) and Class E (64 percent).
Regionally, patriotic commitment is strongest in Eastern Visayas (89 percent), Bicol Region (87 percent), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (84 percent), Central Luzon (83 percent), Davao Region (82 percent), and the Ilocos Region (80 percent).
Meanwhile, lower expressions are recorded in Cagayan Valley with 19 percent, followed by Northern Mindanao with 35 percent, and 43 percent in Caraga.
“These variations suggest that the patriotic spirit is deeply rooted across the country. In many areas, the willingness to fight for the country may also reflect a resilient sense of belonging and confidence in national unity and sovereignty,” the survey added.
Across age groups, willingness to fight for the country remains high but varies significantly by generation.
The highest percentage is observed among Filipinos aged 75 and older (77 percent), reflecting a patriotism shaped by lived experience and historical struggle.
In contrast, the lowest level of willingness is found among those aged 65 to 74 (59 percent).
Notably, younger Filipinos— Millennials (75 percent) and Gen Z (73 percent)—show remarkably high levels of readiness to defend the nation in the event of a conflict, challenging common assumptions about youth disengagement or apathy.
This strong patriotic sentiment among the younger generations, the survey stated, may reflect a renewed and active form of nationalism— one that combines emotional commitment with civic awareness and a sense of shared responsibility for the country’s future.
“ It may also suggest that patriotism among today’s youth is not merely symbolic, but grounded in an informed, participatory, and forward-looking vision of nationhood.”
Moreover, there are more adult Filipinos in the rural areas (74
The percentage of adult Filipinos willing to fight for the country is relatively higher among males (77 percent) than females (64 percent).
The percentage of adult Filipinos willing to fight for the country in the event of a conflict with a foreign enemy declined by eight percentage points—from 78 percent in June 2024 to 70 percent in September 2025.
While this represents a decline, the survey noted that overall willingness remains high, with seven in 10 Filipinos still prepared to defend the nation if conflict arises.
Across major areas, willingness dropped by at least nine percentage points in most regions, except in the National Capital Region (NCR), where it rose sharply by 14 points.
By socioeconomic class, the steepest decline was recorded among Class E respondents (–18 points), while Class ABC registered a 10-point increase, reflecting diverging outlooks between higherand lower-income groups.
“This decline recorded above suggests that while patriotic sentiment remains broadly resilient, it is increasingly shaped by the country’s social, economic, and political realities.”
Possible factors denting confidence ON the other hand, persistent political scandals, high inflation, economic insecurity, local political dynamics and unequal access to credible information, survey says, may have weakened patriotic confidence among poorer and more vulnerable sectors.
“In contrast, heightened national conversations on sovereignty, defense, and regional security appear to have reinforced national pride and resolve among the middle and upper classes.
These patterns indicate that economic stability and civic awareness may play a decisive role in shaping how Filipinos perceive patriotism and their willingness to defend the nation,” it said.
This survey has a ±3 percent margin of error at a 95-percent confidence level.
BusinessMirror
Smart ring wearable now tracks periods, ovulation
THE fitness market is booming and one proof is the abundance of wearables that measure and study not just how many steps you take a day or what your pulse rate is but analyzes your menstrual cycle, sleep patterns, and stress levels. I remember that 10 or 12 years ago, I would carry a pedometer in my pocket to measure the number of steps I took. Now, there are smart watches and smart rings for that purpose and these devices do more than just count steps.
If you’re not into smart watches and fitness trackers, some of which can be be big and bulky (and interfere with your sartorial choices), smart rings are small wearables that could work for those who want the benefits of a wearable without the bulk.
Like smart watches and fitness trackers, smart rings track sleep, steps, recovery, and stress levels. They’re comfortable to sleep with (I have slept with them on).
Wearable health technology company Ultrahuman recently launched its new Brushed Rose Gold finish for the Ultrahuman Ring AIR in the Philippines. It also rolled out the Cycle & Ovulation Pro feature, which claims to be the world’s most accurate cycle tracking system in a smart ring. Ultrahuman is known for its subscription-free
service. Thus, all insights and historical trends can be accessed by the user. You can get 15-percent off until November 23 at Digital Walker and Open Source stores nationwide, and online via Shopee and Lazada.
Brushed Rose Gold joins the Matte Black, Aster Black, Bionic Gold, and Space Silver finishes for the Ultrahuman Ring AIR range.
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR tracks health, wellness and fitness metrics like heart rate, skin temperature, activity, workouts, stress and more. It automatically detects naps, sleep and some exercises like outdoor walks. You can also manually start and stop workouts or breathing exercises through the app (which you can download on your phone). You can also log food and water intake. It helps to monitor sleep quality, HRV, and resting heart rate to identify what’s disrupting rest at night (could be late-night snacks, watching television, scrolling your phone, or even the room’s temperature).
The Circadian Alignment PowerPlug helps schedule wind-down and wake-up routines while you can find the optimal caffeine window based on the body clock and recovery state. You can log beverages and get personal caffeine cut-off recommendations to protect and promote deep sleep. Cycle & Ovulation Pro offers 90 percent accuracy for ovulation confirmation. Adapted from the OvuSense medical-grade algorithm, it helps women recognize subtle hormonal patterns and stay in tune with their bodies, even for non-textbook cycles. Cycle Flags highlight variations such as early or late ovulation and luteal-phase changes. There are also symptom and lifestyle tagging to reveal how mood, stress and sleep interact with hormonal shifts. Ultrahuman also provides broad compatibility across all cycle types so women, especially those with irregular patterns, get reliable insights for women
NEW AI GAME DEVELOPER TOOL COMING TO ROBLOX IN ’26
BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA
AN online game platform and game creation system, Roblox is set to introduce Cipher, a “Gaming-Native AI platform designed as the dedicated intelligence layer for creators and indie game developers.” With a dedicated 79 million active player-base, Roblox remains one of the top platforms in the gaming community, providing multiple games across several genres. It is also the home of many indie game developers as it hosts Roblox Studio, an in-platform tool that allows creators to create and share their games to Roblox. That being said, Roblox aims to go higher, partnering with Ambitionz, an AI gaming company, to bring Cipher in their community.
with non-standard or irregular patterns.
The Ultrahuman Ring AIR promises 4-6 days of use. It’s a very interactive smart ring. Throughout the day, you’ll receive notifications to move, to stretch, and even to drink coffee. The ring is also light and comfortable so you can easily wear it to bed. The Ultrahuman Ring AIR is perfect for people who are into health and wellness as it is active and technical.
EastWest Ageas taps digital technology for stronger customer engagement
BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES
EASTWEST Ageas announced recently that it is harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to significantly enhance its sales and customer advisory processes, marking a strong push into the digital realm to connect with a younger, tech-savvy Filipino audience.
Greg Martin, EastWest Ageas chief distribution officer and marketing officer, emphasized that the life insurer’s commitment to becoming a “customer-centric” operation is being amplified by the introduction of an AI-driven tool designed to support its entire sales force—across both bancassurance and agency channels.
“The core of EastWest Ageas’ AI
strategy is focused on empowering its advisors. While details are scarce, the new tool is positioned as an innovative solution that will make their sales team better and more effective advisors to their customers.
By providing real-time, knowledgeable support, the AI aims to increase efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that customer interactions are informed and relevant,” Martin explained in a press conference.
Martin said the company’s approach acknowledges the crucial role of the human advisor while leveraging technology to provide a competitive edge.
Moreover, he said the goal is to equip agents with intelligence that allows them to move beyond
Escape performative money traps
WE’VE all been there: swearing that this is the year we’ll finally save, spend smarter, and stop the endless cycle of “budol” buys. But somehow, the plan to get our finances together turns into another “next time” situation. Thankfully, Maya, a top fintech ecosystem and digital bank in the Philippines, makes it easier (and more rewarding) to to trade old patterns for smarter habits that actually grow your money.
Here’s how to break free from the usual money traps:
1. Start saving with purpose (and peace of mind). Let’s be honest, if you’re saving whatever’s left after bills and brunches, there usually isn’t much left to save. It’s time to make this your first move: start treating saving like your first bill of the month and not as an afterthought. With Maya Personal Goals, you can set up specific savings targets—
transactional selling to become truly knowledgeable partners in their customers’ financial journeys. Martin said this is particularly vital in a market where financial literacy is a continuing challenge, which was recently mentioned by the company’s executives.
He said EastWest Ageas is keenly aware of the Philippines’ young average age and is determined to connect with the Gen Z and Millennial demographic. Their recent “FYP [For Your Purpose]” campaign, a sitcomstyle series focusing on modern Filipino “doers and dreamers,” is testament to this goal. The integration of AI is the logical next step to meet this audience where they are—in the digital space.
While the company is focused on the growing middle class, Martin said the executive team confirmed that entering the digital channels through EastWest Bank next year will allow them to capture segments of the younger market that prefer buying services online. The AI tool will likely play a central role in these digital customer interactions, potentially through a chatbox or other direct-toconsumer digital channels, making insurance more accessible and less daunting.
Martin said the strategic deployment of AI ensures that EastWest Ageas remains relevant and responsive, solidifying its position as a reliable life partner for Filipinos as they navigate their financial future.
whether it’s for a trip, a new gadget, or an emergency fund—and earn up to 8 percent interest per year as you go. 2. Make every spend work harder
for you. If you’re spending anyway, you might as well make it count. With Maya, every swipe does more for you boosting your Maya Savings interest up to 15
Cipher’s promise is to deliver AAAquality game experience and assets by using Generative AI (GenAI), providing developers the tools to generate in-game assets through prompts, similar to how ChatGPT works but also explicitly providing the game-ready assets.
This new tech aims to help those game developers without prior or proper technical knowledge and specialized skills, becoming the bridge for their ideas to turn into assets.
“The Roblox community is incredibly vocal and experimental, and we could not have chosen a better place to unveil Cipher. We are fundamentally moving game creation away from tedious processes toward pure creative expression and execution,” said Pavel Bains, CEO of Ambitionz.
“As the only gaming-native AI platform, we speak the language of game developers because we are game developers ourselves. That’s why Cipher was designed to give creators the freedom to focus on what matters most—building great gameplay and telling great stories,” he added. Roblox is not a stranger to AI as they use tools like Code Assist (a tool to help in coding the game), Assistant (a conversational tool that can also be used to help in scripting), and their asset generators inside the platform.
