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‘FUEL SUBSIDIES MAY TOP $1T AS IRAN WAR DRAGS’

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Saturday, October 3, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 354

P25.00 nationwide | 2 sections 22 pages | 7 DAYS A WEEK

GCash IPO fetches ₧6.60 price per share

By Magdalena Del Valle | Bloomberg

OVERNMENTS around the world are running out of room to shield consumers from higher energy prices resulting from the Iran war and other crises, with fuel subsidies potentially costing more than $1 trillion this year, a United Nations study found. Global policy interventions to cushion the impact of rising food and energy prices will become more difficult to sustain as a result of higher borrowing costs and what’s on track to be the strongest El Niño on record, according to a UN Development Programme report released Friday. The UNDP warned the next couple of months will be particularly important for governments that have deployed price caps, subsidies and tax rebates as oil near $100-a-barrel and elevated borrowing costs squeeze already strained budgets. “The horizon over the next few weeks and months is uncertain because we don’t see a very clear pathway out of the three-pronged crisis,” said UNDP’s chief economist George Gray Molina, pointing to

By VG Cabuag

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YNT Inc., the parent of fintech giant GCash, on Friday said its initial public offering will have a final price of P6.60 per share, or almost at the midpoint of its indicative price of P10 apiece. At the said price, the IPO will still be the country’s biggest at about P60.9 billion. The base offering consists of 8.03 billion shares, which will raise about P53 billion. The overallotment option of an addiitional 1.2 billion shares, total proceeds could hit P60.9 billion.

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Additional people who could have fallen below the $6.85-a-day poverty line without government relief measures this year “We don’t see a very clear pathway out of the threepronged crisis.” — George Gray Molina, UNDP chief economist

the Iran war, borrowing costs and the weather phenomenon El Niño. The UNDP analysis — which looked at data from the World See “Fuel,” A2

HEALTH EXECS, SOLONS, EXPERTS CLOSE RANKS FOR BETTER UHC

“The market will reward GCash not for how many users it has, but for how successfully it turns those users into long-term, profitable relationships.”— Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser, Reyes Tacandong & Co.

Mynt said the bookbuilding process attracted strong participation from major global and domestic institutional investors. The bookbuild was multiple times oversubscribed, with meaningful demand beyond the cornerstone commitments. See “Mynt,” A2

LOCAL leaders (beginning from second from left) Atty. Benedicto R. Bacani, executive director of the Institute for Autonomy and Governance; Dr. Zul Qarneyn M. Abas, deputy minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Health; Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro; Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo; Dr. Janine Patricia G. Robredo, research specialist at Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr.; and Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr., answer questions from moderator Daxim Lucas (left) during the first panel discussion of the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Symposium at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

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HE government is gearing up for better Universal Health Care (UHC) delivery, with economic managers, health officials, and legislators lining up fresh funding and policy initiatives aimed at strengthening health services in communities. Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, Budget and Management Secretary Kim Robert C. De Leon, Health Secretary Dr. Edwin M. Mercado, and Senator Risa Hontiveros outlined their respective initiatives during the first Unilab Foundation Executive Symposium held at the Bayanihan Center in Pasig City. Their messages underscored a coordinated effort to ensure that national policies and public funds translate into accessible and sustainable services in barangay health stations, rural health units, and local hospitals.

Go said the Department of Finance (DOF) would continue supporting reforms intended to strengthen PhilHealth and primary health care. “On the part of the DOF, we remain committed to strengthening PhilHealth through our fiscal and institutional reform agenda, including the Rise 30 mission. I have worked personally with PhilHealth in developing the Yakap program, which strengthens primary health care and is an important part of the Rise 30 agenda,” Go shared. He said UHC also requires adequate funding and proper management, well-distributed resources that respond to actual needs, strong implementing institutions, and a whole-of-nation approach. De Leon said the proposed 2027 national budget allocates P1.06 trillion for the health sector, P362.73 billion for the implementation of the UHC Act. This includes See “UHC,” A2

SETTING THE ASEAN STAGE President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads a walkthrough of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City as preparations continue for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which the Philippines will host from November 16 to 18, 2026, as ASEAN Chair. Under the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Philippine Chairship is anchored on three priorities: Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors, and People Empowerment. The PICC will host high-level meetings as the Philippines steers ASEAN’s regional agenda toward the culmination of its 2026 Chairship. Malacañang has declared November 16 to 18 as special non-working days in the National Capital Region to facilitate the summit and related meetings. PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

PHL, Singapore conclude talks to update tax treaty By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

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HE Philippines and Singapore have wrapped up negotiations to update their tax treaty to prevent cross-border income from being taxed twice. A statement issued by the Department of Finance (DOF) on Friday said the double tax agreement (DTA) was concluded during the four days of negotiations held in Singapore from September 22 to 25, 2026. The DOF said the renegotiation revises the DTA, which was originally concluded in 1977, to reflect changes in the economies and international tax landscape of both countries. The modernized DTA will provide clearer and more predictable tax rules for crossborder income while strengthening cooperation between

49 Years

Since the Philippines-Singapore tax treaty was first concluded

“The renegotiation of the DTA will help modernize our tax framework to support investment and economic growth while protecting our legitimate taxing rights.” — Frederick D. Go, Finance Secretary

tax authorities and ensuring fair taxation between the two countries, the DOF added. “The Philippines is committed to strengthening tax cooperation across the region. The renegotiation of the DTA will help modernize our tax framework to support investment and economic growth while protecting our legitimate taxing rights,” Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go was quoted in the statement as saying. The updated agreement is particularly relevant to the Philippines given its deep and growing economic ties with Singapore, an important investment and trading partner, as the movement of workers, businesses and services between the two countries supports economic activity, the DOF noted. The Philippine negotiating team was led by DOF See “Tax,” A2

Global credit market starts to sputter as jumbo deals drag

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LOBAL credit markets have started to show signs of caution, as investors pull back from treating the asset class as a safe haven following record borrowings and growing concerns about balance sheets as inflation persists. Spreads on global corporate bonds have blown out about 5 basis points this week, the most since March. That leaves them at their widest in half a year, according to a Bloomberg index. Trading at the start of the global day in Asia on Friday pointed toward more selling, with yield premiums on investment-grade notes increasing 2 to 4 basis points, traders said. The weakness in credit contrasts with gains in Treasuries after mostly dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials. The divergence stands out. Credit has held up well in the past year even when sovereign debt was slumping, prompting many investors to take the view that some companies are safer bets than even the most powerful governments. But record See “Credit,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 62.7480 n JAPAN 0.3969 n UK 82.8023 n HK 7.9972 n CHINA 9.3563 n SINGAPORE 49.0219 n AUSTRALIA 43.4781 n EU 70.5413 n KOREA 0.0461 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.7136 Source: BSP (October 2, 2026)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, October 3, 2026

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GCash IPO fetches ₧6.60 price per share Fuel… Continued from A1

Final allocations are expected to reflect the size and quality of demand, alongside the objective of establishing a diversified and highquality shareholder base across global and domestic institutions as well as a robust retail shareholder base reflecting the strong brand recognition of GCash amongst the Philippine public, it said. “The depth and quality of demand we have seen through this process reflects investor confidence in Mynt’s growth story. We have sought to maintain meaningful access for Filipino investors as we transition to a public company. We believe the final price and allocation provide a strong foundation for Mynt’s next chapter and for creating long-term value for all our shareholders,” Evelyn Ng, Mynt’s CFO, said. April Lynn L. Tan, chief investor relations at retail broker COL Financial Group Inc., said the lower price of Mynt’s IPO is not because prices are bad, but the overall market conditions at the moment “are not very good”. “I don’t think it’s a red flag. As you know, the index is quite weak,” Tan said in her market comment. At the said price GCash would be trading at around 21 to 22 times price to earnings ratio for this year. “So that would be at the lower end of the range compared to its global peers, which is actually very good. So I think one of the things worth highlighting is that the company actually has around 20, at least 20 cornerstone investors,” she said. Mynt earlier announced that international funds including Al-

bizia Capital Pte. Ltd., Amundsen Investment Management and HSBC Global Asset Management (UK) Limited making their first cornerstone investment commitment in the Philippines, and Ninety One North America Inc. and Ninety One UK Limited participating as cornerstone investors in Southeast Asia for the first time. At the lower price, Tan said more people will become interested on the stock because is cheaper. “And of course, our concern always is that after the stock lists, are we going to see the share price go up or are we going to see it go down? Now that it’s priced at a cheaper valuation, there is a smaller likelihood that the price will go down and a greater chance that it will actually go up,” Tan said. Analyst Jonathan Ravelas, senior adviser at Reyes Tacandong and Co., said the optimism surrounding GCash’s IPO is understandable given its dominant position in the Philippine digital finance space. “But investors should recognize that this is no longer just a payments story. It is increasingly a digital financial services eco system story,” Ravelas said. “At the reported cornerstone pricing, investors appear to be valuing not only GCash’s current market leadership but also its ability to monetize its vast user base through lending, wealth management, insurance and other financial services,” Ravelas said. He said the real test going forward is on how effectively GCash can convert scale into sustainable earnings. While lending offers a significant growth runway, competition

is intensifying and could place pressure on both growth and margins, he said. GCash’s wallet dominance, transaction data and customer reach provide a strong competitive moat, but success in lending will ultimately depend on credit quality, risk management and execution, Ravelas said. As of June, GCash has about 41.5 million monthly active users, or more than a third of the country’s population and half of the country’s adults. A competitor would not simply have to create another mobile wallet—it would have to build a comparable customer base, merchant network, financial infrastructure, brand, regulatory capabilities and ecosystem of financial products. Ravelas said for prospective investors, the key metrics to watch are profitability, loan portfolio performance, customer engagement, and the company’s ability to generate higher value from each user, he said. “In short, the market will reward GCash not for how many users it has, but for how successfully it turns those users into long-term, profitable relationships,” he said. Mynt’s offering is so large that it became the first company to secure IPO approval under the Securities and Exchange Commission’s revised, lower public float threshold for big issuers. Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 11, Series of 2026 (MC 11)—the Minimum Public Ownership Rules for Issuers of Shares of Stock to be Listed on an Exchange—the new regulation permits a 12 percent public float rath-

er than the standard 15 percent. Under MC 11, the SEC has the authority, pending a recommendation from the PSE, to reduce the public float requirement for companies expected to achieve an unusually large market capitalization upon listing. Based on registration data submitted to the SEC, Mynt’s projected initial market capitalization stands at P668.96 billion, easily exceeding the P200 billion minimum threshold stipulated by MC 11. Mynt has tapped BPI Capital Corp. and BDO Capital and Investment Corp. as domestic lead underwriters and joint bookrunners. The international joint bookrunners include Jefferies Singapore Limited, CLSA Limited, and HSBC’s Singapore Branch. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley and Co. International PLC, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, and UBS AG Singapore Branch will act as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners. Public offering of the shares starts next week from October 6 through October 12. Trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange is slated to begin on October 20 under the ticker symbol GCASH.

Continued from A1

Tax…

Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the International Energy Agency — found the number of countries deploying different relief measures nearly doubled between April and September as the war’s impact continued. If countries hadn’t provided relief measures, an additional 130 million people could have fallen below the $6.85-a-day poverty line this year, the report said. And the pressure is only expected to rise, with the combined shocks projected to peak in early 2027, especially given the expected impact of this year’s El Niño — where unusually warm ocean conditions can lead to floods and droughts that can worsen food insecurity. In September, higher energy prices contributed to protests and social unrest in at least 10 countries, including Syria, Guatemala, the Philippines, France and Portugal, the report said. An additional September survey of 26 UNDP offices around the world found that 25 of them expect the Middle East crisis to remain or become a greater priority in the next six months and that all of the agency’s locations predicted “the worst is yet to come.”

Revenue Operations Group Assistant Secretary Euvimil Nina R. Asuncion, with Assistant Secretary Dakila Elteen M. Napao, Bureau of Internal Revenue Deputy Commissioner Larry M. Barcelo of the Legal Group and Atty. Robbie M. Bañaga of the International Tax Affairs Division as members of the delegation. Meanwhile, the Singapore team was led by International Tax and Relations Division (ITaRD) - Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Assistant Commissioner Angela Ang, with ITaRD Tax Director Gordon Cheong, ITaRD Group Tax Specialist Wee Ling Chew and ITaRD Senior Tax Specialist Rebecca Ng. Asuncion said earlier that the DOF is expecting to conclude negotiations for a DTA with Oman within this year, as well as to conduct a second round of negotiations with Laos and Malaysia. The Philippines is also targeting at least the first round of DTA negotiations with Luxembourg within the year, Asuncion added. The first round would mark the start of negotiations toward establishing a DTA between the two countries. Currently, the Philippines has DTAs with 44 jurisdictions.

Continued from A1

Credit… HEALTH EXECS, SOLONS, EXPERTS CLOSE RANKS FOR BETTER UHC

Continued from A1

bond sales recently from Paramount Skydance Corp. to SoftBank Group Corp. have added to a surge in supply of corporate debt that’s now giving money managers pause. “It’s that choppiness that keeps people away from the market,” said Sheldon Chan, a portfolio manager for Asian and Emerging market credit at T. Rowe Price Group. While credit markets remain at historically stronger levels despite the stumbles in recent weeks, a number of signals are showing growing investor caution. After Paramount Skydance Corp. issued $52 billion of debt this week to fund the biggest Hollywood buyout ever, its junk notes were among the hardest hit in initial trading. That came just days after SoftBank pushed through a $11.1-billion junk debt deal for which it had to pay record yields, including 9.75% on a 7.5-year bond, in an effort to fund its massive AI ambitions. “The bigger question is where do things go from here. It’s down to the macro and economic setup,” Chan said. The longer term view in the US is more uncertain, given economic growth is still good, he said. “There could be more upward pressure on US rates going forward.” Elsewhere in the riskier parts of the US debt market, spreads jumped above 1,000 basis points over Treasuries for the first time since the regional banking crisis in 2023. That follows a steady rise since April as investors began to anticipate the Fed’s next rate hike. Still, not all investors see a rate move as an indication of underlying stress. “Demand for capital is driving real rates higher. And it’s the rise in real rates that has pulled yields higher,” Pacific Investment Management Co. President Christian Stracke said in an interview on Bloomberg TV Friday. “What is healthy is that it’s all about the supply and demand for capital and much less about fears of a disorderly rise in inflation expectations.” Bloomberg

Continued from A1

P270.98 billion for the Department of Health and its attached agencies and a P74.45-billion subsidy for PhilHealth to strengthen financial protection for more than 11 million Filipinos. “We will continue investing in health. We will continue strengthening the fiscal capacity of our LGUs. And we will continue pursuing reforms that make public spending more efficient, equitable, transparent, and accountable,” De Leon said. Mercado stressed that adequate financing must be supported by sound planning, procurement, budgeting, and management systems. “A resilient health system does not end at the frontlines. Its foundation must be laid through plans, accounting ledgers, procurement, budget hearings and all other operational matters which strengthen our programs, policies and strategies to ensure that care delivered at the frontlines will be sustained,” Mercado said. He also pointed to the need for functioning facilities and sufficient health workers, saying, “Sabi nga namin, kahit may universal coverage, kung wala namang nagbibigay ng serbisyo, baliwala din ang UHC.” Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography and an author and sponsor of the UHC Act, said the success of the law must be measured by the quality of services available in communities. To improve UHC delivery, Hontiveros said these bills have been proposed: Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers; DOH Hospital Bed Capacity and Service Capability Rationalization Act; establishment of DOH hospitals in seven provinces that still have no national government-run hospital; Philippine Geriatric Center Act; Health Outreach for Seniors and Indigents Program; Enhanced Anti-Hospital Detention Act; Healthcare Proxy Act; National Autism Care, Support and Inclusion Act; and Comprehensive Lupus Prevention Act.

The symposium also featured local chief executives who shared their experiences, programs, and lessons in delivering health care in their respective localities. Among those who attended were Naga City Mayor Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo, Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr., Cebu Gov. Pamela S. Baricuatro, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio V. Lacson, Batanes Gov. Ronald P. Aguto Jr., Antique Gov. Paolo Everardo S. Javier and Romblon Gov. Trina Firmalo-Fabic. Their discussions showed how differences in geography, local resources, health infrastructure, and administrative capacity affect the implementation of UHC. They also highlighted the importance of reliable health data, coordinated referral systems, adequate financing, and local leadership. Acting PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Beverly Lorraine C. Ho said a coherent province- or city-wide health system should ensure that every Filipino household has a public or private health-care provider within reasonable reach. Each facility should have clearly defined functions and referral pathways, while interoperable electronic medical records should allow patient information to follow individuals across facilities, avoiding repeated consultations and diagnostic tests. “The policies will come out this year, we will operationalize next year, and we do hope that everyone in the room will help us work on this together with our partner province- and city-wide health systems—and just make it work, because that’s really what the country needs for now,” Ho said. Unilab Foundation Executive Director Atty. Jose Maria “Joey” A. Ochave welcomed around 200 participants, including national and local government officials, health leaders, researchers, development partners, civil society representatives, and private-sector stakeholders. Carrying the theme “Building Enduring Frontlines: Transforming LGU Health Systems,” the symposium examined how national policies could translate into stronger, more sustainable health services in cities, municipalities, and provinces. The symposium was an initiative of the Unilab Foundation’s Sustainable Health Care program, which works with government agencies, LGUs, and partner institutions to strengthen local health systems through public-private collaboration.

