manilastandard.net
@ManilaStandardPH
@mnlstandardph
@manilastandard
@ManilaStandardYT
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net . For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net •09173382170 / 85646229
Consumers to get P0.59/kWh bill refund this August, says Meralco By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. (Meralco) customers may see a reduction in their electricity bills this August with the start of the refund implementation recently approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.
Meralco vice president and head of corporate communications Joe Zaldarriaga said that for residential customers, the refund is equivalent to P0.59 per kWh, which will be added to the ongoing refund the company is already implementing. Next page
VOL. XL • NO. 177 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026 •
‘Habagat’ kills 10, affects 380k 569 LGUs halt classes today; PBBM orders careful release of dam water
By Rio N. Araja, Rex Espiritu, and Vince Lopez
IRAN SETS NEW DEMANDS TO REOPEN STRAIT
A
T LEAST 10 people have died, and more than 382,000 people have been affected by days of heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, according to government agencies. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said 569 local government units announced early onsite class suspensions for today (Monday, Aug. 10), as flooding continued in parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to remain on heightened alert and closely coordinate water releases to protect downstream communities, Malacañang said Sunday. “The President is closely monitoring the impact of the habagat, particularly the situation in flood-prone areas and the rising water levels in dams and reservoirs,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement. Mr. Marcos ordered agencies to take necessary preventive measures to protect communities and critical infrastructure and ensure coordinated management of water releases, Castro said. Several dams in Luzon have reached spilling
WORLD / A6
CALAX SUBSECTION 3 TO COLLECT TOLL BUSINESS / B1
Lawyer decries use of selective testimony vs. ex-Speaker
WATERWORLD. Daylong monsoon rains flooded communities in Metro Manila and eight other regions in Luzon
yesterday, affecting close to 400,000 people, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMMC). The top left photo shows Ambuklao Dam in Bokod, Benguet, releasing water after reaching its critical level. At center, a farmer guides his carabaos through floodwaters in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, while at left, a barangay official measures how deep the waters are in Barangay Pamplona in Las Pinas. Despite the deluge, Guiguinto, Bulacan residents hear mass in a flooded San Ildefonso parish church. PIA Cordillera Administrative Region, Edd Castro, Norman Cruz, Parokya ni San Ildefonso de Guiguinto.
A LAWYER questioned the government’s selective use of testimony from witnesses whose credibility is being challenged in connection with the flood control investigation. He said evidence questioned as false cannot be used against specific individuals while others implicated by the same testimony are cleared. Speaking on radio DZRH, lawyer Judd Roy cited the Department of Justice’s plan to file perjury and cyber libel charges against the socalled “Maleta Boys” who signed a joint affidavit alleging that more than 20 people were involved Next page
Next page
Biz groups urge swift action vs. anti-China propagandists By Othel V. Campos PHILIPPINE business groups warned that the use of caskets bearing anti-China messages as a form of intimidation could undermine investor confidence, tourism, and trade, as they called for swift action against those behind the incidents. The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII), Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), Management Association of the Philippines (MAP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), and Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PHILEXPORT) Next page
UP Law bans use of AI, tools in 1st-year Juris Doctor courses By Gabriel Oliva
EALA BATTLES BENCIC TODAY IN TORONTO SPORTS / A8
THE University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law implemented a new policy on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in firstyear Juris Doctor courses, effective starting Academic Year 2026-2027.
In its revised policy, titled “Philippine Legal Education in the Time of Artificial Intelligence I: Recommitting to the Fundamentals of Legal Analysis,” the college stated that Philippine law schools face the challenge of preparing future lawyers for a legal profession increasingly shaped Next page by AI.
CEBU LECHONEROS AT MACTAN NEWTOWN. The Cebu Lechon Festival, which runs until the end of August, marks its 10th year at The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, bringing together lechoneros from across the island province in a grand celebration of one of Cebu’s culinary prides—Cebu lechon. Leading the festival’s official opening were Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cindi King-Chan (7th from left), along with Capt. Efren Aying of Barangay Mactan (5th from left), The Mactan Newtown General Manager Marilou Kiunisala, Basak Barangay Captain and ABC President Jasmine Chan, and Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Officer Garry Lao.
NGCP, PCG strengthen partnership THE privately owned National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the country's critical infrastructure as NGCP president and chief
executive Anthony Almeda was formally inducted as commodore of the PCG Auxiliary on Wednesday, 29 July 2026. The donning and oath-taking ceremony, led by PCG Commandant Next page
A2
NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
‘Habagat’... From A1
level, but their water levels are being closely monitored and managed, she added. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday that 110,000 families, or about 382,000 people, in eight regions had been affected by the weather disturbances. The affected areas were in Regions I (Ilocos), II (Cagayan), III (Central Luzon), V (Bicol), IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa and Calabarzon. The NDRRMC reported six deaths and seven injuries in previous days, all still subject to validation. The fatalities were two in La Trinidad, Benguet, due to a landslide; two in Rodriguez, Rizal, due to a rockslide; and two in Luna, La Union, due to drowning and electrocution. The seven injured were reported in Benguet, including five in Baguio City, one in La Trinidad due to a landslide, and one in Kapangan due to a vehicular accident. New deaths in Antipolo, Batangas On Sunday, a delivery rider died after a tree and a utility pole fell on him while he was taking shelter from heavy rain in Barangay San Isidro, Antipolo City. In Batangas, provincial disaster officials separately reported three deaths linked to the heavy rains. Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief Fe Fernandez said one person was electrocuted in Lipa City, another drowned in San Jose Sico in Batangas City, and a man was buried in a landslide in Kalumala, Sta. Teresita. The NDRRMC said 86 evacuation centers had been activated, sheltering 2,200 families or 7,300 people. Another 1,132 families, or 3,700 people, were staying outside evacuation centers. The weather disturbances damaged 148 houses, including 138 partially and
Lawyer... From A1
in the alleged delivery of large amounts of money, including cash carried in suitcases. Roy, the former president and law dean of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), questioned how the government could prosecute the “Maleta Boys” for allegedly making false statements while separately using affidavits from eight of them as evidence against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. “If you are charging them with perjury over that joint affidavit,
Biz... From A1
issued the warning in a joint statement over the weekend. Five empty coffins bearing photos of Chinese leaders and anti-Chinese Communist Party messages were displayed at different locations across Metro Manila before dawn on Friday, prompting an investigation by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), which said the act may have been intended to sow fear and stir tension. Authorities recovered the coffins in Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan City, and Makati City. No human remains were found inside any of the caskets. The groups backed the Department of Foreign Affairs' condemnation of the casket displays, which appeared in several locations across Metro Manila carrying anti-China and anti-communist messages. The DFA said the right to freedom of expression does not extend to threats or actions that endanger public safety. The business groups described the use of caskets as instruments of intimidation as "irresponsible and disrespectful," saying such acts violate the standards of decency and civility expected in a democratic society. They warned that the incidents could "sow fear, inflame divisions," and tarnish the Philippines' reputation as a country committed to democracy and the peaceful expression of differing views. More importantly, the groups said such actions could undermine the country's standing as a "safe, stable, and welcoming destination" for investment, trade, and tourism. The warning comes as the economy grapples with subdued growth, weak foreign investment inflows, and the need to revive tourism, they said. "At a time when the Philippine economy continues to face serious challenges—including subdued economic growth, weak foreign investment in-
10 totally. Infrastructure damage was estimated at P105.5 million, while agricultural losses reached P3.53 million. Government agencies, local government units and other partners had provided P13.21 million worth of assistance to affected families. Over 180 areas in north Luzon flooded More than 180 areas in northern Luzon were flooded, the OCD reported Sunday. "As of this morning, 6 o'clock, we still have 182 areas reported flooded in northern Luzon, including CALABARZON and MIMAROPA. There have also been reports of landslides," OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV told radio DZBB. "We monitored many areas yesterday evening, particularly in Metro Manila, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA, where there was severe flooding," Alejandro said. "Most reported landslides were in Region 1 and CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region). In Benguet and Baguio, there were rockslides, which we are currently collating," he added. Widespread flooding and severe traffic caused by the unrelenting monsoon rains have disrupted major thoroughfares across Luzon, prompting local governments to conduct emergency evacuations. In Central Luzon, police units assisted flood-affected communities through search and rescue, evacuation assistance and relief distribution operations. Consolidated data from Police Regional Office-3 and the OCD-3 showed Sunday that 618 families, or 2,039 people, were staying in 46 evacuation centers across the region. Severe flooding affected at least 132 villages across Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales. Eight roads and one bridge in Bulacan, and one road in Pampanga, were impassable as of Sunday. MMDA: Rain overwhelms creeks, waterways
The capital had experienced continuous monsoon rains for at least four days, with rainfall totals equivalent to several days to two weeks of normal August precipitation. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said the volume of rain had overwhelmed major creeks and waterways, limiting their capacity to drain floodwaters from roads. Speaking to radio DZMM, Artes said Metro Manila had received about 302 millimeters of rain since Aug. 5, while areas upstream of the National Capital Region recorded around 226 mm. He said most major creeks in the metropolis had overflowed, preventing floodwaters from roads from draining into them and eventually into larger waterways. "Water on the roads cannot drain into the creeks because they are also overflowing. The water cannot flow into the major waterways because their water levels are also high," Artes said. Artes said the MMDA had dredged many major creeks, deepening them by two to three meters, but the amount of rainfall in recent days had exceeded their carrying capacity. He also cited years of neglect and obstructions along some waterways, including informal structures that had narrowed the creeks. The MMDA was closely monitoring Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Las Piñas, where major creeks had overflowed. The agency had deployed mobile pumps to Sucat in Muntinlupa to help ease flooding, but Artes said operating them immediately would have limited effect while the creeks remained full. Artes said the MMDA would begin pumping once creek water levels receded, allowing floodwaters to drain more effectively. La Mesa Dam breaches critical level Meanwhile, the water level at La Mesa Dam in Quezon City breached the critical level Sunday due to heavy rains from the southwest monsoon. Richard Orendain, a hydrologist at
the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview that the water level at La Mesa Dam stood at 79.77 meters as of 10:20 a.m. Sunday. "If the rain continues at the La Mesa Dam watershed, it is possible that it will reach a spilling level of 80.15 meters Sunday night or early Monday morning," he said. The water level in the nearby Tullahan River also nearly reached the critical level Saturday. "Right now, it has receded a little bit. That's what's scary. For example, with continuous rain and if La Mesa Dam overflows, there is a possibility of flooding along the Tullahan River. It is possible that the Tullahan River will overflow," Orendain added. If water is released or spills from the dam, low-lying areas and barangays along the Tullahan River in Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Malabon City and Navotas may be affected. Meanwhile, the water level at Angat Dam in Bulacan rose to 161.12 meters as of 5 a.m. Sunday. "Based on our assessment, by the end of August, the water level at Angat Dam will only be around 170 to 175 meters," Orendain said. The Ambuklao Dam in Benguet had eight gates open, while the Binga Dam in the same province had six gates open. "The San Roque Dam really needs to be filled because it is very low right now. Its level is 239.72 meters. It has risen six meters and is still far from the normal high water level," Orendain said. Police mobilize rescue, evacuation forces The Philippine National Police (PNP) also mobilized frontline forces for rescue and evacuation operations amid widespread flooding caused by torrential rains. Additional personnel and assets were placed on standby to scale up responses in the hardest-hit areas.
"Our personnel and our resources have been closely monitoring and conducting real-time response in coordination with the LGUs (local government units) and other frontline services. We have made available as many personnel and resources for evacuation and other disaster response," PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement Sunday. Nartatez assured the public that personnel were prepared for emergency deployments and urged communities to monitor official channels and refrain from sharing unverified online updates that could cause unnecessary panic. "We urge the public to remain calm but vigilant and heed the advice of authorities for your own safety," he said. 3 weather systems acting on Luzon, Visayas PAGASA said rains would continue in Luzon and the Visayas due to three weather systems. Tropical cyclone Dolphin, which was outside the Philippine area of responsibility, may bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Batanes. Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro may experience monsoon rains due to the southwest monsoon. The southwest monsoon will also bring occasional rains to Metro Manila, the rest of Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region, as well as Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Antique. The Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, the rest of Luzon, the rest of Western Visayas, Leyte and Southern Leyte may experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms. PAGASA warned residents in these areas of possible flash floods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rains. Elsewhere, partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms may prevail due to localized thunderstorms.
but you are going to use the eight (men from that group) you took from it against Romualdez, can you do that?” Roy said. The original joint affidavit allegedly named President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez, former senator Leila de Lima and members of the Tulfo family, among others. The “Maleta Boys,” also described as 18 ex-Marines who served as bodyguards for fugitive lawmaker Zaldy Co, reportedly described alleged deliveries of large amounts of money in connection with flood control projects. Roy said the issue was not simply
one of the credibility of the allegations but of equal protection under the Constitution. “If you say that this joint affidavit is all lies, why are you now going to use the things that came from it and force them into the case against this one person?” he said. He noted that eight of the men whose separate statements were allegedly being used against Romualdez were among the 18 now facing possible perjury charges filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the original joint affidavit. Roy said the government should apply the same evidentiary standards to all those implicated by the testimony, particularly the requirement of
a reasonable certainty of conviction. He questioned why individuals named in the original affidavit could effectively be cleared while statements derived from the same testimony were retained and used against Romualdez. “Those who were named there should be treated equally,” Roy said. Roy also questioned the apparent focus on Romualdez, noting that President Marcos mentioned only one individual during his State of the Nation Address. “It looks very bad,” he said, adding that prosecutorial action should be applied consistently to everyone implicated by the same evidence. Roy also raised concerns about the
Ombudsman’s institutional ties to the DOJ, saying the circumstances could create an appearance of partiality. Before he was named Ombudsman, Jesus Crispin Remulla was Justice secretary. “I don’t want to think that it’s as if you let the President off the hook but buried this one person,” he said. Roy said he hoped his suspicions would prove unfounded but described the development as “very disturbing.” He also disclosed that he had previously been charged by the Ombudsman during the administration of former President Benigno Aquino III, saying he spent five years dealing with the case.
flows, and the need to further revitalize tourism—our nation cannot allow reckless acts that damage our international image or seek to undermine our diplomatic and economic relations with our largest trading partner," the groups said. They cautioned that such incidents could discourage tourists and investors, disrupt trade, and ultimately affect the livelihoods and economic opportunities of Filipinos. The statement was issued amid heightened tensions in Philippine-China relations, particularly over the South China Sea, although the groups stressed that differences should not be expressed through threats, intimidation, or acts that incite hatred. "Democracy must be strengthened through reasoned dialogue, mutual respect, and peaceful engagement. Differences must never be expressed through threats, intimidation, or acts that incite hatred," the groups said. The business groups urged the Philippine National Police and other authorities to swiftly investigate the incidents, identify the perpetrators, and hold them accountable under the law. They said decisive action was needed not only to maintain public order but also to reinforce confidence in the Philippines as a destination for investment, trade, and tourism. The groups urged Filipinos to reject hatred and intimidation, preserve peace and national unity, protect the country's international reputation, and strengthen economic partnerships with all nations in pursuit of economic recovery, investment, job creation, and shared prosperity. NCRPO Regional Director PMGen Anthony Aberin said investigators have already identified the vehicles used in the operation. "Our investigation is continuing. We have identified the vehicles used, including their plate numbers. We also have images of the individuals involved because one of the women was not wearing a face covering, along with the people accompanying her," Aberin said.
NGCP,...
responsibility with humility and looks forward to working closely with the PCG in advancing their shared mission. In conferring the honorary rank, the PCG recognized Almeda's leadership and expressed confidence that his appointment would further strengthen cooperation with NGCP in promoting national resilience and protecting the country's critical infrastructure. As the country's power transmission operator, NGCP works closely with government agencies and key stakeholders to secure the transmission network and ensure the reliable delivery of electricity nationwide. The strengthened partnership with the PCG is expected to enhance coordination in protecting strategic energy facilities and supporting emergency response and national security initiatives.
Consumers...
From A1
Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, marks a strengthened partnership between NGCP and the PCG in securing vital national infrastructure and supporting broader national security efforts. In his acceptance remarks, Almeda said the recognition carries with it a greater responsibility to serve. "This recognition carries a great responsibility. It is not merely a badge of honor, but a commitment to a stronger partnership between the Philippine Coast Guard and NGCP, as well as to our shared mission of protecting critical infrastructure, strengthening maritime security, and serving the Filipino people," Almeda said. He added that he accepts the
UP... From A1
The UP College of Law raised concerns about AI's cognitive effects on law students, citing its “detrimental effects” on critical thinking. “We have noted a considerable decline in the quality of reasoning and argumentation coinciding with the regular use of AI by students for case briefing, answering simple queries during class, and research,” it said. The college added that feedback from employers echoed its concerns, indicating that some of its recent graduates have become not only proficient in using AI but also increasingly dependent on it. Under the new policy, the UP College of Law will require first-year core subjects to be taught onsite and, as much as possible, without digital devices.
Students will generally be prohibited from using phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, and other electronic devices during core classes unless permitted by the instructor for class activities or in emergencies. Major examinations in these subjects will also be conducted individually, offline, and onsite. For writing assignments, students will be barred from using generative AI at any stage of the research and writing process, including editing and grammar checks. They will also be prohibited from using research or legal databases that primarily rely on AI. “Faculty who will permit such limited AI use have an ethical duty to actively supervise students,” it said. The policy further states that simply possessing electronic devices during assessments in onsite core classes will constitute an academic integrity offense and may result in formal disciplinary action.
From A1
“We expect that the latest refund will be enough to offset other upward adjustments in the August bills, which include the significant increase in reserve market prices to be charged by NGCP [National Grid Corp. of the Philippines], the higher feed-in tariff allowance (FIT-All) to be collected from all electricity end-users starting this month, and the ERC-approved collection of pass-through under recoveries,” Zaldarriaga said. “We are hoping that the possible downward adjustment will bring relief to Meralco customers, especially with the lower overall demand also observed in the Luzon grid as earlier reported by IEMOP [Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines.” Zaldarriaga also encouraged the public to continue practicing energysaving measures. Meanwhile, Meralco assured customers that it is working round-theclock to restore electricity service in areas affected by the enhanced southwest monsoon. As of 10:00 a.m. today, August 9, around 98,000 customers, or approximately one percent of Meralco’s total customer base, are affected by service interruptions, mainly due to flooding and damaged facilities. Most of the affected customers are in parts of Cavite, with some in parts of Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, and Batangas. “Our crews are working to restore power service to affected areas as soon as possible and once it is safe to do so. We continue to closely monitor the situation and urge our customers to practice electrical safety,” Zaldarriaga said. “We are reminding everyone to stay away from downed power lines, damaged electrical facilities, and electrical equipment that may have been submerged in floodwaters. Kindly report any hazardous electrical situation to Meralco,” he added.
