Gibo: Protesters seeking gov’t ‘reset’ face arrest
By Rex Espiritu and Vince Lopez
ICC rejects Rody’s bid for interim release
THE International Criminal Court on Friday rejected a request by former president Rodrigo Duterte to be released from detention ahead of his trial on crimes against humanity during his bloody war on drugs.
Presiding judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza ruled that lawyers for the 80-year-old had not laid out strong enough precautions to warrant a temporary release from custody in The Hague, where the court is based.
Duterte's lawyers, appealing against an earlier refusal, had called for a "humanitarian" parole because of the state of his health. But the judge said "the conditions for release proposed were not sufficient to mitigate the risks it found in relation to Mr Duterte's interim release."
By Pot Chavez
added.
Recently, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said he received, and ignored, offers from some retired military personnel to join a "civil-military junta" aiming to remove Marcos and Duterte from office.
By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel V. Campos
By Rex Espiritu and Ram Superable
THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) yesterday declared the nationwide sit-down strike a success, with 237 schools across 34 major cities and provinces in 14 regions participating in the daylong activity.
Classrooms across the country transformed into spaces of protest and political discussion, as educators conducted full-day “alternative classes” inside their rooms, halting regular instruction to confront the roots of "the worsening crisis in the sector."
By Charles Dantes
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ordered transport and aviation officials to work with counterparts in Malaysia and Singapore to locate aircraft allegedly linked to resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. In a video statement Friday, Marcos said the Department of Transportation and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have been instructed to verify reports that helicopters and a private jet registered under Misibis Aviation & Development Corp. were flown out of the country and are being kept abroad. "You cannot steal from the Filipino people and expect to hide or fly away on your private jets," President Marcos told Co. "You may have the money to run, but you cannot outrun the Republic of the Philippines."
The campus protests pushed through despite some DepEd regional and division offices issuing directives discouraging teachers from joining the sit-down strike, warning them of possible “consequences” if they participate, ACT’s leadership said. ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo stated that no memo from higher authorities can criminalize the constitutional right of teachers to protest unjust conditions.
“Ang protesta ng teachers ngayon ay ligal at lehitimo, at para sa ikabubuti ng buong bayan (The protest of teachers today is legal and legitimate,
By Pot Chavez, Charles Dantes and Katrina Manubay
By Charles Dantes
Vida, second from left, receives the
dismissed DPWH engineer Henry Alcantara at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Norman Cruz
DENIED. Presiding Judge Luz del Carmen Ibáñez Carranza, top right, reads the decision of the International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber confirming the rejection of the interim release request of former President Rodrigo Duterte while Duterte defense counsel Nicholas Kaufman, top left, listens to the verdict. Inset shows relatives of victims of the alleged extrajudicial victims of Duterte’s drug war reacting to the decision. International Criminal Court/YouTube, Edd Castro
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
Diesel, kerosene prices to dive next week
THE country’s oil firms are expected to implement a big time oil price rollback for diesel and kerosene by more than P3 per liter next week to reflect the movement of prices in the world oil market.
This is based on the Price movement indication for Week of December 01, 2025 based on this week’s
ICC...
The court also "rejected the defense's argument that Mr Duterte should be released for humanitarian reasons."
The Duterte family said it accepts the ICC Appeals Chamber’s decision denying the interim release request "with peaceful hearts."
“We will continue to work with the defense team on the case and will keep supporting Former President Rodrigo Duterte with our daily conversations. We thank everyone who prayed with us today,” the family added.
Malacañang, for its part, said: "The International Criminal Court has al-
Organizers..
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and benefits the whole country). No memo, no threat, and no bureaucratic scare tactic can silence our demand for justice, a living wage, and an end to systemic corruption,” she said.
“Once again, teachers have made history. Today, we have especially fulfilled the ultimate goals of education, which are to espouse social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and good governance,” added Bernardo.
According to ACT’s chairperson, yesterday’s protest highlighted teachers’ four urgent demands:
1) Doubled the education budget to meet shortages in classrooms, personnel, and basic education needs.
2) A living wage and long-overdue salary upgrading.
3) Accountability for widespread
Alcantara...
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accumulated from several transactions. This is part of the P300-million committed amount for restitution only for those particular cases mentioned,” he said.
Vida explained that the P110 million surrendered by Alcantara was computed by the panel evaluating the engineer’s documents.
Among the factors considered for the partial delivery of the total amount includes his detention in the Senate.
Alcantara’s restitution was also part of the conditions set by the DOJ before he can be considered a state witness.
“This is a demonstration of their good faith... This is a step so that we can achieve justice. This is the recovery of people’s money so this is a very important part,” said Vida.
“His discharge from criminal liability is only for that amount. The DOJ does not grant blanket immunity to everyone else, so if we discover that he is involved in another matter, he is not absolved of liability there,”
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The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) earlier issued freeze orders covering Co-linked aircraft and bank accounts, blocking their transfer, sale, or movement.
According to AMLC's recent freeze order, 205 bank accounts, 12 insurance policies, two AW139 helicopters valued at about P919.1 million each, and a Gulfstream G350 jet estimated at over P2 billion were seized.
An AMLC probe found probable cause that these assets were purchased with, or used to store, funds tied to the alleged kickbacks received by Co.
Financial records show roughly P3.9 billion in inflows from 2021 to 2025, far exceeding the former lawmaker's pre-Congress earnings, while AMLC estimates Co may have received up to P10.4 billion in kickbacks
Mean of Platts Singapore and Forex average (first 4 days) versus last week’s full week average.
ready made its decision, and the Palace respects it."
Relatives of drug war victims were satisfied with the rejection of Duterte's interim release bid, ICC-assistant to counsel Kristina Conti said in a message to Manila Standard.
A live group watch was held in Bocobo Hall at the UP Law Center in Diliman, Quezon City where the relatives gathered to welcome the decision.
“The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), counsel for victims of the war on drugs, welcomes the decision of the International Criminal Court Appeals Chamber denying Rodrigo Duterte’s plea for interim release on strong merit, factual and legal. The court noted that not only is there basis for his continued detention, that he is
corruption that has destroyed schools, communities, and public trust.
4) Meaningful social and systemic change to end the cycle of crisis in public education.
The strong turnout shows a broad, deep, and growing resolve among teachers to stand their ground and fight for "a school system that serves the people, not the corrupt," Bernardo pointed out.
At UP Diliman, former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casino digressed from education issues and said that the country needs a transition council capable of addressing corruption. He also outlined several national policy reforms that such a council should prioritize.
These include the passage of an anti-political dynasty law, economic measures such as lowering prices and removing value-added tax on essential utilities, and changes to the party-list
Vida added.
He clarified that the provisional admission to the Witness Protection Program (WPP) only covers the matters covered by the cases involving the said amount.
Alcantara’s camp expressed hopes that he would be admitted as state witness following the restitution.
The DOJ chief gave assurance that the funds returned by Alcantara would go back to public funds after validation by the Bureau of Treasury.
Alcantara served as Bulacan’s first district engineer, handling 13 localities, including flood-prone areas in the province, among them Hagonoy, Baliwag, Calumpit, and Malolos.
His office had the largest project cost among the DPWH’s implementing offices, with a total of 450 flood control projects worth P28.9 billion between 2022 and 2025, based on data from the Sumbong ng Pangulo website.
Alcantara was dismissed from government service after being found guilty of multiple administrative offenses, including disloyalty to the Republic, grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
from 2023 to 2025. Addressing fugitives implicated in the scheme, Mr. Marcos urged them to surrender.
"Kaya kayong mga pugante, umuwi na kayo! Ang payo ko sa inyo, hindi na kayo turista. Hinahabol na kayo ng batas (To the fugitives, go home! My advice to you is that you’re not tourists anymore. The law is closing in on you)," the president said.
The Chief Executive also confirmed that former Department of Public Works and Highways official Henry Alcantara has returned P110 million to the government in connection with the same investigation.
President Marcos said that the government is expecting Alcantara to remit an additional P200 million within two weeks.
"This government intends to bring back every peso, every asset, every person responsible, and return it to the Filipino people," President Marcos said.
Diesel is forecast to have a rollback of P3 to P3.20 per liter while gasoline will not move or will b a a price increase of P0.10 per liter.
Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas attributed the significant drop on the price of diesel due market correction as crude oil prices eased on hopes of a US-brokered ceasefire in Ukraine.
a flight risk; but also that the defense failed to sufficiently argue release on humanitarian grounds,” NUPL said in a statement.
“With this final decision on his request for interim release, parties can now focus on two other issues on hand – the issue of jurisdiction, raised with the Appeals Chamber; and the issue of Duterte’s fitness to stand trial, pending with the Pre-Trial Chamber,” it added.
Duterte, who was president from 2016 to 2022, was detained in Manila on March 11 and taken to the ICC prison at Scheveningen, near The Hague.
He appeared very weak, barely speaking, when he made his first court appearance by video.
The charges against Duterte have
system, which he claimed has been influenced by contractors instead of genuine sectoral representatives.
"And before a transition comes, if this is a transition government, a transition body, will it be able to respond from the bottom to the top?
From these district engineers and bankers up to the President and the Vice President," Casino said.
He emphasized that only a transitional body—rather than the existing political leadership—could effectively enact these reforms and prepare for what he described as “clean and honest elections” within one to two years.
According to ACT Philippines, several schools in Metro Manila participated in Friday’s protest, including UP Diliman, San Francisco Elementary School, and Apolonio Samson Elementary School in Quezon City, Manuel Roxas High School in Manila City, among others.
P500...
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₱500 was a good enough for the traditional Noche Buena feast on Christmas Eve.
However, Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque maintained that P500 is enough to cover a basic Noche Buena for a family of four, based on this year’s DTI Noche Buena price index.
“On what planet would ₱500 be enough for a Filipino family’s Noche Buena?" Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said in a statement.
Ridon was reacting to DTI Secretary Cristina Roque’s statement that that ₱500-would be suffice to buy a piece of ham, prepare macaroni salad, and cook spaghetti which as usual dishes on the Filipino table during Christmas Eve.
"This was not the first time that the Department of Trade and Industry insisted that ₱500 is sufficient for the Noche Buena of an ordinary family. They have said this before; the only difference now is that it is DTI Secretary Cristina Roque herself who is saying that this amount is enough,” Ridon noted.
"But we know what a real Noche Buena looks like on the Filipino fam-
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about 90 percent of the water consumed in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
President Marcos said Tunnel No. 5 will allow the system to carry more than 1.6 billion liters of water per day, increasing total transport capacity from six billion to nearly eight billion liters daily.
"More families will have a continuous and reliable water supply," he said.
"Our communities will be more prepared for droughts and other effects of climate change we face in the future," he added.
President Marcos urged stakeholders to continue prioritizing sustainable resource management as the country prepares for harsher climate conditions
“While Asian gasoline prices have eased down slightly as well, the premium and freight components have remain elevated due to tight supply-demand balance,” he said. The Department of Energy, meanwhile, announced the possible P3 per liter cut for kerosene. Alena Mae Flores
been made over the campaign against drug traffickers and consumers during his presidency that rights groups said left thousands dead.
The court is still to give a ruling on whether Duterte is fit to stand trial.
A ruling in October rejected claims by his defense that the ICC was not competent to judge Duterte on three charges of crimes against humanity.
One charge concerns 19 murders committed between 2013 and 2016, when Duterte was mayor of Davao City. A second relates to 14 killings of alleged drug bosses in 2016 and 2017, when he was president. The third covers 43 killings of suspected low-level drug users or dealers.
The hearing for the confirmation of charges is set in 2026. With AFP
Meanwhile, senators framed the nationwide sit-down strike as a forceful reflection of growing anger over corruption. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed support for the educators and students who took part in the strike.
“I stand in solidarity with the teachers and students participating in today’s sit-down strike to call for accountability in the government’s widespread corruption,” he said.
“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, I affirm my commitment to a more transparent budget process,” the senator added. However, Gatchalian pointed to the upcoming budget cycle, which marks a significant shift because education is set to receive a record 1.38 trillion pesos in 2026.
He explained that the allocation would represent the first time the sector reaches more than 4.5% of the gross domestic product.
ily’s table: there’s spaghetti, there’s cheese, and sometimes there’s ham, if there are enough savings for the Christmas celebration,” he added.
Ridon pointed out that P500 could no longer buy a spaghetti and cheese combo grocery item, especially if there is more than one person in the family who will eat them.
"Moreover, no one is saying that the budget for Noche Buena must be forced into ₱500. What matters more to Filipinos is the assurance that the government will keep the prices of ingredients and essentials low and affordable for the Christmas celebration.
According to Roque, a simple spread for a family of four can include a Christmas ham (P170), spaghetti noodles and sauce (P78.50), macaroni salad (P152), fruit salad (P98.25), and ten pieces of Pinoy pandesal (P27.75), totaling P526.95.
Families can simplify by serving only one salad, which brings the total to P428.70, leaving room to add items such as luncheon meat (P41), corned beef (P34), or hotdogs without exceeding P500.
“P500 covers a complete Noche Buena for a typical family. These prices are from our Noche Buena price guide and reflect what is available in stores. Consumers can mix and match based on their budget,” Roque said.
and a growing water demand.
The Angat Water Transmission Improvement Project seeks to modernize and reinforce the decades-old system that channels water from Angat Dam to the capital region.
Tunnel No. 5 serves as a major redundancy line to ensure an uninterrupted supply while older tunnels undergo maintenance or rehabilitation.
The President said the improved system will help communities better withstand droughts and other climaterelated risks.
He credited Maynilad Water Services Inc., Manila Water Co. Inc., MWSS engineers, workers, and local government partners for completing the project, saying it demonstrated what can be achieved when government and the private sector work toward a shared vision.
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The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) later maintained that there is no military junta in the offing and the organization rejects such notions.
"The AFP will never subscribe to any reset plot, and our Constitution has no cheat codes. So we will always go to the side of the Constitution, the constitutional processes that are in place," AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said.
Meanwhile, permits to carry firearms outside of residence are suspended in Metro Manila from November 29 to December 1 in light of the scheduled protest action, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez said.
“Only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other law enforcement agencies performing official duties and in agency-prescribed uniforms are allowed to carry firearms,” stated a one-page order signed by Nartatez. The PNP chief also said the beefed-up security measures have been put in place to “ensure the safety of all, whether protesters or not.”
He disclosed that part of the PNP’s plan is to deploy its Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) trucks in key areas, where trouble is more likely to erupt.
In a text message to Manila Standard, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesperson, Maj. Hazel Asilo confirmed the impending deployment of LRAD trucks across Metro Manila, but explained that they will be used mainly for communicating with police personnel.
"We will be using the LRAD to disseminate announcements to personnel deployed," she said.
Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Public Information Office chief, Maj. Jennifer Gannaban also confirmed the planned deployment of sonic devices at the People Power Monument and other key areas. The LRAD is a specialized loudspeaker that can project highpower sound over great distances for communication and non-lethal crowd control.
These devices are used by military and law enforcement to broadcast warnings and instructions, but can also be used to disperse crowds, with potential effects ranging from headaches, nausea, and even permanent hearing loss if used at full power.
However, Nartatez said the expanded deployment, which forms part of the 15,000-strong police presence, aims to guarantee quick response capability against those attempting to "hijack the peaceful intent of the rally," rather than to intimidate protesters.
"Let me be clear that law enforcement presence does not mean aggressive action. The order for maximum tolerance still remains," he added.
As this developed, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) rolled out extensive traffic rerouting schemes and road closures in anticipation of the protest action.
MMDA Chairman Atty. Don Artes said the agency would implement traffic adjustments along EDSA to accommodate rally participants and motorists.
“Sa EDSA, we will try to manage 'yung traffic ia-adjust po natin 'yung barrier sa EDSA para po dalawang lanes 'yung isa sa bus lane, isa sa pribadong sasakyan (In EDSA, we will try to manage by adjusting the barriers, to accommodate two lanes... one for buses, the other for private vehicles)," Artes said.
