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Saturday, September 5, 2026 Vol. 21 No. 326

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AUG INFLATION EASES TO 6.1%, BUT ANALYSTS WARY

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

HE country’s headline inflation may be easing, but analysts warned that the slowdown remains fragile as elevated rice prices and a weakening peso threaten to keep price pressures high in the coming months.

‘Latest PHL peso slide to record low not so much from noise, but firm $’

19.4%

ECENT domestic political developments such as the reports regarding the arrest warrant for Vice President Sara Duterte may have had a hand in the short-term volatility of the Philippine peso, but the local currency’s slide to a fresh record low was driven mainly by the firm US dollar, according to a bank economist. “The peso’s slide to a fresh record low was driven mainly by external factors, including a firm US dollar, elevated US yields, and market caution ahead of the US nonfarm payrolls report,” Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP), said on Friday.

On Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that inflation eased to 6.1 percent in August from 6.2 percent in July. This marked the fourth straight month of slower inflation after it peaked at 7.2 percent in April. Average inflation from January to August stood at 5.2 percent. Despite the slowdown, inflation remains well above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) target range of 2 to 4 percent. PSA noted that rice remained the biggest individual contributor to August inflation, with its inflation rate accelerating to 19.4 percent from 17.1 percent in July. Rice alone contributed 1.3 percentage points to headline inflation. This was the highest rice inflation since July 2024, when it reached 20.9 percent.

By Andrea E. San Juan

Rice inflation AUGUST 2026 from 17.1% in July

“I would not yet call this an established trend—it’s a lull that could reverse quickly if either rice supply or the peso deteriorates further.” —Leonardo A. Lanzona, Ateneo de Manila University economist, on the fragile easing in inflation

Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona said the latest figures suggest that the easing in headline inflation is being driven by a few softer com-

See “Peso,” A2

See “Inflation,” A2

EXPANDED ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION SIGNED INTO LAW By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz, Samuel Medenilla & Claudeth MoconCiriaco

RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos said Friday disadvantaged learners may study for free in private schools and technical-vocational training institutions after he signed Republic Act 12325 amending the Universal Access to Quality Education. The new piece of legislation amended RA 10391 of 2017 and expanded its coverage so it will now not only provide free tuition for students in public colleges, universities, and technical-vocational institutions. It is among the 24 priority bills discussed during the fourth Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (Ledac) meeting last month. See “Education,” A2

2.6M Free Higher Education beneficiaries as of 1st semester 2026

EALA KEEPS HER EYES ON THE PRIZE Alex Eala, the No. 17 seed from

the Philippines, advanced to the third round of the US Open after defeating Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4. Eala, who has drawn strong support from Filipino fans in New York, joined twotime champion Naomi Osaka and 2023 winner Coco Gauff in advancing to the weekend. Filipino supporters waved Philippine flags and “Laban Alex” signs as they cheered Eala’s run. Story on A12. TROI SANTOS

ALL DRESSED UP Dogs in colorful costumes take part in the “Dog Pawshion Show” at the Senior Citizens’ Park & Community Pet Park at Plaza Azul in Pandacan, Manila, on Friday, September 4, 2026. The event promoted responsible pet ownership and community stewardship. AP/AARON FAVILA

‘Exports must be more competitive to ease pressure on the peso’

BSP still tracking risks from T ME war, weather disruptions By Andrea E. San Juan

SEARCH FOR MISSING AETA BOY Botolan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) personnel scour the lahar field along the Bucao River in Botolan, Zambales, on September 3 for the body of a seven-year-old Aeta boy who was swept away by strong river currents two days earlier. The boy’s father, Simeon Candule, 35, also drowned when their carabao-drawn cart overturned while they were crossing the river in Barangay Malomboy. The boy’s body was later recovered near the Bucao River delta, about 15 kilometers from the accident site. The incident brought the storm-related death toll in Zambales to 14, all from drowning. Story on A4. BOTOLAN LGU

VEN as the Philippines’s headline inflation eased for the fourth straight month, the central bank said it is closely watching the impact of recent developments in the Middle East and weather-related disturbances. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said this on Friday after the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that overall inflation in the country eased to 6.1 percent in August 2026, from 6.2 percent in July 2026.

While lower food inflation led to the further easing of headline inflation, the central bank pointed out that average headline inflation for the first eight months of 2026 settled at 5.2 percent. This was still above the fullyear target of 3-percent and the tolerance range of plus or minus 1 percentage point. Meanwhile, core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, likewise moderated from 4.2 percent in July to 4.1 percent in August, the central bank also noted. See “BSP,” A2

5.2% AVERAGE INFLATION JANUARY–AUGUST 2026

Despite headline inflation easing to 6.1% in August, the country’s average inflation for the first eight months of 2026 remained at 5.2%— above the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ 3% full-year target and its 2%-4% tolerance range.

HE Philippines needs to make its export sector more competitive to ease pressure on the peso and strengthen its ability to finance its growing import bill, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said. Balisacan said the government needs to address structural constraints that have kept exports from keeping pace with imports, which has left the country vulnerable to peso depreciation. “What we are telegraphing is that we are addressing those structural issues that are constraining our ability to drive exports, to make our export sector more competitive so that we could finance our imports successfully,” Balisacan told reporters in a chance interview. See “Export,” A2

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 62.4940 n JAPAN 0.4010 n UK 84.5731 n HK 7.9712 n CHINA 9.3027 n SINGAPORE 49.3439 n AUSTRALIA 44.9832 n EU 72.6680 n KOREA 0.0461 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.6433 Source: BSP (September 4, 2026)

News BusinessMirror

A2 Saturday, September 5, 2026

Expanded access to quality education signed into law Continued from A1

“Poor and deserving students taking priority programs who are not covered by existing grants may also receive government support to pursue their studies in qualified private higher education and technical-vocational institutions," Marcos said at the ceremonial signing event for RA 12325 in Malacañang. RA 12325 also makes sure government assistance reaches those who need it most, particularly students from poor and disadvantaged families, including qualified beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4PSs). “This expands the opportunities for more Filipinos to earn a degree, a diploma, or skills qualification,” the President said. He ordered the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), and Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education to promptly craft the implementing rules and regulations of RA 12325. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) welcomed the signing of the law. The stronger prioritization seeks to ensure that government assistance reaches more learners from the poorest families. The Second Congressional Commission

on Education (Edcom II) found that while free higher education significantly increased college participation among poor households, many 4Ps learners still had difficulty accessing TES. In Academic Year 2024–2025, only 4,746, or 1.23 percent, of 384,388 4Ps senior high school completers accessed TES as first-year beneficiaries. CHED Chairperson and UniFAST Board Chair Shirley C. Agrupis witnessed the ceremonial signing with Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Tesda Director General Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez, reflecting the One Education approach of DepEd, CHED, and Tesda in providing more connected support for Filipino learners from basic education to higher and technical-vocational education. Agrupis said CHED and UniFAST will work with partner agencies to ensure that the expanded benefits of the law reach the students who need them most. “Free tuition opened the doors of higher education to millions of Filipinos, but getting into college is only the first step. We also have to help our students stay in school and finish, especially those whose families struggle with the everyday costs of pursuing a degree,” Agrupis said. The law also expands the assistance that qualified TES beneficiaries may receive. This includes additional support for internships and Related Learning Experience

(RLE), as well as other allowances for economically disadvantaged students who face added costs in pursuing their education. Students who qualify for TES will continue receiving the subsidy for the regular duration of their program. Those unable to finish on time because of economic hardship, health concerns, disasters, or other reasons may also receive up to one additional year of support, subject to evaluation and approval. The amended law also creates the Private Education Assistance (PEA) for poor and deserving students who wish to enroll in priority programs offered by qualified private higher education institutions and technical-vocational institutions. Public colleges, universities, and state-run technical-vocational institutions will also be required to put in place measures to help disadvantaged students enter and finish tertiary education. These may include waived admission examination fees, assistive technologies, and priority access to available dormitories. CHED, Tesda, UniFAST, and other concerned agencies will next prepare the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to guide the implementation of the expanded benefits under RA No. 12325.

Priority of administration

IMPROVING access to quality education is a priority of the Marcos

administration to enhance the competitiveness of the country's workforce. Under his term, Marcos said the number of Free Higher Education beneficiaries rose to 2.6 million as of the first semester of 2026. He said they also launched last January the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, for outstanding Senior High School graduates pursuing priority degree programs in higher education or priority Technical and Vocational Education and Training diploma programs. The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute also increased the number of its undergraduate scholars from around 45,024 scholars in School Year 2022-2023 to 48,520 in School Year 2025-2026. The said initiatives, he said, may have started to bear fruit as 140 local colleges made it to the World University Rankings for Innovation—from just 12 in 2022. “We often speak of our youth as the seeds of our nation's future. We hope to see them grow and thrive, and reach their full potential. But even the strongest seeds cannot flourish without fertile ground,” he said.

Significant step

ALBAY 3rd District Rep. Raymond Adrian E. Salceda said the expanded TES will help address one of the biggest challenges faced by poor students: the cost of staying in school despite having the ability and determination to finish their education. “Republic Act No. 12325 is a significant step toward ensuring that poverty will not prevent deserving Filipino students from achieving their dreams. By providing greater access to financial assistance, this law gives more young people the chance to earn a degree, build a better future, and contribute to the development of our country,” Salceda said. Salceda said the expanded subsidy will provide critical assistance to students who face financial barriers despite their determination and academic qualifications. The support will help cover educationrelated expenses such as transportation, daily allowances, school supplies, learning materials, and other costs needed to remain in school. Salceda emphasized that every investment in helping disadvantaged students complete their education contributes to building a more capable workforce and creating greater social mobility for future generations.

BSP… Continued from A1

“Overall food inflation went down amid a more stable domestic supply, driven by the decline in vegetable prices and the slowdown in inflation for fish. By contrast, rice inflation accelerated, partly due to higher logistics costs,” the BSP said. Lower electricity and water rates moderated inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, the central bank noted. The BSP said inflation in August was within its forecast range of 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent for the month. Nonetheless, the central bank said: “The BSP will continue to closely monitor the impact of recent developments in the Middle East and weather-related disturbances.” “Going forward, the BSP will remain guided by incoming data and its assessment of risks to the inflation outlook,” BSP also noted.

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Export… Inflation… Continued from A1

Continued from A1

He said this would require diversifying the country’s sources of growth, particularly by developing its manufacturing and export industries. “We should be able to develop our industries, our exports, making our industries more competitive . . . there’s no shortcut on that. We have to understand where does the weak competitiveness come from,” Balisacan said. His remarks came after the peso fell to a new record low of P62.50 per US dollar last Tuesday, its fourth consecutive record-low close. Balisacan said the country’s dependence on imports means it needs to generate more dollars through exports to finance its purchases abroad. “You’re a net importer and therefore you need more dollars, more currency to finance your imports than the currency that you’re able to earn from your exports,” he said. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that import payments rose 18.9 percent year-onyear to $92.26 billion from January to July, while exports grew 12.9 percent to $54.92 billion. The faster growth in imports left the country with a $37.34 billion trade deficit during the seven-month period. Balisacan said the imbalance, combined with heightened external uncertainty, particularly from the conflict in the Middle East, leaves the Philippines “a bit vulnerable” to external pressures. This makes fiscal discipline important, he said, as the government seeks to manage domestic demand while addressing the country’s external imbalance. But the chief economist cautioned that fiscal tightening should not come at the expense of economic growth. Instead, Balisacan said the government should prioritize spending with the biggest impact on the economy, particularly education, health, social protection, and infrastructure. “Hopefully with that combination, we are able to generate the growth we want even as the size of the overall budget for 20227 is not growing as much in the previous years,” he added. Justine Xyrah Garcia

ponents rather than a broad-based moderation in price pressures. “I would not yet call this an established trend—it’s a lull that could reverse quickly if either rice supply or the peso deteriorates further,” Lanzona told the BusinessMirror. Lanzona said rice remained a significant risk to the inflation outlook given its large weight in the consumer price index (CPI) basket, with sustained double-digit inflation in the staple potentially reversing the broader downward trend.

Peso… Continued from A1

Asuncion said this after data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) showed that the peso fell to a new record low of P62.59 against the dollar on Friday, 7 centavos weaker than Thursday’s finish of P62.52. While external factors have been persistently dragging the local currency to new lows, Asuncion did not rule out recent domestic political developments, which he said may have had a hand in the near-term volatility of the peso. “Recent domestic political developments, including reports regarding the arrest warrant for Vice President Duterte, may have added to shortterm volatility, but the broader move remains largely driven by global factors,” added the UBP’s chief economist. While there were indications of efforts to temper excessive currency movements, Asuncion said the “underlying demand” for dollars remained strong and “readily absorbed by the market.” “Unless US payrolls data come in significantly weaker than expected, the balance of risks remains tilted toward a supported US dollar and a softer peso in the near term,” he explained further. Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC) also attributed the weakening of the local currency to “the latest political noise in the afternoon towards the last hour of trading.” Aside from this, however, Ricafort pointed to the global crude oil prices which he said lingered “near 3-month highs” after the latest attacks by Iran. “Global crude oil price was slightly lower versus earlier during the day, with Brent crude oil at US$95 per barrel levels, steady/little changed for 3rd straight trading day, but still among the highest in more than a month or since July 24, 2026 and also among 3-month highs or since June 8, 2026,” added Ricafort. Within the trading session, the peso hit an intraday low of 62.65 against the dollar while its strongest point was at 62.335. This was the fourth time the peso hit a new record low over the past week.

