101725 - New York and New Jersey

Judge halts federal layoffs as shutdown enters third week

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from firing thousands of federal employees during the ongoing government shutdown, delivering a setback to its effort to shrink agencies while pressuring Democrats to reach a budget deal.

The order, issued late Tuesday, October 15, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco, requires the administration to pause all ongoing and planned layoffs until legal challenges from employee unions are resolved. The decision halts more than 4,100 reduction-in-force notices that had already been issued since the shutdown began on October 1, according to filings cited by Reuters and PBS NewsHour.

Judge Illston criticized the speed and scope of the layoffs and warned that the actions could violate statutory and constitutional safeguards. She directed federal agencies to provide detailed records of all planned personnel cuts before taking any further steps.

The temporary restraining order marks an

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Supreme Court orders Marcos, others to respond to flood control writ of kalikasan

by Ian LaquI Philstar.com

MANILA — The Supreme Court has ordered government officials to respond to the petition for a writ of kalikasan over the government’s flood control projects.

Among the officials required to comment on the petition are President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, according to the high court’s order dated October 15.

The following government agencies are also implicated as respondents:

Ombudsman lifts restrictions on access to SALN

by MeLanIe uson Philstar.com

THE Office of the Ombuds-

man Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued a memo lifting the restriction on access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials. In an unnumbered memorandum circular issued on Tuesday, October 14, Remulla has set the parameters on how the public can access the SALNs of public officials.

“This decision is guided by a simple principle: The public has a legitimate right to know how

those in government acquire and manage their wealth. Transparency in this area is not a slogan — it is a safeguard against corruption and a deterrent to abuse of power,” the Office of the Ombudsman said in a statement.

All SALN requests must be submitted using the official SALN Request Form (Annex “A”) in two copies, and must be signed and sworn before an authorized officer of this Office, unless there is a subpoena or official request from a quasi-judicial or investigative body.

Filipinos demand accountability amid corruption probe, expressing anger and outrage—survey

by CaMILLe santIago Philstar.com

A RECENT survey showed that most Filipinos are outraged over the corruption involving government infrastructure projects in the country.

Data released by the OCTA Research group on Tuesday, October 14 shows the primary emotional response to the alleged corruption. The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.

In the survey, conducted between Sept. 25 and 30, 60% of respondents cited anger or outrage as the emotion that best described their reaction. Other responses included fear or anxiety (30%) and sadness or sorrow (9%), while only 1% admitted to feeling hope or optimism amid the ongoing probe.

Additionally, 83% said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s decision to expose corrupt officials was the right thing to do,

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• Department of Budget and Management

• Department of Public Works and Highways

• Department of Environment and Natural Resources

ICC

disqualifies

prosecutor Khan from Duterte case over 'appearance of bias'

by CrIstIna ChI Philstar.com

MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has disqualified Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan from the case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, citing a number of factors that may give an "appearance of bias” arising from his past legal ties to a potential witness in the case.

In a ruling made public Wednesday, October 15, the ICC Appeals Chamber granted the request of the defense to disqualify Khan after it ruled that his prior work created "an objectively reasonable appearance of bias" that compromised his required impartiality.

The decision cited the fact that Khan had interviewed witnesses and helped prepare a 2018

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by CeCILe BaLtasar Philstar.com

SENATOR Francis "Chiz" Escudero, on Tuesday, Oct. 14, has submitted his response to the Commission on Election's show cause order asking him to clarify the circumstances surrounding the P30 million campaign donau PAGE 3

Supreme Court orders Marcos...

• Department of the Interior and Local Government

PAGE 1 government officials, local government units, and all contractors awarded with flood control projects.

• Metro Manila Development Authority

• River Basin Control Office

An order to comment is part of the high court's procedures in handling cases or petitions.

The petition was filed on September 11 by lawyers and environmentalists against

They assert that "long years of neglect and willful destruction" have led to "brutal environmental degradation.”

A writ is a legal remedy for those individuals whose constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology is vio-

lated or threatened.

On October 15, the Department of Justice issued new Immigration lookout bulletin orders against 19 individuals tagged in the flood control project fiasco, placing them on a travel watchlist at the Bureau of Immigration.