"Nakiusap tayo sa organizers na wag na po mag-spill over sa EDSA 'yun pong mga taong dadalo (We appeal to organizers not to let rally participants spill over to EDSA)," he added.
To accommodate the marchers, the MMDA will implement closures along Bonifacio Drive (both lanes from Anda Circle to P. Burgos Ave) and segments of Roxas Boulevard (Northbound and Southbound from Katigbak to Kalaw St.).
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
FL Liza shrugs off Co’s rice, corn cartel claims
FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos
merely shrugged off former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co’s “baseless” allegation about her alleged links to the onion and rice cartel, Malacañang said yesterday.
“Kilala po natin ang First Lady kung paano mag-react sa mga ganitong negatibo na mga balita, mga kwentong walang basehan. Magkikibit-balikat lang ang First Lady. (We know how the First Lady reacts to these kinds of negative news, stories without basis. The First Lady will just shrug it off),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro told reporters.
Castro made the remarks after Co, in a video message released on Wednesday, alleged that the First Lady and her brother, Martin Araneta, were benefiting from agricultural imports.
Co also accused Araneta-Marcos of “personally intervening” in a 2022 House investigation into the spike in onion prices, as well as a 2024 inquiry into the soaring prices of rice, following her brother’s reported involvement in the crisis.
Castro said the public “knows what the truth is,” noting that several people, including Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., have already defended the First Lady and clarified the matter.
“We can see what the real motive behind this is. As we said, it’s better that if there is a video, it should be complete so that mistakes in the first, second, or third video are not addressed bit by bit,” she said.
Castro echoed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for Co to return to the country and face the consequences of his alleged involvement in flood control anomalies.
P20-kilo rice for teachers—DA
PUBLIC school teachers and other non-teaching personnel are now included in the government’s P20/kilo rice program, officials announced yesterday.
They are the latest sector to be included in the flagship program that sells rice in much cheaper prices.
To formalize the inclusion, the De -
partment of Agriculture and the Department of Education signed a memorandum of understanding at the Kadiwa ng Pangulo Expo held in Intramuros,
Manila on Friday.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said around 800,000 public school teachers and staff will benefit from the program.
in Camarines Sur and Romblon for the pilot of P20/kilo rice rollout for teachers.
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara lauded the move, saying this will help teachers especially in rural areas.
“Ang plano naming unahin, sa usapan, yung pinakamalayong areas muna,” Tiu Laurel said. He said they will prioritize some islands
Prior to teachers, the agriculture department also included transport workers under the program.
ELECTRIC bicycles or e-bikes and electric tricycles or e-trikes will no longer be allowed on major roads beginning December, transportation officials said.
Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao committed to start apprehending e-trikes operating on public roads by December during budget deliberations at the Senate yesterday.
“Huhulihin na po lahat ng e-trikes na nasa kalye (All e-trikes on the road will be apprehended),” he assured Sen. JV Ejercito, who sponsored the budget of the DoTR.
Ejercito said Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez and LTO officials would coordinate with DILG, adding that local government units will be informed starting Friday.
He added that the LTO and DOTr will conduct further study and public consultation on the registrability and safety of e-bikes and e-trikes before determining longterm regulations.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo supported the move, noting the burden borne by traditional tricycle drivers who comply with franchise, registration, licensing, insurance and membership requirements.
He said e-bike and e-trike operators do not undergo the same process but share the same road space.
A season of joy, recreation, and festive cheer at Filinvest Malls
THE holiday season arrived early as Festival Mall, Alabang, lit its towering 30-foot Christmas tree—a nostalgic display of capiz lanterns, nutcrackers, stockings, and warm golden lights that cast a soft glow across the bustling halls. This dazzling celebration is just the beginning. Soon, across all Filinvest Malls, visitors will be swept up in the same radiant holiday spirit, coming together to revel in the most wonderful time of the year while sharing in a milestone that inspires pride across the Filinvest family. This year’s festivities feel bigger and brighter than ever as Filinvest celebrates its 70th anniversary—a group milestone shared with the communities, and a reminder of seven decades of dreams, memories, and meaningful connections. Where Everyday Memories
Take Center Stage
As families return to their favorite Filinvest destinations this December—whether for a concert, a new restaurant, a last-minute gift, or simply to enjoy the glow of holiday lights—they’ll find the same warmth that has defined these well-loved destinations for years. In every shared meal, every small discovery, every familiar tune from a weekend choir, there is a reminder that Christmas is made of moments we hold dearest.
Ever guided by its enduring mission of moving dreams forward, Filinvest celebrates 70 years, creating spaces where these moments— and the Filipinos that enjoy them—can flourish. “At Filinvest Malls, kindness turns moments into memories. This Christmas, we celebrate connection, compassion, and the joy of being part of one community—a spirit that has guided the Filinvest Group for 70 years of enabling Filipino dreams,” says Mitch Dumlao, First Vice President and Retail Business Unit Head of Filinvest Malls. Through this enduring commitment, Filipino families can thrive, celebrate, and keep making new memories together.
A Grand Celebration for a Grand Milestone
Marked by its 70th year, this year’s holiday celebrations shine with an even deeper spirit of compassion and connection. At Festival Mall’s tree-lighting, children with special learning and developmental needs were welcomed as the season’s first guests of honor, immersing themselves in moments of pure holiday wonder. This heartfelt gathering, made possible with the Muntinlupa Social Services Department, served as a luminous reminder of what the season—and Filinvest Malls—is truly about: spreading joy where it matters most.
The celebration continues with the Lanterns of Dreams display at Festival Mall, where handmade lanterns crafted by Filinvest companies illuminate the halls in a radiant tribute to unity and shared purpose. These lanterns aren’t just lights—they represent the community’s collective aspirations, echoing the Filinvest group’s anniversary theme, “Moving Dreams Forward.” Each glowing lantern reflects the idea that the brightest moments happen when communities come together.
As Filinvest celebrates seven decades, these moments bring that vision to life. The legacy of its founders continues to inspire the creation of spaces where families can thrive, connect, and make new memories, carrying the spirit of fun and community into the coming year. Through Filinvest’s decades-long dedication to uplifting Filipino families, that enduring spirit is alive in every lantern, every event, and every moment unfolding across the malls this season—a celebration of growth, generosity, and the magic of the holidays.
left: Barangay
Alabang Captain Tintin Abas-Ding; Yvette Dizon, assistant vice president and Festival Mall general manager; Mayor Ruffy Biazon; Vice Mayor Stephanie Teves-Wong; and Denise Rae Lagayan, vice president and head of Filinvest Malls
Alabang kicked off the season with its official Christmas launch on November 7, 2025, the holiday cheer has quickly spread across all destinations. It continues throughout November and December with the Holiday Hymns Concert Series on weekends, and Santa Meet & Greet sessions on December 13, 14, 20, and 21, keeping the spirit alive for families across the community. Each location brings its own unique holiday magic. Main Square Bacoor brings neighbors together with its Christmas Memory Raffle and the eagerly anticipated children’s carol competition, while Westgate Alabang offers intimate Yuletide moments through chorale performances on November 29 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, and 20, complemented by Merry Moments with Santa on December 7 and 14. In Filinvest Malls Dumaguete, open spaces brim with Christmas bazaars from November 24–30 and December 15–21, alongside carol performances on December 12, perfect for exploring local treats and gifts. Filinvest Malls Mimosa in Clark welcomes car lovers and weekend explorers with its Volks & Folks Car Meet & Flea Market on November 29–30, while Fora Mall and IL Corso round out the season with food and gift fairs celebrating regional delicacies. Signature Filinvest Experiences: Play, Sport, and Adventure The joy of shared play remains a hallmark of Filinvest Malls. Families can spend an entire day at Festival Mall in Alabang, enjoying its beloved amusement centers—Pixie Forest and X-Site. These spaces are designed for every age, from whimsical rides for children to interactive challenges for teens and adults. Birthday celebrants are treated to a complimentary Ride-All-You-Can pass, giving them and their friends extra reasons to celebrate, while all guests can take breaks at the dedicated Food Hub, which offers crowd-favorite snacks and quick bites for a convenient pause between rides and play. This season, Roller Fever adds a new layer of excitement, now launching at both
X-Site in Alabang and Fora Mall Tagaytay. Its neon-lit indoor skate rink, pulsing with K-pop energy, offers families a high-energy way to glide, spin, and share fun moments together. At Fora Mall, the Champion Sports Park provides space for fitness groups and weekend athletes to gather, compete, and enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Sports enthusiasts can also discover the
LIGHTS ON AT MANSION HOUSE. First Lady Liza Marcos mingles with children after leading the annual Christmas Tree lighting yesterday at the Baguio Mansion House. Liza Marcos FB
Take your adventure higher at IL Corso. Try parasailing by the iconic lighthouse—open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The XTreme Coaster at X-Site, Festival Mall Alabang, is just one of many rides waiting to be enjoyed. Visitors can also
AFFORDABLE GOODS. The ‘Kadiwa ng Pangulo’ Expo opens at the Foro De Intramuros in Manila, featuring quality but low-priced rice and vegetables, among others. Norman Cruz
PH, India hold maritime drills at WPS
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippines and India held their second Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Nov. 26.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the exercises were conducted in one of the most strategically important maritime zones in the region.
The activity aimed to deepen defense cooperation, enhance interoperability, and promote adherence to international law and a rules-based order in the IndoPacific, the military added. For this year’s iteration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed a formidable lineup of naval and air assets, including the BRP Jose Rizal
IN BRIEF
Immigration nabs woman for attempted identity theft
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has intercepted a 35-year-old woman from Sulu who attempted to depart the country using a “shared identity,” a form of identity theft that the agency says remains a recurring issue among aspiring overseas workers from far-flung provinces.
The female passenger was barred from leaving the country on Nov. 24 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 while attempting to board an AirAsia flight to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
During initial processing, the passenger informed officers that she was unable to write and had to be assisted in completing her travel form.
She claimed that she is bound for Malaysia to marry her partner, a Malaysian national.
However, officers immediately noticed a suspicious 2020 Philippine departure stamp on her passport. Upon verification, the stamp was determined to be counterfeit. Vito Barcelo
QC logs 10,383 dengue cases since January
QUEZON City has recorded a total number of 10,383 dengue cases from January 1 to November 26.
The City Epidemiology and Surveillance Division called on QCitizens to take appropriate precautions against dengue.
“Immediately consult the nearest health center if you have symptoms of dengue,” the city government said. Of the total cases, 44 have died, according to the city government’s data.
Most patients were aged one to 10.
The highest number of dengue cases in the city was reported in Barangay Batasan Hills, with 857 cases. Rio Araja
DSWD Academy seeks competency-based learning
THE Department of Social Welfare and Development is strengthening the skills and professionalism of social workers through the newly renovated and fully-functioning DSWD Academy, which now offers comprehensive competency-based learning courses.
The DSWD Academy, first opened in 1975 under the sponsorship of then First Lady Imelda Marcos, currently offers 72 programs which include 15 introductory courses, eight specialized courses, and a ladderized program designed for employed social workers who do not have a formal degree in social work.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian initiated the renovation of the DSWD Academy to make it a premier school for social workers in the Southeast Asian Region.
Assistant Secretary Janet Armas of the DSWD’s Regulatory Services and Institutional Development Group (RSIDG) said enhancing social workers’ competencies significantly contributes to sustaining and improving the government’s relief and social protection efforts. Maricel Cruz
(FF150), the Philippine Air Force’s FA50s, and a W-3A Sokol Search and Rescue helicopter.
The Indian Navy, meanwhile, showcased its capabilities through the participation of the INS Sahyadri, a modern guided missile frigate equipped with an onboard helicopter.
Throughout the engagement, both forces executed a series of coordinated maritime exercises designed to refine tactical skills and strengthen joint response capabilities.
The activities covered Communication Exercises (COMMEX) and Flag
GREEN INITIATIVE. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority
chairman Don Artes, Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco and other local government officials lead the inauguration of the Navotas Green Zone Park Phase 4. The project is part of an urban re-greening initiative that partners with local government units in Metro Manila to redevelop and rehabilitate underutilized open spaces into public parks. Andrew Rabulan
Hoist Drills, which honed visual and radio communication procedures between the two navies.
They also conducted Officer of the Watch (OOW) maneuvers, accompanied by a photo exercise with a flyby or low pass of FA50s, demonstrating precise and cooperative maritime formations.
The activity culminated in a Steampast or passing exercise (PASSEX), symbolizing unity and shared commitment between the Philippines and India in safeguarding maritime domains.
PCSO reaches nearly 100% PTV coverage
THE Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) turned over another seven Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) as part of the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to equip all provinces, cities, and municipalities with PTVs.
The PTVs underscore the administration’s commitment to improving the country’s emergency care network, the PCSO said.
Each unit is outfitted with essential medical transport equipment such as a stretcher, oxygen tank, wheelchair, first-aid kit, blood pressure monitor, and medicine cabinet, ensuring the safe and timely transfer of patients to health facilities.
When Mr. Marcos assumed office in 2022, PCSO had already delivered 680 PTVs nationwide.
This number grew in 2025 as the agency intensified its implementation of the Medical Transport Vehicle Donation Program, marking several record-setting milestones.
On Nov. 25 this year, PCSO distributed 82 PTVs in Bacolod City which brought the total coverage of its distribution to 98 percent. PCSO added to this achievement yesterday by distributing seven additional PTVs to the local chief executives of San Pedro City, Calapan City, Legazpi City, Muñoz City, Olongapo City, Iriga City, and Angeles City.
This brought the national total to 1,627 PTV units, representing 99 percent coverage of the country’s 1,642 LGUs.
For 2025, PCSO has allocated P1 billion for the procurement of 395 more PTVs, with the goal of completing the distribution and achieving 100 percent nationwide coverage by year-end.
AROUND 5.7 million students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) are expected to benefit from free higher education under the Senate version of the 2026 national budget.
Senator Bam Aquino said the Upper Chamber has earmarked P26 billion for SUCs, allowing 5.2 million learners to keep enjoying the benefits of Republic Act 10931 or the Free College Law. He added another P6.7 billion was set aside for LUCs, supporting about 500,000 students,
while P4.4 billion will cover prior-year deficiencies of SUCs, bringing total funding for the law to P67 billion.
Aquino said the chamber also allocated P27.3 billion for allowances under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and P2.7 billion for the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).
Both programs assist financially challenged students with food, books, and living expenses, and support deserving learners enrolled in private higher education institutions.
Depending on their category, students will receive assistance amounting to P15,000, P20,000, or P27,000.
“This is a big help because many of our students need additional support to finish their studies,” Aquino said, adding that 70 percent of students in LUCs and SUCs go on to finish college, the highest in the region.
For 2026, around 1.5 million students from public and private universities are expected to benefit from TES and TDP, including 490,000 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program.
Green-zone Park opens in Navotas
By Joel E. Zurbano
THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Friday officially opened the Navotas Greenzone Park and handed over its management to the local government of Navotas City.
Situated at the intersection of Daungan Street and R-10 Road in the NBBN area, the park is a component of MMDA’s extensive Adopt-a-Park initiative, which seeks to improve green spaces within the National Capital Region.
MMDA chairman Don Artes and Mayor John Rey Tiangco led the inauguration and blessing of the park.
The Navotas Greenzone Park covers approximately 1,742 square meters and features a mix of softscape and hardscape elements, including shrubs, ground covers, paved walkways, planter boxes, benches, lamp posts, and trellises.
OPINION
Procurement sheet of flame at DICT
MANY political observers are asking: Is DICT Secretary Henry Aguda becoming the next bad PR for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.? Following the flood-control scandal shaking the administration, another storm quietly brews – this time inside the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Observers say what should have been a showcase of digital governance is turning into a case study in administrative missteps, questionable procurement practices, and embarrassing cybersecurity failures.
At the center of it is DICT Secretary Aguda – whose actions are perceived to be increasingly positioning him as a liability to President Bongbong Marcos. Procurement Firestorm:
Sen. Risa Hontiveros – normally calm and measured – accused Aguda and his team of “lying” to justify bypassing procurement rules for the P3-billion Bayanihan SIM Project.