NEWS
A4
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Public warned vs. fake medical subsidy T By Ram Superable
HE Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday issued an advisory warning the public against fraudulent links, websites, and social media channels falsely promising a P30,000 medical assistance subsidy.
According to the health agency, the public should refrain from clicking, filling out, or sharing these suspicious links, especially those soliciting per-
sonal data, banking credentials, or other sensitive information. “Official medical assistance may be obtained by visiting DOH hospitals,
accredited health facilities, or by applying online through eMAIFIP in the eGovPH Super App,” the DOH advised. The agency also urged the public to remain vigilant, immediately report fraudulent posts, and avoid sharing unverified messages to prevent the further spread of the scam. Meanwhile, the Department of Health and the Philippine Statistics Authority have partnered to establish PhilSys registration kiosks in government hospitals as part of the 2026 National Hospital Week celebration to increase National ID registration,
particularly for newborns and young children. The initiative aims to bring National ID enrollment closer to the public, with a special focus on children aged five years and below. “Modern technology is no longer optional; it is essential. Thus, we affirm our support for the Department of Economy, Planning and Development and the Philippine Statistics Authority in advancing the National ID Co-Location Strategy in DOH hospitals,” said Health Secretary Jose “Brix” Pujalte Jr. The co-located kiosks will stream-
line identity verification across various medical services while facilitating faster access to PhilHealth benefits. By simplifying these administrative procedures, the government expects to make essential healthcare services significantly easier and faster for citizens to access. “But technology must never replace compassion. It is not the purpose of technology to replace empathy; rather, it is a tool for care when used well. It reduces delays, improves efficiency, and allows our healthcare workers to focus on what matters most—caring for patients,” Pujalte said.
IN BRIEF PNP to study ‘Indanan’ model for loose firearms THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it will study Indanan, Sulu’s recent peace and security gains as a possible model for encouraging other communities to voluntarily surrender loose firearms and prevent the return of armed violence. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. welcomed the declaration of Indanan as a State of Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS) and a “gunresponsible municipality,” saying it demonstrated the value of cooperation among security forces, local officials, and residents. Nartatez said he has directed the Sulu police to sustain the gains, strengthen coordination with local stakeholders, and continue efforts to account for loose firearms. He added that the PNP would study Indanan’s experience as a model for encouraging other communities to voluntarily surrender firearms and work with authorities to keep their communities safe. Vince Lopez
PNP mourns officer who died saving companions THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said it will seek appropriate posthumous recognition and provide assistance to the family of a police officer who died while trying to rescue two companions swept away by strong currents in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. paid tribute to Master Sgt. Fernando Marfa of the Cadiz Component City Police Station, saying his family would receive all benefits due to a police officer who died in the line of duty. Marfa was conducting a seaborne patrol in Sitio Bisang, Barangay Luna, on Friday when two Bantay Dagat members were swept away while crossing a river. He attempted to rescue them after their motorboat took in water but was himself carried downstream. The 15-year police veteran was found after about an hour of searching and was declared dead on arrival at Cadiz District Hospital. The cause of death was certified as asphyxia by drowning. Vince Lopez
ROCKFALL. Huge boulders are seeb along the Bontoc–Baguio Halsema Highway. Motorists are advised to stay alert as rockfalls may occur and to drive carefully and follow local advisories. Bontoc MDRRMO
Prosecution flags hostile witnesses in VP trial By Rio N. Araja THE special disbursing officers who personally received confidential-fund cash for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are expected to face hostilewitness questioning from the prosecution in the continuation of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday. Private prosecutor and House prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. on Sunday identified Gina Acosta and Edward Fajarda as the next witnesses whose interests are considered adverse to the prosecution. “Yes. When you say a hostile witness, it means that the witness’ interests are adverse to the party that called him or her
to testify,” Tolosa said. Acosta and Fajarda earlier appeared in the House inquiry into the confidential funds, where they were identified as special disbursing officers (SDOs) of the OVP and DepEd. Their testimony in the impeachment trial will follow the presentation of evidence from former Land Bank of the Philippines managers concerning the withdrawal of confidential funds. “But let’s also wait for their testimonies because they are the special disbursing officers. As the Land Bank officer said, they were the ones who received the money,” Tolosa said. The prosecution seeks to present evidence tracing the funds from their release and withdrawal through their al-
leged distribution and liquidation. Tolosa said Acosta and Fajarda occupy a crucial point in the money trail because the cash was released to them. “It is important to hear from them because they are accountable for what happened to the money after they received it—where they brought it and how it was used,” he added. Tolosa said the prosecution may use leading questions in examining hostile witnesses even if it is the party calling them to the stand. He added, however, that it would ultimately be the senator-judges who would determine the weight of their testimony together with the bank records, liquidation documents, and Commission on Audit findings already presented under Article I.
PH seeks help on missing Filipina in Vietnam PHILIPPINE authorities in Vietnam have appealed to the Filipino community for information that could help locate a young Filipino woman who has reportedly been missing for nearly a year. The Philippine Embassy in Hanoi identified the missing woman as Charmaine Portes Huraño, who was born in 2005. According to the embassy, Huraño has been missing since August 2025, prompting officials to seek assistance in determining her whereabouts and condition. The embassy urged anyone who may have seen Huraño or has information relevant to the search to report it to Philippine authorities. Information may be relayed through the Philippine Embassy in Hanoi’s hotline and official email. Charles Dantes
EDSA CLEARING. The MMDA conducts clearing operations along EDSA after a Forbes Park perimeter wall in Makati City collapsed, using heavy equipment to remove debris and restore traffic flow. MMDA
Filipino gets life for 2022 murders of roommates By Kyodo News A JAPANESE court on Thursday sen-
tenced a Filipino technical intern to life imprisonment, as sought by prosecutors, for murdering two Cambodian technical interns with whom he shared an apartment near Tokyo in 2022. Handing down the ruling at the Chiba District Court, Presiding Judge Satoshi Miyamoto said that although defendant Bulan Roel Bulan, 35, experienced stress and low self-esteem due to failed employment plans and wage disparities between himself and the Cambodian interns, his actions were unjustified. “The victims had treated the defendant kindly and were not at fault in any way,” Miyamoto said of the murders that occurred in Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture. “This was a brutal, one-sided, and highly dangerous crime.” Noting that the defendant had harmed himself immediately after the murders, Miyamoto said, “The motive to involve the victims in his suicide by killing them is nothing short of selfish.” The defense argued for Bulan’s acquittal, saying he had schizophrenia around the time of his arrival in Japan and was legally insane at the time of the killings. However, the court found the defendant fully criminally responsible, ruling that he had a proper understanding of his surroundings. According to the verdict, at around 1:30 a.m. on May 26, 2022, Bulan fatally stabbed Cambodian nationals Mong Samet, 25, and Chhat Chhit, 20, in the chest with a kitchen knife inside their apartment in Tomisato, Chiba Prefecture.
DPWH flags substandard materials in EDSA wall collapse By Vito Barcelo DEPARTMENT of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon has raised concerns over the apparent use of substandard materials in a wall that collapsed along the northbound lane of EDSA beside Forbes Park in Makati City on Saturday, Aug. 8. The wall collapsed amid heavy rains in Metro Manila, blocking two northbound lanes of EDSA and leaving only one to two lanes open to traffic. Dizon said an initial inspection
showed that the structure appeared particularly vulnerable because soil had been placed behind the wall. Prolonged heavy rainfall may have saturated the soil, increasing its weight and putting additional pressure on the structure, he said. The DPWH chief also said portions of the wall appeared to have been made of relatively thin materials that could easily break. He added that the structure appeared to have been attached to an existing property wall and was likely not part of a government project.
Dizon said authorities must determine who commissioned the additional structure, when it was built, and whether it had been properly authorized. The Makati City Engineering Office will help establish the wall’s ownership and construction history, while the DPWH will coordinate with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority in investigating the incident, he said. Dizon also warned that the remaining portion of the wall could pose a continuing safety risk and should be assessed to prevent another collapse.
ID FOR HEALTHCARE. The Department of Health and Philippine Statistics Authority signed a memorandum of agreement during the 2026 National Hospital Week and Hospital Summit at The Manila Hotel to establish National ID registration centers in DOH hospitals nationwide, improving access to services and patient identification.
OPINION
A5
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
EDITORIAL
The other slate READERS of our Monday, 03 August article where we listed the likely senatorial candidates of Bagong Pilipinas (whatever that means) pointed to some names I may have missed. They cited Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla. As far as he personally told me, Dizon wants to go back to the private sector after June 30, 2028. Remulla and Gatchalian want to return to their political bailiwicks, Cavite province and Valenzuela City, respectively, so they say. But yes, I missed Angara who will likely want to get back to familiar territory, not Aurora, but the Senate which if timetable does not go awry, will have moved to its “iconic” building in the former Marine HQ where Taguig intersects with Makati. And to those who wonder who will be in Inday Sara’s slate, I have my own predictions, though un-sourced from the Vice President or anyone close to her: There will be re-electionists Alan Cayetano, Robin Padilla, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda or her son Leandro Leviste who will be age-qualified by 2028. I would not discount the possibility of Chiz Escudero, but of course, that would depend on how he votes in the impeachment trial. There is former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, a feisty lawyer who speaks both Cebuano Bisaya and Hiligaynon, aside from Tagalog. And another lawyer, the eloquent Regal Oliva of Cebu, whose POVs are always well-received by legions of followers. Lawyer and composer Jimmy Bondoc, who almost made it in 2025, might try again. And former Rep. and retired Police Colonel Bonifacio Bosita. Mike Defensor,who is now in jail for grossly unfair charges of plunder due to campaign contributions to Senator Rodante Marcoleta, could make it to the Senate if he decides to run, though others are convincing him to go for Joy Belmonte’s term-limited mayoralty seat in Quezon City. Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, the newly designated spokesman of the PDP, is also being egged on to run for the Senate. Another lawyer who is very much in the news these days is Bobet Torreon who represents KOJC’s Apollo Quiboloy. Muslim representation in the Senate, aside from Robin who has converted to Islam, would probably be considered by the vice-president for balance, which means Dong Mangudadatu or Gov. Sakur Tan of Sulu.
There are five who I hope would join the other slate: Rep. Egay Erice of Kalookan, the de facto voice of the true opposition in the HoR, and his equally independent colleague, Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas. In a House of blind followers of the administration, they are “rara avis,” unafraid to speak the truth. Rep. Rolando Ledesma Macasaet of Zamboanga City and Batangas, whose wife comes from a prominent Central Luzon political family, the only finance expert who has helmed both the GSIS and SSS pension funds with distinction, and who voted “No” to the steam-rolled impeachment, would be another excellent addition to the Senate.
—“—
Ask the masses.
And so is Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, whose outstanding three terms ends in 2028, a distinguished police officer and founder of the Mayors for Good Governance Movement. There too is EDSA hero, former senator and DICT secretary Gringo Honasan. The five, namely Magalong, Macasaet, Erice, Tiangco and Honasan have yet to announce plans for the 2028 electoral contest, though. Of the 21 names I have listed here, five or six who are from Luzon could also be chosen as Inday Sara’s vice-presidential team-mate, aside from the currently imprisoned Sen. Marcoleta and Sen. Imee Marcos who, aside from being a Marcos, is of the same gender as the presidential candidate. For as long as Inday Sara’s survey numbers hold according to reputable surveys such as Pulse Asia, WR Numero, Social Weather Stations, and a research firm that does not issue its findings publicly, and she is not convicted, the likelihood of a one-on-one contest for the presidency is in the realm of the probable. Of course there will be also-rans, “makasali lang.” If the administration fields an official candidate, just as PGMA’s Lakas chose Gibo Teodoro in 2010, then the pinklawan-socdem coalition will have to field a presidential standard bearer, whether Bam or Risa. Leni will stay in Naga City if Sara is acquitted, or a queer coalition of disparate anti-Duterte forces and BbM does not materialize. Then we could have a repeat of 2010, where the administration candidate felt that he was junked in favor of a stronger contestant, although in the end, everyone lost to Noynoy Aquino. Why are so many lining up to be in the Vice President’s senatorial slate, while so few want the presidential endorsement? Ask the “masa.”
Pax Silica needs a digital spine THE Philippines has a rare opportunity to reposition itself in the global technology economy. The Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC) and Pax Silica could bring together infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and foreign investment on a scale we have not seen before. But one point must not be lost amid the excitement over industrial zones, factories and investment pledges: none of these will work without world-class digital infrastructure. If roads, railways and ports are the arteries of the Luzon Economic Corridor, telecommunications networks will be its nervous system. The corridor linking Subic, Clark, Manila, and Batangas is often discussed in terms of logistics, transport, energy and industrial devlopment. Yet the next generation of economic corridors will be defined not only by how efficiently goods move, but by how reliably, securely and quickly data moves. AI, cloud computing, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production and modern logistics depend on high-capacity broadband, fiber, 5G, submarine cable connectivity, data centers and resilient telecommunications. They must link industrial estates, ports, airports, factories, data cent-
ers and enterprises across the corridor through expanded fiber, redundant routes, stronger international cable capacity and enterprise-grade reliability. Government must also make it easier to build ahead of demand through faster permitting, rational rights-of-way, infrastructure sharing, predictable regulation and incentives for network investment.
—“—
None of these will work without world-class digital infrastructure. With the Philippines now part of the 24-country Pax Silica framework, the country is participating in a broader effort to build secure and resilient technology supply chains. Within this framework, the Philippines and the United States have announced a 4,000-acre AI-native industrial acceleration hub in Clark, envisioned as a strategic link in a new ecosystem for critical minerals, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and AI. This could help the Philippines move beyond raw-material exports and lowervalue manufacturing into mineral processing, semiconductor materials, design, re-
The paradox of El Niño and the floodwaters
M
ETRO Manila and other parts of the Philippines have faced unrelenting floodwaters in recent days as severe monsoonal rains, supercharged by shifting climate patterns, inundate streets and displace thousands.
It is a cruel atmospheric paradox. While the initial months of 2026 groaned under the scorching heat of an intensifying El Niño, the climate cycle has flipped its script to torrential vengeance. Severe El Niño episodes do not merely mean uniform drought. They warm the ocean waters and heavily alter moisture distribution. When combined with the southeast monsoon and active tropical systems like recent unforgiving storms battering Luzon and some south of the capital, the atmosphere unleashes concentrated, violent volumes of rain upon an already stressed land. The transition catches urban drainage systems off guard, turning boulevards, avenues and streets into rivers and exposing the limits of local infrastructure.
ManilaStandard
ONLINE
PPI
Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers
The convergence of erratic El Nino phases and violent monsoons demands structural foresight. From the haunting aftermath of Yolanda and other deadly typhoons,
AS Japan marks the anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombs, its leaders are pushing for a renewed debate on nuclear weapons in a challenge to the nation’s long-time pacifist stance. Japan’s constitution renounces offensive military force, and successive governments have maintained a decades-old pledge not to possess nuclear weapons, produce them or permit their introduction into the country. That commitment is now under pressure as East Asian neighbors -- notably China -- boost their military capabilities, while doubts persist about the reliability of Tokyo’s biggest security backer, the United States. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to clarify whether she will maintain the stance known as the three non-nuclear principles, and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi called last month for a “discussion without a taboo” on the subject. In December, an unnamed senior administration official told local media in an off-the-record session suggesting that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. The remark was widely reported by major Japanese outlets including national broadcaster NHK and Asahi Shimbun, sparking public criticism. “If I look at it cynically, I can’t help but think that maybe she really wants to change” Japan’s anti-nuclear commitment, 82-year-old Satoshi Tanaka, a campaigner who survived the 1945 attack on Hiroshima, told AFP. The country marked the 81st anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing on Thursday and will do the same on Sunday to commemorate the attack on Nagasaki. The August 1945 assault by the United States killed more than 210,000 people, including many from the effects of radiation exposure. It remains the only time that atomic weapons have been used in warfare, and
was one of the last major acts of World War II. ‘New militarism’ The Takaichi administration is undertaking a major update of the national defense strategy this year in the face of China’s expanding military ambitions. The prime minister has already lifted Japan’s self-imposed ban on weapons exports and expanded defence spending, while pushing to amend the constitution. Those policies have drawn rebukes from China, which accuses Japan of “new militarism” and Takaichi of bending to the whims of the far right. They have also unnerved survivors of the 1945 bombings, who have long helped shape Japan’s post-war pacifist political culture.
Tanaka, the Hiroshima survivor, expressed frustration that current political leaders like Takaichi are focusing on military capacity at the expense of diplomacy. “There is so much talk about national security. What about building peace through diplomacy?” he said. Despite winning the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts, they are debating whether to continue their national association as their members grow older. As of March, Japan recognized just over 91,000 survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks, down from over 164,000 a decade ago. Their average age is 86.7.