This adds to the initial 33 lawmakers who were issued ILBOs on October 8. n

Ombudsman lifts restrictions...

PAGE 1

It's also required that the requesting party present at least two original IDs, one of which must be government-issued, and pay the reproduction or certification fee. Special provisions apply for media and student requesting parties.

Copies of SALNs will be provided upon request, except:

• The Ombudsman is not the official repository

• The requested SALN is not on file

• The request is for an unauthorized commercial purpose

• The requesting party has a derogatory record of misuse

• The request is linked to a pending case to influence or harass

• There is evidence of extortion or safety threats

• The identity of the requesting party is fictitious

• The purpose is contrary to law, morals, or public policy

All SALN requests will be assessed by a processing officer and reviewed by the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Office or the Public Assistance and Corruption Prevention Bureau. Requests involving grounds for denial

shall be referred to the Office of Legal Affairs.

Certain personal details will be redacted from released copies for security, including the declarant and co-declarant's full address, signatures, government IDs, and the names, date of birth, and ages of unmarried minors living under the declarant’s care.

For those who will publish or broadcast the SALNs, they also need to submit a copy of their reports to the Ombudsman, who may use these to monitor the information’s use, prevent misuse, and initiate investigations if the content suggests "potential misuse, misrepresentation, or a violation of the requesting party’s undertaking.”

Before this, Remulla said that members of the media can immediately request SALNs of public officials.

"That should not be a problem. I know I’m opening a can of worms, but so be it,” he said during a press briefing.

The Malacañang on Monday, October 13 expressed support for lifting restrictions on public access to SALNs.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that the executive branch, including President

ICC judges disqualify prosecutor Khan...

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., is ready to comply.

“Kung ano naman po ang nararapat at kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas at kung ano ang makakabuti para malabanan ang korapsiyon ay tatalima naman po ang lahat ng nasa executive department," she said on Monday.

The latest memo overturns the order of his predecessor, Samuel Martires, through memorandum circular no. 1 in September 2020, which stated that SALNs can only be released with either the official's consent or a court order.  (With reports from Daphne Galvez)

submission that explicitly named Duterte as the primary target for ICC investigation – information Khan failed to disclose until months after Duterte's arrest.

However, Khan — the ICC's chief prosecutor — is already on indefinite leave over a separate issue that is not related to the Duterte case: there is currently an investigation on allegations of sexual assault against him.

The case against Duterte will continue under ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, who has led the prosecution team from the start. Duterte remains in ICC custody at The Hague following his March 12 surrender on charges of crimes against humanity related to the thousands killed in his anti-drug campaign.

Khan's undisclosed conflict emerged only after ICC judges issued Duterte's arrest warrant on March 7. The prosecutor then notified the court he had represented drug war victims in 2018, submitting what's known as an Article 15 Communication requesting an PAGE 1

ICC investigation into the Philippines.

Undisclosed conflict of interest Khan's undisclosed conflict emerged only after ICC judges issued Duterte's arrest warrant on March 7. The prosecutor then notified the court he had represented drug war victims in 2018, submitting what's known as an Article 15 Communication requesting an ICC investigation into the Philippines.

Court documents show Khan's involvement went beyond simple representation. He personally conducted "activities of an investigatory nature" including interviewing individuals who later became prosecution witnesses against Duterte. The submission he helped prepare dedicated substantial sections to establishing Duterte's individual criminal responsibility.

Khan purportedly waited until March 6, one day before Duterte's arrest warrant was issued, to inform judges about his prior involvement. He didn't disclose the full extent of his work to Duterte's defense team until June 27,

nearly four months after the arrest.

In their October 2 decision publicized yesterday, the fivejudge Appeals Chamber found that "a reasonable observer would conclude that in light of the nature and the extent to the Prosecutor's involvement in the Article 15 Communication, he could be expected to have formed an opinion on the individual criminal responsibility of Mr Duterte."

Khan had argued his prior work posed no conflict since no formal case existed in 2018 and the evidence now available far exceeded what he had access to as a victims' lawyer. He insisted he had not participated in reviewing the arrest warrant application and had taken a leave of absence in May.

