THE magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu province and nearby areas on Tuesday evening has affected 80 tourism establishments and disrupted the employment, income, and working conditions of more than 711 tourism workers in
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• Orders ‘tent city’ for victims • Toll rises to 72; no more missing
By Charles Dantes, Minerva Newman, Darwin Amojelar, Rex Espiritu, Katrina Manubay and Vito Barcelo
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government will release at least P375 million to help jumpstart rehabilitation efforts in Cebu province following the devastation caused by a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.
The death toll from the tremor rose to 72 on Thursday, officials said, as the search for the missing wound down and rescuers turned their focus to the hundreds injured and thousands left homeless.
During his inspection in Bogo City yesterday, Mr. Marcos said the most significant damage was to public infrastructure, including buildings and hospitals, leaving hundreds of families without access to safe evacuation centers.
The President also ordered the construction of a temporary “tent city” to house families who lost their homes or are afraid to return to damaged buildings.
"We will ensure that there is a food supply, a water supply, electricity if a generator is needed. Whatever people need, we have it," the President said, adding that displaced families will receive P10,000 in initial cash assistance, with the possibility of additional support depending on recovery progress.
The President also checked on the SM
SINING SA KONGRESO III. The 90-strong Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI) of the 20th Congress headed by Founder and Co-President Rep. Gina de Venecia and co-President Rep. Linabelle Villarica formally launched a fundraising project dubbed “Sining sa Kongreso III”. The project is the third in a series of art exhibits featuring master and contemporary Filipino artists. The exhibit is displayed at the South Wing Lobby of the House of Representatives and will run until October 9, 2026. Mrs. Ann Dy,
in Mandaluyong City as its landmark project. The AWLFI launched the art exhibit in partnership with Mira Art Gallery.
THE Commission on Audit (COA) has filed a new report with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), flagging ‘‘paid ghost projects’’ under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bulacan.
‘Paolo’
By Rio N. Araja
TROPICAL Storm "Paolo" slightly intensified while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the state weather bureau reported yesterday. In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the storm’s center was located around 480 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, or 480 km east of Baler, Aurora. It was moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of up to
In its report, COA said several flood control projects under the DPWH First District Engineering Office (DEO) either do not exist, were transferred to another location, or failed to meet approved specifications. The commission warned that those involved may be held liable for graft and corruption under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, malversation and falsification of documents under the Revised Penal Code, as well as violations of COA Circular No. 2009-001 and the Government Procurement Reform Act. Among the flagged projects was
105 km/h.
As of late yesterday afternoon, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised in Isabela, the northern portion of Quirino (Maddela, Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Saguday, Diffun), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Kasibu), Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and the northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan). Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was hoisted over Cagayan, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos
Jinggoy, Napoles lose cases in Sandigan, RTC
By Thony Rose Lesaca
THE Sandiganbayan has upheld its earlier ruling junking Senator Jinggoy Estrada's demurrer to evidence and motion to dismiss the 11 counts of graft in connection with the allegedly unlawful disbursement of P183 million of Estrada’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to non-government entities of businesswoman Janet Napoles.
By Charles Dantes and Nash Maulana
MALACAÑANG said it respects the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision declaring unconstitutional the redistricting laws passed by the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), which consequently postponed the first Bangsam-
the P92.6-million flood control structure in Barangay San Roque, Baliuag, implemented by SYMS Construction Trading.
‘‘During COA’s inspection on September 24, 2025, no flood control structure existed at the approved location. DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO instead pinpointed COA to a different location but offered no explanation for the change,’’ the report said.
Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will be conducted on a solid constitutional foundation.
From A1
units, and tourism stakeholders to ensure the safety of tourists and to facilitate rapid assessment and restoration of affected sites,” it stated.
Nustar Resort and Casino in Cebu City sustained heavy damage, leading to the evacuation of 337 guests, the Department reported.
Bayfront Hotel Cebu—North Reclamation and Radisson Blu also sustained damage.
Similarly, several tourist sites, including historical churches, closed their doors to the public pending the assessment of structural damage.
These include Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima, Daanbantayan, which suffered heavy structural loss, estimated at 70 percent to 80 percent; Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Bantayan, with partial damage to its heritage structure, and San Isidro Labrador Church, Tabogon, whose facade and roof collapsed.
In Cebu City, affected cultural sites include the Kabilin Center, Museo Sugbo, National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, Yap–Sandiego Ancestral House, and Casa Gorordo.
The DOT assured that its regional office has deployed teams to assist affected areas and distribute essentials, such as medical supplies and drinking water, to accommodation establishments.
Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Tourism Office on Thursday announced that candidates of Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 have arrived in the province to assist with relief efforts.
“In light of the recent earthquake in Cebu, the Miss Asia Pacific International Organization has realigned candidate activities to reflect compassion and solidarity,” it said.
"The candidates of Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 joined in repacking relief goods at the Capitol warehouse, showing that true beauty goes beyond appearance. It shines through kindness, compassion, and the will to serve,” the Office added.
In a separate advisory, the National Museum in Cebu announced that it would remain closed until further notice.
“Building inspections and assessments are still being conducted as part of our standard safety procedures,” it said in a social media post.
As this developed, the Cebu Provincial Government clarified that no permits are required for private individuals or groups transporting relief goods to northern Cebu.
“Those who wish to deliver aid directly may do so without needing to register with the Province, the provincial government stated in an online post.
"Donations coursed through the Capitol, however, will be received and recorded at the Command Center to ensure transparency, proper documentation, and accountability, and to guarantee that assistance reaches intended beneficiaries,” it added.
JInggoy,...
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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), on the other hand, yesterday said it has secured its second conviction against Janet Lim Napoles on 13 counts of money laundering in connection with her orchestration of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam in 2013.
In a 22-page resolution dated October 1, the Sandiganbayan’s Special Fifth Division denied for lack of merit
Palace...
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“The Palace underscores its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the peace process, strengthening democratic institutions, and protecting the political rights of all citizens in the Bangsamoro,” the statement read.
“The administration will extend its full support to all constitutionally mandated institutions in order to ensure that the democratic aspirations of the Bangsamoro people are realized within the framework of the Constitution and the Bangsamoro Organic Law,” it added. Malacañang also vowed support for the Commission on Elections
Cares Village in Barangay Polambato , a Yolanda resettlement site where several units collapsed, and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer, whose bell tower and facilities were destroyed.
Through the Local Government Support Fund, the budget department will release P150 million for the entire province of Cebu, while P75 million each will be allocated for severely-hit areas: San Remigio, Bogo City, and Medellin.
The government said 294 people were injured and around 20,000 had fled their homes. Nearly 600 houses were wrecked across the north of Cebu and many are sleeping on the streets as hundreds of aftershocks shake the area.
Among the fatalities were 15 people from related families, including children and a 10-month old baby, who died in a rockslide in Barangay Binabag.
Vice President Sara Duterte visited the victims’ wake and extended financial assistance to the bereaved families.
The bodies of the three victims were also pulled from the rubble of a collapsed hotel overnight Wednesday in Bogo.
"We have zero missing, so the assumption is all are accounted for,"
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Junie Castillo said, adding that some rescue units in Cebu province have
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Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz), Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael), the northern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Aray-
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‘‘Despite this COA proceeded to inspect the site identified by DPWH, where it found an existing structure that utterly failed to meet the project specifications,’’€ it added.
The report also noted that the DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO ‘‘failed to submit a significant number of critical supporting documents to COA.’’Despite these lapses, SYMS Construction was ‘‘fully paid.’’
Another case involved a P92.7-million project along the Angat River in Barangay Taal, Pulilan. The supposed flood control structure turned out to be only ‘‘an abandoned slope protection structure,’’ also paid in full and lacking key documentation.
Those named as liable include SYMS Construction owner Sally Santos, District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and Assistant District Engineer Brice Hernandez.
Other irregularities were found in a P69.4-million Riverbank Protection
Estrada’s motion for reconsideration in relation to a March 26 ruling
The earlier ruling junked his demurrer to evidence and motion to dismiss the 11 counts of graft against him in connection with the alleged misuse of P183 million of his PDAF. In its latest resolution signed by Associate Justices Zaldy Trespeses, Maryann Corpus-Manalac and Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega, the Sandiganbayan said it saw no reason to “disturb its findings” in its earlier ruling.
It noted that the prosecution built a
(Comelec) and other mandated bodies, stressing that the ruling is part of the broader national effort to achieve ‘‘just and lasting peace in Mindanao, anchored on meaningful autonomy, the rule of law, and the exercise of suffrage.’’
The SC struck down the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) No. 77 as unconstitutional. The law sought to redistribute seven parliamentary seats originally allocated to Sulu province, despite an earlier ruling that Sulu could not be included in BARMM after its voters rejected the organic law in a 2019 plebiscite.
Justices said the BTA’s redistricting efforts had no constitutional or legal basis, violated the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and undermined representation
been told to "demobilize."
He said search and rescue operations are now considered "over."
"One of the challenges is the aftershocks. It means residents are reluctant to return to their homes, even those houses that were not (structurally) compromised," Castillo added.
Police personnel deployed in Cebu and other areas hit by the earthquake have also shifted their focus to relief and rehabilitation efforts, the Philippine National Police said Thursday.
“The focus now of the operation of our personnel on the ground are security, medical, road clearing and providing logistics or transportation as part of the efforts to bring back normalcy in the affected areas... and maintaining security in the affected areas so that we can avoid looting incidents,” said PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño.
President Marcos emphasized the government’s efforts will not stop after his visit yesterday, promising continued coordination with local leaders to sustain rehabilitation and recovery.
"This is not a one-time thing. We will continue to monitor and coordinate to ensure that the progress of our rehabilitation goes smoothly," he said.
"This ongoing recovery program will continue until we are satisfied that all those affected have been provided assistance, as long as there is food, a place to sleep, and businesses are up and running,” Mr. Marcos added.
The Philippine Army on Thursday said it continues to send and mobilize
at, Candaba, Mabalacat City), the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Goa, San Jose, Presentacion) and Catanduanes.
“Paolo” is forecast to move generally west-northwest throughout the forecast period.
PAGASA predicts that the storm will make landfall over southern Isa-
Structure in Barangay Bagong Silang, Plaridel, contracted to Topnotch Catalyst Builders, Inc., which COA described as ‘‘mismatched.’’ Another flagged project was a P96.5-million riverwall in Barangay Pagala, Baliuag, contracted to Triple 8 Construction and Supply, Inc.
During an inspection on September 23, COA also found a non-existent flood control project at its identified location. ‘‘While DPWH-Bulacan 1st DEO representatives pinpointed the location project at another location. At the pinpointed location, COA found a flood control structure which drastically falls short of the approved plan,†the report said.
‘‘The audit’s findings will be crucial for the ongoing investigation conducted by the ICI against those involved in irregularities in government infrastructure projects,’’ COA added. ‘‘As COA fulfills its mandate... the public can expect more fraud audit reports to be filed with the ICI.’’
So far, the commission has filed 17 fraud audit reports with the ICI and the Ombudsman.
prima facie case against Estrada due to his repetitive action of endorsing Napoles-run NGOs as recipients of his PDAF.
The AMLC said that in a decision dated Oct. 1, 2025, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 158 has convicted Napoles of planning a scheme involving the creation of bogus non-government organizations (NGOs) to receive "pork barrel" funds for ghost projects.
"By making it appear that the funds originated from legitimate sources, Napoles concealed its criminal ori-
rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The Court ordered the Comelec to reset the first parliamentary elections no later than March 31, 2026.
The postponed polls would have been the first since BARMM’s creation in 2019, marking a major milestone in the peace process between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Meanwhile, thousands mourned the death of Ali Pangalian Balindong early Thursday, with people flocking to the historic cove settlement ruled by his clan.
Balindong, 85, was remembered as a political elder who ‘‘may have been slowed by old age, but was never downed by illness,’’ a close relative said.
troops for humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) efforts in areas affected by the powerful earthquake.
"The Army’s HADR units for search, rescue, and retrieval remain operational, working alongside local government's disaster units and offices across Bogo City, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, and Medellin in Cebu," Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said.
The Philippine Air Force said one of its C-130 transport aircraft transported critical relief supplies from Villamor Air Base in Pasay City to Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in LapuLapu City on Wednesday.
For its part, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Thursday ordered its key shelter agencies to implement a moratorium on housing amortization to their members in areas affected by the earthquake and recent typhoons.