‘It only worries me’ The focus has turned firmly towards the future of the non-nuclear principles, which date to 1967. Takaichi’s supporters argue that the final clause needs to be changed to allow the United States to bring nuclear arms to Japan and ensure regional deterrence. Hirofumi Yoshimura, head of the Japan Innovation Party, a coalition partner of Takaichi’s government, said the principle deserved discussion in the context of the US-Japan security alliance. “Of course, we need to work toward building a world without nuclear arms,” Yoshimura told reporters on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. “But when considering how to ensure the effectiveness of extended nuclear deterrence within the framework of our alliance with the United States, I believe we should...continue to adhere to the principle of ‘neither possessing nor producing’ nuclear weapons,” he said. “As for ‘not allowing them to be brought in,’ I do think there is some room for discussion on that point.” Critics argue that Takaichi’s hawkish approach to defense increases the danger for Japan. After Takaichi attended the annual ceremony in Hiroshima on Thursday, she sat down for a televised meeting with survivors. When pressed, Takaichi declined to offer clarity on whether she might change the country’s nuclear course. “Our nation currently adheres to the ‘three non-nuclear principles,’” she said in response to a direct question from Tanaka, without discussing what she might do next. “That,” Tanaka told AFP on Friday, “only explains the current situation. It says nothing about the future. “It only worries me more. I am concerned.” AFP
search and technology development. But AI infrastructure is demanding. Data centers and advanced manufacturing require enormous connectivity, computing capacity and reliable electricity. Some facilities may also require significant water for cooling and industrial processes. But while these are real challenges, they should not become excuses for paralysis. The issue is not whether development consumes resources. All industrial development does. The question is whether we can design the infrastructure, safeguards and investments needed to support growth without placing communities or the broader economy at a disadvantage. That means credible power and water plans, environmental compliance, efficient cooling, alternative water sources where feasible, and additional generation and transmission capacity. Pax Silica should therefore become a catalyst for building the country’s next generation of critical infrastructure, not merely a new source of demand on what already exists. Public and private investments should strengthen the grid, expand baseload and
renewable power capacity, improve water systems, accelerate fiber deployment and make telecommunications networks more resilient. If designed properly, the LEC’s infrastructure gains should radiate beyond the corridor and support wider economic development. The same principle should apply to Filipino capabilities. The Philippines already has a mature electronics sector, a globally competitive IT-BPM industry, a young Englishspeaking workforce, critical minerals and access to major Indo-Pacific markets. Pax Silica can widen that access through partners seeking secure technology supply chains. We have seen this before. The IT-BPM sector did not become a Philippine success story simply because foreign companies arrived. Telecommunications investment, skills development, technology transfer, policy reforms and international market access created an ecosystem that could scale. The Luzon Economic Corridor and Pax Silica can provide another such opening, but at a much higher technological level.
This time, however, the opportunity is not simply to participate in another wave of global investment. It is to decide where the Philippines sits in the architecture of the digital economy itself: not just as a passive endpoint of value chains, but to become an active node where data, design, capital and manufacturing converge. Connectivity is not just the foundation; it is the condition for relevance. Infrastructure does not merely create a platform for growth; it determines whether growth compounds locally or leaks outward. Investment brings opportunity, but only capability ensures that opportunity is retained and multiplied within the country. The real question is not whether Pax Silica succeeds as a framework, but whether the Philippines uses it to move from the edge of global supply chains toward their center of gravity. If we get this right, we do not just host infrastructure. We become part of the infrastructure of the future economy itself. That is the measure that will ultimately matter: not the scale of what is built, but the share of value, knowledge and capability that remains Filipino.
—“—
The focus has turned firmly towards the future of the nonnuclear principles.
Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser
Emil P. Jurado+ Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board
ROLANDO G. ESTABILLO Publisher
can be accessed at: manilastandard.net
MEMBER
—“—
Japan nuclear debate unnerves proponents of pacifism
Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno
Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 8-5646225 and 8-5646229 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.manilastandard.net
But long before the modern weather advisories tracked every depression or low pressure area, this typhoon-prone archipelago of 118 million, based on official statistics, was forged in the crucible of nature’s ferocity.
the country’s landscape has repeatedly tested its inhabitants. When the waters rise, the response is never passive. Neighborhoods mobilize bayanihan long before official rescue teams arrive, and communities rebuild destroyed bridges and other infrastructure, homes with sheer grit. Resilience is not merely a romanticized cultural trait; it is a hard-earned instinct born of geographic vulnerability. The resilience of the Filipinos must not serve as a forever cushion for inadequate urban planning and delayed flood-control projects. The time is yesterday to match the grit of ordinary citizens with institutional accountability. The convergence of erratic El Niño phasesand violent monsoons demands structural foresight, transparent governance over public works, and robust adaptation strategies. Filipinos will always weather the storms, smiling through the difficulties. But they deserve leaders and infrastructure as steadfast as their own spirit.
Mario R. Policarpio Jr. Head - Finance
Baldwin R. Felipe
Head - Ad Solutions
Joyce Pangco Pañares Managing Editor
Honor Blanco Cabie
Opinion Editor
Feliciano T. Buscas Jr. Head - IT-MIS
Paula A. Reynoso
Head - Suppplements
Virgilio DC Galvez
Aytch dela Cruz
Online Editor
Edgar M. Valmorida Circulation Manager
News Editor
(On leave)
Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer
WORLD
A6
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Iran sets new demands to reopen strait D
UBAI -- Iran set preconditions on Saturday for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, including compensation for war damages, complicating a potential deal to open the waterway essential to the world economy.
TEHRAN BRIEFING. A handout photo made available by the Iranian Presidential Office shows Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian (center, back) attending a press conference in the capital Tehran on August 8. AFP
IN BRIEF Typhoon Dolphin bears down on China’s east coast Son: Biden’s cancer has spread to bones WASHINGTON — Former US president Joe Biden’s cancer has metastasized further, according to his son Hunter Biden, who shared the update in a recent interview with the BBC. In May 2025, just four months after he left office as the oldest sitting president, the elder Biden revealed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. He subsequently began treatment, including radiation and hormone therapy, which the 83-year-old described as going “really well” last month, during an announcement of his upcoming memoir. In a wide-ranging interview published late Friday with BBC Newsnight, Hunter Biden said his father’s disease has spread despite the treatment. “The cancer has spread, is metastasized into his bones and further,” Biden said. “It’s very painful, and it’s very debilitating in many respects, but he’s still out there. He’s still doing his thing...he so believes in this country.” AFP
Bombing attacks ‘greet’ new Colombian leader SANTANDER DE QUILICHAO, Colombia -- Two bombing attacks in different parts of Colombia on Saturday marked the first day in office for new President Abelardo de la Espriella, leaving at least one police officer dead and several wounded. The tough-talking hard-right leader campaigned on confronting “narcoterrorism without truce” and ending peace talks with armed groups following his inauguration Friday in the southwestern city of Cali. Colombia’s army said FARC guerilla dissidents used explosives to destroy a highway tollbooth near Cali in the early hours of Saturday, with two security guards suffering minor injuries. Rebels under the command of Ivan Morodisco, Colombia’s most wanted guerilla commander, operate in the area surrounding the tollbooth, which was under construction on the Pan-American highway in the Santander de Quilichao municipality. AFP
BEIJING -- China’s densely populated eastern coast was preparing Sunday for the arrival of Typhoon Dolphin, which has triggered more than 1,000 flight cancellations, evacuations and a top-level alert from authorities. Nearly 1,400 flights in and out of Shanghai’s two main passenger airports had been cancelled on Sunday, state broadcaster CCTV reported. Hangzhou’s airport in nearby Zhejiang province saw 270 inbound and outbound flights cancelled, the report said. Typhoon Dolphin, which brought heavy rain and strong winds to Japan’s Okinawa in recent days, is expected to make landfall late Sunday or early Mon-
day in Zhejiang or its neighbouring province of Fujian. Seven people in Okinawa suffered minor injuries, including a man aged over 100 who was blown by gusts, fell on the ground and hit his head, according to the island’s government. By Sunday afternoon, 5,290 households in Okinawa were without electricity, according to regional utility Okinawa Electric Power. In Taiwan, dozens of ferry services were suspended, and more than 180 flights were cancelled as the storm brought downpours and strong winds to the island’s north on Sunday. China’s National Meteorological Cen-
Girl, 12, also dies following Bangkok school shooting
BANGKOK - A 12-year-old girl wounded in a school shooting in Thailand died on Saturday, the health ministry said, bringing the death toll to eight, including the teen assailant’s grandparents killed in their home. On Friday, 14-year-old boy shot his grandparents before going on a killing spree at his school north of Bangkok and ultimately turning the gun on himself, according to police. The health ministry said Saturday that the 12-yearold girl, who had been treated at a nearby hospital, had died. “Another person has passed away... a 12-year-old girl,” the ministry said in a statement. The other victims included a math teacher, a psychology teacher and other teaching staff, according to police. More than 30 people were injured in the shooting, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said during a visit to the school. Fourteen people remained in hospital as of Saturday evening, seven of them in critical condition. Police are questioning more witnesses as part of their investigation, including the suspect’s parents. Thailand has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the region, with around 10 million firearms estimated to be in circulation -- roughly one for every seven inhabitants. AFP
BURNED OUT. This photograph shows burned cars at the site of a Russian air attack in Odesa on August 9 amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. AFP
Anti‑surveillance activists destroy Flock cameras; group surges in US
7 charged in murder of Ecuador candidate QUITO, Ecuador -- Ecuador’s Prosecutor’s Office formally charged seven people Saturday on suspicion of being the masterminds behind an assassination plot against a prominent presidential candidate in 2023. Fernando Villavicencio, a legislator known for his anti-corruption investigations, was polling in second place when he was shot and killed at a campaign event in Quito 11 days before the 2023 presidential election. Ecuador’s Prosecutor’s Office announced on X that it “charges the seven defendants as indirect perpetrators for their alleged participation in the crime of #Murder.” Among those charged were former Interior Minister Jose Serrano, former legislator Ronny Aleaga, businessman Xavier Jordan, and four people linked with the Los Lobos Gang, including its suspected leader Wilmer Chavarria, who went by the alias “Pipo.” Jordan, who lives in the United States, “financed and planned” the assassination, according to prosecutors. AFP
tre (NMC) issued a red typhoon alert -- its most severe warning -- on Sunday morning, forecasting “extraordinary torrential rain” in some areas of central and eastern Zhejiang. Heavy precipitation is also expected to fall in Shanghai and parts of Fujian, Anhui and Jiangsu provinces through Monday afternoon, the NMC said. After Typhoon Dolphin makes landfall, it is expected to weaken while moving in a northwesterly direction over eastern China. In Fujian, nearly 99,000 people had been relocated from “risky areas” on Saturday evening ahead of the storm’s arrival, state news agency Xinhua reported. AFP
Tehran has imposed an effective blockade of the strait since the United States and Israel struck Iran in late February, and wants to charge tolls for passage, attacking ships it accuses of attempting to circumvent its preferred route. Continued attacks in the strait, which was free to transit before the war, led to the collapse of an April ceasefire. Mediators have since urged both sides to return to the terms of a June memorandum. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said discussions with Oman over transit and management of the strait were “approaching the final stages”, but added the reopening of Hormuz “is subject to other conditions and compensation for the violation” of the June agreement. Security chief Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr on Saturday laid out a list of demands for reopening the strait, including an end to the “war and aggression against Iran and its allies in Lebanon, Palestine, Yemen, and Iraq”. He also demanded the lifting of a parallel US naval blockade of Iran, the end of sanctions, the release of frozen assets and compensation for wartime damage, according to remarks reported by Tasnim news agency. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, meanwhile, said Hormuz’s reopening had “nothing to do with the negotiations between Iran and Oman”, adding that the “enemy is forced to accept Iran’s conditions for the opening of the strait”. Repeated attacks The comments came as transit through Hormuz has dropped significantly, with Iran targeting ships it accuses of skirting its preferred route through Iranian waters. The United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry on Saturday condemned what it called a “hostile Iranian attack that targeted a tanker belonging to ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) with a missile while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, without causing casualties”. AFP
SPORTY ON THE WATER. A sports car-shaped boat is available for rent on a beach on Taboga Island, off Panama City, on August 8. AFP
WASHINGTON -- In only a few years, the surveillance start-up Flock has installed more than 100,000 license plate reader cameras across the United States. But a grassroots movement upset over privacy concerns is fighting back -- even going so far as systematically vandalizing the equipment. The first time he decided to trash one of the cameras, a self-styled vigilante wearing all black and known as Nomark says he was “super nervous.” Now, after disabling about 30 of the devices near his home in the Minneapolis area, he told AFP: “I’m not really as scared anymore.” Flock cameras are installed by police departments, homeowners’ associations and businesses, ostensibly to catch criminals in the act. Data is uploaded to Flock’s cloud and can be shared with subscribers. But opponents are outraged at what they say is a dangerous tool that can be used to infringe on American privacy and civil liberties. At just 20 years old, Nomark offers his
500,000 Instagram followers a how-to guide for rendering the cameras useless, raising awareness about the devices. His detractors point out -- correctly -- that his actions are illegal, but likeminded individuals have followed suit nationwide over the past few weeks. Instead of being dismissed as a radical fringe outfit, the anti-Flock movement is taking hold. Its proponents have been active online for months, creating crowdsourced maps of cameras, sharing ways to block their lenses, and hailing the “heroes” who are arrested for destroying them. The Facebook group DeFlock America has more than 600,000 members and is gaining thousands more by the day. Massive database Flock cameras differ from traditional surveillance cameras in that they do not record video footage. Instead, they take still images of vehicles, capturing the make, model, color, license plate data and other distinguishing features such as bumper stickers. AFP
A7
NEWS SC widens pilot program to cover 33 more courts
CLOSER PH-US DEFENSE TIES.
The Philippines and the United States reaffirm their commitment to strengthen defense cooperation and military interoperability as they mark the 75th anniversary of Mutual Defense Treaty. U.S. Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel Paparo and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Antonio Nafarrete co-chair the annual Mutual Defense-Security Engagement Board meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. USINDOPACOM photo
By Pot Chavez THE Supreme Court (SC) has launched an expanded pilot program aimed at making courts more accessible to the public through improved performance and service delivery. With the support of the European Union Governance in Justice Programme (EU-GOJUST), the SC launched last month the Expanded Pilot Implementation of the Performance Development Framework 2.0 and Companion for High-Performance Courts (HPC). The initiative expands the program to cover 33 more first-level courts from the different regions including Ilocos, Northern Luzon, Calabarzon, and the National Capital Region (NCR). The HPC project advances the goals of the judiciary’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI) to improve court efficiency. SC Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa said the initiative aims to bring access to justice closer to the Filipino people, stressing that it seeks to foster a culture of excellence among trial courts and make them courts of excellent performance. “Access to justice means transforming our courts into service providers that provide judicial services all throughout litigation,” he said. “This means that through every step of the litigation process, we make sure that our court users are able to easily access judicial services. It means asking questions that, fundamental as they may be, we may have forgotten,” said Caguioa who also serves as the Chairperson of the Committee on High-Performance Courts.
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
mst.daydesk@gmail.com
‘No plan to alter basic curriculum’ By Gabriel Oliva
T
HE Department of Education (DepEd) has rejected claims circulating online about the purported merger of basic education subjects in Araling Panlipunan (social studies) and music, arts, physical education, and health (MAPEH).
In a statement, DepEd said the claims stemmed from “outdated” discussions held three years ago and did not reflect the department’s current policies. “Under the revised K to 10 (MATATAG) Curriculum, Makabansa is a
distinct, foundational learning area for Key Stage 1 (Grades 1 to 3)—it is NOT a combination or merger of Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH,” the statement read. A September 2023 report by People’s Television network said Araling Panli-
punan (AP) and MAPEH were being considered for consolidation into a single subject called “SIKAP,” a proposal that had the backing of several lawmakers. However, the MATATAG curriculum is a revised K to 10 curriculum that was introduced on August 10, 2023 by the DepEd in the Philippines, it added. The subject encompasses three key areas for students to learn including Makabansa (for the country), Makatao (representing humanity), Makalikasan (for nature/God). Under the MATATAG curriculum, Grade 1 learners take five core subjects: Language, Reading and Literacy,
Makabansa, Mathematics, and Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC). Rather than combining subjects, the curriculum adopts a holistic and transdisciplinary approach designed to develop learners’ self-awareness, appreciation of culture, and understanding of civic responsibility. Starting in Grade 4, Filipino, English, Araling Panlipunan, and MAPEH are taught as separate learning areas. MAPEH covers Music and Arts, Physical Education, and Health, while Araling Panlipunan focuses on developing learners’ understanding of society, culture, and civic life.
IN BRIEF SC justice to Bar takers: Keep your dreams alive SUPREME Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan urges 2026 Bar examinees to keep their dream alive as they take on the final stretch of their preparations. In a message published in Bar Bulletin No. 4, the 2026 Bar chairperson reminds examinees to end their preparation strongly with honor. “Your dream brought you to this journey. It is the same dream that will carry you across its final stretch,” he said. “You have shown up, day after day, through every subject, every mock exam, every doubt you refused to let win. You have proven more than you may realize. You just need to see this through,” Gaerlan added. Pot Chavez
LEADERSHIP UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL. Quezon City Mayor Joy
Belmonte inspect a halfway house being ran by the local government unit under its Housing Community Development And Resettlement Department in Barangay Bagong Silangan where she heard the concerns of 42 families are tentatively staying prior to their transfer to a permanent housing facility. QC PIO photo
Solon opposes changes to Urban Housing Law
DOLE warns vs. abuse of minors by socmed creators By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reminded parents and content creators to secure work permits for children below 15 years old who appear in monetized social media content. The DOLE said the requirement was meant to protect the minors from exploitation and ensure that their work does not interfere with their education, health, and welfare. DOLE Secretary Francis Tolentino said Labor Advisory No. 12 issued July 31 extends existing child labor protections to digital platforms, including vlogs, livestreams, podcasts
and online endorsements. “We can avoid child exploitation without government monitoring. We can also avoid child abuse and exploitation particularly through extra hours of work,” Tolentino said. Under the advisory, children below 15 who are employed or featured as part of monetized social media content must secure a DOLE work permit. The requirement also covers cases where a child’s artistic, cultural or entertainment performance is essential to the production of a vlog or other digital content. DOLE said children covered by the advisory may work for no more than four hours a day or 20 hours a week, and may not work beyond 10
p.m., in keeping with existing safeguards on the employment of children. The advisory provides limited exemptions, including certain children working in a family enterprise where their family is involved in producing the vlog, subject to conditions under existing child labor laws. Tolentino also reminded parents and other parties involved in child employment that safeguards extend to the child’s earnings. Under existing rules, only 20 percent of a child’s income may be used for family needs, while 80 percent must be placed in savings or a trust fund for the child’s education, health needs or future use.
2 cops face dismissal for selling gov’t guns By Vince Lopez
THE Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police (PNP-IAS) on Sunday disclosed summary dismissal proceedings against two Caloocan City policemen apprehended for selling government-issued service firearms during a recent buy-bust operation. The respondents were identified only as SSgt. Nino and MSgt. Arjay, both of the Caloocan City Police Station. Selling service firearms is among the gravest offenses a police officer can commit. It directly undermines public safety — government-issued weapons that find their way into criminal hands pose an immediate and continuing threat to the communities that the police are sworn to protect.,” the PNP said. More fundamentally, it represents a betrayal of the trust reposed upon every policeman who is issued a firearm in the service of the Filipino people.