The judges rejected these arguments and stressed their duty to ensure fair proceedings. They noted the 2018 submission Khan helped prepare explicitly recommended Duterte be investigated and included detailed sections on his alleged command responsibility and intent to kill drug suspects. n

Filipinos demand accountability amid corruption...

PAGE 1

while 3% disagreed, and 13% were undecided.

Regarding which body should lead the inquiry, 46% of the respondents believe it should be an independent group, such as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure created by the President.

Meanwhile, 23% of respondents felt the Senate should hold the investigation, while 13% selected the House of Representatives. Another 8% believed the Department of Public Works and Highways itself should conduct the probe.

When asked about the desired outcome of the in-

vestigations, most Filipinos expressed strong demands for accountability (68%), jail time for those responsible (58%), recovery of lost or misused public funds (58%), efficient implementation of quality flood control projects (41%), and strengthened transparency and monitoring of government infrastructure projects (34%).

Others said faster completion of government infrastructure projects (27%), restoring public trust in the government (24%), and reforming bidding and procurement processes (13%).

The Department of Finance has estimated that the Philippine economy lost up

to P118.5 billion from 2023 to 2025 due to corruption in flood control projects. Greenpeace has suggested the number is actually closer to P1.025 trillion.

The controversy involving the government's flood control projects began in July as the rains triggered massive flooding in the metro.

Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years. (With reports from Janvic Mateo)

US Supreme Court lets stand rule allowing H-1B spouses to work

The U.S. Supreme Court declines to review a challenge to the H-4 work authorization rule, preserving the Obama-era policy that allows certain spouses of H-1B visa holders to work legally in the U.S.

by AJPress

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a long-running legal challenge to a rule that allows certain spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States—effectively preserving an Obama-era policy that has helped tens of thousands of immigrant families maintain dual incomes and economic stability.

The Court’s decision, announced this week, leaves intact a lower-court ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which last year upheld the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) authority to grant employment authorization to eligible H-4 visa holders—the dependent spouses of H-1B workers in specialty occupations.

The petition, filed by Save Jobs USA, argued that DHS exceeded its legal authority when it created the employment authorization rule in 2015. The group contended that allowing H-4 spouses to work would disadvantage U.S. workers and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act.

In its August 2024 decision, however, the D.C. Circuit rejected those arguments, affirming that DHS has “broad authority to set employment conditions for nonimmigrant visa categories.” The appellate panel found that Congress had explicitly empowered the agency to define terms of stay and work eligibility for certain visa holders, including dependents of H-1B workers who are on a path toward perma-

nent residency.

By refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court effectively affirmed that interpretation— without issuing a written opinion—allowing the 2015 rule to stand.

What the rule allows

Under the H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) program, spouses of H-1B visa holders may apply for work permits if the principal visa holder has an approved immigrant petition (Form I-140) or has received an extension beyond the sixyear H-1B limit while awaiting permanent residency.

USCIS data show that more than 179,000 H-4 spouses have received work authorization since the rule took effect in 2015, the majority of them women from India and other Asian countries. Eligible spouses can file Form I-765 with USCIS to obtain work authorization and legally work for any U.S. employer.

According to the DHS rule summary, the policy “helps U.S. businesses retain highly skilled workers who are pursuing permanent residence” and reduces financial strain on their families—many of whom contribute to key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education.

Broader significance

The Supreme Court’s move provides stability for thousands of immigrant families whose livelihoods depend on dual incomes. Advocacy groups praised the decision, saying it upholds family unity and recognizes the economic contribution of skilled immi-

grants.

“The H-4 EAD rule has allowed families to thrive instead of forcing spouses to sit idle despite their qualifications,” said immigration attorney Anu Peshawaria, a former legal adviser to the Indian Embassy in Washington, speaking in earlier interviews about the H-4 EAD program. “This is a victory for fairness and for the American economy.”

Critics, however, maintain that the rule circumvents Congress and grants the executive branch excessive leeway over immigration policy. Similar concerns were raised by Save Jobs USA and other restrictionist groups, though no legislative proposal to overturn the rule has gained traction.

Continuing implications

While the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene preserves the rule for now, it does not prevent future administrations from revisiting the regulation through the formal rulemaking process under the Administrative Procedure Act.