Hontiveros said Aguda wrote Malacañang on July 1 seeking direct contracting instead of public bidding, claiming the new procurement law’s IRR had not been published. Hontiveros exposed this as false, pointing out the IRR was already promulgated last Feb. 11. Her sharp rebuke – “Hindi dapat nagbibigay ng sagot ang executive na mali… o pwedeng tawaging kasinungalingan” – left DICT budget sponsor Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian visibly uncomfortable, especially after he had just been praised by Sen. Ping Lacson for steering the Senate budget hearings well. Adding pressure on the department is the separate public clamor for an investigation into DICT Undersecretary Faye Sagon, following allegations in news reports about procurement-related issues and concerns over possible irregularities under her supervision.
Calls for a formal probe by netizens, according to news reports, raised sentiments that have eroded public confidence in DICT’s leadership – at a time when the agency is already under intense scrutiny for its handling of the Bayanihan SIM Project. Aguda’s missteps – now compounded by mounting demands to investigate his own undersecretary – have dragged the President’s allies, and the DICT’s credibility, into an unnecessary political mess.
The Cybersecurity Meltdown Under Aguda’s Watch If the procurement fiasco paints a picture of administrative confusion, observers note the country’s cybersecurity landscape under Aguda reveals something worse: a department paralyzed by poor strategy, empty PR stunts, and cascading system failures.
Aguda’s grand solution was the so-called “Cyberdome” – a flashy PR concept that cybersecurity professionals immediately dismissed as superficial and technically hollow. This, in an era when real solutions require competence, not buzzwords, Cyberdome a punchline Meanwhile, the cyberattacks kept coming – and getting worse. Since Aguda assumed office in April, the country has been hit by a relentless wave of cyber incidents that exposed the government’s widening vulnerabilities.
According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), a 2-terabyte data compromise occurred in April – an early indication of a major breach affecting a na-
tional government agency.
By mid-year, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) reported it had tracked 234 data breaches across highlevel government institutions, a volume of incidents that cybersecurity experts said should have triggered an immediate nationwide audit but did not.
The situation worsened on Sept. 21, when 19 government websites were defaced, including those of DPWH, DBM, DFA, and BOC.
These attacks were claimed by hacktivist groups, citing anti-corruption motives and were described by national media as the largest coordinated defacement of government websites in recent years.
PR cannot plug vulnerabilities, cannot rewrite procurement laws, and cannot stop hacktivists from exploiting weak systems
By November, the cyberattacks peaked.
Hacktivist group #HappyGoLuckyPH claimed responsibility for several major incidents: on Nov. 5, DDoS-like attacks crippled PNP websites; days later, the group announced a 400GB SQL data breach involving DILG systems; and in earlier posts, and the DPWH.
Under Aguda, cyberattacks are no longer sporadic – they are systematic and escalating, highlighting a vacuum in leadership, expertise, and credible strategy.
A Pattern Becomes Clear Keen political observers say two issues now define the DICT under Aguda.
First is a troubling willingness to bend or misrepresent facts in billion-peso procurements – actions that risk dragging Malacañang into an avoidable legal and political crisis.
Second is a catastrophic failure to protect government systems from escalating cyberattacks, made worse by hollow PR stunts that convince no one and solve nothing.
Both expose President Marcos to unnecessary political damage at a time when public trust is already strained by the floodcontrol scandal.
PR Cannot Replace Performance At the end of the day, Aguda’s leadership is marked by a dangerous pattern: PR over substance.
The Cyberdome? PR.
The justification for direct contracting? PR.
The messaging around data breaches?
PR.
But PR cannot plug vulnerabilities, cannot rewrite procurement laws, and cannot stop hacktivists from exploiting weak systems.
The more Aguda leans on optics, the more the facts catch up – and the more he becomes a political and operational liability to the Marcos administration.
Is Aguda fast emerging as the next biggest bad PR for President Bongbong Marcos? – observers question echoes well into the night.
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the Language of the Heart
By Melandrew Velasco
FOR most Americans, Thanksgiving Day is not just a long weekend or a sale season. It is the holiday that gathers families back home—sometimes across thousands of miles—around a shared table, a shared memory, and a shared sense of gratitude. In many ways, it is to the United States what Christmas is to us Filipinos: a season, not just a date; a feeling, not just a ritual.
As a Filipino migrant with Tess by my side, two nurse-children now settled in America, three grandchildren growing up in California, and relatives clustered mostly around the Bay Area, I have seen up close how Thanksgiving has become an important chapter in our own family story.
(Part 1)
A long history of gratitude Thanksgiving in the US traces its roots to early colonial times. The most famous story is the 1621 harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where English Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans shared a meal after a bountiful harvest, following a brutal first year marked by hunger and disease. That three-day feast—simple, fragile, and imperfect as it was—became the seed of what is now a national tradition.
Over time, various colonies and states held their own thanksgiving observances, often tied to harvests, victories, or the end of difficult seasons.
It was only in 1863, at the height of the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanks-
Protecting children’s rights
HUSHEDLY, World Children’s Month this November has been celebrated, its importance not buried by nations to promote and protect children’s rights and recognize their value as the future of society.
The Philippine government itself has focused on its annual National Children’s Month, highlighting the theme, “OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!” (End Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials: Fight for Children’s Safety and Rights!).
The theme highlights the need to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation by strengthening policies, laws, and programs.
This focus also aligns with Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and AntiChild Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act
This has been supported by government-wide campaigns, like the Department of Education enjoining schools to conduct awareness activities and promote child rights. Other initiatives included national summits and local activities to promote children’s safety and well-being.
The month-long celebration provides a platform to highlight the need for the children’s well-being, focusing on their access to healthcare, education, and a
healthy environment. This hardly audible celebration marks a time to amplify children’s voices and ensure they are included in decisions that affect them, encouraging a better future for all.
The observance serves as a national movement to uphold, protect, and promote the welfare of Filipino children
The significance of celebrating National Children’s Month in the Philippines, where live about 39.6 million children and youth under the age of 18 – nearly 34 percent of the 117 million population – is to honor the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, raise awareness about children’s issues, and promote their rights
to a safe environment, health, and education.
The observance serves as a national movement to uphold, protect, and promote the welfare of Filipino children, recognizing them as vital to the nation’s future.
Children are crucial in this archipelago republic as they represent the future workforce and economy, with families viewing them as investments for their long-term support, particularly in old age, and a means to overcome poverty, with around 17.5 million people, based on Philippne Statistics Authority figures of 2023, living below the official national poverty line. . Their education is highly valued as it is seen as the path to a better future for the child and the family. There is economic and familial importance, with children seeing educational success as a way to meet their obligations to their parents and family. Definitely, a child’s healthy development is fundamental to the nation’s future well-being and potential, and investing in children’s education and health creates long-term economic and social benefits for everyone, as children become skilled, productive members of society. Reassuring that the Philippine government and various organizations like UNICEF give precedence to children’s rights to health, education, nutrition, and protection to ensure they can reach their full potential.
Putin says Russia will fight on unless Ukraine cedes land
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – Russian President Vladimir Putin said this week he would end his Ukraine offensive if Kyiv withdrew from territory Moscow claims at its own -- otherwise his army would take it by force.
The Russian army has been slowly but steadily grinding through eastern Ukraine in costly battles against outnumbered and outgunned Ukrainian forces.
Washington has meanwhile renewed its push to end the nearly four-year war, putting forward a surprise plan that it hopes to finalize through upcoming talks with Moscow and Kyiv.
“If Ukrainian forces leave the territories they hold, then we will stop combat operations,” Putin said during a visit to Kyrgyzstan. “If they don’t, then we will achieve it by military means.”
Russia controls around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. The issue of occupied land, which Kyiv has said it will never cede, is among the biggest stumbling blocks in the peace process.
Another important issue in the talks are Western security guarantees for Ukraine, which Kyiv says are needed to prevent Moscow from invading again in the future.
Washington’s original plan — drafted without input from Ukraine’s European allies — would have seen Kyiv withdraw from its eastern Donetsk region and the United States de facto recognize the Donetsk, Crimea and Lugansk regions as Russian.
The US pared back the original plan over the weekend following criticism from Kyiv and Europe, but has not yet released the new version.
giving Day to be observed every last Thursday of November, describing it as a time to give thanks even amid the nation’s wounds.
Later, in 1941, the US Congress formally set the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving has become an anchor date when we try, as much as we can, to be together
So it is a holiday born from hardship and hope—much like many of our own Philippine traditions that sprang from colonization, wars, disasters, and the stubborn Filipino will to survive.
Thanksgiving: America’s Christmas
In the Philippines, if you ask people what is the most important holiday, the answer is often automatic: Christmas.
We stretch Christmas farther than any other nation—starting as early as September, with the iconic Jose Mari Chan’s floating carols floating from sari-sari stores and malls, and ending well after New Year.
Christmas here is family, faith, and fiesta
Putin, who has seen the new plan, said it could be a negotiation starter.
“Overall, we agree that it could form the basis for future agreements,” he said of the latest draft, which the United States is thought to have shortened to about 20 points. But Russia was still seeking international recognition of the occupied territories, Putin added.
Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, triggering the worst armed conflict in Europe since World War II
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, strongly denied that in an interview with US outlet
The Atlantic published on Thursday.
“As long as Zelenskyy is president, no one should count on us giving up territory. He will not sign away territory,” Yermak said.
“All we can realistically talk about right now is really to define the line of contact,” he said, referring to the sprawling 1,100 kilometer front line.
US negotiator Steve Witkoff was expected in Moscow next week to discuss the revised document, Putin said. US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is
rolled into one.
In America, that central emotional spot largely belongs to Thanksgiving.
Yes, Christmas is celebrated in the US, but Thanksgiving carries a special weight.
It is when college students fly home, workers brave crowded airports and highways, and the whole country seems to move in one direction: going home, going back to family, going back to the table. The rituals are familiar now even to us who grew up thousands of miles away: the roasting of the turkey, the centerpiece of the meal; mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie; Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York; American football games on TV; and, in recent years, the frenzy of Black Friday sales the day after.
But at its core, Thanksgiving is about pagpapasalamat—gratitude. It is a day to pause and count blessings, something very close to the Filipino heart.
How Fil-Ams have embraced Thanksgiving Filipino Americans—our “kababayans” in the US—have taken Thanksgiving to heart.
Like all other migrants, they adapt to the traditions of their new home, but put a distinctly Filipino spin on the celebration. In many Fil-Am homes, the turkey doesn’t sit alone.
meanwhile due to visit Kyiv later this week, according to Yermak.
‘Little can be done’ In his remarks Thursday, Putin repeated the claim that Russia had encircled the Ukrainian army in Pokrovsk and Myrnograd in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region — the most fiercely embattled area and a key target for Moscow’s forces.
“Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov are completely surrounded,” he said, using the Russian names for the cities.
Moscow was also advancing in Vovchansk and Siversk, as well as approaching the important logistic hub of Guliaipole, he added.
The Russian offensive “is practically impossible to hold back, so there is little that can be done about it”, Putin said. Ukraine has denied that Pokrovsk and Myrnograd are encircled, insisting its forces continue to hold the enemy along the front line.
Putin, in power for 25 years, also questioned Zelenskyy’s legitimacy and said signing any agreement with him would be legally “almost impossible” at the moment, a suggestion that has drawn groans from Kyiv and its allies.
According to data analyzed by AFP from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces have conquered an average of 467 square kilometers each month in 2025 -- a step up from 2024. Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in Feb. 2022, triggering the worst armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
The war has killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced millions to flee their homes. AFP
On the same table you will often find lechon or crispy pata, pancit, lumpiang shanghai, adobo, and, of course, rice.
The cranberry sauce might sit beside sawsawan, and the pumpkin pie beside leche flan or buko salad. It is Thanksgiving, yes—but it’s also, unmistakably, Pinoy handaan.
Our own family is no exception.
With Tess and I shuttling between the Philippines and the US, and our two eldest children working as nurses in America, Thanksgiving has become an anchor date when we try, as much as we can, to be together—physically when possible, virtually when distance gets in the way.
Our three grandchildren—Fil-Am kids who move naturally between English and a few Filipino words—are growing up with turkey and pancit on the same plate. For them, Thanksgiving is both American and Filipino.
On that day, they thank God for family, school, health, and blessings in the language of their environment—yet the spirit of “salamat po” remains deeply Filipino.
(The writer, president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection, is the official biographer of President Fidel V. Ramos.)
Honor Blanco Cabie
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
IN BRIEF
Court clears worker of stealing snacks
SEOUL – A worker accused of “stealing” snacks worth less than a dollar in South Korea has finally been acquitted after a legal battle lasting nearly two years.
The logistics firm he was working for had filed a claim against him last year for taking a Choco Pie -- a popular South Korean snack -- and a mini custard worth 1,050 won (73 cents) from an office fridge last year.
Deeming the offense minor, prosecutors had filed a summary indictment, but the driver insisted he was innocent and requested a formal trial.
A court found him guilty and fined him 50,000 won -- around fifty times the value of what he had eaten.
But the worker immediately appealed, and finally won the legal challenge.
“The defendant was acquitted,” an official from the Jeonju District Court told AFP Friday.
The company had argued that unlike its staff, subcontracted workers like the accused were not allowed to open the refrigerator without permission. AFP
Indonesia floods death toll rises to 84
MEDAN – Flooding and landslides across Indonesia’s Sumatra island have killed at least 84 people this week and dozens more are missing, rescue officials said Friday.
Indonesia, along with neighboring Malaysia and Thailand have been hit by severe rains that have caused dozens of deaths across the region in recent days.
In North Sumatra, “as of this morning, the number of fatalities is 62, with 95 people injured, both serious and minor injuries,” said local police spokesman Ferry Walintukan.
“At least 65 people are still being searched for,” he told AFP.
In neighboring West Sumatra, at least 22 people have died, with 12 others missing, according to the local disaster agency.
Walintukan said authorities in North Sumatra were focused on “evacuation and providing assistance”.
In North Sumatra, access to some areas and communication was still cut off, he added. AFP
Trump’s latest put-down for female reporters
WEST PALM BEACH – US President
Donald Trump called a female reporter stupid on Thursday (Friday, Manila time), adding to the litany of insults he has dealt to women in the media when he dislikes their questions.
“Are you stupid? Are you a stupid person?” Trump said, cutting off the reporter as he fielded questions at his Florida estate about the vetting of Afghans in the United States.
Two National Guard soldiers were shot near the White House on Wednesday, allegedly by an Afghan national brought into the country following the abrupt withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
The reporter asked Trump why he blamed his predecessor Joe Biden, when some in his own administration had said resettled Afghans were thoroughly vetted.
“Because they let them in,” Trump snapped, holding up a picture of a US military plane packed with people fleeing as the Taliban authorities resumed power. AFP
Carney advances new Canada oil pipeline, raises climate concerns
TORONTO – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement Thursday (Friday, Manila time) with the western energy-producing province of Alberta to advance a new oil pipeline, sparking immediate concerns about Ottawa’s
WHO issues unprecedented global guidelines to beat infertility
GENEVA – The World Health Organization on Friday published for the first time directives to improve the prevention, detection and treatment of infertility, which affects millions across the globe.
“One in six people worldwide experience infertility during their lifetime,” said Pascale Allotey, the global health body’s head of sexual and reproductive health.
“At the core of the agreement, of course, is a priority to have a pipeline to Asia,” Carney said ahead of the signing alongside Alberta’s conservative Premier Danielle Smith. Aside from broadening exports, the plan endorses an overall increase in Alberta oil and gas production.
The deal marked a clear pivot for Carney’s Liberal Party and a departure from the policies that defined former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s decade in power. Carney’s culture minister, Stephen Guilbeault — who was Trudeau’s environment minister — resigned from the cabinet in protest over the pipeline deal hours after it was signed.