GUARDIANS OF THE ECOSYSTEM. The Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark
wraps up its first revalidation mission with international evaluators extolling the province’s initiatives to protect the island-province’s forests, waterfalls, caves, and cultural sites, under the auspices of the provincial government led by Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado. Minerva Newman
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Sunday hit the proposed amendments to the Urban Development and Housing Act (UDHA), warning that the move might only worsen the country’s housing backlog. “The administration is currently building and awarding very few affordable housing units, and it wants to build even fewer balanced housing units under this bill,” Tinio said. UDHA or Republic Act No. 7279 originally mandated private contractors to develop socialized housing equivalent to at least 20 percent of the total subdivision project area or cost. In 2016, the Aquino administration reduced the balanced housing obligation to 15 percent for subdivision projects and five percent for condominium projects. Rio N. Araja
UNESCO ends Bohol global geopark mission BOHOL — The Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark (BIUGGp) concludes its first revalidation mission here with international evaluators extolling the province’s efforts to protect its forests, waterfalls, caves, and cultural sites. Led by UNESCO Global Geopark evaluators Nire Kagaya of Japan and Sungok Ju, the mission was hosted by Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado, chairperson of the BIUGGp Management Council, with partner agencies and local communities. The mission also hailed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) commitment to protect forests, coasts and heritage sealed with the “PAGSAAD”, the GIUGGp commitment ceremony of partnership to safeguard Bohol Island UNESCO Global Geopark with the agency as a key player in the revalidation. DENR-CENRO Talibon, headed by forester Glicerita Racho, provided technical and operational support in assessing three of Bohol’s most iconic geopark sites—Lamanok Point Archaeological Site, Can-Umantad Falls, and Alicia Panoramic Park. Minerva Newman
SPORTS
A8 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Alas Girls stun Tunisia for win No. 2 in FIVB world tourney
Members of the Alas Pilipinas Girls’ team celebrate their win over Tunisia in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship.
Eala targets Bencic upset, Toronto quarterfinal berth By Jeremiah Sevilla
T
Alexandra Eala
RYING to keep her scorching run going, Filipina ace Alexandra “Alex” Eala faces her toughest test yet in the 2026 National Bank Open when she collides with Swiss Olympic champion Belinda Bencic in the fourth round at the Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Canada on Monday morning (Philippine time).
Eala, ranked No. 20 in the world and seeded 25th in the WTA 1000 tournament, meets No. 14 and 12th seed Bencic for the first time on the Tour with a quarterfinal spot at stake on Centre Court no earlier than 8:10 a.m. The reigning Washington Open queen is looking forward to her maiden clash against the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and 10-time Tour singles winner. “Super excited. It’s going to be the first time that I’m facing her. And of course, Belinda has accomplished
Abraham Tolentino
Tagaytay to host 1st Asian Youth Plus Track meet TAGAYTAY City will host the inaugural Asian Youth Plus Track Championships next year at the Tagaytay CT Velodrome, according to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. The new continental championships for track cyclists aged 16 and below, Tolentino said, was approved during the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) Management Committee Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend. “The Asian Youth Plus Track Championships aims to provide a platform to develop young cyclists in the whole of Asia with an expanded scope including Oceania,” Tolentino said. It will enable young Asian cyclists to compete against a broader international field and further raising the standard of competition.” The POC president said the dates of the track championships will be announced soon. The Tagaytay CT velodrome hosted the ACC Track Championships and Para Track Championships last March and will again play venue to two legs of the Track Asia Cup in December.
so much in tennis,” said Eala, who is seeking to secure her third career 1000-tier quarterfinal appearance. “I remember her winning the Olympic medal. So I’m really excited to be on the court again,” she added. This is Eala’s first match versus a seeded player in Toronto after dispatching two unseeded American netters to extend her North American hard-court swing winning streak to seven matches. Backed by the raucous crowd, the 21-year-old Pinay tennis star exacted
her revenge against Australian Open tormentor Alycia Parks before outlasting Caty McNally, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4. Eala needed to survive an injury scare against McNally after rolling her right ankle halfway through the second set, forcing her to call a medical timeout and have her foot heavily taped before the sixth game.
Belinda Bencic
After the hard-earned third-round victory, the gutsy Filipina assured that she did not sustain any serious injury. “Luckily there’s nothing wrong with it and there were no serious problems,” Eala said. “I have a great team who is going to help me recover and I have high hopes for the rest of the tourna-
SAN FELIPE, Chile—Alas Pilipinas is finding its rhythm just as Xyz Rayco and Resty Olaguir are rediscovering their groove, taking another step toward the Round of 16 with a 27-25, 25-19, 25-16 rout of Tunisia on Saturday in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship. Key players in the Alas Pilipinas Girls squad that earned the berth in this world meet through the Asian Women’s U16 Championship last year in Jordan, Rayco and OIaguir revived their old connection and pushed the Philippine team to a 2-1 win-loss record. After an opening loss to defending champion China, world No. 25 Alas Pilipinas has taken down higherranked foes in succession, downing No. 8 Mexico before sweeping No. 20 Tunisia at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe. That put Alas Pilipinas in second spot in Pool B, behind only defending champion China, with two playdates left in the preliminaries. The top four advance to the Round of 16. With Olaguir running the offense, Rayco found the openings that had eluded her in the first two matches of the team, supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Asics. “It feels different when she sets me the ball, it feels like I can really kill it,” Rayco said. “Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.” The 16-year-old Rayco, top offensive threat in the Asian U16 meet in Jordan, finished with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, including two of Alas Pilipinas’ final three points to seal the nerve-racking first set. “I’m happy because everyone contributed. I’m also happy with my game because I was able to show how I really play. I’m satisfied even though I made mistakes because I was able to bounce back and show who I am as a player,” Rayco said. “The past two days, I didn’t feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn’t satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I’ll keep this going.”
Fil-Chinese seniors join ASEAN Seniors Basketball Tourney in Malaysia THE Filipino-Chinese Veterans Basketball Association (FCVBA) is out to re-stamp its class when it vies in the ASEAN Seniors Basketball Tournament starting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, in Kuching, Malaysia. With the inclusion of former PBA stars Elmer Reyes, Aries Franco, and Benjie Poblete, the FCVBA Bearcats are confident of taking the 70-year division title back after losing to ZAAP of Bangkok last year. Other members of the team are Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que, Ironcon Builders’ Jimi Lim, Eduard Tio, Danny Ching, Andrew Ongteco, Julio Cruz, Amang Santos, James Chua, Med Sultan and Achit Kaw. Former Adamson player Chingka Lee will be calling the shots for the team de-
termined to restore the country’s pride in the event long dominated by Fil-Chinese seniors. “With Reyes and Franco around, I think we have a good chance of winning the title again,” said Que, one of the team’s godfathers – the others are Lim and Tio. FCVBA will also compete in the premier 50-year division for the first time in a long while, with former Ateneo star Jean Alabanza, team captain Edster Sy, Dexter Quan and Oliver Choa leading the team. Though the 50-year squad is not as deep as before, coach Willy Chan believes they can give their rivals a run for their money. Completing the 50-year cast supported by ITG/Triangle Tires are Kerby Chua, Kenneth Lim, Calvin Li, Francis Sy, Edwin Herrera, Edwin Yap, and Sherwin Yao.
Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que and Ironcon Builder’s Jimi Lim (Standing 5th and 6th from left) are shown with other members of FCVBA teams that will see action in the ASEAN Seniors Basketball Tournament in Kuching, Malaysia. FCVBA
Schoeman, Van Coevorde defy odds to conquer IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu LAPU-LAPU CITY—Henri Schoeman rediscovered his winning form in Cebu, overcoming punishing heat, a choppy swim and a blustery bike course before fighting through cramps in the closing run to reclaim the men’s professional crown at the IRONMAN 70.3 LapuLapu here on Sunday. The 34-year-old South African
clocked 4:08:52 over the demanding 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run course, returning to the top two years after his breakthrough triumph in the same race presented by Megaworld. He won his first Lapu-Lapu 70.3 in 2024 in 4:02:31, beating another deep international field. But this victory carried far more
Henri Schoeman
Natalie Van Coevorden
weight for Schoeman, who has endured two difficult years trying to regain the form that once made him one of the world’s elite triathletes. “This win means so much, you know. I’ve had a really tough two years, struggling to find my form,” said Schoeman, who described the victory as a major confidence boost and a sign that there is still more to come. Schoeman said the race largely unfolded according to plan, with the swim setting up his decisive move on the bike. He pushed hard in the opening leg before creating the gap he needed on the 90-km ride, which again featured the imposing Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX). The bike, however, was no easy ride even for the world-class professionals. Strong winds swept across the course and made the exposed sections par-
ticularly demanding, with the CCLEX bridge providing one of the race’s biggest physical and tactical tests. Schoeman managed to hold his advantage through the bike and carried that cushion into the half-marathon, where the tropical heat turned the final leg into a test of patience and survival. “I just wanted to make sure that I get to the finish line, because I know it gets really hot on the run,” he said. Schoeman, who had split times of 27:23 (swim)-2:10:09 (bike)-1:26:15 (run), revealed that cramps forced him to ease off his pace, opting to race conservatively rather than risk losing the victory in the closing kilometers. He held off Austrian Sebastian Fuchs and Ben Hamilton of New Zealand, who clocked 4:12:51 (35:33-2:09:361:22:19) and 4:14:34 (32:34-2:10:011:27:06), respectively.
BUSINESS
B1
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
Electronics exports seen rising 10% 10% Exports growth target for 2026
$54 billion Projected electronics exports
By Othel V. Campos
T
HE Philippine electronics industry expects exports to grow 10 percent in 2026 to between $53 billion and $54 billion on stronger demand from artificial intelligence, data centers and related infrastructure. The Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation Inc. (SEIPI) previously projected flat growth for the year, but raised its forecast after electronics exports expanded 16 percent in 2025, exceeding its initial expectations. The sector’s 2025 growth was led by AI-related demand, particularly for equipment supporting data centers and AI systems rather than AI chips themselves.
“It’s safe to say that data server requirements and AI primarily drive 10 percent growth,” SEIPI president Danilo Lachica said. The Philippines does not manufacture AI chips but supplies equipment and components used in data centers, including networking and switching systems and powercontrol equipment. The industry also expects continued demand from automotive electronics
and telecommunications. The Philippines accounted for about 5 percent of the global semiconductor market in 2025 but held only a 1-percent share of the global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) market, which includes the production of finished electronic devices. An industry roadmap to be launched later this year aims to expand the country’s EMS footprint, particularly in the large global market for electronic devices. The industry also wants to develop wafer fabrication capabilities to complete the domestic semiconductor supply chain, which currently focuses largely on assembly, testing and packaging.
5% PH share in electronics market
Gov’t debt servicing rose 18.5% in June By Thony Rose Lesaca THE national government’s debt servicing bill climbed 18.54 percent to P77.22 billion in June 2026 from P65.14 billion a year ago on higher interest and amortization payments, the Bureau of the Treasury said over the weekend. Interest payments rose 8.73 percent to P62.43 billion from P57.42 billion in June 2025, with domestic obligations accounting for P39.92 billion and foreign obligations amounting to P22.51 billion. The government paid P19.09 billion for retail Treasury bonds and P15.16 billion for fixed rate Treasury bonds. It also paid P4.32 billion for Treasury bills and P1.35 billion for other interest payments. Amortization payments surged 91.53 percent to P14.79 billion in June from P7.72 billion a year earlier. Domestic principal repayments amounted to P540 million, while repayments for external obligations reached P14.25 billion. The Marcos administration paid P1.23 trillion in debt service in the first half of 2026, up 59.70 percent from P768.11 billion in the same period last year. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the increase may reflect the maturity of debt incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as wider budget deficits in recent years. “[The] higher debt service bill may reflect matured debt that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as wider budget deficits in recent years as partly financed by borrowings that needed to be serviced both principal and interest as they fell due,” he said in a Viber message. Ricafort said the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar and higher interest rates since the pandemic and the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war may have also contributed to the increase in debt servicing costs.
COMPOSE IN BGC. Jollibee Group’s Compose Coffee inaugurateS its first store in the Philippines at Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig on Aug. 7, 2026, introducing the South Korean value coffee brand to Filipino consumers. Making the iconic Korean heart sign are (from left) Ernesto Tanmantiong, William Tan Untiong, Gordon Cho, Jeannie Posas, Mayor Lani Cayetano, Tony Tan Caktiong, Joseph Tanbuntiong and Allan Tan to celebrate the arrival of Compose Coffee, one of Korea’s leading coffee chains, in the Philippines.
Emerging Power rebrands to NAC Energy in diversified push EMERGING Power Inc. has rebranded as NAC Energy Inc., aligning the company with parent Nickel Asia Corp. as it shifts from a solar power developer into a multi-technology power generation platform, the company said Sunday. The rebranding unifies NAC Energy’s operations under the Nickel Asia Corp. brand and supports the parent company’s strategy to build a diversified Philippine energy platform through 2030, the company said. NAC Energy’s operating capacity reached 293 megawatt-peak as of July, up from its earlier base as a solar-focused developer. The company has four projects under construction or in advanced development totaling 374 megawattpeak: the 120-megawatt-peak second phase of San Isidro Solar Power Corp. in Leyte, the 145-megawatt-peak Subic Solar Project in Cawag, Subic, Zambales, the 50-megawatt-peak Nazareno Solar Project in Bataan, and the 59-megawatt-peak Botolan Solar Project in San Juan, Botolan, Zambales. NAC Energy president and chief executive Martin Antonio Zamora said the rebranding reflects the company’s growth beyond its origins as a smaller solar developer. “This rebranding is far more than a name change—it is a clear statement of who we are today and where we are heading. We are no longer just an emerging player; we have proven our capacity to execute,
scale, and deliver reliable power. Carrying the NAC brand unifies our shared purpose across the Group and expands the narrative of what NAC represents: a forward-looking, responsible natural resources development platform driving sustainable energy solutions for the nation,” Zamora said. While solar power remains central to its operations, the company said it is expanding into a broader energy
mix intended to provide both clean generation and flexible baseload or mid-merit capacity, particularly for off-grid and island communities. “Our non-negotiable standard is simple: to deliver secure and cheaper power to the Filipino people without sacrificing our sustainability imperatives,” Zamora said. “Clean energy must walk handin-hand with energy security and accessibility,” he said.
SEC to defend broker director term limits after court challenge By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said over the weekend it will defend its rules imposing term limits on broker directors of an exchange after two Philippine Stock Exchange directors filed a petition challenging the regulation’s constitutionality before the Court of Appeals. PSE directors Eddie Gobing and Vivian Yuchengco reportedly filed a petition for certiorari against SEC Memorandum Circular No. 17, Series of 2026, which imposes term limits on broker directors of an exchange. The SEC said it had yet to receive an official copy of the petition and was therefore unable to comment on the allegations. “Upon official receipt of the petition, the Commission will file the appropriate legal response to address the petitioners’ allegations,” the SEC said. SEC chairman Francis Lim said in a text message that the commission was disappointed it had to defend the reform in court despite providing a two-year transition period following extensive consultations. “We are disappointed that, despite the SEC providing a reasonable twoyear transition period for the implementation of this reform—following extensive consultations—we now find ourselves having to defend it in court,” Lim said. Lim said the regulation does not take away shareholders’ right to elect directors, noting that shareholders remain free to choose directors who meet legal and regulatory qualifications. The SEC said it issued Memorandum Circular No. 17 under its regulatory powers under Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code, and Republic Act No. 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code.
WHAT’S INSIDE?
DMCI Holdings’ order book tops P43b
B2
Emerging Power Inc. rebrands to NAC Energy Inc. as it reinforces energy transition strategy. The evolution from developer to established power platform marks key milestone in NAC’s 2030 strategic roadmap to build a diversified natural resources powerhouse.
CALAX Subsection 3 starts collecting toll Sunday after TRB rate approval By Darwin G. Amojelar
PAG-IBIG-LANDERS TIEUP. Pag-IBIG Fund and Landers team up to bring more savings on members’ everyday expenses. Under the agreement, PagIBIG Loyalty Card and Loyalty Card Plus holders can now enjoy exclusive Landers Superstore privileges, including a free Landers Shopping Pass, a free one-year Landers premium membership with a minimum p3,000 single-receipt purchase, and an upgrade to executive membership for only P300. Signing a memorandum of agreement on Aug. 7, 2026 at Landers Aseana in Parañaque City are Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Marilene Acosta and deputy chief executive Alexander Hilario Aguilar, together with Landers Superstore deputy chief executive Bill Cummings and vice-president Kenneth Charles Ocampo.
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
MOTORISTS traveling along the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) Subsection 3 started paying toll on Aug. 9, 2026, after the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved the rates. The toll collection covers the 7.88-kilometer stretch from the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Governor’s Drive in General Trias, Cavite. The segment opened on May 4 and has since served nearly 9,000 vehicles daily under free passage, giving residents, workers, students and businesses a faster alternative to congested local roads in Cavite. Motorists traveling from the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Gover-
nor’s Drive will pay P35 for Class 1, P70 for Class 2 and P106 for Class 3 vehicles. Motorists traveling from Governor’s Drive in General Trias, Cavite straight to Greenfield in Laguna will pay P117 for Class 1, P234 for Class 2 and P351 for Class 3 vehicles. The opening of CALAX Subsection 3 brings the expressway’s operational length to 26 kilometers, starting from the Greenfield-Mamplasan entry in Biñan, Laguna. Once completed, the full CALAX network is projected to serve up to 65,000 vehicles daily, supporting the movement of people, goods and services across Cavite, Laguna and Southern Metro Manila.
DA, LLDA to revive Parañaque spillway
B3
PH bans livestock imports from 7 countries
B4
BUSINESS
B2
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com
URC MEGA PLANT.
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) director general Tereso Panga joined Malvar City Mayor Ret. Admiral Artemio Abu and local government officials, Universal Robina Corp. (URC) chairman Lance Gokongwei, president Irwin Lee, and other URC and JG Summit officials and staff during the inauguration ceremony of the Mega Plant in Malvar, Batangas on July 31, 2026. The PEZA Board approved URC’s ecozone development and manufacturing projects in 2025 with initial investments worth P2.75 billion, enabling URC to further expand its exportoriented operations while continuing to serve the domestic market.