"It is a big help for our countrymen who were devastated by the typhoons and earthquake to not have to worry about paying monthly amortization during this time. The President's order is to provide all possible assistance to the victims, and that is what we will do,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said.
A tiny village chapel in Bogo was serving as a temporary shelter for 18-year-old Diane Madrigal and 14 of her neighbors after their houses were destroyed. Their clothes and food were scattered across the chapel's pews.
"The entire wall (of my house) fell so I really don't know how and when
bela or northern Aurora this morning.
The Bureau explained that the storm can shift further southward contingent upon the strength of the highpressure area located to its north.
After crossing the landmass of Northern Luzon, the weather disturbance will emerge over the West Philippine Sea this afternoon and will continue moving west-northwestward until it exits the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning, PAGASA stated.
From A1 still holds influence in Congress, which can potentially hinder the Duterte defense team's bid for interim release.
The Senate resolution was filed by Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri. MThe resolution urges the ICC to designate a doctor to examine Duterte "and ascertain that he is fit to withstand regular detention."
Out of 20 senators present in the plenary, 15 voted yes, three voted no, and two abstained in the motion to adopt proposed Senate resolution No. 144.
In explaining her “no” vote, Hontiveros emphasized that if Duterte is really sick, he should be taken to the hospital in The Hague and be given appropriate help and support by the Philippine Embassy in the Netherlands.
Pangilinan, meanwhile, said that
gin—an act that fully satisfied the elements of money laundering under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, as amended," the AMLC said.
Napoles was sentenced to seven to 14 years in prison for each count of money laundering and ordered to pay fines totaling P94.15 million. The said judgment of conviction, however, may be subject to appeal.
Napoles was also convicted of money laundering in 2024 for a complaint similarly filed by the AMLC and the Department of Justice, which resulted in a sentence of seven to 14
He was a delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, alongside his future father-in-law, the late Senator Ahmad Domocao Alonto, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission. Balindong later married Alonto’s daughter, Jamila Malawani Alonto, in 1968. In Congress, Balindong authored the law creating the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF). Earlier in life, he studied law at Manuel L. Quezon University, where he was a student of nationalist Sen. Lorenzo Tañada. He often sat in the galleries of the old Congress along Taft Avenue, observing legislative giants such as Claro M. Recto, Jovito R. Salonga, and Jose W. Diokno. In a related development, the
we can go back again," Madrigal said.
"I am still scared of the aftershocks up to now, it feels like we have to run again," she added.
Mother-of-four Lucille Ipil, 43, added her water container to a 10-meter line of them along a roadside in Bogo, where residents desperately waited for a truck to bring them water.
"The earthquake really ruined our lives. Water is important for everyone. We cannot eat, drink or bathe properly," she said.
"We really want to go back to our old life before the quake but we don't know when that will happen... Rebuilding takes a long time." Many areas remain without electricity, and dozens of patients were sheltering in tents outside the damaged Cebu provincial hospital in Bogo.
"I'd rather stay here under this tent. At least I can be treated," 22-year-old Kyle Malait said as she waited for her dislocated arm to be treated.
More than 110,000 people in 42 communities affected by the quake will need assistance to rebuild their homes and restore their livelihoods, according to the regional civil defense office.
Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
Most are too weak to be felt by humans but strong and destructive quakes come at random, with no technology available to predict when and where they might strike. AFP
“Paolo” will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and is expected to reach severe tropical storm category Thursday night or early this morning.
“Further intensification into a typhoon before landfall is not ruled out,” the weather bureau also said. Based on the Bureau’s intensity forecast, “Paolo” will very likely intensify into a typhoon once it moves beyond land and emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
as chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights, it is his duty to side with those who are seeking justice.
“Libo-libo ang pinatay. Libolibo pa ang nawalan ng ama, ng ina, ng anak—-na ang hiling ay hustisya. Tama rin na humingi ng hustisya. Saan tayo papanig? Tama may basehan ang humanitarian konsiderasyon. Ngunit may basehan rin yung daing at dalamhati at yung masasaktan na libo-libo nating kababayan na pinatay. Saan tayo? Humanitarian consideration o sa mga daing na hinihiling ang hustisya?” Pangilinan asked.
Senators who voted for the resolution said that if the designated doctor finds that Duterte's continued detention "will further worsen his medical condition, the ICC is urged to allow the former president to be detained under house arrest."
They said that the house arrest or similar arrangement would be subject to conditions set by the ICC.
years imprisonment and a P16-million fine.
The AMLC said the latest conviction comes as it intensifies efforts to investigate financial crimes linked to the flood control project controversy.
"This sends a strong message: those who abuse public funds will be held accountable," said AMLC executive director Matthew David.
"The AMLC welcomes this court decision as a demonstration of AMLC’s relentless pursuit of individuals who exploit the financial system to conceal corruption," he added.
Comelec confirmed it will have to reprint more than 2 million ballots due to the postponement of the BARMM elections. Chairman George Garcia said the parliamentary polls are now set for March 31, 2026.
‘‘We’re back to zero in the preparations. There will be new names of candidates that we need to put in the ballots. We also need to reconfigure our system because there will be changes in the composition of candidates in every district,’’ Garcia said. Garcia noted that the Comelec will not appeal the SC ruling and will fully comply with the directive. The Court also ordered the BTA to finalize the distribution of district parliamentary seats by October 30, 2025.
TRACKING TREMORS. Christian John Evangelista, Chief of the Research and Planning Division of the Geographic Information Office in Manila, explains how a seismic accelerograph is used to measure ground motion during earthquakes, providing important data for disaster preparedness and response.
By Pot Chavez
DAVAO City Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Thursday filed a disbarment complaint against Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr., and two others over the alleged “kidnapping” and “expulsion” of former president Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, Netherlands.
“In the light of the fact that the family has decided to file a disbarment complaint against these lawyers who happen to be high officials of the land, Acting Mayor Sebastian Z. Duterte decided to file it himself on behalf of the family,” lawyer Israelito Torreon told reporters.
Aside from Remulla and Teodoro, the others included in the complaint were Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon.
For his part, the Department of Justice (DOJ) chief said the filing is already expected since “critics will always be there.”
He described the complaint as forum shopping, adding that this is not the first case filed by the Duterte camp against him.
By Ram Superable
SENATORS Sherwin Gatchalian and Rosa Hontiveros yesterday on Thursday called for stronger legislation to defend the Philippines against foreign espionage and interference.
Both senators pressed for urgent legislative action to close loopholes that enable espionage and manipulation.
The appeal came after Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro confirmed attempts by foreign groups to exploit the country’s vulnerabilities.
“Many individuals, high-profile or not, manage to slip past authorities. For
example, some exploit late birth registration, as we saw in the case of Alice Guo or Guo Hua Ping, among others,” said Gatchalian.
The senator stressed that new laws must focus on cybersecurity, arguing
that existing safeguards are outdated in the era of digitalization.
Concerns over espionage have grown amid incidents involving Chinese nationals and suspected surveillance equipment found in Philippine territory.
Last year, police arrested Chinese national Deng Yuanqing and two Filipinos on suspicion of spying on sensitive locations as tensions rose in the West Philippine Sea.
More recently, an underwater drone with Chinese markings was discovered off the coast of Palawan, raising further alarms about foreign monitoring.
Under current statutes, espionage is penalized through Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code and Commonwealth Act No. 616. These laws prohibit spying, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information to foreign powers, and illegal access to military installations. Senator Risa Hontiveros also raised concerns over alleged foreign influence networks operating inside the country. She cited intelligence reports allegedly linking businessman Joseph Sy to malign influence and foreign interference activities.
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has recovered a suspected underwater drone of foreign origin after it was first spotted and retrieved by local fishermen near Linapacan, Palawan — the latest reported incident of unauthorized marine activity within Philippine waters.
According to the PCG, the 3.6-meter (12-foot) device was discovered on Sunday by fisherfolk from Sitio Tapic, Barangay New Colaylayan, as they were fishing near Barangonan Island. They later turned it over to PCG personnel,
who transported it to the PCG Station Linapacan for technical examination and investigation with national security agencies.
PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Commodore Jay Tarriela said their initial inspection showed that the equipment carried a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensor with Chinese markings and a serial number (CTD-20090334). It also bore signs of prolonged saltwater exposure.
“It is mounted on a rugged metal frame, typical of components in autonomous underwater vehicles commonly known as ‘underwater drones,’” Tarriela added.
JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Wednesday said Sens. Mark and Camille Villar, along with their mother and former senator, Cynthia, are being investigated for their reported familial ties with a Las Piñas-based contractor.
Remulla told reporters that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is vetting information that Mark has a first cousin who is a contractor: “That’s a prohibited interest... With his cousin being the contractor in Las Piñas. P18.5 billion worth of projects.”
Mark was the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary from 2016 to 2021, under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte. During his term, Cynthia was still a senator while his sister Camille was the Las Piñas representative starting in 2019.
The device, which is commonly used in oceanographic surveys, measures salinity, temperature, and depth. The data is essential for seafloor mapping and underwater surveillance.
“This incident highlights the need for continued community awareness and a whole-ofnation approach to deter unauthorized activities in our waters,” PCG commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan said.
He commended the fishermen for reporting their find, saying the Coast Guard remains “vigilant in safeguarding our maritime domain and protecting the livelihoods of our fisherfolk.”
Isabela LGUs suspends classes due to storm ‘Pablo’
SEVERAL local government units have announced class suspensions for Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, due to the expected effects of tropical storm Paolo.
The following areas in Isabela said they were cancelling classes on Friday ahead of Paolo’s impact.
ALL LEVELS:
• Echague
• Cauayan City
• Ilagan City
• Palanan
• Santiago City
• Tumauini
Rex Espiritu
PHILIPPINE Ambassador to Iran Roberto Manalo and the Governor of the Iranian province of West Azerbaijan, Reza Rahmani, recently held bilateral meetings to strengthen economic relations between their countries.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) stated that the meeting explored opportunities for the Philippines and Iran to boost economic ties through the trade of agricultural products.
They also focused on potential exchange of expertise and bilateral investments.
“Ambassador Roberto G. Manalo visits Urmia City in the West Azerbaijan Province of Iran to familiarize himself with Urmia’s cultural, economic, and tourism potential, while also strengthening diplomatic and municipal relations with the Philippines,” it noted.
Manalo also attended the 8th International Grape Festival at the Chi Chest Coastal Village of Urmia upon the invitation of the Urmia Mayor Aydin Rahmani Rezaieh and Asian Mayors Forum Secretary General Dr. Hamidreza Gholamzadeh. Katrina Manubay
A 44-YEAR-OLD ‘Angkas’ motorcycle rider is now facing a case of acts of lasciviousness before the Manila Prosecutor’s Office following his arrest on the complaint of a 34-year-old lady passenger who accused him of molesting her.
Complainant ‘Lenny,’ of Urban Deca Homes, Barangay 100, Tondo, Manila, told the police that the incident took place at 10:53 p.m.
The victim said she booked an Angkas Motortaxi to get to work and when the rider arrived, she suspected that he was reeking of liquor.
The suspect asked if they could pass by his home which was nearby because he left his helmet and she agreed.
Once there however, the victim said she was surprised when the suspect suddenly faced her and then mashed her breasts. Itchie Cabayan
By Rex Espiritu
THE National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Executive Committee (ExeCom) is seeking to extend the government’s amnesty program for insurgents until 2028, beyond its current deadline of March 16, 2026.
At a press briefing in Malacañang on Wednesday, National Amnesty Commission (NAC) chair Leah TanodraArmamento said 4,269 applications had been filed as of Sept. 19, out of the projected 10,000 applicants before the
By Ram Superable
HEALTH advocates on Thursday
urged local governments to prioritize influenza vaccination for senior citizens as flu-like illnesses rise and hospitals near capacity.
In Quezon City, influenza-like cases have already surpassed the epidemic threshold with 152 logged from August 31 to September 13. The Private Hospitals Association reported a 10 percent increase in admissions, warning of full capacity as the rainy season continues.
“With vaccine allocations from the national government still uncertain this late in the year, seniors must be protected without delay,” said Dr. Mikaella Jeleene Salinas Asoy, lead convenor of Bayan Bakuna.
Experts noted that older adults face the highest risks, including pneumonia, cardiovascular complications, and death. Hospitalization costs, ranging from ₱10,000 to ₱30,000, add further burden to families.
Asoy urged LGUs to coordinate with the DOH or procure vaccines directly to avoid delays. Families were also encouraged to accompany elderly relatives to health centers and inquire about supplies.