For the time being, DHS guidance remains clear: eligible H-4 spouses can continue applying for or renewing their Employment Authorization Documents, ensuring uninterrupted work eligibility.

The case, Save Jobs USA v. Department of Homeland Security (No. 24-923), concludes a decade-long legal battle over a regulation that continues to shape the lives of thousands of immigrant families—and underscores the ongoing tension between judicial restraint and executive discretion in U.S. immigration policy. n

Judge halts federal layoffs...

PAGE 1

early victory for unions such as the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which argued that firing staff during a lapse in appropriations was unlawful and punitive. AFGE said the decision is an important protection for federal workers who have gone without pay for more than two weeks. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had defended the layoffs as part of a long-term strategy to reduce the size of government while keeping military and

security operations funded. About 176 employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) were among those already dismissed before the ruling, according to agency data.

President Donald Trump said the White House will still release this week a list of programs his team intends to cut if Congress does not pass a spending bill, describing them as priorities of Democrats. The Associated Press called the shutdown “unlike any other,” noting the administration’s unprecedented use

Escudero responds to Comelec...

PAGE 1

tion he received from a contractor prior to the 2022 national elections.

COMELEC served Escudero the show cause order on Oct. 4, giving him the choice of appearing in front of the commission himself or having his lawyer submit his affidavit on his behalf.

Prior to serving Escudero's show cause order, Comelec had issued another to Lawrence Lubiano, who made the campaign donation to Escudero. Lubiano is the president of Centerways Construction and Development, Inc., which is among the top 15 contractors that cornered 20% of flood control projects.

The issued orders are part of COMELEC's investigation into whether Lubiano's millions in donation to Escudero violated Section 95 of the Omnibus Election Code, which forbids contributions from persons who hold contracts or sub-contracts with the government.

COMELEC is determining whether the contractor donated the funds as a private citizen or if he used corporate money, said Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Oct. 4.

Escudero submitted his response through his lawyer, Atty. Ramon Esguerra.

“His lawyer filed this morning. He brought an affidavit,” Garcia told reporters on Tuesday, October 14.

“Therefore, para sa amin, kompleto na yung lahat ng ingredient para po magkaroon ng disposition yung opisina nila,” he added

In a post on his Facebook page, Escudero confirmed his position on the matter through a statement by his legal counsel.

"We filed our submission early to respect

the COMELEC process. Our position is clear: the donation was legal, fully declared, and follows long-standing practice. The law is on our side, and we are confident the COMELEC will find no fault," the senator wrote.

On Monday, Garcia told reporters, that Escudero believes Lubiano's donations were from the contractor's private funds.

“Kung ano sinasabi niya publicly din Na talagang ito ay tinanggap niya sa paniniwala na personal capacity at private funds bilang kaibigan niya si Lubiano. Sa amin, titimbangin natin yan. Aalamin kung sapat bang depensa o violation ng batas,” he said.

During a House hearing, Lubiano claimed that his donation came from his own pocket and not from his company. However, Garcia previously pointed out that it doesn't matter where the funds came from since the Omnibus Election Code prohibits people with government contracts from making donations. n

of the funding lapse as leverage for agency restructuring. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers remain furloughed or working without pay. Legal experts say the court order halting layoffs does not end the shutdown but ensures that terminations cannot proceed while litigation continues.

With the Senate still deadlocked and no agreement in sight, millions of Americans remain caught between political brinkmanship and the limits of executive power. (AJPress)

Filipino artist arrested by ICE outside his home in Texas

The detention of Ya’kub Ira Vijandre has sparked outrage among civil rights advocates

by eLton Lugay Inquirer.net

NEW YORK — Community groups and civil rights advocates are demanding the release of Filipino American artist and DACA recipient Ya’kub Ira Vijandre, who was reportedly arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside his home in Dallas, Texas earlier this week.

Vijandre – an artist, photojournalist and community activist known for his immigrant rights advocacy – is legally protected from deportation and detention under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, according to his supporters.

His sudden arrest has drawn condemnation from

several organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Texas DFW, the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) and the Palestinian Youth Movement (PYM) Dallas Chapter.