PH stocks face headwinds from geopolitical risks, cooling economy PHILIPPINE shares are expected to trade cautiously this week as investors weigh renewed uncertainty over the conflict between the United States and Iran alongside slower domestic economic growth. Philstocks Financial Inc. said while the local market snapped a two-week losing streak last week, sentiment is likely to remain fragile as investors assess the latest developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The country’s second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth also raised concerns over the pace of economic expansion. “Recent macroeconomic data are giving mixed clues. The Philippines’ inflation rate last July, both headline and core, have posted slower figures, though still elevated. June employment figures, in real terms, have posted an increase both month-on-month and year-on-year,” Philstocks said. “However, our Q2 GDP data has posted slower expansion implying that the local economy continues to lose growth momentum,” it added. Likewise, uncertainty over the U.S.Iran conflict remains a key risk for financial markets due to conflicting statements from both sides regarding negotiations involving the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has fueled concerns over potential disruptions to oil supplies, pushing global crude prices higher. “If the situation between the two worsens, it is expected to weigh on the local bourse,” Philstocks said. For this week, the market is expected to trade within the 6,150 to 6,400 range in the near term, with investors likely to remain selective while monitoring developments in global oil prices, the U.S.-Iran situation, and domestic economic data. Jenniffer B. Austria
DMCI Holdings’ first-half order book topped P43b C By Jenniffer B. Austria
ONSUNJI-LED DMCI Holdings Inc. ended the first half of 2026 with a P43.1 billion construction order book, driven largely by joint venture projects. The order book as of June 30 comprised P30.1 billion in joint venture projects, P12.1 billion in building projects, and P900 million in infrastructure projects, according to the company’s second-quarter presentation. Joint ventures accounted for about 70 percent of the total order book, while building projects made up 28 percent and infrastructure
projects 2 percent. The group’s order book rose from P41.9 billion at the end of 2025. Among DMCI’s ongoing projects are major railway developments, including the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1 Contract Package (CP) 105 in Taguig, in partnership with Japanese firm Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd. The package covers about 0.66 kilometer of
TECH FORUM.
Albert Villa-Real, president and CEO of PLDT Global, gives his remarks during the inaugural ACC CXO Forum. PLDT Global convened global business and technology leaders at the forum to discuss the forces shaping the future of the digital economy.
tunnel and two underground stations at Kalayaan Avenue and Bonifacio Global City. DMCI, also with Nishimatsu, is working on Metro Manila Subway Project Phase 1 CP-102 in Quezon City, involving about 3 kilometers of tunnel and two underground stations at Quezon Avenue and East Avenue. The construction group is also part of the South Commuter Railway Package CPS-02 in Manila with Acciona. The project covers about 7.9 kilometers of railway viaduct, including elevated stations at España, Santa Mesa, and Paco. In water infrastructure, DMCI is constructing the Levi Mariano Pump Station and Reservoir in Taguig for Manila Water Co. Inc. The project involves a 200 million-liter-perday (MLD) pump station and a 20 million-liter reservoir, scheduled for completion in 2026. It is also working on the 88-MLD Las Piñas Water Reclamation Facility for Maynilad Water Services Inc. Other ongoing projects include the La Salle Green Hills Senior High School and Innovation Building in Mandaluyong City and the Pioneer Cold Storage facility in Navotas City. Meanwhile, DMCI recently secured the Parklinks Metropoli Bridge CP01 Structural Works project in Pasig City. The project involves structural works for an 86-meter bridge with three spans and two approaches. Aside from existing projects, DMCI is evaluating 41 ongoing and prospective bids and estimates with a total estimated value of P127.8 billion.
Globe bets big on PH data center boom By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. is strengthening its investment in data center infrastructure amid growing demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, streaming, gaming, and enterprise applications. Research and Markets estimates that the Philippine data center market was worth about $633 million in 2024 and is projected to more than triple to $1.97 billion by 2030, representing annual growth of more than 20 percent. The market expansion comes as internet use continues to rise in the country. The Philippines has around 97.5 million internet users, creating growing demand for the digital infrastructure needed to keep online services, applications, and businesses running. Given this, Globe is making a strategic investment in ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (Philippines), positioning data centers alongside submarine cable systems as critical components of the country’s digital infrastructure. According to Globe, the investment is part of a broader effort to support the country’s digital economy while strengthening resilience and promoting responsible operations in the development and management of digital facilities. “Digital infrastructure works hand in hand with today’s advanced technologies,” Carl Cruz, president and chief executive of Globe, said. “It enables businesses to operate, governments to deliver services, and people to stay connected. As demand continues to grow, it’s equally important that we build this infrastructure responsibly so it creates lasting value for businesses, communities, and the country,” he added.
Work-life lessons from running 42.195 km. I STARTED running—the sport, not politics—two years ago, and since then, it has become my lifelong goal to run at least two marathons each year. Partly it is because I want to stay as healthy as possible until I grow older, but I also just want to have a good excuse to eat a lot of food (mostly carbohydrates and protein). To date, I had run two marathons: the Manila Marathon in August 2025 and the Philippine Marathon in February 2026. As of writing this article, I’m in my fourth week of training for the Yokohama Marathon this October 2026. Here are a few things I learned during marathon training and how this applies to my work life in general. Number one: Things will not always go as planned. Midway through my training for both the Manila and Philippine Marathons, I got a respiratory infection that lasted a week. Naturally, this caused a moderate setback on my marathon training, which frustrated me as I was aiming for a target finish time. I eventually finished the Manila Marathon in 6.5 hours, whereas I finished the Philippine Marathon in approximately 5.3 hours. It was a significant improvement in just a span of six months between the two marathons. For the upcoming Yokohama
Marathon, I aim to finish it in less than five hours. Much like my marathon training, my work life is seldom a linear path. Deadlines are often meant to be extended due to several extraneous factors, and misunderstandings are to be expected especially in highpressure situations. Nonetheless, you get through all of them, until you eventually finish and get a sigh of relief. Like in marathon training, setbacks at work are merely roadblocks you need to overcome. What matters is you keep going. Number two: Rest is important. In marathon training, people would assume that you should be running several kilometers every single day until race day. This is not true and is actually detrimental to your body. Running for long durations of time damages muscle fibers and depletes energy. This is why runners allot certain days as “rest days” so that their body can actively recover. In fact, it is during the recovery period where cardiovascular strength and running capacity get developed. The same thing can be said at work. Working too hard while treating rest as an afterthought can take a toll on our mental health and cognitive functioning. In many places around the world—even
—“—
Like marathon training, work itself is not a sprint but a marathon. countries known to have a workaholic culture like Japan—people are beginning to acknowledge the importance of rest. While not all of us have the privilege and luxury to actually take a break, rest should be treated with the same urgency and respect as work. Quick mental breaks and “micro-rests”, for example, offer a great alternative for those of us who cannot afford to take full breaks. Number three: Just have fun. People start training for marathons because of the medals, merchandise, social media clout, and the overall sense of fulfillment of conquering 42.195 kilometers (i.e., the total distance of a marathon—the history of how it was measured would fascinate you). But for me, running the quiet, disciplined kilometers during training, as well as the grueling 42.195 kilometers during race day, is the fun part. I have learned to love the process more than the outcome. The outcome is merely a bonus. At work, perhaps our biggest asset to ourselves is finding ways to actually enjoy what we do—even if we haven’t quite
found it yet. Even for me, I consider this a lifelong project. We will always find new things to love and enjoy at work, as well as outgrow some things that we initially enjoyed doing. At the end of the day, what matters is that we are focused on the process of growth rather than being fixated on the end result. It is a comforting realization that my journey to a healthier lifestyle ended up having ripple effects on my perspective of work. Like marathon training, work itself is not a sprint but a marathon. If we go too fast, the quality and reliability of our work suffer. If we go at just the right pace, we put out work that we can be proud of, and later, we might even have energy left for other important things besides work. Ian Benedict R. Mia is a part-time lecturer at the Department of Management and Organization of De La Salle University (DLSU). He works full-time as a Senior Associate at ISS STOXX Sustainability. He can be reached at ianbrmia@gmail. com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.
CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK CYAN
BUSINESS
B3
Manila Manila
Standard Standard
TODAY TODAY
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com Manila Manila
Standard Standard
TODAY TODAY
DA, LLDA revive Parañaque spillway project By Othel V. Campos
T
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) are reviving the long-delayed P90 billion Parañaque Spillway Project to curb flooding, support fisheries, and strengthen Laguna de Bay as a freshwater source. First proposed in the 1970s, the 10.5-kilometer spillway would run at least 50 meters underground, linking Laguna de Bay to Manila Bay. Construction is expected to take at least 10 years.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the project could ease flooding in lakeshore communities in Laguna, Rizal, and Metro Manila while improving the health of the country’s largest freshwater lake. “Laguna de Bay is one of Metro Manila’s most important food baskets and our most affordable source of bangus. If we restore the lake’s health by improving water circulation and managing floods better, we can raise fish production, increase fisherfolk incomes, and improve raw water quality,” Tiu Laurel said. The project faces opposition from communities in Muntinlupa City, where the tunnel would draw water from the lake, and Bacoor City, where excess water would be discharged into Manila Bay. Residents have raised concerns over displacement and the possible transfer of flood risks. LLDA general manager Leopoldo Parumog said the spillway has become more
urgent with the planned Manggahan Control Gate Structure, which would divert up to 2,400 cubic meters of floodwater per second from the Marikina River into Laguna de Bay. The additional inflow could raise lake levels and increase flooding in lakeshore communities, underscoring the need for additional drainage capacity, officials said. Tiu Laurel said the DA and LLDA would work with national agencies, local governments, and private stakeholders to address community concerns and build support for the project. “The challenge is to show that this is not simply another flood-control project. Done right, it is an investment in food security, climate resilience, and long-term water sustainability,” he said. Laguna de Bay is also a raw water source for Maynilad Water Services Inc., which serves customers in Metro Manila and Cavite.
AMBASSADOR AWARDS.
The Global Tourism Business Association and ONEKLIK Events launch the 3rd Ambassador of the Year Awards, an annual tribute recognizing 80 individuals and organizations whose work builds meaningful bridges between communities, cultures, and nations. Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain attended the ceremony. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte delivered the keynote address and received the LGU Ambassador of the Year Award.
Applications may sent PH GLOBAL JET Applications may bebe sent to:to: PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph Company hereby hereby declares declares that that the the above-named above-named Company foreignnational nationalis isable, able,willing, willing,and andqualified qualifiedtotoperform perform foreign theservices servicesand andjob jobdescription descriptionforforthis thisposition. position.The The the companyhas hasthe theintention intentiontotoemploy employthe thesaid saidforeign foreign company nationaland andapply applyforforanan AlienEmployment EmploymentPermit Permitwith with national Alien theDepartment DepartmentofofLabor Laborand andEmployment Employment- -National National the CapitalRegion Regionlocated locatedatat967 967Maligaya MaligayaStreet StreetMalate Malate Capital Manila Manila Any Filipino jobseeker who competent, able and willing Any Filipino jobseeker who is is competent, able and willing performthe theservices servicesforforwhich whichthe theforeign foreignnational nationalis is totoperform intendedtotobebehired hiredfor, for,may mayfilefileananobjection objectionatatDOLE DOLE intended RegionalOffice OfficeNational NationalCapital CapitalRegion Regionlocated locatedatat967 967 Regional Maligaya Street Malate Manila Maligaya Street Malate Manila
Company/ Employer Company/ Employer PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. th th st st and floor ECOPRIME 2020 and 2121 floor ECOPRIME nd nd th th BLDG Cor. Ave. BGC BLDG 3232 STST Cor. 9 9Ave. BGC Taguig 1630 Taguig 1630 Nature business: Other Nature ofof business: Other Services Activity Services Activity Name foreign national Name ofof foreign national intending apply for the intending toto apply for the position position Name:ZHAN ZHAN JIANHUI Name: JIANHUI Address:Bonifacio Bonifacio Global City Address: Global City Taguig Taguig Nationality:CHINESE CHINESE Nationality: Intended period employment: Intended period ofof employment: One year One (1)(1) year Pleaseinform informDOLE DOLENCR NCRif ifyou you Please haveany anyinformation informationononcriminal criminal have offencescommitted committedbybythe theforeign foreign offences nationals. nationals.
Position title Regional Manager Position title –– Regional Manager JobDescription: Description:- overseeing - overseeingand andcoordinating coordinatingthe theoperations operationsofofa acompany companywithin withina aspecific specific Job geographicalregion, region,achieving achievingbusiness businessgoals goalsbybymanaging managingmultiple multipleteams, teams,developing developingsales sales geographical strategies,building buildingcustomer customerrelationships, relationships,and andensuring ensuringconsistent consistentperformance performanceacross acrossallall strategies, locationswithin withintheir theirterritory, territory,often oftenincluding includingtasks taskslike likestaff stafftraining, training,budget budgetmanagement, management,and and locations performanceanalysis analysisand andrequiring requiringfluency fluencyin inMandarin MandarinChinese Chinesetotoeffectively effectivelycommunicate communicate performance with clients, staff, and partners and senior professionals China, Taiwan and other Mandarin with clients, staff, and partners and toto senior professionals in in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients. speaking counterpart and clients. Company/ Employer Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional Company/ Employer Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): PH GLOBAL JET EXPRESS INC. License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): 20TH 21ST Floors Ecoprime 32nd -College University Graduate 20TH && 21ST Floors Ecoprime 32nd -College oror University Graduate street Corner 9th Avenue Bonifacio -Bilingual Mandarin and English street Corner 9th Avenue Bonifacio -Bilingual in in Mandarin and English Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City -Management Related Experience Global City, Fort Bonifacio, City ofof -Management Related Experience Applications may sent PH GLOBAL JET Applications may bebe sent to:to: PH GLOBAL JET Taguig Taguig EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph EXPRESS INC. hqrecruitment@jtexpress.ph Nature business: Other Services Nature ofof business: Other Services Activity Activity Companyhereby herebydeclares declaresthat thatthe theabove-named above-named Company Name foreign national intending ofof foreign national intending foreign national able, willing, and qualified perform Name foreign national is is able, willing, and qualified toto perform apply for the position apply for the position theservices servicesand andjob jobdescription descriptionforforthis thisposition. position.The The toto the Name: WANG WEI HUANG 1.1. WANG WEI 2.2. HUANG companyhas hasthe theintention intentiontotoemploy employthe thesaid saidforeign foreign Name: company TIANYU nationaland andapply applyforforananAlien AlienEmployment EmploymentPermit Permit TIANYU national Address: Bonifacio Global Taguig City Address: Bonifacio Global Taguig City withthe theDepartment DepartmentofofLabor Laborand andEmployment Employment- with Nationality:CHINESE CHINESE NationalCapital CapitalRegion Regionlocated locatedatat967 967Maligaya Maligaya Nationality: National Intended period employment: One Intended period ofof employment: One Street Malate Manila Street Malate Manila year (1)(1) year AnyFilipino Filipinojobseeker jobseekerwho whois iscompetent, competent,able ableand and Any Pleaseinform informDOLE DOLENCR NCRif ifyou youhave have willing performthe theservices servicesforforwhich whichthe theforeign foreign Please Manila willing totoperform Manila anyinformation informationononcriminal criminaloffences offences nationalis isintended intendedtotobebehired hiredfor, for,may mayfilefileanan any national committed the foreign nationals. objectionatatDOLE DOLERegional RegionalOffice OfficeNational NationalCapital Capital committed byby the foreign nationals. objection Region located 967 Maligaya Street Malate Manila Region located atat 967 Maligaya Street Malate Manila
TODAY TODAY
CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED SYNOPSIS THE ANNUAL STATEMENT SYNOPSIS OFOF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT December 2025 AsAs ofof December 31,31, 2025 ASSETS ASSETS
Investments Trust Funds Investments in in Trust Funds Insurance Premium Fund Insurance Premium Fund Cash on Hand & in Banks Cash on Hand & in Banks Short Term Investments Short Term Investments Stocks Stocks Real Estate Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Accrued Investment Income Accounts / Notes Receivable Accounts / Notes Receivable Other Assets Other Assets Total Assets Total Assets
POWER distribution giant Manila Electric Co. xpects full-year sales growth to settle between 2 percent and 2.5 percent as signs of recovery emerge, boosted by a 6.9 percent sales surge in July. “For the first half of 2026, Meralco’s distribution utility business remained operationally resilient, supported by a growing customer base, record peak demand, and continued improvements in service reliability indicators,” Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco chief operating officer, said. First-half energy sales reached 26,967 gigawatt-hours, down 0.5 percent yearover-year, primarily because cooler weather dampened demand. Energy demand recovery during the summer was also tempered by intensified conservation measures following the escalation of the Middle East conflict. Faster customer energization partly offset those effects and cushioned the overall sales decline. “While energy sales were marginally lower year-on-year in the first half, electricity demand has begun to recover, and starting July, year-to-date energy sales are expected to return to positive growth territory,” Aperocho said. Meralco faces tempered growth despite a steady customer expansion, driven by lower-consuming residential connections, rooftop solar adoption, and reduced
industrial activity. Aperocho noted that while customer count grew 2.2 percent, the composition of new connections altered sales dynamics. “The sales [are] still tempered. It’s because of the fact that the new customers coming in, 50 percent of them are from the residential segment,” Aperocho said. “In terms of sales contribution, it’s not as impactful compared to when commercial or industrial customers enter.” Many newly connected residential customers are also installing rooftop solar panels to lower electricity bills and grid reliance. To adapt, Meralco is using its solar unit, MSpectrum, to offer financed rooftop installations with zero upfront costs, structuring agreements similarly to power supply contracts. High electricity rates have also triggered aggressive energy conservation. Major commercial shopping centers have shortened operating hours, while the industrial segment faces broader structural headwinds. “For the industrial segment, there are a few steel companies that have really closed down already, so that’s really impacting our sales as well,” Aperocho said. Meralco anticipates a stronger rebound in the second half of the year, bolstered by warmer weather patterns tied to El Niño, which typically drive up cooling demand.