Bayan Bakuna stressed that strong community demand and consistent information drives can push LGUs to act swiftly, reducing health risks and financial strain for households.
program’s cutoff next year.
“We fear that there may be potential qualified applicants that may not be covered if the application ends in March 2026,” Armamento said.
In particular, she stated that Task
Force Balik Loob—established by the government to provide comprehensive support to former rebels from the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front, Militia ng Bayan, and their family members—has identified a total of 50,000 applicants.
In addition, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) estimated that some 40,000 decommissioned members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are potential applicants for amnesty.
“We are requesting [a two-year exten-
sion]. The reason for that is that when a proclamation for amnesty is issued by the President, we have to ask the Congress for concurrence,” she said.
NTF-ELCAC Executive Director Ernesto Torres Jr. said the approval of the extension is waiting for further review by President Marcos.
On the other hand, the ExeCom supported the passing of Senate Bill (SB) 1366, or the “Terror Grooming Prevention Act,” which seeks to strengthen the government’s preventive mechanisms against radicalization, recruitment, and indoctrination, especially among the youth and other vulnerable sectors.
DSWD, DHSUD join forces on 4Ps housing
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) have signed a joint memorandum circular to allow Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) households to access the government’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the partnership highlights the full transformation of 4Ps families from welfare support to self-reliance, as housing will complete the cycle of development alongside jobs, education, and health interventions. The program targets self-sufficient households capable of sustaining monthly amortization payments, instilling responsibility and reinforcing that the program is not just a handout but a pathway to empowerment. Under the agreement, DSWD will identify and endorse eligible families, while DHSUD will design suitable housing options and facilitate financing with Pag-IBIG Fund and other lenders. A technical working group will oversee implementation. Maricel V. Cruz
Oriental Legazpi hosts
Bicol’s first Oktoberfest
BICOLANOS will experience their first-ever Oktoberfest when The Oriental Legazpi hosts a threeday celebration from October 17 to 19, 2025. The hotel will transform its Grandest Weekend Buffet into a Bavarian-themed festival.
Guests can enjoy unlimited Weihenstephan wheat beer, a wide buffet spread, and a German food station serving bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzels, and more. Live entertainment and raffle prizes will add to the festivities. The event runs October 17 and 18 for dinner and October 19 for Sunday brunch. Early bird tickets are priced at ₱1,799 for adults and ₱788 for children until October 12, with regular rates slightly higher. Group deals are also available.
Caracol culture thrives in Cavite celebration
THE Caracol culture came alive in General Trias, Cavite, during the feast day of San Francisco de Malabon, celebrated in thanksgiving for a good harvest on October 2, 2025. The Catholic Church and the local government partnered to bring the celebration to residents and devotees. Parish priest Rev. Fr. Oliver Genuino said the Caracol is a tradition of Caviteños for devotion, thanksgiving, and prayers for blessings in the coming year.
Festivities began with a mass honoring San Francisco de Asis, locally known as Tata Kiko, whose image was carried out of the church by dancing devotees toward the town proper. Dennis Abrina
By Rex Espiritu
THE Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking solutions to recover class hours lost to recent disasters, citing the toll on children, especially those from hardest-hit communities.
DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma said affected
schools are prepared to implement recovery measures once conditions allow. He urged stakeholders to help restore normalcy in learning.
“DepEd is making sure we recapture our lost days of learning. But for structures, we appeal to DPWH and LGUs on how to respond,” Garma said.
Classes on Thursday, October 2, re -
MAJOR telecom firms PLDT/Smart, Globe, Converge, and DITO have blocked 44 of 52 websites flagged as illegal gambling platforms, in a joint crackdown led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The action follows a congressional inquiry where Rep. Brian Poe-Llamanzares warned that unlicensed gambling apps were siphoning billions from Filipinos. PAGCOR confirmed the platforms were operating without permits.
Blocked apps include Poppo Live, BoloUP, Himme (Hime), Vone, and Niki, which are now
inaccessible across all major carriers. Others like Hala Live and Awaz show partial blocking.
Poe-Llamanzares said Congress secured over ₱176 million in added funding to expand the cybercrime centers’ monitoring, response, and reporting capacities. Citizens may report cases via Hotline 1326. Authorities warned that operators are urging users to bypass restrictions, stressing that continued transactions with these sites may result in criminal liability. Officials are also calling for tougher measures, including app store removals by Google and Apple, and tighter BSP enforcement to block e-wallet transactions linked to illegal gambling.
main suspended in Masbate due to Typhoon Opong, and in parts of Cebu after the magnitude-6.9 quake in Bogo City. The tremor damaged around 250 classrooms, affecting 2,200 learners and 90 personnel. Some Cebu and Talisay schools declared class suspensions pending inspections. To strengthen long-term resilience,
DepEd is rolling out initiatives such as the PlanSmart for Safe Schools app, the Pillar 1 Guidebook on Comprehensive School Safety, the M7X multi-hazard project, and upgraded temporary learning spaces. Recovery plans also include support for affected students and teachers, and closer coordination with local partners for faster rehabilitation.
ON Sept. 22, the International Criminal Court released the summary and details of the charges filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
In the public redacted version of “Document Containing the Charges,” the prosecution held Duterte criminally liable for:
Murder as a crime against humanity in Davao City from 2013 to 2016 during Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor, citing nine incidents which resulted in 19 victims;
Murder of “high-value targets” in locations across the Philippines during his term as president, between 2016 and 2017, as a crime against humanity, citing five incidents which resulted in 14 victims; and
Murder and attempted murder as crimes against humanity in barangay clearing operations in locations across the Philippines during his term as president, between 2016 and 2018, citing 35 incidents which resulted in 45 victims, of which 43 were killed.
The prosecution noted the actual scale of victimization during the charged period “was significantly greater due to its widespread nature.”
They added that Duterte was individually criminally responsible for indirect co-perpetration, ordering and/or inducing, as well as aiding and abetting crimes against humanity.
The details of the charges against Duterte come after the confirmation of charges hearing, originally set for Sept, 23, was postponed indefinitely.
Meanwhile, his legal team has requested his interim release due to deteriorating health, citing unconscious episodes and impaired memory.
Should the ICC accede to this request? We don’t think so.
The ICC has compelling legal and factual grounds to reject Rodrigo Duterte’s petition for interim release.
The ICC prosecution panel argues that Duterte’s continued detention is necessary to guarantee his presence at trial.
His past statements rejecting the legitimacy of the ICC and his petition before our Supreme Court to block cooperation with the Court suggest a risk of non-compliance.
The prosecution also cites concerns that Duterte’s release could endanger witnesses, obstruct investigations, or undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
His defenders, including Vice President Sara Duterte, have publicly questioned the ICC’s authority and legitimacy.
Despite his defense claiming otherwise, Duterte retains significant political influence and international contacts.
His family and supporters have described his arrest as “kidnapping,” and vowed to return him to the Phil-
trial
ippines, raising doubts about his willingness to remain under ICC jurisdiction if released.
Duterte’s legal team claimed the Philippine government does not object to his release.
However, Malacañang has clarified that this is a misrepresentation, and emphasized that the Marcos administration is not involved in the case and will respect whatever decision the ICC makes.
Rejecting Duterte’s petition is not just a
The prosecution also cited video evidence of Duterte’s partner assaulting an officer during his arrest, suggesting a hostile environment that could recur if he were released.
Then there’s unclear health claims by his defense team, who argue that he suffers from cognitive impairment and cite humanitarian grounds.
But these claims remain unverified and may be strategic rather than substantive. The ICC has not confirmed any medical findings that would justify release.
The gravity of the charges against Duterte does not justify his interim release.
He faces three counts of murder as crimes against humanity, linked to at least 78 killings during his drug war. The scale and seriousness of these allegations demand strict judicial oversight and continued detention.
The prosecution has also raised the risk of continued criminal conduct by Duterte if he is freed from detention.
Releasing Duterte could allow him to continue committing crimes or influencing others to do so, especially given his history of extrajudicial tactics.
Sara Duterte claims her father has been subjected to inhumane detention conditions.
She has publicly lashed out at the ICC for failing to provide adequate medical care and lacking in transparency regarding Duterte’s condition.
She claims the detention is unjust and amounts to punishment without conviction. But these allegations appear to be totally unfounded, and we expect the ICC to pursue the case against her father as soon as possible.
Rejecting Duterte’s petition is not just a procedural necessity—it’s a safeguard for justice, accountability, and the protection of victims and witnesses. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
We must reject lies surrounding Magalong’s
By Jose Antonio Goitia
I AM utterly appalled, but frankly not surprised, by the latest claims from Ka Eric Celiz alleging that Mayor Benjamin Magalong resigned from his post due to pressure from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. To me, these aren’t just rumors; they are “weapons of disinformation” explicitly designed to distort the truth, poison the well of public trust, and ultimately destabilize our institutions.
Mayor Magalong himself offered a clear, principled explanation: he stepped down to protect the integrity of the anti-corruption fight. That was his personal, conscious, and honorable choice.
Ka Eric’s theatrical version—that
the President ordered him to stop an investigation or that he refused a meeting in Malacañang—is a complete fabrication.
We should not mistake claims of Celiz for courageous reporting; it is purely self-serving agitation
President Marcos never gave such an order. These lies are meticulously crafted to deceive and erode the support the President has earned through
WHAT is likely to happen if the Marcos administration fails to deliver on its anticorruption promises, especially in flood control?
Mass protests could erupt again, with political, institutional, and civic consequences. The escalation of mass mobilization by youth groups, civic coalitions, and church networks could reignite street actions, especially in flood-prone areas.
Digital resistance could also intensify, with social media platforms such as Facebook, and TikTok amplifying whistleblower testimonies, drone footage of ghost projects, and realtime protest coordination.
Symbolic occupations by protesters targeting DPWH offices, contractor headquarters, or even ICI sessions to demand accountability could also take place.
There’s also the likelihood of a deepened institutional crisis and the erosion of legitimacy with the failure of the administration to prosecute corrupt officials and its reform narrative.
Congressional gridlock, political backlash and elite resistance could stall the passage of key reform bills, such as the Infrastructure Transparency Act and the Climate Risk Governance Act.
We could also see what could be considered a civil service revolt with
prudence and patience.
A Pattern of Reckless Fabrications
We must look at the source.
This is not the first time Ka Eric Celiz has attempted to stir controversy by spreading rumors dressed up as revelations. He has built his notoriety on a consistent pattern of reckless claims that collapse under scrutiny.
He is not a whistleblower; he is a fabricator who exploits the people’s fears and frustrations.
Time and again, his track record demonstrates that he prioritizes scandal over truth.
We should not mistake this for courageous reporting; it is purely selfserving agitation.
Stop the Cheap Political Drama
The claim that Magalong “snubbed” the President is equally nonsensical and unworthy of discussion.
The Office of the President is not a gossip arena.
To spin stories about supposed refusals is childish and disrespectful to the office.
Mayor Magalong is a man of integrity, and his decision deserves respect,
reform-minded engineers and auditors within DPWH and COA resigning from their posts or leaking documents, further destabilizing the bureaucracy.
Symbolic occupations by protesters targeting DPWH offices, contractor headquarters, or even ICI sessions to demand accountability could also take place
The legal and political fallout from the failure to act decisively on the corruption issue could lead to pressure exerted on the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice by civil society or the organized citizenry through cases filed independently, forcing prosecutorial bodies to act even if the executive branch hesitates from doing so. If evidence implicates high-level
not to be twisted into cheap drama by people who thrive on public scandal and intrigue.
I also unequivocally condemn the attempt to drag the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) into this political drama.
It is utterly reckless to use our soldiers as props in lies and speculation.
The AFP has one sacred duty: to defend the Republic under civilian authority.
To spread rumors that they are restless or plotting is a direct insult to their honor.
It plants unwarranted fear and fundamentally weakens the very institution that safeguards our democracy.
Those who tarnish the dignity of our men and women in uniform with baseless stories should be held accountable for sowing distrust.
Disinformation Is Sabotage
Let us be clear: freedom of speech is not the freedom to lie.
Ka Eric and those who amplify his claims may believe they are simply exercising their right to talk. Still, when words are built on de-
officials and the administration obstructs justice, opposition blocs could float impeachment of officials not necessarily to succeed, but to galvanize public outrage. Development partners, such as the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency may suspend infrastructure aid or demand independent audits. Government’s failure to heed the public clamor for accountability could offer civil society the opportunity to close their ranks, with the rise of more reformist movements and new coalitions —youth-led, tech-savvy and policy-driven—focused on transparency, climate resilience, and participatory budgeting. The national government’s reluctance or failure to take the lead in flood control reform could also prod local government units to bypass national gridlock and showcase their best practices. Finally, there could arise more strident demands for Constitutional reform, with calls for deeper systemic change, such as the passage of antidynasty laws, procurement reform, citizen oversight mechanisms gaining traction moving forward.
