082925 - New York and New Jersey Edition

DATELINE USA

DFA confirms

Filipinos injured but safe after fatal New York tour bus crash

MANILA - What began as a sightseeing trip from Niagara Falls to New York City ended in tragedy when a charter bus carrying 54 passengers overturned on the New York State Thruway last week. Five people lost their lives and dozens more were injured in one of the deadliest highway crashes in upstate New York in recent years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Filipino nationals were among those on board. Three Filipinos were hospitalized after the accident but have since been discharged and cleared to travel, according to DFA spokesperson Angelica Escalona. None of the Filipino passengers were among the fatalities.

Escalona said the Philippine Consulate General in New York has been working closely with local authorities and medical institutions. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with all of the victims of this tragic incident,” she noted, adding that consular officials continue to provide assistance until all cases are fully resolved.

The crash

According to New York State Police, the accident happened on August 22 at 12:22 p.m. near Pembroke in Genesee County. The

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Marcos orders lifestyle audit of all government officials

Palace says directive expands probe into questionable flood-control projects

by AJPress

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered a comprehensive lifestyle audit of all government officials, expanding the government’s anti-corruption drive beyond infrastructure agencies and into the wider bureaucracy.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro an-

nounced the directive during a Malacañang briefing on August 27, 2025. She said the order is tied to the administration’s transparency campaign and complements the probe into questionable flood-control programs. Flood-control projects under scrutiny

The President’s move comes amid growing concerns over the handling of flood-control allocations. The Commission on Audit (COA) has launched a fraud audit in Bulacan,

A century on court: Filipino trailblazers who took on tennis’ biggest stage

Their names may be little remembered today, but from Paris to New York, Filipino tennis players have been competing in the sport’s most iconic arenas long before Alexandra Eala’s historic win

Malacañang relieves PNP Chief Torre, Names Nartatez as successor

Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has taken command of the Philippine National Police, tasked with restoring stability after the brief and disputed tenure of Gen. Nicolas Torre III.

covering projects from January 2022 to July 2025. Auditors are conducting geo-tagged inspections and requiring photo and video documentation to confirm reported accomplishments.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has also begun a tax-compliance investigation into contractors linked to flagged projects, with the possibility of suspending tax clear-

Napoles gets up to 55 years in new pork barrel conviction

by AJPress

MANILA - Janet Lim-Napoles, long associated with the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam, has been sentenced again by the Sandiganbayan. She received a combined 55 years in prison for misusing P7.55 million in Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) allocations tied to then Davao del Sur Representative Marc Douglas Cagas IV.

The anti-graft court found Napoles guilty of two counts of graft and two counts of malversation, and ordered her to pay fines equal to the amounts misused plus civil indemnities with legal interest. Convicted with her were former Technology Resource Center officials Dennis Cunanan and Maria Rosalinda Lacsamana, and u PAGE 3

by AJPress

by AJPress by AJPress

NEW YORK — In the 1950s, Felicisimo “Mighty Mite” Ampon and Raymundo Deyro carried the Philippine flag onto the clay courts of Roland Garros and the grass of Wimbledon. Barely five feet tall, Ampon battled giants of the sport and reached the

quarterfinals in Paris, while Deyro matched his feats with deep runs of his own and a record-setting Davis Cup career. Together they made the Philippines one of Asia’s most respected tennis nations in an era when few from the region reached the game’s highest stages.

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a memorandum signed on August 25, 2025, by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and took effect immediately following President Marcos Jr.’s approval. Nartatez officially assumed the post on August 26, 2025. What’s behind the change Gen. Nicolas Torre III began his

MANILA — In a swift and unforeseen move, Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has been appointed as the new Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), replacing Gen. Nicolas Torre III, whose brief tenure came to an abrupt end. The appointment was formalized through u PAGE 4

—

City Mayor

social media post questioning why veteran journalists feature controversial public figures for alleged multi-million peso fees drew a sharp response from the camp of broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas, which branded the remarks as “slanderous” and possibly constituting cyber libel.

On August 21, Sotto took to Facebook to

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Marcos orders lifestyle audit...

PAGE 1

ances where irregularities are found.

Earlier, lawmakers had pressed for lifestyle checks on officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), long seen as a focal point in infrastructure spending. The President’s directive now widens that scope to all government officials, regardless of agency or rank.

Implications for governance

Lifestyle audits are generally used to compare a public official’s declared assets with actual spending and property holdings, with the aim of uncovering unexplained wealth. Advo-

cates say these checks can strengthen accountability if conducted consistently and transparently.

The Palace has yet to release details on which agencies will oversee the audits, how they will be implemented, or when results will be made public.

Lifestyle checks in the Philippines Under Republic Act No. 6713, also known as the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, all government officials are required to file an annual Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). These documents serve as the foundation for many lifestyle audits.

In 2020, however, the Office of the Ombudsman suspended its own lifestyle check program and restricted public access to SALNs, citing concerns about misuse. That move drew criticism from advocates of transparency, who argued it weakened an important safeguard against corruption.

The new directive from Marcos represents one of the most sweeping calls for lifestyle audits in recent years, covering not just a single department but the entire government bureaucracy. Observers say its effectiveness will depend on independence, uniform application, and whether findings are acted upon decisively. n

Vico Sotto questions “paid interviews”...

comment on resurfaced interviews of Sarah and Curlee Discaya that aired on programs hosted by Sanchez and fellow broadcaster Julius Babao. The mayor wrote that a figure like “P10 million” was “not exact” but suggested such amounts were being spent to secure airtime. While not illegal, he said, the practice undermines the spirit of journalistic ethics.

“It is shameful and violative of the spirit of ethics,” Sotto wrote, adding that credibility should not be traded for publicity.

The Discayas have been linked to construction firms with government contracts under the Department of Public Works and Highways. Sarah Discaya also challenged Sotto in the 2022 Pasig mayoral race, where she was soundly defeated.

Korina Sanchez camp responds

On August 22, the production team behind Rated Korina and Korina Interviews issued a signed statement rejecting Sotto’s claims. Executive producers Ferdie Dugay and Catherine Torres Lulu stressed that no P10-million payment was made for the feature and said the programs were lifestyle and human-interest shows, not investigative exposés.

The producers asserted that Sotto’s post unfairly damaged Sanchez’s professional reputation and “constitutes cyber libel.” They said the mayor’s remarks implied wrongdoing without evidence.

Both Sanchez and Babao also denied that their interviews with the Discayas involved any paid placements. According to reports, Babao’s

A century on court: Filipino trailblazers...

PAGE 1

The pioneers of the preopen era

• Felicisimo “Mighty Mite” Ampon (1920–1997)

Known for his fearless style despite standing only 4 feet 11 inches, Ampon won the Wimbledon Plate Championship in 1948 and the singles gold medal at the 1950 Pan American Games. He holds the Philippine record for most Davis Cup wins, competing for nearly three decades.

• Grand Slams: French Championships quarterfinalist in 1952 and 1953.

• Legacy: Passed away in 1997. Celebrated in the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame as one of the nation’s greatest athletes.

• Raymundo Deyro (1928–2019)

A longtime teammate of Ampon, Deyro won two gold medals at the 1958 Asian Games and played in a national-record 37 Davis Cup ties. He was inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

• Grand Slams: French Championships fourth round in 1953.

• Legacy: Passed away in 2019. Remembered as one of the Philippines’ most enduring Davis Cup heroes.

The modern era: From Manila to the majors

By the 1970s and 1980s, Filipinos began stepping onto the global stage during the Open Era.

• Beeyong “Virgilio” Sison (b. 1957)

medals at the 2006 Asian Games in singles and doubles.

18 in doubles.

YouTube feature aired in September 2024, while Sanchez’s episode was no longer available on official platforms as of this week.

Dispute over ethics and reputation

The controversy highlights a broader debate on the intersection of journalism, media platforms, and political figures. Sotto has framed his post as a call for higher standards of media ethics, while Sanchez’s camp has positioned its response as a defense of reputation and professional integrity.

No proof of any multi-million peso payment has been made public. What remains is a clash between an elected official calling attention to media practices and a veteran broadcaster asserting that her name has been maligned by unfounded claims. (AJPress)

An Open Era pioneer, Sison was the first Filipino to play in all four Grand Slam main draws. His best performance came at the 1981 French Open, where he reached the doubles quarterfinals.

• Current Status: Following his playing career, Sison coached in Switzerland for many years and founded a tennis school. He now serves as the Head Varsity Tennis Coach at Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, continuing his lifelong commitment to developing young players.

By the 1990s, Filipino-American players carried the torch further into the professional tour.

• Cecil Mamiit (b. 1976)

An NCAA singles champion at USC in 1996, Mamiit reached the ATP final at San Jose in 1999 after defeating Andre Agassi and Michael Chang. Representing the Philippines, he later won bronze

• Grand Slams: Reached the second round at the Australian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open, becoming the first Filipino in the Open Era to win main-draw singles matches.

• Current Status: Resides in California, where he runs the Tennis Mechanix Academy in Burbank and mentors young athletes.

• Eric Taino (b. 1975)

A standout at UCLA, Taino won the 1999 Singapore Open doubles title with Max Mirnyi and later partnered with Mamiit for a doubles bronze at the 2006 Asian Games.

• Grand Slams: Competed in U.S. Open singles main draws but did not advance past the first round.

• Current Status: Based in Los Angeles, retired from the tour and active in coaching and community tennis.

• Treat Huey (b. 1985)

Specializing in doubles, Huey captured eight ATP doubles titles and reached the semifinals of Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2016. That same year, he qualified for the ATP Finals with Max Mirnyi, peaking at world No.

• Current Status: Retired in 2023 and now serves as assistant coach for the University of Virginia men’s tennis team. The Junior grand slam champions Filipinos also made their mark in the junior ranks, proving that talent from the country could compete with the world’s best.

• Francis Casey Alcantara (b. 1992)

The first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam, Alcantara captured the 2009 Australian Open boys’ doubles crown with Hsieh Cheng-peng. He has been a long-time Davis Cup team member.

• Current Status: Active on the professional circuit, competing in doubles on the ITF and Challenger tours while representing the Philippines in Davis Cup play.

• Felix Barrientos (b. 1967)

A Wimbledon boys’ singles semifinalist in 1985, Barrientos later starred at Louisiana State University (LSU) and won Southeast Asian Games gold in 1991. He reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 180.

Napoles gets up to 55 years...

former NABCOR official Rhodora Mendoza. Napoles remains detained at the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong, serving multiple sentences while appealing.