Food, fuel pressures

DATA from PSA showed that food and non-alcoholic beverages remained a major source of inflationary pressure in August, accounting for 28.8 percent of headline inflation. While some food prices eased, rice and other items continued to post elevated inflation. Vegetable and tuber prices fell -3.4 percent in August after rising 8.4 percent in July, while fish and other seafood inflation slowed to 6.6 percent from 7.8 percent. At the same time, inflation in cereals and cereal products reached 14.9 percent, while fruits and nuts rose 5.8 percent. The food pressures were accompanied by higher transport costs. Transport inflation accelerated to 13.5 percent in August from 11.9 percent in July, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels eased to 7.9 percent from 8.2 percent. Lanzona said weakness in the peso could further compound inflationary pressures, particularly through fuel prices. Because the Philippines imports much of its refined fuel, a weaker peso can raise the local cost of imported fuel and feed into transport prices, farm production costs, and eventually food prices. “Further peso weakness would show up in headline CPI almost immediately via transport and with a short lag via food,” he added. Pantheon Macroeconomics Chief Emerging Asia Economist Miguel Chanco likewise pointed to persistent global oil price pressures as a risk to the inflation outlook. “Oil-related disinflation in the housing and utilities, and transport components is still likely to be the over-arching story until the next of next year, given their excessive overshoot when the conflict started,” Chanco said.

Bad weather, El Niño

BANK of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri Jr. said the August inflation reading may not yet fully capture the impact of recent bad weather and flooding, which could add to price pressures in the months ahead. “The latest inflation figure may also not yet fully reflect the impact of the recent weather and flooding, the effects of which could materialize in the coming months,” Neri said. National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa earlier said PSA’s provincial offices had reported price pressures toward the end of August, particularly in the final week, which could be reflected in succeeding inflation prints. Neri also identified the potential emergence of a super El Niño as a major risk to the inflation outlook. He said its full impact may emerge in the first quarter of 2027, with food prices particularly vulnerable to disruptions in supply. “Rice prices are particularly sensitive to adverse weather conditions, and rising fertilizer costs could further amplify the effect of poor weather on food supply by raising farmers’ production costs,” he said. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, for his part, said the Department of Agriculture continues to update its El Niño response plan, including irrigation support, farm input assistance, inventory monitoring, and timely market interventions to help stabilize food prices. “Our priority is to strengthen the foundations of long-term price stability through improved food security, more efficient logistics, and targeted support for vulnerable sectors,” Balisacan said.

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Peza to identify ecozones for power distribution study By Bless Aubrey Ogerio

HE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) will identify priority economic zones where Primelectric Holdings, Inc. (PHI) could study the viability of establishing electricity distribution systems, as the agency seeks to strengthen power reliability in areas hosting or attracting investors. Peza and PHI, a company under the Razon Group, signed an agreement recently to explore the development of power distribution systems within Peza economic zones. Under the agreement, Peza will determine the priority ecozones for assessment, while PHI will evaluate the feasibility and operational viability of providing distribution services in the selected areas. The arrangement is intended to determine where dedicated power-distribution systems could be viable, particularly as reliable electricity remains a key consideration for industrial and commercial investors. PHI will draw on its power-distribution experience through its units MORE Electric and Power Corp., Negros Electric and Power Corp., and Bohol Light Co. Inc. Energy security has also emerged as a

government priority amid efforts to support industrial activity and attract new investments. For Peza Director General Tereso Panga, reliable electricity is increasingly an investment consideration rather than simply a utility issue. “Energy reliability is no longer just a utility concern—it is an investment concern,” Panga said in a statement. He said the partnership could help Peza ensure that its economic zones have adequate power infrastructure as new areas are developed. “By working with an experienced distributor like Primelectric, we are not just securing our own zones, we are also contributing to the bigger national goal of a more resilient and reliable power system, wherever in the country our ecozones may rise,” Panga said. The agency aims to give investors greater certainty over power availability when they consider locating operations in Peza zones. “We want investors to know that by the time they are ready to commit, power will be one less question they need to ask,” he added.

₧60B needed to cut financial barriers to geothermal projects By Lenie Lectura

NERGY Secretary Sharon Garin said the country would need “about P60 billion” worth of assistance to reduce financial barriers in early-stage geothermal exploration, covering 2,000 megawatts (MW) of potential geothermal capacity. There is already a P10-billion Philippine Geothermal Resource De-Risking Facility (PGRDF)—a risk-sharing mechanism that converts unsuccessful drilling costs into grants while turning successful exploration funds into repayable loans—that can cover roughly 300MW of new geothermal capacity. However, the DOE said as much as 2,000MW more of geothermal capacity can be developed. Garin said the P10 billion is “good enough only for 300 megawatts. Imagine if you want the whole 2,000 megawatts that would be P60 billion. That’s a huge amount,” she said. The DOE and the Land Bank of the Philippines earlier established the PGRDF. The DOE will serve as the executing agency, responsible for polic y direction and governance, including the establishment of technical standards, eligibility criteria,

and overall program oversight. LandBank will act as the facility administrator and manager, overseeing sub-loan applications, m i l e s to n e - b a s e d f u n d i n g re l e a s e s, collections, and program reporting. Garin is hoping that if and when the P10 billiion PGRDF is tapped out, there will be other financial institutions that would assist the DOE again. “Hopefully, there’s enough momentum in the industry that can encourage development even without the de-risking facility. But if it’s needed, we can always attempt to get more of that kind. It could be with the ADB or other types. I think if it’s successful, not just the ADB will offer,” she said. The National Geothermal Association of the Philippines (NGAP) fully supports the PGRDF. NGAP said the PGRDF addresses the high upfront risks of exploration drilling and is expected to revitalize greenfield geothermal development, unlock indigenous baseload renewable energy resources, reduce dependence on imported fuels, and support long-term sustainable development. “We work with NGAP, we work with the other agencies, to make sure that we choose the correct projects to fund for this facility,” added Garin.

Bam to BIR: VAT exemption only on system loss will save a mere 0.5-0.8% of total bill

O provide Filipino families with greater relief from high electricity rates, Senator Bam Aquino called for the removal of the 12-percent value-added tax (VAT) on electricity bills, rather than limiting the exemption to system loss charges. The latter will leave residents with meager savings on their bill, which will not bring them the needed relief, he said. Aquino said the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s upcoming revenue memorandum circular (RMC) removing the VAT on system loss charges in electricity bills would only lead to a 0.5- to 0.8-percent reduction in electricity bills. Meanwhile, removing VAT from the entire electricity bill could result in an estimated 8 percent to 10 percent reduction for a household with a monthly average consumption of 200kwh, equivalent to savings of around P237 to P296 per month, or P2,844 to P3,552 annually, the senator said. “From our studies, the share of VAT on systems loss is quite small, like 0.8 percent only. Our proposal is to remove the VAT on the electricity bill itself. That would bring a 10-percent discount or a 10-percent decline in our electricity bill,” said Aquino, chairperson of the Committee on Trade, Commerce, and

Entrepreneurship. Aquino, likewise, renewed his call for the passage of his Senate Bill 266, which he filed on July 8, 2025, just days after the start of the 20th Congress. The proposed measure seeks to exempt from VAT the sale of electricity by generation, transmission, and distribution companies, as well as electric cooperatives, to help lower electricity rates and ease the burden on consumers. Aquino also emphasized that removing VAT on electricity would help strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises, create more jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Under Aquino’s proposed measure, the sale of electricity by generation, transmission, and distribution companies, including electric cooperatives, would be classified as VATexempt transactions. The bill also exempts the services of franchise grantees of electric utilities from VAT. As part of his broader efforts to ease the cost of living amid high prices of goods and petroleum products, Aquino also filed Senate Bill No. 2047 to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) from 12 percent to 10 percent on goods and services, including petroleum products. Butch Fernandez

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Mideast war, inflation woes turn biz mood to pessimism

By Andrea E. San Juan

HILIPPINE business sentiment turned pessimistic in July 2026 amid renewed concerns over tensions in the Middle East, higher oil prices, and persistent inflationary pressures, according to the central bank’s Business Expectations Survey (BES). Results of the survey showed that firms’ confidence index (CI) turned negative in July, at -20.3 percent, from neutral or 0 percent in June. A negative CI means that more respondents are pessimistic than optimistic about the economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) explained. The survey noted that the pessimistic outlook in July was attributed to renewed tensions, higher oil prices amid disruptions in fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and persistent inflationary pressures. Meanwhile, firms said they ex-

Teodoro to join Seoul Defense Dialogue ‘26 By Rex Anthony Naval

EFENSE Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. will be taking part in the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 scheduled from Sept. 7 to 9, highlighting the growing defense ties between the two nations. In a statement on Friday, Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro is scheduled to deliver remarks during Plenary Session 1: “Collaborative Architecture for International Stability.” This marks Teodoro’s second consecutive participation in the SDD, following his attendance at the 2025 Dialogue. On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Andolong said the DND chief will hold a bilateral meeting with South Korean Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyuback to discuss areas of mutual interest and further strengthen the longstanding defense and security partnership between the two countries. The Philippines and South Korea share longstanding defense ties forged during the Korean War, when Filipino soldiers served alongside United Nations forces. “Secretary Teodoro’s participation underscores the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening defense partnerships, advancing regional cooperation, and promoting a peaceful, secure, and stable Indo-Pacific, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s direction to advance the country’s defense engagements,” Andolong said. Hosted annually by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, the SDD is a premier multilateral security forum that brings together defense ministers, senior officials, military leaders, experts, and other stakeholders to discuss pressing regional and global security concerns.

perienced tighter financial conditions in July, with the Financial Conditions Index plunging further to -31.4 percent in July compared to the -26.8 percent in June. The central bank said financial condition refers to the firm’s general cash position considering the level of cash and other cash items and repayment terms on loans. Businesses also experienced tighter credit access, with the index declining to -7 percent in July from -5.7 percent in June. Access to credit refers to the availability of credit in the banking system and other financial institutions.

Three- and twelve-month outlook

THE survey revealed that firms turned less optimistic over the three- and twelve-month horizon. Firms were less optimistic about October 2026 or three months since this survey was conducted due to the continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, rising fuel costs and weaker investor sentiment. The survey showed that firms’ confidence index for the threemonth outlook plunged to 3.7 percent in July from the 18.8 percent in June. Businesses also turned less optimistic about their outlook 12 months from the survey was conducted, or by July 2027, due to concerns over the economic impact of a “protracted” Middle East conflict, lower growth prospects due to elevated energy prices and less upbeat investor confidence due to governance-related issues. The survey showed that firms’ confidence index for the 12-month outlook declined to 29.4 percent in July from 42.4 percent in June.

Economic prospects

ACCORDING to the survey, employment prospects were less favorable as the share of businesses

planning to hire more workers over the next 12 months declined. In contrast, the share of industry firms intending to expand operations increased. Firms also expect inflation in the next 12 months to average at 5.6 percent, exceeding the central bank’s 4-percent tolerance ceiling. Businesses expecting higher inflation cited the following concerns: more oil price hikes and uncertain timeline for the resolution of the Middle East conflict. The BSP said it continues to monitor the economic implications of developments in the Middle East, particularly their impact on business and consumer sentiment, as well as household and corporate spending and investment decisions. “Business and consumer sentiment are among the data points that the BSP considers in setting monetary policy,” the central bank said in its statement on Friday. According to BSP, the July 2026 BES was conducted from July 7 to 31,2026. There were 506 firms surveyed nationwide, consisting of 193 companies in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 313 firms in areas outside the NCR, covering all 18 regions across the country.

Saturday, September 5, 2026

News

Court orders VP Sara arrest on charges of grave threats

By Joel R. San Juan

HE Regional Trial Court of Quezon on Friday issued an arrest warrant against Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with the three counts of grave threats charges filed against her by the Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ spokesman Polo Martinez told reporters that the arrest order was issued after the QC RTC Branch 98 denied Duterte’s motion to defer or recall the warrant of arrest against her in the criminal case. “In the same Resolution, the Court found probable cause to hold the accused for trial on all three counts of Grave Threats and

ordered the issuance of a warrant of arrest,” Martinez said. With the denial of Duterte’s motion, Martinez said the case will now proceed to trial. Meanwhile, Duterte’s lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim gave assurances that the Vice President would face the case while availing herself of other legal remedies against the trial court’s order.