Multi-sectoral engagement built around a common anti-corruption framework could be pivotal in the months ahead as these would allow them to mobilize, monitor infrastructure, and push for systemic reform.
liberate falsehoods and intended to destabilize the government and its leaders, that is not democracy. That is sabotage, and sabotage must never be excused as liberty.
The Filipino people deserve the truth, not mass hysteria.
President Marcos has led with integrity, and he continues to respect the law even as critics try to twist the narrative against him.
We cannot allow disinformation to divide us or erode the fundamental trust we place in our institutions. Rumors are fleeting, but the truth and the Republic will endure. Unity behind the President, not hysteria from rumor-mongers, is what will protect our democracy and ensure our continued progress.
(The writer, a doctorate degree holder, serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement).
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025 mst.daydesk@gmail.com
White House rejects Pope Leo comments
WASHINGTON, DC – The White House defended President Donald Trump’s hardline migration policy on Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) after US-born Pope Leo XIV hit out the “inhuman” treatment of migrants in the United States.
“Someone who says ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants who are in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s prolife,” Pope Leo told reporters on Tuesday.
The first US head of the Catholic Church added someone who is anti-abortion but supports the death penalty, which remains legal in many US states, was also “not really pro-life.”
Chicago-born Leo, named pope in May after the death of Pope Francis, made the comments to journalists at his summer residence Castel Gandolfo.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, a Catholic, rejected the pope’s criticisms when asked to respond to them on Wednesday. AFP
Israel issues ‘last’ warning for Gazans
NASEIRAT, Palestinian Territories – Israel has issued a final warning for people to flee Gaza’s main city, as Hamas weighed US President Donald Trump’s plan to end nearly two years of war in the Palestinian territory.
Witnesses reported heavy bombardment in Gaza City, as Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said the army was tightening its encirclement of the city.
“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City,” Katz posted on X, warning that those who remained would “be considered terrorists and terrorist supporters”.
Katz said the military had seized the Netzarim corridor, linking central Gaza to the western coast, effectively cutting the north of Gaza off from the south.
Anyone leaving Gaza City for the south would have to pass through Israeli military checkpoints, he added. AFP
G7 ministers to target those buying Russia oil
WASHINGTON, DC – G7 finance ministers pledged Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) to take aim at those who are continuing to step up purchases of Russian oil, since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
In a statement after a virtual meeting, officials from the Group of Seven advanced economies — Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States — agreed that it is time to “maximize pressure on Russia’s oil exports.”
This would hit at revenue Moscow needs for the war.
“We will target those who are continuing to increase their purchase of Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine and those that are facilitating circumvention,” the ministers said in a joint statement.
They added that they agreed on “the importance of trade measures, including tariffs” and import or export bans in efforts to cut off Russian revenues. AFP
COPENHAGEN– Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to join talks with leaders from across Europe in Copenhagen Thursday, as the EU seeks to bolster Kyiv’s fight against Russia in the face of dwindling US support. Heads of state and governments from just under 50 countries will converge on a conference center under tight security
after mystery drone flights rattled Denmark.
Zelenskyy arrives looking to rally support from his main remaining backers as US President Donald Trump has turned off Washington’s taps on Kyiv. Meanwhile European leaders are keen to work with Ukraine’s war-tested expertise as they seek to bolster their own de-
fense and build a “drone wall” to counter the menace from Moscow. The drone incidents in Denmark and high-profile aerial incursions from Moscow in Estonia and Poland have heightened fears that Russia’s assault on Ukraine could spill over Europe’s borders.
“They are threatening us, and they are
to “appeal against conviction”. He did not outline the reasons for the appeal. Patterson’s legal team will have 28 days to lodge the relevant documents before a court considers whether to approve the appeal, national broadcaster ABC said. Last month, Patterson was sentenced to life in prison but a judge said she would be eligible for parole after 33 years. Her legal team had argued she should be given the chance of release after 30 years because the notoriety of her case would have meant she would spend most of her prison sentence in isolation. Throughout a trial lasting more than two months, Patterson maintained the beefand-pastry dish was accidentally poisoned with death cap mushrooms — the world’s most lethal fungus.
But a 12-person jury found Patterson guilty in July of murdering her husband Simon’s parents, Don and Gail Patterson, as well as his aunt Heather Wilkinson, at her home in Leongatha, in the state of Victoria. AFP
testing us, and they will not stop,” Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen warned after a first day of defense talks with leaders of the 27-nation European Union.
High on the agenda at Wednesday’s summit was a proposal to use frozen Russian assets to fund a new 140-billioneuro loan for Kyiv. AFP
BANGKOK – A digital reconstruction of a million-year-old skull suggests humans may have diverged from our ancient ancestors 400,000 years earlier than thought and in Asia not Africa, a study said Thursday.
The findings are based on a reconstruction of a crushed skull discovered in China in 1990, and have the potential to resolve the longstanding “Muddle in the Middle” of human evolution, researchers said.
But experts not involved in the work cautioned that the findings were likely to be disputed, and pointed to ongoing uncertainties in the timeline of human evolution.
The skull, labeled Yunxian 2, was previously thought to belong to a human fore-
runner called Homo erectus.
But modern reconstruction technologies revealed features closer to species previously thought to have existed only later in human evolution, including the recently discovered Homo longi and our own Homo sapiens.
“This changes a lot of thinking,” said Chris Stringer, an anthropologist at the Natural History Museum, London, who was part of the research team.
“It suggests that by one million years ago, our ancestors had already split into distinct groups, pointing to a much earlier and more complex human evolutionary split than previously believed,” he added.
WASHINGTON, DC – Efforts to swiftly end the US government shutdown collapsed Wednesday (Thursday Manila time) as Democrats in Congress went home without resolving a funding stand-off with President Donald Trump -- and the White House threatened public sector jobs.
Federal funding expired at midnight after Trump and lawmakers failed to agree on a deal to keep the lights on, prompting agencies to wind down services, while the White House warned of “imminent” firings of public sector workers.
Senate Democrats — who are demanding extended health care subsidies for low income families — refused to help the majority Republicans approve a House-passed bill that would have reopened the government for several weeks while negotiations continue.
Voting in the Senate is now adjourned until Friday, meaning hopes for a quick resolution have been frustrated.
Around 750,000 federal employees are expected to be placed on furlough -- a kind of enforced leave, with pay withheld until they return to work.
Essential workers such as the military and border agents may be forced to work without pay and some will likely miss their checks beginning next week. Meanwhile the National Air Traffic Controllers Association voiced fears for air safety as more than 2,300 members are sent home.
The crisis has higher stakes than previous shutdowns, with Trump racing to enact hard-right policies, including slashing government departments and threatening to turn many of the furloughs into mass firings. AFP
If the findings are correct, it suggests there could have been much earlier members of other early hominins, including Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, the study says. It also “muddies the waters” on longstanding assumptions that early humans dispersed from Africa, said Michael Petraglia, director of Griffith University’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution, who was not involved in the research.
“There’s a big change potentially happening here, where east Asia is now playing a very key role in hominin evolution,” he told AFP. AFP
IDOARJO, Indonesia –Rescuers detected “no more signs of life” at a collapsed Indonesian school where 59 people were believed missing days after it gave way, an official said Thursday, raising fears no more survivors would be found.
Part of the multi-story boarding school on the main island of Java suddenly collapsed on Monday as students gathered for afternoon prayers.
After days of rescue operations, 59 people were still feared buried under the rubble after at least five people had been confirmed dead.
“We used high-tech equipment like thermal drones, and, scientifically, there were no more signs of life,” said Suharyanto, the head of the country’s disaster mitigation agency. Distraught and tearful families waited anxiously near the site for news of their loved ones. Residents near the school offered the families to stay in their homes as they waited, AFP saw.
“I’ve been here since day one. I am hoping for the best news, that my brother survives. I am still hopeful,” said Maulana Bayu Rizky Pratama, whose 17-yearold brother is missing.
“It’s been four days, I hope my brother will be found soon. I feel sad thinking of him being down there for four days,” the 28-year-old added.
Rescuers pulled five survivors from the rubble on Wednesday as frantic parents demanded searchers speed up efforts to find dozens of children believed to still be trapped.
Abdul Hanan, whose 14-year-old son is missing, said children under the rubble had been crying for help.
“The rescue operation must be accelerated,” he urged.
Investigations into the cause of the collapse in the town of Sidoarjo are ongoing, but initial signs point to substandard construction, experts have said.
The rescue operation is complex as vibrations happening in one place can impact other areas, said Mohammad Syafii, head of the National Search and Rescue Agency.
“So now, to reach the spot where the victims are, we have to dig an underground tunnel,” he told reporters. AFP
Israel to deport intercepted Gaza aid flotilla activists to Europe
JERUSALEM – Israel said on Thursday it will deport to Europe pro-Palestinian activists on an aid flotilla headed towards Gaza as the Israeli navy intercepted vessel after vessel in the Mediterranean.
The Global Sumud Flotilla of around 45 vessels began its voyage to Gaza last month, with politicians and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg aiming to break Israel’s siege of the Palestinian territory, where the United Nations says famine has set in. The Israeli navy began intercepting vessels on Wednesday after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade, with Thunberg’s ship among those stopped from going further.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he will expel all remaining Israeli diplomats in the country over the inter-
ception. Turkey called the interception “an act of terrorism that constitutes the most serious violation of international law and endangers the lives of innocent civilians”.
Israel blocked similar flotilla
By Peter Atencio
IF plans push through, the Philippines may host a Women’s Tennis Association level event next year as offi cials of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) are discussing plans to run a WTA 125 competition in January.
This came up following a meeting between Navotas Mayor and Philta Secretary General John Rey Tiangco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio.
“Our partnership with the PSC paves the way for a new chapter in Philippine tennis,” said Tiangco following a meeting with Gregorio.
A first for the country, the high-level tennis event will be known as the WTA 125-Philippine Women’s Open, with the Philta planning to hold it from January 26 to February 1.
Philta and the PSC are in discussions on having it held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and also at the Philippine Tennis Center being built at the
New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Filipinos have renewed their interest in the sport of tennis in the aftermath of Alexandra Eala’s success in the Women’s Tennis Association, where she has been one of its rising stars.
Tiangco told Gregorio that they are pursuing efforts to organize not only the WTA 125 Philippine Women’s Open, but also an International Tennis Federation (ITF) junior level J30 event.
“We are bringing world-class opportunities closer to home. Tennis transforms lives, and with PSC’s support, we are determined to help Filipinos rise and shine on the world stage,” added Tiangco.
By Dennis Abrina
COACH Olsen Racela’s Perpetual
Help Altas, honed for a year, are ready for their National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 101 opener against the San Sebastian College Stags on Friday (October 3, 2025) at 12 noon at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Gregorio said the staging of such events will be more than a tournament in tennis.
“This is more than a tournament. This is about giving our athletes the chance to test themselves against the world’s best, i nspiring the next generation, and placing the Philippines firmly on the global tennis map,” said Gregorio.
FORMER Deputy Speaker and sportsman Mikee Romero was among the 39 senior officers the Armed Forces of the Philippines whose promotions were officially confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on Monday, Oct. 1. Romero, who completed three terms as 1Pacman representative in the Congress, was promoted to full colonel in the Philippine Air Force Reserve, a development which is likely to give the Association of Reservist and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines more power to pursue its missions in the countryside.
Romero chairs ARRAPI which is actively supporting AFP in its various projects – the latest was the Last Mile Medical Health Donation initiative in Tawi-Tawi.
Romero has been a driving force in strengthening the reservist corps as a strategic component of defense. With Romero’s help, ARRAPI now has more than 5,000 members all
IT was just the first game. But there was no doubt what the win against the tournament favorites meant for the Red Lions of San Beda as the basketball tournament of the 101st season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association officially started last Wednesday night at the Big Dome. In a pre-tournament prediction that The Designated Kit Man saw posted online, a student publication picked the Blazers as the team to beat this season, followed by the defending champions Mapua Cardinals, then the Letran Knights and the Red Lions at fourth. Can’t blame the kids, who made the picks, it is but expected to pick your own after all owing to the lofty status of the Blazers, much more the fact that even some pundits placed CSB on top of the pecking order. Reality, however, is very much far away from expectations as the Blazers got mangled by the Red Lions.