FILINVESTLIFEMALLS LIFEMALLSMIMOSA, MIMOSA,INC. INC. FILINVEST August2026 2026 1010August
NOTICEOF OFSPECIAL SPECIALSTOCKHOLDERS’ STOCKHOLDERS’MEETING MEETING NOTICE Noticeisishereby herebygiven giventhat thata aSpecial SpecialMeeting Meetingofofthe theStockholders StockholdersofofFILINVEST FILINVESTLIFEMALLS LIFEMALLSMIMOSA, MIMOSA,INC. INC. Notice (the“Corporation”) “Corporation”)will willbebeheld heldononTuesday, Tuesday,1818August August2026 2026via viaremote remotecommunication communication(Microsoft (MicrosoftTeams) Teams)atat (the 9:00A.M. A.M.ininaccordance accordancewith withSecurities Securitiesand andExchange ExchangeCommission CommissionMemorandum MemorandumCircular Circular(SEC (SECMC) MC)06-2020, 06-2020, 9:00 whichmeeting meetingthe thefollowing followingmatters matterswill willbebetaken takenup: up: atatwhich CalltotoOrder; Order; 1.1. Call CertificationofofQuorum; Quorum; 2.2. Certification Approvalofofthe theProposed ProposedAmendment Amendmentofofthe theFourth FourthArticle Articleofofthe theCorporation’s Corporation’sArticles ArticlesofofIncorporation Incorporation 3.3. Approval shortenitsitscorporate corporateterm termtoto3131December December2026; 2026; totoshorten Adjournment 4.4. Adjournment PursuanttotoSEC SECMC MC06-2020, 06-2020,the theBoard BoardofofDirectors, Directors,during duringitsitsmeeting meetingonon2929July July2026, 2026,has hasapproved approvedthat thatthe the Pursuant SpecialStockholders’ Stockholders’Meeting Meetingbebeconducted conductedinina afully fullyvirtual virtualformat. format.AsAssuch, such,the thestockholders stockholdersmay mayattend attendthe the Special saidmeeting meetingonly onlybybyremote remotecommunication communicationand andbybyvoting votingthrough throughremote remotecommunication communicationororproxy. proxy.ByByresoluresolusaid tionofofthe theBoard BoardofofDirectors, Directors,the theclose closeofofbusiness businessononMonday, Monday,1010August August2026 2026has hasbeen beenfixed fixedasasthe therecord record tion dateforforthe thedetermination determinationofofthe thestockholders stockholdersentitled entitledtotonotice noticeof,of,and andtotovote voteat,at,the theSpecial SpecialStockholders’ Stockholders’ date Meetingand andany anyadjournment adjournmentthereof. thereof. Meeting TheCorporation Corporationisisnot notsoliciting solicitingyour yourproxy. proxy.However, However,stockholders stockholderswho whowish wishtotovote votebybyproxy proxyshall shallsubmit submitthe the The sametotothe theOffice Officeofofthe theCorporate CorporateSecretary Secretarylocated locatedatatOne OneFilinvest, Filinvest,Ortigas OrtigasAve., Ave.,cor. cor.ADB ADBAve., Ave.,and andSapSapsame phireRoad, Road,Pasig PasigCity, City,ororbybyemail emailtotocorpsec@filinvestland.com. corpsec@filinvestland.com. phire KATRINAO.O.CLEMENTE-LUA CLEMENTE-LUA KATRINA CorporateSecretary Secretary Corporate
₱₱
34,763,591.32 34,763,591.32 100,501.11 100,501.11 107,144,361.92 107,144,361.92 129,500,000.00 129,500,000.00 8,985,864.35 8,985,864.35 60,988,025.69 60,988,025.69 1,626,930.55 1,626,930.55 47,559,638.60 47,559,638.60 349,586.60 349,586.60 391,018,500.14 ₱ ₱ 391,018,500.14
LIABILITIES LIABILITIES
Pre-need Reserves Pre-need Reserves Insurance Premium Reserves Insurance Premium Reserves Other Reserves Other Reserves Planholders' Benefit Payable Planholders' Benefit Payable Planholders' Deposits Planholders' Deposits Counselors' Bond Reserves Counselors' Bond Reserves Accounts / Notes Payable Accounts / Notes Payable Taxes Payable Taxes Payable Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Other Liabilities Total Liabilities Total Liabilities
By Alena Mae S. Flores
THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority is poised to complete the Hacienda Luisita Interchange in Tarlac, with the project’s total cost expected to reach P300 million, including a new toll collection system. BCDA president and chief executive Joshua Bingcang said about P200 million will go toward civil works, with total investment reaching roughly P300 million once the toll collection system is integrated. “We will complete the entire interchange because now, only half of it was built. We will build the two missing ramps,” Bingcang said. The project features two components covering ramps for Tarlac-PangasinanLa Union Expressway/Baguio-bound and Clark/Subic/Manila-bound traffic, completing the current partial interchange. For the TPLEX/Baguio-bound side, the BCDA will construct a 624-meter, twolane access entry ramp and a 242-meter, single-lane exit ramp. Construction includes a toll plaza, drainage systems, slope protection, utilities, streetlights, and ancillary structures. For the Clark/Subic/Manila-bound side, the project involves a 681-meter, twolane access exit ramp, along with a toll plaza, drainage, slope protection, utilities, streetlights, and ancillary structures. The existing interchange allows travel between Clark and Luisita, but lacks direct access for motorists traveling between Luisita and Baguio. Bingcang said the contract has been awarded, with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled Tuesday alongside Tarlac Gov. Christian Tell Yap. The completed interchange is expected to improve connectivity to major developments in Tarlac, including Luisita Industrial Park, Crescendo, and TARI Estate, while strengthening access to the Central Luzon growth corridor. The project is targeted for completion within nine months, Bingcang said.
Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional Qualification (Education, Experience, Professional License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): License, Skills Certification, Specialized Training): -College University Graduate -College oror University Graduate -Bilingual Mandarin and English -Bilingual in in Mandarin and English -Business/Management Related Experience -Business/Management Related Experience
Standard Standard
BCDA to complete Meralco targets 2% to 2.5% sales Luisita Interchange growth for 2026 as demand rebounds ramp in 9 months By Othel V. Campos
Position title Administrative Manager Position title –– Administrative Manager JobDescription: Description:- oversees - overseesdaily dailyoffice officeoperations, operations,manages managesadministrative administrativestaff, staff,and andensures ensures Job efficient workflow and communication across departments. This role involves supervising support efficient workflow and communication across departments. This role involves supervising support personnel,maintaining maintainingoffice officesystems systemsand andprocedures, procedures,and andassisting assistingin inthe thedevelopment developmentand and personnel, enforcementofofcompany companypolicies policiesand andthrough throughthe theuse useofofMandarin Mandarinnative nativelanguage languagetotosenior senior enforcement professionals China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients professionals in in China, Taiwan and other Mandarin speaking counterpart and clients
₱₱
₱₱
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
20,118,751.53 20,118,751.53 30,107.85 30,107.85 109,716.34 109,716.34 5,283,110.09 5,283,110.09 2,976.55 2,976.55 2,733.30 2,733.30 4,956,783.76 4,956,783.76 615,664.26 615,664.26 3,247.45 3,247.45 7,942,579.15 7,942,579.15 39,065,670.28 39,065,670.28
158,125,000.00 ₱ ₱ 158,125,000.00
Paid-up Capital Stock Paid-up Capital Stock Special Surplus Funds: Special Surplus Funds: Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve - Trust funds Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve - Trust funds Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve - Corporate Assets Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve - Corporate Assets Retained Earnings - Trust Fund Retained Earnings - Trust Fund Retained Earnings - Corporate Assets Retained Earnings - Corporate Assets Total Stockholders' Equity Total Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities Stockholders' Equity Total Liabilities && Stockholders' Equity
(1,287,226.61) (1,287,226.61) 4,814,658.96 4,814,658.96 10,745,224.77 10,745,224.77 179,555,172.74 179,555,172.74 351,952,829.86 351,952,829.86 391,018,500.14 ₱ ₱ 391,018,500.14
CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED Consolidated Trust Fund Annual Statement Consolidated Trust Fund Annual Statement December 2025 AsAs ofof December 31,31, 2025
ASSETS ASSETS Government Securities Government Securities Cash Savings/Time Deposits Cash in in Savings/Time Deposits Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITF) Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITF) Real Estate Real Estate Other Allowable Investments: Other Allowable Investments: Other Equity Securities Other Equity Securities Accrued Investment Income Accrued Investment Income Other Assets Other Assets
₱₱
₱₱
LIABILITIES LIABILITIES
Pension Pension 19,478,945.26 19,478,945.26 2,320,922.38 2,320,922.38 6,335,988.89 6,335,988.89 5,149,283.18 5,149,283.18 561,725.43 561,725.43 153,400.90 153,400.90 1,440,324.07 1,440,324.07 35,440,590.11 35,440,590.11
₱₱
Trustee Fee Payable Trustee Fee Payable Other Liabilities Other Liabilities FUND EQUITY FUND EQUITY Trust Fund Equity Trust Fund Equity
₱₱
22,310.22 22,310.22 654,688.57 654,688.57 676,998.79 676,998.79
₱₱
34,763,591.32 34,763,591.32
* This synopsis, prepared from 2025 Annual Statements, approved Insurance Commissioner, * This synopsis, prepared from thethe 2025 Annual Statements, approved by by thethe Insurance Commissioner, is published pursuant Section of the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines. is published pursuant to to Section 44 44 of the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines.
INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID The ILOCOS NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (INEC) through Bids and Awards The ILOCOS NORTE ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (INEC) through itsits Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) inviting interested manufacturers, and distributors goods apply and Committee (BAC) is is inviting allall interested manufacturers, and distributors ofof goods toto apply forfor and bid the following: bid forfor the following: BidBid No.No.
Name Name of of Project Project (Brief (Brief Description) Description)
ABC ABC
Source Source of of Fund Fund
Completion Completion Period Period
Accreditation Accreditation Fee Fee (valid (valid forfor 1 year) 1 year)
NonNonRefundable Refundable Fees/Bid Fees/Bid documents documents
BACBAC17-172026 2026
SUPPLY AND SUPPLY AND DELIVERY DELIVERY OFOF KWHM CLASS KWHM CLASS 1 1 240B BOTTOM 240B BOTTOM CONNECTED CONNECTED
₱20,400,000.00 ₱20,400,000.00 TSD-072026TSD-0720262461 2461
CAPEX CAPEX
DAYS 30 30 DAYS Upon receipt Upon receipt Notice of of Notice to to Proceed Proceed
₱10,000.00 ₱10,000.00
₱25,000.00 ₱25,000.00
BACBAC18-182026 2026
SUPPLY AND SUPPLY AND DELIVERY DELIVERY OFOF VARIOUS LINE VARIOUS LINE MATERIALS MATERIALS
₱ 8,999,450.00 ₱ 8,999,450.00 TSD-072026TSD-0720262438 2438
GFGF
DAYS 30 30 DAYS Upon receipt Upon receipt Notice of of Notice to to Proceed Proceed
₱10,000.00 ₱10,000.00
₱25,000.00 ₱25,000.00
BACBAC19-192026 2026
SUPPLY AND SUPPLY AND DELIVERY DELIVERY HEALTH OFOF HEALTH INSURANCE INSURANCE
₱ 6,282,000.00 ₱ 6,282,000.00 ISD-022026ISD-0220262862 2862
GFGF
DAYS 30 30 DAYS Upon receipt Upon receipt Notice of of Notice to to Proceed Proceed
₱10,000.00 ₱10,000.00
₱25,000.00 ₱25,000.00
Prospective Bidders should have completed similar contract, and have key personnel and Prospective Bidders should have completed aa similar contract, and have key personnel and equipment available the execution the contract. The Eligibility Check/Screening, well the equipment available forfor the execution ofof the contract. The Eligibility Check/Screening, asas well asas the Preliminary Examination Bids, shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification Preliminary Examination ofof Bids, shall use non-discretionary “pass/fail” criteria. Post-qualification ofof theLowest LowestCalculated CalculatedBid Bid(LCB) (LCB)shall shallbebeconducted. conducted. particularsrelative relativetotoEligibility EligibilityStatement Statement the AllAllparticulars andScreening, Screening,Bid BidSecurity, Security,Performance PerformanceSecurity, Security,Pre-Bidding Pre-BiddingConference, Conference,Evaluation EvaluationofofBids, Bids, and PostQualification Qualificationand and AwardofofContract Contractshall shallbebegoverned governedbybythe thepertinent pertinentprovisions provisionsofofthe theNEA NEA Post Award Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures Electric Cooperatives. Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures forfor Electric Cooperatives. complete schedule activities listed, follows: ToTo complete schedule ofof activities is is listed, asas follows: Procurement Activity Procurement Activity
Date Date
Conditions/Remarks Conditions/Remarks
Advertisement/Posting Invitation Advertisement/Posting of of Invitation to to BidBid
August 2026 August 9, 9, 2026
Start Availability Bidding Documents Start of of Availability of of Bidding Documents
Pre-Bid Conference Pre-Bid Conference
August 2026 August 17,17, 2026
10:00 INEC Training Room, Main 10:00 AMAM at at INEC Training Room, Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte
Deadline Submission and Receipt Deadline of of Submission and Receipt of of Bids, and Opening Bids, and BidBid Opening
August 2026 August 28,28, 2026
10:00 INEC Main Office, Brgy. 10:00 AMAM at at INEC Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte
Evaluation & Post Qualification BidBid Evaluation & Post Qualification
August 30-31, 2026 August 30-31, 2026
INEC Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, INEC Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Ilocos Norte
Issuance Notice Award Issuance of of Notice of of Award
announced ToTo bebe announced
announced ToTo bebe announced
Interestedbidders biddersmay mayobtain obtainfurther furtherinformation informationfrom fromINEC INECthrough throughthe theBAC BACand anditsits Interested Secretariat located INEC Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte. Secretariat located in in INEC Main Office, Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte. INEC reserves the right accept reject any bid, annul the bidding process and reject INEC reserves the right toto accept oror reject any bid, toto annul the bidding process and toto reject bidsatatany anytime timeprior priortotocontract contractaward, award,without withoutthereby therebyincurring incurringany anyliability liabilitytotothe theaffected affected allallbids bidder bidders. bidder oror bidders. For further information, please refer For further information, please refer to:to: THE INEC BAC SECRETARIAT THE INEC BAC SECRETARIAT Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc. (INEC) Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Brgy. Suyo, Dingras, Ilocos Norte Email : bidsawardc@gmail.com (Lorena Bungcayao) Email : bidsawardc@gmail.com (Lorena T.T. Bungcayao) Contact Nos.: (077) : (077) 600-46-32 loc. 1101; 09608179844 Contact Nos. 600-46-32 loc. 1101; 09608179844 : (077) 600-46-32 loc. 1301; 09611003849 : (077) 600-46-32 loc. 1301; 09611003849 (Sgd.)ENGR. ENGR. ALBERTO ACERET (Sgd.) ALBERTO C.C. ACERET BAC Chairman BAC Chairman
Noted by: Noted by: (Sgd.) MR. CIPRIANO MARTINEZ (Sgd.) MR. CIPRIANO E.E. MARTINEZ IIIIII General Manager General Manager
CYANMAGENTA MAGENTAYELLOW YELLOWBLACK BLACK CYAN
BUSINESS
B4
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
PH bans livestock imports from seven countries T By Othel V. Campos
HE Department of Agriculture (DA) said over the weekend in imposed a temporary ban on imports of live animals and selected animal products from seven countries in the Middle East and Europe following confirmed outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The suspension covers Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait and Palestine. Under Department Circular No. 39, the Philippines will prohibit imports of live swine, cattle, water buffaloes and other FMD-susceptible animals, as well as fresh skeletal muscle meat, casings, tallow, hooves, horns and animal semen from the affected countries. The DA said the ban followed an official report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations confirming outbreaks of FMD virus serotype SAT1 in the affected economies. The cases were validated through laboratory testing in coordination with the World Organisation for Animal Health reference laboratory network. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the Philippines has worked hard to protect its livestock sector from devastating animal diseases.
“Acting swiftly against emerging risks is essential to safeguarding food security, protecting farmers’ livelihoods and preserving public confidence in our food supply,” Tiu Laurel said. The DA said products classified by the World Organisation for Animal Health as “safe commodities” will remain eligible for importation, subject to veterinary certification and prescribed processing requirements. These include ultra-high-temperature milk and dairy products, heattreated canned meat, protein meal, gelatin and certain processed hides and leather products. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep and buffaloes. It poses no risk to human health but can severely disrupt livestock production, drive up costs and cause substantial economic losses.
Officials from the Public-Private Partnership Center, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), and Aboitiz InfraCapital gather at Mactan-Cebu International Airport following a site visit highlighting how sustained public-private collaboration continues to enhance the passenger experience and strengthen one of the country’s busiest gateways. Led by Undersecretary and PPP Center executive-director Rizza Blanco-Latorre, the delegation toured MCIA’s passenger terminals, baggage handling facilities, immigration area, commercial spaces and Operations Control Center.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport cited as PPP model MACTAN-CEBU International Airport (MCIA) served more than 6.4 million passengers in the first half of 2026, up 9.1 percent from the same period last year, officials said following a site visit that highlighted the airport’s publicprivate partnership (PPP) with Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC). The Public-Private Partnership Center of the Philippines, led by executivedirector Rizza Blanco-Latorre, toured MCIA’s passenger terminals, baggage handling facilities, immigration area, commercial spaces and Operations Control Center alongside representatives from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and Aboitiz InfraCapital, the airport’s private sector partner responsible for its operation and maintenance. The MCIA project, implemented
under a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement, has expanded beyond its original infrastructure investment through continued collaboration with the Department of Transportation and MCIAA, officials said. Aboitiz InfraCapital has invested P231 million over the past two years to introduce sustainability and passenger-focused improvements, including CEB Connects, which enables minimum connection times of 35 minutes for domestic-to-domestic transfers and 60 minutes for international-todomestic journeys. The company also launched CEB Balik, a support program for overseas Filipino workers that includes an OFW Lounge and an OFW Facilitation Center offering waiting areas and access to government services.
China Bank Savings, ProFriends team up to boost home financing access CHINA Bank Savings (CBS) has teamed up with Property Company of Friends Inc. (ProFriends) to bring home financing assistance closer to prospective buyers, the companies said. The partnership was launched during a home loan processing activity held at Leighton Hall, Lancaster New City in Cavite, done in the spirit of “Kasalan ng Bayan.” Around 30 families and individuals looking to buy a home attended the event. Participants asked questions and sought guidance from CBS banking professionals while completing home loan applications at the venue. CBS bankers helped attendees understand the financing options available to them, and the application process was streamlined for onsite applicants. “We wanted to bring our financial services closer to aspiring homeowners and help make the transition from renting to owning more seamless. We want buyers to feel empowered, informed, and confident that homeownership is an achievable milestone, not an intimidating hurdle,” said China
Bank Savings housing loans division head Mary Joy Mariano. Applications completed during the activity will undergo the bank’s standard credit evaluation and approval procedures. The partnership gives prospective homeowners both property options and accessible financing assistance. Through coordinated support, available promotions and dedicated account officers, applicants receive guidance from submitting requirements through completing the bank’s credit evaluation process. For ProFriends, the partnership offers prospective buyers a more convenient way to access property information and home financing assistance in one venue. “Our partnership with China Bank Savings helps make home financing simpler and easier for Filipino families to understand. By bringing loan assistance directly to prospective homeowners, we can provide a more seamless and less stressful application experience,” said ProFriends client relations group head Eloisa Craw.