“I chose to enter politics to champion the fight against climate change,” Guilbeault said in a statement. AFP
“The condition affects individuals and couples across all regions and income levels.
“And yet access to safe and affordable care remains highly inequitable.”
Allotey told reporters that the issue of infertility had been neglected “for far too long.”
The new guide would provide a “uni-
fied, evidence-based foundation” to ensure care is safe, effective and accessible for all, she added.
According to the WHO, infertility is a condition of the male and female reproductive system, defined as the inability to achieve pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual relations. The situation can lead to major distress,
HK’s deadliest blaze in decades kills 128
US to review immigrant visas as soldier dies
WASHINGTON, DC – US President
Donald Trump announced Thursday (Friday, Manila time) the death of one of two National Guard soldiers shot near the White House, as his government said it would respond by reviewing the permanent residency status of immigrants from 19 countries, including Afghanistan.
The FBI meanwhile launched an international terrorism investigation as new details emerged about the alleged gunman, a 29-year-old Afghan national who had served with US troops in Afghanistan.
The shooting on Wednesday, which officials described as an “ambush-style” attack, brings together three politically ex-
plosive issues: Trump’s controversial use of the military at home, immigration, and the legacy of the US war in Afghanistan.
“I want to express the anguish and the horror of our entire nation at the terrorist attack yesterday in our nation’s capital,”
Trump said in a Thanksgiving video call with US troops.
He called the suspect a “savage monster” before announcing that Sarah Beckstrom, a 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard member deployed in Washington as part of Trump’s crackdown on crime, had died from her injuries.
Trump linked the shooting and his decision to send hundreds of National
Pope, Orthodox leader to jointly celebrate early Church milestone
ISTANBUL – Pope Leo XIV joins the leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians Friday to celebrate 1,700 years since one of the early Church’s most important gatherings, on the second day of his visit to Turkey.
The American pope began his fourday visit on Thursday, flying into Ankara where he held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging him to embrace Turkey’s role as mediator in a world gripped by conflict.
“Mr President, may Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples, in service of a just and lasting peace,” the pontiff told the Turkish leader as he kicked off the first overseas trip of his papacy.
Pope Leo is the fifth pontiff to visit Turkey, after Paul VI in 1967, John Paul II in 1979, Benedict XVI in 2006 and
Francis in 2014.
Despite doctrinal differences that led to the Great Schism of 1054, resulting in a split between the Roman Catholic church in the west and the Eastern Orthodox church in the east, they still maintain dialogue and hold joint celebrations.
Tight security meant the papal convoy swept through nearly empty streets in Ankara on a visit that has drawn little attention in this Muslim-majority nation of 86 million, whose Christian community numbers only around 100,000.
“This land is inextricably linked to the origins of Christianity, and today it beckons the children of Abraham and all humanity to a fraternity that recognizes and appreciates differences,” he said, before being flown to Istanbul where he will stay until Sunday when he travels to Lebanon. AFP
stigmatization and financial difficulties. In several countries, most of the cost of infertility tests and treatment is borne by patients, which often leads to “catastrophic financial expenditures”.
“In some settings, even a single round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can cost double the average annual household income,” the WHO said. AFP
HONG KONG
– Hong Kong authorities said Friday the death toll from the city’s worst fire in decades had risen to at least 128, with the blaze almost entirely extinguished and rescuers scouring torched highrise buildings for scores of people still listed as missing.
Early Friday, authorities said the fire had been contained to four of the sprawling apartment complex’s almost 2,000 units, well over 24 hours after the blaze broke out in the eight-building complex. At least 76 people were injured in the blaze, including 11 firefighters, a government spokesperson said. Scores remain missing, although the exact number has not been updated since early Thursday.
An AFP reporter saw Friday the fire at Wang Fuk Court had weakened significantly, but sparks and thick smoke still occasionally burst forth from the structure. Firefighters continued to douse the building with water to cool the structure and prevent embers from re-igniting. Authorities have begun investigating what sparked the blaze -- the financial hub’s worst in almost 80 years -- including the presence of bamboo scaffolding and plastic mesh wrapped around the structures as part of a major renovation.
Guard troops to the city.
“If they weren’t effective, you probably wouldn’t have had this done,” he said, adding: “Maybe this man was upset because he couldn’t practice crime.”
Joseph Edlow, Trump’s director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), said Thursday that he had ordered a “full scale, rigorous reexamination of every Green Card for every alien from every country of concern.”
His agency later pointed to a list of 19 countries -- including Afghanistan, Cuba, Haiti, Iran and Myanmar -- facing US travel restrictions under a previous order from Trump in June. AFP
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption body said it had launched a probe into renovation work at the complex, hours after police said they had arrested three men on suspicion of negligently leaving foam packaging at the fire site.
Residents of Wang Fuk Court, located in Hong Kong’s northern district of Tai Po, told AFP that they did not hear any fire alarms and had to go door-to-door to alert neighbors to the danger.
“The fire spread so quickly. I saw one hose trying to save several buildings, and I felt it was far too slow,” said a man surnamed Suen.
“Ringing doorbells, knocking on doors, alerting the neighbors, telling them to leave -- that’s what the situation was like,” he said. AFP
Israeli forces shoot dead two while seemingly surrendering
JENIN, Palestinian Territories – The Israeli army and police said Thursday they were investigating the circumstances in which two Palestinians were shot dead in the occupied West Bank while seemingly surrendering to Israeli forces. The incident in Jenin in the northern West Bank, a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups, was filmed from several angles, including by AFP. The Palestinian Authority named the two men killed as 37-year-old Yussef Ali Asa’sa and 26-year-old Al-Muntasir Billah Mahmud Abdullah. It said they were killed in a “brutal” summary execution and condemned the incident as a “war crime”. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir swiftly backed the forces who opened fire, saying: “Terrorists must die!” Videos circulating on social media and on television channels showed two men emerging from a
HELLISH SCENE. This handout satellite image by Vantor taken and made available on Thursday shows smoke rising from apartments after a major fire swept through several blocks at the Wang Fuk Court residential estate in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Authorities said Friday the death toll from the city’s worst fire in decades had risen to at least 94, with the blaze almost entirely extinguished and rescuers scouring torched high-rise buildings for scores of people still listed as missing. AFP
JOINT CELEBRATION. Pope Leo XIV (center) gets in his car upon his arrival at Istanbul Ataturk airport on Thursday, on the first overseas trip of his papacy, which will also take him to Lebanon. The pope’s trip comes as the Orthodox world appears more fragmented than ever, with the war in Ukraine accelerating the split between the Moscow and Constantinople patriarchates. While Catholics recognize the pope as the head of the Church, the highly fragmented Orthodox are organized into selfgoverning church bodies that
FARMERS TOO, JOIN FIGHT VS. CORRUPTION.
Militant farmers and other members and stakeholders in the agriculture sector stage a protest rally in front of the Department of Agriculture in Quezon City to condemn massive corruption in the bureaucracy and hold accountable those responsible for the anomalies including smuggling of farm products and construction of overpriced farmto-market roads.
IN
BRIEF
CFO, PCCI explore ways to push economy
THE Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Makati (PCCI) are exploring a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening local economic growth and expanding opportunities for overseas Filipinos.
The collaboration was discussed during the PCCI-Makati general membership meeting, where CFO Secretary Dante Ang II who served as keynote speaker said both groups share a goal of creating investment pathways and supporting the productive reintegration of Filipinos returning from abroad.
Ang highlighted several CFO programs that could help businesses and overseas Filipinos connect. These include BaLinkBayan, an online portal linking overseas Filipinos with local governments for investment opportunities; Peso Sense, a financial literacy campaign; and Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LinKaPil), which promotes diaspora philanthropy for small, highimpact development projects.
He said these initiatives give Filipinos abroad meaningful ways to contribute to national development while remaining engaged in civic, cultural, and economic activities. Vito Barcelo DILG confers awards on 18 LGUs in Cavite
EIGHT cities and ten municipalities in Cavite province were awarded the 2025 Seal of Child-Friendly Local Governance (SCFLG) in recognition of their strong implementation of programs that promote the welfare, protection, and rights of children.
The award, which is given annually by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in partnership with the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), is granted to local governments that have passed the Child-Friendly Local Governance Audit (CFLGA). It examines various aspects such as the quality of health services, education, protection against abuse and exploitation, and programs that promote a safe and meaningful environment for children.
The eight recognized city-awardees in Cavite were Bacoor City, Dasmariñas City, Imus City, General Trias City, Cavite City, Tagaytay City, Trece Martires City, and Carmona City.
The 10 municipalities were Rosario, Kawit, Noveleta, Tanza, General Mariano Alvarez, Silang, Amadeo, Alfonso, Indang, and Magallanes. Dennis Abrina Makati gov’t resumes school feeding program
THE Makati City government has announced the relaunch of Project FEED (Food for Excellent Education and Development), a feeding program that provides public school pupils with daily nutritious snacks to help improve their health, focus, and overall academic performance. Project FEED offers healthy snacks and beverages for 30 feeding days, distributed from Monday to Friday, continuing until December 2025. All items comply with the nutritional standards established for school-aged children.
The city government is implementing the program in collaboration with the Schools Division Office of Makati City.
“We know that when children are well-fed and in good health, they can concentrate better in class. They are more attentive, more engaged, and can grasp lessons more quickly. We want them to arrive at school prepared and energized for learning,” Mayor Nancy Binay said. Joel E. Zurbano
Navy eyes five more TC-90 patrol planes
By Rex Espiritu
THE Philippine Navy intends to procure additional five retired TC-90 aircraft from the Maritime Self-Defense Force of Japan to boost its surveillance capabilities.
“Before the end of this year, we’ll be sending a joint visual inspection team to Japan to check five TC-90s that have become available,” Philippine Navy chief Vice Adm. Jose Ma Ambrosio Ezpeleta said in an interview.
“We still have a lot of gaps in our maritime domain awareness capabilities, so we want to determine if we can incorporate these additional aircraft into our fleet to step up our patrols,” he told reporters at the Navy headquarters in Manila.
After inspecting the twin-turboprop TC-90s which the MSDF mainly utilizes for pilot training, the Philippine experts will pass on their recommendations to the Navy, and then the Department of Defense in Manila. Depending
on the outcome, detailed transfer talks with Tokyo could ensue.
If successful, this would mark Japan’s second transfer of the aircraft type to the Philippines following the donation of five similar aircraft between 2017 and 2018 for use in maritime patrols.
At the time, the move which also marked Japan’s first transfer of overseas military aircraft — took place under Tokyo’s official development assistance program and followed 2014 revisions to its strict defense export rules.
The Philippines faces significant challenges in monitoring and controlling activities across its vast 2.26 million square-kilometer exclusive economic zone (EEZ), with Ezpeleta saying that only about 30 percent of
that area is continuously monitored. Such a major surveillance gap in the midst of an intensifying territorial spat with China is one of the key factors pushing the Philippines to rapidly modernize its military capabilities to help overcome critical blind spots. Japan has been a critical partner in this regard.
Besides TC-90s, Tokyo has provided air surveillance radar systems to Manila and is expected to soon hand over coastal surveillance radars under the country’s military aid program, formally known as the official security assistance (OSA) framework. These radars will be critical as the Philippines establishes new forward operating bases to strengthen its defense not only in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s designation for the South China Sea waters where it has maritime claims, but also to the country’s west and north territories, as seen with a new base in Mahatao, Batanes Province, less than 200 km from Taiwan.
Lawyer says Padilla did not violate anti-wiretapping law
By Ram Superable
SENATOR Robinhood Padilla’s office on Friday stressed that no violation of the Anti Wiretapping Law can be established without proof that a private conversation was unlawfully intercepted.
Padilla’s chief of staff, lawyer Rudolf Philip Jurado, issued the clarification after his boss presented an unverified audio clip during the Senate plenary deliberations on the Presidential Communications Office’s proposed 2026 budget. He argued that the authenticity of the recording, the identities of the individuals allegedly involved, and the manner in which the audio was obtained have not been confirmed through any formal investigation. “Senators and congressmen are
afforded parliamentary which enables them to debate, deliberate, and legislate without fear of retaliation or legal consequences for statements made or actions taken in the course of their official duties,” Jurado asserted.
Padilla earlier played the audio after raising questions about the PCO allegedly employing trolls or funded online operations to manipulate public discourse. He said he wanted to determine whether the recording was genuine, artificially generated, or fabricated by individuals attempting to harm reputations.
The senator also asked whether the PCO had any knowledge of the clip and whether the agency believed it should undergo further scrutiny.
Court orders quarantine for Guo, two allies
By Katrina Manubay
THE Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) said dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, and her two allies will undergo a five-day quarantine protocol after the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) ordered their detention following their conviction for qualified human trafficking.
In an order dated Nov.27, the Pasig City RTC Branch 167 ordered the commitment of Guo and her co-accused, Zun Yuan Technology Inc. (ZYTI) president Jaimielyn Santos Cruz, and Rachelle Joan Malonzo Carreon.
The trio were found guilty of qualified trafficking in persons due to their involvement in illegal activities related to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac. In a statement, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director Gregorio Catapang Jr. said security measures at the CIW were being enhanced.
Guo and her cohorts will undergo medical tests prior to their transfer to the regular Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) dormitory, where they will participate in 60 days of mandatory orientation, diagnostics, and evaluation. Afterwards, they will be transferred to their assigned regular dormitory within the facility’s maximum-security camp.
The Pasig RTC found Guo handed down on Nov. 20 its guilty verdict on the three women for qualified trafficking and ordered them to pay a fine of P2 million each, as well as to compensate their victims.
ESSU hits perfect score in nursing licensure exams
By Maricel V. Cruz
EASTERN Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has extolled the nursing graduates of Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in Borongan City for achieving a 100-percent passing rate in the board examinations for the eighth consecutive time.
“This remarkable feat is a testament to the hard work, discipline, and perseverance of our ESSU nursing graduates, and to their unwavering commitment to the profession,” Gonzales said in a statement.
“To our new nurses: your achievement brings great pride to Eastern Samar. May you continue this tradition of excellence as you enter the workforce and serve with compassion, integrity, and purpose,” he added.
Gonzales also commended ESSU for its sustained commitment to academic excellence.
“The university continues to produce highly proficient, well-trained, and service-oriented graduates—professionals who are ready to join the labor force, secure meaningful employment, and uplift the lives of their families,” he said.
“This milestone highlights not only the brilliance and dedication of our ESSU nursing graduates but also the growing strength of our home-grown institutions in Eastern Samar,” Gonzales added.
Manny Palmero
MARITIME PARTNERS. The Philippines and France puts to the test their new-found partnership in maritime affairs through the Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, involving the French Navy’s deployment of one of its frigates for the exercise. Navy photo
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor
RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor
Singson rolls to lopsided win vs. Miñoza
STA. Rosa, Laguna – Bracing for what she thought would be a grind-it-out match, Mafy Singson instead walked away from the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational Final with a commanding 6&5 triumph over Martina Miñoza on Friday – an outcome no one, including Singson herself, saw coming.
Struggling with her putting touch all week, Singson finally found her rhythm the moment she stepped onto the green. Her first putt of the day – smooth, confident and dead-center – set the tone. From there, the cup seemed to widen for her, each putt falling with a kind of inevitability that slowly drained any hopes of a Miñoza comeback.
After birdieing the opening hole, Singson seized control by taking the fourth, sixth and the two holes that followed, storming to a commanding fivehole advantage at the turn.
Miñoza, known for her steadiness and resilience, kept searching for a spark but never found the momentum she needed and yielded the match after just 13 holes.
“I honestly thought we’d go the full 18,” said Singson, acknowledging her opponent’s normally sharp iron play and composed short game. “I didn’t expect to win by this margin, but my putts just kept going in.” They did – almost effortlessly, relentlessly.
A stark contrast from the pressurefilled semifinal against Daniella Uy, where Singson had to dig deep for a nerve-wracking 1-up victory.
But despite the lopsided score in the final, Singson, who banked P280,000, refused to call it easy.