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Virata, Finance chief for 16 years, dies By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

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ORMER Prime Minister Cesar Virata, who also served as Finance chief of the Philippines for 16 years – including the tumultuous, difficult years before the 1986 Edsa Revolution—passed away on October 2 at the age of 95, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) announced on Friday. “It is with deep sorrow that the Bank announces the passing of Mr. Cesar E.A. Virata, our Corporate Vice Chairperson/Director, today, October 2,2026,” RCBC said in a statement on Friday. “Mr. Virata was a valuable part of the organization being a Director of the Bank since 1995 and has been the Board’s Corporate Vice Chairperson for 26 years,” the bank said. Virata was also a member of the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP)—coinciding with his term as Minister of Finance from 1970 to 1986 under the administration of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. During his term as Finance chief, Virata also represented the Philippines as governor to both international financial institutions World Bank and Asian Development (ADB). Virata also served as the dean of Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in 1960. “During his term, the Master of Business Administration was instituted, and the MBA [part time

program] was first offered in UP Diliman,” the website of UP Virata School of Business noted. In a statement, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) said it will always remember Virata as “a paragon of statesmanship and management excellence for nationbuilding, and as a Filipino whose deep love of country was reflected in a lifetime of service.” It recalled conferring upon PM Virata the “MAP Management Person of the Year” award in 1981, in recognition of his distinguished management career in both the private and the public sectors. “Throughout his long and distinguished career, PM Virata exemplified the highest ideals of professional management and public service. As Minister of Finance and later as Prime Minister, he demonstrated exceptional stewardship of the Philippine economy, guided by managerial competence, professionalism, and an unwavering sense of responsibility to the nation. “His leadership stands as an enduring example of how integrity, competence, and principled leadership can be placed in the service of the greater good. His life and career remind us that true leadership is not measured merely by position or authority, but by the trust we earn, the responsibilities we faithfully carry, and the lasting contributions we make to our country,” MAP concluded.

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By Lorenz S. Marasigan

ONTAINER congestion across Asia could take as long as 10 months to clear, stretching the disruption into 2027 and past the pre-Chinese New Year cargo rush, as freight and charter rates in the region climb to record levels, according to a maritime analyst.

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

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M Hotels & Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) is partnering with Hong Kong-based international hospitality chain the Shangri-La Group, to open a new coastal luxury resort in Nasugbu, Batangas. In a news statement, the SMHCC said its new resort called Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, will rise in Hamilo Coast, a 5,900-hectare master-planned sustainable beach resort town owned by its parent firm, SM Prime’s Holdings Inc. SMHCC Vice President for Business Development Neil Rumbaoa told the BusinessMirror that they have yet to finalize the capital expenditures to build the new resort. “We’re not there yet. We’re at the very, very early stage of planning and design,” he said, but ruled out any capital investment from Shangri-La, which owns and operates their own hotels and resorts in the Philippines. He revealed that the hotel management agreement signed with Shangri-La will be for “15 years plus 15 years” and will be in effect starting 2031, when the new resort is projected to open. A construction timeline has yet to be drawn up as planning and design for the new resort may likely extend into next year, he added. Santelmo Cove is named after “St. Elmo’s Fire”, the balls of light which appear over bodies of water. The Cove has been declared a protected marine sanctuary, with a white

sand beach front on which Olive Ridley and green sea turtles or pawikan occasionally lay their eggs. It is an ideal area for snorkeling and diving due to the area’s diverse marine wildlife and sea creatures, which include giant clams or taklobos. Asked about Santelmo’s sanctuary status, Rumbaoa clarified that, “There are two sites in the cove that are marine protected areas, but not the entire cove.” He assured that “We won’t build over-the-water structures in the marine protected sites, just probably a dock, which will be located far from the protected areas.” He underscored that SM, through Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), also has a partnership agreement with the World Wildlife Fund for marine conservation and sustainable development projects. CDHI is the developer of Hamilo Coast. For another, he said, “One of the reasons Shangri-La was eventually chosen [as our partner] is their experience in environmental protection and sustainability, having incorporated marine and nature reserves in their resort operations.” He cited the nature sanctuary in Shangri-La Rasa Ria in Kota Kinabalu, and a giant clam sanctuary at Punta Bunga Beach in Shangri-La Boracay, as examples. Shangri-La Santelmo Cove will feature some 40 villas and 50 rooms and suites, thoughtfully designed to complement the natural terrain and ocean views. The resort See “Shangri-La,” A4

partially resolved before the preChinese New Year cargo rush, with the holiday falling on February 6, 2027,” Chambers said.

Record intra-Asia rates

“ T HE bot t lenec k s a re a l ready show i n g up d r a m at ic a l ly i n int ra-A si a pr ic ing ,” he sa id. Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index has climbed to record territory, with individual trade lanes setting historic highs. Drewry’s latest assessment showed rates on the Shanghai-Laem Chabang route jumping 22 percent to $1,609 per 40-foot box, while ShanghaiJakarta rates rose 12 percent to $2,300, as Golden Week demand collided with restricted effective capacity. “Repeated typhoons have been at the heart of the problem,” Chambers said. He cited Freightos, which said congestion at Far East origin ports has worsened as delays cascade into transshipment hubs, while carriers skipping badly hit ports simply shift the pressure elsewhere in their networks. In its midSeptember assessment, Freightos warned that backlogs could persist

beyond Golden Week and well into October.

Capacity distortion

“THE distortion is also visible in scheduled capacity,” Chambers said. Sea-Intel ligence ca lcu lated Asia-North Europe deployment around Golden Week at 1.5 million TEU over four weeks, up 27 percent year-on-year and 60 percent above pre-pandemic averages. Chambers noted these figures are “partly inf lated by vessel bunching caused by congestion rather than deliberate capacity additions.” HSBC, likewise, expects congestion to prolong effective capacity constraints through Golden Week, even as delays begin moving downstream toward Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. On t he tra nspacif ic, Xeneta re por ted t h at A si a- US rates rem a in c lose to pa ndem ic- era record s. Its c h ief a na lyst, Pe ter Sand, said shippers heading into 2027 tenders cannot f u l ly d i sm i ss t he c u r rent d i sr up t ions a s somet h ing t hat w i l l d isappea r qu ic k ly.

“Asia’s container congestion problem is increasingly looking less like a temporary weather event and more like a supply-chain headache that could persist well into 2027, with regional freight rates already hitting record levels,” Sam Chambers, a maritime analyst, said. Citing data from Danish analyst Sea-Intelligence, Chambers said 8.5 percent of the global containership fleet is currently tied up in delays. That is equivalent to roughly 3 million twenty-foot

equivalent units (TEU) of capacity, “effectively removing a fleet larger than all but four global carriers from the market.” Based on recovery rates observed after the pandemic and the initial Red Sea crisis, Sea-Intelligence estimates it could take seven to 10 months for congestion to ease back to the low levels seen in June 2025, or six to eight months just to return to conditions at the end of last year. “That makes it increasingly likely Asian congestion will only be

NTC: Due process observed in show-cause order to telcos

State of Power Emergency Declaration sought for C. Visayas amid brownouts

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Marine sanctuary to shape SM’s new resort with Shangri-La

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Container congestion in Asia seen to persist into ’27, freight rates soar

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. signs a hotel management agreement with the Shangri-La Group for the Shangri-La Santelmo Cove, a new luxury resort to rise in Nasugbu, Batangas. Seated (from left): Shangri-La Group COO Sunny Paw; SMHCC President Elizabeth T. Sy; SM Prime Holdings Inc. Chair of the Executive Committee Hans T. Sy; and SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles. Standing (from left): SMHCC VP-Business Development Neil Rumbaoa; Shangri-La VP for Investment & Asset Management Bryan Chen; Shangri-La VP Operations (SEAA) John Rice; and Shangri-La VP for Strategic Initiatives Sylvia Zheng. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Saturday, October 3, 2026

HE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said due process was observed in its enforcement of mobile broadband speed standards, and that telecommunications operators can still contest the daily penalties, including their basis, start date and duration, by responding to the show cause orders (SCOs) it issued. The regulator made the statement in response to the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), which said fines were imposed on operators upon receipt of the SCOs, before they could answer the NTC’s findings. NTC Deputy Commissioner Andres Castelar said the SCO is meant to give operators that chance. “The issuance of a Show Cause Order [SCO] is part of the process,” Castelar said, explaining that issuing the order is part of the process. “It gives the concerned operators the opportunity to explain their side, present supporting evidence, and respond to the Commission’s findings, including its position on the daily penalties, its basis, reckoning point and duration.” The NTC also rejected the chamber’s argument that operators were being See “NTC,” A4

By Carmel Pedroza

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EBU CITY—The Regional Development Council (RDC) 7 is seeking a declaration of a State of Power Emergency in Central Visayas as recurring rotational brownouts and Red and Yellow Alert conditions continue to affect the Visayas Grid. The request was approved during the RDC 7’s Third-Quarter full council meeting at Carcar City Hall on September 30, chaired by Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro. The council is asking the Office of the President, upon the recommendation of the Department of Energy (DOE), to declare the power emergency in response to the region’s supply deficiency. The proposed declaration is intended to accelerate measures to address the immediate power shortfall, while facilitating the development and expansion of generation facilities. It is also expected to help speed up priority transmission and substation projects of the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) in the Visayas. The Cebu provincial government is also pursuing local measures to augment energy supply.

Among these is the proposed installation of solar panels in ba ra ngay centers, whic h has been included among the services that barangay governments may access. Baricuatro said addressing ba sic need s rem a i ns cent ra l to t he reg ion’s de ve lopment agenda, par ticu larly in Cebu and Bohol. “ We ne e d to bu i ld a nd

strengthen our beloved SugBohol from the ground up. Hence, in the Province of Cebu, we are expanding bulk water ser vice operations, building people’s markets, and advancing province-w ide healthcare integrat ion, w it h ot her Cebu LGUs already on board,” Baricuatro said in her speech. See “Brownouts,” A4

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Batanes waters claim PH pursues diplomatic, legal remedies China’s sparks new maritime row for deported Filipino seafarers in US T HE Philippine government By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

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By Malou Talosig-Bartolome

is pursuing diplomatic and legal remedies for hundreds of Filipino seafarers deported by US immigration authorities, with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel “Babe” Romualdez saying Manila is coordinating with both US and Philippine officials to assist affected workers. Romualdez said the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC has been coordinating with Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who recently made a privilege speech about the increasing trend of arrested and deported Filipino seafarers by the US Customs and Border Protection. “We will do everything we can,” Romualdez told BusinessMirror in a text message. He said Hontiveros is expected to raise the issue with the representative of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the US Embassy. DHS is the agency that oversees immigration enforcement and border security, including the CBP bureau that carried out the deportations. The Philippine Embassy in Washington will also engage US authorities, while coordinating with Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac on securing legal representation in the United States for the affected seafarers.

The government’s intervention comes as migrant advocacy groups reported a growing number of Filipino seafarers being deported or subjected to visa revocations under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. According to Ellene Sana, executive director of the Center for Migrant Advocacy-Philippines (CMA), at least 294 Filipino seafarers have been deported by CBP since the group began documenting cases in 2025. Sana said the figure had increased from 270 cases recorded during a forum for affected seafarers held in September, with more deportations and visa cancellations reported in recent weeks. The crackdown has also expanded beyond arrests aboard cruise ships and detentions at US ports and airports. In several cases, Filipino seafarers already back in the Philippines received email notices informing them that their US visas had been revoked, effec-

tively preventing them from returning to vessels that call on American ports. She said the 294 cases may represent only a portion of those affected because the tally covers individuals who sought assistance from CMA and the Los Angeles-based migrant rights organization Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). The documented cases span multiple US ports and airports. Data cited by Hontiveros in a privilege speech showed that PWC recorded cases involving 171 seafarers, including non-Filipino nationals, across 28 vessels, eight cruise lines, 10 ports of call and three airports. Among the locations where CBP personnel allegedly apprehended seafarers were Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Texas and Michigan. A mong t hose a f fec ted is Ti mo t hy Joh n Ma rquez, a wa iter f rom A nt i q u e a s s i g n e d t o t h e R u b y P r i ncess c r u i se sh ip. Marquez told BusinessMirror that he and four other Filipino crew members were removed from their vessel in San Diego, handcuffed and interrogated before being accused of accessing child pornography, an allegation he denied. He said authorities refused to show evidence and denied his request to contact a lawyer or a Philippine consular representative. “They told us we were already illegal aliens and that CBP had the right to deport us,” Marquez said. The deportation has left him unemployed for months despite applying for jobs with cruise companies and landbased employers. “The manning agencies may still consider us, but when it reaches the principals, they no longer want us,” he said. In her privilege speech, Hontiveros said many of the affected seafarers re-

ported similar experiences. Their electronic devices were allegedly confiscated and searched, they were asked to sign documents they did not understand, denied communication with their families and, in some cases, handcuffed and held for extended periods before being placed on flights back to Manila. The senator said the workers were never formally charged despite having their visas revoked and their maritime careers disrupted. “So what began as a detention abroad becomes something much bigger. You lost your visa. Worse, you lost your job,” Hontiveros said, partly in Filipino. Sana said the consequences extend beyond losing access to the United States, as many affected seafarers struggle to secure employment even on routes that do not call on US ports. “Even outside the US, they are finding it difficult to board vessels again,” she said. The CMA and PWC have been documenting cases since April 2025 and assisting affected workers in seeking legal, financial and psychosocial support. Hontiveros has called on the Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs to provide a full accounting of the cases, determine whether Philippine consular officials were properly notified, and strengthen mechanisms for immediate assistance to Filipino seafarers detained abroad. The Philippines is one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime labor, with thousands of Filipinos employed on cruise ships and other vessels serving international routes. Migrant groups warned that unless the issue is addressed, more Filipino seafarers could face deportation, visa revocation and the loss of their livelihoods.

Fearing for safety, over 100 Chinese teachers leave PHL

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ORE than 100 Chinese teachers and volunteers have left the Philippines amid growing concerns for their safety, a development that has further complicated already strained relations between Manila and Beijing against the backdrop of tensions in the South China Sea. The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) confirmed that Chinese volunteer teachers assigned to Chinese-language schools in the Philippines were recalled following requests from their families in China. “The volunteer Chinese teachers were recalled to China upon the request of their respective parents and with approval of FFCCCII and the Chinese Embassy,” the organization said in a statement sent to the BusinessMirror. The FFCCCII, an umbrella organization representing more than 170 Filipino-Chinese business and trade associations nationwide, said parents became alarmed by reports

and commentaries that cast suspicion on Chinese-language schools and teachers in the Philippines. The concern was fueled in part by reports written by Ray Powell, executive director of the Stanford-affiliated SeaLight initiative, which monitors Chinese maritime and influence activities. In a 2025 article published in The Diplomat, SeaLight examined links between some Chinese-language schools in the Philippines and institutions affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front system, raising concerns over possible influence operations. SeaLight has stood by its findings, saying its research was “fact-based and exhaustively researched,” drawing from the institutions’ own records. The organization stressed that no one had refuted the facts it reported. Powell has also repeatedly emphasized that most Chinese Filipinos are “loyal and patriotic Filipinos” who have every right

to celebrate their cultural heritage, while arguing that foreign government influence activities should not be shielded from public scrutiny. The Philippine Chinese Education Research Center (PCERC), which coordinates more than 100 Chinese-language schools across the country, separately confirmed that it had decided to allow Mandarin teachers from China to return home after receiving numerous calls from worried relatives. “Many parents or relatives of teachers have been calling us. They said this is no longer a safe place for their relatives,” PCERC Executive Director Liza Beth Wang told the B usiness M irror . Following consultations with the teachers, PCERC decided to facilitate their return to China. The departures began on Sept. 30. Wang estimated that a majority of the Chinese teachers deployed in member schools had already left the country. She said the anxiety stemmed not only from concerns relayed by family members

Shangri-La. . . Continued from A3

broadens SMHCC’s portfolio across distinct hospitality segments and destinations in the Philippines, from city hotels and convention facilities to leisure properties and now, premium island destinations. “Shangri-La Santelmo Cove marks an important milestone in SM Hotels’ portfolio as we venture further into the island and leisure tourism landscape,” said SMHCC Executive Vice President Peggy E. Angeles in the news statement. It also strengthens Hamilo Coast’s positioning as a destination where hospitality, nature, and responsible development come together. “Our partnership with Shangri-La Group brings together two organizations with extensive experience in creating distinctive hospitality experiences in the Philippines. Together, we look forward to developing a destination that not only showcases the extraordinary beauty of Hamilo Coast, but also demonstrates how luxury and responsible tourism can thrive alongside one another.”

in China but also from Philippine news reports discussing Chinese schools and allegations that educational exchanges could be exploited for intelligence gathering activities. The departure of the teachers comes after Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. publicly raised concerns about the potential use of educational and academic exchange programs for intelligence collection and influence operations, remarks that drew strong criticism from the Chinese Embassy in Manila. Chinese-language schools are expected to rely on locally based Mandarin instructors and temporary teaching arrangements to minimize disruptions to students. School administrators, however, acknowledged that replacing the departing teachers may prove challenging in the coming months. BusinessMirror has sought comments from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Manila. As of press time, both had yet to respond. Malou Talosig-Bartolome

The Shangri-La Group is known for its pioneering service in Asian hospitality, with a global expertise in operating acclaimed resorts and hotels. The Batangas resort will be the Group’s only wholly managed property in the Philippines, unlike its five other hospitality establishments, which it owns. “Shangri-La Santelmo Cove presents a unique opportunity to celebrate the Philippines’s natural and cultural treasures,” said Sunny Paw, Chief Operating Officer of the Shangri-La Group. “For more than two decades, ShangriLa has built a strong legacy in the country through our hotels and resorts in Manila, Boracay, and Cebu. The Santelmo Cove project is a natural and exciting extension of this journey across the archipelago, allowing us to introduce a new chapter of sustainable, nature-led luxury that reflects both the spirit of the destination and the values of our brand.” SM Prime reported a net income of P24.5 billion in the first of the year, almost unchanged from the same period in 2025. Revenues from its hotels and convention centers increased by eight percent to P4.4 billion, year on year.