“This detention is unlawful and a disturbing abuse of power,” CAIR-Texas said in a statement. “Ya’kub’s rights under DACA remain valid, and his arrest is a direct violation of those protections.”

According to his supporters, ICE agents detained Vijandre early Tuesday, October 14, morning in what they described as an unprovoked and illegal act.

The arrest comes amid growing concern over what activists have described as increased targeting of community organizers of color,

particularly those tied to the Palestine solidarity movement.

Vijandre, who was born and raised in the Philippines before settling in Texas, is an interdisciplinary artist and photojournalist widely recognized for his community work. He teaches Filipino martial arts, promotes Baybayin, a traditional Philippine script, and uses his storytelling to highlight social justice issues.

Friends and fellow organizers describe him as compassionate, creative and deeply committed to helping others.

“Ya’kub is a beloved member of our community who has dedicated his work to uplifting others,” said PYM Dallas in statement posted on social media. “We will not be silent in the face of this tar-

geting and repression. We demand his immediate release.”

DACA, implemented in 2012, grants temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to undocumented individuals brought to the United States as children.

DACA status holders must renew their protections regularly and remain free of serious criminal convictions.

Civil rights groups argue that ICE’s actions against Vijandre violate both the letter and spirit of the program.

ICE detention of Ya’kub Ira Vijandre sparks outrage Community members in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have rallied around the #FreeYakub campaign, urging public officials and elected representatives to intervene.

Attorneys and advocates are working to secure his release and ensure that his civil and immigration rights are protected.

CAIR-Texas DFW, CAIR Action Texas, MLFA, the Muslim American Society Dallas and the Islamic Circle of North America’s Council on Social Justice released a joint statement condemning ICE’s actions.

“To detain him is to trample on justice itself,” the groups said. “ICE’s conduct continues to undermine both the integrity of our legal system and the trust of immigrant communities across the country.”

As of Wednesday, October 09 supporters continued organizing online efforts to pressure ICE to release Vijandre.

They encouraged the public to follow the account @ freeyakub on Instagram for updates and ways to take action. n

Social Security’s 2026 pay update delayed but benefits remain on track

Inflation report pushed back amid federal shutdown; retirees to see modest increase next year

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The announcement of the 2026 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) has been delayed until October 24, 2025, due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) confirmed that despite the delay, the benefit increase will take effect as scheduled in January 2026.

The COLA, which adjusts Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to keep pace with inflation, is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) compiles the CPI data, but its release was postponed after federal workers were furloughed at the start of the shutdown.

The BLS has since recalled key staff to produce the September inflation report, which will determine the final COLA figure. Once released on October 24, the SSA will immediately announce the 2026 adjustment.

Projected increase

Analysts project a 2.6% to 2.8% increase, translating to roughly $50 more per month for the average retiree receiving about $2,000 in monthly benefits. Advocacy group

The Senior Citizens League

estimates the COLA at about 2.7%, reflecting slower inflation after two years of unusually high increases.

The COLA for 2025 was 3.2%, following an 8.7% jump in 2023, the largest in more than four decades. Experts caution that any gain may be partly offset by rising Medicare Part B premiums, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will announce later this fall.

Impact on beneficiaries

The SSA reassured beneficiaries that payments will not be disrupted despite the shutdown. The 2026 COLA will be reflected in January 2026 checks, consistent with the agency’s standard schedule.

More than 71 million Americans receive Social Security or SSI benefits. The update will also affect related programs such as veterans’ and federal pensions. Meanwhile, the maximum taxable earnings subject to Social Security payroll tax will increase to $176,100 next year, requiring higher contributions from top earners.

The annual COLA remains a vital measure of how inflation shapes the daily realities of retirees living on fixed incomes. The SSA encourages recipients to verify their updated benefit amounts through their My Social Security accounts at ssa.gov/myaccount. n

FeAtures OPiniOn

Beyond reform: lighting the lamp of moral renewal

Reform alone cannot heal a nation’s moral fatigue. True renewal begins when Filipinos at home and abroad light the lamp of integrity and conscience, filling the world with the brightness of their example.

THERE is an old Eastern parable that says, “If you clean your temple but never light the lamp, the darkness will still find you.”

It speaks of the emptiness that follows effort, the truth that cleansing alone does not bring light.