“It really wasn’t. But I was striking the ball well, and I felt good with my putting. The confidence was there right from the first hole,” she said.
New champ to be crowned as Benilde ends Mapua run
AThe victory officially ended Mapúa’s back-to-back title bid.
Coach Charles Tiu expressed relief and pride after the close call.
“That looked like a game that we almost let slip away,” Tiu said. “Beating Mapúa’s really something... Everybody was counting us out, there were naysayers from within and the fans.
Nobody believed in our team so I told
them, we have something to prove.
The job’s not done.”
The Blazers established a dominant 18-point lead at one point, but the Cardinals mounted a characteristic lategame rally, ensuring the defending champions did not go down without a fight.
Benilde held a 62-54 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Cardinals
unloaded a 9-0 run capped off by a Cyrus Cuenco triple in the 5:51 mark of the fourth to take the 63-62 lead.
The Blazers had the answer, however, as they built an eight-point lead after a 10-1 rally concluded by a Shawn Umali triple to put Benilde up, 72-64, with 2:08 to go. The biggest moment of the game came when the Cardinals had the chance to send the game to overtime after JC Recto was fouled by Justine Sanchez with 5.5 to go. With the Blazers up, 74-72, Recto had a chance to send the game to five extra minutes only to miss both freebies which ultimately led to the conclusion of Mapua’s season.
Raffy Celis spearheaded Benilde
Jahns dominates Match Play, caps breakthrough PGT season
STA. ROSA, Laguna – Keanu Jahns
validated his fast-rising status as the next big force in Philippine golf, overpowering seasoned campaigner Guido van der Valk with a commanding 3&2 victory to capture the ICTSI The Country Club Match Play Invitational title at TCC here on Friday.
The win not only netted Jahns P280,000 but also underscored his status as the winningest player at the close of the 10-stage Philippine Golf Tour, completing a remarkable endseason surge that included back-toback triumphs in Caliraya Springs and Bacolod last August.
Fresh from a lopsided 6&4 demolition of Reymon Jaraula in the semifinals, Jahns absorbed an early setback at
NEW champion will be crowned in NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball after the College of St. Benilde Blazers delivered a stunning blow to the defending champion Mapúa Cardinals, winning a hard-fought match, 74-72, at San Juan Arena on Friday. Filipina5
Matches today (Philsports Arena)
12 noon Tanzania vs Japan
2:30 p.m. New Zealand vs Portugal
5 p.m. Iran vs Italy
7:30 p.m. Panama vs Brazil
THE Philippines wound up winless at FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup following a 1-5 loss to Argentina Thursday night but came out with lessons and positive things to build on moving forward.
“Para sa akin po, we did very well. Syempre last game, binuhos na namin lahat-lahat,” said Isabella Bandoja, who provided the Filipina5’s lone goal in their final bow of the prestigious tourney backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation.
“’Yung dugot’ pawis namin, ‘yung trinabaho simula nung training, nung magsimula ang WC and until last game, binuhos po namin talaga,” added Bandoja, who accounted for the country’s third goal at the global
the final – finding the water on the first hole – but quickly erased any doubts that the shaky start would derail him.
While van der Valk, himself coming off a confident 3&2 semis victory over Clyde Mondilla, briefly dictated the early rhythm, the Dutch veteran soon discovered how daunting the task was against one of the tour’s longest and most explosive players.
Once Jahns settled in, the tide turned swiftly and decisively. Relying on his trademark power off the tee and a noticeably sharper putting stroke, the Fil-German birdied the par-5 second from 12 feet to square the match, then seized the lead on No. 6 – an advantage he guarded relentlessly. At the turn, he held a tenuous 1-up
stage after Inday Tolentin and Cathrine Graversen three nights before. Though the quarterfinal stage was already beyond reach after their opening setbacks to Poland (0-6) and Morocco (2-3), the Filipina5 entered the final game in Group A like it’s a championship gig.
edge, often too fragile for match play, yet it was clear he was tightening his grip on the duel.
Jahns opened the back nine with renewed aggression, capturing two of the first five holes to erect a three-hole cushion, a margin he protected with the poise and patience of a player maturing rapidly into elite form. By the 16th green, the outcome was sealed, and the wouldbe champion finally dispatched a rival known for his consistency and familiarity with the demanding TCC layout.
“Everything clicked today,” said Jahns. “My putting was better – I read the greens well and holed more putts. I drove it great, and my irons were solid except for that first hole. After that, everything was okay.”
The world No. 6 La Labiceleste unleashed five goals insid3 the first seven minutes but still, the hosts didn’t stop fighting and even went on to outscore the South American giants in the final half, 1-0. And giving them extra energy and fire were the 2,811 supporters at the
PhilSports Arena who tirelessly rallied them for the entire 40-minute clash with the South American power.
“Sobrang nakaka-excite, nakakataas ng balahibo, nakaka-hype ‘yung dami naming suporta, parang buong Plipinas nga ‘yung pumunta, hindi lang ilan,” Bandoja of the roaring crowd that included Mayor Vico Sotto of host city Pasig, PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, their sisters from the 11-a-side Filipinas squad and the Gilas Pilipinas Women players and coaching staff. The Filipina5 finished fourth in the bracket and made the exits alongside Poland (three points on one win, two losses). as topnotcher Argentina (nine points on three wins) and runnerup Morocco (six points after a 1-0 win over Poland) claimed the tickets to the KO rounds. Still, the fighting Filipina5 left a lasting impression, especially to the kids in the venue.
“Sana sa panonood nila, mas maging inspired pa sila, galingan pa nila lalo. Sana magrap sila nang mataas and mag-continue pa sila mangarap,” said Bandoja.
with 18 points and five rebounds while Ian Torres and Tony Ynot dropped 12 and 11 points, respectively in the win. Recto finished with 18 markers and five boards in what turned out to be the Cardinals’ final game of the season. Graduating guard and former Finals MVP Clint Escamis didn’t have the best swan song as he tallied three points and five boards before getting ejected in the third quarter due to a disqualifying foul.
Up next for the Blazers are the San Beda Red Lions in a best-of-three semifinals starting Tuesday. “They’ve beaten us twice already so I hope this time, kami naman... We have to look forward to San Beda, they’re a great team,” Tiu said.
turnout ignites Manila streets as AIA RnR fires off
LOCAL running reaches a new high as the AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by ASICS returns in full electrifying force, with its fourth night race cutting through the city’s most storied landmarks when the gun fires at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday (Nov. 29) at KM 0, Rizal Park. What follows is a night-long celebration of rhythm, endurance and Filipino spirit that promises to transform Manila into a glowing festival of movement and music.
Over 9,000 runners – more than double the participation since the event launched four years ago – are set to surge across Manila’s illuminated streets. This year’s turnout cements the race as one of the country’s biggest and most anticipated running spectacles, a testament to how deeply this fusion of sports, entertainment and culture resonates with the local community.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series, featuring four race categories (5km, 10km, 21km and 42km), is famed worldwide for its blend of athletic grit and musical energy, and Manila’s edition has embraced the spirit wholeheartedly. Runners will conquer the course accompanied by live bands, DJs, ensembles, themed stations, and the series’ beloved heavy finisher medals, designed to make every stride feel like a step inside a nighttime street concert. The midnight gun start adds an irresistible thrill, cooler air, glowing lights, and an atmosphere pulsing with anticipation. With a 7-hour-30-minute cutoff, runners of all paces can savor the full Rock ‘n’ Roll experience at their own rhythm. Adding a heartwarming new dimension is the debut of the AIA 1km kids’ run, a family-friendly category
Keanu Jahns (Manny Marcelo)
Mafy Singson (Manny Marcelo)
St. Benilde’s Ian Torres celebrates the Blazers’ 74-72 win over the Mapua Cardinals.
$7.39 billion
Philippine exports in October
$11.22 billion
Philippine imports in October
$3.83 billion
Trade deficit in October
October exports jumped 19.4%
PHILIPPINE merchandise exports soared 19.4 percent year-on-year to $7.39 billion in October 2025, led by electronic shipments, while the country’s total imports fell 6.5 percent to $11.22 billion.
The strong export performance combined with the decline in imports resulted in a monthly trade deficit of $3.83 billion, marking an 8.5-percent annual decrease.
This followed a 16.2-percent annual increase in total export sales recorded in September 2025. In October 2024, exports had recorded an annual decrease of 5.0 percent.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that electronic products remained the coun-
GDP per capita expected to reach $5,800 by 2028, says S&P Global
S&P Global Ratings expects the Philippines gross domestic product (GDP) per capita to sustain its growth over the medium term, reaching $5,800 by 2028.
“Our medium-term GDP growth projection is about 6.2 percent over 2026 to 2028. Driving this will be strong public and private consumption, coupled with sustained investments. GDP per capita could rise to approximately $5,800 by 2028,” the debt watcher said in its latest reform that affirmed the country’s long-term “BBB+” and short-term “A-2” sovereign investment-grade credit ratings with a positive outlook.
It estimated the nominal GDP of the Philippines at P26.446 trillion ($461.6 billion) in 2024 and expects it to rise to P28.318 trillion ($493.3
billion) by 2025, P30.77 trillion ($541 billion) by 2026, P33.808 trillion ($603 billion) by 2027 and P37.161 trillion ($679 billion) by 2028.
As a result, the Philippines’ per capita GDP is expected to rise from $4,100 in 2024 to $4,300 by 2025, $4,700 by 2026, $5,200 by 2027 and $5,800 by 2028.
Meanwhile, the BSP welcomed S&P Global’s affirmation of sovereign investment-grade credit ratings with a positive outlook.
S&P said its decision reflects the country’s above-average economic growth potential, strong external position, policy continuity and reforms that improve the investment climate.
“S&P’s rating decision confirms our view of the favorable long-term economic growth prospects,” said BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.
try’s top export, contributing $4.18 billion or 56.6 percent of total exports in October 2025.
By type of goods, manufactured goods accounted for the largest share of exports at $6.02 billion (81.5 percent). Agro-based products followed with $599.00 million (8.1 percent) and mineral products contributed $586.58 million (7.9 percent).
Total exports in the first 10 months of 2025 amounted to $70.43 billion, up by 13.8 percent from $61.90 billion re-
corded in the same period of 2024.
The United States was the Philippines’ largest export destination, receiving $1.16 billion or 15.7 percent of the total in October. Completing the top five major export partners were Japan ($1.04 billion, 14.1 percent), Hong Kong ($964.50 million, 13.0 percent), the People’s Republic of China ($868.44 million, 11.7 percent) and Germany ($347.26 million, 4.7 percent).
Total imported goods fell 6.5 percent to $11.22 billion from $12.01 billion in October 2024. This contrasts with import increases of 5.1 percent in September 2025 and 11.6 percent in October 2024.
The largest annual decrements in import value were seen in transport equipment, which fell $344.72 mil-
lion, mineral fuels lubricants and related materials, which decreased $330.59 million and cereals and cereal preparations, which declined $248.82 million.
Electronic products were also the top imported commodity group, valued at $2.97 billion (26.5 percent of
Workplace health, family support boosted in Dinagat Islands
PARTNERSHIP FOR WORKERS’ WELFARE. DOLE–Dinagat Islands Field Office
Provincial Head Engr. John Ritchie A. Tangpos (third from left) leads the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with CPD–Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano (third from right) and Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Jaypee T. Espares (center), to integrate the DOLE Family Welfare Program into workplaces under the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023–2028. Photos from DOLE Caraga/ Facebook
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through its Field Office in the Province of Dinagat Islands, will improve access to free health, counseling, and reproductive health services for workers in the province through a new partnership
between DOLE, the Provincial Government of Dinagat Islands, and the Commission on Population and Development (CPD)–Caraga.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed recently, integrating the DOLE Family Welfare Program
(FWP) into workplaces. The said agreement, which will be effective until December 31, 2028, will directly provide employees of local companies with services, reducing costs and barriers, in partnership with the DOLEPDIFO.
Meanwhile, CPD-Caraga will provide technical expertise, training, and counseling, while the provincial government will provide logistical support.
Through this effort, Dinagatnon workers will gain better access to workplace sessions on responsible parenthood, family planning, HIV/ AIDS awareness, and healthy aging, alongside referrals to government health and social services, as the agreement advances the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (PPDPOA) 2023–2028.
The MOA signing was led by Engr. John Ritchie A. Tangpos, DOLE-PDIFO Provincial Head and Supervising Labor and Employment Officer, together with CPD-Caraga Regional Director Alexander A. Makinano, and Sangguniang Bayan Member Hon. Jaypee T. Espares, who chairs the Committee on Health and Sanitation and the Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Land Use.
PH ROADMAP VALIDATION WORKSHOP. DOLE Undersecretary for Employment and Human Resource Development Cluster Carmela I. Torres (top photo, left) delivers her keynote remarks during the National Validation Workshop on the Global Accelerator (GA) Roadmap for Decent Work and Social Protection for Just Transitions. International Labor Organization (ILO) Country Office for the Philippines Director Khalid Hassan (top photo, right) also delivers his welcome remarks, reaffirming ILO’s support for the Philippines as a pathfinder country under the GA framework. Photos by ILO
DOLE joins international forum on protecting seafarers’ rights, welfare
THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) joined local and global experts at the 2025 International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety, and Well-Being, centered on safer workplaces, fair treatment, and better opportunities for Filipino seafarers and their families.
DOLE Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano, who represented DOLE in the panel discussion on “Upholding Human Rights at Sea for All and at All Times,” outlined the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to strengthen protections and improve conditions for seafarers worldwide.
The whole-of-nation approach to support Filipino seafarers is an affirmation of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. administration’s commitment to protect workers, including seafarers here and abroad, through the collaborative efforts of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the Maritime Industry Authority
the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and DOLE.
“Human rights are inherent to all people simply by virtue of being human—they should be respected and protected at all times,” Assistant Secretary Serrano said.
He explained that the Philippines, as a signatory to the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006), works with other nations to uphold decent work and fair treatment for seafarers. The official added that the passage of Republic Act No. 12021, or the Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers, reinforces this commitment by aligning national laws with the latest MLC standards. The conference brought together international experts, government officials, industry leaders, and advocates to discuss ways to improve the conditions of workers who keep the world’s supply chains moving. It was co-organized by the DFA, MARINA, DMW, and DOLE.
CLARK HORSEFEST. Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive
Agnes Devanadera holds a plaque of appreciation from El Kabayo Horseback Riding owners
Sheriff Gabby La O and Rina La O. Dr. Rocelle TantingcoManalo, head of the community service committee of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (Angeles Chapter) shares during the 17th Annual Horsefest on Nov. 22, 2025 how El Kabayo Horseback Riding’s scenic trails provides equine-assisted therapy to children.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEAFARERS’ RIGHTS, WELFARE. (Top photo) Labor Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine C. Serrano (leftmost) joins Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva Ambassador Carlos Sorreta (Center), International Labor Organization Country Director for Philippines Khalid Hassan (rightmost), and other local and international representatives during the first panel discussion of the International Conference on Seafarers’ Human Rights, Safety and Well-Being at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. Photos courtesy of MARINA
(MARINA),
PH stocks, peso gain on gov’t spending plan to boost growth
SHARE prices ended the week in the green on renewed optimism for the domestic economy after the government committed to increase spending to boost growth.
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) jumped 53.11 points, or 0.89 percent, to close at 6,022.25. The broader all shares index rose 30.23 points, or 0.85 percent, to 3,568.34.
The peso closed stronger Friday at 58.645 against the U.S. dollar, up from 58.76 on Thursday.
Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the PSEi also posted gains after dovish signals from local monetary authorities, which could reduce borrowing costs.
Likewise, declining global crude prices boosted hopes that the inflation rate will remain within the government’s target of 2 percent to 4 percent.
All sectors advanced, led by the mining and oil index, which rose 4 percent.
Value turnover amounted to P5.19 billion, lower than the year-to-date average of P5.92 billion. Gainers edged losers 115 to 68. Foreign investors were net sellers, with an outflow of P781.70 million.