HE maritime dispute between Manila and Beijing has expanded beyond the traditional flashpoints in the West Philippine Sea after China asserted sovereign rights and jurisdiction in waters off Batanes, a position the Philippines has firmly rejected. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday challenged China’s claim that a Chinese research vessel was operating in waters under Beijing’s jurisdiction, saying the vessel was conducting activities well within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In a statement, the DFA said the Chinese research and survey vessel Jia Hai Ke 7 was detected about 37 nautical miles northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, a location that falls within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile EEZ measured from the northern island province. “The Department firmly and strongly rejects the Chinese Embassy’s assertion that China has sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the waters off Batanes,” the DFA said. The Philippine Coast Guard said it monitored the vessel for several days and conducted law enforcement operations in response to what it described as suspected unauthorized marine scientific research. The dispute escalated after the Chinese Embassy in Manila insisted that the vessel was conducting “normal operations in waters under China’s jurisdiction” and accused the Philippine Coast Guard of interfering with legitimate scientific research activities. China argued that the Philippines and China have overlapping maritime claims in the area and cited Articles 74 and 83 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), which provide that states with overlapping maritime entitlements should settle boundaries through negotiations. However, the embassy did not publicly explain the precise geographic basis of China’s claimed jurisdiction over the waters where the vessel was operating. The DFA countered that under Article 246 of Unclos, marine scientific research within a coastal state’s EEZ and continental shelf requires the consent of the coastal state. “The Philippines did not receive any request from the Chinese side and no consent has been given to any Chinese vessel to conduct marine scientific research,” the department said. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela, likewise, disputed China’s position, noting that the vessel was

Brownouts. . . Continued from A3

Beyond the power situation, the RDC 7 endorsed and advanced several infrastructure initiatives covering flood management, roads, ports and public transport. Feasibility studies for dams along eight major rivers, as well as the updating of the Metro Cebu Flood Control Master Plan, have been incorporated into the 2027 National Expenditure Program. The council also included the proposed Consolacion-Liloan Bypass Road in the Central Visayas Regional Development Investment Program and endorsed it to the Economy and Development CouncilInvestment Coordination Committee. In Bohol, the RDC endorsed the proposed Manga Fish Port in Tagbilaran City for

NTC. . . Continued from A3

penalized under standards that had not been clearly defined. It said the standards under Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 001-01-2026 were promulgated after the required public hearing, where telcos were able to participate and submit comments. It added that operators had been “duly notified repeatedly” of service deficiencies identified nationwide and were given “ample opportunities” to fix them. The regulator, likewise, said the law expressly grants it the authority to impose penalties to enforce compliance with service standards.

only 37.84 nautical miles from Itbayat. Citing Articles 56 and 246 of Unclos, Tarriela said the Philippines enjoys sovereign rights and jurisdiction over marine scientific research within its EEZ and that foreign vessels must first obtain Manila’s consent before conducting such activities. “ Walang permit. Walang consent. Walang jurisdiction ang China dito [No permit. No consent. China has no jurisdiction here],” Tarriela said in a social media post. The Chinese Embassy responded by criticizing Tarriela’s arguments and reiterating Beijing’s longstanding position that it does not recognize the 2016 South China Sea arbitral ruling. China said the ruling does not affect its territorial sovereignty or maritime rights and interests.

Sovereign rights versus sovereignty

AT the center of the dispute is China’s assertion of “sovereign rights and jurisdiction” rather than a claim of territorial sovereignty over Batanes itself. Under Unclos, sovereignty and sovereign rights are distinct legal concepts. A state exercises sovereignty over its land territory, internal waters and territorial sea. Sovereignty is comprehensive and exclusive, similar to a government’s authority within its national territory. Sovereign rights, by contrast, are limited rights exercised within an EEZ. These rights primarily cover the exploration, exploitation, conservation and management of natural resources, as well as jurisdiction over activities such as marine scientific research, artificial islands and environmental protection. In practical terms, a state’s EEZ is not part of its sovereign territory. Foreign ships generally retain freedom of navigation in an EEZ, but the coastal state has exclusive authority over resource-related activities and marine scientific research. The latest dispute therefore does not involve an official Chinese claim to Batanes province itself. Rather, Beijing is asserting sovereign rights and jurisdiction in waters off Batanes, while Manila maintains that the area falls within the Philippines’ EEZ and is subject to Philippine jurisdiction under Unclos. The exchange marks the first time Beijing has publicly asserted such rights in waters off the country’s northernmost province, opening a potential new area of contention between the two countries outside the South China Sea’s more familiar hotspots. implementation by the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority. Meanwhile, Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas presented the proposed P5billion Carcar City Por t Development Project, seeking financial assistance for the undertaking. The RDC 7 Infrastructure Development Committee Secretariat said it would assist in facilitating potential funding and other support, subject to the submission of required documents by the city government. Th e co u n c i l a l s o c a l l e d o n t h e Department of Transportation (DOTr) to provide a definite timeline for identifying alternative financing to complete the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) Project after the partial cancellation of its World Bank loan. The DOTr will likewise be asked to clarify arrangements for the maintenance and security of facilities constructed under Package 1 of the CBRT. It also pushed back on the PCTO’s warning that heavy penalties could divert resources from network investment. “The existence of other investment or network expansion priorities does not dispense with the obligation to comply with these standards,” the NTC said. The commission said it will weigh the operators’ submissions and defenses in line with applicable laws, rules and procedures. The exchange stems from the SCOs the NTC issued to Dito Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecom Inc. and Smar t Communications Inc., which carry daily penalties of P100,000 per operator for failing to improve mobile broadband service quality.

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The reason aging speeds up after 75, and why it’s not too late to push back By Jona C. Redondo

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GING accelerates after 75 due to a convergence of biological tipping points—not a simple linear decline—and science points to clear, actionable ways to slow it. Aging is often imagined as a steady, inevitable slide. In reality, molecular and physiological data show it proceeds in nonlinear bursts. Landmark multi-omics work (tracking proteins, metabolites, and other molecules across adulthood) has identified sharp transitions around the mid-40s and early 60s. Additional analyses of blood proteins and health trajectories reveal further shifts clustering near the midto-late 70s, when multiple systems change in concert. A frailty-index study of nearly 13,000 people found that recovery capacity (resilience and robustness) largely keeps pace with accumulating deficits only until roughly ages 73–76; beyond that point, health deficits tend to accumulate more rapidly. This later acceleration is not mysterious. It reflects the simultaneous escalation of several interconnected processes that have been building for decades. What science says about the acceleration after 75 First, immunosenescence and chronic low-grade inflammation (“inflammaging”) intensify. The thymus, which produces new naïve T cells, has largely involuted decades earlier; the remaining adaptive immune repertoire shrinks and becomes more exhausted. At the same time, innate immune activity stays chronically elevated, flooding tissues with inflammatory signals. This dual failure — weaker targeted responses plus constant background inflammation — raises susceptibility to infection, impairs vaccine responses, and accelerates damage in vessels, muscle, and brain. Second, cellular senescence (the accumulation of “zombie” cells that refuse to die and instead secrete inflammatory factors) rises steeply. Autophagy — the cell’s recycling and cleanup machinery — slows with age. Damaged proteins, organelles, and DNA accumulate. Senescent cells amplify local and systemic inflammation, degrade muscle, stiffen arteries, and impair tissue repair. Animal studies show that clearing them can extend health span; early human data suggest functional benefits from reducing their burden. Third, muscle and metabolic systems tip into faster decline. Sarcopenia (age-related loss of muscle mass and strength) accelerates; anabolic resistance means older muscle responds less robustly to protein and exercise stimuli. Grip strength, walking speed, and the ability to rise from a chair become powerful predictors of outcomes — often more informative than many blood tests. Kidney filtration capacity commonly falls by a third or more from midlife levels by the late 70s (often silently), and liver blood flow and enzyme activity also decline, altering drug clearance and metabolic resilience. Fourth, stem-cell and regenerative capacity wane. Hematopoietic stem cells, for example, show clonal collapse after 70 in many people, so fewer stem cells produce most blood cells. This raises risks of anemia, immune dysfunction, and impaired tissue repair. Arterial stiffening continues, delivering higher pulsatile pressure to the brain and other organs (“a thousand tiny insults”). Collectively these changes create a lower threshold for decompensation: a relatively modest illness, injury, or stressor that a 65-year-old might shrug off can push a 78-year-old into a steeper functional decline. Organ-specific aging clocks further show that different tissues age at different rates; accelerated aging in one organ (heart, brain, immune system) elevates risk for disease in others because systems are interdependent. Importantly, none of this is purely deterministic. Twin and population studies indicate that lifestyle and environment account for a large frac-

tion of variance in how quickly these processes unfold, especially before extreme old age.

Evidence-based ways to slow the slope

THE strongest levers remain fundamental and accessible, with randomized and observational data supporting benefits even in people already past 75 or 80. Progressive resistance training plus aerobic activity is the single most powerful intervention. Muscle remains responsive at any age. Studies in nursing-home residents in their late 80s have shown large strength gains (sometimes >100%) from progressive resistance work. Aim for two to three sessions per week targeting major muscle groups, combined with regular walking or other aerobic activity (roughly 6,000–8,000 steps or 150 minutes of moderate effort weekly for older adults). Balance training reduces fall risk—the leading cause of injury-related death in this age group. Exercise improves autophagy, reduces senescent-cell burden, supports mitochondrial function, and lowers systemic inflammation. Protein intake and dietary pattern matter more after 75 because of anabolic resistance. Targets of roughly 1.6–2.0 g of protein per kilogram of body weight per day, distributed across meals (ideally 30–40 g high-quality protein per meal with adequate leucine), help preserve muscle. A Mediterranean-style pattern rich in plants, olive oil, nuts, fish, and whole foods is consistently linked to slower biological aging and lower mortality. Time-restricted eating (for example, a genuine overnight fasting window of 12 hours or more) can further support metabolic health and autophagy, though individual medical conditions must guide any fasting approach. Sleep, social connection, and purpose are not optional extras. Seven to eight hours of quality sleep supports glymphatic clearance of brain waste and systemic recovery. Loneliness carries a mortality risk comparable to smoking; regular real conversation and community engagement protect both brain and body. A sense of purpose is among the strongest predictors of continued independence. Additional supports include avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood pressure and other chronic conditions carefully (with attention to changing drug metabolism), and sun protection.

Expert perspectives on video

SEVERAL accessible expert discussions synthesize the science for a general audience: “The REAL Reason Your Body Ages FASTER After 75 (Backed By Science)” walks through the molecular staircase, immunosenescence, sarcopenia, arterial changes, and the primacy of movement plus overnight fasting windows. Mayo Clinic’s “How to Age Better and Live Longer” (Aging Forward podcast with Sir Muir Gray) emphasizes that much apparent aging before the 90s is loss of fitness and that purposeful activity, purpose, and environment matter enormously. Practical videos aimed at the 75– 85 window (drawing on geriatric and longevity research) repeatedly highlight resistance training, protein, social connection, sleep, continuous learning, and daily movement as the habits that distinguish those who remain independent. The body after 75 is not a broken machine destined for rapid failure; it is a system whose repair and regulatory networks are under greater cumulative strain. The science is clear that those networks remain responsive. Consistent movement that loads muscle and challenges the cardiovascular system, adequate protein and nutrient-dense food, restorative sleep, and meaningful human connection measurably flatten the acceleration curve. The calendar cannot be changed, but the slope of functional aging can.

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, October 3, 2026 A5

Years-long campaign for PHL Geriatric Center nears fruition

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By Butch Fernandez

@butchfBM

PHILIPPINE Geriatric Center, serving as the “national apex and coordinating center for geriatric health service,” is moving toward fruition after the Senate ratified Tuesday the Bicameral Conference Committee Report establishing the National Specialty Center for Geriatric Health. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who sponsored the Bicameral Conference Committee Report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1509 and House Bill No. 6739, establishing the specialty center, paid tribute to the moving forces behind the years-long campaign to set up one such institution. “When we first sponsored this measure, our goal was simple: while the life span of our elderly gets longer, our healthcare system must also keep improving to respond to their needs,” Hontiveros said, partly in Filipino. The Conference Committee agreed to use Senate Bill No. 1509 as the working draft and retained this core policy direction — to build a comprehensive, integrated, coordinated, and sustainable system of geriatric care, according to Hontiveros.

Under the reconciled measure, the National Specialty Center for Geriatric Health, to be known as the Philippine Geriatric Center, under the direct control and supervision of the Department of Health, will eventually serve as the national apex and coordinating center for geriatric health services. While the PGC has not been constructed and operationalized, the Evangelina Macaraeg-Macapagal Geriatric Health Specialty Center will serve as the national specialty center for geriatric care. Once the PGC becomes operational, the EMMGHSC will continue as a tertiary geriatric clinical referral hub, with a formal referral and counter-referral system between the two institutions, she explained. The measure, she stressed, pro-

SEN. HONTIVEROS PHOTO COURTESY OF SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS FACEBOOK PAGE.

vides a clear timetable: the Philippine Geriatric Center must be fully constructed and operational within five to seven years. The measure also strengthens coordination among government agencies, makes use of existing government databases for evidence-based planning and service delivery, and provides support for education and training in geriatrics, annual reporting, and congressional oversight. Beyond these institutional arrangements, “this measure is ultimately about our senior citizens,” the senator noted. “We want to ensure that living longer does not mean loss of access to quality and specialty care,” she added, partly in Filipino. A longer life should go with a healthy, safe and dignified way of living. Hontiveros named “the people

How to say goodbye to old bad habits

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VERY one of us can be called a “creature of habit.” We all have peculiar habits that drive us to say and do things we’d rather not. We spend a shocking 43 percent of our day doing things without thinking about them, yet these automatic actions can affect how we think, how we speak, and how we behave toward others. These compulsions and impulses may sometimes reveal the “eccentric” side of ourselves, or they may cause bad feelings, considerable hurt, or embarrassment—and yet we say or do them anyway. There are habits we have carried through the years. For example, I have a habit of going to a bargain book store whenever my wife and I go to a mall. I can’t resist buying a good book when it’s at a bargain price. It gives me intellectual enjoyment. I also have a coffee habit, a pleasurable experience that began in my young days as an adman and reinforced again and again through the years. When with colleagues, ordering a cup of coffee has become automatic for me. One time my wife pointed out, “you are too tactless sometimes and you don’t know it.” According to her I say words that are inappropriate, embarrassing or hurtful. She cited instances and I realized she was right in many cases. I took note of it and mentally vowed to be more consciously considerate with my words. On the other hand, my wife has a weird habit of nibbling and chewing her dead skin, which she started doing in childhood and still carries in her old age. I no longer find it gross as before because I’ve grown accustomed to it. People would probably call it “nervous tic” or “quirk.” Maybe in her childhood,

she gained some pleasure in doing it. As one Hindu sage puts it, “Habits are the footprints of past actions and thoughts.” A habit is like a groove in a record. Once the groove is cut, the needle follows it effortlessly. Similarly, once a habit is formed, the mind flows in that direction effortlessly. By acting on it without awareness, you reinforce it. In Hinduism, there’s a term for it: “vasanas.” Vasana (pronounced vaasa-naa) is a Sanskrit word that means, “tendency.” Hindus refer to it as “habit energy” while we call it “force of habit.” “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks” is an old saying. Maybe. But I’ve learned that one can shed old habits and adopt new habits, even in old age. It’s a liberating transformative experience. For us seniors, now is a good time as any to revisit our old habits, cleaning them up or getting rid of some of them. After all, at our age, we become more accepting of our faults, weaknesses, the cracks in our armor so to speak. The first thing is to become aware of your habits, especially bad or obnoxious habits. Once you acknowledge them, you can do something about them. Stop giving yourself excuses by saying “it’s force of habit.” This time, be the force behind your habits. One way to wean yourself from your bad habits is by consciously choosing

not to follow them. If you are aware of a personal habit that annoys and repulses others, don’t act on it. By not acting on it, you starve it and you exhaust it. That way, the binding force of the bad habit loses its power. For example, I have curbed my enthusiasm for bargain books and only buy a really good book priced at P35 and below. That means, I have my book buying habit now under control. I am also now disposing them little by little and donating some of the bargain books that line up my overfilled book shelves. It may seem overwhelming and even impossible to stop a familiar behavior, but what about starting a new one? You can also nudge bad habits aside by picking on new healthful and good habits. Research shows that replacing a bad habit with a good one is more effective than stopping the bad habit alone. The new behavior “interferes” with the old habit and prevents your brain from going into automatic. The objective is to develop positive routines that can replace the unhealthy habits in your life. My wife and I used to eat junk snacks or cookies while watching our favorite TV shows. Now we have consciously chosen to eat apples and oranges or lanzones when in season every time we watch documentaries, intelligent crime dramas and other good programs. Eating fruits is the new habit that has replaced our once “unhealthy” TV habit. I used to be “balahura” or messy in my approach to waste and litter. Now I have adopted the morning habit of collecting organic wastes and burying them in our backyard after breakfast. This habit not only helps enrich the soil, it also keeps our kitchen free of rotting organic wastes that attract all kinds of pests and unwanted smells. Additionally, I get a healthy dose of Vitamin D from the morning sun. This habit has led me to a newly

who helped bring this measure forward but are sadly no longer with us.” When she first introduced the bill in the 18th Congress, it was “in remembrance of our senior citizens who lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic, including Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Francisco G. Datol Jr., who died from acute respiratory distress due to Covid-19 on August 10, 2020, at the age of 71. “His loss underscores the need for comprehensive and integrated geriatric care in our health system, and the loss of all senior citizens who died during the pandemic.” She also honored the late Batanes Rep. Ciriaco “Jun” Gato Jr., Chairperson of the House Committee on Health and author and sponsor of the House measure, whose leadership helped advance this legislation in the House. “We likewise remember the late DOH Assistant Secretary Melissa Sena, who strongly advocated for this measure and for better geriatric healthcare for our senior citizens. We are grateful for their work, their advocacy, and their contribution to bringing us to this point.” She thanked fellow lawmakers who helped move along the Philippine Geriatric Center measure. “This measure reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that our healthcare system keeps pace with the needs of an aging population.” Hontiveros said the ratification of the measure is timely, coming just a few days ahead of the Elderly Filipino Week in early October.

acquired habit: cleaning our toilet bowl and the bathroom walls. This has helped me overcome my natural squeamishness and disgust for unpleasant things and tasks. This is how I also have discovered the cleaning wonders of baking soda. I am now more ecologically conscious, which has led me to adopt the Clean As You Go (CLAYGO) habit. This is why I hate leaving a messy table after dining in a restaurant. This has made it easier for me to get into the habit of washing dirty dishes left on our sink. I no longer leave the chore to my wife who can no longer endure standing up long because of her severe arthritic knees. These new-found habits are helping foster a sense of humility in me, which connects me in spirit with all the people who clean up after us. I am now more spiritually grounded, so to speak. The best part is I enjoy doing these new activities. Another way to say goodbye to an old obnoxious habit is to transform it. I am beginning to realize that most of the negative habit energies we picked up in childhood are simply misdirected. Think of that habit as an energy that you can use or re-channel to good purpose. My enthusiasm for used books has been channeled or redirected to recycling wastes such as plastic wastes, old clothes, left over wood planks and chicken wire. I collect all the used notebooks of my grandkids and turn them into notepads for quotes I encounter while reading as well as assortment of rough ideas and concepts and phrases that come to my mind. The old wiring for our old landline telephone is now a clothesline. I’ve turned into a scavenger, picking up clips, screws, nails that I encounter. I’ve gone a long way from being a “burara” or “balahura” in my younger days. As for my eating habits, I have starved my preference for meat dishes, fast food, and cakes. I now love to eat the food I loved to hate: vegetables. So, habits can be changed, transformed and redirected. With a bit of time and some effort, new habits can become second nature.