“Today, the Quezon City RTC has issued a warrant of arrest against the Vice President. Regardless of the question on jurisdiction, she has no intention of evading the law and will continue to exercise all her legal remedies,” Lim said. Last August 25, the trial court held an oral argument on Duterte’ motion to quash information and recall or defer issuance of arrest warrant upon her camp’s request. She argued that an oral argument was necessary, considering that the issues presented before the court will have “serious, far-reaching and dangerous consequences in our country’s legal system and the stability of the Philippine government considering that it involves the criminal prosecution of a sitting Vice President – an impeachable officer under Section 3, Article VII and Section 2, Article IX of the 1987 Constitution.”

She also warned that if a sitting Vice President is indicted and prosecuted, this could open the f loodgates for the criminal prosecution of other impeachable officers such as the Ombudsman, members of the Constitutional Commissions, Supreme Court Justices. T he case stemmed from Duterte’s statement made during an online press briefing in November 2024 claiming that she had hired someone to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Liza AranetaMarcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if a purported plot against her life succeeds. When asked about the supposed immunity from suit of the Vice President, Martinez said: “The DOJ’s position is that presidential immunity is lodged solely in the President as chief executive, which is why the DOJ filed the case against the accused.”

BCDA refreshes census ahead of Clark manufacturing park Bless Aubrey Ogerio

HE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is updating its census of families and residents in Sitio Sapang Kawayan, Capas, Tarlac, as preparations move forward for the proposed Clark Advanced Manufacturing Park (CAMP) in New Clark City. The update is being conducted with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) to validate the existing socioeconomic profile of communities within and around the proposed project area, BCDA said on Friday. The agency added that the updated database will help ensure that project

planning takes into account the actual conditions and concerns of families who may be affected by the development. “The updated census will establish a validated community baseline that can guide the identification of appropriate assistance, safeguards, and other measures as project preparations move forward,” BCDA said in a statement. Yet, the agency also clarified in a message to reporters the same day that the exercise is an update and validation of the existing community census, rather than a new enumeration. “ We a re s t i l l co n s o l i d at i n g a n d validating the final figures with the NCIP, and we will provide the official

numbers once the process is completed,” the agency said. The activity covers communities within the proposed CAMP area, particularly Sitio Sapang Kawayan, with the scope based on families and communities identified within and around the relevant project area. BCDA said the census update forms part of a broader preparation and stakeholdere n g a g e m e nt p ro ce s s t h at i n c l u d e s community identification and validation, joint surveys and documentation, review of existing agreements, and the eventual processing and release of appropriate assistance. “By validating our community baseline early on alongside the NCIP, we want to

assure the community that every family receives the exact support, protection, and opportunities they deserve as this vision comes to life,” BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said. C A M P i s a p ro p o s e d a d v a n c e d manufacturing development in New Clark City intended to attract investments in advanced manufacturing and technologyrelated industries. BCDA said CAMP is the physical development platform, while Pax Silica refers to the broader international strategic partnership focused on supply chains involving critical minerals, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

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Storm death toll in Zambales now 14 as 7-yr-old boy found By Henry Empeño

O TOL A N, Z a mba les — Storm-related deaths in the province of Zambales has now reached a total of 14, following the recovery on Thursday, September 3, of the body of a drowning victim in this town, an Aeta minor whose father also died in the same accident. Authorities said Simeon Candule, 35, and his seven-year-old son were going home to Barangay Palis on Tuesday afternoon, September 1, when their carabaodrawn cart overturned due to strong river current at Barangay Malomboy east of Palis. The body of Candule was recovered the following day near the accident site by a team from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). That of his son was retrieved two days later by Philippine Coast Guard searchers near the Bucao River delta, some 15 kilometers away from the site of accident. The 12 other deaths recorded since August also resulted from drowning. On August 13, the body of Eddie Bonus Garcia, 20, was spotted at the Burgos River in San Antonio, Zambales. He was first reported missing days before from his residence at Barangay Balaybay in the neighboring town of Castillejos. On August 25, Jasper Rosales, 20, of Barangay Burgos in San Antonio, reportedly crossed the Pamatawan River with cousin Darwin Milo to gather vegetables but were overwhelmed by strong current. Milo survived. Rosales’s body was found the following day along the shoreline of the beach community of San Miguel. The biggest tragedy happened

on August 27 when a group of Aetas was crossing the Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino town on a motorboat. The bodies of six drowning victims—three adults and three children—were immediately retrieved right after their boat capsized. Two more victims, both minor, were fished out of the lake two days later. The ninth victim, identified as 26-year-old Arlene Liwanag, who was pregnant, was also found in the lake on August 30, three days after the accident. Meanwhile, a three-year-old boy was swept away into river at Barangay Old Cabalan in Olongapo City on August 29, when raging floodwaters from a collapsed wall entered their house and broke his parents’ grip on him. The boy’s body was the following day along the shore in the Subic Bay Freeport, about 12 kilometers from his home. Zambales is among the provinces Luzon that bore the brunt of monsoon rains since August, with the 24-hour accumulated rainfall over the Zambales region reaching up 200 millimeters, said Dr. Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project NOAH, or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards. Lagmay said in a September 4 post that the record accumulated rainfall, which originates in the area around Mount Pinatubo, “represents roughly 276 million cubic meters of rainwater, equivalent to about 112,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools falling over the mountainous region.” That record volume of rainwater “was subsequently conveyed downslope and into low-lying communities across Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, and Tarlac,” Lagmay said.

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Science spotlight: Parkinson’s linked to gut microbe capacity for riboflavin and biotin By Jona C. Redondo

ARKINSON’S disease has been linked to reduced gut bacterial production of certain B vitamins (especially B2 and B7), according to a 2024 meta-analysis, with researchers suggesting targeted supplementation as a potential avenue worth further study. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein aggregates, motor symptoms (tremors, rigidity, bradykinesia), and non-motor issues that often appear years earlier—most notably gastrointestinal problems such as constipation. Growing evidence points to the gut-brain axis, including changes in the gut microbiome, as a contributor to disease initiation or progression in at least some patients (“body-first” PD).

Key findings from the Nagoya University

A 2024 study led by medical researcher Hiroshi Nishiwaki of Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine analyzed shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from fecal samples. It included a Japanese cohort (94 people with PD and 73 controls) plus previously published datasets from the United States, Germany, China, and Taiwan. Across these populations, people with PD showed a consistent reduction in bacterial genes involved in the biosynthesis of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7), even after adjusting for confounders such as age, BMI, constipation, and medications. Different bacterial species appeared responsible for the deficit in different geographic groups, but the functional pathway impairment was shared. These biosynthetic genes positively correlated with fecal levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and polyamines— molecules important for maintaining a healthy intestinal mucus layer. PD patients also had lower fecal SCFAs and polyamines. The researchers proposed that deficiencies could thin the mucus barrier, increase intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”), expose nerves to toxins or inflammatory signals, promote abnormal alpha-synuclein aggregation, activate brain immune cells, and drive chronic neuroinflammation. Nishiwaki said: “Supplementation therapy targeting riboflavin and biotin holds promise as a potential therapeutic avenue for alleviating Parkinson’s symptoms and slowing disease progression.” He and colleagues suggested that gut microbiota or fecal metabolite analysis could identify individuals with specific deficiencies who might benefit from oral B2 and/or B7 supplements. Riboflavin and biotin (obtained from diet and gut microbes) have anti-inflammatory properties that may help counteract neuroinflammation. An earlier small 2003 study had reported motor improvements in some PD patients given high-dose riboflavin alongside red-meat elimination, though the design could not

isolate the vitamin’s effect. Related research has explored bacterial folate/homocysteine metabolism and, more recently, microbiome-derived vitamin B6 influences on dopaminergic pathways in model systems. The strongest direct link to gut-produced B vitamins in the multi-country metagenomic data remains B2 and B7.

Expert commentary and videos

SCIENCEALERT covered the findings and produced a short summary video explaining the gut-microbe B-vitamin connection and the potential for simple supplementation approaches. Watch it here: A vitamin produced in our guts has connections with Parkinson’s disease. Dr. William Wallace has discussed the same meta-analysis in detail across several videos, highlighting the consistent depletion of riboflavin and biotin pathways, their correlation with SCFAs/ polyamines, barrier integrity, and possible therapeutic implications of restoring these nutrients.

Relevant examples include:

TWO Missing Nutrients, Big Brain Consequences Shorter clips such as two important biosynthesis pathways are lost in Parkinson’s and related explanations of the findings. These presentations emphasize that the microbial gene reductions were among the strongest and most consistent signals after rigorous adjustment, and that human and animal data suggest repleting the vitamins can influence SCFA production and related processes.

Caveats and outlook

THE association is correlational from observational metagenomic data; it does not prove that B2/B7 deficiency causes PD, nor that supplementation will reverse established disease in all patients. Microbiome composition varies by diet, geography, medications, and other factors. Clinical trials specifically testing riboflavin and/or biotin (ideally stratified by microbiome/metabolite status) are needed to evaluate efficacy, dosing, safety, and which patient subgroups might benefit most. Maintaining gut barrier integrity, supporting beneficial microbes through diet (fiber-rich patterns), and addressing nutritional status remain active areas of investigation alongside conventional therapies. In summary, the 2024 multi-country analysis provides compelling evidence that reduced gut bacterial capacity to produce riboflavin and biotin is a shared feature in Parkinson’s disease and is linked to intestinal barrier compromise. Experts such as Hiroshi Nishiwaki highlight supplementation as a promising, relatively simple direction for further research, with accessible video summaries available from ScienceAlert and Dr. William Wallace. As always, individuals with PD should consult their physicians before starting any new supplements, as interactions with medications and individual needs vary.

DSWD’s ‘Project Apo Ko’ serves over 140 seniors and children in 4 regions

ORE than 140 senior citizens and children across four pilot regions have benefitted from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Project Apo Ko as of August 2026. The pilot implementation covers the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4A (Calabarzon), Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and Region 11 (Davao Region). Project Apo Ko serves 40 senior citizen beneficiaries—designated as “Dream Team” members, residing in four DSWD-managed Centers and Residential Care Facilities (CRCFs), along with 101 children enrolled in five Child Development Centers (CDCs). Asst. Secretary Irene Dumlao, who serves as DSWD spokesperson, said two of the four pilot regions have already commenced their scheduled “Apo, Lolo, Lola” interaction sessions. “As of August this year, Calabarzon and Zamboanga Peninsula have conducted 2 out of 12 sessions, while the remaining 2 regions (NCR and Davao) are set to start this September,” Dumlao said. The DSWD launched Project Apo Ko in February 2025 to preserve Filipino cultural heritage by connecting senior citizens in residential facilities with children aged 3 to 5 in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centers.

Through structured “Apo, Lolo, Lola” sessions, elderly participants pass down cultural knowledge, traditions, and life experiences to the youth, fostering community solidarity, mutual empathy, and enhanced social well-being across generations. In addition to providing productive engagement for senior citizens, the project actively supports early child development. Among the 101 child beneficiaries, 23 are enrolled in Visayan Village CDC (Tagum City), 21 in Bahay Bulilit CDC (Quezon City), 20 in the Fundamental Baptist CDC (Zamboanga City), 18 in Sampaloc 1 CDC and 19 in Sampaloc 2 CDC (Tanay, Rizal). Prior to rolling out the interaction sessions, the DSWD’s Social Technology Bureau conducted key pre-implementation activities, including capacitybuilding workshops for Dream Team members and assigned social workers, parent orientations, and baseline assessments to maximize learning outcomes for both age groups. In July 2026, the STB facilitated 3 capacity-building sessions across GRACES (in partnership with the Quezon City LGU), Haven for the Elderly (with the Tanay, Rizal LGU), and the Home for the Elderly (with the Zamboanga City LGU). KB

Editor: Angel R. Calso • Saturday, September 5, 2026 A5

W. Visayas seniors get ₧116.37M under Expanded Centenarians Act

By Perla Lena

LOILO CITY—The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) has released in in Western Visayas P116.37 million in cash gifts to 14,555 octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians under Republic Act 11982 or the Expanded Centenarians Act as of August 26.