Converge ICT Solutions Inc. was the day’s top gainer, climbing 4.56 percent to P15.60. Alliance Global Group Inc. was at the bottom, declining by 2.63 percent to P7.03.
Most Asian markets squeezed out gains Friday at the end of a strong week for equities fueled by growing expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates again next month.
Traders took silence from New York’s Thanksgiving break as a reason to have a breather and take stock of a healthy rebound from November’s swoon that was sparked by AI bubble fears.Jenniffer Austria
Jollibee Group wins Silver ESG award
for farmers program
THE Jollibee Group has been recognized for its sustainable supply chain practices at the inaugural Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards, earning the Silver Award. The recognition highlights the impact of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), run by the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), which empowers smallholder farmers to become active participants in the Group’s supply chain in the Philippines.
Julius Leyba, Jollibee Group Manufacturing and Logistics’ assistant vice president and head of Engineering Services, accepted the award during the gala night on Nov. 6. The award is the latest recognition for the Jollibee Group, demonstrating measurable progress toward its sustainability goals.
Organized by A-EPIC Asia, the first-ever Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards highlight ESG leaders and their best practices across the region. Gold awardees from the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s ESG Edge Impact Awards, Malaysia’s The Star, and Indonesia’s KG Media advanced to the regional competition.
“Government action alone is not enough, as we need the commitment of the private sector, civil society, and media organizations to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and drive lasting behavioral change,” said Malaysia Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, praising the winning companies for leading ESG efforts across the region.
The FEP, implemented through JGF, integrates smallholder farmers into the Group’s supply chain. By providing training, market access, and resources, the program helps ensure consistent, sustainable sourcing while uplifting livelihoods and strengthening rural economies.
Ayala’s IMI sells VIA Optronics stake in portfolio realignment
By Jenniffer B. Austria
Ayala-led Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI) has sold its 50.32-percent stake in VIA Optronics Holding AG as part of its portfolio realignment and operational restructuring to focus on core strengths in the automotive and industrial electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sectors.
The 50.32-percent stake, held through IMI’s wholly owned subsidiary Coöperatief IMI Europe U.A., was sold to Kronen 3140 GmbH, a
firm owned by members of VIA’s management and advisory team. IMI did not disclose the transaction value.
“This strategic divestment is part of
IMI’s portfolio realignment strategy which aims to sharpen the company’s focus on its core strengths in the automotive and industrial EMS sectors,” IMI said in a statement Friday.
The company said the move supports the optimization of its global footprint to concentrate capital and management allocation into highgrowth, high-profitability markets.
The divestment follows earlier initiatives by IMI to streamline its operations and strengthen its balance sheet, including shifts in capacity allocation, restructuring of select manufacturing
operations and exiting non-core or underperforming business segments. Previously, IMI sold its IMI Czech Republic unit and consolidated two IMI Shenzhen sites into a single facility.
IMI acquired a controlling stake in VIA, a leading optical bonding and display solutions provider, for 47.4 million euros or P2.47 billion. VIA, established in 2015, specializes in optical bonding, a technology that enhances the visibility and performance of display systems, particularly for outdoor use.
MREIT
THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved MREIT Inc.’s plan to raise its authorized capital stock to P8 billion from P5 billion, the real estate investment trust company of Megaworld Corp. said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.
The approval allows MREIT to proceed with its next round of property infusions.
“With the approval of our ACS increase, we are now structurally positioned to pursue the next phase of our growth strategy,” said MREIT
boosts capital for portfolio expansion with SEC approval Mang Inasal first PH QSR to partner with Google
Inc. president and chief executive Jose Arnulfo Batac.
“This milestone allows us to prepare for fresh acquisitions that will further scale our portfolio and support long-term value creation for our shareholders,” said Batac.
MREIT is evaluating 10 office properties for potential infusion. These properties, nine in McKinley Hill and one in Eastwood City, have about 198,500 square meters (sq. m.) of gross leasable area.
If completed, the infusion would expand MREIT’s portfolio by about
Techno Holdings to open health & beauty hub
TECHNO Holdings Corp. (THC) is set to launch its first THC Health and Beauty Hub (THBH), a 455-square meter multi-brand flagship space, at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in December.
THC, which has ten subsidiaries operating across six business sectors, is expanding its reach and footprint into health, beauty and wellness. It was founded by William Stelton, who is also the chairman and chief executive of The Bistro Group. The THC hub consolidates leading Japanese wellness and beauty brands to offer comprehensive self-care services and products, including retail, advanced treatments and cutting-edge technology.
The THBH lineup features Phiten Retail, offering
and Skin Care will provide advanced, non-invasive facial treatments using state-of-the-art Japanese equipment.
Nora Hair Salon, led by Kami Charisma-awarded creative director and hairstylist Hidekazu Ando-san, offers Japanese hair care techniques. Nora Lab will function as a specialized training center for aspiring Nora Salon stylists. Early next year, THBH will host the Phiten IP Salon, the brand’s first location outside Japan, focusing on health and recovery. It will feature advanced equipment such as the hyperbaric Oxygen Alpha chamber, Healthy
to transform the
shopping experience by
and
combination of world-class retail and treatment services.
41 percent to 680,000 sq. m. from the existing 482,000 sq. m. The company also expects its leasable portfolio to reach 600,000 sq. m. by the end of this year and 1 million sq. m. by 2027. MREIT’s portfolio includes office assets located in Megaworld’s townships such as Eastwood City, McKinley Hill, McKinley West, Iloilo Business Park and Davao Park District. Megaworld, MREIT’s sponsor, will still have around 900,000 sq, m. of office and retail assets not yet part of MREIT, ensuring a strong
runway for future growth rounds. The company is also preparing for the inclusion of select retail assets to diversify its portfolio. This forms part of the group’s broader strategy to expand its income streams and enhance long-term stability, allowing MREIT investors to benefit from Megaworld’s strong mall business, backed by high occupancy and sustained growth in foot traffic. MREIT said it remains focused on pursuing accretive acquisitions while maintaining strong dividend payouts. Jenniffer B. Austria
MANG Inasal, a leading Philippine quick-service restaurant, is making history as the country’s first quickservice restaurant to partner with Google Wallet. This collaboration supports the new Mang Inasal App and underscores the brand’s commitment to providing customers with a simple and convenient experience.
“Mang Inasal always looks for better ways to serve our customers. With Google Wallet, we can offer an easier way for people to save and use our special deals,” said Mike Castro, Mang Inasal president.
Customers who sign up for the new Mang Inasal App will receive a welcome email with a button allowing them to save a free four-piece Pork BBQ voucher directly to Google Wallet. Once saved, Google Wallet will notify users before the voucher expires, helping to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.
Google Pay is also now available for Android users to access and use the coupons saved on their Mang Inasal App, giving customers another simple method to keep and enjoy their deals. The current feature is limited to saving and redeeming vouchers. More features may be explored in the future.
Google Wallet and Google Pay launched in the Philippines on Nov. 18 with partner banks, including Chinabank, EastWest Bank, GoTyme Bank, Maya Bank, RCBC, UnionBank, and Wise. Cardholders can add their cards to Google Wallet for contactless payments at various locations. By joining Google Wallet, Mang Inasal is giving customers an easier way to enjoy maximized deals while demonstrating its commitment to simple, helpful and customer-friendly innovation.
RELAY RUN.
attendees gather at the park, ready to take on the three-kilometer Puregold Hakot Relay Run 2025. The first-ever Puregold Hakot Relay
LUNG
DOTr speeds up land payment for Mindanao Railway
By Darwin G. Amojelar
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the immediate payment to landowners who have agreed to sell their properties for the P81.6billion Phase 1 of the Mindanao Railway Project to expedite the long-awaited infrastructure program.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the DOTr to accelerate land acquisition for the railway.
Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said the agency is in the process of completing other procedures to start the project as soon as possible.
“We are speeding up the procedures but we need to go through the right process,” Lopez said.
“This Mindanao Railway has been awaited for a long time because it is a big deal for the connectivity and mobility of our Mindanaoan compatriots,” he said.
The 100.2-kilometer Phase 1 will consist of eight stations and is expected to serve 122,000 passengers daily, cutting travel time from Tagum City to Digos City from three hours to an hour.
Data from the department showed that as of Nov. 26, at least 3,291 or 92 percent of the 3,548 land parcels
needed across Davao, Panabo, Tagum, Carmen, Santa Cruz and Digos have been served a notice of taking. Of the total parcels, 1,105 offers to buy have been accepted and 381 landowners signed the deed of sale.
The DOTr said it is updating the project’s feasibility study to ensure its viability and sustainability. The funding for the land acquisition is already in place.
Lopez also acknowledged local governments, saying they are a great help in accelerating the projects.
Once the entire 1,544-kilometer Mindanao Railway Project is completed, the rail system is designed to connect key provinces including Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, and Malaybalay, which is expected to pump prime Mindanao’s economy.
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Australian training boosts PH Coast Guard drone tech
By Othel V. Campos
THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has received a second tranche of drone operator training from the Australian government, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations as they approach 80 years of bilateral ties.
The latest training is part of Australia’s ongoing efforts to enhance the PCG’s maritime domain awareness, building on an earlier delivery in April 2025 of advanced aerial drones and operator instruction val-
ued at P36 million.
The program included two specialized courses. From Nov. 17 to 21, ten officers from the PCG Aviation Command received train-the-trainer instruction in Melbourne on the Australian-made SYPAQ fixed-wing drone.
The course was conducted by Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW), its Office of the Chief Remote Pilot, and manufacturer SYPAQ Systems.
A second course was held in Laguna from Nov. 24 to 28, where DCCEEW
PLDT unit, CAAP team up to enhance 16 airports’ digital Infrastructure
By Darwin G. Amojelar
PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT Inc., has teamed up with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to modernize the digital infrastructure of 16 airports across the country and improve overall operations and passenger satisfaction.
The initiative focuses on providing uniform, dedicated internet access and structured connectivity throughout the covered sites. These include major airports such as Clark, Tuguegarao, Bicol, Puerto Princesa, Laoag, Bacolod Silay, Tacloban,
PHINMA unit breaks ground on Davao housing
PHINMA Community Housing
(CoHo), the community housing segment of PHINMA Corp., broke ground on its inaugural project in Davao City, an initiative directly supported by a P250-million investment from the parent company. The project, located in the Tugbok District, aims to address the country’s estimated 6.5-million housing backlog by providing affordable and dignified homes for low-income workers.
The development is set to enable over 500 underserved families to acquire their first homes. CoHo president and chief executive Luis Oquiñena, alongside PHINMA Corp. chairman and chief executive Ramon del Rosario Jr. and CoHo directors, led the ceremonial groundbreaking and model unit blessing on Nov. 20, 2025.
Del Rosario said the project represents “hope and opportunity— not just for the families who will live here, but for the broader Davao community that will benefit from a safer, stronger, and more inclusive environment.” Oquiñena cited the company’s commitment. “It’s not just about building houses—it’s about giving these families safe, secure spaces where they can make their dreams come true and become part of a supportive, dignified community,” he said.
The project is designed to offer a sustainable and holistic housing solution, transitioning minimum wage earners from rental housing to homeownership. It integrates shelter into a workers’ community with amenities tailored to their needs, such as a communitybased enterprise, a daycare facility for children while parents are at work, and skills training for residents seeking additional income sources.
Kalibo, Mactan, Zamboanga, Davao, General Santos, Laguindingan and Pagadian. Also covered are CAAP offices like the Civil Aviation Training Center and the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center.
“We are proud to partner with CAAP to bring world-class connectivity solutions to Philippine airports,” said PLDT and Smart senior vice president and head of enterprise business group Blums Pineda.
“This initiative is not just about improving internet access but about enhancing travel experience and creating new opportunities and advancements within these airports,”
said Pineda.
The partnership will leverage PLDT’s fiber optic network to provide dedicated internet access for the identified sites. Each airport will be equipped with network distribution equipment and cable infrastructure.
A unified front-end tool will also be developed to help end-users connect to the service, which may be customized to reflect the look and feel of each airport.
CAAP director-general Raul Del Rosario said the partnership represents a “pivotal step” in the modernization and digital transformation of their airports.
“By strengthening our digital infrastructure, we are enhancing operational efficiency and elevating the overall passenger experience to meet global standards,” he said.
CAAP plays a vital role in the development and regulation of aviation safety and infrastructure in the country. The collaboration underscores CAAP’s commitment to enhancing its technical and operational capabilities in line with international aviation standards, ensuring its airports are well-equipped to support increasing passenger traffic and operational demands.
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the provincial government of Bukidnon have signed a P1.97-billion partnership to establish a major food hub in Northern Mindanao, an anchor project in the national effort to modernize agri-logistics and strengthen the value chain.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. and Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque signed a memorandum of agreement for the development of the Bukidnon Food Hub (BFH) in Manolo Fortich on Wednesday. Located just outside Cagayan de Oro City, the BFH is envisioned to provide farmers and producers a more direct and efficient route to domestic and export markets. Planned for phased development over
the next three years on a 41-hectare site, the project is designed to cut logistics costs, reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize supply chains and open new income streams for farmers.
The hub is expected to reduce intermediary layers, give farmers direct access to buyers and improve supply-chain efficiency by consolidating high-value crops and other commodities from major producing towns for seamless transport to ports and airports.
“For a long time, Mindanao has been regarded as the land of promise. This food hub that we will build in Bukidnon, a rich agricultural center, is a step toward the realization of that promise, not only for Mindanaoans but for the entire nation,” said Tiu Laurel. Othel V. Campos
experts trained thirty PCG personnel in day and night drone operations, maintenance, and mission planning. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown said the training is another example of Australia’s steadfast commitment to supporting the PCG’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and modernization agenda. PCG commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said the initiative strengthens the service’s operational readiness and global contribution. The training aligns with Australia’s
PEZA courts Chinese firms with ‘plus one’ expansion pitch
THE Philippines is actively courting Chinese exporters and multinational companies to expand operations in its economic zones, positioning itself as an attractive “plus one” option due to preferential tariffs and its strategic location in regional supply chains, said Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director-general Tereso Panga.
This drive is a key focus of PEZA, which recently wrapped up its third trade mission to China this year, running from Nov. 24 to 26. Co-hosted with Filinvest Development Corp. and the Anvil Business Club, the mission generated investment leads from top manufacturers and investors. The Philippine delegation engaged firms across sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, logistics, e-waste recycling and property development. PEZA held a seminar in Hangzhou, attended by 28 companies, including Alibaba, Xiu Zheng Pharmaceutical Group, Yechao Electric Transmission Technology and Zhejiang Electric Power Design Institute. High-tech firms Zhejiang Dahua Technology and Zhejiang Uniview Technologies were visited, with both signaling interest in establishing manufacturing facilities in the Philippines.
Developers Hong Kong Yoatings Real Estate and Dalian Zhongchen Construction expressed intent to register as ecozone facilities providers to host Chinese companies targeting US and EU export markets.
Othel V. Campos
Resort & Spa Panglao - MGallery Collection to deliver hospitality excellence through their digital guest services. The resort, which opened its doors in August 2025, spans six hectares of pristine beachfront on Panglao Island—marking
PHINMA Community Housing (CoHo) breaks ground on its project in Davao City. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) CoHo Directors EJ Qua Hiansen, Roberto Laviña, Eduardo Mendoza, president and chief executive Luis Oquiñena, chairman Ramon del Rosario Jr., vice-chairman Magdaleno Albarracin Jr., directors Chito Salazar
properties Raphael Felix.
PH auto sales on track despite revised outlook
By Othel V. Campos
THE Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. (CAMPI) is confident the domestic auto industry will meet its 2025 sales target, even as it lowered its sales outlook to 486,000 units on softer market conditions.
Outgoing CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez said the industry remained on track to close 2024 strong. He said the group is “confident” the industry would meet its target once final data for October to December are consolidated.
“We are on target. I cannot confirm yet the 500,000, but it’s possible once we get all the figures by the end of December,” said Gutierrez.