And with Cipher currently in its beta state, it already has a 90 percent success rate in generating in-game assets within minutes, all wary of platform constraints, polygon counts, and animation workflows necessary to make it workable in the platform. It expects to bring 3,000 creators in the next two months through a Discord quest system. It is set to be fully released in 2026.
For the latest information on Cipher for Roblox and to get early access, visit www.usecipher. ai/roblox.
percent p.a. and unlocking even more rewards through Maya Credit Cards, including cashbacks and travel miles.
3. Take control of credit and use it to build your future. A lot of us were raised to think credit is bad. But when done right, credit is actually a powerful tool for growth.
If you’ve never had a credit card before, Maya Black Express is a great way to start. It gives you access to credit perks of Maya Black but with less pressure. You just make a one-time Express Deposit (starting at ₱12,500) that sets your spending limit and that
4. Start where you are and scale with Time Deposit Plus. You don’t need to wait for a pay raise to start managing your money better. But once you’re ready to take your savings to the next level, Maya Time Deposit Plus can help you grow more consistently. You can lock in your money for 3, 6, or 12 months with rates as high as 6 percent p.a. on deposits of up to ₱1 million per Time Deposit Plus account. The best part? You can keep adding funds anytime, even after reaching your target amount. It’s perfect for anyone who wants the structure of a time deposit, but the flexibility of modern saving. We’ve all made money mistakes— what matters is learning how to move past them. Breaking from performative habits starts with one small, intentional change, and Maya (
A6 Saturday, November 15, 2025
Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
and progress shine at Globe’s G Fair 2025 Awards
FROM left:
AS part of the 917 GDay 2025 celebrations, Globe Business turned the spotlight on Filipino entrepreneurs whose businesses prove that passion and purpose can go hand in hand. The first-ever G Fair Awards honored local SME partners not only for what they sell, but for the values they stand for: innovation, community and sustainability.
“Through G Fair, we see how small businesses bring innovation, heart, and resilience to every challenge,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability and corporate communications officer. “The winners remind us that success is not just about growth, but about the impact you create for people and the planet.”
KD Dizon, head of Globe Business, added: “These entrepreneurs embody the courage to innovate and the commitment to do better. Their success inspires others to scale their business and amplify their positive impact in the communities they serve.”
For two days, G Fair served as a dynamic platform for local businesses. It transformed into a stage where stories of grit and creativity came to life, offering inspiration to entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners alike.
BREWING PASSION INTO PROGRESS
THE Breakthrough Award went to H Proper Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee roastery born from one man’s search for the perfect cup. What started as a personal passion project is now a growing business where every detail, from sourcing green beans at origin to perfecting roast profiles, carries the founder’s uncompromising standards. Judges recognized H Proper not only for its craft, but also for demonstrating that when entrepreneurs pour themselves fully into their work, they can carve out a distinct place in a competitive industry.
WINNING HEARTS THROUGH AUTHENTIC CRAFT
THE People’s Choice Award was given to The Good Poison, a premium iced tea brand that has captured the public’s imagination in less than a year since launch. Crafted with real brewed tea and fresh fruit, every bottle speaks of mindful sourcing and a dedication to quality. Consumers’ votes showed that when a product is rooted in authenticity, customers respond with loyalty and trust.
LIGHTING THE WAY FOR SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
THE Sustainability Champion Award was awarded to Lumi Candles PH, a homegrown brand that has turned a small hobby into a movement. Known for its soy candles and refillable home essentials, Lumi doesn’t just sell décor, it advocates for responsible consumption. Its booth at G Fair demonstrated waste-reduction practices, while its ongoing support for non-profit organizations shows that businesses of any scale can spark social change. Globe recognized Lumi for championing sustainability across both their digital presence and on-ground activation, based on their reduced environmental impact, ethical and responsible business practices, and long-term commitment to sustainability. By celebrating these awardees, Globe underscores its commitment to nurturing SMEs as catalysts of inclusive and sustainable growth. G Fair is an invitation for entrepreneurs to share their stories, for customers to support local businesses, and for communities to thrive together.
BusinessMirror
Nubia Air: Your reliable wingman
IT started on one of those days when Manila couldn’t make up its mind.
The sky looked innocent enough that morning, so I left home without an umbrella. But by lunchtime, the city was drenched, traffic froze, and I was running between puddles to catch a ride. Since I was commuting, I had my iPhone buried somewhere deep in my bag. I’d already learned the hard way that juggling two phones on the crowded MRT is a recipe for regret.
That was the day I truly appreciated the importance of having a reliable wingman—a phone you don’t worry about when things get messy, a device that simply works without demanding attention. I had just received the Nubia Air a few days prior and it slid into that role with ease. It’s slim enough to disappear into a jacket pocket, yet sturdy enough to survive the chaos of a sudden downpour or the unpredictability of travel.
BORN SOLID, BUILT SLIM
BEFORE we get too deep into our review, let’s get the obvious out of the way. Nubia’s newest pair—the Nubia V80 Design and Nubia Air, introduced during the recent Nubia VibeFest— clearly take cues from Apple’s playbook. The resemblance to the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone Air is hard to miss, but Nubia manages to deliver a similar sleek, premium aesthetic at only a fraction of Cupertino’s asking price.
For the Nubia Air, thinness is the whole statement.
At 5.9 mm, it’s one of the slimmest smartphones you can hold today, and at just 172 grams, it feels as light as its name suggests. That airy feel doesn’t come at the expense of structure. It’s built around a high-strength aluminum alloy material reinforced at all four corners, topped with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which offers up to twice the drop and scratch resistance of previous generations.
The result is a device that looks effortlessly sleek but is engineered for real-world resilience. Nubia even went as far as subjecting it to rigorous lab testing which includes 600,000 cycles of touchscreen durability testing, 6,000 continuous drop tests, 600 repeated rolling-drop tests, and 5 full rounds of free-fall testing, so you don’t have to worry about accidental bumps and drops.
This ultra-slim frame isn’t just fragile but also built for the Philippines ever-changing weather moods as it has IP69K, IP69, and IP68 certifications—protection from dust, immersion, and even high-pressure water jets. It’s available in Titanium Black and Titanium Desert—and for once, I actually prefer the understated black unit I’ve been using.
BRIGHT, SHARP AND SMOOTH
THE Nubia Air greets you with a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display (1224 × 2720) that immediately draws the eye. It delivers crisp detail, deep contrast and vibrant color accuracy through its 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 440 ppi pixel density. With a 120 Hz refresh rate, every scroll and animation feels smooth and effortless—whether you’re browsing, gaming, or even just flipping through photos.
Brightness peaks at an impressive 4,500 nits, ensuring visibility even under direct sunlight, while the cinematic color reproduction makes it ideal for streaming and binge-watching sessions. The display feels as premium as it looks—balanced, responsive, and easy on the eyes during long use.
Nubia calls this design philosophy “light on the hand, strong in the world.” You get that minimalist, high-end aesthetic often seen in pricier flagships, but in a phone that’s physically lighter and far more accessible. Adding to that premium feel is an underdisplay fingerprint sensor—a feature not often seen at this price point. It blends seamlessly into the AMOLED panel, unlocking quickly and reliably with just a single touch.
Audio receives the same attention to detail. The Nubia Air features HiFigrade sound powered by a HiFi 4 DSP and a high-performance audio codec, producing cleaner tones and minimizing distortion. It also supports DTS audio, giving your music, videos, and games a wider, more immersive soundstage—even through its single bottom-firing speaker, which performs surprisingly well for its class.
For communication, the phone employs dual-mic AI noise cancellation, AI echo cancellation 3.0, and AI voice enhancement, all working together to reduce background noise and preserve vocal clarity. Calls and voice recordings remain consistently clear, even in busy or outdoor environments.
STEADY AND READY FOR EVERYDAY USE UNDER the hood, the Nubia Air runs on the Unisoc T8300 5G octacore processor built on a 6 nm process, featuring two Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2 GHz for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz for efficiency. It’s paired with 8 GB of physical RAM, expandable up to 20 GB through virtual memory, and 256 GB of internal storage.
For daily use, the Nubia Air handles what most people do—messaging, social media, streaming, and navigation—with confidence. Its AI Performance Engine automatically manages power and memory, closing idle apps and adjusting workloads to keep things running efficiently.
That said, if you’ve spent time with a midrange or flagship device, you’ll notice a difference. App launches take a heartbeat longer, and switching between heavier apps feels a bit more deliberate. It’s not sluggish, just measured—more worker than sprinter. You can’t help but wish Nubia had gone with a slightly faster processor to match the polish of its design. The Nubia Air isn’t built for heavy gaming. It can handle most titles at default settings without issue, but if you’re after a device that can sustain longer, more intensive sessions, you’re better off looking at the Nubia Neo series which I also reviewed a few months ago.
Still, that restraint pays off in endurance. Thanks to the 5,000 mAh battery, the phone easily lasts through a full day of regular use, and the 33W fast charging brings it back to full in about 90 minutes. The AI Power-Saving system stretches battery life even further without slowing performance. Add dependable 5G connectivity to the mix, and you have a phone that keeps pace with real life.
MADE FOR THE MOMENT
NUBIA equipped the Air with a 50 MP auto-focus main camera, a 2MP depth camera, an AI lens and a 20MP front camera. Both front and rear lenses benefit from AI-enhanced imaging, which adjusts color balance and exposure automatically. For everyday use, it’s dependable. In proper lighting, photos look clean and balanced, with natural tones and good detail retention. Indoors or in low light, it tends to smooth out textures—but nothing a little editing can’t fix. It’s not a “wow” camera, but with steady hands and a bit of framing, it delivers more than enough for your feed.
One useful tip: check if Dynamic Image is
shutter. With it disabled, the shutter feels snappier, especially when taking multiple shots in quick succession. For video, the Nubia Air records video up to 1080p at 30fps, making it ideal for quick clips, B-roll, and Reels or Stories. Built-in Video Anti-Shake helps stabilize handheld footage, while AI Sport Snapshot keeps moving subjects in focus. It’s a solid content companion, not cinematic, but reliable when you need to capture and post fast.
One consistent gripe I’ve had with Nubia phones is the lack of a native gallery app. The Nubia Air relies on Google Photos by default, which means that even with its built-in AI editing tools, you’re limited to what Google’s app allows. It’s not a dealbreaker—you can easily download a third-party gallery from the Play Store—but having a dedicated Nubia app would’ve made the experience feel more complete and cohesive.
Speaking of AI, Nubia integrates a few like AI Translate, AI Real-time Translate, and AI Conversation Translate, which handle both in-call and face-to-face translations in real time.