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BusinessMirror

Saturday, October 3, 2026 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com • www.businessmirror.com.ph

Pre-orders for God of War Laufey now available in PlayStation

GALAXY Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ feature immersive displays and come bundled with the ergonomically designed S Pen SAMSUNG PHILIPPINES

BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA

Samsung unveils the Galaxy Tab S12 series E

VERY tech company uses superlatives to hype their newest product and Samsung is no different. With the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+, Samsung says it is delivering “the most capable and versatile tablet experience yet.” This is most probably true because why else would they not make something better and more powerful? At 5.1mm, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab yet but it also promises the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date. It supports productive use throughout the day, from WFH setups and online learning to watching videos and preparing presentations. “The Galaxy Tab S12 series is designed for people who are constantly exploring new ideas, developing new skills and bringing their ambitions to life,” said Jay Kim, executive vice president and head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Built with industry-leading hardware, the Galaxy Tab S12 series pairs an expansive screen with the power of Galaxy AI—removing friction from complex tasks so users can stay focused on achieving impactful results.” Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ have immersive displays and come bundled with the ergonomically designed S Pen for note-taking and editing. Both tablets also provide access to professional-grade apps

and versatile accessories. On a single charge, the battery lasts up to 23 hours on the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and up to 21 hours on the Galaxy Tab S12+. This makes them perfect for working on the go and traveling. When recharging, the battery goes from 0 percent to 100 percent in about 95 minutes with the 45W adapter. The Galaxy Tab S12 series has the cutting-edge 3nm processor that delivers up to 61 percent faster NPU processing, 19 percent faster CPU performance, and 17 percent improved GPU power compared to Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The new 3D Vapor Chamber efficiently reduces heat to support more reliable performance during demanding tasks. The Galaxy Tab S12 series also comes with IP68-rated water and dust resistance. The Galaxy Tab S12 series also comes with an expansive screen. The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a large 14.6-inch display while the Galaxy Tab S12+ has a larger 12.6inch display and slimmer bezels than its predecessor. Both tabs have Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays reaching up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness for clear, vivid visuals indoors or out. The upgraded Vision Booster now adjusts brightness in real time based on lighting conditions. The 4-channel spatial audio has twice as many channels as the previous generation. The Galaxy Tab 12 series runs on Android 17 with One UI 9 and the latest Galaxy AI. Users can split the screen into up to three sections in Multi Window layout. For a more structured, professional workstation, the Pro Keyboard elevates productivity with a premium aluminum finish and a Galaxy AI Key that enables instant access to AI assistants, while the Book Cover Keyboard Slim delivers flexibility. The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes equipped with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, providing expanded access to Google’s most capable AI models from day

one. With Gemini Notebook, users can bring together notes, images, recordings, and files in one workspace and create summaries, podcasts, and even quizzes. Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 series (this is a first for Android tablets). The interface is optimized for tablets, and S Pen support makes it more intuitive to move ideas from hand to screen. Photoshop includes AI-powered features including AI Assistant and generative AI features powered by Adobe Firefly like Generative Fill and Image to Video, helping creatives edit faster and effortlessly. Exclusively for the Galaxy Tab S12 series, users receive four months of free access to the Photoshop mobile plan. Notability, newly pre-loaded on Galaxy Tab, helps users capture their ideas, organize notes and build knowledge more efficiently with S Pen optimization and AI-driven study tools with a six-month free trial, plus 20 percent off the first subscription. Goodnotes delivers clean note-taking and organization with one year of free access, while LumaFusion enables professional-grade video editing, offered at a 66 percent discount. Notion supports flexible writing, planning and organization with one month of its Plus plan free. Clip Studio Paint brings precision drawing and painting tools for digital art with a six-month trial and 20 percent off the first subscription. Other apps include MyScript Math, instantly solves handwritten equations and shows the steps behind each one; MyScript Notes, which summarize handwritten notes into study materials with builtin AI tools to explain concepts or generate quizzes; Noteshelf 3, which offers customizable layouts for capturing and organizing ideas; and ArcSite, which converts rough field sketches into precise CAD drawings. Prices for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra start at ₱87,590 for the 256GB WiFi, and ₱76,590 for the Galaxy Tab S12+ (256GB WiFi).

Autonomous cyber defense needed to counter rapid AI attacks BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES THE rapid rise of high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) is compressing the time between the discovery of software vulnerabilities and their exploitation, forcing organizations to rethink cybersecurity strategies that were built around much slower attack cycles. Bryce Boland, head of security solutions architecture for Asia Pacific and Japan at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said organizations can no longer rely on traditional assumptions that they have weeks or months to identify and address newly discovered vulnerabilities. In a presentation on AWS security, Boland pointed to the growing use of generative AI in cyberattacks, which is changing not only the speed of attacks but also their scale and accessibility. In his presentation, Boland said the median time from vulnerability disclosure to exploitation has fallen to about 10 hours, while more than 48,000 common vulnerabilities and exposures

(CVEs) were published in fiscal year 2025, up 20 percent year-on-year. At the same time, the average enterprise patching cycle remains between 32 and 43 days. The widening gap between the speed of exploitation and the speed of conventional security processes presents a growing challenge for organizations, Boland said. Boland described the emerging threat environment as fundamentally different because AI can accelerate several stages of an attack simultaneously. He said AI can reduce the time from vulnerability discovery to exploitation from weeks to hours, while its ability to analyze entire codebases means attackers can potentially identify multiple weaknesses at the same time rather than exploiting vulnerabilities one by one. Boland added that the technology is also lowering the technical barriers to sophisticated attacks, making capabilities that once required considerable expertise increasingly accessible. According to Boland, data showing that

97 percent of organizations that experienced AI-related incidents lacked adequate access controls. It also cited a survey in which 96 percent of technology professionals said AI-based security risks were increasing, while 94 percent of executives said applying security before AI use was critical. For organizations, the implications extend beyond the technology stack. Compliance and audit frameworks are being updated as security risks evolve, while the large increase in disclosed vulnerabilities is creating what AWS described as vulnerability overload. AI systems that can identify multiple vulnerabilities simultaneously could also make large-scale security incidents more frequent, according to the presentation. “Risk models built on pre-AI assumptions are no longer valid,” the AWS presentation said, noting that assumptions based on exploitation taking weeks or months are becoming obsolete,” he said. Boland stressed that simply adding more

security tools will not be enough. Instead, organizations need to modernize the way security is designed, tested and operated. He said AWS is positioning automation and AI-assisted security as a response to this changing environment. Boland highlighted AWS’s defense-in-depth approach, including automated reasoning, machine-learning-based active defense, and threat-intelligence systems operating at Internet scale. AWS outlined four security principles for agentic AI systems. First, secure-development lifecycle practices should apply across all components of an agentic system. Second, traditional security controls remain applicable. Third, deterministic external controls should provide the starting point for securing AI agents. Finally, greater autonomy should be earned through continuous evaluation. He said these principles reflect a shift away from treating AI security as a separate discipline.

THE sequel of a beloved classic game, God of War Laufey is one of the most anticipated games coming to the PlayStation in 2027. It is the 11th installment in the series featuring mythological gods of multiple cultures. This is also the first God of War game wherein Kratos is not the main playable character. God of War Laufey follows the story of Laufey–a powerful Jötunn (giant) warrior, the wife of Kratos, and the mother of Atreus. She will be exploring the Everywhen–the afterlife of the gods–to fight through to save the life of her loved ones as the gods across mythologies in that realm fight for control over the land. Laufey will be joined by two companions, Rue and Phranque, throughout her journey. Laufey will be played by American actress Deborah Ann Woll. On September 29, PlayStation opened up preorders for the said game. Those who pre-ordered will get special bonuses: Last Wish Armor Set, Phranque Golden Leaves Appearance (cosmetic), and In-Game Resource Pack. The Digital Deluxe Edition, meanwhile, includes Dark Alchemy Armor Set, Dark Alchemy Blade, Dark Alchemy Bow Scales, Dark Alchemy Catalyst, In-Game Resource Pack, Digital Mini Artbook, and Official God of War Laufey Digital Soundtrack. Pre-orders of the game are available on PlayStation stores, as well as local retailers. The game was first announced by PlayStation back in June 2, 2026 during its State of Play. As of writing, this game is still a PlayStation exclusive. However, fans still don’t lose hope since multiple titles like God of War: Ragnarok became available on Steam, a PC platform. God of War Laufey will be distributed and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, and is being developed by Santa Monica Studios. More information about the game is available at PlayStation’s blog. God of War Laufey is slated to come out in February 2027.

Dehumidifier... CONTINUED FROM A7 about physically seeing how much water the machine has pulled from the room. When the tank is full, operation automatically stops, the bucket-full light turns on and a warning buzzer sounds. After about half a day of use, I had collected roughly threequarters of a tank. The tank itself was easy to remove and carry without spilling. If you plan to operate the PuriCare continuously in one location, it also supports continuous drainage through a hose.

MOVING IT AROUND

AT 16.7kg, you’re probably not going to want to carry the PuriCare around the house. Thankfully, you generally don’t have to. The casters made it very easy to move from the bedroom to the bathroom, kitchen and even another house. It feels like pulling a medium-sized piece of luggage, which makes one machine practical for several rooms.

THE PRODUCT YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED

AFTER using the LG PuriCare, I understand why a dehumidifier can feel like an unnecessary expense until you actually live with one. It is an investment, especially if you live in a humid home or have things you want to protect for years. But once you start seeing the humidity readings drop, the tank fill with water and damp clothes or shoes dry faster, its value becomes much easier to understand. And I’m not exaggerating when I say the difference in the room was noticeable almost immediately. The space felt lighter and fresher in a way that no amount of cleaning or air freshener sprays had managed to achieve. More importantly, that stubborn musty smell I couldn’t get rid of finally disappeared. The LG PuriCare Dehumidifier has become one of those products I never knew I needed until I had one. And if you have any precious collection you care about, it may turn out to be one of its best friends, too.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

THE GRAB ASENSO Digital Diskarte Program supports Puerto

Princesa’s push to digitalize local MSMEs and expand their opportunities in the digital economy. From left: Grab Philippines merchant programs and engagement manager Bea Torricer, public affairs manager James Roman, Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron, Grab Philippines vice president for cities RJ Cabaluna, regional manager for South Luzon Danver Mallari, and merchant operations lead Donna Elagio

BusinessMirror

Do you really need a dehumidifier? (And why I got two)

GRAB ASENSO LEARNING CARAVAN BRINGS DIGITAL UPSKILLING TO PUERTO PRINCESA MSMES

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Grab Philippines brings its Grab Asenso Learning Caravan to Puerto Princesa, holding a full-day masterclass that equipped GrabFood merchant-partners with practical digital skills and tools to grow their businesses. The caravan is part of Grab Asenso Digital Diskarte, the company’s flagship tech and AI enablement program for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It was held with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations dedicated to helping small businesses compete. Sessions covered growth and payment tools on the GrabMerchant app, including GrabAds Spotlight Campaigns; Tap & Scan to Pay, which lets merchants accept QR and card payments; and GrabMerchant AI Assistant, an AI co-pilot for daily operations. ITC experts led modules on digital content mastery and content strategy. Welcoming Grab’s efforts to help local MSMEs grow through digitalization, Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said Grab’s presence in the city reflects confidence in the local economy and its readiness for new opportunities. “For us, Grab’s arrival in Puerto Princesa is an indication of their trust in the economy of Puerto Princesa, and of Puerto Princesa’s readiness to receive new investments and accept new opportunities,” he said. The mayor also underscored the role of food delivery in helping local businesses grow. “Food delivery will help restaurant owners increase their sales. There are several people who don’t have the time to go to restaurants, but they can take advantage of Grab delivery to order the food they want from our participating restaurants.”

HELPING LOCAL BUSINESSES THRIVE

GRABFOOD launched in Puerto Princesa in October 2025, and has since onboarded homegrown favorites such as Haim Chicken, Puerto’s Pancit Malabon, 100% Cafe Moto, and Del Cusina. 100% Cafe Moto began as A+ Moto Cafe in BancaoBancao during the Covid-19 pandemic, a gathering place for motorcycle enthusiasts and locals. Before joining GrabFood, customers ordered by phone and staff had to find a rider, which often delayed deliveries. GrabFood now brings delivery fees, estimated delivery times, and online payments onto a single platform. Del Cusina, a family-owned buffet restaurant that started in Sabang, was severely damaged by Typhoon Odette in late 2021. The business was rebuilt and relocated to the South National Highway in Tiniguiban. “Our journey has taught us that running a small business means being ready to adapt. After Typhoon Odette, rebuilding and relocating was a major challenge. As we rebuilt and reintroduced our food, we realized we could also give customers the gift of convenience by partnering with GrabFood,” said Dayan Jardin, Del Cusina’s Dining Supervisor. The partnership immediately lifted the restaurant’s sales by up to 30 percent, with GrabFood delivery orders continuing to grow relative to walk-in orders. “MSMEs are the backbone of our local economies. They create jobs, sustain families, and drive the growth of cities like Puerto Princesa,” said RJ Cabaluna, vice president for Cities at Grab Philippines. “Empowering them is essential to building a more inclusive and resilient Philippine economy. Our partnership does not end when a store goes live on GrabFood. We are committed to growing alongside our merchants and the communities they serve, widening their access to technology, know-how, and opportunity so they can compete and thrive in the digital economy.”

Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, October 3, 2026

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ETTING a dehumidifier was never on my bingo card. But it has somehow become one of my favorite appliances this year. I used to love the rain. There’s something relaxing about hearing it outside while you’re tucked comfortably in bed, especially when the cooler temperature makes it easier to sleep. It also brings back memories of class suspensions that lead to unplanned movie dates. That changed last month when monsoon rains battered Metro Manila for days. Our area was spared from flooding, but our house wasn’t completely spared. One of our gutters leaked, sending rainwater from the second floor down into my toy room. And that’s where things got painful. I’ve been collecting toys for decades, with some pieces more than 15 years old and difficult, if not expensive, to replace. A lot of them got drenched. My first concern was getting the water out. I spent hours sweeping, mopping, moving boxes, wiping shelves and trying to save whatever had gotten wet. Eventually, the floor was dry. I thought the worst was over. It wasn’t. Over the next few days, mold started appearing on boxes and other items. I had to open toys I hadn’t touched in years just to check whether moisture had gotten inside. Then there was the smell. No matter how much I cleaned and aired out the room, that unmistakable damp, musty odor refused to disappear. That’s when someone asked me something I had never really considered: How humid is the room? I had no idea. Until then, humidity was something I associated with the weather forecast and that sticky feeling you get after stepping outside. I had never really thought about what prolonged high humidity could do inside the house. Collectors should pay attention too. Toys, bags, watches, cameras, sneakers, books and other collectibles can get damaged when stored in persistently damp conditions, from mold and damaged packaging to corrosion and deterioration of materials such as leather. My leaking gutter made the problem impossible to ignore. But you don’t need a leak or flood to have excessive indoor humidity. Sometimes the warning is simply a damp closet, a warped box, condensation or that familiar musty smell. Someone suggested getting a dehumidifier. Simple enough, I thought. Then I went online and things got confusing fast.

LIVING WITH HUMIDITY

THE Philippines is naturally humid. PAGASA notes that average monthly relative humidity ranges from around 71 percent in March to 85 percent in September, although indoor humidity will still depend on ventilation, air-conditioning and what happens inside the room. Cooking, showering and drying clothes indoors all add moisture to the air. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent and ideally between 30 and 50 percent where possible. That doesn’t mean every home needs a dehumidifier. But if a room consistently feels damp, smells musty, develops condensation or keeps growing mold, excess humidity may be part of the problem.

HUMIDIFIER, DEHUMIDIFIER OR AIR PURIFIER—WAIT WHAT?