Cagas’s PDAF liability addressed in earlier plea bargain

The PDAF allocations at the center of this case were linked to Cagas’s congressional term. In 2022, he entered a plea bargain, pleaded guilty to lesser offenses including fraud, failure to render accounts, and falsification of public documents, and paid P12.95 million in restitution. He was placed on probation instead of serving prison time, which cleared him from further liability. Because of this deal, he was not a defendant in the 2025 Napoles ruling. Today, Cagas serves as the Vice Governor of Davao del Sur.

Other convictions in 2025

The August conviction is Napoles’s third this year.

• June 6 — Mamfi case (P1.17M): Napoles, Cunanan, Lacsamana, and Napoles aide Evelyn de Leon were convicted of graft for diverting PDAF from then-CIBAC Rep. Joel Villanueva to the bogus NGO Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation Inc. They were sentenced to up to 10 years, ordered to reimburse the government, and barred from office. They were acquitted of malversation. Villanueva was not a defendant in the case but faces separate pending Sandiganbayan charges from his 2008 term, including two counts of graft and one count of malversation through falsification. In 2016, the Ombudsman ordered his dismiss-

al from public service, which the Senate did not enforce. He was elected Senate Majority Leader on July 28, 2025.

• May 30 — Biazon case (P2.7M): Napoles and Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon were convicted of graft for channeling PDAF to the NGO Philippine Social Development Foundation Inc. They were sentenced to 6 years and 1 month to 8 years in prison and disqualified from office. Malversation and bribery charges were dismissed.Biazon has filed a motion for reconsideration; the conviction is not final, allowing him to continue as mayor while on appeal.

Broader backdrop

Napoles, often dubbed the “Pork Barrel Queen”, rose to notoriety in 2013 after whistleblower Benhur Luy exposed how her NGOs siphoned billions in PDAF into ghost projects. The Supreme Court later struck down PDAF as unconstitutional, triggering dozens of graft and plunder cases.

Other notable outcomes:

• Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.: Acquitted of plunder in 2018 while Napoles and his aide Richard Cambe were convicted and sentenced to reclusión perpetua (20–40 years without parole). Revilla’s 16 graft cases were dismissed in 2021. He lost reelection in 2025 and is no longer in office.

• Juan Ponce Enrile: His 2024 plunder acquittal was upheld in June 2025.

• Jinggoy Estrada: Acquitted of plunder in 2021 and bribery in 2024, but still on trial for 11 graft counts after the Sandiganbayan denied his motion to dismiss in April 2025. He currently serves as Senate President Pro Tempore.

Trump administration proposes four-year cap on student visas; rule not yet in effect

by AJPress

THE Trump administration, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has proposed a regulation that would limit how long foreign students, exchange visitors, and most foreign media visa holders can remain in the United States. Published on August 28, 2025, the draft rule would end the current “duration of status” (D/S) policy— where students may stay as long as they maintain full-time enrollment and make progress toward their degree—and instead impose fixed admission periods. Public comments are due by September 29, 2025, with related submissions accepted until October 27, 2025.

Key provisions of the proposal

• Fertilizer Fund scam: Napoles and others were cleared in 2023 due to inordinate delay.

• Money laundering (2024): Napoles was convicted by Manila RTC Branch 24 of laundering PDAF proceeds, sentenced to 7–14 years in prison, and fined P16 million. How long will Napoles serve?

Napoles now faces cumulative sentences from multiple cases that, if added up, exceed 150 years. This includes the 2018 plunder conviction with reclusión perpetua (20–40 years), the 2024 money laundering conviction (7–14 years), and several graft and malversation rulings in 2025, including the latest 55-year term.

However, under Philippine law, the Revised Penal Code caps imprisonment at 40 years regardless of the total length of penalties (Article 70, the “threefold rule”). This means that even with decades of convictions, Napoles will serve a maximum of 40 years in prison, though her civil liabilities and fines remain enforceable.

Significance of the ruling

The August 22, 2025 conviction adds 55 years to Napoles’s string of prison sentences and marks her third guilty verdict this year. Alongside earlier convictions, acquittals, and plea bargains involving other high-profile figures, it reinforces the enduring legacy of the pork barrel scandal. More than a decade after PDAF was struck down as unconstitutional, the case continues to shape Philippine politics and underscores both the progress and the limits of accountability in the country’s justice system. n

• Optional practical training (OPT/STEM OPT): Admissions would be tied to the work authorization period, plus a 30-day grace period to prepare for departure or seek further authorization.

• I visas (foreign media representatives): Admission up to 240 days, with extensions available. Holders of Chinese passports (excluding Hong Kong and Macau) would be limited to 90-day extensions.

Current rule (still in effect)

The 2025 proposal revives the effort but standardizes a fouryear cap across F and J visa categories.

Implications if finalized

• Students in doctoral, medical, and other programs longer than four years would need to apply for extensions, adding costs and uncertainty.

• International graduates seeking post-study employment under OPT or STEM OPT would face new procedural requirements.

• F and J visas (students and exchange visitors): Admission until the program end date listed on their forms, but no longer than four years. Students in longer programs or those requiring additional time would need to apply for an extension of stay through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Under existing policy, F, J, and most I visa holders are admitted for duration of status (D/S). This allows them to legally remain in the U.S. as long as they are enrolled fulltime, in good academic standing, and complying with visa requirements. The rule has not changed—D/S remains in effect until a final regulation is enacted.

This is not the first time DHS has attempted to replace D/S with fixed terms. A similar rule introduced in 2020 was later withdrawn in July 2021 after receiving more than 32,000 public comments and widespread opposition from universities and advocacy groups.

• Journalists holding I visas would be subject to shorter admissions, with stricter limits for Chinese passport holders.

How to participate

The proposed rule is open for public comment on the Federal Register under docket number ICEB-2025-0001.

The Trump administration has proposed ending the open-ended stay system for foreign students and exchange visitors, replacing it with fixed terms capped at four years. For now, however, nothing has changed: international students remain covered by D/S and may stay in the United States as long as they maintain lawful student status. n

DFA confirms Filipinos injured but safe...

PAGE 1

bus, operated by M&Y Tour Inc., was en route from Niagara Falls to New York City when it veered into the median, over-corrected, and rolled down an embankment.

Five adults were pronounced dead at the scene. Dozens of passengers, including children, sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Erie County Medical Center treated 24 patients, Kaleida Health hospitals admitted around 20 more including five children, and the University of Rochester Medical Center received additional patients.

Victims identified

Authorities released the names of the five individuals who died in the crash:

• Shankar Kumar Jha, 65, of Madhu Bani, India

• Pinki Changrani, 60, of East Brunswick, New Jersey

• Xie Hongzhuo, 22, a Columbia University student

from Beijing, China

• Zhang Xiaolan, 55, of Jersey City, New Jersey

• Jian Mingli, 56, of Jersey City, New Jersey

The victims were among passengers ranging in age from one to seventy-four years old. Many of those on board were Indian, Chinese, and Filipino nationals.

Investigation

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a formal investigation. New York State Police ruled out alcohol, drugs, and mechanical failure as causes. Driver distraction remains under review, but officials cautioned that the investigation is ongoing.

The NTSB is analyzing event data recorders, braking systems, and engine modules. A preliminary report is expected in about 30 days.

Support for families

A Family Assistance Center

established at the Amherst Senior Center in Buffalo has since closed, after all families of the deceased were contacted. The Red Cross provided grief counseling and coordination during the initial response. For Filipino families, the DFA urged relatives of passengers to contact the Philippine Consulate’s Assistance-to-Nationals hotline at (917) 2940196. Consular officials continue to monitor the situation and provide direct assistance to those affected.

Continuing aftermath

As of August 27, 15 victims remain hospitalized, including one child and one adult in serious condition. For the families of those who perished, the tragedy has left an irreplaceable void. For the survivors, including the Filipinos who were injured, a trip that was meant to be joyful has turned into a painful ordeal that will take time to heal. (AJPress)

Malacañang Relieves PNP Chief Torre...

term on June 2, 2025, becoming the 31st PNP Chief and the first graduate of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) to head the organization. His tenure, however, lasted less than three months.

A major factor behind his relief was a controversial reshuffle of senior police officials, which attempted to reassign multiple generals, including Lt. Gen. Nartatez. The move was swiftly overturned by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) through Resolution 2025-0531, issued on August 14, which declared the reshuffle null and void, citing procedural lapses and limitations on the authority of the PNP Chief.

The decision created tension within the police organization and its supervising agencies. Malacañang ultimately opted to replace Torre, a decision Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later described as a leadership shift rather than a disciplinary action. He clarified that Torre did not commit any legal violations and was not facing administrative charges, but that the President had simply chosen to “go in another direction” for the leadership of the PNP.

Who Is Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.?

Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is a veteran police officer and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy “Tanglaw-Diwa” Class of 1992. Before his appointment as PNP Chief, he served as Deputy Chief for Administra-

A century on court: Filipino trailblazers...

PAGE 2

• Current Status: Based in Singapore and now working in private banking.

National pride on the world stage

For generations, Filipinos have represented their country not only on the professional circuit but also in international team events.

• The Davis Cup, founded in 1900, is tennis’s premier men’s team competition. Ampon and Deyro carried the Philippines in the 1950s, while Sison, Mamiit, Taino, Huey, and Alcantara added to the country’s legacy in later decades.

• The Billie Jean King Cup, originally launched as the Federation Cup in 1963 and renamed in 2020, is the women’s equivalent. Alexandra Eala made her debut for the Philippines in late 2024 during Asia/Oceania Group III, helping the team secure promotion to Division II and continuing a long tradition of national representation on the global stage.

tion, the second-highest post in the 230,000-strong police force.

Over the past three decades, Nartatez has built an extensive résumé across both field and administrative commands.

He once served as Provincial Director of Ilocos Norte, where he was recognized for strengthening community-based policing. He also rose to key leadership roles in Metro Manila (NCRPO) and CALABARZON, managing law enforcement in two of the most challenging regions in the country. At the national headquarters, he headed the Directorate for Intelligence, overseeing sensitive security operations, and later led the Directorate for Comptrollership, ensuring accountability over financial and logistical resources.

Earlier this year, Torre had reassigned Nartatez to Western Mindanao as Area Police Commander, but this reshuffle was among the moves nullified by NAPOLCOM. Ironically, that same controversy paved the way for Nartatez’s eleva-

tralian Open, French Open, and U.S. Open while representing the United States, becoming the first player of Filipino heritage in the Open Era to win Grand Slam maindraw singles matches. He later switched allegiance to the Philippines in 2005 and went on to win Asian Games medals and lead the national Davis Cup team. the Open Era to win main-draw singles matches.