FINAL WORD: A wingman, by definition, is someone who’s got your back—the one who steps in when things get unpredictable and helps you stay on track. That’s exactly what the Nubia Air is built to be.
It’s gorgeous, light, dependable, and ready whenever you need it. The performance is steady, the camera reliable, and the build surprisingly tough for something this slim. With a special price of ₱10,999, the Nubia Air delivers the essentials— premium looks, durable construction, and everyday consistency without the flagship fuss. It’s something you can whip out anywhere with less fear and anxiety.
It doesn’t try to compete or outshine your main device; instead, it earns its place beside it—the kind of phone that quietly proves its worth, one dependable day at a time.
Editor: Gerard S. Ramos •
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Editor: Angel R. Calso
300 PWDs get ₧6K social pension in Ilocos Norte
By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY—A total of 300 persons with disability (PWDs) in Ilocos Norte received P6,000 each on October 24 as part of the provincial government’s continuing rollout of social pension for the vulnerable sector.
“The amount covers the months of July up to December this year,” Carolyn Domingo, disability affairs officer of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, told the Philippine News Agency. There are 13,000 registered PWDs in Ilocos Norte.
The province has been implementing the PWD social pension since 2023.
“Through the initiative of thenIlocos Norte governor and now Vice Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, we were able to secure and allocate funds to include Ilocano PWDs in the
beneficiaries of the social pension program,” Domingo said. Digna Amigo, 64, from Barangay Caaoacan in this city, thanked the provincial government for the grant of the P1,000 monthly social pension to her son, 31-year-old Edmund Amigo Jr., who was born with speech impairment.
“The amount is a big help for my son to sustain his basic needs especially now that we [parents] are senior citizens,” said Amigo, who accompanied her son in receiving the pension at the Provincial Capitol.
Wheelchair-bound Mario Anto -
nio, from Barangay La Paz in this city, said the monthly pension he has been receiving from the provincial government for three years now has been helpful in easing his family’s daily living expenses.
Along with the social pension, the Ilocos Norte government is also implementing various skills and competencies training that enable PWDs to
become productive and independent members of the community.
The latest skills and competencies training was held in August this year, where 100 PWDs participated in theoretical driving course and road safety seminar to boost their accessibility and inclusion in nation building and community development. PNA
Open wide the floodgates to history-based narratives
DURING my recent meet-up with former college classmates, the hot topic of our conversation was history themed films.
One ex-classmate, usually quiet and tepid by nature, was uncharacteristically raving about Jerrold Tarog’s “Quezon,” which he had already watched twice. It was, he said, “powerful.” Moved by this endorsement, my other ex-classmate went to watch it right after our lunch get together at a nearby theater. That evening, he texted to me his curt review: “Not powerful.”
Then there was this little tempest in a teapot so to speak in which a descendant of President MLQ angrily talked back to the director and actor of “Quezon,” claiming that the movie sullied his grandfather’s reputation. As social media picked it up, the buzz about the movie got sustained for a longer while among cinephiles, academicians and the chatterati. There was even speculation that the filmmaker’s next opus in his so-called “bayaniverse” would be about Ramon Magsaysay. Within the same timeframe, I came across a column extolling the film “Lakambini”. Reading it, I learned about a new cinema genre: meta documentary fiction, just another term for “creative play” or “creative license” to avoid being constrained by historical facts and being accused later of distorting them.
This to me is an exciting development. Is this the opportune time for Filipino history-based narratives? Is there already a critical mass of “woke” Filipinos now more receptive to novels, plays and films based on our pantheon of textbook heroes?
Heartened by this turn of events, a film director friend of mine suddenly called me to inquire about my film script about Diego Silang. “Maybe,”
my friend told me, “people now might be more interested in historical films.”
Years before the pandemic, the two of us had been pitching the project but got nowhere. We also had one shelved treatment on a TV series on the late Ka Luis Taruc, focusing on his Hukbalahap years.
I’m sure there are other writers and creative people waiting for the right time to put the lives of such intriguing heroes as Marcelo H. del Pilar or Graciano Lopez Jaena on screen or book. I remember a short piece entitled “I, Sulayman” by the late Adrian E. Cristobal on the last ruler of Manila who resisted subjugation to Legazpi but eventually lost his kingdom in the battle against the invaders. The
led the longest native revolt in Philippine history (85 years) and was never captured.
But why limit it to textbook heroes?
Our history is an enormously rich and fertile ground for mining captivating and compelling narratives.
Why not, for instance, produce a limited Netflix series on the so-called “Manila Men” or the “Luzones?” These were indios who worked in the Spanish Galleons that traversed the Pacific Ocean from Manila to Acapulco and then back. They were the first recorded people from Asia to set foot in what is now the United States, which makes us the first U.S. immigrants, predating the Mayflower exiles.
I am sure there are more young artists, writers, and filmmakers with nascent creative ideas based on Philippine history. Maybe these ideas have been shelved, waiting, just like me, for that inflection moment when enough Filipinos would finally be ready for them and investors would be more predisposed to backing history-themed narratives.
What makes history-themed content now highly feasible to produce is Computer-Generated Imagery or CGI, fusing digital imagery/animation and live action shots seamlessly. Thanks to this ever-advancing technology, it’s now possible to bring to life any historical era, including buildings, people, and period vehicles on the street, and yes, an entire town or city! A filmmaker can even create awesome epicscale battle scenes without expensive set construction, costly special effects and pyrotechnics and the mobilization of a cast of thousands.
fact that he married the daughter of the Sultan of Borneo and became a son-in-law would make any narrative depiction that much more fascinating and absorbing.
Come to think of it, a daring Filipino producer or an enlightened TV network can come up with a riveting series revolving around the three rulers of pre-Spanish kingdom of Manila: Rajah Matanda, Rajah Sulayman (also known as Rajah Mura), and Lakandula who co-ruled as equals. Throw in Panday Pira who was commissioned by Sulayman to cast the cannons that were mounted on the palisades surrounding his kingdom.
Another entertaining series would be on Francisco Dagohoy of Bohol who
I sense that the Filipino, or at least the Gen Zees, mentally awakened by the widespread rot they now see in our government and in society, might be ready for content that will not only entertain them but will make them think and reflect on the present by way of the past.
This should be the cue for the National Historical Commission and National Commission on Culture and the Arts to seize the day and ride this rising wave.
Wasn’t there a prize-giving body for books on Philippine history before? I still distinctly remember the poet Cirilo F. Bautista winning the 1998 Philippine Independence Centennial Literary Prize for his work “The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus” composed of three parts: The Archipelago, Telex Moon, and Sunlight on
Nanay Francisca Rusit Monton, sixth centenarian honored in General Trias
By Dennis Abrina
GENERAL Trias, Cavite—Another centenarian from the historic city of General Trias was honored and received a P100,000 reward from the city government on Friday, November 7, 2025, at her house in Barangay Bacao Dos in this city.
Mayor Luis “Jon-Jon” Ferrer IV, Vice Mayor Jonas Labuguen, Councilors Alfred Ching, Martin Ferrer, and Ms. Gigie Ferrer of the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) led the presentation of a plaque and symbolic check to nanay Francisca Rusit Monton who celebrated her 100th birth-
Broken Stones.
I also came across an item on social media about Young Historian’s Prize grants given by the NCCA, through the National Committee on Historical Research (NCHR) to recognize young writers between 21 and 40 years old for original work in the field of Philippine history and historiography intended to contribute to the enrichment of Philippine history and historiography.
Let’s pick it up from these laudable initiatives and think bigger, more ambitious and expansive.
Why not, for instance, launch an annual heritage festival with sections on original history-themed films (feature length or shorts), books (essays and novels), graphic novels or komiks. While we’re at it, why not interactive
computer games designed for young gamers?
Maybe NCCA and NHCP can allocate generous multi-media production grants without making artists go through the draining and exhausting process of bureaucratic red tape.
To avoid big budget allocations, the NCCA and NHCP can just latch on to existing indie festivals such as QCinema and Cinemalaya with a special section on history-themed full length and short films.
These cultural agencies can also collaborate with the National Book Awards and Palanca Awards to create special awards for outstanding history-themed novels or essays, and plays.
So that visual artists won’t feel excluded, why not give incentives to history-based paintings or murals? Perhaps our LGUs with funding from NCCA can mobilize young artists to make their local history come alive through murals and sculptures of significant local heroes or events.
It’s time to release a flood of new novels, films, plays and even social
media content about our textbook heroes and individuals we have elevated to mythic proportions.
Let’s not constrain our artists but instead set them loose, creative wise.
All we ask is that their works be factual but engrossing and entertaining, but more importantly, make them intelligent and provocative. If by that we mean disturbing, why not? Isn’t art meant to disturb the comfortable?
The Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes puts it better: “Art gives voice to what history denied, silenced, or persecuted. Art brings truth to the lies of history.”
I don’t mind a little creative play on facts as long as the content triggers an illuminating conversation about us in the present. I would rather they err on the side of excess or enthusiasm than
on safe, dry platitudinous treatments. No matter how flawed the work may be, as long as it helps nurture and cultivate our historical consciousness. For the past is never past, it continues to shape the present in various ways and we must think about the past as alive in the present.
Just one unsolicited advice to budding artists of historical narratives out there. Learn from Athenian playwrights—Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides—who gave a powerful new expressiveness and a profound interiority to the heroes and heroines of myth. Make them come alive in their full complexity, allowing our so-called “madlang people” to connect with them on a more personal level and, if possible, on a universal level.
By encouraging and empowering our artists and scholars to start the conversation and provoking the rest of us to join the conversation, we can get to know and understand fully the “Great Filipino Story” and we can forge together a path towards our own authentic national identity.
day or had become a centenarian by virtue of RA11982 or the Expanded Centenarian Law, which recognizes their long life, sacrifices, and contributions to their respective families and communities.
This was also approved by the City Council Resolution No. 5-2025-194 authored by Councilor Alfred Ching, Councilor Martin Ferrer and Councilor Richard Parin. Nanay Francisca is the sixth centenarian to be recognized under Mayor Ferrer’s term, including Nanay Candida Amon Bautista of Barangay Alingaro and Leonida Parani Mallari of Barangay Bacao 1.
TBy Zaldy De Layola
HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is urging the public to refrain from using “disabilities” as a form of entertainment content on social media.