The Christian scriptures tell a story with a similar lesson. In it, a person is freed from an unclean spirit, but when that spirit later returns, it finds the house swept clean yet empty. Seeing that the space has not been filled, it brings seven others more destructive than itself, and they all move back in.

This image is not about ghosts or demons. It is a portrait of relapse, of what happens when the heart is cleared of what is wrong

but not strengthened by what is right. A person who removes temptation but not desire, who abandons vice but does not replace it with virtue, remains vulnerable to what once held them captive.

Both parables, though from different traditions, teach the same principle: cleansing is not completion. Renewal must follow.

Even modern behavioral science affirms this truth. Habits cannot simply be erased; they must be replaced. Psychologists call this habit substitution, the understanding that removing a harmful pattern without building a

Domestic security vs. external security: The Philippines at another crossroads

THERE is absolutely no doubt that the Philippines today is facing a dual challenge that goes beyond ordinary governance. On the one hand, an endemic corruption scandal has shaken public confi-

dence in our institutions and provoked public outrage. On the other, there are external forces that seek to exploit our vulnerabilities, amplifying instability in hopes of changing the country’s political direction to serve their own interests. These domestic and external threats cannot be separated; they feed into each other. Corruption has long been treated as a governance or economic issue, but today, it has become perfectly clear that it is also a national securi-

ty risk. What is considered the most widespread corruption in government and the betrayal of public trust has sparked volatility and anger. When people see those in government as having no accountability, when public funds are abused and wasted and when justice is perceived as absent, the very legitimacy of government is weakened. That loss of public trust is extremely dangerous to national stability in much the same way that insurgency

positive one leaves the mind open to relapse. We see this in daily life: the dieter who quits sugar but never learns balance soon returns to excess; the person who stops drink-

Commentary

IT has been said that monkeys do what monkeys see. Impressionable minors will readily ape and mimic what they see their elders are doing, no matter how wanton or shameless. They are “inspired,” swayed, and persuaded by media influencers, spin doctors, handlers, and enablers to discard their rags of poverty and claw their way upward to opulence, profligacy, and extravagance by any

Chairman

ing but does not fill the void with purpose slips back into the habit; the one who cuts spending but not desire finds themselves

Control the flood of Greed: Lessons for Future Generations

means foul or filthy. As children and the youth observe what is happening in our present chaotic politics and anarchic government, what will be their takeaways, their coming-of-age realizations?

What have the recent indecent disclosures at congressional hearings on corruption involving flood-control projects etched into their mindset, their values and their overall sense of right and wrong—of good and evil?

The unchecked and unabated wholesale and widespread

pilferage of public funds enables corrupt politicians and public officials, contractors, and their cohorts to bankroll the lavish, orgiastic, and bacchanalian lifestyles of their families, nepo babies, wives, and mistresses, at the expense of the hoi polloi, whom they’ve relegated to wallowing in toxic floodwaters and grinding, unmitigated poverty. The root cause of our nation’s woebegone predicament is greed, the very bed-

or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

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Beyond reform: lighting the lamp...

again in debt. The old returns because what was removed was never replaced.

The same holds true for nations. Cleansing without renewal invites the same failures to return, only in different forms.

The illusion of reform

For decades, the Philippines has tried to clean its political and moral house. Each new administration begins with vows of reform, hearings on corruption, and renewed calls for accountability. Yet the same patterns return. What was swept away by outrage often reappears under new names and faces.

Like the parable’s house, the nation becomes orderly for a moment but remains unfilled. The emptiness is not political but spiritual. The system is cleaned but not renewed. The shadow returns because what was driven out was never replaced by what is good.

The roots of moral fatigue

At the center of the country’s dysfunction lies a cultural wound: the belief that self-worth is measured by possessions. Over time, society has learned to admire success more than virtue and visibility more than substance. The price of material achievement often outweighs the value of moral character.

This distortion feeds greed and exhaustion. Corruption thrives not only because of

weak institutions but because of misplaced admiration. When power, wealth, and status define success, people begin to envy the corrupt instead of resisting them.

Lighting the Filipino lamp Filipinos have always carried deep spiritual strength, compassion, resilience, and faith. Yet in a culture increasingly shaped by consumption and comparison, that inner light flickers.