From a close battle in the opening quarter, San Beda went hot in the last few
minutes of the second quarter en route to the third canto to hold a spirited comeback by the College of Saint Benilde in the final period to post a convincing 96-85 win.
“Hindi naman namin ini-expect na tatambakan namin sila. We just played defense which I think was the key during the second and third quarter. Doon lumaki ang lead namin because of our defense. While we were making stops, we were also making our shots,” Yukien Andrada, Red Lions skipper, told The Designated Kit Man. Reigning Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag was limited to just 12 points, but was almost responsible for fuelling a fiery Blazers’ comeback in the fourth period.
CSB came to within six, 91-85, late in the game, but the Red Lions roared back with a 5-0 closing run to win the game.
It was also notable that the Red Lions executed a well-oiled offense with four players scoring in double figures, not to mention a solid ball movement, which showed a lot of maturity on the Red Lions’ side.
“Malaking tulong sa game namin ‘yung mga team buildings prior to the tournament. Nakita ko talaga sa game namin
‘yung trust ng bawat isa na willing sila na ipasa ang bola kahit kanino. We really have that trust in each other that they will make those shots,” Andrada shared.
Andrada also heaped praises on the rookies of the team. He said they really showed up and proved their doubters wrong. Janti Miller and Jimmy Reyes scored in double digits, while Zedjay Etulle and Joe Celzo had at least six points for a balanced offense. Pro-bound Bryan Sajonia and Miller topscored for the Red Lions with 16 points apiece, while Andrada chipped in 11. Except for one, all players fielded by coach Yuri Escueta scored at least two points or more.
“Wala akong doubt sa kanila. Hindi ako na-surprise actually. Alam ko ‘yung capability nila on the offensive side at malaki ang tiwala ng team sa lahat ng rookies namin lalo na sina Janti at Jimmy. Kahit rookie ka sa team as long as you play well at kitang-kita ang confidence, talagang malaki ang maitutulong mo sa team,” Andrada, who is set to join Magnolia in the pro ranks after the tournament, said.
While visibly pumped up by the statement win, Andrada cautions his team not to be overconfident and feel that the tournament is for them to lose. It was just the opening game and the tournament, with its new format, is a long way to go. The Red Lions will have to remain focused and consistent to entertain thoughts of bringing back the title once more in Mendiola. They still have to contend against the favored Cardinals, the Knights and of course the Blazers, not to mention the “dark horse” teams of Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help. Next stop will be another big battle as
over the country – all ready to provide support for disaster response and humanitarian assistance.
But being a true sportsman, Romero intends to bring joy even to the most isolated communities in the country by donating sports equipment and launching several sports events soon.
“That will be part of my mission, sports can unite the nation because of the joy and thrill it can bring,” said Romero. “After civil-military operations, we can introduce sports and give disaster victims little enjoyment.”
One of Romero’s highlights as member of the Congress was being the primary proponent of the legislation that enabled Ginebra resident import Justin Brownlee to obtain Filipino citizenship two years ago.
A world-ranked polo player, Romero also helped push the AFP Modernization Program and back key air mobility acquisitions, including the procurement of three C-130J aircraft.
the Red Lions take on perennial rival and familiar adversary the Knights of Colegio de San Juan Letran this Sunday, October 5 at Fil-Oil Arena in San Juan City.
“Mas dodoblehin namin ang effort kasi rivalry game ito. And this rivalry against Letran will always bring the best of both teams. Tingin ko dikdikan talaga ito hanggang dulo at it will really depend on how much each team wants to win the game,” Andrada added.
The Red Lions’ path to redemption has just started. There will be lots of obstacles along the way – surprises, too, will be many. The team will be tested again and again but it is quite comforting and morale boosting to know that the journey to redemption has started on the right step. Winning the first game is the best way to start. It gives the team a reason to smile and a little validation that this season will be much different from the last. Moreover, when so many reasons predict them to fail, they have all the answers to shut them down.
While it is too early to say, I believe that the road to the NCAA title will lead to Mendiola as long as the Red Lions keep the faith and the belief that they can and are capable of giving their best every game of the season. Animo! Go San Beda Fight! Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!
For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat
Racela will field a strong team, including veterans John Cedrick “ABeast” Abis, John Paul Boral, and Jearico Nuñez in their final year. Other holdovers are point guard Shawn Orgo, center Emman Pizarro, Bulacan native forward Angelo Gelsano and sophomore hotshot Mark Derick Gojo Cruz. Other recruits and transferees eligible to play include hotshot Patrick Sleat and Kevin Guibao from FEU, LA Casinillo from NU, JM Talabut, Josh Alcantara and Allen Maglupay from UE and brothers Kenji Duremdez and Kylle Magdangal from UST. Also included in the lineup are rookies Aries Borja, JD Pagulayan and Jan Roluna from the defending champion Junior Altas.
They will challenge new Golden Stags’ coach Rob Labagala’s team, led by last season’s top scorer Paeng Are and team captain Tristan Felebrico.
The Junior Altas, under coach Joph Cleopas, will also begin their title defense at 9:30 a.m. against Chelito Caro’s SSC Staglets.
They will count on players like Loiue Rosales and team captain Lance Nitura, with new talents such as Rayven Restificar and Brent Rosales filling key roles.
Other games on Friday include the Letran Knights vs. JRU Heavy Bombers at 2:30 p.m., with their junior counterparts also competing at 5 p.m.
A GRAND party kicks off a season-long celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Basketball Association. The league gets the ball rolling at the green gate of the Smart Aran eta C oliseum on Satu rday where it will hold a fourhour fans’ day in honor of what the PBA considers its lifeblood. Players are expected to interact with the different fans’ clubs in a meet-and-greet event that also features performances by the PBA’s All-Star band.
Various PBA merchandises are also on sale at the venue. From the Araneta Center, the festivity then shifts to Ortigas later in the nightm when the league hosts a first-ever fellowship that traces the 50-year history of Asia’s pioneering pro league. Former and current players have been invited in the celebration at the Meralco Theater along with officials, managers, team staff, members of the press, and PBA employees – all past and present.
Entertainment will be provided by Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, APO hiking, Bituin Escalante and a host of others as they serenade the guests with songs from 1975 onwards – representing five decades of the PBA’s existence.
Members of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players and Hall of Famers will also be recognized during the program, according to commissioner Willie Marcial.
“Iniimbitahan namin kayong lahat sa PBA 50th year reunion dahil paparangalan natin lahat ng mga naging bahagi ng liga sa loob ng limang dekada,” said Marcial as he urged everyone to extend the invitation in behalf of the league.
The celebration continues the following day (Oct. 5) when the league holds the annual Leo Awards at the Novotel Manila, to be followed later in the day by the ushering of Season 50 at the Big Dome, and capped by the lone opening game between long-time rivals Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia.
Marcial said more former players are expected to attend the Sunday gathering.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
By Peter Atencio
THE 2025 Batang Pinoy National Championships is expected to draw a record number of 15,000 young athletes when it is hosted from October 25 to 31 in General Santos City.
Unlike the Palarong Pambansa, which is exclusive to student-athletes, Batang Pinoy opens its door to the out-of-school youth, making it the broader, more inclusive grassroots’ program.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio said the annual national youth sports meet will serve as a pathway for aspiring athletes to excel in higher-level competitions during the games’ launching on Thursday at the Sheraton Hotel in Manila.
“It is exactly what we have.
A grassroots program, which is Batang Pinoy that leads to the Palarong Pambansa, papunta ng Tertiary Games, going to the Youth Games and to national competitions,” said Gregorio.
The Batang Pinoy, which continues to serve as the country’s national youth sports competition for athletes aged 18 years old and under, will once again offer cash prizes amounting to P5 million to the winning local government with the most medals.
The agency has allotted P4 million in cash to the second placer, and P3 million to the third-placed LGU.
“A grassroots program will not happen without a Batang Pinoy that is well-funded, and it will not be a great program if not hosted by the provinces,” added Gregorio.
This year’s edition will feature 27 events, namely swimming, archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball (3x3), boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, futsal, gymnastics, jiujitsu, judo, kickboxing, karate, muay, pencak silat, sepak takraw, soft tennis, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu.
By Randy M. Caluag
IF his recovery stays on track, Kai Sotto may soon be back in national colors, suiting up once again for Gilas Pilipinas in the coming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifi ers.
The 7’3” center, who has been sidelined by injuries in recent months, was included in the 16-man pool announced by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
“Continuity is still the main priority of coach Tim Cone, but we saw it fit to add a couple of pieces to the training pool,” said SBP president Al Panlilio. “Obviously, Justin (Brownlee) will still be the top choice in terms of having a naturalized player in the lineup, but we need to take advantage of actually having multiple naturalized players.”
Sotto joins a core group of 12 players, who recently battled in the FIBA Asia Cup, including Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Scottie Thompson, Jamie Malonzo, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Dwight Ramos, Japeth Aguilar, Kevin Quiambao, Brownlee, Carl Tamayo, and AJ Edu.
Also reinforcing the pool are naturalized center Ange Kouame, guard RJ Abarrientos, and forward Quentin Millora-Brown, who has been reclassified as a local by FIBA and will join his first Gilas training pool.
Though Sotto is still working his way back to full strength, his inclusion underscores the importance of his presence in Gilas’ long-term plans.
The former Adelaide 36ers and
Hiroshima Dragonflies big man remains one of the Philippines’ most promising frontcourt anchors, capable of protecting the rim, stretching the floor, and providing size against Asia’s elite competition.
Panlilio also expressed excitement about Millora-Brown’s potential im-
pact after seeing him play for the Macau Black Bears.
“We got a close-up look at what he can do and, talking to coach Tim, he’s certain a guy like QMB can shine in the system that we have,” Panlilio said.
Gilas PH opens its first qualify-
THE first batch of the 141-athlete
Team Philippines will fly to Manama on October 17 five days ahead of the opening ceremony of the second Asian Youth Games (AYG), according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino on Thursday.
The mission, Tolentino said, is to match or surpass the two gold medals Pauline Lopez (taekwondo) and Mia Legaspi (golf) won in the last edition in Nanjing, China, in 2013.
“We have strong chances at the gold medals in the combat sports, but we’re not discounting production in other fronts,” said Tolentino, adding that the AYG is the second largest multi-sport competition in the continent after the Asian Games.
The Filipino athletes are competing in 19 of the 26 sports programmed by host Bahrain for the AYG, which started in 2009 in Singapore but were
shelved twice in 2017 and 2021 because of the pandemic.
Jiu-jitsu has the most number of athletes with 17, followed by taekwondo with 16 and wrestling with 13 in the AYG where Bahrain included its domestic sport of camel racing as well as beach wrestling.
The Philippines is also competing in wolleyball (12), teqball (6), golf (6), triathlon (2), MMA (5), muay (12), athletics (8), boxing (6), cycling (6), weightlifting (6), table tennis (6), badminton (8), beach wrestling (3), aquatics (3), kurash (4) and pencak silat (2).
Tolentino said that in the last AYG meeting in Manama, the hosts announced that 4,250 athletes are competing and will be joined by 900 team and technical officials and 700 coaches.
In organizing the games, the hosts listed a 1,200 work force and 300 volunteers as they aim to surpass expectations.
The second batch of athletes, coaches and team officials are flying on October 20.
China dominated the Nanjing games by winning 71 of the 231 gold medals with Thailand emerging as the best Southeast Asian country with 17 golds, followed by Singapore with 14 and Vietnam five.
STA. ROSA, Laguna—In a day marked by razor-thin margins, wild swings and relentless pressure, Zach Villaroman and Jakob Taruc came through in the clutch, salvaging an all-square result in the final pairing to help Team North escape with a nerve-wracking 6 1/2-5 1/2 victory over Team South in Thursday’s Foursomes of the ICTSI Elite Junior Finals here. The tightly contested match-up capped a rollercoaster Day 2 in this Ryder Cup-style event, showcasing the country’s finest junior golfers. As the sun scorched the pristine fairways of The Country Club, both sides battled not only each other, but also the weight of expectations and the high-stakes format of alternate shot play. With the team standings at 14-9 heading into the final match, South’s Eric Jeon and Mhark Fernando III looked poised to deliver a crucial point, taking a 1-up lead to the 18th. But on the challenging par-4 finishing hole, Fernando’s 3-iron approach into a stiff
headwind found the pond, opening the door for Villaroman and Taruc to steal a half-point with a steady par. They delivered, reaching the green in two and two-putting to snatch the tie and hike Team North’s lead, 14 1/2-9 1/2. The seesaw battle was emblematic of the day’s drama. While Team North built on its 8–4 Four-ball win from Tuesday to take early control, Team South mounted a fiery comeback, winning key matches late in the day. The tight finishes and bold recoveries made this the most dramatic installment yet in a Finals that continues to defy prediction.