“The DSWD appeals to all social media users and influencers to exercise compassion and sensitivity in producing online content. Imitating persons with disabilities is already a form of mockery that reinforces disrespect and discrimination towards the concerned vulnerable group,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said in a statement on Thursday. The DSWD spokesperson issued the statement in support of the urgent call of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), an attached agency of the agency, condemning the “Emily Blind Prank” trend on TikTok, which encourages netizens, including children, to pretend to be blind for a chance to win a cash prize. She pointed out that under the wholeof-society approach, all sectors must work together to advocate and promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the DSWD and other government agencies to strengthen the programs for persons with disabilities [PWDs] to ensure that they are not left behind in development and can partake in nation-building,” Dumlao said. According to the NCDA statement, these trends “diminish the gravity of what it means to acquire a disability or fight through illness.”
These videos, it said, make fun of the real fundraising efforts by PWDs and their families, who face financial hardship in seeking care, rehabilitation, and support.
“These videos mock disability. They violate Republic Act No. 9442, which prohibits public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities. Under this law, any act that subjects persons with disabilities to shame, humiliation, or scorn—whether in public spaces or online platforms, is punishable,” the NCDA statement said. Under the law, certain acts related to the ridicule, vilification, or humiliation of persons with disabilities are strictly prohibited and are subject to criminal liability.
Dumlao urged the public to report to the NCDA any form of content or incident that mocks persons with disabilities. PNA
GENERAL Trias City
Mayor Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer IV presented the symbolic cheque and plaque to nanay Francisca Rusit Monton,
Editor: Mike Policarpio
DepEd wants holistic funding to ensure literacy recovery
THE Department of Education
(DepEd) has called for full and sustained funding to ensure recovery in learners’ literacy.
This is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to sustain quality education in the country.
In a statement, DepEd said it is prioritizing “foundational learning and literacy recovery” as it aligns resources and streamlines its functions.
“The Department of Education is calling for the full and sustained funding of all education mandates to address the country’s literacy challenges and give every learner a fair and equal chance to succeed,” it said.
The department assured continuous collaboration with other
UE’s College of Law offers scholarships to honor graduates
CONSISTENT with its commitment to nurture the next generation of globally competitive and ethical legal professionals, the University of the East (UE) College of Law is offering scholarship opportunities for bachelor’s degree holders who graduated with Latin honors.
“We hope our scholarships can help bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement to empower our students to pursue their dreams with purpose and passion,” Dean Viviana Paguirigan of the College of Law said.
In the last four bar examinations, the UE College of Law has produced 435 lawyers and landed in second place in the 2019 Bar examinations.
Among the college’s notable alumni are former chief justice and incumbent Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Supreme Court Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Juliet Manalo-San Gaspar, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Dante Tinga, Chief Public Attorney Persida RuedaAcosta, Chairman Felix Reyes of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office or PCSO, and election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
For flexibility, the UE College of Law offers four-year and five-year non-thesis curricula for full-time and working students.
Under the UE College of Law Scholarship program, full scholars will be entitled to a monthly stipend of P20,000 for five months, P10,000 as book allowance per semester, and a P5,000 transportation allowance per semester, along with 100-percent free tuition and miscellaneous fees.
Half scholars will enjoy a 50-percent discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees, and will receive a P10,000 monthly stipend for five months, P10,000 book allowance per semester, and a P5,000 transportation allowance per semester.
The UE College of Law is currently accepting applicants for incoming freshmen and transferees for the second semester of School Year 20252026. For inquiries, email law@ue.edu. ph or call (02) 8735-6978 or (02) 87355471
government agencies and stakeholders to secure the desired turnout in the government’s investment in the education sector.
Among the ongoing reforms are the revised and streamlined Kinder to Grade 10 or K-10 and
senior high school curriculum, training for public school teachers, the DepEd Principals Academy, as well as the hiring and deployment of administrative officers to help reduce teachers’ workload.
Apart from these, the DepEd has also expanded classroombuilding construction along with textbook procurement, and strengthened the integration of education technology.
DLSU faculty member gets global award in social enterprise education
DE LA SALLE UNIVERSITY, through its “Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship: An outcomes-based education approach” curricular program by Dr. Norby Roque Salonga, was awarded the “Entrepreneurship Course of the Year” at the 2025 Global Triple E Awards on Entrepreneurship and Engagement Excellence in Higher Education on September 11, 2025 at the Prague Castle in Czech Republic. Dr. Salonga is the associate professor of the Ramon V. del Rosario (RVR) College of Business and founding director of Lasallian Social Enterprise for Economic Development Center. He also served as a speaker of the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) Global Forum, where he discussed the impact of social entrepreneurship education in the fields of formation and localization of the
TP (formerly Teleperformance) in the Philippines—leader in digital business services—officially opened its newest and most advanced campus TP McKinley, further expanding its presence in Taguig City and reinforcing its commitment to building a future-ready, peoplecentered organization. The new facility marks its 27th site, affirming TP in the Philippines’ sustained growth and strong local presence since it started operations in the country nearly 30 years ago. In his message, TP Philippines CEO Rahul Jolly highlighted the role of Filipino talent in powering TP’s transformation into an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled, human-centered organization: “The McKinley Campus is not just a new workplace—it’s a symbol of how Filipino excellence and empathy drive innovation. This is where technology meets humanity, and where our ‘PHuture Forward’ journey truly begins.”
Located in Metro Manila’s premier business district in McKinley West, the five-story, state-of-the-art TP McKinley West Campus will house thousands of TP experts across a modern workspace. With a total seat
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
The associate professor was also named “Entrepreneurship Educator of the Year for Asia Pacific in 2023” in Barcelona, Spain. He teaches sustainable business and social entrepreneurship under the RVR College
capacity of over 3,700, TP is set to ramp up hiring for new positions in its expanded operations.
As one of TP’s largest sites in the country, it features flexible collaboration areas, wellness and recreational spaces, and digitally-enabled workstations that promote efficiency, culture and belonging, as well as employee well-being. Other amenities include a recruitment hub, gym, recreational rooms, canteen and pantry, training rooms, and executive offices.
Equipped with smart technologies, AI-driven systems, and digital collaboration tools, the site embodies TP’s evolution into a next-generation digital business services company. Its advanced infrastructure, upgraded connectivity, and enhanced cybersecurity enable seamless, secure, and scalable service delivery across industries.
Commitment to innovation, sustainability, community devt THE project underscores TP’s confidence in the Philippines as a key growth market within its global footprint. The new site also demonstrates the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) giant’s
Varsitarian opens call for entries to 11th UST Natl Campus Journ. Awards
THE Varsitarian, the 97-year-old official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, is now accepting entries from collegeand university-level publications nationwide for the 11th UST National Campus Journalism Awards (UNCJA).
The decades-old campus journalism competition will recognize outstanding works in three categories: in-depth reporting, editorial writing, and feature writing. Entries may tackle campus, local, or national issues, elaborating on their relevance to the campus community.
of Business’ Decision Sciences and Innovation. He also chairs the National Association of Social Enterprise Educators and Administrators.
The Triple E Awards globally recognize efforts toward the quest for entrepreneurship and engagement in higher education. It is the first award focused specifically on various dimensions of the universities' third mission. Implemented regionally, the awards aim to foster change in universities and to emphasize their role in their communities and ecosystems.
Meanwhile, the ACEEU is a Germany-based accreditation council composed of world-leading experts in the fields of entrepreneurship and engagement.
For Dr. Salonga, his milestone is a “testament to the impact of Lasallian education through social entrepreneurship in the Philippines regionally, and now globally.”
Winners of the 11th UNCJA will be announced on January 14, 2026 during the 27th Inkblots: the Varsitarian’s annual fellowship of campus journalists. Submissions from tertiary campus publications across the Philippines may be transmitted through bit.ly/11thUNCJA
For inquiries, contact Ashley Valkyrie Bueno at 09267319757 or Justin Jacob Urag at 09493428428, or send an e-mail to 11thuncja.varsitarian@gmail.com.
Eligible ones are those published in print or posted online from March 5 to October 31, 2025. Print articles must be submitted in PDF format, while online stories that are screen-grabbed must be free of identifying marks and likewise converted into PDF. Each campus publication may submit up to three entries per category. Winning entries will receive a cash prize of P15,000 and a certificate. The deadline for submission is on December 5, 2025.
FEU and UCLA College of Nursing set for simulation
FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY (FEU) and the UCLA Joe C. Wen College of Nursing are prepared to implement simulation pedagogy in the two institutions, after recent formal discussions with FEU Nursing Dean Dr. Moira Uy, UCLA Joe C. Wen College of Nursing Dean Dr. Lin Zhan, and FEU associate department chair for simulation Neugene Cu in the United States.
Zhan credited their pre-licensure program director Dr. Emma Cuenca for facilitating the collaboration that has “helped establish a memorandum of understanding [MOU] to advance simulation pedagogy through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the pursuit of excellence in nursing education.” Cuenca, an FEU Nursing alumna, has been working with the college to facilitate the forging of the partnership, with the MOU being executed in July 2023. Meanwhile, Cu underwent an intensive three-day training at the UCLA Simulation Center, sealing his qualification as a UCLA-trained and -certified Global Simulation partner. He now leads FEU’s Virtual Integrated Nursing Education Simulation programs, which are comparable with those of UCLA. His training was made possible through the support of the Felicidad D. Elegado Endowment program—a project of the FEU Nursing Alumni Foundation USA, Inc.
dedication
Stephanie Sevillano/PNA
DR. NORBY ROQUE SALONGA
Tourism&Entertainment
VIGAN OFF-SEASON
Discovering the intimate charm of an old city
WHEN you browse Instagram or Tiktok, most of the content you see of Vigan are taken around the fiesta in January, the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival in May, or the Christmas and yearend holidays when the city glows with lanterns and tourists spill over left and right. Nothing wrong of course in experiencing and partaking in festivities and shared cultures that make us uniquely Filipino. But in our case, we experienced the UNESCO World Heritage City during off-season when the city reveals itself at a gentler pace.
The recent trip my husband, Tunay na Rider host and enduro coach Buck Pago, and I took to Vigan wasn’t a meticulously timed holiday. It wasn’t even family-oriented, we jokingly called it a JUNK trip (just us, no kids).
Instead of waiting for a long weekend or festival, we went on a whim, riding 400 kilometers from our house in Cubao to Ilocos Sur onboard a BMW adventure bike. I was on the pillion seat for more than seven hours, 10 if we count the stretching and eating stopovers along the way, feeling every curve of the highway and every shift in the wind as we made our way north. What we found when we arrived in Vigan was a city stripped of its tourist gloss: no loud parades, no packed streets, no long lines for bagnet. Just the city itself with its heritage houses standing firm against time, its kitchens serving food at their own rhythm, its people living their everyday lives.