IEMOP expects rooftop solar bill to reduce power rate, grid demand By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP) expects the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act to lower power costs by unlocking the potential of rooftop solar projects to reduce grid demand. IEMOP vice-president for trading operations Isidro Cacho Jr. said the bill would directly affect distribution utilities and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market. “The direct impact of that, of course, is on our DUs. That also has an impact on the market,” Cacho said. “That means that instead of the demand in the market being greater, it will be smaller, offset by our
LA-Z-BOY GALLERY. La-ZBoy, a US brand known for recliners and furniture, opens its latest gallery in Robinsons Magnolia on July 21, 2026 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and blessing. Attending the event are (from left) BLIMS Lifestyle Group chief operating officer Sam Gregory Lim, La-Z-Boy Asia general-manager Ratharuj Manaswatcharapong, Robinsons Malls head of marketing Jess Zulueta III; La-Z-Boy merchandising manager Isabel Merjudio, Robinsons Malls senior regional operations manager Jasmin Lucio, Robinsons Malls area lease manager Charmaine Tang and Robinsons Malls senior regional marketing manager Vitoria Chua.
distributed energy resources. So it will no longer be visible in the market,” he said. Cacho said lower market demand mirrors the impact on utilities. “Ultimately, in the market, you will see that demand will be lower. If demand is low, our supply margin will be higher, which could result in more competitive prices,” he said. Even without the bill, many consumers are installing rooftop solar systems with 5- to 10-kilowatt capacities, Cacho said. He said IEMOP can quantify the impact of solar at the grid level, noting that prices drop to as low as P2 per kilowatt-hour. Rooftop solar would need to generate roughly 10 megawatts to significantly move the market, he added.
SUPPORT FOR RIDERS. The Bistro Group is expanding hospitality services
for food delivery riders through its Rider Hospitality Care Initiative, as the rainy season brings longer travel times and more difficult working conditions for delivery partners nationwide. The program provides designated waiting areas, complimentary drinking water and snacks, priority assistance with order updates, clean restroom access and charging stations at Bistro Group restaurants across the country.
IN BRIEF Levanta breaks ground on P5-b Iloilo solar plant
LEVANTA Renewables, a Southeast Asian renewable energy platform backed by Actis, held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 166-megawatt-peak ground-mounted solar photovoltaic project in Iloilo province. The Barotac Viejo Solar Power Project, valued at P5 billion, is integrated with an 80-megawatthour Battery Energy Storage System. It is being developed through project company Magallanes Solar Energy Corp., with commercial operations scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027. Once operational, the facility is expected to generate approximately 261 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power around 136,000 households, while avoiding an estimated 200,000 metric tons of carbon emissions each year. Representatives from the Department of Energy, government agencies, project partners and local stakeholders attended the ceremony, which featured the official groundbreaking and the lowering of a time capsule. “The groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the Barotac Viejo Solar Power Project and reflects the collective effort of our government partners, host communities and project teams,” said Levanta Renewables chief executive Pramod Singh. Alena Mae S. Flores
AirAsia PH keeps ranking as most punctual carrier
AIRASIA Philippines maintained its ranking as the world’s most punctual low-cost carrier in July, posting a 94.42-percent on-time performance (OTP) to place first among 46 low-cost airlines monitored globally, according to the latest report from aviation data provider OAG. The airline also ranked second worldwide in OAG’s All Airlines category, which covers carriers operating more than 1,500 flights during the month, outperforming most full-service competitors. The July ranking builds on AirAsia Philippines’ performance in June, when it posted a 92.96 percent OTP to rank fourth globally, reflecting sustained improvements in operational efficiency. AirAsia Philippines president and chief executive Anna Victoria Lu said the airline’s fleet optimization and streamlined operations drove the improved punctuality despite industry-wide challenges. “While the global geopolitical crisis and elevated fuel prices have pushed us to make difficult decisions and operational adjustments, our move to optimize our fleet is now yielding tangible benefits,” Lu said. “It enabled us to plan our flights, fuel consumption and manage our slot compliance in close coordination with Air Traffic Control. These measures help us minimize disruptions while ensuring safe, reliable and efficient operations across our network,” she said. Darwin G. Amojelar
DA, TESDA sign 5-year deal on urban agriculture training
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a five-year partnership agreement to institutionalize urban and peri-urban agriculture as a technical vocation, creating skills training, certification and career pathways for aspiring urban farmers. The agreement will establish urban agriculture within the country’s technical and vocational education system through the development of the Urban Agriculture Production NC II, along with national competency standards, training regulations, curricula and assessment tools for the sector. The memorandum of agreement (MOA) aims to transform urban gardening enthusiasts into certified practitioners, trainers, assessors and agricultural educators, promoting city farming as a strategy to improve food security, generate livelihoods and build climate resilience. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the program builds on the growing interest in urban gardening that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many Filipinos converted rooftops, balconies and vacant lots into productive vegetable gardens. “I have always believed that Filipinos have a special gift. Give us a small patch of land, a rooftop, a balcony or even a few recycled containers, and before long, someone has turned them into a thriving garden,” Tiu Laurel said. Othel V. Campos
In 2024, MCIA became the first airport in the Philippines to deploy bridge-mounted equipment and electric ground support systems, allowing aircraft to use fixed electrical power and pre-conditioned air at the gate. The technology cuts aircraft emissions and lowers airline operating costs by 40 percent to 60 percent, according to Aboitiz InfraCapital. The investments contributed to MCIA being named Best Airport in Asia-Pacific in the 5-million-to15-million-passenger category at the 2025 Airports Council International Airport Service Quality Awards. Aboitiz InfraCapital head of corporate affairs Christopher Camba said the visit reflected the value of sustained cooperation between the company and its government partners.
Motorycle taxi riders back LTFRB’s registration drive THE Motorcycle Taxi Riders Organization (METRO) welcomed the opening of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board’s (LTFRB) provisional authority to operate (PAO) registration, calling it the mechanism that will formally recognize the riders who built the motorcycle taxi industry over the past decade. METRO co-convenor Jason Luna said the registration marks a new phase for an industry that spent nearly 10 years pushing for legal recognition. “We have long fought for motorcycle taxis to be recognized as a legitimate part of public transportation. Now, we are also beginning to recognize and register the riders who helped build this industry,” Luna said, speaking in Filipino. Luna said PAO registration protects legitimate riders by reserving industry opportunities for those who entered under regulatory guidelines. “It’s time to prioritize legitimate riders. When registration is clear and riders are verified, earning opportunities become fairer and riders’ livelihoods are better protected,” he said. He said the registration also benefits commuters. “When the list of riders is clean, accountability becomes clearer, trips become safer and public trust in the motorcycle taxi industry increases,” Luna said. Luna said recent issues involving rider records reinforced the need for the government’s industry clean-up. He said overboarding surfaced following the distribution of financial assistance, which exposed “ghost riders” who should not have been part of the system. “The real losers here are the legitimate riders who lose earning opportunities, the commuters who depend on accountable service, and the public who expect government assistance to reach genuine beneficiaries,” Luna said. “That is why a clean, verified and accountable rider registry is so important,” he said. METRO urged fellow riders to take part in the registration process and to rely only on verified information as the industry enters its next chapter. “This is our chance to ensure the next chapter of the motorcycle taxi industry is built by the genuine riders who stood up for it,” Luna said. The group reaffirmed its commitment to working with the LTFRB, the Department of Transportation, motorcycle taxi operators and fellow rider organizations to build an industry it said would deliver fair opportunities for legitimate riders, stronger accountability, safer roads for commuters and a professional motorcycle taxi sector for future generations.
REAL ESTATE
C1
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
extrastory2000@gmail.com Jenniffer B. Austria, Issue Editor
Chan-Toei Properties to develop new residential community in Nuvali
CHAN-TOEI Properties Inc. (CTP) is set to develop a new residential community within Ayala Land Inc.’s (ALI) Nuvali estate in Laguna, expanding its presence in one of Southern Luzon’s largest masterplanned developments. The project will add to Nuvali’s growing residential portfolio as the estate continues to attract developers catering to families looking for homes within an integrated community. CTP will take charge of the planning, design, development and marketing of the new neighborhood. ALI, meanwhile, will continue to oversee the long-term planning, stewardship and sustainability of Nuvali. “We are pleased to welcome ChanToei Properties as one of the select residential developers in Nuvali,” ALI president and chief executive Anna Ma. Margarita Dy said. Dy said CTP’s approach to residential development fits Nuvali’s long-term vision of creating communities that integrate homes with the estate’s natural surroundings. The new community will be within walking distance of CTP’s flagship project, Hana Garden Villas,
where the developer has introduced Japanese-inspired residential designs. CTP said the strong market reception of Hana Garden Villas, with most sales coming from end-users rather than investors, showed demand for homes intended for long-term ownership and family living. “We are deeply honored by the opportunity to become part of Nuvali’s continuing story,” CTP chairman Jose Mari Chan said. “At Chan-Toei Properties, we believe a home should enrich everyday life. We look forward to creating a community that reflects our commitment to thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and places where families can build meaningful lives for generations,” Chan said. The new development will give future residents access to Nuvali’s network of educational institutions, health-care facilities, retail destinations and recreational parks. CTP is a joint venture between the Chan family, whose businesses include sugar manufacturing, trading and power cogeneration, and TOEI, a subsidiary of IIDA Group Holdings, Japan’s largest homebuilder by number of homes built annually.
T
How Gen Z is changing the way malls are built
HE rise of Gen Z is changing the way Philippine malls and retail spaces are being planned, with younger consumers placing greater value on experiences, social interaction and convenience alongside traditional shopping. Gen Z and millennials account for more than half of the voting population, giving their preferences increasing weight in decisions on where and how retailers operate. For developers, the challenge is no longer simply to provide spaces where consumers can buy products, but to create destinations that give them reasons to visit and stay. The shift comes as younger shoppers become more accustomed to online shopping. With products readily available through digital platforms, physical stores have to offer something that cannot be replicated as easily on a smartphone. This is pushing retailers and mall operators toward more experiential formats. Stores are increasingly being designed as places where consumers can try products, participate in activities, eat, meet friends or simply spend time. Shopping to destination Prime Philippines in a its midyear report said food and beverage
is among the sectors benefiting from this shift. Dining out remains a regular activity among Filipino consumers, making restaurants, cafes and other food concepts an important component of mall planning. For younger consumers, these spaces can serve several purposes at once. A cafe can be a place to meet friends, study or work, while a restaurant can become part of a social activity rather than simply a place to eat. The same principle applies to specialty retail. A store that offers workshops, demonstrations, entertainment or other activities can give consumers a reason to visit even without an immediate intention to purchase. This is creating a more diverse retail environment, where conventional shops sit alongside concepts built around food, entertainment, hobbies and social interaction. Experiential retail Mall developers are spending
heavily to turn traditional shopping centers into lifestyle destinations, with experiential retail becoming a major part of redevelopment plans. The PRIME Philippines study said Ayala Land Inc., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and Robinsons Land Corp. have committed more than P170 billion combined for mall redevelopment through 2030. The investments are focused on upgrading existing malls and giving customers more reasons to stay longer. Experiential retail combines shopping with dining, entertainment, leisure and social activities. The study cited the integration of coffee shops into home improvement and furniture stores, as well as the addition of pickleball spaces, as examples of how retail spaces are being redesigned to appeal to younger consumers. The strategy comes as mall occupancy remains strong. Overall mall occupancy reached 93 percent in the first quarter of 2026, up from 88.2 percent in 2022, according to the study. For developers, the shift means malls are being designed not only as places to shop but also as destinations where consumers can dine, exercise, socialize and spend leisure time. Jenniffer B. Austria
Avesta brings a new chapter of 4PH housing to Cavite THE government’s expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) program continues to move forward as PH1 World Developers topped off the first tower of Avesta Residences in Imus, Cavite, marking a major construction milestone for the housing project. The topping-off ceremony held last week marked the completion of the structural framework of Tower 1, the first building in the multi-tower development. Avesta Residences is PH1 World Developers’ first project under the government’s expanded 4PH program, which seeks to address the country’s housing backlog through cooperation between the public and private sectors. “For both PH1 World Developers and Megawide Construction, the topping off after less than ten months from the start of construction conveys a clear message—we can deliver using our engineering expertise and precast technology,” Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said. “We have a long way to go but it is always good to start on the right footing,” he added. The milestone follows the MegaUnit Draw for Tower 1 beneficiaries held at the New Imus City Hall in December 2025, marking the project’s progress from planning to on-site construction. PH1 World Developers president Gigi Alcantara said the company’s 4PH projects would not have moved forward without the support of its government partners and other stakeholders. “We warmly welcome these types of private and public cooperation as we push forward for more 4PH developments from PH1 and Megawide Construction,” Alcantara said. Following Avesta Residences, PH1 World Developers expanded its participation in the government housing program with additional projects in Dasmariñas and Bacoor in Cavite, as well as Caloocan. The company said the developments will add to the supply of affordable and accessible housing for Filipino families. PH1 World Developers has a portfolio of vertical and horizontal housing projects, including Avesta Residences, Salinas-Bacoor and the Dasmariñas project under the expanded 4PH program.
DMCI-PDI enters office market with One Fortis Plaza in Makati DMCI Project Developers Inc. (DMCI-PDI) is entering the office market with One Fortis Plaza, a 17-story development along Chino Roces Avenue in Makati City that will offer prime office spaces near major business districts and transport links. The project marks DMCI-PDI’s entry into office development, building on the company’s experience in residential projects as well as its engineering and construction capabilities. One Fortis Plaza will rise on a 2,400-square-meter property within the Makati Southwest Gateway, a redevelopment initiative of the Makati City government that seeks to transform a portion of Chino Roces Avenue into a mixed-use district. The area is expected to attract commercial, residential and recreational developments, creating new opportunities for businesses and investors. A key feature of the project is its location about 300 meters from the
MRT-3 Magallanes Station. It is also near the Makati central business district, Bonifacio Global City, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Mall of Asia complex and Aseana City. DMCI-PDI vice president for project development Dennis Yap said the location was designed to address the growing preference among companies for offices that are accessible to employees. “As more companies prioritize accessibility and convenience for their employees, we see a growing demand for office spaces located near major transportation hubs,” Yap said. One Fortis Plaza will have 15 office units, with each floor offering about 1,400 square meters of space. The building is targeted for completion and occupancy by April 2028. The development will feature a low-emissivity all-glass facade, eight high-speed elevators and a variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning system.
Locators will also have access to a fitness gym and basketball court within the development. These shared facilities will also serve residents of DMCI Homes Exclusive’s Fortis Residences, making the project part of a larger mixed-use development. One Fortis Plaza is also being processed for EDGE certification, a green building standard focused on improving resource efficiency in building design and operations. Yap said One Fortis Plaza combines its transit-oriented location with modern building facilities and amenities aimed at providing office locators with a workplace in the Makati market. “One Fortis Plaza is built with the same commitment to quality construction, innovation, and engineering excellence that has defined our residential projects over the years,” Yap said.
C2
SHOWBIZ
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
David Licauco brushes off Barbie Forteza remark, praises former leading lady
Dustin Yu, Bianca De Vera
get more mature in ‘Ba’t Di Na Lang Tayo?’ Dustin Yu takes on ‘Bat’ ‘Di Na Lang Tayo?,’ a project he calls the kind of rom-com he has long wanted to do
D
Bianca De Vera steps into a story about love, uncertainty, and the messy line between closeness and commitment
USTIN Yu and Bianca De Vera are taking their love-team partnership to a more mature territory with Ba’t Di Na Lang Tayo?, their first solo film together as a tandem.
Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, the romantic drama unfolds across different timelines, following two people Nickie Wang who are struggling financially while trying to make sense of love, commitment, and their own relationship. Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment, Laxamana admitted that making a romantic film is easier said than done. The director acknowledged that rom-com is his weakness, particularly when it comes to creating the kind of “kilig” that audiences expect from the genre. “I think rom-com is my weakness. Parang it doesn’t come naturally sa akin na mapakilig,” Laxamana said. His approach to romance, he explained, is more logical than instinctive. He first builds the characters, their histories, and their motivations, then allows their interactions to create whatever romantic tension develops naturally. “If there’s kilig in my movies, it’s not really intentional. It’s a product of building the character,” he explained, adding that the relationship has to make sense first. “Kailangan mag-make sense muna sa kanila yung relationship, and then the kilig naturally lalabas from that,” he added. The locations will also play an important role in the film. Since Dustin and Bianca’s characters are financially struggling, the story will show how they try to survive and sustain both themselves and their relationship through the years. “We’ll see how they sustain themselves and their relationship and how they survive in that kind of situation,” Laxamana said. The changing locations will serve as more than just a backdrop as the characters move from their lowest points toward the possibility of a better life. And for Dustin, the project immediately felt special. “I was really excited from the start. It’s a beautiful story,” he beamed. “It feels like every detail of the story has a meaning.” Dustin also admitted that the project comes close to the kind of romantic film he had always wanted to make. “This is the rom-com I’ve always dreamed of,” he said. Bianca, meanwhile, could hardly contain her excitement after reading the script. “I was so giddy reading it. I feel like he wrote it with so much love. You know, he really thought about our characters and put his whole heart into them,” she said alluding to how the director crafted the characters.