The office completed the payout, which also covered grantees from Negros Occidental, in August. “For this year, we still paid out our grantees for 2024 and 2025. It’s a gift, so it’s intended for all who reached the milestone ages 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100 years old,” Ann Rapunzel Ganzon, NCSC director for Western Visayas, said in an interview on Thursday. Data showed that the highest number of grantees reached their milestone age last year, with a total of 12,589—6,116 were 80 years old, 4,080 were 85 years old, 1,574

were 90, 549 were 95, and 90 were centenarians. Meanwhile, 1,891 were grantees in 2024, consisting of 1,002 who are 80 years old, 610 aged 85, 226 aged 90, 43 aged 95, and 10 centenarians. Meanwhile, 75 centenarians who reached their milestone age this year have already received their P100,000 cash gift. Those who reached the other milestone ages from January to June this year are expected to receive their cash gift in October. Ganzon said Western Visayas is

A CENTENARIAN from the Municipality of Makato in Aklan receives her P100,000 cash gift and Presidential Letter of Felicitation in this photo released on August 24, 2026. The National Commission of Senior Citizens in Western Visayas, as of August 26, has released P116.37 million in cash gifts to 14,555 octogenarians, nonagenarians and centenarians in Western Visayas under the Expanded Centenarians Act. PHOTO FROM LGU MAKATO

among the regions in the country with the most centenarians. “I take pride because I get to meet them, have stories documented; beautiful stories. We cry, we laugh, they have different secrets, but the most common is their strong faith and prayers,” she said. In addition to faith, their secrets to longer life include doing good deeds and eating vegetables and fish,

Power plant of senior wisdom

UR relatively young country is being powered by diverse natural sources of energy. Mainly, water, heat from deep earth, and natural gas. Hopefully, if we put our heads together, we can have energy from the sun and perhaps fossil fuel underneath our seas, and even from the mountains of waste and garbage rotting in our landfills. They are the power plants that generate electricity, which is vital to our progress. But there is a different kind of power in our midst that, if activated and properly harnessed, can be put to work to generate and produce another level of energy to boost our country’s progress. It’s easily accessible yet we choose to overlook and neglect this reservoir all these years. Let me call it “May Gulang Power Dam.” The sleeping power plant of Senior Wisdom. A fully charged reservoir of static or dormant energy that continuously drains and builds up year in and year out. It is there for the taking, just waiting to be plugged to the grid of our national life. Every year, thousands of Filipinos join the ranks of senior citizens. Many opt or are forced by law to go into retirement. These include retired corporate executives, lawyers, engineers, architects, doctors, public servants like judges, agency heads, and many more. Then there are seniors in the field of arts: painters, writers, theater and film actors and directors. They belong to an exclusive, privileged club because one has to be old to be a member. Given their deep and extensive life experiences, why push them to the side and allow them to waste their lives in obscurity? Why does it seem that the world has no use for them anymore? They are better seen than heard, treated with hypocritical, insincere respect. The

young and the ambitious go getters see them as “over the hill,” “jurassic,” “past their prime,” “washed out,” no longer productive and use-able but disposable and replace-able. Yet this annual stream of retirees going into the swelling ranks of the inactive or semi-active actually represent a dormant energy than can be turned into a kinetic force when switched on. They are a resource needed by our people, our leaders and policy makers, our corporate button pushers, as valuable as any technology or power plant, waiting to be tapped if only we’d take the time to truly listen. Our youth obsessed society will do well to tune into this humming, fluctuating frequency of deep, lived wisdom. Society must start looking at older people as priceless assets, not liabilities that cost money and effort. Their wisdom is not outdated—it is time-tested. Their stories are not old—they are gold. Their presence should not be a burden—it is a blessing. These lolos and lolas can take the young to the past, serving as a living bridge to history, providing context for current challenges that might otherwise seem unprecedented. There is an African proverb, “A day spent with an elder is a history lesson that cannot be taught in a classroom.” When you see an old man amble around a mall or park, that’s decades upon decades of experience and knowledge walking past by you. Advice and counsel from a retired professional or an executive can save the young professionals a lifetime of questioning. They have answers that would have otherwise taken decades for them to reach on

their own. The brains of retired professionals need to be picked on now before dementia creeps in and completely takes over their minds. Consider the insights they have gained from decades of personal and professional experiences. Their collective insights can help create a roadmap for adapting to change based on past experience. They’ve seen trends come and go, weathered storms literally and figuratively, and emerged with a nuanced and deeper understanding of human nature and social changes. For instance, young journalists and media commentators and analysts discuss our devastating series of floods as if they happened only today. Talk to a 75-year-old and he would tell you about floods and calamities that happened many years ago. He will tell you about “siyamsiyam” or “Beinte uno de Mayo” and so forth. Political wrangling? Corruption? He’s been there. He’s seen it all. This long view can help us understand the cyclical nature of

many issues we face today. Imagine them as a collective force that can energize the minds of our youth, our leaders and our technocrats, our experts, in the same way that a hydro power plant generates the electricity to light up our homes, power the machines of our commerce and industry. So, indulge me on this idea, even if it may be off the wall or too outside of the box. In France, there is an institution called The French Academy made up of around 300 members, prominent senior achievers chosen from among the most eminent specialists in France and abroad. The members of the Academy are known as the “Immortals” and have included many great names like Jean Racine, Voltaire, Victor Hugo,

although a few ate pork and beef. RA 11982 mandates the cash gift of P100,000 for centenarians and a letter of felicitation from the President of the Philippines congratulating the celebrant for his or her longevity, and P10,000 for those reaching the milestone ages. Last year, the office served 29,791 grantees, releasing more than P315 million in cash gifts to recipients. PNA

Henri Bergson, Claude Lévi-Strauss, Eugène Ionesco, Jacques Cousteau and many more. They represent the brain trust of France. In similar fashion, maybe we can organize some sort of a Collegium of Senior Wisdom consisting of an open community of seniors who feel they still have much to give to society. It would welcome every senior or elderly who wants to impart his/her learnings and accumulated wisdom to the present before leaving this life. It won’t be a fossilized institution but a camp of disciplined seniors, trained as resource persons to speak, educate, and inspire, ready to be deployed to places where their knowledge and expertise are needed, similar to Navy Seals, Rangers or Special Forces or Commandos. But instead of physical battles, they would be engaged in a battle against ignorance, mediocrity, against forgetting, against “puwede na” mindset. The point is to provide platforms and opportunities for this cadre of retired but mentally active senior citizens, including National Artists and other personalities to become resource persons on various subjects, including but not limited to the arts, the sciences, culture and history, sociology, climatology, and so on. If we can make this possible, seniors will never see retirement or age 60 as a dead end but as transitioning to another active productive phase of life, part of a power plant, humming with wisdom and intelligence, generating and bringing high kilowatts of knowledge to young people everywhere through lectures, seminars and workshops, lighting up their minds and infusing passion into their hearts. So never leave a senior outside the door. Invite him into the room and provide a prominent seat for him at the table. As someone said: “When we sit with the elderly, we sit with history, with wisdom, with stories that shaped the world. They are not burdens—they are bridges.” Listen intently, for he is downloading, sharing forward his accumulated wealth of wisdom. Someone’s tomorrow depends on the strength of his yesterday.

Saturday, September 5, 2026 • Editor: Gerard S. Ramos

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The Oatside story is about taste and many other things OATSIDE, which is Singapore’s first oat milk brand, is a favorite of Gen Z and young millennials. PHOTO FROM OATSIDE

F you come across someone’s video of making matcha or coffee on Instagram or TikTok, that person is likely using Oatside. Oatside is a big deal, online or offline. Supermarket restocks are a big deal. Unfortunately, there are also individuals who hoard Oatside and sell them online. Oatside, an oat milk brand founded in Singapore, caught the fancy of Gen Z and young millennials because of its quirky meme-friendly branding, playful campaigns, and a culture that appeals to those who are always online. For example, when Oatside stocks in Thailand ran out in 2023 due to its popularity, the brand went on Twitter to say “sorry for being too popular.” In 2025, Oatside partnered with phone accessories company Casetify on a limited-edition collection of tech accessories. The range featured customizable phone cases, AirPods cases and MacBook covers inspired by nostalgic school lockers, incorporating the Oatside Bearism mascot and playful designs. To celebrate Earth Day this year, Oatside teamed up with transit ticketing and travel card-related services website SimplyGo for a series of adorable EZ-Link charms. This year, Oatside also ventured into the soy milk category with a brand called Nobo Soy. Oatside being plant-based also appeals to Gen Z and millennials. The brand is the brainchild of Singaporean Benedict Lim who, during the pandemic, experimented by making his own oat milk at home using different ingredients and extraction processes to achieve distinct flavors and texture combinations. So, aside from these reasons, why is Oatside a cult favorite in Asia? Why is it a Gen Z pantry staple?

If you’ve noticed, Oatside, as a brand, never just talked about the it being healthy. The brand has always focused on taste. “We roast our oats instead of steaming them, which most people will never notice and we obsess over anyway. That’s the part that makes it creamy enough to earn a spot in your cup,” said Mario Dagdag, country head of Oatside Philippines. Behind every pour is what Oatside calls its “nerdgrade” approach. “‘Nerd Grade’ is just our way of admitting we think about oat milk more than any reasonable person should. Roast profiles, oat extraction, texture. We obsess over the details so people can simply enjoy a really good carton of oat milk,” said Dagdag. Oatside is also versatile. It’s not just for making coffee or matcha. I personally enjoy the chocolate flavor and drink it on its own. A friend’s pre-school

child brings this same flavor to school for snacking. Oatside also fits into Gen Z’s active routines. It makes a smooth, creamy base for blending protein powder, fruits, and nut butters into a smoothie. “The best compliment we can get is when Oatside just becomes part of someone’s routine—whether it’s in their morning coffee, over cereal or in a favourite recipe. That’s when we know we’ve done our job,” said Dagdag. Finally, Oatside has no gums or emulsifiers, and no added sugar. “The interesting thing isn’t that Filipinos tried oat milk—it’s that they kept at it. It’s quietly moved from the café menu into the weekly grocery run, and that only happens when people actually enjoy the thing, not just the idea of it,” said Dagdag. More information can be found at www.oatside.com, or its Facebook and Instagram social media pages.

Sony doubles down on class action lawsuit; says game ownership ‘impossible’ BY PATRICK VILLANUEVA GAMING used to be so simple. You buy a console, buy a disc, play the game, and you don’t have to think about losing access to it unless the physical disc gets destroyed, all because you own what you have paid for, and the company does not have a say about it. Fast forward to the present and one of the biggest gaming companies globally, Sony, is now facing a class action lawsuit that started in June 2026, in lieu of four plaintiffs stating that Sony employed deceptive practices with marketing digital goods as “purchases.” This practice, the plaintiffs argued, violated

California Law AB 2426, which states that the seller should have a warning label that “states in plain language that ‘buying’ or ‘purchasing’ the digital good is a license.” In Sony’s defense, they argued that digital games ownership is “impossible,” citing that they made it clear in their updated terms of services and end user license agreement that the games/software are “licensed, not sold.” “A reasonable user would have seen the terms of service above or directly below the action button, [with] the user unambiguously manifest[ing] assent to the terms of service, including the arbitration provision, and the terms and arbitration provision

were valid and binding,” their motion to dismiss said. They asserted that users have to “agree” to the SPLA (Services Provider License Agreement) before buying a PlayStation game, more specifically the updated PlayStation Terms in April 2026 that states in its section 1 that “the Software is licensed to you, not sold” which comes out during the checkout phase. “By selecting [the Confirm Purchase], you agree to complete the purchase in accordance with the PlayStation Terms of Service before using this content,” Sony wrote in their motion. “You further acknowledge that your purchase of this digital product amounts to a license subject to the Software Product License Agreement.”

Roblox taps parents to turn children’s screen time into learning, digital literacy BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES GLOBAL gaming and creator platform Roblox is encouraging parents to take a more active role in their children’s digital lives, arguing that gaming can become an avenue for learning when children are guided to explore coding, game design, creativity and critical thinking. Papri Dev, head of communications for Asia Pacific, Roblox, said the global gaming and creator platform is positioning parents not simply as monitors of their children’s screen time, but as partners who can help transform play into opportunities for developing skills that could eventually lead to careers in the digital economy. “Kids can actually learn while playing,” Dev said during the company’s first Unbox Roblox event in the Philippines, highlighting how young players can move from simply playing games to creating their own digital experiences. Dev said many Roblox creators started as young players who became curious about how games were made. Some eventually learned programming, designed their own games, built studios and reached audiences around the world. For parents, she said the challenge is to recognize that distinction between passive consumption and active creation. For example, Dev has created a program to make physics more engaging and eventually evolving into a user-generated platform where users can create and share their own experiences. Dev said the platform now offers Roblox Studio, a free development environment that allows users to build interactive worlds, games and other digital experiences. With this development, Dev said it provides young people with an accessible introduction to skills such as coding, game development, digital design, storytelling, problem-solving and collaboration. Estephan Millendez, Roblox developer engagement team for the Philippines, said the progression can start with something as simple as curiosity. A child playing a racing game, for example, may eventually wonder how the cars move or how the virtual environment was created. “That curiosity can lead the child to experiment with Roblox Studio and eventually learn the fundamentals of game development,” he said. The company highlighted several Filipino creators who followed a similar path—from players to developers and creators with global audiences. “Among them are developers who have created games played internationally, while other Filipino creators have produced user-generated virtual items inspired by local culture, including digital versions of the barong,” Millendez said. Roblox said these examples demonstrate how young people can move from being consumers of digital content to becoming creators of products and experiences. The company is also encouraging parents to explore Roblox’s educational content through its Learning Hub, which features experiences covering computer science, mathematics, science, geography, art and creativity, and life skills. The idea is to make learning more engaging by placing educational concepts in an environment that children already enjoy. The company said some young users have also used Roblox to develop their English vocabulary and communication skills. For parents, this creates an opportunity to connect their children’s interests with their education. Instead of simply telling a child to stop playing, parents could encourage them to explore experiences related to a subject they are studying or use their gaming interests as a starting point for learning. A child interested in dinosaurs could explore experiences related to paleontology. A student fascinated by computers could experiment with coding. Another interested in fashion could try designing virtual clothing. Founded in 2004 by David Baszucki and the late Erik Cassel, Roblox was created around the concept of combining physics-based play with creativity.