• Current Status: Resides in California, where he runs the Tennis Mechanix Academy in Burbank and mentors young athletes.

tion to the PNP’s highest post. Known among colleagues as a methodical and disciplined officer, he is seen as a stabilizing figure with both operational experience and organizational management expertise.

What This Means for the PNP

The abrupt turnover at the PNP highlights the ongoing struggles within the institution over command prerogatives, internal reforms, and the balance of authority between the Chief of Police and oversight bodies like NAPOLCOM. While Malacañang has yet to announce Nartatez’s formal priorities, officials from the DILG underscored the need for stability and adherence to legal procedures in appointments and reshuffles.

Nartatez now takes on the challenge of leading the national police at a time of transition and heightened public scrutiny. His leadership will be closely watched for signs of reform, professionalism, and efforts to rebuild trust in the institution after a period of turbulence. n

Eala: A new era begins In 2025, Alexandra Eala made history as the first Filipina—and only the second Filipino after Cecil Mamiit—to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match in the Open Era, stunning 14th seed Clara Tauson in a dramatic first-round U.S. Open comeback.

Her momentum was halted in Round 2, where Spain’s Cristina Bucsa edged her out 6–4, 6–3, ending Eala’s U.S. Open run in Flushing Meadows.

Previously, Eala had already turned heads by capturing the 2022 U.S. Open girls’ singles title, a first for the Philippines, and junior doubles titles at the 2020 Australian Open and 2021 French Open.

Her fearless spirit in New York signaled a new chapter— not only for her career, but for Philippine tennis overall.

• Current Status: Active on the WTA Tour. Achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 56 on June 30, 2025; currently ranked No. 75 as of August 2025. Widely regarded as the Philippines’ most prominent tennis player.

• Cecil Mamiit (b. 1976)

An NCAA singles champion at USC in 1996, Mamiit reached the ATP final at San Jose in 1999 after defeating Andre Agassi and Michael Chang. Representing the Philippines, he later won bronze medals at the 2006 Asian Games in singles and doubles.

• Grand Slams: In the Grand Slam stage, Mamiit advanced to the second round of the Aus-

a WTA world ranking. Later became one of the country’s most prominent sports broadcasters.

• Dianne Matias – Represented the Philippines in the 2008 Fed Cup, going undefeated in singles and doubles.

• Marisue Jacutin de Mariona – A Fed Cup veteran with 14 ties in the late 1990s and SEA Games appearances.

• Tin Patrimonio – Multisport athlete and SEA Games competitor who brought visibility to women’s tennis.

What the grand slams and the eras mean

• Grand Slam: The Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open.

• Open Era (1968–present): When professionals and amateurs were allowed to compete together in Grand Slams.

• Pre-Open Era (before 1968): Amateurs only. Filipinos like Ampon and Deyro excelled in this system.

A legacy continued

From Ampon and Deyro’s early triumphs in Paris and Tokyo, to Sison’s Open Era breakthroughs, to Mamiit’s Slam victories in Melbourne and New York, to Huey’s Wimbledon semifinal and Alcantara’s junior Slam title, Filipinos have long left their mark on tennis’s grandest stages.

In 2025, Alexandra Eala carried that legacy forward with her U.S. Open win. She is the first Filipina to achieve this milestone, the latest in a line of pioneers carrying forward a legacy that spans nearly a century of Philippine tennis achievement.

Others who carried the flag

While not all reached the Grand Slam stage, several Filipino players left their mark through national dominance, regional medals, and team competitions.

• Marissa Sanchez – National champion in the 1970s and one of the Philippines’ early international women’s competitors.

• Dyan Castillejo – Former Fed Cup player (1981–1990) and the first Filipina to earn

• Jeson Patrombon – Once ranked world No. 9 in juniors, he represented the Philippines in Davis Cup but did not advance to Grand Slam main draws.

Together, they form part of the wider story of Filipino tennis, carrying national colors in regional competitions, collegiate arenas, and international team events.

Carrying the torch

Other names also shaped the development of Philippine tennis through Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and administration:

• Randy Villanueva – Former Davis Cup player and later vice president of PHILTA, contributing to the sport’s governance.

• Rolando “Randy” del Rosario – Anchored the national Davis Cup squad in the 1970s and 1980s.

• Johnny Jose – Early postwar Davis Cup campaigner and contemporary of Felicisimo Ampon.

• Ruben Gonzales – Filipino-American doubles specialist who has represented the Philippines in Davis Cup and SEA Games.

• Denise Dy – Multiple SEA Games medalist and Fed Cup representative in the 2000s.

• Katharina Lehnert – Filipina-German player who represented the Philippines in Fed Cup during the 2010s, achieving a WTA career-high ranking inside the Top 400.

Though their names may not appear in Grand Slam record books, their contributions helped keep Philippine tennis alive, competitive, and visible on the regional and international stage. n

FeAtures OPiniOn Buwan ng Wika: Between legacy and relevance

WHEN the architects of the Philippine republic debated the foundations of nationhood, one question loomed large: how could a fragmented archipelago, divided by hundreds of tongues, stand as one nation?

For Manuel L. Quezon and the framers of the 1935 Constitution, the answer lay in the creation of a wikang pambansa, a national language that would serve as a bridge across regions.

Editorial

In 1936, Quezon established the National Language Institute to determine which native language could best serve as the basis of this unifying tongue.

By 1937, the Institute recommended Tagalog, citing its rich literary tradition, widespread use, and central location. The decision was not without controversy, but Quezon declared Tagalog as the foundation of the national language, seeing it as both a symbol of independence from colonial rule and a practical step toward unifying the people.

The institutional celebration of the national

No Free Lunch

Cielito F. Habito

BEFORE the pandemic, the biggest portion of our jobless were those who got up to junior high school; now, it’s those who have gone to college. In January 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that workers who reached or completed junior high school made up 39.5 percent of the unemployed (28.7 percent of whom finished Grade 10). College-ed-

language began a decade later. In 1946, President Sergio Osmeña proclaimed March 27 to April 2 as Linggo ng Wika to honor the birth anniversary of Francisco Balagtas, the great Tagalog poet. In 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay moved the celebration to August 13–19 to coincide with the birthday of President Quezon on August 19. Finally, in 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos signed Proclamation No. 1041, expanding the observance into a full Buwan ng Wika, celebrated every August.

This history shows that Buwan ng Wika was never just about costumes or contests. It was meant to embody a vision: that language could be the cement of a fractured republic and the soul of a free nation.

Yet the national language project has always

When skills don’t match jobs

ucated workers made up 36.9 percent (26.9 percent of whom graduated). June 2025 data show that more than half of our unemployed went to college (50.4 percent, 38.2 percent having graduated). While the total unemployed workers went down by nearly half a million from 2.39 million in January 2020 to 1.95 million in June 2025 (good news), our college-educated jobless actually swelled by 100,000 (bad news). It’s enough to make a senior high school graduate think twice about pursuing college.

Technical-vocational graduates, who only make up 3.8 percent of the unemployed, actually stand a better chance at gainful employment. For every tech-voc graduate who is jobless, there are four who are college-educated.

Social Weather Stations survey data on joblessness uphold the same observation. Their latest jobs survey showed college graduates and those with post-graduate education making up the single largest portion (22 percent) of those who reported having no

carried

Critics argue that

other

Ta-

es such as Cebuano and Ilocano, leaving many feeling excluded from the very

Breakthrough

elFren S. Cruz

IT is a well known historical fact that before the Marcos martial law dictatorship, the Philippines was the second wealthiest country in Asia next only to Japan. Today, we have fallen behind nations like South Korea, Taiwan and China and even Southeast Asian neighbors like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. We are a naturally rich country in resources. Our people

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

Root causes of graft & corruption

are among the most competent, as evidenced by the high demand for Filipino skilled workers and professionals in the Middle East, United States, Japan, Australia, Canada and other advanced nations.

Where did it all go wrong?

The main reason is that we are now one of the most corrupt societies in this part of the world. I am not saying that corruption is a uniquely Filipino trait as suggested by some. Corruption has existed for as long as governance itself.

In ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome, there are documented instanc-

es of corrupt practices. In medieval Europe, corruption was rampant in both religious and secular institutions. The Catholic Church has been accused of corruption as far back as the medieval period.

During the colonial period, imperial powers institutionalized corrupt systems to extract resources from colonies. Corruption flourished in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. There was a time, however, when corruption was not as rampant and systemic as it is today in the Philippines. However, as

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Buwan ng Wika...

PAGE 6

Some scholars describe it as a form of linguistic imperialism, where one region’s tongue overshadows the others.

There are also questions of practicality: in an economy and academic world dominated by English, is Filipino an obstacle to global competitiveness?

Advocates counter that Filipino was never meant to be a frozen Tagalog. By design, it is dynamic and evolving, enriched by other Philippine languages and even foreign borrowings. Far from being exclusionary, its adaptability makes it stronger. For advocates, Filipino is not simply a tool of communication but an assertion of dignity, independence, and self-definition in a globalized world.

This debate between inclusivity and exclusion, between pride and practicality, explains why Buwan ng Wika remains relevant today. It is not

PAGE 6

a month for nostalgia but for reflection. What does it mean to have a national language in the 21st century? Is it merely symbolic, or is it still essential to nationhood?

The framers of the Constitution were practical. They believed a shared language could unify an archipelago divided by geography and history.

In modern times, practicality takes on a different form. Filipino and English coexist in schools and workplaces, while regional languages remain anchors of identity in the provinces. To push one at the expense of the others risks division. To let Filipino shrink into ceremonial use would be to abandon a central pillar of statehood.

For the global Filipino diaspora, Buwan ng Wika carries a different weight. It is not only a reminder of home but also a bridge across generations and continents.

For children of immigrants

who risk losing touch with their roots, the national language becomes a lifeline of identity.

For overseas workers, it is solidarity, a code of belonging in faraway lands. In an age where borders blur but identity can be fragile, Filipino remains a compass.

Buwan ng Wika reminds the diaspora that even as they thrive abroad, their words carry the rhythm of home.