Heritage, unhurried TRAVELERS often equate off-season with inconvenience: unpredictable weather, fewer open establishments, or FOMO (fear of missing out) on the city’s most famous events. Yet, as our trip proved, there’s a powerful case to be made for going when everyone else stays home—it was JOMO (joy of missing out) at its finest. UNESCO recognized Vigan as the most intact example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia, and in the off-season, this feels more acces -
sible. Without the pressure of time or crowds, we wandered into streets lined with old structures that witnessed history. The slow and quiet rhythm of our steps remind us that these are not just edifices built from a distant past but spaces layered with time and memory. For some reason, we skipped the rest of the museums and found ourselves instead at RJ Jar Factory, a two-century-old pottery workshop on Gomez Street. There, we had candid conversations with the fourthgeneration Alcids who own and run the place. They proudly showed us their furnace which was constructed during the Spanish time that they nicknamed dragon for its elongated
shape. We spoke about their family’s history, as well as their struggles to keep this piece of cultural heritage alive for future generations. These were exchanges that might have been lost had we visited at peak season, with hundreds of other tourists filing in and out. In the quiet of the off-season, the Alcids’ stories lingered with us, turning what could have been a quick stop into one of the most memorable parts of our trip.
When I said we skipped the museums, it’s because we’re billeted in one. We stayed at Hotel Luna, where every part is an art. Every morning, we walk through halls with artworks by Napoleon Abueva, Ben Cabrera, Arturo Luz, Fernando Amorsolo,
Abdulmari Asia Imao and of course, Juan Luna, who had a bronze bust that patiently watches as we finish our Vigan longganisa beside the hotel’s swimming pool.
The food tastes different without the rush FOOD is central to the Vigan experience: think of empanadas, longganisa, bagnet, sinanglao, and royal bibingka that are practically pilgrimage dishes. But what struck me during our offseason trip was how different they taste when it’s not in a rush – you rushing to your next destination or the servers rushing to vacate the table for the next customer. Dining in the off-season isn’t just about avoiding
queues; it’s about restoring the social context of meals. Food stops become conversations and not just another Instagram posts.
Near Calle Crisologo, we lingered at CJ Empanada stall with no waiting line. The cook, amused by our roadweary look, chatted with us about how she prepares the filling and watched as my husband and I debated which empanada variant to buy. At Café Leona, we found ourselves finishing a platter of bagnet and a bowl of papaitan for late lunch. Café Uno became an instant favorite with its crunchy okoy and pinakbet that almost revealed the vegetarian out of me (but not really, because it was served with bagnet). Without the pressure to try
everything before moving on, we sat longer, tasting slowly, letting the bagoong tang settle into memory.
Traveling by motorbike:
A layer of adventure
OUR choice of transportation added another layer to this off-season experience. Riding north onboard a BMW adventure bike means you’re exposed to the elements, the drizzle that made the rice fields glisten, the crosswinds on the expressway, the burn of the midday sun as we entered Ilocos Sur. There’s no air-conditioned bubble insulating you from the journey. By the time we arrived in Vigan, every comfort felt earned. While I am an experienced traveler, motorcycle riding is a new experience and I found out that sitting on the pillion for hours was its own test of patience, strength and endurance. But traveling by motorbike also reminded me that the destination is not the only prize, it’s everything you survived and savored along the way. For couples, especially those who rarely get time away from children, that kind of shared endurance bonds you differently. The small negotiations like when to stop for fuel, how to stretch stiff legs, who decides the next detour become part of the story. A more intimate city ULTIMATELY, what we gained from traveling off-season is to learn to appreciate the mundane. Without the festival pomp, Vigan felt less like a tourist attraction and more like a small city simply living its life and continuing its heritage. At night, it wasn’t a stage lit for tourists but a street where locals walk home from errands and the faint sound of a television spill into the humid evening air. That it is when the flickering lights are off and noise levels are down, is when we truly see the quiet beauty and daily subtleties that make a trip worth remembering. Doing this with my husband makes it even more special, because isn’t marriage also like that? So for your next trip, maybe it’s worthwhile to ask: what if the best time to go is precisely when no one else is there?
Story & photos
by Angelique Cortez
‘ W HEN was the last time you visited Subic?” I was asked this question twice in a single day. First by one of the trip organizers on our way to Subic, and later by the chairman of Hospitality Alliance of Subic Bay Freeport Zone (HAS), whom we had the pleasure of dining with later that day. I paused for a moment, trying to recall any vivid memory, but all I could remember were just glimpses of the area from a bus window. Honestly, my memory of Subic Bay is limited to lunch stopovers. As someone who grew up in the early 2000s, it had been a part of our annual school field trips, an obligatory stop on visiting Bataan’s historical sites. Sights of low-rise hotels, restaurants, and a Duty Free store meant the end of a long day.
Exclusive yet welcoming AS part of a media trip, I finally had the chance to explore the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with fresh eyes. The area carries an air of exclusivity— fewer crowds, lush greenery, and well-
kept roads. While the area is strictly for private cars, there are a few taxis that can be hailed at a fixed rate for visitors without their own ride. For those who wish to explore on foot, a leisurely walk around the area can quickly rack up your daily steps as you take time enjoying the peace and quiet.
What makes exploring Subic even more exciting is the arrival of electric buses. During our dinner with Jho Floresca, Chairman and Co-Founder of HAS, she shared that the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has finally approved the rollout of public shuttles.
“It’s a promising step toward making the Freeport Zone more accessible to both locals and tourists. It’s still in its initial phase, but it will be fully operational within the year,” Floresca noted.
Diverse eats and hangout spots SUBIC is also a delightful ground for foodies. From Filipino comfort dishes to international flavors, one can spend a day on a full-blown food crawl. Most restaurants close by 9:00 PM, but the café
while
and Exhibitions) industry in the country.
According to Angel Ramos Bognot, President of Afro-Asian World Events, they would like to attract the MICE market since it caters to a huge volume of tourists.
“Subic Bay is bracing for an influx of foreign visitors. The developments surrounding the US Naval Base, being recognized as a cruise destination in Asia, and its proximity to Clark International Airport, mean endless arrivals of expats and experts from different countries,” Bognot added. It’s exciting to witness firsthand the plans to revive Subic
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
Story by Angelica Pago
Photos by Buck Pago
from a calesa ride along one of Vigan’s cobblestone calles.
DBM. . .
Continued from A3
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro held an unannounced press conference at the Palace, where they belied the claims made by Co.
In the first part of a video message posted on his social media account last Friday, Co accused Marcos of ordering his cousin, former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to insert P100 billion worth of projects on the bicameral version of the 2025 national budget.
The request, he claimed, was coursed through Pangandaman.
The former lawmaker said it took him some time to reveal what he knows because he got the assurance that he will “be taken care off.”
Baseless accusation
GOMEZ said Co’s accusations were baseless and pure hearsay since it was the chief executive himself who is currently initiating an anticorruption campaign in the government.
“Let us not forget—President Marcos Jr. himself exposed all these flood control anomalies and has taken numerous steps since to ensure that the guilty are brought to justice, the stolen wealth recovered, and the system is fixed to avoid any of these from happening again,” he said.
The PCO chief urged Co to first return to the country and sign everything he said under oath with the proper judicial authorities.
Co has yet to return from his trip to the United States for a medical treatment due to the alleged threats to his life.
When asked if Marcos can guarantee Co’s safety, Castro said the former lawmaker should first prove there is indeed a threat against his life.
Pangandaman: President did not intervene FOR her part, Pangandaman said that the President did not intervene in the deliberations of the bicameral conference committee for the 2025 national budget.
“The Office of the President—the Executive [branch]—no longer has a role in the bicam,” she said.
“So we reject any insinuations about it. The bicam is purely under the power of the legislature. We respect and strictly follow the budget process and all our actions are aboveboard,” she added.
Castro said the claims of Co were illogical since the President could just have included the P100 billion in the 2025 National Expenditure Program instead of having it inserted during the bicameral conference committee deliberations.
“So, that’s where it gets strange, and we know that it seems like someone made up his story and it seems like he doesn’t understand what he’s saying there,” she said.
Act of desperation
THE PCO undersecretary said Co’s revelation was as an act of desperation to evade possible
charges related to his involvement in the flood control projects, where he is facing possible charges for supposedly receiving hefty kick-backs.
“Dahil lumiliit na ang mundo ni Zaldy Co, kailangan niyang umiwas at iiwas ang sarili at mag-namedrop kahit walang katibayan at laway lang ang puhunan [Because Zaldy Co’s world is shrinking, he has to avoid [accountability] and namedrop even though there is no evidence [to support it] and it was all talk],” she said.
Castro, however, said the President is taking the allegations made by Co seriously since it can misinform the public.
But she was quick to add that the chief executive did not convene his security advisers over Co’s revelations.
“It’s just a coincidence, of course, when there are issues, there is news, there are reports that someone allegedly wants to overthrow the government—what should the government do? Sleep, be quiet, relax? It needs to be monitored. It doesn’t mean that there is truth to it, but it still shouldn’t be ignored,” she said.
The Palace official said they are confident the public, including participants in the anti-corruption rallies this month, will not be swayed or influenced by false claims against the President.
Asked if Marcos is considering filing charges against Co, Castro said the President will first wait for the succeeding part of the former lawmaker’s expose before deciding on the matter.
Co. . .
Continued from A3
Co, who has been outside the Philippines since July 19, 2025, for medical reasons, said he initially complied with an order to stay abroad.
According to him, former speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez called him while he was on his way home, saying, “Stay out of the country. You will be well taken care of as instructed by the President.”
Co said he believed the instructions at the time, but later realized he was being positioned as a “poster boy” for the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
Co repeatedly said he is ready to release documents.
“There is a receipt, there is evidence, and there is a name...I will expose all the truth,” he said, speaking partly in Filipino.
Budget chief’s role
HE recounted that Budget Secretary Amenah “Mina” Pangandaman supposedly informed him in 2024 that the order to insert P100 billion in the Bicam budget came after a meeting with the President.
The secretary allegedly told him to confirm the information with Undersecretary Adrian Bersamin.
Co claimed he later spoke to Bersamin, who confirmed that the President issued the directive.
Shortly after, Co said he reported the matter to Romualdez, who allegedly responded: “What the President wants, he gets.”