Apple introduces new chips for performance and AI capabilities MAC mini and Mac Studio got a fresh upgrade, with Apple debuting M6 and M5 Ultra chips, respectively, that provide extraordinary performance and AI capabilities. M6 for Mac mini boasts a 2-nanometer chip, capable of advanced computer block to deliver better performance across the board. It features a 12-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, and up to 170GB/s of unified memory bandwidth. It is designed to support workflows of students, hobbyists, and developers. It introduces a Dual 16-core Neural Engine, letting its computing power spike 2x more than previous generations to enhance its AI capacity.

The M6 has a brand-new 12-core CPU complex consisting of 2 super cores, 4 performance cores, and 6 efficiency cores. Apple dubs it the “world’s fastest single-threaded performance and up to 1.2x faster multithreaded performance as compared to the M5, and up to 2.4x faster than the M1.” It also delivers a 30 percent increase in peak GPU computation for AI as opposed to its predecessor with its 12-core GPU. Moreover, it offers advanced graphics capabilities, providing extreme visual realism, faster rendering, and higher frame rates with its shader core architecture, Dynamic Caching, and hardwareaccelerated ray tracing.

The M5 Ultra, on the other hand, was dubbed by Apple as its “most powerful chip ever.” It is designed for professionals who need the maximum CPU and GPU performance and united memory bandwidth. It provides advanced “complex 3D rendering, visual effects, scientific analysis, and running compute-intensive frontier AI models on device.” Meanwhile, it also has Ultrafusion, “connecting two dual-die M5 Max chips to form the quad-die architecture—a first for Apple silicon.” It increases interdie

bandwidth by 4.4TB/s. M5 Ultra can be upgraded to a 36-core CPU consisting of 12 supercores and 24 performance cores to deliver faster and better

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Editor: Gerard S. Ramos • Saturday, September 5, 2026

Nubia Neo 5 GT Special Edition: A splash of RedMagic for less Globe earns five HR Excellence, Stevie Awards for people and workplace programs COMMINICATIONS giant Globe has earned five honors at the HR Excellence Awards and the 2026 Stevie Awards for Great Employers, recognizing its people programs and HR leaders. The awards highlight the company’s extensive work in employee advocacy, career mobility, workforce initiatives and internal communications. “These awards are meaningful because they recognize the work our teams are doing to make the employee experience better. But the real measure of our progress is whether our people feel supported, see opportunities ahead of them, and know they can continue to grow here,” said Renato “Ato” Jiao, Globe chief human resource officer. “We will keep listening to Ka-Globe and improving the way we support them at different points in their careers. There is still a lot of work to do, and that pushes us to keep building a workplace where our people can grow, contribute and do their best to build value everyday,” he added. At the HR Excellence Awards, a regional awards program that recognizes outstanding HR practices and programs across Asia, Globe received Bronze for Excellence in Addressing Urban Workforce Challenges, and Excellence in Employee Advocacy and Brand Ambassadors. The awards recognize efforts to respond to changing employee needs and give Ka-Globe more opportunities to share their experiences and perspectives. Globe also earned three honors at the 2026 Stevie Awards for Great Employers, an international competition recognizing achievements in human resources and the workplace. JL Benedict Gutierrez, senior expert for EVP and employer branding, won Gold for Internal Communications Professional of the Year, while Paul Constantino, Manager for HR Tech and Process, received Gold for Human Resources Professional of the Year. Globe also received Bronze for Achievement in Career Mobility. Behind these awards are programs and practices that employees experience throughout their careers at Globe. These include opportunities to explore roles across the organization, develop new skills and pursue different career paths without having to look outside the company. Championing employee voices is an integral part on how Globe continues to shape its dynamic culture. By giving Ka-Globe more avenues to share their stories and experiences, the company provides current and prospective talent with a more authentic view of life at Globe. The five awards recognize Globe’s progress across key areas of its people practices. Each provides a distinct measure of the company’s efforts to strengthen its workplace and culture. More importantly, they reflect Globe’s continuing commitment to creating programs and experiences that make a meaningful difference in the careers and everyday lives of Ka-Globe. More information can be found at www.globe.com.ph.

HE nubia Neo 5 GT 5G Special Edition makes no effort to hide where it picked up its newest trick. Place it beside the RedMagic 11 Pro and the resemblance is easy to spot, particularly from the back, where both phones turn their cooling hardware into part of the design. RedMagic is nubia’s flagship gaming brand, built for players who demand top-level performance and are prepared for the equally demanding price. The Neo series, on the other hand, is more accommodating and aimed at people who play regularly, want proper gaming features, but are not yet ready to spend flagship money. The Neo 5 GT Special Edition sits somewhere between those two groups. It keeps the midrange processor and familiar features of the regular Neo 5 GT, then borrows one of RedMagic’s more interesting ideas: an active liquid-cooling system that you can actually see. I have the Surge Black model, which I think shows the blue liquid beneath the transparent section of the rear panel better. It gives the phone more character than a printed pattern or another strip of RGB lighting and makes this version look substantially premium.

SO WHAT IS AQUACORE?

MOST phones manage heat using graphite sheets and a vapor chamber, which spread heat away from the processor so it does not remain concentrated in one small area. Although manufacturers frequently describe this as “liquid cooling,” a vapor chamber is a sealed, passive component and does not have a pump visibly circulating coolant through the phone. AquaCore takes a more active approach. The nubia Neo 5 GT 5G Special Edition uses a small piezoelectric micropump to move non-conductive coolant through a three-layer internal structure. The liquid carries heat away from the main components, while the built-in fan moves air through a dedicated duct to help release it. The phone still uses graphite and a vapor chamber, so the circulating liquid does not replace everything else. The coolant transports heat, the graphite and vapor chamber distribute it across a wider area, and the fan maintains airflow through the phone. The regular Neo 5 GT already had a built-in fan and a total heat-dissipation area of 29,508mm². The Special Edition adds the active liquid loop and expands that area to 33,652mm², an increase of roughly 14 percent. According to nubia, it is the first phone in its class to combine active liquid and air cooling in this manner. I rarely play continuously for more than a couple of hours, but the difference was still noticeable. Unlike some gaming phones I have tested, the Neo 5 GT Special Edition remained relatively cool, with only a slight buildup of heat after a couple of hours playing. It never became uncomfortably hot in my hands, which matters more to me than another benchmark score.

HOW DOES IT PLAY? performance than the M3 Ultra by up to 1.3x. Graphics is its main selling point, featuring a next-generation GPU with up to 80 cores. “The GPU includes Apple’s latest shader core with second-generation Dynamic Caching, as well as hardware-accelerated mesh shading and third-generation ray tracing, delivering up to 40 percent faster graphics performance than M3 Ultra.” “Today, we’re debuting the next giant leap in performance and AI compute for Apple silicon with the incredibly advanced M6 and the most powerful M-series chip yet, M5 Ultra,” said Sri Santhanam, Apple’s vice president of the Silicon Engineering Group. PATRICK VILLANUEVA

THE Special Edition uses the same MediaTek Dimensity 7400 as the regular Neo 5 GT. It comes with 12GB of physical RAM and another 12GB of virtual memory, which nubia markets as up to 24GB Dynamic RAM. The NeoTurbo Engine also manages processing and memory resources to help keep frame rates stable while gaming. Those specifications place it firmly in the midrange, which means it should not be judged by how far it can push every graphics slider in the most demanding games. I was more interested in whether it could provide a smooth and dependable experience in the titles most people regularly play. Mobile Legends presented no major difficulty, with matches remaining smooth and controls responding promptly. Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile were also enjoyable at appropriate settings, without serious

lag getting in the way of a match. Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves demand considerably more from the processor. Both were playable at sensible settings, although a few frame drops appeared when scenes became busier or more effects filled the screen. These moments never made either game unplayable, but setting everything to maximum would be asking too much from the Dimensity 7400. For my kind of gaming— which means playing for enjoyment rather than measuring every frame with professional monitoring equipment—the Neo 5 GT Special Edition did its job well.

TRIGGER HAPPY

THERE is a reason nubia Neo phones have become popular among FPS players: the 550Hz Neo Triggers 5.0. The triggers are already available on the regular Neo 5 GT, but they remain one of the best reasons to choose this phone over an ordinary midrange model. The two touch-sensitive areas along the shoulder frame can be assigned to different on-screen controls. For Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile, I assigned one trigger to aim and the other to fire. This leaves both thumbs available for movement and camera control while clearing some of the virtual buttons from the display. Nubia claims hardware latency of less than 5.5 milliseconds. The triggers can also be assigned to skills or frequently used commands in Mobile Legends and other games, although shooting games benefit most from having two additional controls along the frame. A 6.8-inch 1.5K Amoled display provides plenty of room for controls, maps and menus, while the 144Hz refresh rate keeps supported games and everyday navigation smooth. The stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra produce surprising loud volume for casual gaming, while the X-axis linear motor provides stronger feedback for supported actions. Headphones remain preferable for competitive shooters, where footsteps and directional audio matter, but the built-in speakers are perfectly usable when playing around the house.

FLAT ON ITS BACK

ANOTHER design feature I appreciate on the Neo 5 GT models is the completely flat back. There is no raised camera island pressing against the fingers during horizontal play, and the phone remains steady when placed on a table. Speaking of cameras, while photography isn’t its main focus, its 50MP main camera is capable enough for everyday snapshots, food photos and quick social media posts, particularly with good lighting. It can also record video at up to 4K. It also has a decent 16MP selfie camera. Nubia includes a 90-degree charging cable so the connector does not protrude directly into the palm while playing. The 80W wall charger also comes in the package, allowing owners to use the phone’s full charging speed without buying another adapter. The 6,210mAh dual-cell battery is large enough for gaming mixed with messaging, social media, photography and watching videos. Actual endurance will depend on screen brightness, refresh rate, game settings and cooling mode, but in my daily use, the phone easily survived a day of work accompanied by a few hours of test gaming. For those who cannot put the phone down even when it needs to recharge, bypass charging will be useful. Instead of repeatedly charging the battery while the game is generating heat, power can be supplied directly to the phone. This reduces the additional thermal load on the battery and may help preserve its condition over time.

IS IT SPECIAL ENOUGH?

THE nubia Neo 5 GT 5G Special Edition does not bring a new processor, battery, display or camera system. Its defining upgrade is AquaCore, accompanied by a larger cooling area and a redesigned back that allows the moving liquid to become part of the phone’s appearance. At ₱26,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version, I would have liked to see a few other “special” additions alongside the improved cooling. The Dimensity 7400 performs well when expectations and graphics settings are kept realistic, but it remains the same processor found in the less expensive regular model. Rising component costs make the price increase easier to understand, but still difficult to accept. Still, the phone does not need maximum graphics settings to be enjoyable. Mobile Legends, Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile suit it particularly well, while Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves remain playable with settings adjusted to match the hardware. The responsive shoulder triggers have a more noticeable effect on gameplay than many headline specifications, while AquaCore helps the phone maintain its performance during longer sessions without becoming uncomfortably hot. If the price has been holding you back, the upcoming 9.9 sale may provide a better opportunity to consider it. Nubia Philippines is bringing the Neo 5 Series into its NEOverse 9.9 MAXXING campaign, with discounts, vouchers, freebies and limited-time offers available through its official TikTok Shop, Shopee and Lazada stores while promotional stocks last. Selected products will come with up to four freebies, which may include a phone cooler, mini fan, charging cable and a three-month Viu Premium subscription, depending on the device and promotion. Selected Neo 5 Series products will also be included in special 9.9 offers, including a limited ₱99 deal on Shopee. Since stocks and mechanics will vary, check the specific listing before completing a purchase. Actress Sanya Lopez will headline the NEOverse 9.9 MAXXING Live Fest on September 8 at 7 pm, marking her first live-selling appearance with nubia Philippines. The stream will run through nubia’s official TikTok and Shopee channels.

A8 Saturday, September 5, 2026

Education BusinessMirror

Editor: Mike Policarpio

DepEd boosts partnerships to ensure safe and supportive learning spaces

HE Department of Education (DepEd) is ensuring secure and nurturing learning spaces through active, enhanced collaboration with various agencies and partners. This initiative reflects President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s emphasis on the crucial role of all sectors in safeguarding the youth. Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara discussed with Marcos Jr. the department’s steps to further strengthen school safety and preparedness in dealing with threats to the security of Filipino students. “Checking in on our learners is an inherent strength of our educators, [especially the class advisers that they interact with every day],” said Angara. “Following President Bongbong Marcos’ mandate, we must ensure that our teachers truly know their learners, who do not just teach, but also actively check on their learners’ well-being.” On strengthening prevention and preparation in schools, DepEd noted the need to increase school surveillance, such as installing CCTVs and metal detectors. The department also encouraged conducting national and localized

school drills and classroom-based discussions on child protection. In line with this, a Nationwide School Safety Drill was set on August 25 as part of DepEd’s continued strengthening of safety and preparedness in schools. This also aligns with the president’s directive for safer learning environments. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in school clubs and organizations. Parents and guardians are also advised to join the Parent Engagement Program led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). To further protect and support learners, the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline is ready to listen, support, and assist learners and parents. In partnership with the National Center for Mental Health, DepEd continues to strengthen counseling, referrals, and access to professional support. The Education Department is also expanding peer counseling pro-

FOR Enderun, creating a genuinely safe learning environment calls for a holistic approach.