The way forward is balance. Filipino must be nurtured as the common language of unity. English must be used as a tool for global engagement. Regional languages must be preserved as treasures of cultural heritage. Only then can Buwan ng Wika move beyond ritual into real nation-building. Language was the bet of the framers of the Constitution. It is still our wager today. If we let Filipino fade into a once-ayear ritual, we lose more than words - we lose a part of who we are. (AJPress)

When skills don’t match jobs...

job. Junior high school graduates accounted for 21 percent, elementary school graduates 20 percent, and those who didn’t complete elementary grades comprised only 9 percent—suggesting that the easiest jobs to come by are low-level ones requiring little education.

There’s more. In the job fairs conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment, only a tiny fraction of the available jobs gets filled, and only one in six job applicants gets hired. DOLE’s last Labor Day job fairs nationwide saw a total of 261,581 local and overseas jobs being offered, exceeding the jobseekers (numbering 37,279) six-to-one. Top vacancies were in the manufacturing, retail, accommodation, business process outsourcing, and financial/insurance industries for production operators, salesclerks, call center representatives, service crew, and microfinance officers.

But only 5,780 (15.5 percent, or fewer than one in six applicants) were readily hired, while only 2.2 percent were filled, or fewer than one for every 45 available jobs. These were mostly for low-level positions: cashier, service crew, bagger, sales associate, clerk, production crew, loan officer, store clerks, and teachers of English as a second language (ESL teacher). We clearly don’t lack jobs; we just don’t

have the right people for them.

There’s more anecdotal evidence of our glaring jobs-skills mismatch. In a past study, my research team encountered a large industrial firm in Batangas that needed dozens of engineers for its expansion but couldn’t find suitable recruits.

A government agency needed dozens of specialists in a particular field, but among numerous applicants, it found only two who were qualified. And we all recall the mad rush to nursing schools that happened in past years, and the equally mad rush of colleges and universities to offer nursing courses. Soon, there was a glut of nursing graduates, and they ended up being the ones actually paying hospitals to gain the needed work experience to bolster their credentials. Many ended up working in call centers or in totally unrelated jobs.

In the same study, we came across another mismatch that’s even harder to fix. Human resource officers indicated that they often sought in recruits qualities that were not so much technical skills learned from STEM courses (science, technology, engineering, and math), but more of “soft” skills. These include motivation, analytical ability, creativity, resourcefulness, honesty, the ability to work in teams, communication and presentation skills, and the like—things not normally

Root causes of graft...

taught in schools but gained from family and community experience and basic education. These are even harder to find.

As to hard skills, our neighbors are way ahead of us. Indonesia and Vietnam reportedly produce 140,000 and 100,000 engineers yearly, respectively. We graduate 50,000 engineers yearly, but only about half of them pass the licensure exam. We have a problem on the supply side, but there’s a lingering problem on the demand side as well, because we can’t attract enough investors in manufacturing industries that will employ more of those engineers. This is unfortunate because it’s in manufacturing where labor productivity is highest and job quality is superior.

What’s the implied homework? One, we need industry and academe to talk more and coordinate better. Two, we need to fix the long-standing issues that deter job-creating investments by both Filipinos and foreigners alike. Neither is easy, but the first is a bit easier. As for the second, I’m not holding my breath.

(Inquirer.net)

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * cielito.habito@gmail.com

PAGE 6

recent as during the administration of president Noynoy Aquino, we have shown that we could be successful in minimizing corruption. One example is that the Department of Public Works and Highways under secretary Babes Singson was much less corrupt than it is today. President Aquino waged a campaign against the abuse of “pork barrel funds” and was even able to put in jail several sitting senators.

The following administration, however, saw the reemergence of widespread and systemic corruption.

Today, if President BBM is sincere, we can only laud his attempt to cleanse the DPWH, starting with the corruption in the flood control projects. However, no matter how successful this attempt to minimize corruption, it will keep recurring for as long as the root causes are not addressed.

The persistence of graft and corruption comes from a combination of systemic and institutional factors which are the root causes.

• Weak institutions. In a nation where the rule of law is fragile, judicial systems are easily compromised and oversight mechanisms are ineffective, corruption flourishes. Officials are more likely to abuse power when there are no meaningful consequences. In the Philippines, it is known that the judiciary is rife with corruption. Judicial trials take years before their final judgements, and it is a financial burden so only the rich can

afford to go to trial. Another weakness is that the rich and the powerful can find ways to eventually stay out of jail, like the senators who were put in jail during PNoy’s term.

• Lack of transparency and accountability. When government actions and financial dealings are hidden from public view, it becomes easier for officials to divert resources and make decisions that benefit themselves or their allies. The lack of transparency and accountability in the budget process has led to the syndicate of contractors, lawmakers and DPWH district engineers to successfully divert billions of pesos from legitimate projects into the pockets of the members of this syndicate. It took an exposé by President BBM to focus public attention on these anomalies. Another example is the refusal of Senate members to agree to an impeachment trial in spite of the need for accountability for the actions of Vice President Sara Duterte.

• Concentration of power.

In systems where power is centralized and unchecked, people in leadership positions often operate without fear of accountability, leading to the abuse of authority. In the Philippines, political and economic power is centralized in family dynasties. There are provinces and cities where a single family controls almost all political positions and the existence of a political opposition is almost negligible. In fact, the real political organizations in this country are not political parties but families.

• Cultural acceptance. There are societies like the Philippines where corruption is viewed as a normal part of doing business or navigating bureaucracy. Social norms that tolerate bribery or nepotism make reform more difficult. In fact, politicians who have been identified with corruption still manage to get reelected and those that amass fortunes become socially acceptable, even among the socalled elite society.

• Political patronage. Corruption thrives in systems where loyalty is rewarded over merit and public resources are used to maintain political support rather than to serve the common good.

There must be effective strategies to combat the root causes if we want to minimize graft and corruption. The government is not the proper institution to address these root causes. The only institutions that have a chance to combat these root causes are the educational system or schools, the Catholic Church and its affiliated organizations, civil society and the media. Hopefully, we can witness a national dialogue among these sectors on how they can address the root causes of graft and corruption in the country.

(Philstar.com)

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

elfrencruz@gmail.com

Duterte denies dropping plea vs ICC prosecutor

by Kathleen de Villa Inquirer.net

MANILA — Contrary to earlier reports, former President Rodrigo Duterte has not withdrawn his plea to disqualify the top prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) because of his alleged conflict of interest and bias.

British-Israeli lawyer Nicolas Kaufman, head of Duterte’s legal team, said they sought the disqualification of ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan after it was made aware of the “true extent of Khan’s conflict and bias.”

Kaufman argued that Khan had “hidden materials concerning his former representation from the court, including the fact that he had targeted the former president as the first among several worthy of prosecution back in 2018.”

Khan disclosed to the ICC on March 6 that he served as a pro bono lawyer for the drug war victims, but he said the role was limited only to reviewing the submission asking his predecessor, former ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda, to open an

investigation into Duterte’s deadly antidrug war.

Out of context

Kaufman clarified on Sunday, however, the Philippine media reports that quoted an initial filing the defense made in April, shortly before Khan went on leave of absence pending an investigation by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services of the sexual misconduct charge against him.

Kaufman, at the time, told the pretrial court he found “no ostensible reason to doubt the prosecutor’s impartiality or his assertions that he is not conflicted on account of his former representation of [redacted].”

“At the time, the defense relied on what is termed ‘the presumption of prosecutorial regularity,’ which has now been rebutted,” Kaufman told the Inquirer on Sunday. Khan, for his part, said the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) continued gathering evidence from various sources. The investigation and review of the evidence was led by a team of lawyers from the OTP, supervised directly by a deputy prosecutor, not him

The obligations of a prosecutor are “entirely different from those of a legal team” and that they play “entirely different roles,” he said.

Khan said that there should be no presumption that his past role would result in partiality toward the evidence at hand, which he noted “significantly deepened” in scope over the last seven years.

Duterte was arrested by the International Criminal Police Organization in March and flown to The Hague, where he remains in detention at the ICC facility in the Scheveningen Penitentiary Complex. n

Arrest of Global Ferronickel chair sparks

Hontiveros’

by AJPress

warning on security risks

MANILA — Global Ferronickel Holdings, Inc. (FNI) chairman Joseph C. Sy has taken a voluntary leave of absence, effective August 27, following his arrest over alleged misrepresentation of citizenship. The company confirmed the move in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said it is closely monitoring the case and reminded listed firms to promptly disclose material developments, citing rules under the Securities Regulation Code and the Philippine Stock Exchange’s disclosure requirements.

Immigration case

try Association (PNIA), also chaired by Sy, called for his release, describing the arrest as unlawful and warning of negative signals to investor confidence in the mining industry.

Leadership transition

Following Sy’s leave, the FNI board appointed company president Dante R. Bravo as acting chairman and created a vice chair position filled by independent director Jaime F. Del Rosario, to maintain governance continuity.

Market reaction

FNI’s stock fell 12.14% to P1.23 by the close on August 27 amid volatility, though it partially recovered intraday. The company assured stakeholders that operations remain stable and that contingency protocols are in place.

with a final court ruling voiding her citizenship, while Sy’s case is still under investigation, with no judicial decision yet issued. Until a court rules, Sy’s legal status remains unresolved.

PCG delisting

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that Sy has been delisted from its Auxiliary roster for alleged misrepresentation. Officials said vetting procedures will be tightened to prevent future lapses.

China-linked deal in 2016

On August 21, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested Sy at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, alleging his fingerprints matched those of a Chinese national previously issued a Philippine visa and Alien Certificate of Registration. Deportation proceedings are being prepared while Sy remains detained at the BI Warden Facility in Taguig City. Company and industry response

Global Ferronickel denounced the arrest as a “grave injustice,” insisting that Sy is Filipino. The firm cited his valid Philippine passport and previous affirmations of nationality by government bodies—including the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, the Office of the President, the SEC, and the Supreme Court. (These claims reflect the company’s position and have not been adjudicated in court.)

The Philippine Nickel Indus-

The “Alice Guo” comparison

A Senate panel has reportedly determined that Sy was “born and raised in China,” raising fresh scrutiny over the validity of his Philippine citizenship claims. The revelation prompted parallels with the case of former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, who was found by a Manila court to be a Chinese citizen despite presenting herself as Filipino.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been pressing for a probe, underscored the similarities, saying both cases involve allegations of forged or questionable documents, entry into sensitive institutions, and national security concerns.

“This looks like Alice Guo Part 2 — pretending to be Filipino with questionable documents,” Hontiveros said earlier this week.