A HUMIDIFIER adds moisture. A dehumidifier

removes it. An air purifier filters particles and pollutants rather than controlling humidity. Air conditioners also remove some moisture while cooling, but that isn’t their main job. And don’t confuse a dehumidifier with an aroma diffuser. A diffuser may make the room smell nicer, but if excessive humidity is causing that musty odor, you’re only covering up the symptom. The moisture is still there. If you have an actual leak, fix that first. A dehumidifier won’t repair a gutter or remove mold that’s already there.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT L

DEHUMIDIFIERS are often labeled 10L, 20L or 30L, but those numbers usually refer to how much moisture they are rated to remove over 24 hours under specified test conditions, not the size of the water tank. Actual extraction varies depending on temperature, humidity, room size and ventilation. Room size matters, but so does how damp the space is. Beyond capacity, check tank size, continuous drainage, humidity sensing, noise, power consumption and how easy the unit is to move.

PUTTING THE LG PURICARE DEHUMIDIFIER TO WORK

DESPITE the trauma, the timing couldn’t have been better because LG Philippines sent over the LG PuriCare 30L Dual Inverter Compressor Dehumidifier (MD19GQGE0), when they heard about my problems. I had already bought a different dehumidifier, but for my needs it simply couldn’t do the job. The LG PuriCare is designed to remove excess moisture from indoor air, with a rated dehumidification capacity of up to 30 liters per day under conditions of 30°C and 80-percent relative humidity. Its transparent water tank holds 5 liters, while LG’s Dual Inverter Compressor uses a twin rotary design and comes with a 10-year warranty. The unit also features humidity and temperature sensors, automatic humidity control, continuous drainage, Laundry Mode, Jet Dry, Spot Mode, Silent Mode, UVnano, automatic internal drying and a washable pre-filter. Through Wi-Fi and the LG ThinQ app, users can remotely monitor and control the unit, adjust settings and schedule operation from a smartphone. But specs become far more interesting once you actually switch the thing on. I first used the LG PuriCare in our living room, which measures approximately 25 square meters. When I switched it on, the display showed relative humidity at around 70 percent. I set it to Auto and left it running for about an hour. When I checked back, the reading had dropped to 55 percent and there was already a noticeable amount of water in the tank. After that first test, I moved it to my toy room, which still felt very stuffy. The display showed 95 percent. I expected it to be high, but that was still surprising. I left it running for a couple of hours and when I came back, the tank was already half full. That immediately made the humidity display more useful than I expected. For the first time, I wasn’t merely deciding whether the room “felt damp.” I could actually see what was happening. And there’s something mildly disturbing about seeing that water. It had been in the air surrounding my toys.

A LITTLE HEAT AND NOISE COMES WITH THE TERRITORY

THE first thing I noticed was the warm air coming from the unit. The room became noticeably warmer, which initially made me wonder whether something was wrong. It was normal. Unlike an air conditioner, which transfers heat outside the room, a portable dehumidifier operates entirely inside the space, so some heat is expected. That’s worth knowing if you plan to use one in a small bedroom. Lower humidity can make the room

feel more comfortable, but a dehumidifier isn’t an air conditioner and shouldn’t be expected to cool the space. Does it make too much noise? A bit. LG lists operating noise at 39dB on High and 34dB on Low. At its normal setting, I found the LG PuriCare Dehumidifier noticeable but unobtrusive, comparable to an electric fan. But it didn’t bother me while I was working or watching TV. Silent Mode made it even less noticeable, just enough to let you know it was still running.

LAUNDRY AND SHOE DRYING

LAUNDRY Mode initially seemed like a nice extra, but for families living in condos without outdoor drying space, it could be especially useful during long stretches of rain when uniforms and work clothes need to be dry by morning. Then there’s the dreaded “kulob” smell. If you’ve ever tried drying sneakers indoors, you know how easily dampness and odor can linger. The LG PuriCare Dehumidifier supports targeted drying using T/Y-hose attachments for areas such as closets and shoes, and the attachments were included with my unit. I tried the shoe attachment on one of my sneakers and it felt completely dry after a couple of hours, compared with simply hanging it and still finding it damp and smelly the following day. For those with lots of sneakers, leather shoes, bags or other items stored in enclosed cabinets, this could be more useful than it first sounds.

THE TANK TELLS THE STORY

ONE feature I underestimated is the transparent 5-liter tank. There’s something satisfying, and slightly alarming,

SEE “DEHUMIDIFIER,” A6

A7

Education BusinessMirror

A8 Saturday, October 3, 2026

Editor: Mike Policarpio

Senate bats for CHED 2027 budget augmentation after ₧27.5-B appeal R

ECALIBRATING priorities, the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) 2027 budget may be hiked after it pared down an extra funding appeal to P27.46 billion. During a recent Senate budget hearing, Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said that CHED originally proposed P70.28 billion, but received P35.45 billion under the

2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP). Senator Joel Villanueva, who presided over the hearing, immediately flagged the reduction from

CHED’s current funding level. According to Villanueva, last year’s General Appropriations Act or GAA was P48 billion, which now stands at P35 billion, or about a P12.9-billion decrease. After consultations with the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and higher education institutions, CHED identified P27.46 billion in additional requirements. Of the amount, P17.05 billion is for critical and non-deferrable

programs, P2.85 billion for strategic higher education investments, and P7.56 billion for institutional requirements of state universities and colleges and local universities and colleges. “Considering the fiscal space now, [we agreed to reduce it],” Agrupis said. However, she noted t hat CHED could no longer further trim the P17-billion requirement for critical programs— much of which would support the Universal Access to Quality

Group slams govt’s inconsistency & inaccuracy during class suspensions S OCIALIST youth group Sam a h a n ng P rog resibong Kabataan (SPARK) assailed the government’s abject failure to respond to the continuing education crisis. SPARK said repeated class suspensions due to recent monsoon rains have greatly diminished the quality of education for millions of students nationwide. “Such inconsistency and inaccuracy on the part of our government is unacceptable,” the group said in a press statement. “Let us remind them of the inadequacy and failure of the sudden shift to online classes during the Covid[-19]

pandemic, and yet they prescribe it easily now, even if they know well enough that it contributed to the decline of quality education.” It complained that the government recently suspended classes on three separate days in a week. On one Tuesday, the announcement was late, which left thousands of students stranded because they were already on campus when it was made. The Presidential Communications Office announced Memorandum Circular 135 at 1 a.m., only to be met with scarce, scattered rain in the metropolis. On Friday, five local government units declared class suspensions

in all levels. SPARK raised a troubling gap in education planning, suggesting that education officials do not even systematically track the number of school days lost to class suspensions caused by inclement weather. Without a clear accounting of the instructional time already lost, the agency appears ill-equipped to determine what curriculum it can realistically deliver within an academic calendar that has already been significantly squeezed. “While the government may feign to be looking after the health and safety of students, their inaccuracy and inconsistency are actu-

ally doing more harm than good in the long run,” the group added. They said officials should make a lack of scientific, well-drawn plans to mitigate the impacts of climate change on our education a top priority if they truly want to address gaps in our education system. “The best and only way to effectively address the climate crisis in education is for the government to cease approving plans for the construction of more fossil fuel and waste-to-energy power plants and the propagation of false solutions such as carbon markets and geoengineering,” SPARK emphasized. Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

An ‘influencer’ degree? US colleges set sights on content creator major; critics question its value

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SK a teen what they want to be when they grow up, and there’s a fair chance being an influencer is on their list. Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video, or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career path. Now, they can earn a college degree in that very field. Arizona State University recently launched a new bachelor’s degree in content creation, offered through its Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. The curriculum overlaps with ASU’s mass communication and media studies degree, with the major departure being a slate of specialized electives on podcasting, studio production, and on-camera presence. The university’s announcement drew swift criticism from many sides—from people who feel content creation is not a legitimate profession to those who question the value of a college degree in launching a social media career. But the program is not the first of its kind. And ASU is not the first to offer content creation courses. Universities, eager to compete for a shrinking student population, are rolling out new majors intended to prepare students for today’s careers. Whether they lead to jobs can be up for debate.

Riled critics MANY higher education institutions have started offering classes focused on the burgeoning content creation industry over the past couple of years. Several have certificate or minor programs. Syracuse University, Quinnipiac University and

Colorado State University offer minors, and St. Bonaventure University announced a content creation major last winter. For Brooke Erin Duffy, a communication professor at Cornell University, these college programs represent an inflection point. She said that over the past year, institutions in education and beyond have acknowledged content creation as a viable career path—even if the term “influencer” itself strikes a nerve. On social media, influencers are everywhere, sharing shopping recommendations and lifestyle content or promoting beliefs about health or politics. Because even influencers with relatively small followings have loyal audiences, brands also often pay them to talk about products. The image of a prototype, Duffy said, is usually a “young girl who is snapping selfies and just reaping in tremendous rewards for seemingly not doing anything.” But that’s not the reality for many content creators, who work on media production, audience retention strategies, brand partnerships, and business relationships tied to their online presence. “It is a time-consuming, laborintensive job that often doesn’t pay well—at least in the beginning,” Duffy said. “But a lot of that gets concealed behind … this assumption that it’s a dream job.”

Not all reap the riches EVEN if someone has the skills to make it in content creation, it isn’t easy to break in. Social media is already a crowded field, and it’s going to get even more competitive in the coming years, said Emarketer principal analyst Max Willens, who covers the cre-

ator economy. Emarketer predicts that social media creator revenue in the United States will climb above $20 billion this year, but Willens said it’s important to put that in context for individual creators. “The overwhelming majority of that money is not going into creators’ pockets,” he said, though their content and their followers form the foundation of the lucrative field. Influencers can earn money from social media platforms, which reward high engagement, and some earn commission if people buy a product they’re promoting. But the largest share of influencers’ earnings comes from sponsored content— getting paid to talk about a brand or product. Willens said he expects the amount brands spend distributing and amplifying creator content will eventually surpass the amount creators earn making it. Willens said the idea that a specialized college degree will “suddenly turn people into viral content machines deserves a bit of a reality check.” Duffy noted that becoming an influencer is often perceived, incorrectly, as a path to get rich quickly. Colleges that introduce content creation degrees may be hoping to attract new students—and their parents—looking for “a job that will pay off,” Duffy said. “Whether or not it does is another story.” A degree's price is also a factor: At ASU, base tuition for Arizona residents is about $12,000 per academic year—excluding scholarships, but the total cost of attendance can exceed $37,000 after factoring in room, board, and other fees. For students from outside the state, tuition is more than $35,000, and the total

cost of attendance is around $60,000 before scholarships.

Value, transferable skills WHILE many content creation students may hope to become viral sensations, Phoenix-based creator Aiesha Beasley said she could see programs like ASU’s being valuable even to those without that dream. For the creator, “Having a digital presence and a personal brand is very important nowadays.” She said building a platform and sharing that personal brand online can help a person network and gain entry to settings they might not otherwise access. A full-time content creator for three years after more than a decade of posting online, Beasley works with small businesses to help optimize their social media presence. She noted that ASU's courses would teach several transferable skills in fields like communications and marketing. Content creator and actor Sammy Cristerna graduated from ASU with a degree in sociology and political science. Still, they said he “absolutely” would have taken classes in the content creation program and considered the major if it had been available. T he courses, Cristerna said, would have been useful in learning how to negotiate brand deals, maximize monetization opportunities, and cultivate and keep an audience. Some of those skills can be self-taught through experience, he added. Still, “it’s nice to have that formal education.” The one thing Cristerna said he isn’t sure will translate in the classroom is personality. To connect on camera, a person must have “good energy,” he said. “That’s hard to teach.” Kaitlyn Huamani/AP Technology Writer

Tertiary Education program. Agrupis said the commission cannot cut it further, emphasizing the amount. CHED estimated that 940,000 existing and incoming students could be affected if the funding requirement is not provided. According to the chairperson, the figure covers both currently enrolled and incoming students, including qualified beneficiaries in state, local, and private higher education institutions. Senator Bam Aquino said lawmakers would examine the possible

augmentation as the proposed budget moves through Congress. He told CHED: “We hope to augment, we hope to increase, we hope to bolster, we hope to strengthen all of the budgets that go to you.” Senator JV Ejercito, who chairs the Senate’s Finance Committee, likewise acknowledged the limited fiscal space but assured higher education institutions that lawmakers would try to address funding gaps. Regarding the additional funding, Ejercito pledged that they will find a way. Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA

DLS-CSB pioneers dedicated acoustic pods in PHL and SEA

BENILDE’S Music Production Acoustic Pods

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OTIVATED by its commitment to foster innovative, studentcentered learning, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) introduced the first-ever modular Acoustic Pods in Southeast Asia, giving young artists a flexible, portable, sound-isolated space to create their music. Housed on the sixth floor of the Design + Arts Campus, the facility features a series of color-coded units that represent various music genres to encourage students to explore their distinct artistic identities. The facility was designed to provide private spaces where students can compose, arrange, and practice their pieces without distractions. It can also serve as a collaborative hub for knowledge-sharing and mentorship. As digital trends continue to erode the conventional studio space, Chairperson Patrick Frias of Benilde Music Production (MP) believes it is crucial to reclaim the focus necessary for ideal creation. The program commissioned an international manufacturer to construct specialized acoustic pods. Every internal surface and routing path has been calibrated to integrate the specific demands of the Digital Audio Workstation. It features hardware staples, including an upright piano, percussion, and acoustic and electric guitars.

“At the foundation lies a structural core of aviation-grade aluminum,” Frias explained. “Chosen for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and inherent rigidity, this frame provides the integrity…to eliminate vibration and unwanted resonances.” He affirmed that through advanced acoustic attenuation, the facility achieves a formidable 30-dB noise reduction. This is the essential “blank canvas” for critical listening, mixing, and tracking, allowing the nuances of a high-fidelity sound stage to emerge undisturbed. To ensure a safe, accessible, and convenient workspace, the pods feature motion-activated illumination and adjustable ventilation fans. The LED configuration is fully adaptive, offering adjustable intensity and color temperature. While maintaining a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that anchors the room, the units were built to withstand the rigors of heavy daily use. Frias stated that it is a controlled ecosystem “designed to ensure that the moment inspiration strikes, the technology is already waiting to capture, refine, and amplify our program’s vision.” The Acoustic Pods, the new home for MP students in the Composition, Audio, and Performance Tracks, are the latest additions to the college’s growing list of state-of-the-art, industry-grade facilities.

90,000 Filipinos to benefit from AHEAD ReviewLab Scholarship

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OME 90,000 senior students from public schools nationwide are expected to benefit from AHEAD Review and Tutorial Center’s ReviewLab scholarship program. The first of its kind in the country, the ReviewLab scholarship program awards fully funded online review scholarship slots to deserving public senior high school students who are achievers and student leaders. Founder Rossana Llenado confirmed that the program is completely free and part of the center’s efforts to help talented Filipino students study in their chosen state universities and colleges. “I believe in harnessing the full po-

tential of the Filipino youth,” Llenado said. “When we invest in talented Filipino students, we are investing in future professionals, innovators, leaders, and nation-builders.” The initiative’s long-term vision, according to her, is to help build a new league of well-educated leaders who will serve the country with integrity and honesty in their chosen fields after graduating from top-notch universities in the Philippines. AHEAD is now collaborating with several public schools, academic institutions, and socio-civic associations to help disseminate information and support the program. Interested schools may collaborate through reviewlab.ahead.edu.ph.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, October 3, 2026 A9

ROOTED IN SUSTAINABILITY Samal Island elevates eco-challenge adventure Story by Angelique Cortez Photos by Epson Philippines and Angelique Cortez

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NOWN for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and panoramic views of the Davao Gulf, Samal Island is one of the Philippines’ sought-after island destinations. Just a short boat ride from Davao City, the island offers a refreshing escape for travelers looking for a mix of nature, relaxation, and adventure. I’ve been to the island once and was surprised by its raw, underrated beauty. The photos can’t do justice to its scenic views and laidback charm. The warmth of the locals was the cherry on top of the overall experience. Surprisingly, Samal Island was also the mystery destination behind this year’s Epson Fusion 17, Epson Philippines’ annual thanksgiving activity for its media partners. The destination was kept secret until weeks before departure. All I knew was that Epson Fusion would involve a series of activities for its participants. As someone who loved Samal Island and enjoys a bit of adventure, my anticipation grew immensely.

THE author dips in Discovery Samal’s infinity pool

Joining Epson Fusion

For 17 years, Epson Philippines has been bringing together its media partners for an annual thanksgiving activity in different local destinations. What began as a company tradition has become an experience many participants look forward to each year, built around camaraderie, friendly competition, and shared adventures. For me, this edition was also a welcome return to Samal Island, which I last visited eight years ago. This time, however, the experience felt entirely different. Spending three days at Discovery Samal was a treat in itself. With its pristine beachfront and fine white sand, the five-star resort provided a stunning backdrop for the adventure ahead. As a first-time participant, I felt the hype right away just by hearing the stories of seasoned attendees. They looked back fondly on past Fusion experiences, while eagerly guessing what surprises this edition would bring. This year's theme, ECOPRINT, was anchored on a simple but powerful belief: that real impact is built over time through everyday decisions, consistent practices, and strong partnerships. In many ways, Discovery Samal also embodied that same philosophy. Beyond its luxurious setting, the resort has integrated sustainability into the guest

TEAM Wave (left) finishes first in the Kayak Relay, while Team Leaf (right) demonstrates teamwork and quick thinking in the Bamboo Water Relay challenge.

PARTICIPANTS navigating the bamboo stilts during the Karang Combo Breaker activity on Playa Azalea.

experience through thoughtful initiatives such as providing complimentary reef-safe sunscreen, eliminating single-use plastics, and offering organic bath amenities. The shared commitment of Epson Philippines, Discovery Samal, and the Island Garden City of Samal, to environmental stewardship has set the tone for Fusion 17.

Over the years, Fusion has continued to evolve as a space for open conversations around Epson’s priorities, innovations, and long-term direction.