Reform alone cannot restore it. The work must begin where systems and souls meet, in the conscience. And this work belongs not only to those at home but to Filipinos across the world.

The diaspora, numbering over ten million strong, remains an extension of the nation’s moral conscience. Living in countries where transparency, civic discipline, and fairness are daily realities, Filipinos abroad know that reform succeeds when ethics becomes ordinary. From that perspective, the diaspora holds both distance and devotion, enough distance to see clearly and enough devotion to care deeply.

What the diaspora can do Live the values we wish to see.

Integrity practiced abroad is a form of national service. Every act of fairness, diligence, and compassion by an overseas Filipino mirrors the

reform we long for at home. Elevate the national conversation.

Diaspora media, writers, and civic leaders can shape narratives that rise above cynicism and spectacle. When we highlight stories of honesty, service, and courage, we remind our readers that reform is moral before it is political.

Support education and ethical leadership.

Beyond remittances, diaspora communities can invest in scholarships, civic education, and transparency programs that strengthen conscience and capacity. Change deepens when integrity is funded as faithfully as infrastructure.

Vote and advocate with discernment.

Overseas voting is not symbolic; it is a statement of conscience. Supporting leaders of substance over slogans tells the homeland what its people truly value.

Bridge cultures, not only economies.

Teach the next generation that being Filipino is not only an identity but a responsibility to uplift, to serve, and to live honorably. Cultural pride without civic virtue is sentiment without strength.

Uphold fairness in every exchange.

From business to community work, each honest transaction strengthens the reputation of the Filipino name.

Control the flood...

Reform begins in character long before it reaches institutions.

The light we keep Cleansing will always be necessary, but without illumination, the shadows will return. The Philippines must fill its house not only with new laws but with new life, with honesty, empathy, and shared purpose.

Cultural transformation begins not in the halls of government but in the conscience of every Filipino, wherever they may be in the world. Reform is not a single act but a collective awakening, a thousand small lamps of integrity lit across continents and oceans.

Every philosophy, every faith, and every science of behavior point to the same truth: what is emptied must be filled, what is cleansed must be illuminated.

The call for reform is, at its heart, a call for renewal, a turning back toward what is good, honest, and whole. If every Filipino lights even a small lamp of integrity, the nation itself will begin to shine.

May this change begin not with judgment but with awakening, not with accusation but with the courage to let light in. For when goodness is left untended, the heart forgets its light, and the shadows it once expelled will return to reclaim their place.

(AJPress)

Domestic security vs. external security...

or terrorism threatens peace and national security.

Internal security, therefore, must be understood more broadly than just simply police and military power, but about sustaining legitimacy. Corruption undermines that legitimacy, and in so doing destabilizes the domestic order that national security depends upon. This is because corruption destroys the trust of the people in government, generating deep-seated resentment at the thought that billions of pesos that should have gone to health, education, basic services and food security were diverted to the pockets of these heartless corrupt officials, legislators and contractors.

There is enough intelligence information that show growing indications that foreign forces are closely watching – with some actively working to inflame tensions, weaponizing social media by engaging

peddlers of fake news to sow disinformation, using covert influence and political proxies to destabilize the government, even impersonating government officials to spread fraudulent messages.

As a matter of fact, our embassy in Washington was recently the target of phone hacking and fake messages sent from telephone numbers that are not registered with the embassy, with some claiming to be me.

Ostensibly, messages were supposedly sent by me to some of our government intelligence officials. This is simply totally unacceptable. Clearly, this situation requires stronger alliances as well as stronger internal defenses against information warfare and foreign manipulation.

Obviously, the goal of these malign actors is not to promote the welfare of Filipinos but to create a political vacuum that they can manipulate.

History teaches us that external meddling thrives when there is corruption and governance is weak. We have seen far too many examples where a country can very well become a pawn in a great power rivalry. In today’s Indo-Pacific contest, the Philippines just happens to be geographically situated right in the middle of these crosshairs – potentially a battleground and a prize in the competition of these great powers.

There is no question that vigilance is required on the external front. Disinformation campaigns, political destabilization and even covert efforts at regime change must be anticipated and neutralized.