Phil. schools are rethinking student safety, as belonging becomes a higher education priority

R grams in schools with the Department of Health, DSWD, and guidance counselor associations. The program aims to empower youth to be more active partners in reaching out, listening, and understanding their fellow students to create a

safer, more caring, and supportive school environment. Meanwhi le, DepEd is a lso strengthening coordination with the Philippine National Police and local authorities to ensure learners' safety. Jimmyley Guzman/PIA-NCR

SECURITY CHECK Students queue up

outside Davao City National High School on August 20, enduring the heat for a security check before entering the school premises. The measure ensures the safety of students and school staff. PNA/ROBINSON NIÑAL JR.

FEATI U is focused on reinforcing its brand as it turns 80

ARKING its 80th year, FEATI University’s leadership is looking to the future while remaining firmly anchored on the vision of its founders, Salvador and Doña Victoria Lopez-Araneta. In an exclusive interview with BusinessMirror, university president Dr. Susan Gallardo said the institution’s next phase will focus on preserving its legacy as a technology- and engineering-oriented university while strengthening the quality of education, research, industry partnerships and its graduates’ competitiveness. “When I took over, I already mentioned my vision for FEATI University,” she said. “We would like to keep the legacy of the founders.” A key part of that effort is improving the university’s faculty. FEATI has begun a series of faculty development programs, including training on outcomes-based education as the university prepares for accreditation. Dr. Gallardo said the university is also encouraging faculty members to pursue doctoral degrees, attend conferences, and publish research in reputable journals. The goal is not only to improve teaching but also to create a stronger research culture.

Academic Affairs vice president Dr. Evelyn Creencia said the university is reviving research collaborations through the University Belt Consortium, including projects involving the rehabilitation of the Pasig River and its tributaries. “Previous initiatives focused on monitoring the health of esteros and creeks, while future projects could explore proven technologies for water rehabilitation and waste management,” said Dr. Creencia. She said FEATI also plans to make its research center more active and establish an in-house science and technology journal. A research forum in December will allow faculty members to present their work and gain confidence in sharing their research. According to Dr. Gallardo, the university hopes these activities will eventually lead to more collaborative research and funding applications from the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Science and Technology.

Raising academic, industry standards ANOTHER priority is boosting student performance in professional licensure exams.

Dr. Gallardo shared that FEATI is looking at integrating board examination preparation into the curriculum, particularly during students’ final year. The objective is to ensure that students are adequately prepared before graduation. Dr. Creencia said the university is also strengthening its links with industry and alumni. Industry practitioners and alumni working in relevant sectors are being brought into curriculum reviews to ensure that programs reflect the skills employers need. Laboratory facilities are likewise being upgraded, particularly for specialized programs such as railway engineering, according to Dr. Gallardo. FEATI is seeking government recognition for its railway engineering program, which Dr. Gallardo said could eventually make the university the first institution in the country to offer an engineering degree specifically focused on railways, distinct from railway technology programs. Engr. Eulalio Creencia, the university’s director for development, compliance and accreditation services, said the university has also established partnerships with Japanese railway institutions. A train from

Metro Tokyo has been brought to the FEATI campus for learning purposes, while faculty members and students have received training in Japan. “We would be applying for three ISO categories: ISO 9100 [for quality management], ISO 21001 [for educational organization management], and ISO 2727001 [for information systems],” said Engr. Creencia. As the Philippines expands its railway infrastructure, Dr. Gallardo said FEATI sees a pathway to develop engineers supportive of the country’s future rail systems. “Beyond railways, the university is strengthening programs in aircraft maintenance, aerospace, marine engineering and marine transportation,” according to Dr. Gallardo. “It is also exploring naval architecture, mechatronics, robotics, artificial intelligence and data analytics,” said Engr. Creencia.

Digital, globally competitive FEATI is preparing an artificial intelligence policy as it trains faculty members to use AI tools. The university is also developing proposed programs in artificial intelligence and data analytics. Engr. Creencia said the university

ECENT incidents involving dangers in Philippine educational institutions have intensified conversations around campus safety, prompting schools to reexamine how they protect and support students. Discussions often center on physical security measures such as emergency response systems and campus protocols. However, educators are also recognizing another important dimension of student safety: a stronger sense of belonging and connection within the campus community. Around the world, higher education institutions are increasingly recognizing that student success extends beyond academics. Research consistently shows that students who feel connected to their peers, mentors, and campus community are more likely to stay engaged, develop leadership skills, persist in their studies, and report higher levels of overall well-being. According to the 2025 EDUCAUSE Students and Technology Report, students are placing greater value on digital platforms that make campus life easier to navigate, connect them with opportunities, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Gallup research has similarly found that meaningful relationships and active participation in campus life play a significant role in shaping positive student experiences. These findings have prompted many universities globally to look beyond classrooms and lecture halls when designing the student experience. Student engagement is increasingly viewed not simply as participation in extracurricular activities but as an important component of institutional culture, helping create campuses where students feel seen, supported, and encouraged to contribute. In the Philippines, this conversation is only beginning to gain momentum. While institutions continue investing

in academic excellence and campus security, education leaders are also exploring new ways to encourage participation, strengthen relationships, and build more connected learning communities. Some institutions have begun experimenting with digital approaches that encourage greater involvement in campus life. For example, at Enderun Colleges, students are recognized for participating in organizations, leadership initiatives, volunteer work, and campus events through the Enderun App—a digital platform designed to encourage engagement beyond the classroom. Rather than functioning solely as an information portal, the platform seeks to make participation more visible and accessible while helping students discover opportunities across campus. “The goal has always been to make every student interaction meaningful,” said Enderun Colleges alumnus and Enderun app developer Joey Tuason. “Learning doesn’t stop after class: Valuable experiences happen through leadership, volunteer work, collaboration, competitions, and simply being active community members.” As institutions rethink what it means to prepare students for success, they are also reimagining what it means to create campuses where every learner feels valued—and safe. Many educators believe the conversation can no longer focus solely on physical security measures. Emergency preparedness, safer campus infrastructure, and stronger safety protocols remain essential. But creating a genuinely safe learning environment requires a holistic approach. The recent national conversation is a reminder that protecting lives during moments of crisis does not mean student safety. It should be about cultivating environments where students feel connected, supported, and confident to participate in campus life.

is looking at the intersection of robotics, electronics, electrical engineering, and mechatronics. For him, these initiatives are part of a broader effort to ensure that their graduates are globally competitive and employable both in the Philippines and overseas. The university’s director said they are simultaneously preparing for several accreditation and certification initiatives. These include Philippine university accreditation, ISO certifications, and international engineering accreditation under the Washington Accord framework. “These would improve our students’ employability,” Dr. Gallardo said. She noted that international standards can help demonstrate that FEATI’s graduates are prepared to compete with their counterparts abroad.

newsletters about its programs, faculty, and achievements. “The goal is to restore [our university]’s identity as a leading institution for engineering, technology and innovation,” she said. “After 80 years, [we’re] still here.” The FEATI president underscored the university’s determination to regain the visibility it once enjoyed. For her, however, the institution’s renewal goes beyond facilities, programs, and branding. FEATI also wants to develop graduates who are academically capable, professionally prepared, and committed to nation-building. She said the university’s values education and character formation programs are intended to develop students as “whole persons,” instilling not only technical competence but also patriotism and a desire to contribute to the Philippines. The university’s leadership is therefore framing its next chapter around a simple premise: one FEATI, one direction. Rather than expanding into provincial campuses, Dr. Gallardo said the priority is to revitalize the main campus and strengthen its academic foundation. “The long-term goal is to bring FEATI back to where it once stood while preparing it for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy,” said the university president. “We hope to continue the legacy of the pioneers: to…give quality education in all its entirety and be involved in nation-building.” Rizal Raoul S. Reyes

Rebuilding the FEATI brand WHILE academic modernization is central to the university’s plans, FEATI also recognizes the need to rebuild public awareness of the institution. Dr. Gallardo acknowledged that some people have mistakenly assumed that FEATI was no longer operating. To address this, the university established a marketing, communications, and branding office and has begun strengthening its digital presence. The university plans to revive its publications and increase its social media activities while producing more news and

Tourism&Entertainment SAIGON’S NEW MORNING BusinessMirror

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Saturday, September 5, 2026 A9

The captivating contrasts of Ho Chi Minh City

ing the effects of Agent Orange. At the Reunification Palace, old offices, basement rooms, and gates recall the final days of South Vietnam in 1975. The city was shaped by war and reunification, but it has also emerged as a center of trade, migration, and a lively informal economy. This can be seen in the ordinary routines of people working, selling, commuting, praying, and raising families in a city that has learned to move with its fastchanging pace.

Story & photos by Joel C. Paredes

O CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam— Ho Chi Minh did not live to see the country he helped lead through war finally reunited under one flag.

A GLIMPSE into the city's captivating contrasts. The revered revolutionary leader died on September 2, 1969, the date Vietnam later chose for its Independence Day. In the old Saigon that now bears his name, the transformation shaped by the people’s struggle for liberation remains visible in its old boulevards, crowded streets, temples, book stalls, cafés, and the constant flow of motorbikes that defines the modern city. I returned to Saigon a year after meeting writer Nguyen Ngoc Ha. Her recollections of the old city, briefly told in Tales of Saigon, stayed with me. But this story comes largely from what I saw on the streets: a busy, restless city that still carries its past, along with a faster pace of daily life and visible signs of a more modern, daring lifestyle among the younger generation. Even the Central Market, a mustvisit site for local and foreign visitors and known for its underground flea market, was closed during the first week of August this year after the government took over the land for redevelopment. That shift is not surprising in a socialist system where the state plays a dominant role in land ownership and the local economy.

Sa igon wa s ren a med Ho C h i Minh City after national reunification in 1976, a year after North V i e t n a m e s e c o m mu n i s t f o rc e s captured the former South Vietnamese capital on April 30, 1975. The old name, however, remains familiar in people’s daily lives. Ho Chi Minh, known to many Vietnamese as Uncle Ho, remains central to that story. He led the struggle for independence against colonial rule and became the symbol of a nation determined to free itself from foreign control. The city’s new name marked not only a political change but also the start of a long effort to rebuild Vietnam after decades of conflict. Near the city center, Saigon’s Notre Dame Cathedral remains one of the city’s most familiar landmarks. Its red-brick walls and twin towers continue to draw churchgoers and visitors, even as restoration work goes on. The cathedral also shows how religious faith remains part of public life in Vietnamese society. The city is also easy to explore on foot, especially around the central district and along routes leading toward Chinatown. Locals say Saigon’s

Leaving the bloody era behind

SERVING up pho and banh mi right on the streets.

THE centrally located facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral undergoing massive renovation.

A CLOSER look at the old Notre-Dame Cathedral.

BOOK Street has emerged as a favorite tourist hangout.

MOTORCYCLES dominate the city streets. Chinatown is among the largest outside mainland China, though Manila’s Binondo is older. Despite the warm weather and sudden rains, much like Metro Manila during the wet season, the streets near the city center are easy to explore. Many have wide sidewalks lined with shops, cafés, hotels, and travel offices—a clear sign of a tourism boom in a city that draws a large share of Vietnam’s foreign visitors.

Not cheap, but affordable LOCALS do not always describe the tourist areas as cheap. The better word, they say, is affordable. That distinction helps explain why Saigon continues to attract visitors from across Southeast Asia and beyond.

A STRIKING remnant of French architecture. The clearest sign of modern Saigon is on the road. Motorbikes, scooters, and cars move almost without pause. Crossing the street takes patience and nerve, while sidewalks fill with vendors, parked motorcycles, small eateries, and people going about their day. Yet the city is not defined only by new buildings. Classic French and Vietnamese structures still stand, even as modern towers rise in the business districts. Saigon became the economic capital of French Indochina in the late 19th century. At dusk, Bui Vien Walking Street turns into a strip of music, food stalls, bars, and backpackers. Its noise and crowds stand in sharp contrast to the quieter Saigon preserved in old photographs and personal memories.