However, key differences remain: Guo’s case concluded

In October 2016, FNI signed a cooperation agreement with China’s state-owned Baiyin Nonferrous Group, announced during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit to Beijing. The deal involved potential financing for FNI’s Palawan mining operations and a proposed steel plant. Subsequent public filings have not reported full implementation of the agreement.

Broader implications

The unfolding controversy now spans corporate governance, immigration enforcement, and national security. The SEC is focused on transparency for investors; the BI is handling citizenship proceedings; and lawmakers are investigating possible institutional lapses.

The Senate’s finding that Sy was born in China, paired with comparisons to the Alice Guo case, has sharpened political and public attention. Whether the case follows the same trajectory as Guo’s, or diverges, will depend on the outcome of BI proceedings and potential court rulings. For the mining sector and capital markets, the matter is a critical test of institutional credibility and investor confidence. n

Judy Araneta-Roxas, business leader and philanthropist, passes away at 91

Judy Araneta-Roxas is remembered for her leadership at Araneta Centre and her work in foundations that shaped Philippine civic and social life

by AJPress

MANILA — Judy Araneta-Roxas, a business leader, philanthropist, and matriarch of one of the country’s most prominent families, passed away on Monday at the age of 91. Her family said she died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on July 31, 1934, Judy was the eldest of three children of Jesús Amado Araneta and Ester Araneta. Her father founded the Araneta Group, the real estate and commercial empire behind landmarks such as Araneta City, the Smart Araneta Coliseum, and Gateway Malls.

Business leadership Araneta-Roxas served as vice chairperson of the Araneta Centre Corporation, where she helped guide the family’s businesses through decades of transformation. While she inherited her father’s legacy, she was known for steady leadership that sustained Araneta

City’s role as a hub of commerce, culture, and leisure in Quezon City.

Commitment to social development

She was equally active in civic work. Araneta-Roxas was president of the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Inc. (JAAF), which advances education, cultural programs, disaster relief, and community resilience. She also chaired the Gerry Roxas Foundation, continuing her late husband’s

legacy through initiatives on good governance, justice reform, health, youth leadership, and microfinance. In addition, she served as president of the President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation, honoring her father-in-law’s contributions to the nation.

Honors and recognition

Her contributions to Philippine society were recognized internationally. In 1987, she received a Papal Award from Pope John Paul II for her service to the Catholic Church. She was also a recipient of the Benigno S. Aquino Jr. Award for Nationalism, honoring her civic leadership and commitment to national development.

Family and personal legacy She married the late Senator Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas in 1955. They had three children: Maria Lourdes (Ria), former senator and Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, and former congressman Gerardo “Dinggoy” Roxas Jr., who passed away in 1993. n

QC, Naga renew Sister City Agreement

by AJPress

QUEZON CITY – Quezon

City Mayor Joy Belmonte

welcomed Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, for the renewal signing of the Sister City Agreement between the two local government units.

First established in 2017, the partnership was reaffirmed in a ceremony that underscored the two cities’ commitment to strengthening cooperation in governance, public service, and community development.

In a statement posted on her official social media page, Belmonte highlighted the importance of the renewed accord.

“Sa tulong nito, mas makakapagbahagi sila sa isa’t isa ng kani-kanilang mga best practice, at mas madaling makakapagpadala ng tulong sa panahon na ito’y kakailanganin,” she said, which translates

to “Through this, they will be able to share each other’s best practices, and it will be easier to send assistance at times when it is needed.”

The Department of the Interior and Local Government defines a sister city agreement as a cooperative arrangement between local government units designed to foster goodwill, cultural exchange, and collaboration in areas such as trade, technology, and disaster response. For Quezon City and Naga, the renewal serves as both a mechanism for sharing best practices and a framework for mutual support during emergencies, while also encouraging educational and economic linkages.

Mayor Belmonte, who has led Quezon City since 2019, has pushed initiatives in digital transformation, disaster response, and expanded social services for the country’s largest LGU. Robredo, elected in

2025 as the first female mayor of Naga City after serving as vice president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022, began her term with a zero-tolerance policy against corruption in local governance. Their partnership reflects a shared emphasis on transparency, inclusivity, and citizen-centered leadership.

Beyond ceremonial reaffirmation, the renewed pact ensures continuity in cooperative governance that transcends political terms. It reinforces Quezon City’s role as a model for metropolitan management while sustaining Naga City’s tradition of people-focused governance, a legacy long associated with the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. For residents of both cities, the agreement offers not only symbolic goodwill but also a practical framework for stronger resilience, innovation, and improved public services. n

PH Olympic weightlifter Vanessa Sarno accepts two-year ban due to violation

by Yoniel aCebuChe Philstar.com

PHILIPPINE weightlift-

er Vanessa Sarno has been banned for two years due to an anti-doping rule violation. In a statement, the International Testing Agency confirmed that Sarno has agreed to the consequences for her violation under Article 2.4 of the IWF Anti-Doping Rules. Athletes are required to provide the Anti-Doping Organization with their whereabouts for drug testing. This information includes their home address, regular activities, and competition schedules, as well as a specific 60-minute window each day when they can be tested.

A "whereabouts failure" happens if an athlete is not at the location they provided during their designated testing window (a missed test), or if they fail to submit their information on time or provide inaccurate details (a filing failure).

Per ITA, Sarno committed three whereabouts failures within 12 months. Her ineligibility began on Aug. 4 and ends on Aug. 3, 2027.

Because of this, Sarno's individual competitive results from the date of commission of the ADRV, which is January 1, 2025, until the start of the period of ineligibility, are disqualified, including forfei-

Marcos slams ‘useless’ Kennon Road projects

to fall and damage the road.

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday expressed his frustration yet again as he witnessed for himself another pair of “useless” infrastructure projects in Tuba town in Benguet province that should have been overseen by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

ture of medals, points, and prizes.

She will also not be able to participate in the upcoming 2025 Southeast Asian Games, the 2026 Asian Games, and the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships.

The mentioned article said that athletes have the right to choose not to have their case referred to a hearing panel wherein the anti-doping organization will "assess the athlete's case file and establish the applicable consequences pursuant to the anti-doping rules and the athlete will have the right to accept the proposed consequences."

"The decision may be challenged before the appeal division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport by the parties with a right of appeal in accordance with Article 13.2.3 of the IWF ADR," ITA said. The statement concluded, "The ITA will not comment further on this case."

'This is not a drugs case' Meanwhile, Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella said that Sarno's suspension was not due to a failed drug test.

"This is not a drug case. No tests. No doping. Just failure to report her whereabouts," Puentevella told the media outlet, highlighting that her sanction stemmed from not reporting where Sarno is, as "every national team lifter must report quarterly."

"Every [national] team lifter must report quarterly on where she is. In her case, she got pregnant, so she didn't bother to report anymore. She's resting in Bohol now. No drugs issue."

Sarno won a gold medal during the  2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships and the 2023 Southeast Asian Games. She also made history by winning three gold medals at the 2023 Asian Youth and Junior Championships. n

A visibly irate Marcos vowed to address the controversies surrounding the botched, if not nonexistent, projects implemented by the DPWH before he steps down in three years.

He added that he is restoring a policy that gives local governments the power to accept or reject poorly constructed public works projects, so they would have a greater role in curbing systemic corruption in government infrastructure programs.

The president’s travels across the country, which uncovered public works anomalies in the past weeks, had led him to questionable projects that failed to protect century-old Kennon Road, which links the lowland to Baguio City, during the days of deluge in the last weeks of July.

Together with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and DPWH officials, Marcos inspected on Sunday the rock shed project at Purok Millsite Sitio Camp 6 in Barangay Camp 4, on Kennon Road.

In an angry outburst, Marcos described the project as “sloppily made” after parts of its foothold caved in due to soil scouring at the height of Typhoon Emong and monsoon rains in late July.

According to the president, the slope protection of the project disintegrated, causing boulders from the mountains

The foundation supporting the shed’s opening was also eroded because “the protection wall they built was extremely weak and undersized,” he noted. “So when the floodwater came in, when it grew heavier, it (the foundation) was immediately swept away.”

Kennon Road has since been closed to motorists due to risks of rockfalls and landslides.

“Here is the problem: This P260-million project [is] useless. It’s like the government threw money into the river. Useless,” the president lamented.

According to the DPWH, the national government allocated P274 million from its 2022 budget for the construction of a 152-meter, two-lane rock shed along Kennon Road to serve as a protective structure to safeguard motorists from rock falls and landslides.

The P264-million project, which was awarded to 3K Rock Engineering, started on Jan. 10, 2023, and was reported to be completed on April 13, 2025.

Based on DPWH records, 3K Rock listed engineer Francis Cuyop as its general manager.

Cuyop ran under the banner of Marcos’ Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) as congressman of Ifugao’s lone district in the May 2025 elections but lost to lawyer Solomon Chungalao.

The president said reconstructing the rock shed would cost the government at least twice the original amount.

“The P260 million that the government spent [on] this project had no effect whatsoever as to protect the slope. It’s like nothing has been constructed in the first place,” he told journalists accompanying him.

“It’s like they did not build

anything—no walls, no riprap, no slope protection. That’s what happened. That’s why the value of their work is zero, complete zero,” he added.

‘Notorious for corruption’

Marcos also inspected the rock netting technology employed at Kennon, saying these devices were overpriced and 75 percent of the bloated expenses ended up as kickbacks.

The president said the key element missing in these projects was the coordination or consultation that the DPWH needed to do with local officials and residents concerning programs that may affect their lives.

He said a long-neglected public works practice was for local governments to evaluate and accept national projects within their jurisdictions.

“Before a national project is released to the local government, the local government has to formally accept it, and that is something we will reinstate, “Marcos said, citing his experience as Ilocos Norte governor.

Under the P114.18-million contract also won by 3K Rock, a 3,479-square-meter active mesh system should be put up on the portion of Kennon Road at Purok Maramal, Sitio Camp 5, also in Barangay Camp 4, to stabilize rock formations and minimize landslide risks.

The installation of the rockfall netting started on April 24, 2018, and was reported to be completed on June 15, 2019.

“This rock netting is very notorious for corruption. Rock netting has already been banned, but it kept being implemented,” the President said.

“I know the supplier of the rock netting. The price of rock netting is P3,200 [per square meter], but what was charged to the government was more than P12,000,” he added. n

The making of Leylah Fernandez: how a fighter’s spirit built a global star

by AJPress

NEW YORK (as of August 30, 2025) — Four summers ago on Arthur Ashe Stadium, a 19-year-old lefty from Montreal threaded backhands through the noise of the U.S. Open and introduced herself to the world.