Earlier in the day, North captured six of the first 11 matches, threatening to pull away. But South clawed back in the boys’ 7-10 division with a clean sweep, while also notching pivotal wins in the 11-14 and 15-18 categories. Ralph Batican and Marcus Dueñas exacted revenge on Vito Sa-
rines and Ryuji Suzuki, 2-up, in boys’ 11-14, while Lucas Revilleza and James Rolida stormed back from behind to edge Halo Pangilinan and Asher Abad, 1-up. Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo also repeated their dominance with a 2&1 victory over Zach Guico and Zoji Edoc in the youngest age category. On the girls’ side, South’s 15-18 pairs flexed their experience and chemistry once more. Crista Miñoza and Precious Zaragosa cruised to a 3&2 victory, while Tashanah Balangauan and Mikela Guillermo secured a 4&3 rout – both building on their dominant Four-ball performances a day earlier. Despite South’s late charge, Team North found strength in its younger divisions. The girls’ 7-10 duo of Winter Serapio and Ronee Dungca remained untouchable, dispatching Soleil Molde and Denise Mendoza in just two and a half hours with a commanding 7&6 victory. Minutes later, Mavis Espedido and Tyra Garingalao matched the feat against Claren Quiño and Francesca Geroy. The back-to-back sweeps from SerapioDungca and Espedido-Garingalao – who also won convincingly on Day 1 – gave North critical breathing room heading into Friday’s singles.
ing window with a home-and-away series against Guam—November 28 in Guam and December 1 in the Philippines.
Group A also includes regional powerhouses Australia and New Zealand, with only the top three advancing to the next stage.
SAN Beda University shoots for a second straight win and a hold of the solo top spot in Pool A against debuting Lyceum of the Philippines University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Friday at the Paco Arena. Game time is set at 2 p.m. with the Lady Red Spikers and the Lady Pirates clashing in a match-up that was postponed last week due to Typhoon Opong.
Facing off in the curtain-raiser at 12 p.m. are College of Saint Benilde and San Sebastian College-Recoletos in Pool D while Mapua and Letran collide in Pool C at 4 p.m. to cap the triple-header playdate of the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, PeriPeri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea. San Beda is tied with four-peat-seeking National University in the standings following a five-set escape over Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10, on September 20. Lady Red Spikers head coach Kungfu Reyes will again pin his hopes on his main gunners Angel Habacon and Janelle Bachar to bring the squad a step closer to securing a seat to the next round. The Lady Pirates are out for redemption after falling a win short of advancing into the second round last year.
National Grid Corp. of the Philippines linemen help
8.5%
Electronics exports growth in August 2025
$3.57 billion
Electronics exports in August 2025
$42.6 billion
Total electronics exports in 2024
Maynilad ‘looking’ at Prime Water
By Jenniffer B. Austria
MAYNILAD Water Services Inc.
is “looking” at Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., the water utility firm of the Villar Group, which is reportedly up for sale, a top executive said Thursday.
“We are in the water sector, and PrimeWater is in water. It is but natural that we will look at it,” said Maynilad president and chief executive Ramoncito Fernandez.
Prime Water has joint venture agreements with more than 70 water districts across the Philippines, including in Bulacan and Cavite provinces.
BDO Capital and Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco noted that there is strong interest in PrimeWater because it is a leading water company in the country.
“They [PrimeWater] are dominant, and they are extensive, so there are good assets,” Francisco said.
Maynilad’s sister company, MetroPac Water Investments Corp. (MWIC), earlier it was in talks to acquire Prime Water, but no definite deal has been finalized.
MWIC operates more than 700 water projects in the Philippines and Vietnam. In the Philippines, it has over 530,000 customers and 85,000 service connections, with a billed volume of 359 million liters per day. Its major projects include water distribution in Dumaguete and Iloilo, bulk water supply in Cagayan de Oro and Iloilo, and industrial water projects in Vietnam.
By Othel V. Campos
THE Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) is now expecting a modest increase in electronics exports this year, revising its earlier forecast of flat growth for 2025.
SEIPI president Dan Lachica said the latest Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showed upward trends in year-to-date shipments, signaling signs of recovery for the country’s top export sector.
“We started the year with flat growth, but there are signs of life. If you look at the PSA numbers, you see upward climbs,” Lachica said in a pre-event briefing on Thursday for the upcoming Philippine Semiconductor and Electronics Convention and Exhibition (PSECE) 2025.
Exports of electronic products amounted to $3.57 billion in August 2025, up 8.5 percent from August 2024, although slightly lower by 1.3 percent compared to the numbers in July 2025. Electronics remain the Philippines’ top export, accounting for about 60 percent of the country’s shipments.
The industry reached a record-high $49.5 billion in 2022, but exports contracted by 8 percent in 2023 and a further 6 percent in 2024 to $42.6 billion, amid global market
headwinds.
Lachica expressed optimism that the sector would exceed the flat growth projected at the start of the year, underscoring the need for government-backed research and development (R&D) and prototype facilities to strengthen the country’s semiconductor packaging and assembly capability.
SEIPI is aligning with the Semiconductor and Electronics Industry Advisory Council’s longterm roadmap of reaching $110 billion in exports by 2030.
The plan envisions $70 billion from semiconductors and $40 billion from electronics manufacturing services (EMS), expanding EMS from its current 30-percent share of exports.
SEIPI is gearing up for this year’s PSECE, the premier annual event for the industry, in a three-day convention at SMX on Oct. 28 to 30, 2025.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Department of Energy (DOE) is studying plans to hold an auction for incoming nuclear power capacities next year, a step in preparing for nuclear’s entry into the country’s power generation mix.
DOE director for Energy Utilization Management Bureau Patrick Aquino said the agency would undertake a process, including public consultation, to ensure any issuance has a legal basis.
the partners’ event on Sept. 17, 2025 with a gesture of giving. For every guest in attendance, 70 meals were pledged by Filinvest to the Loaves X Fish Foundation, amounting to a total of 10,000 meals, for those most in need. In line with its mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope, Loaves X Fish Foundation operates a charity kitchen that provides free hot meals for the poor, abandoned marginalized and forgotten.
“So there might be an auction. So, we will work. We will make sure that any issuance is supported by legal basis and, of course, will result in resilient, secure, safe and reasonably priced electricity for the consumer,” Aquino said on the sidelines of the two-day 2nd Philippine International Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) 2025 held at the Grand Hyatt Manila.
The DOE’s Philippine Energy Plan clean energy scenario 1 aims to have 1,200 megawatts (MW) of nuclear capacity by 2032, increasing it to 2,400
MW by 2035 and 4,800 MW by 2050. Energy Secretary Sharon Garin earlier said the DOE planned to begin accepting applications for nuclear power projects by 2026. Aquino said a historic milestone for the country’s nuclear energy goals is the recent enactment of Republic Act No. 12305 or the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (PhilATOM) Act, which serves as the legal backbone for nuclear energy governance.
“PhilATOM is the clearest signal of
SM Prime’s Santa Rosa IT Center declared as new economic zone
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SMPHI) have signed an agreement declaring the
PEZA director-general Tereso Panga and SMPHI vice president and head of SM Offices Antonio Felix Ortiga signed the deal.
“The proclamation of SM City Santa Rosa as an IT Center paves the way for more investments and quality jobs in the CALABARZON Region,” said Panga. Panga said PEZA continues to host world-class infrastructure, a deep pool of highly skilled talent and provides competitive incentives, making it a partner of choice for global investors in the IT-BPM industry. The center operates from a 12,092-square-meter property. This project is expected to further strengthen Santa Rosa, Laguna’s position as a strategic IT-BPM hub outside Metro Manila, driving countryside development and inclusive growth. Othel V. Campos
this administration, this government, that we’re dead serious in getting nuclear for power generation,” he said. Aquino also noted that 2026 would be crucial in reinforcing institutional readiness, technical credibility and public trust to lay the foundation for a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy future.
“Based on our timeline, if a private sector company wants to file a siting license application, they’ll be able to do it when it’s filed, hopefully by next year,” he said.
By Thony Rose Lesaca
and
and
and
6.9
and
also grew by 23.9 percent to P1.79 trillion in August. This category includes credit card, motor vehicle and general-purpose salary loans. The growth rate was slightly faster than the 23.6 percent growth in July.
By Jenniffer B. Austria
TIt introduced guidelines for SEC Securing & Expanding Capital for Farms & Agri-business Related Modernization Schemes (SEC FARMS) which aims to streamline securities registration and allow companies to raise up to P500 million per project.
SEC chairman Francis Lim said the program is designed to provide much-
GSIS offers loans to earthquake victims in Cebu
THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) said Thursday it is ready to extend assistance, including a special emergency loan program, to its members and pensioners in Bogo and other areas in Cebu declared as calamity areas following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sept. 30, 2025.
The earthquake caused structural damage and disrupted daily life for many in the province.
GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso said the pension fund is prepared to provide financial relief to government workers and retirees affected by the disaster.
“We want our members and pensioners in Cebu to know that GSIS is with them. We are ready to provide immediate financial relief so they can recover from the impact of the earthquake,” Veloso said.
The GSIS Emergency Loan Program will be opened to qualified members and pensioners who reside or work in Cebu.
Eligible members and pensioners may borrow up to P40,000 if they have an existing emergency loan, or up to P20,000 if they have no outstanding balance.
The loan is payable in 36 months at a low interest rate of six percent per annum, with the first monthly amortization due after three months.
needed capital to the sector, which he called the “backbone of our economy.”
“We know that agriculture is the backbone of our economy—it feeds our people and sustains millions of families. Yet farmers and agri-businesses have often been left with little water to grow—the water here being capital or financing,” Lim said.
“SEC FARMS is our way of irrigating that field, making sure resources reach those who need them most so you can modernize, expand and thrive,” said Lim.
Established under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 8, Series of 2023, the SEC FARMS program simplifies the registration process for agri-business securities to encourage investment and growth.
Under the program, the SEC should review the registration statements of agri-business firms within 28 days from the date of filing.
The initiative supports the Marcos
administration’s “Masaganang Agrikultura, Maunlad na Ekonomiya” program, which promotes farm clustering, modernization and industrialization of the agriculture sector.
“Think of SEC FARMS as a new set of farming tools—lighter, sharper, and more efficient. With the right tools, your hard work will yield bigger harvests, not just for your families but for the whole nation,” Lim said.
“We are only at the start of this journey, but with your participation, I believe SEC FARMS can make Philippine agriculture more productive, competitive and sustainable,” he said.
Expanded 4PH.
THE Pag-IBIG Fund, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday turned over new housing units to more than 100 beneficiaries of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) who are also active PagIBIG Fund members.
The ceremony on Sept. 29, 2025 at the Abuab Housing Project in San Mateo, Rizal also marked the kick-off of National Shelter Month 2025 and highlighted the administration’s drive to provide safe, decent and affordable
both seen as
shelter for all Filipinos under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling cited the importance of the inter-agency collaboration in achieving the administration’s housing goals.
“President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed all government agencies to help one another in making homeownership more accessible to Filipinos, especially our 4Ps beneficiaries. Today’s turnover is a fulfillment of that directive. This is the first Expanded 4PH pilot project in Region IV-A,” said Aliling.
“In close coordination with DSWD,
we are matching the housing needs of 4Ps families in our collective effort to uplift lives,” he said.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian stressed the long-term impact on social development.
“DSWD’s mandate is not only to provide relief during times of crisis but to help our fellow Filipinos break free from poverty,” said Gatchalian.
“This is the first time we have partnered with DHSUD on a project like this, and we are grateful that our 4Ps beneficiaries now have the chance to own a home through the expanded 4PH program,” he said.
By Othel V. Campos
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will identify and endorse qualified borrowers to the state-run Land Bank of the Philippines under a newlylaunched program.
LIFT MSMEs Program (LANDBANK Innovative Financing Thrust toward Inclusive National Growth) aims to improve micro, small and medium enterprises’ (MSMEs) access to capital. The initiative supports the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand affordable loans and financing for MSMEs, aligning with the DTI’s five-point agenda of providing financial and technical support to help these enterprises compete globally.