Fusion 17: The Samal Challenge

The vision: Engineered Future 2035

On Day 1, Epson executives held a band talk after dinner, sharing how sustainability is embedded across the company’s operations, including its long-term direction under the Engineered Future 2035 vision. The discussion highlighted the company’s commitment to developing tech solutions while considering its impact on people and the environment in the long run. “At Epson, sustainability is part of how we work every day. It guides the way we develop our technologies, run our business, and work with our partners and communities,” said Masako Kusama, President and Director of Epson Philippines Corporation. During the presentation, Epson Philippines Head of Sales Ash Elshawbaki ex-

MEMBERS of the media and executives of Epson Philippines cap off Fusion 17 with a group photo, marking the end of three days of adventure and collaboration in Samal.

plained the company's Heat-Free technology and energy-efficient printing solutions designed to help businesses reduce both energy consumption and operating costs. To demonstrate this, Epson conducted a Power Lab Test together with Meralco to measure the estimated energy consumption and operating costs of its printers. The results showed that an Epson printer consumes only 96W, significantly lower than a competing model's 1,500W. The com-

parison underscored how energy-efficient technologies can help organizations lower expenses while minimizing their environmental footprint. EJ Sulit, Epson’s sustainability champion, also highlighted the brand’s environmental initiatives across the country, including its partnership with WWF-Philippines in Pio Duran, Albay to strengthen local waste management, and its Corporate Waste Collection Program in Davao and Cebu.

Day 2 was where the real adventure began. Epson executives and media partners took part in Conquer the Elements: The Samal Challenge, an island-wide race to test teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving by completing seven challenges scattered across Samal. Participants were divided into five teams, each assigned with a van, driver, facilitator, and a videographer—documenting the chaos like a mini reality show. I found myself on Team Sol alongside Masako Kusama, whose prowess in pickleball would later save us in a challenge. The race kicked off on Discovery Samal's beachfront with a color memory game, followed by a kayak relay. From there, the teams drove off to different challenge stations. At Uraya Beach, our strategy and patience were tested for the Water Bamboo Relay and Water Pickleball. I may have survived fall-

ing from the kayak in the second game but these activities got me soaked in salt water (and refreshed to be honest). The final stretch tested both our coordination and stamina, from navigating the bamboo stilts at Playa Azalea, to a head-tohead sack race back at Discovery Samal. After four hours of completing the challenges, our team was the third to cross the finish line. The adrenaline kept us going throughout the race, but the exhaustion hit immediately after. According to Fusion veterans, this year's edition was among the most challenging in recent memory. As a newbie participant, it felt like a local version of The Amazing Race—an experience that made Fusion 17 unforgettable.

A night of celebration and farewell

The final evening brought everyone together for the Thanksgiving celebration where we traded race stories over great food and drinks, followed by an awards ceremony and a live band performance. The night was also a heartfelt send-off for Masako Kusama, who is set to retire as President and Director of Epson Philippines. Racing alongside her was a privilege to connect with her beyond the title. Adding to the celebration, B usinessM ir ror received recognition for its insightful and engaging product reviews, while I took home one of the Top Social Post Awards for sharing my experience online. In many ways, the race itself mirrored the philosophy behind Epson's ECOPRINT theme. Success wasn't achieved through a single grand effort, but through a series of deliberate choices and teamwork. As Fusion 17 came to a close it became clear that beyond the place, the race, and the sustainability lessons, it's the people and experiences that made the event memorable. And if my editor calls again next year asking if I'm up to join, my answer will be an easy yes.

Nara deer and other delights Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug

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ARA is most famous for one thing in particular—deer. It is not exactly what you’d call an off the beaten path destination as most tourists to the prefecture mainly flock and make a beeline only for Nara Park to gawk at and frolic amongst its herds of four-legged creatures. However, there is still much to see and experience in Nara. One of the most historically and culturally significant cities of Japan, Nara is a sight to behold. The first permanent capital of Japan, history oozes through every street of Nara and many temples and monuments from, its storied past, still stand today, in varying states of repair. However, you simply should not miss the ever-popular Nara Park despite the fact that it is the quintessential definition of a mainstream destination and any visit to Nara is never complete without the experience of feeding some of the over 1,000 free-roaming Sika deer that inhabit the park. In the Shinto religion, these creatures have been protected and revered, for over 1,300 years, as sacred messengers of the gods and are designated as natural treasures. For centuries, the Nara deer have coexisted with the city’s inhabitants and, after making the 30-kilometer drive from Osaka, we

also joined the multitude of travelers coming, from far and wide, to feed them and take their picture-perfect selfies with them. Simply put, the deer are just too adorable to pass up. They are famous for their polite gestures, bowing their heads to tourists to request specially sold, registered shika-senbei (“deer-crackers”). Sometimes, however, these tourists flee in terror as a dozen more of them can be aggressive and pushy, surrounding them in search of their own treats. As they are wild animals (not petting zoo animals), they can bite, butt, or chase, especially in autumn or when looking for food. Due to its historical importance, the city remains full of cultural treasures, including some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples and a number of the prefecture’s charms reside within the 660-hectare area of Nara Park which has enough content to ensure a delightful day trip. This green space is home to many of Nara’s preeminent attractions such as World Heritage Sites (Tōdai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisho Shrine and Kōfuku-ji Temple), registered under the title Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara, within which are buildings and arts and crafts (mainly consisting of Buddhist statues and religious arts and crafts) designated, by the Japanese government, as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties. The massive, eminent and must-see To-

GREAT Buddha Hall (Daibutsuden) (of Todaiji Temple

NATIONAL Treasure Hall of Kohfukuji Temple

FEEDING deer crackers to Nara’s Deer

dai-ji Temple, the most prestigious of Nara’s seven great temples, draws a steady stream of visitors. We entered it by passing through Nandaimon Gate with its two 8-meter tall guardian figures with Herculean physiques. The temple is home to an extremely wellknown and awe-inspiring Daibutsu (literally “massive Buddha”), one of Japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha. Towering at a height of 15 meters while seated, this Buddhist effigy would leave you breathless. On the opposite side of the park, from Todai-ji Temple, but connected by a pathway from Nigatsudo is Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The premises of the revered Kasuga Taisha Shrine, the prefecture’s most celebrated, are lovely with a lengthy but picturesque approach, to the main areas, that cuts through

CENTRAL Golden Hall of Kohfukuji Temple

STONE Lanterns of Kasuga Taisha Shrine

a tranquil forest and is lined, on both sides, by solemn stone lanterns, with frisky deer oftentimes slyly poking their heads out from behind these rock pillars. In addition to this, one other standout of Kasuga Taisha is its vermillion and white shrine buildings lined with hundreds of beautiful, hanging, bronze braziers which are twice a year, in winter and summer. Indeed, as surreal an

experience as it sounds. Kofuku-ji Temple, a former powerful Fujiwara family temple and UNESCO World Heritage site, is a spectacular complex featuring several iconic structures. The soaring, five-storey pagoda, standing at 50 meters, originally built in 730 (the current dates back to 1426), is Japan’s second-tallest wooden pagoda. The Central Golden Hall,

Kofukuji’s main temple hall, was destroyed by fire roughly 300 years ago but, after many years of reconstruction, the hall was reopened to the public in October 2018. East of the Central Golden Hall stands the Eastern Golden Hall (built in 1425) which houses a large statue of the Yakushi Buddha (Medicine Buddha). Not far from the Eastern Golden Hall is the modern National Treasure Museum. Though not a traditional worship hall, it is an absolute must-see for lovers of Buddhist art as it exhibits part of the temple’s great art collection including a three-faced, six-armed Ashura Statue, one of the most celebrated Buddhist statues in all of Japan. Another pair of interesting and striking octagonal buildings, both originally date back over a thousand years, are the Northern (Hokuendō) and Southern (Nanendō) Octagonal Halls. Their present reconstructions were completed in 1210 and 1789, respectively.

Sports BusinessMirror

A10 Saturday, October 3, 2026

mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao

VIRTUAL GOLD, REAL DEAL N By Jun Lomibao

AGOYA—Jeus Gabriel Derick Yape won taekwondo’s mixed individual virtual event to secure the Philippines’s fourth gold medal at the about-to-close Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games on Friday. Yape brought down Vietnam’s Ngoc Tuyet Sang Chau, 2-0, in the final of the unique event at the Toyohashi Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture as the Philippines went four gold, seven silver and 16 bronze medals—enough to practically surpass the 4-2-2 gold-silver-bronze tally in Hangzhou three years ago. There were missed golds also in taekwondo and in boxing and jiu-jitsu. Eighteen-year-old Tachiana Keizha Mangin, a 2024 world junior champion, settled for the silver medal in a 0-2 loss to China’s Ma Jingyue in the women’s -49 kgs class and Kurt Barbosa fell 0-2 to Kazakhstan’s Tamirlan Tleules in men’s -58 kgs division. Tokyo Olympic boxing silver medalist Carlo Paalam was in every angle the biggest loser for the day— having been beaten in a close fight not only by Japan’s Rui Yamaguchi with the “help” of the referee from Uzbekistan. Kaila Napolis saved the day at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall to help soften the impact of Annie Ramirez’s failed attempt to defend her jiu-jitsu gold medal when she also bagged a silver medal following a 0-2 setback to Mongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel. History, however, was written on the sand courts of Ryokuchi Beach in Hekinan when Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara rallied past China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, for the coutry’s first medal, a bronze, in Asian Games beach volleyball. Virtual taekwondo is perhaps the most unique to date as men and women may clash against each other in the event that combines the combat sports with virtual reality and motion-tracking technology. Yape was in his comfort zone all day long beating Saudi Arabia’s

“This is overwhelm‑ ing for us,” said Pagara, after their 13-21, 2321, 15-13 victory over China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie at the Ryokuchi Beach Court in Hekinan. “We worked so very hard for this medal.” “The pressure and the nerves were in the first set, but after that, we overcame our fears,”

MEDAL TALLY Country

G

S

B

T

1

People’s Republic of China

162

81

73

316

2

Japan

71

83

85

239

3

Republic of Korea

33

39

62

134

4

Uzbekistan

20

23

22

65

5

India

16

25

35

76

6

Islamic Republic of Iran

15

17

13

45

7

Thailand

15

11

17

43

8

Kazakhstan

12

21

44

77

9

Bahrain

11

5

6

22

10

Malaysia

9

5

16

30

11

Hong Kong, China

7

17

22

46

CARLO PAALAM is left frustrated by the referees’ calls. AP

12

Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

7

10

9

26

Dunya Bushuaib Saber, 2-1; Japan’s Hayate Suzuki 2-0; Kazakhstan’s Rita Bakisheva, 2-0, and finally Chau— Suzuki is the only male in the group. Aichi and Nagoya goes down in Philippine taekwondo history as the hosts where Filipino jins made history by finally winning one gold, two silver and one bronze medals. Yape, 22, and hailing from first class municipality in Kananga in Leyte, was himself surprise of his gold medal— although his bronze in poomsae set him up for his big day Friday. “I didn’t expect that I could get the gold,” said Yape as he dedicated his medals to God, the country, his parents and the Philippine Taekwondo Association. “I knew I gained confidence with the bronze, and with the victories on the way to the gold medal match, but I didn’t let complacency get me.” Before Nagoya, the Philippines has gone zero gold, four silver and 25 bronze medals in taekwondo which made the Asian Games as a regular sport at the Seoul 1986 edition. Patrick King Perez poomsae clinched the lone medal, a bronze, in Hangzhou three years ago.

13

United Arab Emirates

7

4

1

12

14

Indonesia

5

8

22

35

15

Chinese Taipei

4

16

30

50

16

Philippines

4

8

16

28

Paalam: A big opportunity stolen C AR LO PA A L A M finally earned his Asian Games medal, but was

dismayed how he was robbed of his campaign for the gold. “It was so big a chance lost,” the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist said. “I had two opponents on the ring, the Japanese and the referee, but what can I do?” Maruf Urdushev of Uzbekistan was the same referee who worked Paalam’s semifinal fight against world champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan, which the Filipino won by a slim 3-2 score. “ T he referee always stopped my momentum, that was ver y obv ious even against the K azakh,” he said. “But I cannot do anything, a boxer doesn’t make the decision on the ring.” Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president Marcus Manalo also pointed to the Uzbek referee as the culprit in Paalam’s loss. “The referee was very frustrating,” Manalo said. “Since the semifinals… the win should have been ours, it should have been Carlo’s.”

KOREAN archery coach Hong Sung Chil (left), PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and the Philippines’ Korean coach Ryu Su Jeng celebrate a milestone for the country in the sport. PSC

Korean coach’s challenge fuels Amaya’s historic archery silver “Bringing coach Ryu into the national archery program stands as one of our most decisive and transformative moves, and the Asian Games perfor‑ mance has emphatically affirmed that,” PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said. Armed with the right pedigree, Ryu helped guide South Korea to five Olympic gold medals, two in Rio 2016 and three in Tokyo 2020. Missing the podium is simply not part of her coaching DNA. But when Gregorio brought Ryu and fellow Korean coach Hong Sung Chil to Manila, the question lingered: Could their championship mindset translate to Filipino archers? After the Asiad stint of the national archers, Gregorio believes the answer is emphatic. “If you want the best results, you should hire and bring the best coaches on the planet. This is exactly the mindset we had when we hired coaches Ryu and Hong,” said Gregorio. Their impact has been immediate— discipline and a demand for excellence that has elevated the entire national pool. POC Media Pool

Pinoy golfers see medal hopes fade

JEUS GABRIEL DERICK YAPE, bronze medalist in poomsae, gets the big win in the virtual event. AP

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Historic medal in beach volleyball

KHY PROGELLA and Sofiah Pagara were overwhelmed as they also put the Philippines in the Asian Games map with their beach volleyball bronze medal.

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20TH ASIAN GAMES AICHI-NAGOYA 2026

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Napolis rises from repechage, claims bronze

AGOYA—The Philippine ar‑ chery team expected a routine pre‑Asian Games briefing when coach Ryu Su Jeng gathered them last month, showed photos of the Ozaki Chuo Sogo Park venue and walked them through every detail. Then she delivered a line that froze the room. “If I don’t get a medal in the Asian Games, I will just go back to Korea and leave you,” Ryu said. “I have never lost a medal in a tournament.” For a squad still adjusting to the Korean system’s intensity, it was a jolt, but for Amaya Paz‑Cojuangco, it became fuel. Cojuangco responded with a brilliant silver medal in the women’s individual compound, the Philippines’s first archery podium finish in the Asian Games since 2014, when Paul Dela Cruz won bronze. It was the breakthrough the program had been chasing for a decade, and the clearest sign yet that the Korean coaching revolution brought in by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is working.

Progella said. The team— supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission—celebrated the country’s best finish in the event since beach volleyball was introduced at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima.

AGOYA—Kaila Napolis saved the day at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall on Friday to help soften the impact of Annie Ramirez’s failed attempt to defend her jiu-jitsu gold medal at the AichiNagoya 20th Asian Games. Napolis climbed from the repechage and defeated Mongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel, 2-0, for the country’s only medal on Day 2 of jiu-jitsu competitions. “A bronze medal, it’s still an honor to win a bronze medal in a big competition,” said Napolis, who contributed the women’s -52 kgs medal after Ramirez got the boot after absorbing a shocking round of 16 loss to Thailand’s Nuchanat Singchalad in the women’s -57 kgs division. “I’m happy I was able to pull the two points for this bronze medal,” Napolis said. Napolis’s teammates fell one after the other—Luigi Dy lost to Mongolia’s Davaadorj Munkhtur, 0-3, and Mark Constance Vergel bowed to Mongolia’s Shinezorig Bulgankhuu, 0-2, in the men’s-77 kgs round of 32 and Romeo John Alfred Raphael Arellano fell to United Arab Emirates’ Amaar Alhosani, 0-2, in the repachage of the -94 kgs category. “I was disappointed after my second match,” said Napolis, who fell to Mongolia’s Mongoljin Gabaatar in the quarterfinals, 2-3. “So I told myself to fight back strong and go for the bronze.” “Thankfully I pulled it off and this gives me a great feeling, these are the Asian Games,” she said. Four more Filipinos—Vito Luisa Luzuriaga (men -85kg), Andrea Lois Lao (women -63kg), David Miranda (-85) and Alenxandria Luz Enriquez (-63kg) are competing in the last day of jiu-jitsu action Saturday. Jun Lomibao KAILA NAPOLIS stiflesMongolia’s Tsagaanbileg Altangerel. POC MEDIA POOL

KHYLEM PROGELLA and Sofia Pagara rise from a set down to take a podium spot. POC MEDIA POOL

Progella, Pagara deliver first-ever Asiad beach volley medal for PHL

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EKINAN, Japan—Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara rallied from a set down to beat China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, to bag the Philippines’s first Asian Games beach volleyball medal—a bronze—on Friday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court. “This is overwhelming for us,” Pagara said. “We worked so very hard for this medal.” The duo from University of Santo Tomas turned heartbreak into history by rallying from a set down and match point in the second to foil the Chinese pair. They forced a deciding set as the match remained tight until the stretch. Locked at 10-all, Progella and Pagara surged ahead, 14-12, putting themselves

within a point of the bronze. China saved one match point, but the Filipinas remained composed as Dong sent an over pass long, triggering a celebration from the Philippine side as Progella and Pagara secured their place in Asian Games history. “The pressure and the nerves were in the first set, but after that, we overcame our fears,” Progella said. The team—supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission—celebrated the country’s best finish in the event since beach volleyball was introduced at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. Jun Lomibao

AGOYA—There won’t be a celebration for a medal of any color as the country’s bets at the Kasugai Country Club continued to falter in the penultimate round Friday in the Aichi-Nagoya 30th Asian Games. Rianne Malixi flashed some semblance of a fight with a two-under 33 on the front nine of the tough par-70 East course but the Duke University standout couldn’t keep up and with a double-bogey on the 18th finished with a one-over 71. Malixi dropped into a share of sixth place at nine-under 207 alongside Hong Kong’s Wai Chung Ding (70) and defending champion Arphichaya Yubol of Thailand (66). They trailed third-running Ruoning Yin of China (66-199) by eight heavy strokes with only 18 holes remaining as India’s Sharath Pranavi surged ahead with a 66 to reach 195, taking a three-shot lead over two-time leader Shannon Tan of Singapore, who stumbled to a 71 for a 198 total. Hong Kong’s Sophie Han (67-204) and Korea’s Yunseo Yang (74-205) occupy fourth and fifth spots, respectively. There wasn’t any relief, too, in the team classification with Bianca Pagdan‑ ganan, whose campaign is supported by ICTSI, struggling to a second 71 to sit tied for 15th at 212, and Pauline del Rosario failing to make the cut, the Philippines assembled a third-round 142. Their 54-hole total of 418 dropped them to seventh in the nine-team field—seven strokes behind third-place Hong Kong (411) and a distant 13 off leader China (405). Justin delos Santos posted a 71 in tough scoring conditions, slipping to a tie for 12th in the individual standings at 206 in men’s play. Delos Santos sits seven shots off joint second-place holders Kasuki Higa of Japan and Wang Wei Hsuan of Chinese Taipei (199), who both stay within striking distance of frontrunner Tom Kim of Korea. Miguel Tabuena struggled to gain any momentum, turning in a one-over card to share 23rd place at 211. Carl Corpus skied to a 77, tumbling to joint 34th at 218 in the 38-player field. Jun Lomibao

Watanabe, Tancontian bow out

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AGOYA—Two-time Olympian Kiyomi Watanabe and medal hopeful Chino Sy Tancontian faced opponents too tough to handle in their opening fights as the Philippines bombed out of judo action in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games. Watanabe suffered an early exit after falling to Ekaterina Tokareva of Kazakhstan in the women’s -78kgs round of 16 at the Aichi International Arena. Moving up to a heavier weight division, Watanabe engaged in a tight grip battle early on, with both athletes receiving a Shido penalty at the 0:46 mark. But the Kazakh capitalized on an opening shortly after, executing a decisive throw to score an Ippon and advance to the quarterfinals.