Today, at 22, Leylah Fernandez returns to New York not as a fleeting surprise but as a force. Fresh off her WTA 500 title in Washington, she carried that momentum into Flushing Meadows before falling in the third round to defending champion Aryna Sabalenka.

A game built on first steps and first strikes Fernandez plays like the court is one step smaller for her than for everyone else. She robs time with early contact and changes direction with a flick, especially off the backhand. She is not the tallest player on tour, but she compensates with court positioning, clean patterns, and a willingness to absorb pace then send it back sharper. What has matured since 2021 is her shot tolerance and her understanding of when to finish a point versus when to stretch it one more ball.

From rejection to resilience: how her tennis journey began Fernandez’s path to professional tennis was never preordained. At age 7, she was dropped from Quebec’s provincial development program after coaches deemed her “too small” and not athletic enough. Instead of giving up, her father, Jorge — a former Ecuadorian soccer player with no formal background in tennis — decided to coach her himself. He studied the game through manuals and videos, blending soccer discipline with tennis drills, and instilled a fierce mental toughness in

his daughter.

The sacrifices were significant. Her mother, Irene Exevea, of Filipino-Canadian heritage, worked in California for years to support the family financially while Leylah trained in Montreal. Often practicing on public courts, Leylah learned to fight for every ball, a mindset that would become her hallmark. Her persistence soon paid off. She broke through on the junior circuit, winning the 2019 French Open girls’ singles title, the first Canadian to claim a junior Grand Slam since Eugenie Bouchard in 2012. That same year she reached the Australian Open junior final, cementing her reputation as one of the sport’s brightest prospects. By 2020, she was representing Canada at the Billie Jean King Cup (then Fed Cup), upsetting then–World No. 5 Belinda Bencic and signaling she was ready for the big stage.

The hinge moment in New York

Everything about her pub-

lic image still traces to the 2021 U.S. Open, when she beat Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina, then Aryna Sabalenka to reach the final, the youngest player to down multiple topfive opponents at the same major in more than twenty years. Emma Raducanu won the title that night, but Fernandez won the city. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11 she told the crowd, “I hope I can be as strong and as resilient as New York has been the last 20 years.” The words traveled far because they sounded like her tennis.

The rebuild She steadied after that breakthrough. There were setbacks — a stress fracture in her foot during the 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinal run and a season of uneven results — but she rebuilt. She defended Monterrey in 2022 after saving five championship points in a late-night thriller. She ended 2023 with the Hong Kong Open title and then helped deliver Canada’s

first ever Billie Jean King Cup crown. These wins turned her 2021 run from a lightning strike into a weather pattern.

The 2025 surge

This summer in Washington, Fernandez claimed the biggest trophy of her career, the DC Open, a WTA 500. She went through Jessica Pegula, Taylor Townsend, and Elena Rybakina before finishing with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 win in the final over Anna Kalinskaya. Her summary afterward was classic Leylah: cramps, heat, late nights, then burgers and fries with her father-coach Jorge because recovery is sometimes as humble as calories.

Family, roots, and a wider fanbase

Fernandez was born in Montreal to an Ecuadorian father and coach, Jorge, and to Irene Exevea, a Canadian of Filipino descent. Her multicultural story explains the overlapping communities that cheer her on — from Montreal to Miami to Manila. She seamlessly answers

questions in English, French, and Spanish, a reflection of her global identity and reach.

The business of being Leylah

Fernandez is part of a new generation of women’s tennis stars who understand their influence off the court.

Her sponsors include Lululemon, Babolat, Morgan Stanley, Google Canada, Gatorade Canada, EasyPost, and Youth Athletes United.

She also leads clinics tied to Morgan Stanley’s Come Play initiative, bringing tennis and financial literacy to children who might otherwise never set foot on court.

Giving back

In 2021, she and her family launched the Leylah Annie & Family Foundation, which provides scholarships and sports grants to young athletes. Its mission is straightforward: widen access to education and athletics for kids who face financial barriers.

The foundation has supported clinics and youth programs across North America.

The US Open return Fernandez opened her 2025 campaign with a straight-sets win over Rebecca Marino, then came back from a set down to beat Elsa Jacquemot.

In the third round, she faced defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a rematch of their 2021 semifinal. Fernandez fought hard, pushing the second set to a tiebreak, but Sabalenka’s power proved decisive. The Belarusian prevailed 6-3, 7-6(2), earning her revenge and moving into the fourth round.

For Fernandez, the loss was a reminder of the margins at the top and of the work that still lies ahead.

Where grit meets grace

Her third-round exit in New York may have closed this U.S. Open run, but it reaffirmed why Fernandez captivates audiences. She plays with fight and composure, delivering rallies that stretch beyond statistics into heart.

From her 2021 breakthrough to her Washington triumph this summer, and now this latest test against the world’s best, Fernandez continues to embody the balance of grit and grace that defines champions in the making.

Quick facts

• Age: 22 (turns 23 next month)

• Height: 5’6” (1.68 m)

• Plays: Left-handed, two-handed backhand

• Career-high singles ranking: No. 13 (Aug 2022)

• Current ranking: ~30

• Singles titles: 4 (Monterrey 2021, Monterrey 2022, Hong Kong 2023, Washington DC 2025)

• Major highlight: 2021 U.S. Open finalist

• Residence/training base: Miami, Florida

Dolphy’s estate continues to provide for his family beyond his lifetime

More than a decade after his death, Comedy King Dolphy’s estate continues to support his heirs through royalties, businesses, and real estate ventures

by AJPress

MANILA — More than a decade since his passing in 2012, the late Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon Sr., the Philippines’ Comedy King, continues to provide for his family through royalties, businesses, and real estate that he left behind. Dolphy, who fathered 18 acknowledged children, left not only a towering career in film and television but also a carefully managed inheritance. According to his sons, the estate was divided into 20 shares, ensuring that each child—and even the descendants of siblings who have since passed—benefits from what he built.

In a recent interview, actor and director Epy Quizon revealed that he and his siblings still receive what he calls an “allowance” from their father. He clarified that this income comes from royalties and busi-

ness ventures tied to Dolphy’s name, including Pidol’s Bakeshop and Banayad Whisky, brands inspired by Dolphy’s on-screen persona and humor. Epy stressed that the family is not “billionaire-rich” but continues to enjoy modest, regular support from these

projects. “There are 18 of us, and the shares are divided,” he said, adding that even heirs of deceased siblings are included.

His brother Eric Quizon, who serves as co-executor of the estate alongside Zsa Zsa Padilla, has explained that all ventures using Dolphy’s likeness or intellectual property are managed transparently, with royalties distributed among the heirs. The family has also acted to protect Dolphy’s image, filing cases in the past against unauthorized use of his name on products.

One of the family’s most visible legacy businesses is Pidol’s Bakeshop, rolled out as a franchise in 2024–2025 through a partnership with Global Franchise House. The bakery, named after Dolphy’s affectionate nickname “Pidol,” was designed to connect his memory to the everyday

Karen Davila reaffirms integrity: “I

never took a single centavo”

Karen Davila says she has faced bribe offers but never accepted any and explains why integrity remains central to her journalism

by AJPress

VETERAN broadcast journalist Karen Davila, one of the most recognizable voices in Philippine television news, has revealed that there were moments in her career when she was offered money to compromise her reporting. She firmly denied ever accepting, saying, “All the times that I have been offered, I’ve never taken a single centavo in my life. Because I don’t want to taint my profession.”

A painful price of visibility

As a long-time anchor for ABS-CBN, Davila has often been in the public eye, admired by audiences but also subject to scrutiny. She admitted that while it was easy for her to turn down the offers, what proved more difficult were the rumors that she had been “paid off.”

“It’s painful, because you try

your best to be conscientious and to do the right thing,” she said, reflecting on how false accusations can erode a journalist’s reputation. “But in the

end, what matters most is that God knows the truth, and my bosses at ABS-CBN know.”

Her admission highlights

Manny Jacinto says representing Filipinos in Hollywood “means the world” as Freakier Friday continues box office run

by AJPress

FILIPINO Canadian actor Manny Jacinto is embracing his heritage while taking on one of his most prominent studio roles yet. Speaking about Disney’s new film Freakier Friday, Jacinto said that being able to represent the Filipino community on a global stage “means the world,” adding that he hopes to “continue to represent well.”

A Major Studio Role

In Freakier Friday—the long-awaited sequel to the 2003 hit—Jacinto plays Eric Reyes, a widowed British chef and father who becomes the romantic interest of Lindsay Lohan’s character, Anna Coleman. The movie reunites Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis under director Nisha Ganatra and introduces a new multigenerational body-swap storyline. Disney confirmed the title and August 2025 release, positioning the film as one of the studio’s headline projects of the year.

The film opened in U.S. theaters earlier in early August and heading into its third weekend.

Correcting Past Missteps

The project has been notable for its efforts to update aspects of the original film that previously drew criticism for stereotyped depictions of Asian culture. Ganatra acknowledged those shortcomings, saying the creative team wanted to “make it right.” Jacinto echoed that

Filipino Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, star of Freakier Friday is known for his breakout role as Jason Mendoza in The Good Place. He continues to highlight Filipino representation in Hollywood through his work. Screengrab from Instagram/@disneystudios

view, noting that while he initially had concerns about how the franchise had handled Asian representation, the sequel approached the material with greater cultural awareness.

Background of Manny Jacinto

Manuel Luis Jacinto, known professionally as Manny Jacinto, was born on August 19, 1987, in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated with his family to Canada at age three, growing up in Richmond, British Columbia. He earned a civil engineering degree from the University of British Columbia, but his passion for performance eventually drew him to acting.

Jacinto began with guest appearances on shows like Once Upon a Time, Supernatural, The 100, and iZombie, while also honing his stage presence through hiphop dance. His breakthrough came in 2016 as Jason Mendoza on NBC’s The Good Place, a role that made him a fan favorite and highlighted his comedic timing.

Since then, he has built a versatile career across genres, appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022) as Lt. Billy “Fritz” Avalone, Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers (2021) alongside Nicole Kidman, Netflix’s Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021), Disney+’s Star Wars series The Acolyte (2024), and now headlining Disney’s Freakier Friday (2025).

Beyond acting, Jacinto has emphasized the importance of Filipino and Asian representation in Hollywood, openly discussing how he grew up rarely seeing actors who looked like him. His engagement to Canadian actress Dianne Doan, known for Disney’s Descendants films, has also brought him into the spotlight as part of a rising generation of Asian talent in North America.