He said only “a few” more units are needed to reach the earlierprojected volume.
The year-end demand continues to be supported by interest in hybrid and electric vehicles, coupled with the usual holiday-season spike as consumers upgrade their cars, he said.
“People are still buying, especially when there are discounts,” Gutierrez said, adding that recent political issues have not significantly dampened sentiment.
“We don’t feel that much impact politically,” he said.
Industry officials said the trimmed outlook provides a more realistic baseline heading into 2025 following the recent market deceleration.
CAMPI will release the fullyear 2025 sales report once all manufacturers submit their December results.
CAMPI, which compiles official industry sales together with the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), celebrated its 30th anniversary on Friday with the launch of a commemorative coffee table book at the Seda Hotel in BGC.
Data showed that total vehicle sales reached 383,424 units in the first 10 months of 2025, or 0.2 percent below the 384,310 units sold in the same period last year.
Commercial vehicles (CVs) dominated the market, capturing nearly 80 percent of total sales.
CV sales climbed 7.9 percent in 10 months to 305,963 units, but passenger car (PC) sales dropped 23.2 percent to 77,461 units.
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has authorized Solar Philippines Tanauan Corp. (SPTANC) to develop and own dedicated pointto-point limited transmission facilities to connect its 50-megawatt Tanauan solar power plant in Batangas to the distribution system of Manila Electric Co.’s (Meralco) CIP 2 Substation.
The approval allows SPTANC to proceed with the P1.417-billion dedicated transmission facilities, which will connect the solar plant to Meralco’s distribution system via a bus-in scheme to the Meralco CIP 2 115kV Line.
The ERC said these dedicated facilities should be used solely by the generating facility and developed and constructed according to the Distribution Impact Study (DIS) and Distribution Asset Study (DAS).
It said the development should not degrade Meralco’s distribution system. The metering point will be at the connection point, adhering to the Philippine Distribution Code (PDC).
The ERC also ruled on the ownership of the assets. It said that if any portion of the dedicated facilities is required for competitive purposes or to connect other users, ownership should be immediately transferred to Meralco as a contribution in aid of construction (CIAC) to prevent double recovery.
The ERC, however, did not authorize SPTANC to develop and own a second facility—a 115kV Switching Station near the connection point—as these assets were deemed distribution assets rather than dedicated limited transmission facilities.
Given that SPTANC has already completed this second facility,
IN BRIEF
November
inflation
likely below 2%—BSP
INFLATION rate in November 2025 likely stayed below 2.0 percent, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
The BSP projected that the November inflation settled within a range of 1.1 percent to 1.9 percent. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) will release the official figure next week.
The PSA reported that inflation in October remained at 1.7 percent, the same rate as the previous month.
Upward price pressures in November reflect in part the impact of inclement weather as prices of rice, fish and fruits increased, according to the BSP.
“Higher electricity and oil prices, as well as the depreciation of the peso could also contribute to price pressures. These factors could be partially offset by lower prices of meat and vegetables,” the BSP said in a statement.
The BSP said it would continue to monitor evolving domestic and international developments affecting the outlook for inflation and economic growth in line with its data-dependent approach to monetary policy formulation. Thony Rose Lesaca
HitPay, Visa team up to boost card payments
HITPAY has teamed up with Visa Acceptance Solutions to expand card payment acceptance in the Philippines, enabling small and mediumsized businesses (SMBs) to process both instore and online transactions.
The collaboration integrates HitPay’s payment platform into the Visa Acceptance Platform (VAP), making it quicker and more affordable for local merchants to offer card payments across various channels.
The partnership grants SMBs the capability to offer both online and in-person payments without the need for direct bank contracts. It also provides access to EMV-certified card readers and mobile-based solutions.
HitPay chief executive Aditya Haripurkar said the company’s mission has always been to make digital payments accessible to small businesses.
“With our connection to Visa Acceptance Platform, we are removing the friction and cost barriers that historically kept card acceptance out of reach for many Filipino merchants,” Haripurkar said.
“This empowers them to compete effectively and truly participate in the Philippines’ rapidly expanding digital economy,” he said. Thony Rose Lesaca
the ERC mandated its immediate turnover to Meralco.
The connection facilities are necessary to enable SPTANC to dispatch its generated energy through an existing power supply agreement (PSA) with Meralco.
The Tanauan solar plant holds a provisional authority to operate (PAO) valid from Feb. 24, 2025 to Feb. 23, 2026. The ERC’s evaluation determined the approved facilities are dedicated point-to-point limited transmission facilities because their removal would only disconnect the Tanauan solar plant.
The commission also required Meralco to operate and maintain the dedicated connection facilities, including periodic inspection and regular assessment of poles and wire conditions, consistent with previous rulings for embedded generating plants.
DEPDev strengthens investment links
THE Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said Friday it is reinforcing coordination between regional and national government bodies to create a more cohesive and results-driven national investment plan.
The move follows DEPDev’s transition from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) under the newly enacted Economy, Planning, and Development Act (Republic Act No. 12145).
The commitment was made during the recent Regional-National Investment Programming (RNIP) Dialogue, the first since DEPDev’s institutional transformation.
DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the reform formally institutionalizes DEPDev’s role in investment programming and expands the influence of Regional Development Councils (RDCs) in shaping the national budget.
“This new charter empowers our regional offices to take a more proactive role in aligning regional priorities with national strategies,” Balisacan said.
“By reinforcing the linkages among planning budgeting monitoring and evaluation we ensure that development efforts are coherent inclusive and results-driven,” he said.
MoneyHero, InsureMO expand digital insurance MONEYHERO
ING HUBS. ING Hubs Philippines is now among ING’s most capability-rich and reliable global sites as it raises the bar across capabilities, culture and impact—proving that world-class can be built from Manila. ING Hubs Philippines makes work faster and smarter for its employees by automating key processes. Shown are (from Left) ING Hubs Philippines head of HR Marie Antonette Valenzuela; head of communication, branding and MarComm Lana May Macapagal; head of
talent and learning Rhea Aparicio; wholesale banking center of operations lead Roy Cuesta; chief financial officer Franz
Zoehrer; country manager Hazel Zaide Delos Santos; senior lead HR business partner Laarni Jumaani; performance and rewards lead Aicel Mior Alcantara; and branding and advertising expert Roger De Guzman.
Gift of connection: A Xiaomi phone for every kind of giver
THIS year, make your gift count— with tech that’s personal, practical, and future-ready
The holidays are more than just a season of giving—they’re a chance to celebrate the people who matter most with gifts that empower, inspire, and connect.
This holiday season, Xiaomi makes that easier than ever with a smartphone lineup that’s not only packed with innovation but thoughtfully designed to match every lifestyle and budget. Whether it’s a first phone for a student, a creative upgrade for a content maker, or a flagship experience for someone who deserves the best, Xiaomi’s latest releases in the Philippines offer meaningful choices for every kind of giver.
At the heart of this year’s gift guide is the REDMI Note 14 Series, a family of devices that redefines what midrange smartphones can do. With flagship-grade cameras, vibrant AMOLED displays, and 5G connectivity, these phones deliver premium performance without the premium price tag.
REDMI Note 14 Pro+ 5G is the perfect match for those who want their phone to be as bold as their lifestyle. It combines cutting-edge imaging with everyday durability, featuring a remarkable 200MP camera that captures detail like never before, alongside IP68 protection that keeps it safe from the elements.
With AI-powered editing tools that let you refine photos instantly and fast charging that keeps pace with your day, it’s a device built for creators, explorers, and anyone who refuses to settle.
At ₱21,999, it delivers a flagship experience that feels aspirational yet attainable.
For those who want to take mobile creativity to the next level, the Xiaomi 15T offers a bold flagship experience at a more accessible price point.
Co-engineered with Leica, it brings professional-grade photography to your pocket, with advanced imaging features and a stunning AMOLED display.
LG announces organizational changes for ‘26
LG Electronics (LG) recently announced that Lyu Jae-cheol will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1. Lyu has successfully led the LG Home Appliance Solution (HS) Company, driving sustainable growth through expanded B2B operations, subscription-based and direct-toconsumer (D2C) business models, and continued competitive leadership based on LG’s core strengths in home appliances.
As CEO, Lyu will focus on expanding LG’s market-leading DNA in home appliances – built on delivering differentiated customer value – across the entire organization, further enhancing the company’s fundamental competitiveness and growth potential.
Lyu joined Goldstar (now LG Electronics) in 1989 as a researcher in the Home Appliance Research Center and has spent nearly half of his career in home appliance R&D, building deep technical expertise that has shaped his leadership approach. Since 2021, he has served as head of the H&A (now HS) Company, leading LG to become the global No. 1 home appliance brand.
Despite delayed recovery in consumer sentiment and intensifying market competition, he strengthened the leadership of flagship products while laying the groundwork for sustainable growth through continuous R&D. He also expanded HS Company’s business portfolio by advancing appliance subscription services, online channel growth, and B2B business areas such as built-in appliances and component solutions.
Leadership Transition William Cho will step down to support a healthy leadership transition after laying a strong foundation for sustainable growth during his four-year tenure as CEO.
HOME is the perfect place to spend the holidays because it’s where you feel most comfortable – a place where you can truly be yourself and where your story unfolds.
This season, Acer invites you to celebrate your digital tahanan, where you can tell your story your way and be your most productive and creative with the “Acer Aking Tahanan” holiday promo. Enjoy up to P20,000 in discounts and vouchers from SM Appliance Center when you purchase any participating Acer consumer or gaming notebook until January 18, 2026. The gift of technology Acer consumer notebooks are built for a variety of everyday tasks, including productivity, entertainment, and communication. They provide a balance of performance, portability, and value for money. Acer and Predator gaming laptops take your performance to the next level. Whether you’re taking your Acer or Predator gaming laptop on the go or using it at your desk at
home, both deliver high performance in a compact, portable design. “For Acer Aking Tahanan, we are giving back to our loyal customers who continue to trust us with their consumer and gaming laptop needs,” said Sue Ong-Lim, Managing Director at Acer Philippines.
Every purchase of a qualifying Acer or Predator laptop entitles the customer to receive up to P20,000 in discounts and/or up to P20,000 in free SM Appliance Center eGift Vouchers.
Customers must register their purchased product for warranty
within one (1) week of purchase by visiting https://warranty.acer. com.ph/. After completing the registration, Acer will verify the customer’s information within five (5) business days. Once validated, a warranty registration certificate will be sent to the customer’s provided email address.
If the registered product qualifies for the promotion, an eGift Voucher will be sent to the customer’s provided email address and mobile phone number within five (5) days of the warranty registration. To redeem the eGift Voucher, customers must present it at their selected SM Appliance Center. Only purchases made from Acer Concept Stores, Acer Authorized Resellers, and/or the Acer Philippines Online Store qualify for the Acer Aking Tahanan promo. For more information about the Acer Aking Tahanan promo, follow Acer Philippines on social media: @ AcerPH on Facebook or visit www. acer.com.
Cho, who joined LG in 1987 and has dedicated 37 years to the company, expanded LG’s business beyond home appliances into sectors such as mobility and commercial spaces and established a mid- to long-term vision to transform LG into a Smart Life Solution Company that connects and extends customer experience across diverse spaces. His strategic direction prioritized performance in core businesses; growth in B2B, non-hardware and D2C areas; expansion into high-potential Global South markets; and exploration of new business domains – each becoming key milestones in LG’s future growth strategy.
To further accelerate growth of LG’s two key B2B pillars – vehicle solutions and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) – the company has promoted Eun Seok-hyun, head of the Vehicle Solution (VS) Company, and James Lee, head of the Eco Solution (ES) Company, to president.
Kwack Do-yeong, who brings extensive experience in sales and strategy at the HS Company and a deep understanding of global markets, has been appointed Region Representative of LG Electronics North America and head of LG Electronics USA.
DepEd rolls out open data initiative; push for transparency and accountability backed
IN today’s day and age where information is power, transparency in governance needs to be strongly upheld to foster accountability, build public trust, and ensure that institutions are fulfilling their mandates to the public.
The Department of Education (DepEd), in its continued efforts to promote better transparency in the education sector, rolled out its open data initiative named Project Bukas that discloses datasets on assessment results and school characteristics.
“Gusto natin sa panig ng DepEd, dapat transparent, pinapakita natin saan ginagastos ang pera ng taumbayan. First time sa kasaysayan ng DepEd na
ibibigay sa publiko ang lahat ng datos. Kung anong alam namin sa Central Office, sa regional office, yun din ang malalaman ng publiko,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara during the program’s launch. Stakeholders can utilize the datasets on the Paaralang Bukas dashboard to identify potential areas for partnerships in the basic education level, analyze trends in literacy and other performance indicators, monitor resource gaps, and as a basis for educational reforms. Machine-ready files containing these datasets can also be downloaded.
Representatives from the public and private sectors and civil society con-
veyed their support for Project Bukas, highlighting the value of accessible data in better understanding assessment data and forwarding educational policies and reforms.
“In an era where data drives progress, Project Bukas ensures that information is no longer confined to offices but is shared openly, responsibly and meaningfully,” said Aurelio Montinola III, Vice-Chairman of the Philippine Business for Education during the launch event. “We express our whole-hearted support for this initiative and look forward to the transformative opportunities it will unlock for the education sector.”
Bukas ensures that information is no longer confined to offices but is shared openly, responsibly and meaningfully
Project
GIFT GIVING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
OPPO A Series: Combining value, innovation, convenience
THIS holiday season, reward yourself or your loved ones with gifts that combine value, innovation, and convenience. The OPPO A Series delivers smart AI features, durable design, and seamless functionality—making it the perfect companion for students, professionals, and tech-savvy users alike.
With the OPPO A Series, holiday shopping is easier, smarter, and more rewarding. Experience the gift of technology done right with #OPPOLangSakalam.
OPPO A6 Pro - The Smart Choice for Your Hustle Seeking a thoughtful, practical gift?
The OPPO A6 Pro is ideal for students, young professionals, and live sellers with AI-powered tools and seamless multitasking. Its AI Smart Office can summarize, analyze, and translate documents, and with improved performance—powered by MediaTek Helio G100 (OPPO A6 Pro) and Dimensity 6300 (OPPO A6 Pro 5G)— keeping your busy Christmas schedule smooth.
The OPPO A6 Pro comes in Coral Pink and Lunar Titanium for P15,999. The OPPO A6 Pro 5G is available in Coral Pink and Stellar Blue at P13,999 (6GB + 128GB) and P18,999 (8GB + 256GB).
OPPO A5 Pro - Your Snappy Companion to Slay Everyday
For those who hustle every day, the OPPO A5 Pro is the perfect gift. With Military-Grade Shock Resistance and IP69 Water & Dust Resistance, it withstands drops, spills, and dust— keeping your loved one’s device safe during Noche Buena and family gatherings.
The OPPO A5 Pro comes in Mocha Brown and Olive Green at P10,999 (8GB + 128GB) and P12,999 (8GB + 256GB). The OPPO A5 Pro 5G is available in Bloom Pink and Mocha Brown for P15,999.
OPPO A5 - Your Daily Creative Partner For those who love capturing memorable moments, the OPPO A5
AI Smart Image
Matting—make every Christmas photo post-ready.
Available in Mist White and Aurora Green, the OPPO A5 is priced at P8,999 (6GB + 128GB), P9,999 (4GB + 256GB), and P11,999 (8GB + 256GB).
OPPO A5x - Your Entertainment Device On-The-Go Perfect for movie and series lovers, the OPPO A5x delivers a vibrant viewing experience with its 1000 nits Ultra Bright Display. Its Ultra Volume Mode amplifies sound up to 300% for immersive audio, even in noisy environments.
It’s available in Laser White and Midnight Blue, priced at P6,499 (4GB + 64GB) and P7,999 (4GB + 128GB).
OPPO A5i - Your Affordable AllRounder
Gifting on a budget? The OPPO A5i is a versatile choice. Its Splash Touch water resistance keeps swiping smooth even with wet screens, while its 5100mAh battery powers through daily tasks with ease.