A STRIKING remnant of French architecture. Vietnam’s changing economy can also be seen in its vehicles. Older residents still remember La Dalat, a locally assembled car from the 1960s and 1970s. Today, VinFast electric vehicles have become a source of national pride, even as motorbikes and scooters remain the everyday choice for many city residents. Still, the most telling scenes are simple: readers under the trees on Book Street, visitors posing outside colonial buildings, families riding together on scooters, and vendors working through the heat. Saigon also carries many reminders of the war. At the War Remnants Museum, visitors see military equipment, photographs, and exhibits on the human cost of the conflict, includ-

W HILE Sa igon rem a i ns t ied to its colonial past, it is also busy with the demands of the present. Nguyen’s book offers a small opening into the past. On Book Street, she is among the writers who return to a place where printed books still draw readers. The stalls carry titles on Vietnam’s history, culture, and everyday life, even as the city around them becomes more dependent on mobile phones and digital communication. Nguyen also recalled a time when letters carried news between families and friends who lived apart. But that world in the old city has largely faded. Today, the Central Post Office is used mainly for official documents and parcels, while much of the building now looks like a large department store for souvenirs. On our visit to the Mekong Delta near Vietnam’s Cambodian border, we saw part of the watery maze of canals and swamps where U.S. and South Vietnamese forces once encountered Viet Cong fighters using guerrilla tactics in thick mangroves and darkness. The war left long-term environmental damage, including the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical herbicide used to destroy enemy food crops and forest cover. Today, the delta is known as the rice bowl of southern Vietnam and a source of rice for export, including to the Philippines. It is also a place where visitors can see farming, aquaculture, river trade, and the religious life of communities living close to the water. A journey through Ho Chi Minh City—the old Saigon—shows how deeply the struggle against foreign domination shaped modern Vietnam. The road was painful and tragic, but it also led to reunification, recovery, and the city of captivating contrasts visitors encounter today.

All that’s blue in Chefchaouen

Story & photos by Joshua Berida

WAS already in Northern Morocco for a few days. I figured that visiting Chefchaouen would be a good idea because it’s only a few hours away from Tangier (where I stayed). I considered spending a few days in Chefchaouen, but I was in the country for such a short time and would like to visit other places. I settled on doing a day trip. I knew that wasn’t enough; however, it would still be a great “reconnaissance” trip if I ever returned.

The Blue City

A BRIEF overview of Chechaouen in bullets: n It is located in the Rif mountain range. n A warrior named Abū Youma founded it as a holy city in the mid-15th century. n The moors used it as their refuge after their expulsion from Spain. n Spain occupied it in 1920. n The Spaniards returned the city to Morocco in the 1950s. n It’s blue almost everywhere. The information above might be useful whenever an influencer walks up to you and asks about geography with US$100 as a prize. The drive to the blue city was scenic

The first thing you’ll notice in Chefchaouen is how blue things are.

with views of the mountains, hills, and countryside. Our group arrived at our destination. I was unsure if it was low season or it just so happened that there weren’t a lot of other tourists. There are a few stories as to why many of the buildings in Chefchaouen have a blue hue. One of the narratives was that the Sephardic Jews in the city brought their tradition of painting things blue with them when they fled the Spanish Inquisition centuries ago. For Jews, Blue symbolized

the heavens and sky. As we weaved in and out of narrow paths and alleys, we noticed that some of the buildings, shops and houses were a mix of white and blue, some of which were only half painted. Our guide pointed out that Jews and Muslims lived together in Chefchaouen before. To distinguish their houses, the Jews used blue plaint for their homes while the Muslims used white paint for theirs. Although currently there are no more Jews living in the city, the tradition lived on. Locals repaint their walls, buildings, and homes to maintain the vibrant colors the city is famous for. The whole city gave off an artsy vibe. Several corners looked like a great spot for a photo op with either a blue wall (or door) or a mural as a background. The old city didn’t have the grand mosques (like the ones I saw in Iran and Malaysia) I expected to see; however, the narrow, winding streets and alleys, ancient buildings and structures, and its historic atmosphere made up for it. The balance of the white and vibrant blue walls with a sprinkle of color (exemplified by the shops selling trinkets, ceramics and paintings, and murals) allowed my thoughts and imagination to linger. What was life like here three centuries ago? How could teenagers at that time survive without TikTok and smartphones? These questions were a

EXPLORE the narrow streets lined with shops, paintings, and vibrant blue houses.

CHILL at a square after walking around.

CHEFCHAOUEN has nice, little spots that serve as perfect backgrounds.

A NICE stroll around the old city will do you good.

couple of the things that crossed my mind. The squares at the center of the zigzagging streets served as rest and dining hubs for weary travelers or locals. After an hour or so of haggling with shopkeepers and/or hundreds of photos, you can sit down, drink tea, or grab something to eat before doing it all over again. The main square Plaza Uta

el-Hammam is a lively spot surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. A day is always never enough when visiting a new destination, but I did get a feel for what Chefchaouen is, a little bit of it. It’s exciting to think of a return trip and to visit other cities in Morocco; concretizing my imagination with details such as visiting Rick’s Café

in Casablanca (a recreation of the fictional bar from Humphrey Bogart’s movie), haggling and pretending interest in buying from a shop in Marrakech, getting lost in Fez’s medina, and riding a camel along the dunes of the Sahara Desert. But for now, I’ll let these thoughts simmer in my head until the next time.

A10 Saturday, September 5, 2026

TheWorld

2 trapped workers rescued alive from Nepal tunnel By Shristi Kafle & Sheikh Saaliq

The Associated Press

ATHMANDU, Nepal— Rescuers in Nepal pulled two workers alive from a hydropower tunnel Friday as emergency teams continued an operation to reach others believed to be trapped inside, officials said. The two men were rescued from the Trishuli 3A tunnel nine days after f loods, likely caused by a glacier collapse, devastated towns and swept away villages

in Nepal on August 26. Nepalese lawmaker Shri Ram Neupane posted about the second rescue on his Facebook page shortly after army spokesperson Brig.

SOLDIERS rescue a worker alive from a tunnel during an ongoing operation at the Trishuli-3A hydropower project in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, Friday, September 4. NEPAL ARMY VIA AP

Gen. Raja Ram Basnet confirmed the first trapped worker’s rescue. Officials identified the two men as a mechanical foreman and a mechanical supervisor. Local television news channels showed images of the first

rescued worker covered in mud and being carried from the site on a rescuer’s shoulder. Both men were under medical observation, the officials said. At least 557 workers are missing from the Trishuli 3A hydro-

power project along the Trishuli River, with about 115 believed to be trapped in the main tunnel, according to the Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal. Officials present at the rescue site said rescuers believe some people may still be alive inside the tunnel. Nepal’s Communication Minister Bikram Timilsina said officials remain hopeful that more workers will be rescued. “We are waiting for the rescue of more and more people,” Timilsina wrote on his Facebook page. At least 1,259 people were killed in the floods and more than 5,000 remain missing, according to the country’s disaster management agency. China, as of late Wednesday, said 21 people were killed and 541 were missing on the Tibet side of the border. About 900 workers are missing from 12 hydropower projects in Nepal, with roughly 500 believed to be trapped in tunnels, according to local authorities.

Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Body of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic flown to Serbia for funeral

ELGRADE, Serbia—The body of the former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic, who died last week while serving a life sentence for genocide and other atrocities during the war in Bosnia, was flown to Serbia from The Hague, Netherlands, on a government plane on Thursday. Serbian army soldiers carried the coffin with Mladic’s body that was wrapped in the national flag from the plane to a van in a ceremony that was broadcast live on the pro-government Informer television. Serbia’s Justice Minister Nenad Vujic was on the plane along with Mladic’s son Darko Mladic and Mladic’s former military associates, according to the same source. The report said that the body was transferred to the military hospital in Belgrade for an autopsy. Mladic was sentenced in 2017 to life imprisonment for orchestrating the massacre of more than 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995; the yearslong siege of Bosnian capital of Sarajevo during the 1992-95 conflict; and other war crimes, including setting up concentration camps for detained non-Serb civilians and enemy soldiers. AP

TheWorld

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Trump turns to economic, military approach to squeeze Iran By Matthew Lee, Samy Magdy & Farnoush Amiri The Associated Press

ASHINGTON—Confronted by an intransigent Iranian government that has refused to back down in the face of a massive military campaign, President Donald Trump appears to have settled on a dual-prong approach that combines economic pressure with the potential of a devastating escalation in force. Having launched “Operation Economic Outcast” just last week to try to isolate Iran from its remaining global trade partners, the Trump administration also resumed strikes in recent days, prompting Iranian retaliation that has renewed concerns of an all-out regional war. However, the combination of already intense sanctions on Iran and an off-andon bombing campaign since the war began more than six months ago has not bowed the Iranian leadership and has left the administration struggling to find a way to wind down the conflict. Tehran has dug in its heels—to Trump’s frustration—as energy prices rise, the global economy roils and poll numbers on the administration’s handling of the war dip ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections. Trump said Wednesday that he didn’t think the conflict would last “much longer,” but he again shrugged off suggestions that its unpopularity and high gasoline prices resulting from Iran’s chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz would affect the elections for Republicans. “It doesn’t matter. And I’m not affected by the election,” he told reporters. “I’m not running. But my party is running, and I’m going to help my party. But I think my party respects the fact that we’re not allowing Iran to have a nuclear weapon.” A regional diplomat briefed on the matter described the current impasse between Tehran and Washington as reflective of both countries’ domestic priorities: the midterm elections for Trump and Republicans and the internal crises within Iran. Domestic issues are critical reasons why neither side is willing to blink first, said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive negotiations.

Brazil execs express indignation at EU’s decision halting imports of Brazilian goods By Mauricio Savarese

The Associated Press

ÃO PAULO—Brazil’s government and the country’s exporters of meat, poultry, eggs, honey and other animal products scrambled Thursday after a European Union deadline expired, triggering a suspension of imports over concerns about the use of antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs in livestock. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s agriculture ministry said Thursday that it would consider reciprocal measures if a satisfactory solution is not reached. “ Bra z i l i a n aut hor it ies e x-

pressed their indignation at the lack of dialogue before the measure was adopted,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the suspension “does not match the depth of the strategic partner-

The Associated Press

ARSAW, Poland—Russia will close German cultural centers on its territory, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday in a retaliatory measure reflecting the deepening tensions between Moscow and European countries that are helping Ukraine resist the Kremlin’s four-and-a-half-year-old invasion. Lavrov’s announcement came after Berlin blamed Moscow for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4. The explosives-laden drone was found near a Ukrainian plane at the airport, a major international freight hub used for providing support to Ukraine. The drone was later defused. Earlier Thursday in Munich, several incendiary devices were thrown at a construction site near a building where several companies, including from the defense sector, are located, the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office said. There was a brief fire that caused no significant damage, police said, adding they suspect the target was one of the companies in the area. Two Bulgarian nationals were arrested, police said, but their suspected involvement was not confirmed. Western officials have repeatedly accused Moscow of conducting a campaign of

ship between Brazil and the EU.” The EU announced the suspension Tuesday, with the measure taking effect two days later. Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, shipped about 108,000 tons of beef worth about $1 billion to the EU in 2025, according to government figures. The bloc announced in May that Brazil would be removed from its list of countries authorized to export certain animal products to the bloc, arguing that Brazil had failed to provide sufficient guarantees that its livestock production meet EU standards against antibiotic growth promoters and other restricted drugs. The Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, ABIEC, which provides technical support to the government in negotiations with the EU, said the move was concerning for local producers and failed to recognize what it described as the quality of Brazilian

beef exports to 170 countries. “Brazilian beef will continue to be sold in the markets for which it is authorized, but there is no automatic substitute for the European market, since different destinations require distinct products and cuts,” said ABIEC in a statement. The Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil sent a document late Wednesday signed by its chairman to Brazil’s foreign ministry saying that the EU suspension “results in the clear nullification and impairment of trade benefits legitimately expected by Brazil.” The Brazilian confederation added that the EU failed to consider the rigor of Brazil’s health inspection system and needed to make amends for such a trade imbalance. In its Thursday statement, the agriculture ministry said Brazil “reserves the right to resort to appropriate instruments to en-

sure balanced trade conditions, including reciprocity measures provided for under the national legal framework, as well as relevant mechanisms established in the Mercosur-European Union agreement and the multilateral trading system.” The EU did not respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press. European Commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said on Tuesday that a new list of countries that comply with EU rules on antimicrobials would take effect September 3, which triggered the case against Brazil. Meat imports have been a major source of European opposition to the free trade agreement signed in January between the EU and Mercosur, a trade bloc comprising Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Brazil is the only Mercosur member affected by the EU suspension.

US added 65,000 jobs, but pay gains are meager By Paul Wiseman

AP Economics Writer

ASHINGTON—The US Labor Department is expected to report Friday that the American job market bounced back last month from a dismal July, even though jobseekers continue to struggle and pay gains are slight. And the employment outlook remains clouded by a shortage of workers—the result of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the retirement of baby boomers—and by businesses’ stepped-up use of technology to do tasks that human beings used to do. The August jobs report likely showed that US employers—companies, government agencies and nonprofits—collectively added a net 65,000 jobs last month after they unexpectedly slashed 23,000 in July, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet. Economists expect jobs at local schools to recover after plummeting by 50,000 in July in what they suspect was a statistical

glitch in the Labor Department’s seasonal adjustments. The unemployment rate is expected to have ticked up to a still-low 4.2 percent last month from 4.1 percent in July, FactSet says. “It’s a very strange labor market,’’ David Kelly, chief global strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, wrote in a commentary Monday. The No. 1 puzzler: Hiring is weak, but layoffs are rare. Employers haven’t been eager to take on new workers. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that gross hiring—before subtracting people who lost or left their jobs—fell 5 percent to fewer than 5.1 million new jobs. In July, companies, government agencies and nonprofits together cut 23,000 jobs. So far this year, employers are adding 61,000 jobs a month, up from the 9,700 they averaged last year—the weakest hiring outside a recession since 2002. The lingering effects of high interest rates and Trump’s erratic trade policies discouraged companies from hiring in 2025.