Box Office Performance

Freakier Friday debuted with a strong $28.6 million domestic opening weekend and about $45 million worldwide. By its second weekend, it had added another $14.5 million domestically, and as of August 20, its cumulative gross stands at roughly $92 million worldwide—already surpassing its reported $42–45 million production budget.

Industry analysts say the film is on pace to surpass $100 million worldwide during its theatrical run, underscoring its commercial success.

Why Representation Matters

Jacinto’s remarks resonate beyond standard film promotion. His casting highlights how Filipino and Asian actors are increasingly taking central roles in Hollywood blockbusters while studios revisit past portrayals with a more respectful lens. For Jacinto, the role is not just another career step, but an affirmation of heritage, visibility, and the responsibility of representation.

Master filmmaker Mike de Leon; 78

by ToTel V. de Jesus Inquirer.net

WORLD-acclaimed filmmaker and archivist Miguel “Mike” de Leon, 78, passed away Thursday morning, Aug. 28, due to a lingering illness, his first cousin, designer Patis Tesoro, confirmed to the Inquirer.

News of De Leon’s passing was felt not only in the Philippines but as far as Europe, where he has been rediscovered in the past couple of years. The Paris-based Carlotta Films was among the first to pay its respects on social media. In 2022, it released eight films of De Leon in a Blu-ray box set, making these long-unseen movies now available in Europe and in the United States.

De Leon left behind a comparatively slim body of work, having directed only 10 fulllength films. But today, they are considered among the greatest in the canon of Philippine cinema: “Itim” (1976), “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising” (1977), “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?” (1980), “Kisapmata” (1981), “Batch ’81” (1982), “Sister Stella L.” (1984), “Hindi Nahahati ang Langit” (1985), “Bilanggo Sa Dilim (1986), “Bayaning Third World” (1999), and, what would be his final work after a long hiatus, “Citizen Jake” (2018).

He also shot the short film “Aliwan Paradise” (1993), part of the four-country anthology film “Southern Winds.”

He was “a voice for the unheard, a visionary genius behind generation-defining cinematic classics who shone a light on the beauty and pain of the downtrodden and repressed, bringing their stories to the cultural forefront,” said the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in its tribute.

LVN scion

De Leon was no outsider to cinema when he started. Born on May 24, 1947, he was the grandson of Narcisa “Sisang” de Leon, the matriarch and driving force behind LVN Studios, one of the country’s biggest movie production outfits in the postwar era.

De Leon received his bachelor’s degree major in humanities from the Ateneo de Manila University and also took up art history at the University of Heidelberg in Germany.

In his two-volume photographic memoir titled “Mike de Leon’s Last Look Back,” published in December 2022, De Leon wrote: “Biologically, I owe my life to Lola/Grandma Sisang and my parents Manuel

and Imelda. But as for my life in cinema, I owe it all to LVN.’”

De Leon got his start in the industry producing and serving as cinematographer of the Lino Brocka classic “Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag” (1975).

His first feature was the 1976 ghost story “Itim,” which was met with immediate acclaim.

In later films like “Batch ’81,” about a group of young men undergoing harsh initiation rites in a university fraternity; “Sister Stella L.,” about an apolitical nun waking up to the social realities around her; and “Kisapmata,” which tackled incest and crime in a rigid patriarchal home, De Leon used his cinema to shine a light on the brutality and oppression of the then Marcos dictatorship.

In “Last Look Back,” he noted how, in more than 45 years, he “only directed 10 feature films, produced three and photographed two.”

Aside from “Aliwan Paradise,” he did the short features “Sa Bisperas” (1972) and “Signos” (2008). In 2019, he came out with “Kangkungan” and “Mr.Li,” both as searing critique of the Duterte administraion.

“Sa Bisperas” consisted of random shots of street rallies he had personally taken during the First Quarter Storm. But when martial law was declared, De Leon said he hid the film negatives so well that, years later, even he couldn’t find them.

“‘Sa Bisperas’ is lost forever,’” he said.

Two retrospectives

In 2022, De Leon’s filmography was honored with two landmark retrospectives: the monthlong “Mike de Leon, Self-Portrait of a Filipino Filmmaker” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30; and at the 44th edition of Three

Continents Festival in Nantes, France, from Nov. 18 to Nov. 27. Ironically, no retrospective was ever held for him in the Philippines.

There had been clamor to confer on De Leon the Order of National Artist for Film, but in his twilight years he was known for turning down awards and shunning the limelight. In good humor, he told filmmaker Mel Bacani III, “maybe posthumous na lang.”

When the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) gave him the Gawad CCP Para sa Sining for Film in 2024, CCP vice president and artistic director Dennis Marasigan said De Leon had declined the award. But despite the rejection, the board still decided to honor him, along with his contemporary, screenwriter-poet Jose “Pete” Lacaba.

Digitized library

In his later years, De Leon digitized what was left of the LVN film library and shared them for free on his YouTube and Vimeo channels named “Citizen Jake.” In the Facebook page Casa Grande Vintage Filipino Cinema, which he had been curating since 2017, he wrote snippets about the golden years of LVN. For film historian and book author Nick Deocampo, “Almost every film he did is a masterpiece of that particular genre. He didn’t pander to any commercial demands. He really specialized in his vision … His films are the papyrus of our generation. It is time to study them and know what needs to be known.”

FDCP Chair Jose Javier Reyes, meanwhile, wrote: “[His] life was dedicated to film. His consistent imagination to explore the language of cinema shaped what we understand of Philippine filmmaking today.”

Health@Heart Liver pills: A scam

PHiliP S. CHua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

PROTECTING the public from misinformation, fraud, and all forms of scams is one of the reasons I write this column. Inspiring people to live a healthy lifestyle has been my goal since I was at the Arellano (Public) High School, where I wrote my featured health column, Ultra-Facts, in the student paper, The Chronicler and Tambuli. I continued the same column in the Philippine Collegian at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. (My Ultra-Facts column logo was designed by my good high school buddy, Gus Figueroa, Jr., now a neurosurgeon in Cumberland, Maryland, USA).

We are currently bombarded with advertisements selling brain, heart, liver, and kidney supplements, cleansers, boosters, and countless other food supplements. Even the seemingly “healthy” commercial about fruits and vegetables in capsules is medically questionable, as far as the number of capsules (sufficient dose) needed a day to have any health benefit. Eating fresh vegetables, fruits, and nuts is better and less costly as part of a healthy lifestyle.

The unsuspecting, gullible, misinformed, and ignorant segments of society are, unfortunately, the obvious targets of the unconscionable money-hungry entrepreneurs. But more fall victim to the rampant commercial scams. Since the trillion-dollar “food supplement” (which are actually drugs) industry is unregulated, the public is left unprotected, with their health and life in jeopardy, as they try to get healthier.

Review of the medical literature reveals liver, kidney, brain, and 99 percent of other “food supplements” are a scam, with no clinical evidence-based data to support their claims on TV, print, and social media about the benefits these supplements provide our organs or our body. There is also no research evidence about their safety and counter-effect with other medications, either.

Cancer warning

People who eat red meat, in general, have a greater risk of cancer compared to those who do not consume red meat. The risk for pancreatic, colon, liver, breast, and prostate cancer goes even higher for those who consume a lot

of smoked meats or high-heatgrilled or high-heat pan-fried, and barbecued meats, especially with the black-charred surfaces. Super high temperatures release carcinogens, like heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS). During grilling, the juice from the meat that hits the charcoal is burnt, turns into carcinogens, and evaporates back into (and absorbed by) the meat.

Eating red meat, cooked with medium heat, with no black charred surfaces, once a week could lower this risk. Avoiding smoked meats will achieve the same. Boiling, steaming, and baking meats appear to be safer.

Processed foods (meats, veggies, etc.) also increase the risk for cancer. Raw fish, like sashimi/sushi, prime and hygienically prepared by experienced chefs, are very nutritious and healthy food items.

Slowing down aging

In man’s quest to live longer, scientists around the world are searching all avenues to extend longevity to the maximum possible, even beyond 100 for the majority of us. Diet is the major determinant of health, even greater than exercise, which is second in importance to health.

The Mediterranean Diet (modified by reducing the carbohydrate in it) has been shown to be a healthier diet, and together with an overall healthy lifestyle, could improve longevity. Recently, caloric restriction (quantity control) has also been associated with a longer lifespan by 0.6 years in 2 years compared to those who did not restrict their caloric intake.

There are around 200 million people around the world, 20.4 million in the United States, and around 4.7 million in the Philippines are taking Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Since Metformin was introduced for T2 Diabetes in 1957 in France, 1958 in the UK, and approved by the FDA in the United States in 1994, the drug appears to improve longevity in some people.

A first-line drug for T2 Diabetes, Metformin, a biguanide, has now been shown to slow age-related biologic processes. This drug inhibits mitochondrial complex I, which increases AMPK (adenosine monophosphate protein kinase), which enhances autophagy (“clean-up and recycling process to create energy and new building blocks”) and mitochondrial biogenesis (reproduction process). All this is

postulated to increase longevity. Metformin also shows survival benefits for patients with HER2-positive breast cancer.

Vit D overdose

Vitamin D3 is an excellent supplement to take for brain, bone, and muscle health, for boosting the immune system, and its anti-cancer effects in melanoma (skin cancer), colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and possibly other forms of malignancy.

The popularity of Vitamin D, which is an over-the-counter drug, has led to widespread use and abuse, which has led to overdose and toxicity, which has caused abdominal pains, nausea, vomiting, acute kidney failure, and even death.

In view of the extraordinarily high number of Vitamin D overdoses in the Balearic Islands, Spain, its Ministry of Health has recently issued a warning about the risk of consuming vitamin D without proper indication and medical supervision.

In the United States, there are about 4500 cases a year, uncommon; no stats found for the Philippines, where Vitamin D deficiency is about 49 percent in the general population.

The FDA and the Mayo Clinic recommend 600 IU for young adults and 800 IU for older adults, but the Endocrine Society recommends 1,500 IU to 2,000 IU, especially for those not exposed to the sun every day. A maximum of 4,000 IU is considered safe, but not necessary for the majority of us.

If taken more than the printed dose, any vitamin and mineral supplements could also cause overdose and toxicity, which can be life-threatening. Anything in excess is unsafe, even oxygen, love, or food.

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in

Dolphy’s estate continues to provide...

12

Filipino table. With branches opening in Mindanao, including Zamboanga, the bakeshop reflects Dolphy’s wholesome persona, offering affordable breads and pastries while serving as a steady source of royalties for the family.