Through the LIFT MSMEs Program, MSMEs will gain access to innovative financing solutions designed to help them scale up operations, enhance competitiveness and play a stronger role in driving national economic development.
The DTI said in a statement it would also collaborate with LandBank in developing capacitybuilding programs to ensure endorsed MSMEs are well-prepared for financing and positioned for long-term growth.
DOE supports ASEAN Power Grid
THE Philippines has expressed its firm commitment to advancing the ASEAN
WORLD-RENOWNED ophthalmolo-
gist Dr. Ike Ahmed is collaborating with the Asian Eye Institute (AEI) to bring next-generation glaucoma treatments to the Philippines, focusing on safer, earlier and less invasive interventions.
Dr. Ahmed, recognized by The Ophthalmologist magazine as the number one most influential ophthalmologist worldwide in 2024, is globally known for pioneering Micro-Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS).
This new class of minimally invasive procedures is designed to safely lower intraocular pressure and slow the progression of glaucoma.
“Dr. Ang and I have been studying glaucoma over the years, and we have
a whole movement called interventional glaucoma,” said Dr. Ahmed.
“It provides earlier treatments through safe, minimally invasive intervention to address the unmet needs in glaucoma, which are the problems of progression and eye drops,” he said.
The collaboration involves AEI’s Head of the Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services and Chief of Asian Eye’s Research and Training Center
Dr. Robert Ang, who has been leading pioneering clinical trials to expand access to new-generation treatments in the Philippines. Together, the two experts are advancing novel, non-invasive laser applications that target the eye’s natural drainage system.
EVERY strand on a loom carries history and identity for generations of Filipino weavers. Rising before dawn, these artisans speak through color and thread, their patterns reflecting communities and a culture that refuses to fade. This same commitment to meticulous craft and tradition defines the excellence of Cebu Pacific’s flight crew.
In the cockpit, Captain Niel Siñel follows an intricate sequence that mirrors the weaver’s dedication. Just as the weaver guides the yarn with deliberate attention, Siñel moves through switches and levers, driven by the knowledge that precision is essential for safety.
“Before any aircraft is dispatched for flight, it has to meet stringent regulatory requirements to ensure that the highest level of safety is met in all aspects,” Siñel said, recalling his safety checklist. “Part of which also is to assess the weather if it satisfies the prescribed conditions, including that of the alternate airports.”
Because of his commitment to safety, Siñel was recognized as one of Cebu Pacific’s top-performing pilots, a distinction given to those who go above and beyond in serving passengers and providing them with reliable and comfortable flights. As a symbol of honor, he and his fellow honorees received a special tie crafted in the Binakol weaving tradition of Ilocos Norte. Once reserved for important occasions, the Binakol tie now serves as a badge of excellence and inspiration for all other pilots of the airline.
Though their worlds rarely intersect, Filipino weavers and Cebu Pacific’s flight crew share the same devotion: to create meaningful stories and lasting memories for others. One weaves fabric, the other
THE Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) successfully co-hosted the Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar (APASS) 2025 in Manila. The two-day event, held at the Hilton Manila in September, united aviation safety leaders, regulators, and industry experts from across the region under the theme: “Safety Beyond Borders: Global Partnerships, Local Impact.”
PAL President Richard Nuttall underscored the necessity of collaboration given the industry’s evolving complexities. “As the nation’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines has always placed safety at the core of its operations,” Nuttall said. “But as skies grow busier, technologies advance, and global complexities deepen, risks continue to evolve.” Nuttall stressed that meeting
these challenges requires the entire ecosystem—airlines, regulators, and suppliers—to work together for a safer future. He commended AAPA for leading the initiative, adding, “We are honored to host such an important gathering.”
AAPA Director General Subhas Menon reaffirmed this commitment, stating, “Safety remains the cornerstone of aviation. The better we become in any arising risk, the safer we become.”
APASS 2025 featured breakout sessions, panel discussions, and collaborative exchanges focused on advancing aviation safety practices and fostering a proactive safety culture. Key topics included operational risk management, safety data analysis, and innovations in flight safety technologies. This was the first time PAL hosted the APASS since 2010.
weaves journeys, but both do so with hands refined by craftsmanship, and hearts dedicated to excellence and service for every Juan. Keeping Filipino Traditions Alive In-Flight
Inside the cabin, Cezzye Basa moves through her own ritual. She checks safety equipment, briefs her team, and straightens her scarf—a small gesture that signals she’s ready to welcome hundreds of passengers on board.
“I’ve been with CEB for 11 wonderful years,” Basa said, her smile reflecting the ease and confidence that come from more than a decade of service.
Like Siñel, Basa is one of Cebu Pacific’s top-performing cabin crew, and she was given a Ramit scarf featuring the traditional weave of Occidental Mindoro, woven with nature-inspired patterns passed down through generations. Like the Ramit’s distinctive bands, Basa’s service is marked by care and continuity—values she helps pass on to junior crew members.
“Sa CEB, we also have our own culture. We want to hand it down to our colleagues,” she said. “The service we provide our passengers is like how they make the weaves — meticulous, hindi lang nila binabara-bara.”
Siñel’s Binakol tie, with its unique patterns, for him reflects the threads that bind their identity together. “From how they make the weaves, it shows unity. It symbolizes pride, not only for me but also for my coworkers,” he said.
Like the Ramit and the Binakol, the skills and mindsets of Cebu Pacific’s flight crew are rooted in tradition but adapted for today—each flight a new pattern, each journey a fresh weave.
That sense of shared responsibility begins long before the doors close. In every preflight briefing, pilots and cabin crew align their goals, review safety measures, and check on one another. “On the perspective of a pilot, first we have to check ourselves. Not only me, but also our crew—we ask them if they’re ready to fly,” Siñel said. “Even though we have different jobs, we should be aligned on our intention. And it’s important for everybody, especially the crew.”
Basa believes in creating a safe and open environment where her team can thrive. “During our briefing, I like to create a fun environment,” she said. “Personally, if I feel na takot sila sa’yo, they’ll be rattled throughout the flight. So, I try to be friendly and approachable to my colleagues. But at the end of the day, safety is still the priority.”
Going above and beyond
Though they work in different spaces, Siñel in the cockpit and Basa in the cabin, their craft runs parallel. Both began their journeys for different reasons—Siñel to trade the long absences of military life for more time with his family, Basa to build a career rooted in service—but they are bound by the same discipline and purpose. That unity becomes most visible during disruptions—storms and diversions—moments when training and empathy are tested. Basa recalls a particularly tense international flight, when severe weather forced a diversion to Clark. Passengers were upset at the crew, and resources were limited. “I felt helpless,” she said. “But now, we’ve become more innovative and adaptive. We have more resources, and we’re better at managing situations.”
For Siñel, these moments are where professionalism defines leadership. “Whatever happens in your flight, you must take it positively. We were trained for this, and we are ready in case something happens,” he said. “Most of the passengers are understanding, just let them know what is happening.”
ACTING Transportation Secretary
Giovanni Lopez has directed the Iloilo Airport to remove the initial security screening process at the airport to free up more space for passengers.
This follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance passengers’ travel experience by improving the processes and facilities in all airports nationwide.
“This needs to be removed because the process is redundant. That is also what the President ordered, to
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) Chief Finance Officer and GAD chairperson Nancy Paglinawan (left) and GAD Technical Working Group Focal Person Riza Lozano receive the Certificate of Recognition for achieving two remarkable milestones for its outstanding implementation of CIAC’s Gender and Development (GAD) programs during the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).
wins
provide more space for passengers, so they don’t have to crowd at checkin,” he said.
Lopez assured passengers that there will still be a final security check before entering the boarding gates to ensure security at the airport.
The acting transport chief likewise ordered the airport management to finalize plans on the expansion of the airport’s passenger terminal building, and fast track the implementation of the automated check-in with facial
ID recognition to ease congestion of passengers especially during peak hours.
“Our commitment to modernize our regional airports continues. Our passengers deserve the best travel experience, and that is what we will do,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lopez also directed the Iloilo Airport to focus on its runway improvements to service bigger aircraft, thereby boosting its passenger capacity for international flights.
THE Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) has earned national recognition from the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) for its outstanding implementation of Gender and Development (GAD) programs, achieving two remarkable milestones by ranking No. 1 among Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) in Highest Organization-Focused GAD Budget Expenditure, and placing No. 4 in Highest Organization-Focused GAD Budget Allocation for 2024. Representing CIAC at the PCW Awarding Ceremony recognizing agencies for their FY 2024 GAD
Budget Performance last 25 September 2025 were GAD Chairperson and Chief Finance Officer Nancy C. Paglinawan and GAD Focal Person Riza G. Lozano. In its official citation, PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla praised CIAC for its exceptional commitment and remarkable performance in implementing the GAD Budget Policy. “Through its consistent allocation and utilization of GAD funds, the agency has demonstrated exemplary practice, positioning itself among the top agencies recognized for advancing gender equality commitments,” she stated.
in People Awards for supporting people, communities
NLEX Corporation continues to earn recognition for uplifting lives and strengthening communities. Investors in People Philippines (IiP), an organization dedicated to advancing people management practices, acknowledged its exemplary approach to employee development and community support. On September 19, the company was named the 2025 People Investor of the Year and also recognized as runner-up for the Social Responsibility Award.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer
JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
WITH the release of her 12th album this Friday (Saturday in Manila), Taylor Swift again shows she is as business-savvy as she is musically adept.
Hints from her 2024 tour to this weekend’s movie screenings have built momentum for The Life of a Showgirl , a 12-track record inspired by her Eras tour and her romance with fiancé Travis Kelce , a threetime Super Bowl champion. Swift describes the album as “infectiously joyful, wild, dramatic,” signaling a return to pop after last year’s darker The Tortured Poets Department.
Fans can expect high-energy “bangers” in the vein of 22 and Shake It Off, produced with Max Martin and Shellback. The record, which includes a duet with rising star Sabrina Carpenter, is already the most pre-saved album in Spotify history.
To mark the release, theaters in dozens of countries will screen a one-off film event featuring a music video, behind-the-scenes footage, Swift’s commentary, and a karaoke singalong. Deadline estimates box office revenues between $30 million and $50 million.
“Taylor Swift has perfected marketing as narrative art,” said Robin Landa , a branding professor at Kean University. “She doesn’t simply release an album—she orchestrates a cultural phenomenon.”
Her fans, known as “Swifties,” are also part of the strategy, poring over “easter eggs” hidden in videos, letters, and costumes to decode clues about her next moves. “This creates free marketing through fan theories and social media speculation— essentially turning her audience into her promotional team,” Landa added.
Yet, beneath the spectacle, her songwriting remains the foundation. “Her business acumen is remarkable,” said Toby Koenigsberg, a music professor at the University of Oregon,
EMMA Mary Tiglao may be feeling some weight on her shoulders to bring home a back-to-back Miss Grand International crown, but it isn’t there to break her, it’s there to challenge her to prove that she can.
A proud Pampangueña, Tiglao said she would showcase on the MGI stage the Kapampangan’s strong sense of pride in their culture and heritage, and what they can offer to the rest of the world.
Tiglao, a tourism graduate and co-host of Net25 TV’s Kada Umaga morning show, has prepared extensively and is ready to put her best foot forward to succeed outgoing Miss Grand International 2024 Christine Juliane Opiaza, who will relinquish her crown in the finals to be held at MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 18.
“I have evolved into a much better, stronger person since my journey in Miss Intercontinental 2019,” said the 30-year-old entrepreneur, a co-owner of Lilim Café in Angeles City, during her sendoff held at Pandan Asian Café in Quezon City.
Since the Philippines started joining global beauty competitions, Filipinas have achieved rare back-to-back victories only on three occasions: Gloria Dimayacyac and Maria del Carmen Ines Zaragoza (Miss Asia 1982–1983); Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Angeli Dione Gomez (Miss Tourism International 2002–2003); and Angelia Ong and Jamie Herrell (Miss Earth 2014–2015). * *
MEANWHILE, Christine Eds Enero begins her quest for another backto-back victory at the Miss Tourism International 2025 pageant, which kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) in Malaysia with the arrival of 40 delegates from around the world.
Enero, a 22-year-old aspiring actor and graduate with a degree in Basic Education, won Mutya ng Pilipinas-Luzon 2024 and was recently appointed Miss Tourism International Philippines 2025 by the Mutya ng Pilipinas Organization.