Chino Sy Tancontian suffered a similar fate, succumbing to Japan’s Ryotaro Masuchi in the men’s -100kg round of 16 action. Going up against a formidable Japanese rival, Sy was put on the defensive early after Masuchi registered a Yuko just 12 seconds into the bout. The Filipino judoka continued to battle for grip and positioning, but the Japanese athlete secured back-to-back Waza-ari scores to seal the victory via Ippon in 2 minutes and 1 second. Also out of contention is Eskelen Kedo, who bowed to the UAE’s Magomedomar Magomedomarov via Ippon in the men’s +100kg round of 16, ending the Filipino judokas’ bid in the quadrennial games. Jun Lomibao

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US adds carrier, 10K troops to Mideast, official says By Tony Capaccio

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Bloomberg News

HE Pentagon is deploying an additional aircraft carrier and 10,000 sailors and Marines to the Persian Gulf, according to a US official, a move that gives American commanders more options if President Donald Trump chooses to escalate attacks on Iran. The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier left its San Diego home port on Sunday and is headed to the Middle East, the official said. When the Roosevelt arrives, the US could again have three carrier strike groups in the region, the same number as in late April, although a decision on maintaining that level hasn’t been made, the official added. The USS George Washington remains in the region but the George H.W. Bush has temporarily departed, according to the official. Before this year’s operations against Iran, the last time the US had three carrier strike groups in the Middle East was in 2003, when they supported the early phase of the invasion of Iraq. US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said in a statement that “we don’t discuss unit schedules for operational security reasons.”

On Monday, the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group— with an assault ship, aircraft and 2,200 Marines—also set sail to the Middle East, giving Centcom additional options, the US official said. The USS Boxer amphibious readiness group is currently conducting operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The US has sent two additional missile batteries over the past weeks to protect oil and gas facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Axios reported, citing two American officials and one regional source. That deployment was intended to reassure US security partners that Washington would protect key energy installations if Trump orders new attacks, Axios said. Keeping three carriers in the region risks exacerbating the Navy’s current readiness woes, according

to Ronald O’Rourke, a longtime analyst of naval forces. The strain on the service was underscored by the extended deployments of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived in Thailand last month after a nine-month tour, and the USS Gerald Ford, which was dispatched to the Mideast after supporting operations against Venezuela and was at sea for 11 months. “Maintaining even a two-carrier presence in that area over an extended period of time would be a strain for the carrier force,” said O’Rourke, who retired from the Congressional Research Service. But “maintaining a three-carrier presence in that area for an extended period would be a significantly greater strain.” The prospect of a renewed flareup in the Middle East leaves investors balancing the inf lationary threat from higher oil prices against signs the US Federal Reserve may take a more measured approach to further tightening. Oil rose on concerns of military action, with Brent up 0.4% to $102.74 a barrel after gaining 4% on Thursday. There’s been a lull in major US or Iranian military strikes amid efforts to rekindle diplomatic negotiations. However, talks to end the war—now in its eighth month—remain deadlocked over issues including Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has suggested in private talks recently that Tehran was willing to restore nuclear inspectors’ access to bombed facilities in exchange for sanctions relief.

No lights, no radio: Getting oil through Hormuz is a risky job By Alex Longley Bloomberg News

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HE tanker captain summoned his years of experience when he saw the blast in front of him. He veered his 300-meter-long ship around the vessel ahead and could see a fire had started. He called the US Navy to tell them of the attack. The maneuver in the Strait of Hormuz with drones and missiles overhead is the sort of quick thinking that’s proving vital to getting oil supplies to the global market as Washington and Tehran fail to reach agreement on reopening the waterway to regular traffic. The account of the incident, told to Bloomberg by a captain in his early 40s who declined to be identified while discussing commercially sensitive journeys, shows how and why those flows from the Middle East are rising largely under the watch of the US military. His vessel is among the ships engaged in shuttle runs through the strait, ferrying barrels often at night and with strict instructions about what equipment can be used—no lights, no phones and with only one radar. They were often just a mile from the coast of Oman, though the depth of the sea there is about 100 meters, more than enough for even the biggest supertankers to sail through. The captain said he and his crew got their bearings by using the coast and lighthouses as a reference. “I’m just lucky because I still remember the traditional navigation, the old school,” he said in an interview from the Philippines, his home country where he is now on vacation after a three-month stint largely shuttling in Hormuz. “They required no navigational lights. It’s quite challenging.” The transits are a lifeline to gulf energy producers and a boon to shipowners and commodity traders who stand to reap billions of dollars from the trade. There’s also the prospect of a handsome payday for crewmembers willing to brave the crossing.

US banks JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reckon crude oil flows from the Middle East are returning toward pre-war levels, propelled by the Hormuz shipments. JPMorgan estimated daily flows through the Gulf were 17.5 million barrels. The US has been quietly coordinating with shippers since early summer to plot routes and avoid Iranian mines. American forces “have assisted thousands of ships through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months by providing coordinated protection,” US Central Command said in a statement. “We remain laser-focused and will continue working with US interagency partners, regional countries, and the shipping industry to increase the maritime traffic flow.” The captain would often be told of the military support that was keeping watch over him and could see it overhead. On one occasion he saw what he described as a jet plane flying above them, and also a helicopter. The radio silence while crossing Hormuz made his time at sea even more unusual, he said. The lack of noise on the radio was only punctuated by the chatter of more people than usual manning the bridge to watch out for attacks. Another captain on a liquefied natural gas tanker that has traversed Hormuz said that the journey begins by shutting the breaker that connects to the ship’s location transponder, or AIS, to mask their whereabouts as they hug the Omani coast. Then they begin barricading the main decks with sandbags with the assumption that they could be attacked by drones or a missile. These gas carriers, which are fewer in number than oil tankers, have been more cautious. But at least eight LNG ships have traversed the strait in the last two weeks with safety assurances from the US, the captain said. Iran has its own blacklist for tankers engaged in the trade. But shipping executives estimate about a one in 20 chance of being hit while crossing Hormuz, with the ships under the watch of the US military.

The oil tanker captain’s most recent contract was a month shorter than usual because he knew the voyage “is not easy.” He still received a multiple of his usual salary to transit. Bloomberg previously reported that one shipowner was offering its crew an extra six months of pay to shuttle through Hormuz. The amounts on offer would be significant for anyone, and much of the world’s tanker crews are from lowerincome countries like the Philippines and India. With two million barrels of oil on board, American forces had been watching over the captain’s tanker, part of a strict monitoring process that requires regular check-ins. After he saw the blast ahead, the captain was told by the US Navy that other vessels beyond his were managing to continue on their journeys, and that he should do the same. On another occasion, the captain’s ship was the one that came under attack, but there was no damage and no injury to the crew. It was one of many near-misses. Even when his transits concluded without incident, the signs of danger in Hormuz were never far away. “It can happen any time,” the captain said. During the offloading of cargo to another ship outside Hormuz, he and his crew heard vessels broadcasting that they were under attack near Hormuz. Ultimately, the decision to transit rests with a ship’s captain. As long as they are willing to cross, then millions of barrels of oil a day will keep hitting global markets. The International Maritime Organization estimates that 24 seafarers have died in attacks across the region since the war started. Much of the time crossing Hormuz is spent talking to the US Navy. The captain interviewed by Bloomberg said the Americans provide the route and give ships waypoints to cross throughout the voyage. Vessels report to the military every 30 minutes to confirm how the See “Hormuz,” B8

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G20 trade talks yield little progress while tensions simmer

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ILWAUKEE—G20 trade ministers failed to reach an agreement Thursday to curb the flooding of markets with overproduced, underpriced goods, a practice the Trump administration says undercuts American manufacturers. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, emerging from the gathering, said talks were constructive despite not reaching consensus on the issue,

which is known as “excess capacity.” “Nearly all countries agreed that this is an issue that required action. And nearly all countries agreed that

our current system of trade remedies and responses is inadequate to solve this problem,” Greer said. The White House has accused trading partners of producing a gamut of goods in quantities surpassing demand, claiming it sends prices downward and unfairly skews competition. The Trump administration views China as the leading offender, but has opened investigations into countries from Norway to Bangladesh. Besides Chinese-made steel, the administration has claimed industries including autos, batteries, paper and semiconductors have been plagued by overproduction, causing the US to lose ground to competitors.

The gathering in Milwaukee of representatives from the G20, which includes both the biggest industrialized countries and some emerging markets, bore no signs of a breakthrough on the biggest trade dispute of the moment, between the US and Canada. Animosity between the two countries have been growing since the summer, when President Donald Trump slapped 50% tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian imports, leading Canada to promptly counterpunch with tariffs of its own. It further devolved this week, with Trump banning nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including alcoholic bever-

Trump, Vance hit the campaign trail in deep-red areas where GOP candidates seek a boost By Michelle L. Price & Will Weissert The Associated Press

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ASHINGTON—President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance both hit the campaign trail on Thursday, but headed to heavily Republican areas to shore up lagging enthusiasm in their party ahead of next month’s midterm elections. Trump’s travel to Texas and Oklahoma kicked off what the president said will be a 32-day campaign blitz leading up to Nov. 3. “I think we’re going to win. Every place I’ve gone, we win,” Trump said during a speech at a truck facility in Denton, northwest of Dallas. He said some have suggested his “heart isn’t in it. My heart is in it,” and if not, he’d promised he’d be “home right now.” “My heart is in it like never before,” Trump said of the run-up to the midterms. Vance, meanwhile, stumped in Florida, putting the Republican Party’s highestranking officials in areas where GOP candidates once expected to have glide paths to victory but are now facing tougher races. The vice president tried to cast the GOP as representing common sense in the face of a Democratic push to the left. “I have the easiest job in the world,” the vice president said in Lakeland, Florida. “I get to talk about how crazy the Democrats are.” Trump and Vance could have their work cut out for them, though. A new poll from The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that only 17% of US adults approve of Trump’s handling of the cost of living. Just 26% approve of his handling of the economy overall, marking a new low. Republicans have expressed growing pessimism about their chances in the election, which will determine control of

Congress, as the president has repeatedly dismissed concerns about high costs and gas prices as his unpopular war in Iran drags on. According to Trump, his party has merely done a poor job of public relations in promoting his administration’s accomplishments. “Maybe we’re doing a bad job selling it,” Trump said in Texas. Still, the president spent far more time scoffing at his predecessor, President Joe Biden, reliving his 2024 presidential campaign and defending the war in Iran than he did talking about how he’ll help lower the cost of living. Trump scoffed at questions about affordability, insisting that they’d been caused by Biden, who left office more than two years ago. He also insisted that prices were actually on the decline. “I think inflation is very real, but they’re the ones that caused the inflation,” he said. “I’m the one that’s bringing it down, and we have to be able to get that word out somehow because they’re using the word affordability.”

Democrats say Trump is desperate

THE Democratic National Committee said Trump and Vance are “desperately trying to rally their base as the midterm elections approach and Republicans face defeat.” “Donald Trump and JD Vance started a deadly and costly war with Iran that sent the economy spiraling and pushed prices even higher, and now — in the final stretch to the midterms — they’re desperately pleading with voters to ‘give (them) another chance,’” said DNC deputy communications director Kendall Witmer. Trump toured the truck facility and chatted with workers in Texas, where Republicans are spending heavily to try to bolster state Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Senate race that could be closer than

long expected. Paxton is facing Democratic state Rep. James Talarico, Paxton attended the event and Trump joked that he “could be a pain in the ass sometimes” but also noted, “We need Ken so badly, and that’s why I’m here.” Trump didn’t summon Paxton to the stage. He also shouted out, but didn’t invite to speak, an unlikely traveler accompanying him, former NBA star Dennis Rodman. Trump praised Rodman as his longtime friend and said Rodman had become close with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. After his Texas speech, the White House announced that bad weather conditions were forcing Trump to motorcade from his event in Denton to a subsequent rally in Durant, Oklahoma — about 85 miles away. The motorcade’s vehicles made the trip at breakneck speed, occasionally approaching 100 mph, and Trump posted during the ride that his limo, “The Beast,” was going “faster than it has ever gone before.” Trump was in Oklahoma for Republican Mike Mazzei, running against Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson for governor. That event was held on the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, making Trump one of the few U.S. presidents who have visited tribal nations while in office. Trump mentioned that the poverty rate among Native Americans had fallen during his presidency, as it declined for other segments of the population. He also noted Democrats potentially controlling Congress after November, “If we don’t win, they’ll end up impeaching me.” “I’ve become very good at beating them in impeachment,” Trump said.

Trump promises a travel blitz coming up

THE president will be campaigning in more politically competitive areas in the weeks ahead as he embarks on his travel sprint. But Republican officials will not send him to places where they think his presence could drag down their candidates, according to a person familiar with the party’s strategy who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Trump’s Oklahoma visit, and likewise one on Friday to Alabama, aimed at hitting two targets with one stop, the person said. Republican officials have noted that even his Oklahoma stop brought Trump close to the Dallas-Fort Worth media market, meaning the president’s message reached Texas voters who could back Paxton. His Friday stop in Mobile, Alabama, is aimed not only at boosting Sen. Tommy Tuberville as he runs for Alabama governor but also at shoring up support in Florida’s adjacent panhandle for Republican Rep. Byron Donalds. Donalds is running for Florida governor against David Jolly, the Republican-turnedindependent who is now running as a Democrat. Donalds’ campaign in heavily GOP Florida comes as Republicans there have faced some turbulence and voter concerns about affordability and artificial intelligence data centers have become central issues. With Trump in Oklahoma and Texas, Vance’s central Florida stop on Thursday was for Donalds. That came a day after the vice president campaigned in Texas, rallying with Republican candidate Eric Flores, who is in a tight US House race in south Texas. Trump will also campaign on Saturday in Vandalia, Ohio, and on Monday in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Trump is expected to campaign for the GOP almost daily

IN a meeting on Capitol Hill this week, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles described privately to GOP senators that Trump will have a near-daily sprint of campaigning ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. West Virginia Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said that White House officials are “acknowledging the headwinds” but that “they have a strategy.” Capito also defended the White House’s plan to send Trump to traditionally conservative territory, arguing that he can motivate the Republican base not just where he travels but elsewhere in the country because he has such a broad reach. “He can get more of his voters out—that are going to be our voters—than anybody else,” Capito said.

ages, dairy products and motorcycles. “The reality is there are a handful of outstanding issues that are quite difficult to resolve,” Greer said Thursday. Canada is a seemingly unlikely target of Trump’s trade war. No country buys more from the United States than its northern neighbor, an ally long considered so close that the countries share an unprotected border. Canadian trade minister Maninder Sidhu, pleaded for cooperation, saying: “You’re facing some of the same challenges that we’re facing. Let’s help each other and let’s work through something.” In other discussions at the meeting, trade leaders also failed to reach

a deal on forced labor, an issue the Trump administration has used as a justification for double-digit tariffs on more than 60 countries. The breadth of the levies, which cover 99% of U.S. imports, suggests another motivation: replacing worldwide tariffs that Trump imposed last year only to see them struck down by the Supreme Court in February. “Believe it or not, we have countries in the G20 that do not want to commit to having a prohibition on the import of goods made with forced labor,” Greer said. “At the end of the day, we all know forced labor is wrong, and it will distort our markets, and we won’t have it.” AP

Canada fast-tracks Pacific oil pipeline to reduce US dependence as Alberta separation vote nears By Rob Gillies

The Associated Press

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ORONTO—Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday fast-tracked a proposed oil pipeline capable of carrying one million barrels a day to the Pacific coast, which could reduce the country’s dependence on the United States and mend relations with oil-rich Alberta as separatists push for a referendum on leaving Canada. Appearing with Alber ta Premier Danielle Smith in For t McMurray, at the heart of Canada’s oil sands, Carney designated the Pacific Link pipeline as a project of national interest under legislation his government enacted to accelerate major infrastructure projects. A bid to keep Alberta in Canada Alberta is holding a public vote on Oct. 19 on whether to hold a referendum on leaving Canada. Smith has long complained that Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, hindered Alberta’s energy industry and fueled separatist sentiment. Smith said she would vote to keep Alberta in Canada and described the roughly 22% suppor t for separation recorded in a recent poll as “still too high for my liking.” “I don’t like the fact that many of our fellow citizens have given up on Canada,” she said, calling the pipeline an example of how “cooperative federalism can work in action.” A s ke d w h at m e s s a g e A l b e r t a n s considering separation should take, Carney said it demonstrated that “Canada is working” and showed what Canada could achieve together. Ian Brodie, a University of Calgary political science professor and former chief of staff to Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said the announcement could still help separatists by underscoring Alberta’s dependence on Ottawa. “There’s no reason this pipeline couldn’t have been fast-tracked in July, so we’ve lost three months in the project,” Brodie said. “It’s a reminder that Alberta has to have a sympathetic prime minister in order to grow its oil sector. We don’t control our fate.” A pipeline to loosen the US grip Carney said Canada had a “once-ina-generation opportunity to become an energy superpower” and end its reliance on a single trading partner. “Today, 90% of Alberta’s oil goes to the United States,” he said. “Pacific Link will materially reduce that dependence” by opening access to growing Asian markets. The government described Canada’s reliance on US-bound oil infrastructure a “structural vulnerability.” It said Pacific Link and improvements to the Trans Mountain system could cut the share of fixed pipeline capacity directed to the US from around 83% to between 65% and70%. The initiative comes as President

Hormuz. . . Continued from B7

passage is going and whether they’d seen any missiles on their way. Throughout his crossings, the captain and his team prepared for the worst. Like on the LNG ship, they would place sandbags and drums filled with water near the bridge as a precaution. The oil tanker’s emergency fire pump kept running for the entirety of the transit and

Donald Trump’s trade war and threats against Canadian sovereignty push Carney to reduce Canada’s longstanding economic dependence on the US The proposed 1,250-kilometer (775mile) pipeline would run from Bruderheim, Alberta, to a deep water port near Delta, in British Columbia, largely following the existing Trans Mountain corridor.