In 2025, the heirs also launched the official Banayad Whisky, inspired by a running gag from Dolphy’s hit sitcom Home Along Da Riles. Marketed as a tribute product, the whisky quickly became a pop-culture item. The launch followed the family’s earlier legal efforts in 2023 to block unauthorized products that misused Dolphy’s image.

Beyond these businesses, Dolphy also left behind real estate investments that formed part of his inheritance to his children. Known for valuing property ownership, he acquired land and homes over the years, some of which were later sold to cover mounting medical expenses during his final years. Eric Quizon revealed that the family spent up to P17 million during Dolphy’s last confinement, prompting the sale of select properties. In 2014, the estate announced that certain holdings would be auctioned, though not the entire portfolio. Among the more notable assets was the Dolphyville subdivision in Calatagan, a family-owned property that proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. When income streams were scarce, the heirs entered a joint venture to sell portions of the subdivision, closing deals within six months and generating much-needed cash flow. Dolphy had also begun transferring some properties to his children before his death, ensuring that they were directly provided for.

The Quizon heirs remain visible in entertainment, politics, and music. Eric Quizon built his reputation as an actor, director, and producer

while serving as the family’s spokesperson. Epy Quizon established himself as a dramatic actor and filmmaker, often in independent cinema. Vandolph Quizon became a comedian and later pursued public service. Meanwhile, Zia Quizon, daughter of Dolphy and singer Zsa Zsa Padilla, pursued a career in music, gaining recognition as a singer-songwriter.

The inheritance arrangement also accounts for heirs who have since passed away, such as Rolly Quizon, Dolphy’s son who rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the classic sitcom John en Marsha.

Rolly portrayed the youngest son, Rolly Puruntong, acting

alongside his real-life father and Nida Blanca. He died in 2018 at the age of 59 after suffering a stroke, but his descendants continue to receive his share of Dolphy’s estate. Dolphy died on July 10, 2012, at age 83 due to multiple organ failure. More than a decade later, his presence continues to be felt not only through reruns of his classic films and television shows but also through the businesses, properties, and royalties that continue to provide for his heirs. For his children, the Comedy King’s greatest gift was not just financial security but the legacy of laughter and the enduring reminder that his life’s work still touches millions.

Karen Davila reaffirms integrity...

PAGE 12

a persistent problem in the media industry where “envelopmental journalism,” or the practice of bribing reporters, remains an uncomfortable reality. Those who resist, like Davila, often find themselves the target of suspicion rather than commendation.

A stand she has repeated Davila’s remarks are not new. Back in 2021, she appeared in a YouTube interview with host Ogie Diaz where she candidly recalled being told

to “name your price,” a direct invitation to compromise her integrity. She explained then, as she does now, that accepting money would permanently undermine her credibility.

For her, the line was never negotiable. “Once integrity is surrendered, trust in journalism collapses,” she emphasized, underscoring that her stance was about principle, not image.

Integrity as a constant

Although Davila has not identified individuals or de-

tailed specific circumstances behind the attempted bribes, she has consistently chosen to speak about them in broad terms to make a larger point. The pressure is real, and the decision to resist is a choice every journalist must face. By reaffirming her refusal, she draws attention to an issue many in her profession quietly endure. For Davila, credibility is not negotiable. It is, in her words, the reason she can continue her work with her head held high.

(People, Events,Places)

rogelio ConStantino MeDina

IN a world where talent often waits for opportunity, John Rey Malto of La Union has emerged as one of Philippine showbiz’s most dedicated talent managers and creative visionaries. Known for his relentless pursuit of discovering and nurturing hidden gems, Malto has become a trusted figure for aspiring artists determined to make their mark in the industry.

His story is one of perseverance and purpose. From humble beginnings, he built a career grounded in a passion for the arts, a commitment to education, and a vision of elevating local talent onto national and international stages.

Malto began in entertainment as a researcher, writer, and talent coordinator, contributing to programs like Rated Korina. One of his most memorable assignments was helping tell the life story of Johnny Manahan, the iconic “Mr. M” of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic.

In 2018, he transitioned to full-time talent management, mentoring contestants for TV competitions, pageants, and films. That same year, he became Philippine Director for the International Modeling Competition – Runway Model Universe. He also worked as casting director for international films such as Spring in Prague and The Mariana’s Web, and served as assistant event director for the charity concert Friends for Love Festival at the Music Museum.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, he was recognized at MMTV Asia’s Golden Eagle Achievement Awards as Asia’s Most Outstanding Talent Manager of the Year.

The following year, his songwriting talent gained the spotlight. “Pangako Mo,” performed by Joice Espinoza, earned more than 1.2 million Facebook views and multiple international honors, including:

• Silver Medal – Original Score/Soundtrack for Film and Television (Global Music Awards 2024)

• Best Musical (Europe Music Video Awards 2024)

• Best Asian Music (Parai Musical International Awards 2024)

• Best Asian Song in Southeast Asia (World Music and Independent Film Festival 2024) Also in 2024, he was named

John Rey Malto, a Modern Renaissance Man

Outstanding Showbiz Personality of the Year at Asia’s Triumphant Awards and honored by Top Model Philippines as a “Contributor Writer in the Showbiz World.”

Today, Malto continues shaping the next generation of performers as a talent scout for Viva Entertainment’s Artista Academy—soon to air on TV5—and as production supervisor for Viva’s high-profile game shows.

A Family Wedding Remembered

Several years ago, I attended my favorite niece’s wedding— one of the few I’ve witnessed in decades. It was a bright Monday afternoon at St. John Paul II Parish in Eastwood, Quezon City, where nurse Leane Cruz wed Dr. Mark Bunag, then an emergency medicine resident.

Leane and Mark had been sweethearts for 10 years, first meeting at the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. Watching her walk down the aisle, I held back tears, remembering her as the thoughtful, humble child who always cared for me whenever I visited her parents, police officer Beng Cruz and Atty. Edel Cruz.

The church was filled with family. Among the principal sponsors were Mrs. Blesilda Licup (wife of then Guiguinto Mayor Ambrosio “Boy” Cruz) and Mrs. Prescila A. Cruz, owner of St. Agatha Resort and Country Club in Bulacan. My cousin-in-law Mrs. Wilma Gillego-Medina and her husband Arnie Medina, with their children, also stood as sponsors.

Also present were pastry chef and author Romeo A. Bueno with his wife Eleonor M. Bueno and their children; cousins Agatha Medina with Christian Tugade, Analiza Mendoza Medina, Carlo and Edgar Medina, Trizia Cruz, Jannebelle Dellosa, Revo and Peach Cruz; businessman and Rotarian Celso Cruz, who represented his brother Mayor Boy Cruz; and cousins Douglas, Ariel, Perry, Ronald, Jasmin Medina, Amor Creencia Medina, and Texas-based Ervi Sagaral Bunag.

Dr. Mark, calm and smiling, welcomed guests alongside his parents, Dr. Victor del Rosario Bunag Jr. and Anne Lyn Tamayo Bunag of Laoag City, and his sisters Katrina and Nery. Soon after, the Eucharistic celebration began—a solemn and memorable moment for all present.

Gratitude for Recognition

My heartfelt thanks to the 3rd Philippine Finest Business

Journal News columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina with talent manager and Viva Entertainment production supervisor John Rey

Talent

and

Awards & Outstanding Achievers 2025 for including me among this year’s awardees.

The awards night will be held on September 30, 2025, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport City, Pasay. It is organized by La Visual Corporation and SIRBISU Channel.

This year’s awardees include:

Aga Muhlach, Tirso Cruz III, Roderick Paulate, Jennylyn Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Rhian Ramos, Luis Manzano, Enchong Dee; Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Mayor Junjun Ynares, Mayor Vergel Meneses, Councilor Aiko Melendez, Councilor Alfred Vargas, Councilor Angelu de Leon, Sen. Bong Revilla, Sen. Lito Lapid, Col. Jun Dimayuga, Atty. Caroline Cruz; Bernadette Sembrano, Boy Abunda, Toni Gonzaga, MJ Marfori, Jervi Wrightson, Dr. Pong Magtibay, Dr. Jerome Laceda, Chaye Cabal-Revilla, Anna Andrea Magkawas, Jojo Bragais, Wynwyn Marquez, Michelle Dee, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, PVL Commissioners Ricky Palou and Mozzy Ravena, MPBL Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes; Edwin Lisa, Janice Delima, Lae Manego, Salvacion Paparon, Marc Logan, Jamin Lim, Bon Jheo Exconde, Jigo Postolero, Jeffrey Dy, Alfonso “Fifi” Delos Santos, Audrey Gorriceta, Wej Cudiamat, Annabelle Surara, Earlo Bringas, Gilbert De Los Santos, Rogelio Constantino Medina, Braggy Braganza, Dennis Antenor Jr., Shirley B. Belangel, Judge Tarcelo A. Sabarre Jr., Joey S. Guillen, Mark Javier, Mart Krystelle Galano; JP Catering Services, Lucky GHL Advertising, JFBV, Vicente-Isabel Multispecialty Clinic & Diagnostic Center Inc., Rank Fortress White Label SEO Agency, White Jade Glutathione Film Strip, Eyeleen Hair and Make Up by Aileen Sebua, TV5’s Top 5 Mga Kwentong Marc Logan, Renaissance

Vench Jimenez of UE (University of the East) High School.

Credit Collection and Recovery Solutions Corp., TGIF Pharmaceutical Trading Inc., Biosafe Pest Control Services Inc.; PTV4’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas, Sheanne Roll Up Construction Service, Edwin Lisa Brows and Aesthetics, Alegre de Pilipinas, Jam Lim Enterprises, Bhylinns Modern Fashion, Gown and Events Management by Touting, 97.9 Home Radio, Aliw Channel 23, DWIZ-AM, Saludable Barley, and Aeternitas Chapels and

Columbarium. To be included among such distinguished company is both humbling and inspiring.

A Lesson in Honesty

Lastly, I wish to commend two Manila high school students, Vince Xyrick Macaraeg (Arellano High School) and Gabriel Vench Jimenez (UE High School), who rushed to return my cellphone after I accidentally left it in a dining place.

Their honesty reflects the

good values instilled by their parents and schools. Acts like these remind us that integrity is alive in the next generation. I hope Manila Mayor Isko Moreno hears of their example.

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * rogeliocmedina@yahoo.com

Liver pills: A scam...

PAGE 14 Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, David Letterman, distinguished educators, scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com