“I am beyond honored to represent the Philippines at Miss Tourism International 2025. Wearing our country’s name across my heart is both a privilege and a responsibility which I embrace with pride, courage, and purpose,” said the former Ms. Olivarez College 2019.
“We are incredibly proud to have Christine Enero as our official representative to Miss Tourism International 2025. Her dedication to the values of tourism, culture, and advocacy aligns perfectly with the mission of the Miss Tourism International pageant. We have full confidence that Christine will shine brightly in this esteemed international competition,” said Mutya ng Pilipinas president Cory Quirino
The Miss Tourism International World Final is set for Oct. 18 at Resorts World Genting in Pahang, Malaysia, where five titles are to be contested: Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International (30th edition), Miss Tourism International (28th edition), Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan International (25th edition), Miss Tourism Global (21st edition), and Miss Tourism Metropolitan International (19th edition).
Miss Tourism International 2024 Liana Rose Barrido of the Philippines will crown her successor.
GMA Network programs and personalities were named national winners at the 2025 Asian Academy Creative Awards, with the network earning multiple citations across news, documentary, and entertainment categories.
GMA Public Affairs led the wins. Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho: Inside the Crocodile Cage took Best Infotainment Programme, while Reporter’s Notebook: Asia’s Scam Cities was named Best I Juander: History for Sale won Best Documentary History, and Biyahe ni was recognized as Best
The unit’s first investigative documentary film, Lost Sabungeros , directed by Bryan Brazil, received Best Documentary Programme (One-Off). The film examined the disappearance of more than 30 cockfighting enthusiasts in 2021. Revenge drama Beauty Empire , co-produced with Viu Philippines and CreaZion Studios, won Best Cinematography (Fiction). Green Bones , from GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures, also picked up honors,
GMA
OR professional makeup artist Isabelle “Belle” Rubio , the decision to leave the corporate world in 2017 was life-changing. After nearly eight years working in the IT industry, she shocked even herself when she handed in her resignation. Belle recalled, “And then overnight, I decided, I’m going to do makeup.”
Her new beginning started small and humble, practicing makeup artistry on anyone who would let her try her hand.
“I practiced with my neighbors and their household staff,” Belle said with a smile.
But what began as a leap of faith quickly turned into a calling. One of her former schoolmates booked her as a wedding makeup artist, and soon, word of mouth spread. It was the start of a flourishing career that continues to expand today.
Belle’s journey didn’t stop with practice. Determined to refine her craft, she pursued formal training abroad, studying makeup in New York City, Thailand, and Singapore. Each destination opened her eyes to different beauty standards—Thai bridal glam, Chinese artistry, and Western techniques.
“Studying makeup is continuous,” she explained. Belle also added what’s on her bucket list, “We still have London Makeup School.”
Belle wasn’t content with just learning. She wanted to share her knowledge too. In 2019, she began teaching makeup classes.
“I only had 15 students, and I remember it was for free,” she recalled.
By the time the pandemic hit, she had shifted her classes online, continuing to teach despite the challenges. When restrictions eased, demand for her workshops soared. From 30 to 60 students per batch, Belle’s classes became a sought-after training ground for aspiring artists.
“Teaching is my passion,” Belle said in the vernacular. “I really enjoy teaching. I like sharing what I know and what I’ve learned all over the world. Sharing is caring for me.” She made it clear that she doesn’t believe in
By Angelica Villanueva
CONTENT creators Viy Cortez-Velasquez and Cong Velasquez consider the arrival of their first child Zeus Emanuel “Kidlat” Velasquez a lifechanging moment.
From his first words to his growing curiosity, the couple said their parenthood journey has been both challenging and rewarding.
“Every little thing Kidlat does makes us proud. When he first said ‘mama,’ that alone was enough to make me happy. Now, seeing him speak in both English and Tagalog and express his feelings clearly, it amazes us,” said Viy. The two also admitted they balance parenting roles differently. Cong takes on the disciplinarian role, while Viy leans toward nurturing.
“It’s hard if both of us are always strict. So I leave discipline mostly to Cong, while I focus on encouraging him and taking good care of him,” she added. Cong, meanwhile, said he wants Kidlat to explore freely without the pressure of predetermined expectations.
“I don’t care if he becomes a doctor, blogger, or anything else. What matters is he grows up a good person. Our role is to guide, not to decide his future,” he explained.
gatekeeping, whether it comes to products or techniques.
“Local or international brands, I just tell everything. How they are applied, the techniques, the shades, I teach all of those,” Belle added. Makeup philosophy
As a bridal makeup artist, Belle has developed her own style and approach. For her, makeup is not about transformation but enhancement.
“For me, all brides are beautiful. We just make them feel and look more beautiful,” she said.
To create an element of surprise, she hides the mirror from her brides while working.
“The most fulfilling when I do bride and makeup, I don’t show them the process. So when I show them what I did, it’s so heartwarming when they like the look so much and when they feel very beautiful on their most special day,” Belle proudly and happily shared.
On TikTok, you’ll find her relaxing conversations with nervous and seemingly anxious brides.
Top three essentials
When asked about her favorite products, Belle keeps it simple. “Moisturizer or primer, lipstick, and setting spray are my three favorite makeup items,” she said.
Moisturizer and primer provide the foundation for glowing skin, while lipstick,
she noted, is multipurpose. “The lipstick could also be your eyeshadow, your blush, and your lipstick,” Belle explained. Completing her list of must-haves is a setting spray, which ensures that the look lasts all day.
At the core of Belle’s artistry is a philosophy of authenticity. “With Belle makeup, less is more, and your glowing skin is coming from within,” the passionate makeup artist said when asked to describe her signature style. It’s a belief shaped by her years of learning, teaching, and working with brides on the most important day of their lives. The same glow is
Their parenting style includes exposing Kidlat to different experiences—from sports like soccer and swimming to creative play and early academics.
“We want him to discover what sparks his interest. Even if it’s not something he excels at right away, he learns discipline and life skills,” Cong continued.
One of the lessons the couple values most is recognizing small milestones and the little achievements that often go unnoticed but mark important steps in a child’s growth.
“We always acknowledge his efforts, even the little ones, with a simple ‘good job.’ Rewards like toys may come later, but what’s important is he knows we see and appreciate his progress,” Viy shared.
Part of their journey as first-time parents also involved navigating the realities of early childhood education. Like many first-time parents, they had doubts about homeschooling, worried it might make Kidlat shy or unprepared for traditional school. But their experience told a different story.
“At home, he learns discipline through play. It
seen on her face as a real-life fairy godmother who found her vocation.
Belle’s story is proof that reinvention can happen at any point in life. And while London may be her next target destination, for now, she is content making brides feel their most radiant and teaching the next generation of artists that beauty is meant to be shared. Follow Belle’s journey on social media ( @teambelledoesmakeup ).
For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
feels like playtime, but it teaches responsibility. When he transitions to big school, he’ll already have an idea of what to expect,” she said.
That trust in home-based learning eventually brought them to Kids Learning Ville, where Kidlat is currently enrolled. The school’s flexible, play-based programs impressed them so much that during a recent event, Kidlat was officially signed as its newest ambassador. For them, the role is not just an endorsement but a reflection of their family’s journey.
“We’ve seen firsthand how much he has grown through Kids Learning Ville. It’s not just our child who learns—even we, as parents, learn how to better guide him,” Viy explained.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025
NICKIE WANG, Editor
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,
Writer
Writer
JASPER VALDEZ,
By Nickie Wang
artist Jefrë Manuel has been reshaping Metro Manila’s skyline with his monumental works. His Time Sculpture, a 12-meter stainless steel figure checking its watch, stands along EDSA. At Bridgetowne, The Victor rises 55 meters with a raised fist as a symbol of national pride. And in the MOA Complex in Pasay City, Bayani and Pag-Asa tower as steel figures representing heroism and hope.
These landmarks have established Jefrë’s imprint on the capital region, but he now says his time building icons here may be nearing its end.
“This year and next may be my last projects here in the Philippines,” he told Manila Standard Life at the launch of his collaboration with IQOS..
“I feel I’ve left my mark with the icons I’ve created for the skyline. Now, I want to take the Filipino brand of creativity abroad to show the world how innovative Filipinos can be.”
That latest project is Curious Icons , a collaboration between IQOS and Jefrë, supported by Philip Morris International (PMI) and its Philippine affiliate PMFTC Inc. The initiative is in line with PMI’s mission to make cigarettes obsolete, extending IQOS’ role beyond technology toward creating meaningful smoke-free experiences.
And because the Fil-Am artist hinted this may be his final set of works here, the collaboration becomes even more meaningful—perhaps even iconic—as it marks the first time he has partnered with a brand locally.
Unlike his monumental public art, Curious Icons is intentionally scaled down.
“Well, I don’t know if I should say this, but size doesn’t always matter,” Jefrë said with a laugh. “I’ve long been interested in shaping skylines, but I’ve also wanted to create art that’s more personal, something people can interact with directly. Being able to stand eyeto-eye with the key and see yourself framed within it creates a beautiful relationship between the viewer, the sculpture, and the brand’s vision.”
The IQOS x Jefrë installation redefines how art and design can shape perspectives on transformation and progress.
“More than just an installation, this collaboration with Jefrë is a statement about progress and possibility,” said Gijs de Best, president of PMFTC Inc.
“It encourages audiences to embrace innovation, creativity, and new perspectives. By engaging with the world of art and design through Jefrë’s visionary work, IQOS is signaling its evolution as a brand that champions forward-thinking
ideas and resonates with audiences on a deeper, more human level,” the executive added.
IQOS brand manager Henry Martin Yap explained how the collaboration came about.
“We were very fortunate to connect with Jefrë. When we shared the brand’s mission—changing perspectives—he immediately resonated with it. During the design process, we focused on shared values: curiosity, progress, discovery,” Yap sad.
“These aligned perfectly with his approach to art. That’s how this collaboration came to life, and we’re very proud of the outcome,” the brand manager went on.
IQOS is now available in over 70 markets globally, with more than 34 million users worldwide, the majority of whom have switched away from cigarettes. The collaboration with Jefrë underscores IQOS’ commitment to innovation while cementing the artist’s reputation as one of the Philippines’ most influential creative voices.
flowing, while partygoers snapped up limitededition merchandise to take home.
SAN MIGUEL’S legendary Oktoberfest returned in full swing as more than 8,000 revelers packed Okada Manila’s Crystal Pavilion for a two-night beer-fueled fiesta on Sept. 20 and 21. Now on its 135th year, San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMB) revived the signature celebration that has long been hailed as the country’s biggest party, serving up specially crafted beers, gourmet food, and live performances from some of the Philippines’ biggest acts.
The festivities opened with a ceremonial toast led by SMB president Carlos M. Berba, San Miguel Pale Pilsen brand ambassador Coco Martin, and Okada Manila vice chairperson Takako Okada
The kickoff served as the start of a nationwide series of Oktoberfest events, with upcoming stops at Paseo de Santa Rosa in Laguna on Oct. 18 and Queensland Manor in Cebu City on Oct. 31.
Guests were treated to complimentary samplers from San Miguel’s global beer portfolio alongside new brews such as India Pale Ale, Fruity Wheat Ale, Summer Ale, and Specialty Lager. Food pop-ups lined the venue, featuring Las Flores, Café Fleur by Chef Sau, Flipside Burgers, and Purefoods Deli. A new Draft Beer Mobile Bar Truck kept the drinks
The entertainment roster was a who’s who of OPM, with Rico Blanco, Lola Amour, December Avenue, Maki, Arthur Nery, Brownman Revival, The Dawn, Autotelic, The Juans, Over October, The Cohens, Paprika, DWATA, Carousel Casualties, It All Started in May, Magiliw Street, Sean Archer, Acapellago, DJ Chelsea, and DJ Rammy keeping the crowd on their feet.
Sports legends also joined the revelry: PBA All-Filipino Cup champions San Miguel Beermen mingled with fans, while billiards icons Efren “Bata” Reyes and Francisco “Django” Bustamante played an exhibition match and challenged brave revelers at the pool tables. Since 2005, San Miguel Oktoberfest has been recognized by the Department of Tourism as the Philippines’ largest fiesta.
Tickets are available at Ticket2Me.net for the next legs of the celebration — Santa Rosa on Oct. 18 featuring Rocksteddy, Sunkissed Lola, Progeny, The Collars, and Parisukat, and Cebu City on Oct. 31 with Urbandub, December Avenue, Missing Filemon, Nikolay, and Kuwako