Questions over money and opposition

THE project is expected to cost between $25 billion and $31 billion, but significant questions remain about its financing and whether producers will commit to using it. Its designation does not amount to final approval. Proponents must still settle the engineering, costs and environmental conditions before deciding whether to proceed. The federal and Alberta governments are contributing roughly $2.8 billion before the main private investor, Pembina Pipeline Corp., has committed its share of the construction costs. Pembina holds a 10% economic interest and would decide whether to invest by the time a final investment decision is made, a federal official said. Asked how much federal taxpayers could ultimately contribute, Carney said: “The Canadian taxpayer is going to make a lot of money off this pipeline.” He declined to provide a figure. An open season next spring will gauge how much capacity producers are willing to contract. Officials said there was significant interest but acknowledged that the project might not attract enough shippers or financing to proceed. A senior government official said investors were watching to see whether Canada could approve major projects more quickly, noting that the Trans Mountain expansion took 14 years to progress from launch to first oil. The pipeline also faces opposition f ro m I n d i g e n o u s co m m u n i t i e s a n d environmental groups. The government said most Indigenous communities consulted were not prepared to support the project’s listing, citing concerns about its route, environmental effects, marine shipping and treaty rights. Ca r n e y s a i d t h e “re a l i nte n s i ve consultation process will begin now.” Canada, Alberta and the project’s owners have committed to offering Indigenous communities an ownership stake of at least 10%. The government also acknowledged that the pipeline was expected to facilitate increased oil production and generate additional emissions. Carney said final regulatory conditions were expected by September 2027, with the pipeline projected to begin operating in 2032 or 2033.

there were always emergency fire hoses at the ready near the accommodation area. “Tankers are always at risk all the time,” the captain said. “It’s a very dangerous vessel.” He said his children had been waiting for his contract to finish and for him to come home to the Philippines safely. But he says he’s always ready to go back on board. “My family is quite scared, but I told them that I can handle the situation,” he said. “I’m very proud. I enjoy my job, actually.”

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Trump says Iran will be hit ‘very hard’ if it is behind copilot who tried to crash flight to Israel

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ERUSALEM—US President Donald Trump said Thursday that if Iran is linked to the copilot who tried to crash an Israel-bound flight, the Islamic Republic would be struck “very hard” for the attempt on the lives of more than 180 people aboard the jet. Trump issued the warning as investigators worked to determine why the copilot stabbed the flight’s captain, causing the FlyDubai plane to plummet before others on board stopped the attack and landed the airliner in Saudi Arabia. The President was asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about any links between the pilot behind the attack and Tehran. He said, “We’re working on it right now.” “I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now,” Trump said. He did not elaborate about why he suspects Iran might be involved. Asked if the US would retaliate against Tehran if it was behind the attack, Trump said, “Oh they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry.”

“You just ask them,” he added. “They know what happened. They’ll be hit very hard.” His remarks came as diplomatic efforts to end the war appear to have stalled. Iranian officials indicated Wednesday that they received an official US response to Tehran’s latest proposal to end the sevenmonth war, which Trump had publicly rejected just days earlier. The officials did not say what the response contained and whether it was a rejection. Trump said in a Time magazine interview published Thursday that he will not accept proposals from Iran that “he wouldn’t have approved a year ago,” and left open the possibility of resuming bombing after the Nov. 3 election in the US. Meanwhile, the American

military has dispatched roughly 9,000 troops aboard a group of ships to the Middle East, a US official said Thursday. That could mean three carriers will be in the region as soon as late October, according to the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations. Despite Trump’s public rebuff, mediators have continued working with Iran and the U.S. to try to broker a deal to end the fighting and open the Strait of Hormuz, according to officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Passengers got into cockpit to take control of jet PASSENGERS on the plane— which was carrying 182 people, mostly Israelis, from the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv—have described how the bloodied Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door to let them in before they grappled with the copilot and stabilized a descent so sharp that the plane’s rudder was torn away. “We felt helpless, suspended in midair, and I didn’t know who to turn to. But it was all instinct to survive,” Asaf Rajuan, who was among those who intervened, said in a statement shared by Israel’s presidency. AP

AN LNG facility on the Isle of Grain in Rochester, UK. JASON ALDEN/BLOOMBERG

UK firms predict faster price increases after energy costs surge

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HE resurgence in oil and gas prices drove up UK businesses’ inflation expectations last month with firms planning to pass on cost increases to consumers and take a hit to profit margins. Businesses expected to raise their own prices by 3.9% over the next year, the highest reading since June and a 0.3 percentage point-increase on the previous month, according to the Bank of England’s Decision Maker Panel data.

The survey of chief financial officers also showed expectations for inflation one-year ahead picked up to 3.3% from 3.1% previously. Expected wage growth also ticked higher, to 3.5% from 3.4%. While the inflation measures are still someway below the peaks seen after the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, the acceleration will be a concern for the UK central bank as it edges toward hiking interest rates to contain the energy shock.

Several BOE rate-setters have signaled in recent weeks that they could back an increase next month to stop the surge in oil and gas prices spreading widely across the economy. The BOE survey Friday showed almost 60% of firms plan to increase prices in response to the energy shock, while seven in 10 expected to take a hit to profit margins. Majorities expected no impact on sales, employment or wages.

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Congo’s Ebola outbreak has recorded over 4,000 deaths as authorities struggle to contain the virus

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UNIA, Congo—Congo’s Ebola outbreak has now recorded more than 4,000 deaths, authorities said as they struggle to contain the spread of the virus. The latest figures were released by the health ministry on Thursday. They show that 4,018 people have died from among 8,300 confirmed cases, making up for nearly half of the confirmed cases in what has become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history. Congo announced an outbreak on May 15, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no known treatment or vaccine. The World Health Organization has recently raised the alarm regarding the rapid geographical spread of the virus into new health zones, stretching limited resources.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its latest news conference that the number of confirmed cases is falling, but that could be attributed to insecurity and challenges in getting communities to cooperate in some of the hotspots. A Congolese politician was attacked and beaten to death earlier this week for defending government measures in dealing with the outbreak, highlighting tensions that have stretched both the health community and local resources. The attack on Marie-Célestin Karondwa, a local official with

Meloni’s budget dials down on defense to narrow Italy’s deficit

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MORE than 4,000 lives have been claimed in the latest outbreak AP

Congo’s ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress party, took place on Sunday at his home in Butembo, an Ebola hotspot in the eastern North Kivu province. His house was set on fire afterward and he died at a hospital of his injuries. Widespread mistrust of health workers and the authorities has hampered efforts to slow the Cen-

tral African nation’s 17th Ebola outbreak. Authorities last month launched a village-centered approach but those efforts are battling beliefs by some residents who dismiss Ebola as a hoax. There is also deep distrust in the country’s government for reasons ranging from how it’s managed past Ebola outbreaks to chronic corruption. AP

Russia’s spending plans show Putin preparing for years of war By Bloomberg News

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USSIA is preparing for the war in Ukraine to continue for years by planning record war spending, abandoning plans to rein in military outlays. The shift offers one of the clearest indications yet of how deeply embedded conflict has become in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s priorities, even as strain on the economy and public finances mounts. It’s also likely to ratchet up pressure on Europe, as he seeks to deter the continent’s continued support of Ukraine. Projected military expenditures next year of 17.1 trillion rubles ($205 billion) would amount to an annual increase of more than 40% compared to this year’s planned defense outlays—actual totals remain classified—and a nearly 380% rise from the year before the war began. Officials foresee it easing only slightly to 16.6 trillion rubles in 2028 and 16.3 trillion rubles in 2029. The trajectory is a sharp reversal from a year ago, when Moscow was planning to moderate growth in military expenditures as it sought to narrow the budget deficit and rebuild reserves depleted during the war. Instead, the new budget lands at a time when US-brokered negotiations are largely stalled, European officials are increasingly warning

of hybrid attacks directed from Moscow and Russia is continuing to hammer Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. “Putin is raising the stakes,” said Kirill Rogov, the head of Re: Russia, a Vienna-based research group. He’s telegraphing that Russia “will continue investing in the war, and Europe has to decide whether it’s prepared to sustain the same level of support” for Ukraine, he said. The change is particularly striking compared to expectations a year ago, Rogov said, when the spending plan had encouraged hopes the conflict might eventually wind down. Putin underscored how much

had changed on Thursday when he accused European officials of escalating tensions with Russia and preparing for a potential conflict later this decade, pointing to military exercises in the Baltic Sea and statements from Western politicians about the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad. He said Russia had no plans to attack Europe but warned that any direct assault on Russian territory would force Moscow to consider using the full range of weapons at its disposal. “We understand that we would be facing an adversary twice our size in terms of population, with major economic and military potential,” Putin said. “We don’t have that many forces and means

‘Cockroach’ protesters demand India’s election chief resign over controversial voter list changes

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EW DELHI—India’s “Cockroach” youth movement has called for new protests in the country’s financial hub of Mumbai for Friday to demand the resignation of the chief election commissioner over a contentious revision of voter lists. The movement, which began as an online campaign and now calls itself the Cockroach Janata Party, forced India’s education minister to resign in July with its street protests. The Mumbai rally is meant to kick off a new period of demonstrations nationwide. Separately, a coalition of student and civil society groups were to gather Friday at Jantar Mantar,

a designated protest site in New Delhi, with the same demand. The protests add to mounting pressure on India’s Election Commission, which oversees polls across the country. Critics and opposition parties accuse it of altering voter registrations to give an advantage to the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the commission and the government deny any wrongdoing.

India’s election commission faces internal dissent

THE Indian Express newspaper last month reported that two of

the three election commissioners had formally objected to several decisions involving voter list revisions, registration procedures and the commission’s digital systems. According to the report, the two commissioners questioned the legality of some of the decisions, but Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar disregarded their objections. Indian law requires the three-member Election Commission to make decisions by majority vote. The commission disputed the report, saying it was based on “differing views and deliberations” among the commissioners rather than formal written objections. AP

to counter this threat. But no one has the means of destruction that Russia has today.” The earlier fiscal trajectory was laid out at a time when US President Donald Trump’s efforts to mediate talks between Moscow and Kyiv were intensifying. Those efforts have continued into the second year of Trump’s presidency, though have yet to come close to a peace agreement. US envoys held another round of talks with Putin in Moscow in September before traveling to Kyiv, though no major breakthrough followed. The government has made clear that funding the armed forces remains at the center of its fiscal priorities. In announcing the new budget earlier this week, the Finance Ministry said resources are earmarked for weapons and military equipment, soldiers’ pay and assistance to their families, as well as modernizing of defenseindustry companies. Much of the additional military spending is likely to flow into weapons production, according Janis Kluge, an analyst at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs in Berlin. Russia is producing large volumes of missiles and drones, while nearly five years of fighting have depleted ammunition inventories to the point that much of what is used on the battlefield now has to be newly manufactured, he said.

REMIER Giorgia Meloni’s government will pare back defense spending in a late change to the budget as it seeks to shrink Italy’s deficit, according to people familiar with the matter. The lower expenditure will mean less borrowing, helping to narrow the shortfall to below the European Union’s 3%-ofoutput ceiling this year, said the people, who declined to be identified because the numbers aren’t final. Growth of almost 1% this year and around 0.6% in 2027 will also help achieve that goal, they said. A spokesperson for Italy’s finance ministry declined to comment on the budget projections. Meloni’s cabinet is scheduled to approve the numbers late on Friday. The altered plans suggest a sense of nervousness in her government at a tense time in global bond markets. The spread between Italy and Germany’s two-year yields almost doubled to 55 basis points on Thursday, the biggest daily jump since 2020 on a closing basis. Ministers are expected to sign off on planned extra borrowing worth €28 billion ($32 billion), less than previously planned. That includes €14 billion for energy policies over the next two years and the same for military spending. Borrowing for defense will now amount to 0.6% of output in that period, instead of 0.9%. The government has yet to explain its change in approach, but the dramatic market backdrop is likely to weigh heavily on its deliberations. Meloni in particular witnessed Silvio Berlusconi’s fall in 2011 when she was a junior minister. She became premier in 2022 just as her UK counterpart Liz Truss exited amid a bond crisis. That experience has colored her whole time in office. Unlike in France, where the deficit is above 5% of output, Italy under Meloni’s watch has narrowed its own shortfall consistently, winning plaudits from ratings companies. The economic prediction for 2026 would amount to a meaningful outperformance compared with what the Meloni coalition originally anticipated, underscoring how Italy has shown surprising resilience to the energy shock and global trade tensions. That growth tailwind is helping the government cut the deficit, raising the prospect of an exit from the EU’s special monitoring regime for bloated public finances after Italy failed to achieve that until now. The budget will be the last before the country goes to elections next year at a time when the premier is facing a new ultra-nationalist challenger, former general Roberto Vannacci. Support for his party has risen to around 8% in recent polls. Against that backdrop, the picture of relative health suggested by the forecasts may allow Meloni to claim credit to voters for her management of an economy that has long struggled to achieve much growth. Even so, stormclouds loom over Italy. Aside from spiking bond yields, its huge debt mountain will soon stand out as the region’s biggest as Greece rapidly repairs its own finances. The outlook for slower growth next year also points to challenges ahead, not least with the Middle East crisis showing no sign of abating. Inflation in Italy accelerated more than economists forecast in September to 4.1%, the fastest since 2023, underscoring the cost-of-living squeeze faced by consumers. With those troubles in mind, Meloni and her finance minister, Giancarlo Giorgetti, will try to use the proceeds of faster growth to ease pressure on households. Among measures in the budget, the government plans to deliver on a promise she made to voters by widening an income bracket that would mean lower taxes for people earning between €50,001 and €60,000. Bloomberg News

Japan air force starts recovery of crashed Global Hawk drone By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press

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OKYO—Japan’s air force said it began recover y operations Friday for a US -made longdistance sur veillance drone that had crashed into the sea last month, as the country puts greater emphasis on drones in its defense planning. The uncrewed RQ-4B aircraft, known as Global Hawk, went missing off the nor thern coast of Tottori prefecture in northwestern Japan in mid-September. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) said it has determined that the drone had crashed and later spotted what appeared to be the fuselage on the seabed about 200-300 meters (650980 feet) deep. The aircraft was one of three Global

Hawks in Japan’s air force. Capable of conducting long-range missions at a height of 60,000 feet (18 kilometers) and operating continuously for up to 36 hours, they allow Japan to monitor areas on the Asian mainland, including North Korea and China. The air force has released limited details. JASDF Chief of Staff Takehiro Morita told reporters earlier this week that Japanese defense officials were working closely with its maker, Northrop Grumman, and the US military in the investigation. There has been no indication of foul play and officials said the cause of the crash was under investigation. Friday’s work began with the arrival of a mother ship that deployed a remotely operated underwater vehicle to obtain the drone’s exact location and other

details, while also recovering debris, JASDF said. Salvaging larger parts of the aircraft is expected later in October. Japanese officials have said the drone had trouble connecting with a communication device about 90 minutes after taking off from the Misawa Air Base, where it was based. Three minutes later, it disappeared from the radar and was last seen 50 kilometers (31 miles) off the coast of Tottori. The loss of the drone with a price tag of about 17 billion yen ($107 million) could be a setback for Japan’s surveillance capability. The two remaining Global Hawks have been grounded except for necessary mission, Morita said. Japan has been revising defense strategies that focus on drones, artificial intelligence and new methods of war fare.