It’s available in Starry Purple and Nebula Red for P4,399 (4GB + 64GB) and P5,699 (4GB + 128GB).
Celebrate a Maligayang PaskOPPO with Winning Surprises Add some Maligayang PaskOPPO
Human-like robotic touch search wins at MCU’s 2nd Scientific Discoverer Award
MANILA Central University (MCU)’s Filemon D. Tanchoco, Sr. Scientific Discoverer Award (FDT-SDA), now in its second year, recently recognized Dr. Alexander Co Abad for his groundbreaking work on “Imitate, Integrate, Iterate, Innovate! (The Story of my Visuotactile Research).”
This aims to uplift Filipino communities and expand access to quality medical training and delivery. His research introduced the ‘Haptics Actuation and Perception using Light Optical Systems’ (HAPLOS), a pioneering system on biomimetic skin-like haptic sensing and VRdriven medical training. HAPLOS reimagines how robots can “feel” and interact during medical diagnostics, bridging robotics, healthcare, and
medical education. “The FDT-SDA serves as a national platform that elevates Filipino scientific achievements by recognizing discoveries that show clear societal benefit, long-term application, and alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dr. Renato C. Tanchoco, Jr., MCU President.
Honoring Human-Centered Innovation Dr. Abad’s work enables robotic systems to perform soft-tissue palpation, the process of detecting lumps or nodules, using human-like tactile abilities sensitive to force, vibration, and texture. By combining HAPLOS with a VR-haptic training platform, the innovation creates an immersive,
cheer to your holidays! Join the My OPPO Grand Christmas Raffle via the My OPPO App until January 6, 2026 with these easy steps:
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Each user gets two free plays per day, with extra chances for 200 OPPOINTS per round.
Get the chance to win the PHP 500,000 grand prize and the following OPPO devices and vouchers: OPPO Bundles:
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repeatable, and safe learning environment where medical practitioners and students can enhance their palpation skills, a key component of early tumor detection.
“The Filemon D. Tanchoco, Sr. Scientific Discoverer Award inspires me
FILIPINOS who live for convenience and crave-on-demand can now turn every order into a rewarding experience with the EastWest foodpanda Visa Credit Card, a co-branded card made for today’s digitally savvy, food-loving spenders.
Built for modern lifestyles, the card allows users to earn cashback not only from their foodpanda orders but also from everyday purchases, from their morning coffee runs to weekend grocery hauls. It can be used anywhere Visa is accepted, locally or abroad, making every tap rewarding.
The collaboration between EastWest and foodpanda merges the best of two worlds: EastWest’s expertise in digital banking innovation and
to pursue more innovation, research, and development that can benefit humanity. This award motivates me to develop or invent more technologies that could be used by ordinary people to improve their living conditions,” said Dr. Abad.
foodpanda’s strong connection with Filipino consumers who value convenience and rewards. Together, they are introducing a card product that’s not only practical but also personal, aligning with how modern consumers live, spend, and enjoy.
“We built this card around what our customers love most: food, convenience, and crave-on-demand,” said Daniel Jaramillo, Managing Director of foodpanda Philippines. “It’s a payment option that rewards the simple joys you enjoy every day: your morning coffee, your comfort food, or even your spontaneous late-night cravings.” Endless cravings. Instant rewards. Through
TABOOLA recently announced that BuzzFeed Asia has selected DeeperDive, an industry-first Gen AI answer engine that lives directly on publisher websites and leverages their own content. The service will go live for BuzzFeed users in three key Southeast Asian markets: Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
DeeperDive brings the power of GenAI search engines directly onto publisher websites, tapping into years of proprietary, real-time, high-quality content created by journalists and editors across the open web. Readers can ask questions about topics they’re interested in, and have AI provide answers instantly, sourced from trusted journalists such as the best travel desk or top sports reporters. DeeperDive prompts questions that may be of interest to readers, delivers direct responses, and surfaces additional context and stories from the same publisher site. By meeting users with intuitive, conversational interfaces and instant, relevant answers, BuzzFeed Asia can stay competitive in a rapidly shifting digital landscape and reinforce their brand as a trusted, forward-thinking destination.
“We’ve spent years building big, direct audiences by investing in trusted brands and quality journalism. Today with DeeperDive, we can harness the latest AI tech to offer our users a richer experience by tapping our realtime coverage and archive library. We’re thrilled to expand BuzzFeed’s on-site functionality for our readers, grow user engagement, and open up new revenue opportunities,” said Scott Mackenzie, BuzzFeed Japan & Asia, CEO.
Dr. Alexander Co Abad - FDT SDA Awardee
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Proud of her Bisaya identity, Melai Cantiveros emphasizes authenticity and risk-taking as the spirit behind her
By Jasper Valdez
MELAI Cantiveros is not running for public office anytime soon, but if you heard her at the media conference for season 4 of Kuan in One , you would think she already had a platform ready.
The Kapamilya host came in with the same quick wit that turned her digital Bisaya talk show into an online cult favorite. In the middle of a question about corruption and public frustration, Melai launched into a mock-serious promise about what she’d do if she ever became president. Without missing a beat, she said her first move as leader would be simple: end political dynasties.
“If I were the President of the Philippines, I’d immediately pass a rule that relatives of politicians can’t run for office. Political dynasty—that should be banned right away to give others a chance to serve the people.
Meet ‘President Melai’
And in true Melai fashion, she quickly followed it up with an even wilder take on how she’d run the government.
“If there’s a problem, sign the papers right away so it’s finished. No letting it drag on for months. And if someone messes things up on purpose, jail them—problem solved.”
She didn’t hold back about the frustrations people feel with bureaucracy, either.
“People aren’t afraid of the law anymore because there’s too much paperwork. Those papers get stuck somewhere and you don’t even know what’s happening to them. In the end, no one is held responsible.”
Miss Universe owners in Mexico, Thailand hit with fraud, trafficking claims
THE Miss Universe beauty pageant was hit by fresh scandal days after it ended, with the Mexican co-owner of the contest accused of trafficking drugs and arms and his Thai counterpart accused of fraud.
This year’s Miss Universe contest concluded last week in Thailand with a win for Miss Mexico after a pageant replete with drama, including a public bust-up between the eventual winner and the competition host.
A Thai court official told AFP on Wednesday that an arrest warrant had been issued the day before for the media mogul co-owner of the contest, Jakapong Jakrajutatip, for alleged fraud worth $930,000.
A plastic surgeon accused Jakapong of fraud and concealing information when persuading him to invest in her JKN Global Group, which co-owns the contest.
Also Wednesday, the federal prosecutor’s office in Mexico said the other co-owner of the pageant, Mexican businessman Raul Rocha Cantu, was under investigation for arms, drug, and fuel trafficking.
“Key information is being obtained that will allow the federal public prosecutor’s office to continue and delve deeper into this investigation,” the agency said in a statement.
The agency added that arrest warrants had been issued for 13 defendants but did not identify them.
Mexican media reported that Rocha was among those sought by police.
Local media have also accused him of alleged business
dealings with the father of the newly-crowned Miss Universe, Fatima Bosch Bosch’s father, Bernando Bosch, a senior executive at state-owned oil company Pemex, denied any connection to Rocha.
Bosch won widespread acclaim after leading a dramatic walkout from a meeting between the contestants and the pageant’s Thai director, Nawat Itsaragrisil
The Miss Universe Organization is receiving backlash online from netizens claiming the pageant was rigged in favor of Fatima Bosch from Mexico
Nawat was filmed singling her out over her apparent failure to post promotional content on her social media accounts, calling her a “dumbhead.”
Bosch won praise for standing up to Nawat, including from her country’s first woman president, Claudia Sheinbaum
On Tuesday, the 25-year-old beauty queen said she had received “insults, attacks, and even death threats” over the allegations of her father’s links to the contest. The Miss Universe contest was formerly owned by US President Donald Trump Jakapong’s JKN Global Group bought it for $20 million in 2022, but later sold half its stake to Rocha Cantu’s Legacy Holding Group USA for $16 million. AFP
But even after the jokes, she circled back to what keeps her grounded.
“We don’t know what’s true, what’s false, or what’s fake news anymore. So instead of being stressed every day, I lift everything in prayer. Lord, You’re the one who knows it all.”
During the press conference, she also talked about the show’s evolution, crediting her writers and production team for constantly looking for ways to keep things fresh. But at the center of it is still Melai—unafraid to laugh at herself and unafraid to answer a question the
way a real person would. She also spoke proudly about the spirit of being Bisaya, saying it’s something she carries with her in hosting.
“Bisaya people are very real and very authentic. We’re risk-takers. We just want to show who we truly are.” That same openness is what continues to define Kuan in One as it heads into a new season—a show led by a host who isn’t afraid to be herself and isn’t afraid of conversations that feel real, messy, and honest. Its first episode, which features Beauty Gonzalez, is now available for streaming on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and on iWant.
ON FRIDAY, P-pop group SB19 released The First Take versions of its songs “DAM” and “Time” on digital music platforms worldwide, in what becomes the act’s latest appearance on the Japanese performance channel.
Sony Music Entertainment said the one-take recordings are now available globally. The tracks were originally performed for “The First Take,” with “DAM” premiering Nov. 3 and “Time” released Nov. 24. SB19 remains the first and only Filipino and Southeast Asian act to appear on the channel and the first to return for a second set.
The First Take, known for its single-take format, has featured artists including V of BTS Harry Styles, Stray Kids, and Hitsujibungaku Members of SB19 said performing
again on the platform underscores their goal of presenting Filipino talent on a global stage. They described the single-take setup as both challenging and rewarding. The group continues to gain international traction. Earlier this year, the Simula At Wakas EP debuted at No. 17 on Billboard Japan’s Top Album Sales chart. “Time” previously reached No. 1 on Line Music Japan’s World Music Top 50, while “DAM” became the second most viewed Filipino music video within 24 hours of release.
SB19 is also the first Filipino act to enter the Official MENA Chart, landing in the UAE Top 10 and Saudi Arabia Top 20. The new versions of “DAM” and “Time” are available on all major streaming platforms.
SB19 is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to
Newly crowned Miss Universe Fatima Bosch with fellow candidates during her crowning as Miss Universe 2025
hosting style
FAKE MISS UNIVERSE?
Melai Cantiveros talks about bureaucracy, frustration, and how she’d “fix the country” if given the chance
The new season of ‘Kuan in One’ rolls out with more guests and segments in store for viewers
Melai Cantiveros discusses the new season of her digital talk show
ANGELICA VILLANUEVA,
JASPER
An
PLDT Home Life has partnered with Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0 to equip the Big Brother House with a full suite of smart home technology, in what is considered the franchise’s most modern upgrade since it launched in the Philippines 20 years ago.
The house on Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City, long known for its yellow-and-blue facade, has been fitted with voice-enabled appliances, sensors, lighting systems, cameras, vacuum cleaners, kitchen devices, and air humidifiers—all connected through PLDT’s fiber internet.
The collaboration is a first for the PBB franchise and comes as GMA Network and ABS-CBN Studios, together with Banijay, roll out the second Celebrity Collab Edition. Producers said the upgrades aim to show how connected living works in everyday Filipino homes.
Although housemates remain cut off from the outside world and cannot use smartphones, they will use the smart home devices in daily tasks and activities. The show will feature in-program challenges and digital games that highlight the technology, with QR codes onscreen allowing viewers to learn about or purchase featured products.
The setup includes TP-Link WiFi Mesh Systems for wider coverage, video-on-demand and PayTV services, IGV Game Pass access to AAA games on Steam, and PLDT’s Smart Home Starter Kit with a chime, smart plug, cameras, and sensors. Devices from Amazon, Xiaomi, Lasco, and Tapo round out the ecosystem.
“This partnership highlights how smart technology can bring greater ease and comfort to every Filipino home,” said John Y. Palanca , PLDT senior vice president and head of consumer business.
PLDT Home Life devices are available as addons to fiber subscriptions, payable over 12 to 36 months. A Tapo indoor security camera costs P89 per month for 24 months.
Executives present for the rollout included PLDT Home vice president Evert Miranda, ABSCBN creative head and PBB supervising producer Marcus Vinuya, GMA senior vice president Annette Gozon-Valdes , ABS-CBN broadcast COO Cory Vidanes , and GMA chief marketing officer Lizelle Maralag
By Angelica Villanueva
THERE’S something about a steak dinner that signals celebration, connection, and time well spent. It’s the kind of food you crave on days when you want to celebrate a personal win or reward yourself for getting through another week.
That’s exactly the experience LongHorn Steakhouse brings to its newly opened branch at SM Mall of Asia, where the American Wild West meets Manila’s love for relaxed dining. Located at Level 2 of SM MOA’s North Entertainment Mall, the 180-seater restaurant immediately feels different from the usual mall dining setup. You don’t walk into a stiff, polished steakhouse. Instead, the space feels warm, casual, and unpretentious—the kind of place where you won’t feel out of place whether you’re on a date night, at a
By Jasper Valdez
many travelers, the best camera is the one you don’t have to think about— something light enough to slip into a day bag, quick enough to pull out during a moving jeepney ride, and flexible enough to keep up when the light suddenly shifts.
That kind of easy, on-thego shooting is what Fujifilm says it wanted to bring back with its newest mirrorless model, the Fujifilm
At an intimate launch in Makati on Nov. 18, Fujifilm invited photographers and media to try the new camera themselves and experience how its features translate to real-world use.
The camera keeps the familiar look of the X Series but packs faster processing, upgraded autofocus, and a handful of creative features designed with travel shooters in Filipino X-Photographer Ricky , who spoke at the event,
family dinner, or at a stressful week celebration with yourself.
The interiors carry that cowboy energy without going over the top. With its wood textures, warm lighting, leather seating, and small details, its interiors nod to the brand’s American heritage.
LongHorn has always sold the idea that you “can’t fake steak,” but what makes the SM Mall of Asia branch worth trying is how it treats dining like a shared experience rather than a rushed transaction.
Servers move around with a sense of ease and are not intimidating. They talk to you like they actually want you to enjoy your time rather than just place an order. The vibe is intentionally laid-back; you settle in and enjoy the feeling of being taken care of.
It also helps that the restaurant isn’t trying to reinvent itself for the Philippine market. It leans into what
said the camera feels built for people who want to move lightly, especially those who prefer to enjoy the moment instead of worrying about settings while on a trip
“It’s a very capable camera,” he said. “If I were to use it, I’d bring it for travel. When you’re traveling, you usually shoot JPEG, and with Film Simulation, you can get the look you want right away.” He added that the feature lets photographers “get the mood you want right there and then” without needing to edit later.
Ladia said that convenience matters when you’re constantly walking, waiting, or catching sights as they happen. He pointed to the direct printing feature as something surprisingly practical on the road.
“It has direct printing—other cameras don’t have that. It’s very useful for travel photos,” he said. He also noted that image quality isn’t compromised despite the smaller size.
“In terms of quality, no issues at all. The processing is great, the sensor is great,” he said. “If you’re just starting out, it’s really good. But even as a professional, I’d use it.”
Though smaller than pro bodies, the X-T30 III still carries the same 26.1-megapixel X-Trans sensor found in Fujifilm’s higher-end cameras. Ladia said the battery also holds up well for a mirrorless model, as long as it’s not pushed to long-form video.
What he appreciates most, he added, is the size. With a pancake lens, the camera becomes compact enough for quick everyday carry. “Unlike pro cameras that are bulky, this one is smaller, so it’s easy to carry around.”
Fujifilm Philippines imaging head Glenn Michael Gatan said the camera was made to help more people enjoy documenting their lives without intimidation.
“We want to invite more creative people to capture their passions and share joy with the world through their art,” he said, adding that the camera is meant to make shooting feel comfortable for users of all levels.
The Fujifilm X-T30 III is now available at authorized Fujifilm retailers nationwide for photography enthusiasts interested in copping or testing the new model firsthand.