Very Wang
David Licauco (second from left) opens another career track with Viva Entertainment as he prepares for his next television project
By Nickie Wang DAVID Licauco faced the entertainment media Friday as he signed a new series contract with Viva Entertainment. During the interview, he wasted no time addressing the question many were waiting to hear. The actor, managed by GMA Network’s Sparkle and Arnold Vegafria’s ALV Talent Circuit, was asked about Barbie Forteza’s recent statement naming Khalil Ramos as her ideal leading man. In an interview promoting her upcoming film, Forteza said, “Finally, nagkaroon na ako ng leading man na maayos.” Some fans, however, interpreted Forteza’s remark as a reference to her experience working with Licauco. “Talaga, sinabi niya? Ako, I am just really grateful for the years na magkasama kami. I think marami kami pinagdaanan na, endorsements and shows na nagawa together,” he said. “We worked together. I am grateful sa partnership namin. I have nothing but praises for her dahil napakagaling niyang actress. I wish her well,” he added. “If that is her opinion, it is okay.” The actor also made it clear that there is no bad blood between them. “Barbie is doing her own things. Marami siya ginagawa ngayon na projects and I am proud of her. We are okay,” he said. Licauco admitted he was not a perfect leading man, acknowledging that there were times he arrived late for taping. He maintained, however, that he gave his best throughout their partnership. “Maybe not perfect. There were times I was late for taping. But nang tumagal ng love team and pinagsamahan namin, hindi naman ako naging late. In terms of acting—okay naman, I guess. May awards naman ako,” he said. He added that he always made it a point to arrive on set prepared. “Whenever I go to a taping day, I come prepared. I don’t think there was ever a day dumating ako ng hindi ko memorize lines ko. Sa gabi inaaral ko script ko. Ayoko nagprocrastinate,” he said. Licauco also had kind words for Ramos, whom he said he likes and respects. “Totoo naman si Khalil, napaka-bait na tao. Kahit ako gusto ko talaga siya. When I see him in the gym, I really talk to him. He is a really nice person,” he said.
Reflecting on his past projects, David Licauco expresses immense gratitude for his successful on-screen partnership with Barbie Forteza
From left: Director Jason Paul Laxamana teams up with Bianca De Vera and Dustin Yu for a new film about modern love
She also believes the roles will give them plenty to explore. “I know it’s going to be such a joy to bring the role to life. It will be so fulfilling to explore and study,” Bianca said. “I’m just so excited to shoot.” The excitement grew during their workshop, where the director challenged them to dig deeper into their characters. For the director, however, choosing Dustin and Bianca went beyond their existing popularity as a love team. “They’re very good in the craft and very teachable. They’re very open-minded during the workshop. The authentic connection they have with each other is something that’s very difficult to fake,” Laxamana said. That chemistry is central to the film, particularly because its title comes from the complicated relationship between its two lead characters. Ba’t Di Na Lang Tayo? revolves around a man and a woman who both want to love and be loved but are emotionally unavailable for their own reasons. They eventually enter an arrangement where they act like lovers without the commitment or obligations of a traditional relationship. “It’s like a relationship but without a label,” Laxamana explained, describing it as similar to a situationship.
Dustin Yu and Bianca De Vera take their pairing into a romantic drama about two people trying to hold on while life gets in the way
Alexa Ilacad turns scandal into revenge mission ALEXA Ilacad and the S.O.S.H. Girls close in on their quest for redemption as they carry out their plans to seek revenge on those who leaked their private photos and caused them anguish in the finale of Miss Behave, now streaming on iWant. Before the finale, lead star Alexa thanked viewers who supported Miss Behave since its premiere on June 3. She also noted the conversations the series sparked on social media through its portrayal of women, the cast’s performances, and viral TikTok edits inspired by memorable scenes. “I want to say thank you so much to everyone who supported our show, Miss Behave. We appreciate all your comments, feedback, and the TikTok edits you
do online. We appreciate your efforts in making us trend all the time. It’s been a wonderful journey, and sadly, all things must come to an end,” Alexa said. In the finale, Marla (Alexa) reconciles with April (Andi Abaya) after discovering that she helped leak her private photos because of Marla’s boastful
reputation. With the past set aside, Marla, April, Isobel (Reign Parani), Nyx (Xyriel Manabat), and Daphne (Rans Rifol) turn their attention to prom night, where they plan to expose Cole (JC Alcantara) and his friends for their involvement in the photo leak. The cast also gathered for a watch party on Aug. 5 to celebrate the
finale of the iWant original, which consistently ranked among the platform’s most-watched shows. The finale of Miss Behave is streaming exclusively on iWant, with subscription plans starting at P35 per month in the Philippines and $4.99 per month in the United States and other countries. The U.S. rate is a promotional price until Oct. 31.
From left: Reign Parani, Xyriel Manabat, Alexa Ilacad, Rans Rifol, and Andi Abaya close ‘Miss Behave’ with a finale centered on payback
LIFE & SHOWBIZ
C3 MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
By Jasper Valdez
J
AIRUS Aquino and Nicole Omillo are taking on the task of closing Viva One’s University Series as the lead stars of its sixth and final installment, Our Yesterday’s Escape.
Chito Miranda turns up Pinoy rock heat at City of Dreams Manila Chito Miranda takes his Parokya ni Edgar hits to CenterPlay for a onenight show
Nicole Omillo (left) and Jairus Aquino lead ‘Our Yesterday’s Escape’ as Shan Lopez and Kierra Ynares bring the franchise’s final love story to streaming
Jairus Aquino, Nicole Omillo
The University Series cast reunites as ‘Our Yesterday’s Escape’ moves the franchise toward its final chapter
At the series’ grand media conference, Jairus admitted that the weight of the assignment became clearer when he stepped onto the stage with the actors who had carried the franchise’s earlier chapters. “Honestly, at first, I didn’t feel any pressure. But when I stepped onto the stage, I started to feel it more,” Jairus said. The actor plans to use that pressure as motivation as he and Nicole bring Shan Lopez and Kierra Ynares’ story to the screen. “We’re really happy to be here doing the last and final book, which, for us, is the heaviest one. It has more elements, and it’s a very grounded story,” he said. Jairus added that the production has demanded their full commitment. “Blood, sweat, and tears—everything is on the table. We’re really going to give it everything we have,” he said. “We’ve been working very hard on this.” Nicole also acknowledged the challenge of becoming the final lead actress in a franchise that has run for several years. “It’s nerve-racking, but it’s an honor to be able to do this,” she said. “Telling Kierra and Shan’s story is a blessing.” She said the difficult experiences their characters face may help viewers relate to the story. “We get to portray characters—real people who go through these kinds of experiences—so many viewers may be able to relate and connect with them,” Nicole said. Director Gino Santos said the darker material presented a different challenge from the two earlier University Series installments he directed. “This particular book challenged me to show something different,” Santos said. “It is a darker story, and it explores a very interesting subject.” Santos, who also directed Safe Skies, Archer and Avenues of the Diamond, said the finale had to recognize the characters and stories that came before it. “I wanted to pay tribute to every single book and character. This feels like the full-circle moment,” he said. “Creatively, it was a challenge, but I’m excited for the readers and fans to see something different.” Jairus and Nicole waited nearly three years for their installment while supporting the stars of the five previous adaptations. Their characters appeared in earlier chapters but rarely crossed paths, making Our Yesterday’s Escape their first full project as a screen pair. The series premieres Sept. 5 on Viva One.
feel pressure of closing ‘University Series’
Nicole Omillo (left) and Jairus Aquino stand next to the official poster of their show ‘Our Yesterday’s Escape’
Bacolod hotel marks five years of hospitality, community work PARK Inn by Radisson Bacolod celebrated its fifth anniversary with a series of activities recognizing its employees, partners, and community initiatives since opening in July 2021. The hotel, operated by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation (SMHCC), welcomed its first guests on July 8, 2021, becoming Bacolod City’s first internationally branded hotel. Its anniversary celebration, themed around forging a lasting legacy, began with a community medical mission
in Barangay Canlandog, Murcia. In partnership with Agora Refuge Center Bacolod and the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 6, and with the support of Barangay Captain Celso Belleza, the activity provided free medical consultations, medicines, and haircut services to residents. The hotel also held an employee recognition ceremony honoring its “Moment Makers,” whose work has contributed to the property’s operations and guest experience.
OPM rock icon Chito Miranda will headline a sold-out one-night concert at CenterPlay, City of Dreams Manila, on Aug. 19 at 9:30 p.m., as part of the venue’s monthly Concert Series. The Parokya ni Edgar frontman will take the stage with a set of OPM rock hits, accompanied by the humor and audience interaction that have become part of his live performances. Miranda began performing with Parokya ni Edgar in the 1990s, when the band became a regular act at Club Dredd in Manila. The group rose to prominence during the Filipino rock boom, drawing influence from international grunge acts including Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Parokya ni Edgar has sold more than 600,000 albums in the Philippines, with songs such as “Buloy,” “Harana,” “Halaga” and “Silvertoes” becoming staples of OPM. The band’s first two albums, Khangkhungkherrnitz (1996) and Buruguduystunstugudunstuy (1997), both earned triple-platinum status. The group received an MTV Southeast Asian Music Video Award for “Harana” in 1999 and was inducted into the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in 2017. Miranda’s CenterPlay concert follows sold-out performances by artists including Randy Santiago, Janno Gibbs, Raymond Lauchengco, Vina Morales, Ice Seguerra, Gabby Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, and Nina. Resident bands Rhythm Nation, Highschool Playlist, and Dawn of Eve will perform on a rotating schedule from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. CenterPlay offers seat and table reservations starting at P3,500 per person, inclusive of consumables. VIP couch seating is also available for groups of four and eight. Located in the main gaming area of City of Dreams Manila, CenterPlay operates daily from 6:00 p.m., offering live music, food, cocktails, and nightlife entertainment.
SMHCC executives, including vice president for commercial Melissa Carlos and senior vice president for operations Cathy Nepomuceno, attended the anniversary gathering. “A true legacy isn’t built within the walls of a building, but within the hearts of the people who run it,” Nepomuceno said. “Our five-year success story was written by the collective passion of every Moment Maker here today.” The festivities culminated in “Legacy Night,” which brought
Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod extends its anniversary activities to Barangay Canlandog, Murcia, through free medical consultations, medicines, and grooming services
Celebrating milestones through gratitude and local partnerships, key clients, suppliers, media, and content creators join the anniversary program hosted by Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod
together clients, business partners, media, and content creators. Newly appointed General Manager Ramon Makilan led the ceremonial toast. The hotel also recognized sustainability partners for their contributions. The Philippine Air Force was cited for supporting 19 community outreach activities, while the Negros Economic Development Foundation helped convert nearly
150,000 kilos of food waste. Green Solutions PH was recognized for its Biodiesel Project, which has converted used cooking oil into more than 3,400 liters of biodiesel donated to coastal communities. As it enters its sixth year, Park Inn by Radisson Bacolod said it will continue to focus on hospitality, sustainability, and community engagement.
LIFE
C4
MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Davao artist Kublai Millan’s fascinating masterpiece, ‘Ahungan Ng Pagkakaisa,’ uses scrap metal and construction waste materials
The foul-smelling Rafflesia is one of the distinctive natural wonders associated with the Davao Region
A
LL of us know that, aside from being the Durian Capital of the country, Davao City is also the biggest in land area and home to the majestic Philippine eagle. It is the jumpoff point for trekkers who want to scale Mount Apo, the country’s tallest peak. Of course, my being partial to anything sweet also made me discover earlier on that the city has been officially declared through Republic Act Number 11547 as the Chocolate Capital of the country, thanks to the very popular chocolate products of Malagos Farm, a 10-minute drive from the city. A recent business trip to Davao gave me extra time to have a leisurely chat with my longtime friend, Liza Gamo, director of sales and marketing of my favorite hotel in the city, the Park Inn by Radisson Davao. She is also its acting general manager, pending the arrival of the newly designated GM. By the way, Park Inn by Radisson Davao is now embarking on a massive expansion project that will give it an additional 156 rooms and a new ballroom/conference hall, further strengthening the city’s potential as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) destination. During my chat with Liza, I asked her what other interesting things there are to see in the city and its surrounding area. Immediately, she rattled off a couple of interesting facts, which, to me, were discoveries, as I haven’t heard of those before. First off, Liza told me that the city is part of a thriving coffee industry, with some farms even succeeding in cultivating rare varieties, like the Geisha, which is an elite Arabica coffee preferred for its intense floral aromas. My quick research on it revealed that it is a very expensive coffee variety that is grown on high-altitude farms, specifically on the slopes of Mount Apo, approximately
Bob Zozobrado
1,700 meters above sea level. It is very interesting to know that the Davao Region is, after all, one of our country’s top coffee-producing areas. The rich volcanic soil in the areas around Mount Apo and its high altitude make this possible. There is even a Regional Coffee Innovation Center and Museum in Davao del Sur, which features a coffee museum, rooms for professional barista training sessions, and a sensory laboratory to further enhance the coffee experience. The second “discovery” I had during my chat with Liza is the Davao Museum, the 17th regional component of the National Museum of the Philippines. When she described it to me as something shaped like a durian, I became so curious, I just had to find a way to bring me there immediately. This museum is the fourth among the Mindanao National Museums
KrisFlyer members get island perks at Discovery Coron, Boracay
Discovery Boracay offers beachfront accommodations alongside dining and wellness privileges available to eligible KrisFlyer members
KRISFLYER members can enjoy discounted stays and exclusive dining and wellness privileges at Discovery Coron and Discovery Boracay through Kris+, the lifestyle rewards app of Singapore Airlines. The offers are available for bookings and stays from Dec. 15, 2025, to Dec. 14, 2026, with room discounts and additional inclusions at both Discovery Resorts properties. At Discovery Coron, members can get up to 34 percent off accommodations, with daily breakfast for two at Firefish Restaurant and roundtrip land and boat transfers to and from Busuanga Airport included. Guests staying in December will also receive daily dinner for two, while stays from June 1 to Sept. 30, include P2,000 in resort credits per stay. Members can also get 10 percent off Hilaga and Kanluran Boodle Fight feasts, 30 percent off
Interesting discoveries in Davao
Mercury Rising
Babor facial treatments at Glow Spa and 10 percent off other Glow Spa treatments. At Discovery Boracay, members can receive up to 33 percent off accommodations, including daily breakfast for two at Sands Restaurant and roundtrip transfers to and from Caticlan Airport. Stays from June 15 to Sept. 30 come with P2,000 in resort credits per stay. Additional perks include discounts on dining at Indigo Restaurant, Sands Restaurant, Sand Bar and 360 Roof Lounge, as well as selected offers at Forno Osteria and Terra Wellness Spa. To access the offers, KrisFlyer members must download the Kris+ app, log in using their KrisFlyer account, and redeem the applicable Discovery resort privilege. A promo code will be provided for reservations through the respective resort websites. Blackout dates and other terms and conditions apply.
and exhibits historical and cultural artifacts, priceless treasures highlighting the artistry of indigenous clothing materials, and masterpieces of Davao’s local and national artists. True enough, the building looked like a modern artistic interpretation of a durian. It has five floors, but the topmost floor is closed to the public. The building’s interior is very well designed, and the exhibits are set up in a way that makes it easy for visitors to really appreciate each item on display. There is ample space between displays, making it easy for groups to flow through the display sequence without bumping into each other. The exterior The first item that of the museum caught my attention shows it as a is the “Ahungan modernistic Ng Pagkakaisa,” a artistic masterpiece of Davao interpretation artist Kublai Millan. of a durian What makes it very interesting is that the piece is composed of sculptures made from scraps of metal and construction waste from his year-end decluttering activity at home. He explains that the geometric forms are associated with women in some indigenous groups in the region, and the curvilinear forms are
SUNLIGHT Air is adding Tablas, Romblon, to its network as part of its seventh anniversary celebration, with flights from Clark International Airport starting Aug. 11. The airline will operate the new route every Tuesday and Saturday, with introductory one-way base fares starting at P1,899. The Tablas route recalls Sunlight Air’s early operations between Manila and Busuanga, Coron. The island’s smaller airport can accommodate smaller aircraft, making it suitable for the airline’s ATR 72-500 and ATR 72600 fleet. Tablas, the largest of Romblon’s three main islands, offers a quieter alternative to nearby Boracay. The island is known for its beaches, marine attractions, and marble craftsmanship. Visitors can shop for locally made marble crafts, statues, and tiles or take part in marble workshops. Romblon is known as the “Marble Capital of the Philippines” and has a long tradition of stone carving. Binucot Beach offers soft sand and sunset views, while Bonbon Beach, named among the world’s Top 50 Beaches of 2025, provides a quieter coastal escape. Travelers can also explore Lapus-Lapus Beach, Cove Aurelio Beach, and Tinagong Dagat through island-hopping tours in Calatrava.
porcelainware that was retrieved from the seabed as part of the cargo of the Griffin Shipwreck. This was a vessel from the English East India Company that sank in the Sulu Sea after hitting an uncharted reef. The ship was en route to Europe from Canton, China, but planned to make a stopover in Sulu to negotiate a deal with the Sultan. Unfortunately, it sank, and all cargo was lost, although there were no casualties reported.
YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE
Park Inn by Radisson Davao sales and marketing director Liza Gamo points visitors toward lesser-known attractions that add another side to exploring the region associated with men. I saw a beautiful set of jars made of clay and glaze. They have designs of a dragon embossed on them, which could only mean that these must have been a product of trade between some indigenous groups in Mindanao and China. I began to imagine how my portico would look if I had these jars at home. Being a collector of Delft Blue pottery, I was immediately smitten by the large display of blue-and-white
Why is it that The Alphabet Song and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star have the same tune? …and why did you just try to sing these two songs?
What got me even more excited was coming face-to-face with the majestic Philippine eagle. Albeit a stuffed version inside a glass cage, it nevertheless looked mighty and dominating. There is also the Rafflesia, known to be the biggest flower in the world. This foul-smelling flower has no leaves, no stem, nor roots and is a parasitic plant that lures flies. The one on display is about 2.5 feet wide. I’m glad I had the chance to chat with my friend, Liza, who led me to discover more things that make a visit to Davao even more interesting. For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@ gmail.com
A different kind of island escape awaits in Romblon
Bonbon Beach, recognized as one of the world’s Top 50 Beaches of 2025, offers a tranquil coastal retreat
Divers and snorkelers can explore sites including Three P House Reef, Blue Hole, Bonbon Seagrass Valley, and White Rock Reef, known for its underwater caves and marine life. The new route provides direct access to Tablas twice a week from
The island is renowned as the ‘Marble Capital of the Philippines’ and boasts a rich history of stone carving
Clark, giving travelers another gateway to Romblon’s beaches and marine attractions. Flights can be booked through Sunlight Air’s official website. Blackout dates and other terms and conditions may apply.
Binucot Beach boasts soft sand and breathtaking sunset vistas