Co also claimed that a meeting took place at the Aguado Building near Malacañang, attended by Pangandaman, Bersamin, Usec. Jojo Cadiz, and Romualdez. During that meeting, Bersamin allegedly handed him a list of projects amounting to P100 billion.
When he asked where the list originated, Co said Bersamin replied, “It came from President BBM himself...from the brown leather bag.”
To explain why he believed Bersamin’s remark, Co referenced an incident in 2022 in Singapore where the President allegedly emphasized the importance of this bag, saying, “Everything can be left behind, except the brown leather bag.”
Co claimed that officials later agreed to allocate only P50 billion to program funds because the DPWH budget could not exceed the
November 15,
Department of Education’s allocation. The remaining P50 billion, he said, would be placed under unprogrammed funds—under the control of the Office of the President.
The next day, Co said Pangandaman relayed another message: “Put that in because it was promised to me by Speaker Martin, and it cannot be changed.”
Co said he asked Romualdez for clearance, and the latter allegedly replied, “nothing can be done.” Co questioned the President’s public statements claiming he had no knowledge of the budget adjustments.
“That is why I wonder why the President is saying that he does not know the budget while all that was reduced and added to the government agencies are asking for approval from him, Sec. Mina Pangandaman,” he added.
Co concluded by saying he is breaking his silence because he can no longer allow himself to be used as cover for alleged corruption.
Amid the ballooning flood control scandal that has triggered the largest anti-government protests in years, Co has emerged as the central figure absorbing much of the public and political backlash.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
US proposal at UN for Gaza stabilization force faces concerns from Russia, China and Arabs
By Farnoush Amiri
& Edith M. Lederer
UNITED NATIONS—A US proposal to provide a United Nations mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza is facing opposition from Russia, China and some Arab countries, which have expressed unease about a yet-to-be established board that would temporarily govern the territory and the lack of any transitional role for the Palestinian Authority.
The Chinese and the Russians—two veto-wielding members of the UN Security Council—have called for the “Board of Peace” under President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan to be removed from the resolution entirely, according to four UN diplomats briefed on the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations.
In the latest draft released late Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press, the US maintains the language around the board while providing further commitment to Palestinian selfdetermination, although the language remains weak.
While some of the responses to the US proposal reflect typical negotiations between countries—with detailed backand-forth and revisions in language—the objection to the transitional board indicates that wide gaps have emerged between some members of the UN’s most powerful body and the US following more than two years of war.
At the same time, other members said quick action would avoid upending the progress toward peace, one diplomat said.
That was the message Thursday from the US mission to the UN, which said in a statement that the “attempts to sow discord” have “grave, tangible and entirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza.” It urged the council to unite and pass the resolution.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also has called on the council to pass the resolution without delay.
“I think we’re making good progress on the language of the resolution, and hopefully we’ll have action on it very soon,” he told reporters Wednesday before departing a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Canada. “We don’t want to lose momentum on this.”
UN Security Council members sought changes to the US proposal
THE US first circulated a draft resolution last week to the 15 members of the Security Council that would give a broad international mandate to the stabilization force to provide security in Gaza through the end of 2027, working with the yet-to-
be-established Board of Peace. Arab and other countries that have expressed interest in participating in the force have indicated that such a mandate is necessary for them to contribute troops.
Russia, China and Algeria voiced their opposition to that draft, and all but two of the other Security Council members submitted amendments, one of the diplomats said.
The sticking points surrounded the pathway to an independent Palestinian state and timeline for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, according to two of the diplomats. The new draft this week responds to objections that the resolution didn’t envision a future independent Palestinian state—but without absolutes.
It says after reforms to the Palestinian Authority are “faithfully carried out and Gaza redevelopment has advanced, the conditions may be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”
“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.
US makes changes but keeps transitional authority
THE new draft adds that as the stabilization force “establishes control and stability,” the Israeli military will withdraw from the Gaza Strip. It reiterates that the step would be based on “standards, milestones and timeframes linked to demilitarization and agreed” by Israel, the stabilization force, the US and others.
The United Arab Emirates, a major US ally in the peace negotiations, said publicly this week that it does not yet see a clear framework for the proposed stabilization force in Gaza and, under the current circumstances, will not take part in it.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and a Gaza governed by the Palestinian Authority, which runs pockets of the West Bank. But the language in Trump’s plan seems to encourage a role for a Palestinian state.
Other countries on the Security Council have asked for further clarification on the Board of Peace, including who will be on it and how it will operate. The new draft did not make big changes regarding the board. Some countries push quick action to preserve momentum
Some council members say swift adoption of any proposal with the UN stamp of approval would be wise to keep up with the positive momentum on the ground, one diplomat said.
That diplomat and others said the
See “Gaza,” A13
A5 accusation. They collapse under the weight of their own incon
He vowed to “pursue every available legal remedy against those who persist in spreading false, defamatory, and malicious statements.”
Angara said in a statement: “We reject any insinuation made today that we were involved in anomalous projects. In my 21 years in government we have never been involved in corruption.” Poe, Villar and Binay also denied the allegations.
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Russia unleashes massive attack on Kyiv, targeting civilian areas
KYIV, Ukraine—Four people were killed after Russia unleashed a massive combined attack on Kyiv early Friday, sparking fires and scattering debris across many districts of the capital, Ukrainian authorities said.
At least 27 people were injured as emergency crews responded to multiple strikes, said Tymur Tkachenko, head of Kyiv’s military administration. At least 430 drones and 18 missiles were used in the attack across the country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
He said the attack, which struck other regions of the country, was targeting Kyiv. “A specially calculated attack to cause as much harm as possible to people and civilians,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. He added the Azerbaijan Embassy was damaged by fragments of an Iskander missile.
Fifteen people were hospitalized, including one man in critical condition and a pregnant woman, after a series of powerful explo -
sions sounded in the city and airs defenses were activated.
City authorities warned that power and water outages are possible.
In the Darnytskyi district, debris landed in the yard of a residential building and on the grounds of an educational facility. A car caught fire after being hit by falling fragments.
In the Dniprovskyi district, debris damaged three apartment buildings, a private household and caused a fire in an open area.
In the Podilskyi district, five residential buildings and a nonresidential structure were damaged.
In the Shevchenkivskyi district, falling debris sparked a fire in an open area near a medical facility and inside a nonresidential
building.
In the Holosiivskyi district, debris ignited a fire at a medical facility and damaged another nonresidential building.
In the Desnianskyi district, fires were recorded in two residential buildings.
In the Solomianskyi district, a fire broke out on the roof of a residential building.
In the Sviatoshynskyi district, debris caused a fire in a private home.
In the Kyiv region, Russian strikes damaged critical infrastructure and private homes,
injuring at least one civilian, regional head Mykola Kalashnyk said. A 55-year-old man in Bila Tserkva suffered thermal burns and was hospitalized, he said. Fires broke out in private houses in the capital’s suburbs. The strike came as European Union officials warned this week that Ukraine must continue to crack down on corruption following a major graft scandal that has put top nuclear energy officials under scrutiny. But they also offered assurances that aid will continue to flow as Kyiv strains to hold back Russia’s invasion. AP
Poland’s new president nods to far right in his first 100 days
By Claudia Ciobanu The Associated Press
WARSAW, Poland—In his first 100 days in office, Poland ‘s new President Karol Nawrocki has positioned himself as the defender of the Polish nation and someone whose office might be sympathetic to the country’s growing far right.
With his athletic physique and impeccable suit, Nawrocki projected an old-school image of a protector as he kissed the hands of retired older women during an event this month at a library in Sochaczew, one of the small towns he has made a point of visiting. That appeal to Poland’s more conservative voters helped the 42-year-old Nawrocki win the presidency in June. His fans say he stands for traditionalist values.
and manufacturing sectors.
RCBC Transaction Banking Group Head Martin Tirol said documentary trade continues to anchor the bank’s performance, accounting for 48 percent of total trade volumes.
Letters of credit (L/Cs), standby L/Cs and guarantees contribute another 31 percent, while traditional trade finance products make up 16 percent.
Tino. . .
Continued from A3
Negros Occidental where harvestable canes were flattened and flooded and we can only hope that these fields will be able to recover,” Azcona said.
Among the hardest hit were sugarcane plantations in BISCOM mill district covering Himamaylan City and the towns of Isabela, Binalbagan, Hinigaran and Moises Padilla where over 20,000 hectares of sugar lands were severely damaged, according to the SRA.
This was followed by the La Carlota mill district with over 10,000
He has declared himself against LGBTQ+ “privileges” and “aggressive left-wing radicalism.” He has pledged to resist NATO membership for neighboring Ukraine and has not visited that country since taking office.
Now, experts say, he appears to be positioning himself to have more say in the daily running of Poland—putting him on a collision course with the centrist prime minister.
An underdog with a Trump endorsement
With a background as a historian, Nawrocki was hardly known to the public when the leader of Poland’s largest opposition party, the conservative Law and Justice, chose him to be its presidential candidate. He was heading the Institute for National
Supply Chain Finance (SCF) currently represents about 4 percent of trade volumes, but is projected to grow by 342 percent next year.
Tirol said the SCF business has attracted interest as more buyers and sellers recognized its financial and operational benefits, such as improved cash flow for suppliers through access to early payment.
“Buyers, in turn, benefit from extended payment terms, thus improving their working capital. RCBC offers a full suite of SCF solutions to support these
hectares, San Carlos district which includes Canlaon, SagayDanao district, and Ma-ao District dubbed the Central Negros.
“Typhoon Tino was among the strongest storms and the heaviest flooding we experienced in the past two decades and a major challenge to our industry that is already facing problems with the RSSI infestation,” Azcona said.
“Tino also flooded areas which have never been flooded in history, and our understanding is that the flooding was also brought about by Mt. Kanlaon’s continuous ashfalls, clogging rivers and vital drainage with ash and lahar,” he added.
With this, the SRA chief said
Remembrance, a state research body, at the time.
Up until the first-round election results became clear, most pundits expected liberal Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski, running for the centrist governing alliance led by Donald Tusk, to win by a comfortable margin.
But Nawrocki’s underdog profile, despite media revelations that included alleged past links to criminal figures and his participation in a street brawl among football fans, helped to make him relatable to voters. He denied the criminal links but not the brawl, saying he had taken part in many “noble, masculine” combats in his life.
“Many people shrugged at his past in the end,” said Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer, a sociologist from Warsaw’s Kozminski University. “Maybe we don’t love this, but this man is a bloke from the hood, he came
needs,” Tirol added.