Russia to close German cultural centers amid tensions with Europe over supporting Ukraine By Claudia Ciobanu & Katie Marie Davies

Saturday, September 5, 2026 A11

sabotage and disruption in their countries with the aim of undermining support for Ukraine and destabilizing European nations, something Russia denies. Germany says it has become a “daily target” of the Kremlin’s hybrid campaign. It said Wednesday it was closing both the Russian Consulate in Bonn and the Russian House cultural center in the German capital. Lavrov countered that cultural centers belonging to Germany’s Goethe-Institut would be closed in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, adding that any other response would show a lack of “self-respect” on Russia’s part. He told an economic forum in the Far East city of Vladivostok that Germany “could not have failed to understand” that closing the center in Berlin would “signify the end of their cultural presence in Russia.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said Berlin wants to distract from its own failings and dissatisfaction among voters. Any proof being offered “has been planted,” Putin said. Europe increasingly views itself as facing what it calls hybrid attacks by Russia, marked by cyberwarfare and disinformation as well as a conventional military threat. Each side accuses the other of state terrorism. The tension has continued for months and grown into a major foreign and defense policy challenge for countries in the European Union. Putin is testing the West with tactics that fall “just below the threshold of war” and is

determined to “harass NATO members,” the head of Britain’s MI6 spy agency said last year. Following Germany’s claims, Poland, Denmark, Finland, the UK, the Czech Republic and Lithuania have summoned Russian diplomats stationed in their countries. In Norway, authorities on Wednesday seized a Russian vessel in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard at the request of Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz energy group. A Norwegian court ordered the seizure as part of efforts by Naftogaz to recover a $4.22 billion arbitration award stemming from Russia’s 2014 illegal annexation of Crimea and its seizure of Ukrainian energy assets, including gas fields and pipelines. After Moscow refused to pay the 2023 award, Naftogaz petitioned national courts for orders to seize Russian commercial assets. Putin on Thursday compared it to “state terrorism,” and Russia’s Foreign Ministry summoned Norway’s ambassador to Moscow, Heidi Olufsen, to protest the seizure of the vessel, which it said belongs to the state weather and environmental monitoring agency. It carried workers, scientists and cargo to Russian settlements on one of the islands in Svalbard, the ministry said, adding that Moscow “will seek to lift the vessel’s arrest.” In Finland, meanwhile, more than 2,000 people took part Thursday in the biggest civil defense exercise in Europe since the end of World War II. Among the threats envisioned were missile strikes from neighboring Russia.

Even though it’s rebounded from a bleak 2025, hiring this year remains well below the 166,000 monthly jobs created, on average, in 2023 and 2024, let alone the 491,000 a month recorded during the 2021-2022 hiring boom that followed pandemic lockdowns. But the United States doesn’t need as many jobs as it did until recently to keep the national unemployment rate from rising. Trump’s immigration crackdown and baby boomer retirements mean fewer people are

competing for work. More than 1.3 million people have dropped out of the U.S. labor force over the past year. As a result, the “break-even’’ rate of monthly hiring, 155,000 in 2023-2024, has dropped, perhaps to nearly zero, according to a Federal Reserve study. The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw work authorization for 330,000 Haitian and Syrian immigrants on July 27 is likely to worsen labor shortages, especially for specific workers such as caregivers. But

the Haitians and Syrians won’t show up in the official unemployment rolls because they aren’t allowed to look for work and therefore can’t be counted among the jobless. Instead of looking to hire from a diminished pool of available workers, “businesses are increasingly focused on boosting efficiency through technology and AI and increasingly seek to do more with their existing workforce,’’ EY-Parthenon economists Gregory Daco and Lydia Boussour wrote in a commentary this week.

A12 Saturday, September 5, 2026

Sports BusinessMirror

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

EALA, JOVIC COLLIDE WITH MORE AT STAKE

WORLD No. 46 Oleksandra Oliynykova falls short of another comeback against Alex Eala. AP

Gilas races against time for Asiad

HE Philippine men’s basketball team is in a race against time to jell, but coach Tim Cone says he already saw signs of chemistry on the first day of practice. Gilas practiced Thursday in Suwon and was set to play the South Korean national team on Friday. The teams face off again on Sunday, before the Philippine squad leaves Korea for Japan with the Asian Games basketball competition starting on Thursday at the Aichi International Arena. The basketball competition starts nine days before the Asiad opening ceremony on September 19. “I love the chemistry, I love how motivated they are, how excited they all are to be on this basketball team,” Cone said after the team’s practice in Suwon, South Korea. “You get that kind of motivation going, and you can do some stuff with that kind of team.” Justin Brownlee’s participation remains a huge question mark due to leg injuries but Cone believes this Gilas squad can defend the title the country won three years ago in Hangzhou, ending a 61-year title drought. “We had two naturalized players that time, Justin Brownlee, and Ange Kouame, and then a group of PBA players. We have a different team now, but I believe we can do wonderful things. As of now, we are waiting for Justin’s confirmation,” Cone added. If Brownlee is unable to play, the Philippines will field the 11-man squad of Robert Bolick, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Sedrick Barefield, Brandon Bates, RJ Abarrientos, Zav Lucero, Adrian Nocum, Justin Arana, Don Trollano, Jerrick Ahanmisi and Justin Baltazar. The Philippines plays in Group C, facing Bahrain on September 11, Kazakhstan on September 12 and China on September 14. “We are looking forward to seeing how we match up with a Korean team which has been together for a while. They have been playing in the [Fiba] windows. We will see how we match up,” Cone said.

Josef Ramos

FULL extension: Alex Eala tracks down a deep baseline return during her US Open Round 1 match. TROI SANTOS

EW YORK— Alex Eala and her fans are headed to the weekend at the US Open, along with two-time champion Naomi Osaka and 2023 winner Coco Gauff. So is Madison Keys—just barely—but not No. 3 Felix AugerAliassime, who became the highestseeded player knocked out of the tournament thus far. No. 6 Alex de Minaur losing in straight sets to Botic van de Zandschulp made it four of the top-10 seeded men’s players to get eliminated before the third round. Osaka recovered after a midmatch lapse to advance to the third round with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Katerina Siniakova on Thursday, before Eala beat Oleksandra Oliynykova, 6-1, 6-4. Eala, the No. 17 seed from the Philippines, gave her passionate backers reason to cheer immediately by winning the first nine points against her Ukrainian opponent, who had won their only previous meeting. “I think everybody represents something in their own way; I’m

Filipino and I proudly represent that,” Eala said. “And a lot of the crowd here today is Filipino and I’m sure they share in that sentiment.” Osaka wore silver and white under her long white jacket with a white visor as she arrived for her match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, three days after she was dressed in black with her hair done in cornrows under a headband in a tribute to former NBA superstar Allen Iverson for her opener at night. The No. 13 seed won the first set in 30 minutes and then opened a 4-2 lead in the second. But her level of play took a substantial dip, with 20 unforced errors in the set after only four in the first. Osaka quickly regained control, breaking for a 2-0 lead in the third before finishing a

de Strasbourg in May after taking the opening set. “My patience and consistency of my focus, I think that was the key to winning the match today,” Eala said. She had good reason to point to both. The No. 17 seed, who reached the Round of 64 in her US Open main-draw debut last year, struck 19 winners against 17 unforced errors while handling Oliynykova’s

19-shot rally with a volley for a winner en route to taking the next game, appearing more relieved than excited by her nice touch. “The match was definitely really tough and I don’t know, I just felt like I had to fight,” Osaka said. “I definitely had a couple opportunities in the second set and I think I was a little bit too hard on myself. So I took the bathroom break, regrouped a little, came back and just tried to have no regrets.”

DAY or night, Alex Eala has moved quickly through the US Open so far. After dropping just three games in her opening-round win under the lights on Tuesday, Eala was equally impressive in defeating Oliynykova in one hour and four minutes to reach the third round in New York for the first time. The victory also offered a measure of redemption for Eala, who lost a three-set marathon to Oliynykova at the Internationaux

Bisera seeks boost at Summit ahead of Korea stint

WO victories in the first four legs have put Yvon Bisera firmly in the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT) title hunt and the Davao ace is out to make it three when the ICTSI Summit Point Championship unwraps Tuesday at the Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City. But for Bisera, the P1-million championship is about more than another LPGT trophy, but also her final major test at home before she makes her maiden appearance on the tough Korean LPGA Tour later this month, making a strong showing at Summit Point even more important to the 2025 Thailand LPGA Masters champion. “I want to perform well at

Summit Point kasi preparation ko din ‘to going to Korea,” said Bisera, who is set to compete in the Hana Financial Group Championship from September 17 to 20 in Gyeonggi Province, on Daebudo Island southwest of Seoul. Bisera has been in impressive form on the LPGT this season. She outlasted two rivals in a playoff to capture the Lakewood Championship in March, then produced an emphatic sevenshot romp at the Pradera Verde Championship last July. The victories have established her as one of the tour’s leading contenders heading into the Summit Point showdown. With her Korean LPGA debut fast approaching, Bisera has used her time between tournaments to

fine-tune the part of her game she believes could prove decisive at Summit Point: the short game. While waiting for her Korean visa documents, the Davaoeña has devoted extra time to sharpening her touch around the greens, particularly with the possibility of strong winds adding another layer of difficulty at the Batangas layout. “Focus on my short game because it’s very important at Summit Point, especially when the winds are strong,” Bisera said. The focus will be particularly crucial in a 54-hole event where a fast start can provide an early advantage and the ability to stay composed down the stretch could determine the champion. Bisera, however, is not

Philippine golfers wind up fourth in Nomura Cup

JET HERNANDEZ takes sixth place on the individual leaderboard with rounds of 73-74-68-71. NOMURA CUP

Eala: Patience, consistency, focus

EAM Philippines placed fourth in the Nomura Cup after submitting a closing 144 on Friday at Bayhood No. 9 International Golf Club in Beijing. Jet Hernandez shot a oneunder-par 71 and Rolando Bregente carded a 73 as the Philippines finished with a 570 total, 13 shots behind champion Hong Kong. Markus Lam had a 67 and Ethan Tian scored a 69 as Hong Kong completed a wire-to-wire victory, ending up with a 19-under 557 aggregate, four clear of Japan, which closed with a 138. K aito Sato had a 68 and

Taisei Nagasaki fired a 70. Korea also had a 138 for a 568 total, with Joguk Jeong shot shooting a 68 and Jeyi Son adding a 70. The Philippines wound up at 570 with earlier scores of 142-146-138. The 21-year-old Hernandez finished in a tie for sixth spot individually in the Asia-Pacific team golf championship. “I am very proud with how all of us battled even if we didn’t have our A-game the entire week,” Hernandez said. He returns to Manila before leaving for the US to resume his psychology studies

at the University of Denver. “We know we can compete with the best countries in the region. We just have to continue putting ourselves in these situations.” Team Philippines started out the final day trailing by five. “It’s a tough pill to swallow, but we gave it our best till the very end,” 18-year-old Shinichi Suzuki said after failing to count with his worst score for the week, a 77. “Managing to finish fourth as a team is still a solid job,” said Hernandez, who will start his senior year in Denver and will likely play a fifth year before turning pro.

YVON BISERA looks to add the Summit Point crown to titles won at Lakewood and Pradera. PILIPINAS GOLF

Still in the hunt

Savi Davison scores 32 as PLDT keeps its Premier Volleyball League Invitational title defense alive with a 25-16, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 win over Farm Fresh on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum. PVL

changes of pace and spin. Eala also held off a determined push in the second set, breaking serve five times overall. Eala will face No. 14 seed Iva Jovic of the United States—one of her good friends. The two linked up for the US Open’s “Stars of the Open” exhibition event during the qualifying week—where they played one set, won by Jovic— when the two reflected on a full-circle moment of stepping on Arthur Ashe Stadium. AP and WTA News expecting another runaway performance like the one she produced at Pradera Verde. “I really want to win but I know everybody else prepared for this tournament,” she said. “But I will try my best to perform well to gain confidence going to Korea.” Reigning Order of Merit champion Sarah Ababa leads a compact but formidable field that also features former leg winners Mafy Singson, Tiffany Lee, Chihiro Ikeda and Princess Superal. Korean challenger Kim Seoyun is likewise expected to figure prominently, along with title-hungry contenders Martina Miñoza, Pamela Mariano, Velinda Castil, Rev Alcantara, Angela Mangana and Gretchen Villacencio.