The bank said its easy documentation process, faster turnaround times and the deployment of dedicated SCF product teams have helped accelerate the segment’s growth.
Tirol said he is confident that the bank’s overall trade and supply chain finance (TCSF) balances or assets have also posted a year-on-year double-digit increase. SCF transaction volumes are likewise expected to expand by more than triple.
RCBC is the fifth-largest pri -
there are expected delays in milling with four mills forced to stop operations for almost a week. He cited the mills in La Carlota City and Binalbagan that had to shut down for a week before they were able to refire their mills.
“These are partial reports from the field and we expect the numbers to grow after we have the full assessment from the field, with an initial conservative drop of 500,000 bags or more of raw sugar, not counting the molasses drop,” Azcona said.
from a modest background and yet made an impressive career against the odds.”
Contributing to Nawrocki’s success was understanding the popularity of rightleaning alternative media channels, which have been growing in Poland in opposition to mainstream media long thought of as liberal, said Michał Szułdrzyński, editor-inchief of conservative daily Rzeczpospolita. Nawrocki gave hours-long interviews to YouTube channel Kanał Zero and to the channel of Sławomir Mentzen, the leader of far-right party Confederation. An endorsement from US President Donald Trump also helped Nawrocki in the election.
The relationship between the two presidents makes sense in the context of the
vately owned bank in the country and offers trade and SCF services that support various points in a client’s supply chain. These include basic trade payments, payment guarantees and pre- and post-shipment working capital for trade-related collections and disbursements, complemented by its corporate cash management solutions.
“Through this, the bank continues to strengthen its role as a trusted partner for corporate and institutional clients,” it said. Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
The SRA chief said the agency has mobilized field personnel to conduct a full assessment of all areas including farmlands that were in the path of Typhoon Uwan “so we can have a full picture of the damage these two major disasters caused in sugarland areas.” He added that SRA has also started procuring fertilizers to help farmers who were badly affected. These will soon be distributed to mill districts and sugar associations. Despite the damage, Azcona remains hopeful that the industry will recover.
“There is no better time than now for all stakeholders to come together and help each other to ensure that no one is left behind and we remain steadfast as a united sugar industry.”
MUNICIPAL workers look at a residential building damaged after a Russian attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. AP/EVGENIY MALOLETKA
The Associated Press
TRUCKS carrying humanitarian aid drive through Gaza City after entering from Israel via the Zikim crossing, northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. AP/JEHAD ALSHRAFI
See “Poland,” A13
The World
Wall Street drops to one of its worst days since April on worries about AI stocks, interest rates
By Stan Choe AP Business Writer
NEW YORK—The US stock market tumbled Thursday to one of its worst days since its springtime sell-off, as Nvidia and other AI superstar stocks kept dropping on worries their prices shot too high. Also hurting the market were questions about whether coming cuts to interest rates that Wall Street has been banking on will actually happen.
The S&P 500 sank 1.7% and pulled further from its all-time high set late last month. It was the worst day in a month for the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts and the second-worst since April’s plunge after President Donald Trump shocked the world with his “Liberation Day” tariffs.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 797 points, or 1.7%,
Americans could get frustrated with the negotiations and decide to go forward unilaterally with a force from willing countries that would not have UN backing.
The US likely has three options going forward, another diplomat said:
n Accept some meaningful amendments.
n Put its draft to a vote, needing nine
from its record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite lost 2.3%.
Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the market after the chip company fell 3.6%. Other stocks swept up in the artificial-intelligence frenzy also struggled, including drops of 7.4% for Super Micro Computer, 6.5% for Palantir Technologies and 4.3% for Broadcom. Questions have been rising about how much higher AI darlings can go following their already spectacular gains. At the start of this month, Palantir was sporting a stunning rise of nearly 174% for the year so far, for example. Such sensational performances have been one of the top reasons the US market has hit records despite a slowing job market and high inflation. AI stock prices have shot so high, though, that they’re drawing comparisons to the 2000 dot-com bubble, which ultimately
votes to pass and no veto by any of the Security Council’s permanent members: Russia, China, France, Britain and the US.
n Bring together nations in a “coalition of the willing” outside the UN to take on and fund the stabilization of Gaza.
Whether Russia or China would veto a new draft if the US puts it to a vote without significant changes is uncertain.
The same diplomat said Moscow and Beijing had sought more than half the draft
burst and dragged the S&P 500 down by nearly half.
In the meantime, stocks outside of AI also fell across Wall Street as traders worried that the Federal Reserve may not deliver another cut to interest rates in December, as many had been expecting.
Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they can goose the economy and prices for investments, even though they can also worsen inflation. A halt in cuts could undercut US stock prices after they already ran to records in part on expectations for more reductions.
Expectations have come down sharply in recent days that the Fed will cut its main interest rate for a third time this year. Traders now see roughly a coin flip’s chance of that, 51.9%, down from nearly 70% a week ago, according to data from CME Group.
Recent comments from Fed officials have helped drive the doubt.
gutted and only want the stabilization force and for it to report to the Security Council.
Some details of the US draft resolution
THE current draft calls for the force to ensure “the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from nonstate armed groups.” A big question in Trump’s 20-step plan for a ceasefire and reconstruction in the territory is how to disarm Hamas, which has not fully
Susan Collins, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, said late Wednesday that it’s likely appropriate to leave interest rates steady “for some time.” That was a turnaround from a speech last month, when she supported another cut.
The Fed’s job became more difficult recently because of the US government’s shutdown, which delayed updates on the job market and other signals about the economy. That left it less certain about whether the slowing job market or high inflation is the bigger threat.
The stock market mostly rose through the US government’s shutdown, as it has often done historically, but Wall Street is bracing for potential swings as the government gets back to releasing those updates. The fear is that the data could persuade the Fed to halt its cuts to rates.
The “looming data deluge may spur additional volatility in the
accepted that step.
The text says the stabilization troops would help secure border areas, along with a Palestinian police force that they have trained and vetted, as well as coordinate with other countries to secure the flow of humanitarian assistance. It calls for the force to closely consult and cooperate with neighboring Egypt and Israel.
It emphasizes the “full resumption” of aid to Gaza by the United Nations, Red Cross and Red Crescent and ensuring that those needed supplies are not diverted.
coming weeks,” according to Doug Beath, global equity strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
On Wall Street, The Walt Disney Co. helped lead the market lower after falling 7.7%. The entertainment giant reported profit for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations, but its revenue fell short. That helped offset a jump of 4.6% for Cisco Systems after the tech giant delivered profit and revenue that were bigger than analysts estimated.
Another one of the relatively few stocks to rise was Berkshire Hathaway, the company run by famed investor Warren Buffett. He is known for loving bargains and won’t buy stocks when he considers them too expensive. Berkshire Hathaway rose 2.1%.
Poland. . .
Continued from A12
“process of MAGA-ization of the Polish right,” Szułdrzyński said. Nawrocki has already visited the White House as Poland’s president. As they sat side by side, Trump declared he does not intend to pull US troops out of Poland, another sign of support for the new president and his aims. “We’ll put more there if they want,” Trump said.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.12% from 4.08% late Wednesday. In stock markets abroad, indexes sagged in Europe following modest gains in Asia.
Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.4%, even as Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group lost another 3.4%. It’s been struggling since it said earlier this week that it had sold all of its $5.8 billion stake in Nvidia.
Another loser was bitcoin, whose price fell back below $99,000. It had been nearing $125,000 last month.
AP Writers Teresa Cerojano and Matt Ott contributed.
All told, the S&P 500 fell 113.43 points to 6,737.49. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 797.60 to 47.457.22, and the Nasdaq composite sank 536.10 to 22,870.36. In the bond market, Treasury yields pushed higher, which put downward pressure on prices for stocks and other investments.
In late October, when the US announced it was reducing the number of its troops on NATO’s eastern flank, which had been deployed in response to Russia’s growing military aggression, the presence in Poland was left unaffected.
The early foreign policy success further cemented Nawrocki’s reputation.
Rejecting liberal ‘elite’ proposals IN his first month in office, Nawrocki vetoed seven See “Poland,” A15
Israeli settlers torch Mosque in West Bank amid condemnations from Israeli leaders
By Aref Tufaha & Julia Frankel
The Associated Press
EIR ISTIYA, West Bank—
DIsraeli settlers torched and defaced a mosque in a Palestinian village in the central West Bank overnight, scribbling hateful messages in a show of defiance, a day after some Israeli leaders condemned a recent attack by settlers against Palestinians.
One wall and at least three copies of the Quran and some of the carpeting at the mosque in the Palestinian town of Deir Istiya had been torched when an Associated Press reporter visited Thursday.
On one side of the mosque settlers had daubed graffiti, including “we are not afraid,” “we will revenge again,” and “keep on condemning.” The writing scrawled in Hebrew was difficult to make
out. It appeared to reference Maj. Gen Avi Bluth, the chief of the military’s Central Command, who issued a rare denunciation of the violence on Wednesday.
The Israeli military said in a statement that it had sent troops to investigate the scene and hadn’t identified any suspects. It said that it was transferring the case to the Israeli police and security agency.
The attack on the mosque was the latest in a string of incidents that have provoked expressions of concern from top officials, military leaders and the Trump administration.
Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that there was “some concern about events in the West Bank spilling over and creating an effect that could undermine what we’re doing in Gaza.”
Israeli officials have sought to
cast settler violence as the work of a few extremists. But Palestinians and rights groups say that the violence is widespread and carried out by settlers across the territory, with impunity from Israel’s farright government, led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hasn’t commented on the surge in violence.
Rare condemnation
THE round of recent denunciations were in reaction to a particularly brazen attack on Tuesday that saw dozens of masked Israeli settlers set fire to vehicles and other property in the Palestinian villages of Beit Lid and Deir Sharaf.
The army said that the settlers then fled to a nearby industrial zone and attacked soldiers responding to the violence, damaging a military vehicle. Four Israelis were arrested, and four
Palestinians were wounded, authorities said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog described the attacks as “shocking and serious.” Herzog’s position, while largely ceremonial, is meant to serve as a moral compass and unifying force for the country.
Herzog said that the violence committed by a “handful” of perpetrators “crosses a red line,” adding in a social media post that “all state authorities must act decisively to eradicate the phenomenon.”
The Israeli army’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, echoed Herzog’s condemnations of the West Bank violence, saying that the military “will not tolerate the phenomena of a minority of criminals who tarnish a law-abiding public.”
He said that the army is committed to stopping violent acts committed by settlers, which he described as contrary to Israeli
values and that “divert the attention of our forces from fulfilling their mission.”
On Wednesday, police said that three of the suspects were released. The fourth suspect, a minor arrested on suspicion of arson and assault, will remain in custody for six more days, as ordered by a judge. Police said that the actions of the three who were released are still under investigation “with the goal of bringing offenders to justice, regardless of their background.”
When asked about the violence by reporters at a press briefing Thursday, Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian said that the military “does not accept any situation in which lawbreakers harm property and civilians.”
She noted that Israelis have recently faced numerous militant attacks, saying that attacks in September had killed nine people in Israel and injured 24, including members of the security forces.
One was a shooting carried out by Palestinian attackers on a road leading to Jewish settlements in east Jerusalem that killed six people, the deadliest shooting in Israel since October 2024.
Decades of violence
SETTLER violence has been steadily mounting for decades, and the mosque in Deir Istiya had previously come under attack by settlers.
Settlers vandalized the mosque in 2012, according to the US State Department, and again in 2014, according to a roundup of settler violence from the website of the Anti-Defamation League.
The violence had reached peak highs before the war in Gaza erupted more than two years ago, and has only worsened since then. October was the month with the
highest-ever number of recorded settler attacks in the West Bank since the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA, began keeping track in 2006.
Palestinians say the goal of the violence is to push them off their lands. OCHA said that 3,535 Palestinians have been displaced by settler violence or access restrictions since 2023, a major upswing from previous years.
Settlement expansion
EMBOLDENED by Netanyahu’s right-wing government, settlers have expanded beyond the bounds of preexisting settlements to establish new farming outposts, which they call “young settlements.”
The outposts—usually little more than a few sheds and a pen for livestock—now spill down settlement hilltops toward Palestinian villages, with some settlers gaining control of the villages’ agricultural land and water sources. Palestinians and human rights workers accuse the Israeli army and police of failing to halt attacks by settlers. Israel’s government is dominated by far-right proponents of the settler movement including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who formulates settlement policy, and Cabinet minister Itamar BenGvir, who oversees the nation’s police force.
About 94% of all investigation files opened by the Israeli Police into settler violence from 2005 to 2024 ended without indictment, according to monitoring by Israeli human rights group Yesh Din. Since 2005, just 3% of the investigation files opened into settler violence led to full or partial convictions.
S. Korean growers sue state power utility, blaming climate change for crop damage
By Kim Tong-Hyung The Associated Press
SEOSAN, South Korea—Hwang
Seong-yeol stood at the edge of a golden field, watching nervously as a combine harvester crawled through his rice, churning up mud and stalks. Its steady hum filled the damp autumn air as grain poured into a truck waiting at the other end of the muddy paddy.
It was the final day of what Hwang said was one of his toughest seasons in three decades of farming. He and other farmers feel helpless against increasingly erratic weather that they link to climate change and damage to their crops. It has complicated their work and cast uncertainty over their futures.
Hwang is one of five South Korean farmers who recently sued the state utility Korea Electric Power Corporation and its power-generating subsidiaries, alleging that their reliance on coal and other fossil fuels has accelerated climate change and damaged their crops.
The lawsuit raises questions about whether power companies’ role in driving climate change, and the resulting agricultural losses, can be quantified. It is the first of its kind in South Korea, said Yeny Kim, a lawyer with the Seoulbased nonprofit Solutions for Our Climate, who is handling the case.
The case underscores the challenges South Korea, a manufacturing power that industrialized long after the Western nations now pressuring others to abandon fossil fuels, faces in transitioning to cleaner energy.
draft laws favored by the Tusk government, quickly wielding one of the powers of his office against his political rival.
By comparison, previous president Andrzej Duda, an ally of the Law and Justice party that backed Nawrocki for president, vetoed eight such draft laws in 20 months, according to Szymon Hołownia, the speaker
Unstable weather causes ‘agricultural disasters’ HWANG’S fields are on a reclaimed coastal plain along South Korea’s western sea, where glimmering waterways crisscross dark, rich soil and flocks of migratory geese drift overhead, moving like a giant, living quilt.
A remarkably rainy September and October followed a bitterly cold spring that stunted plant growth. Summer floods caused further damage before the wet autumn bred fungal disease. Hwang would have preferred to harvest in drier weather but had to do so sooner as relentless rains pushed rice stalks into the soil, causing the ripe grains to sprout. That day in late October was only the second dry day after 18 straight days of rain.
“It’s really unsettling—we know how much rice we should normally get from 30,000 pyeong (25 acres) of land, but the yield has been steadily declining every year,” said Hwang, who expects this year’s harvest to be 20% to 25% below normal.
“We began to question why it’s always the farmers—who haven’t done anything wrong—that end up suffering the consequences of
of the lower house of parliament.
The draft laws Nawrocki vetoed included one on support for Ukrainian refugees and another allowing windmills to be built closer to homes.
In his inauguration speech Aug. 6, Nawrocki promised to be “the voice of those Poles who want a normal Poland, a Poland committed to its values.” He said he would support big infrastructure projects and oppose illegal immigration and the adoption of the euro.
the climate crisis. Shouldn’t we be demanding something from those who are actually causing it?”
Farmers are “inherently vulnerable” to climate change, said Kim, the lawyer.
In an annual climate report in April, South Korea’s government detailed how a year of extreme weather events in 2024, the country’s hottest year ever, triggered a series of “agricultural disasters” of heavy summer rains that destroyed thousands of hectares (acres) of cropland, followed by weeks of intense heat that wrecked still more crops, mostly rice.
Lawyer says KEPCO group is liable for 0.4% of global climate damage KIM and her colleagues decided to file the lawsuit, which represents plaintiffs from across South Korea, after speaking with Hwang and others at farmers markets.
They say KEPCO, which holds a monopoly on electricity transmission and fully owns its subsidiaries, should bear some blame for the destabilized weather, citing what they say are excessive carbon emissions and a lagging transition to renewable energy.
From 2011-2022, the compa -
The election results indicated that a coalition of Law and Justice and the far right would win general elections in two years, and that the balance of power within the right is shifting in favor of more radical parties.
Poland’s previous president, Duda, was widely seen as a “yes man” for Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński, the most powerful man in the country at that time. But the rise of the far right and the new president’s combative style seem to indicate Nawrocki will take a different path.
nies produced about 30% of South Korea’s greenhouse gas emissions and roughly 0.4% of global emissions, based on Kim’s analysis of publicly available data.
“Therefore, they should also bear 0.4% of the responsibility for the farmers’ losses,” Kim said.
The lawsuit seeks initial damage claims of 5 million won ($3,400) per client, an amount likely to be adjusted as the case proceeds. The plaintiffs are also symbolically seeking 2,035 won ($1.4) each to urge the government to phase out coal power plants by 2035, ahead of its 2040 target.
Renewable energy accounted for only 10.5% of the national energy mix in 2024, and the five KEPCO subsidiaries relied on coal for more than 71% of the electricity they produced that year, according to government data.
KEPCO told The Associated Press it considers carbon reduction a key responsibility, citing its goal of cutting emissions 40% by 2030 from 2018 levels. But it declined to comment further on the lawsuit, saying it “cannot share information that could influence the verdict.”
Experts say mounting debt, now at over 200 trillion won ($137 billion), that accumulated over
“Nawrocki managed to play the nationalist card in a very shrewd way,” Chmielewska-Szlajfer, the sociologist, said. “He became very friendly with Confederation and now this is the card he can use to negotiate with (Law and Justice).” Observers say Nawrocki is well positioned to eventually replace Kaczyński as the new leader of the Polish right. Speaking at a ceremony during Poland’s national day on Nov. 11, Nawrocki vowed to resist the country becoming a “parrot of
decades of government policies that kept electricity rates low for households and industries, limits the utility’s ability to expand and modernize the power grid or invest in renewable energy.
Uncertain impact of a largely symbolic lawsuit
YUN SUN-JIN, a professor at Seoul National University, said the lawsuit has symbolic value but questioned whether blame could fall solely on KEPCO, given that everyone benefits from its cheap electricity.
It would be difficult to prove the utility directly caused farm losses, when climate change is a “global problem,” she said.
It does draw attention to South Korea’s need for a more effective approach to renewable energy, Yun said, including deregulating solar investments, expanding sources such as offshore wind, and ending KEPCO’s monopoly over electricity transmission to encourage other competitors with diverse technologies.
South Korea is expected to reach its target of 32.95% renewable energy by around 2038—far slower than the 33.49% average in 2023 among developed economies
in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Some experts, including Yun, warn that South Korea’s slow shift to renewable energy could hinder its ambitions in advanced semiconductors and artificial intelligence, as its tech giants face global pressure to operate on clean power.
“Climate change and carbon neutrality are not just environmental concerns—they are economic issues, ultimately about jobs and our survival,” Yun said.
From tangerines to rice: a shared threat THE impact of extreme weather resulting from climate change is far reaching in South Korea.
Farmers now face higher costs and must use more labor to produce the same or lower yields.
Ma Yong-un, an apple farmer in the southeastern town of Hamyang, said he is using more pesticides as pests and diseases become harder to control due to prolonged heat and humidity. The apples that thrived in cooler weather during his father’s days are less plentiful and tasty, he said.
From tangerine farmers on Jeju Island to strawberry growers in Sancheong to the southeast, farmers are trying to devise ways to survive.
For the first time since he began farming in 2011, Ma coated all the fruit on his 2,200 trees with a mixture of copper sulfate and lime to prevent fungal infections and skin damage from intense sunlight. He began to think seriously about climate change in 2018, when a heavy April snowstorm damaged flower buds, leading to one of his worst harvests. Farming is becoming harder each year and he constantly wonders how much longer he can carry on.
“I think about that every day,” said Ma, who is raising two teenage boys with his wife. “The biggest concern is my children.”
nations,” passively echoing Western models. He later joined over 100,000 participants in an Independence Day march organized by a nationalist association that included far-right groups. Marchers carried banners with slogans including “Stop immigration. Time for deportations” and “Stop the Ukrainization of Poland”. Polish flag in hand, Nawrocki effortlessly blended in.
HWANG SEONG-YEOL , a South Korean rice farmer, watches crops damaged by a fungal disease that spread during an abnormally rainy autumn at his rice paddy in Seosan, South Korea, Monday, Oct. 20, 2025. AP/AHN YOUNG-JOON