This is why the corruption scandal must not be treated as another business-as-usual politics. It is a serious national security crisis. The government cannot confront external interference if it is paralyzed by domestic scandal, nor will

PAGE 6

rock of all other deadly sins. Pride is greed for self-aggrandizement and self-gratification. Envy is the covetous desire to have what others have. Lust is greed for self-love and self-abuse, gluttony the illicit craving for food beyond what is needed and necessary, and sloth the inordinate desire to acquire things without having to work for them, to make easy money by way of graft and corruption.

Corruption in our country has become the norm, the standard, the very lifeblood of this blighted and blasted land. Are we now to accept the epithet Ferdinand Magellan gave the Marianas Islands in 1521—Islas Ladrones, Islands of Thieves? Our socalled “public servants” serve themselves, in grand manner and style, all that is due to the people who put them where they are now. As soon as they are installed in positions of power, these alleged “honorable ladies and gentlemen” get right down to the monkey business of enriching themselves—the end goal of which is to remain forever wealthy and powerful.

The tragic fates that befell Henry Puyi, the last emperor of the last dynasty of China, as well as that of Nicholas II, last in the long line of Romanov czars of Russia, should serve as object lessons on the utter futility and meaninglessness of lives not lived and dedicated to the service of God, country, and neighbor. It is not okay to not be legally, eth-

foreign allies take our security commitments seriously if Filipinos themselves have lost faith in their government and their leaders. To face outward, the country must first put its own house in order. Simply put – a country that is both clean at home and secure abroad cannot easily become vulnerable to destabilization.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. knows the challenges we face both internally and externally are equally important to address. He is well aware that his administration’s credibility is on the line, as well as the nation’s resilience against foreign pressure. He has so far acted incisively: instructing the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to do its job, ensuring credibility in the process and demonstrating political will most of all. Failure to do so will not only feed more public anger but would also risk fueling more instability – giving outsiders potential-

ically, and morally okay. It’s wrong to live by the credo that the end justifies the means, no matter how dishonest and dishonorable these may be. For the result to come out good, the beginning must be well-intentioned. Fame and fortune, youth and beauty, rank and title, power and authority—you may not bring these with you to heaven or to hell when you die, and all bar none will be burned alongside your corpse at your funeral pure. What’s important, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s “Little Prince” was wont to remind us, are the things that are invisible to the eyes but essential, unseen, yet substantive. The things that really matter—empathy, caring for others, love, and compassion— create a ripple that comes back to you, raising the tide in you and elevating you. Since you cannot take anything material with you when you go, you might as well lighten your load and share some of what you have plenty of while you can.

We should teach our children to live simply and frugally, to follow the straight and narrow path, to be clear of mind and clean of heart, and to counter all evil acts by doing good deeds. (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.

* * * sickbookstogo@gmail.com

ly greater leverage.

In the end, both fronts come down to one principle: trust. Trust in government, trust in institutions and trust between leaders and the people. Without it, corruption festers, outside interference thrives and security collapses. With trust and confidence, no scandal or foreign pressure can undermine the nation’s fundamental strength. But ultimately, the government would be unable to secure its borders if it cannot secure the trust of its people.

For the Philippines, this is a defining moment. If we can confront corruption with courage and transparency while standing firm against external interference, we will emerge stronger. But if we hesitate – if we allow scandal and foreign meddling to dictate our future – then we risk being swept once again into the cycle of instability that has haunted our nation for far too long.

The Philippines can no longer afford hesitation. Domestic and external security are not separate priorities. They are inseparable, and can even be described as two sides of the same coin. Our nation’s future depends on acting with clarity and resolve today – not tomorrow. Time is definitely running out. We must act swiftly and decisively, or we are bound to lose it. As my history professor once succinctly told me, “If you snooze, you lose.” Nobody wants to lose a country. We should never allow it. We not only owe it to ourselves but most especially to those who sacrificed their lives for the sake of our 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.

* * * Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

PH wins 6 major awards at the World Travel Awards 2025

by CaMILLe santIago

THE PHILIPPINES made it big at the recent World Travel Awards Asia and Oceania Gala 2025, winning six titles.

The country received the Asia’s Leading Island Destination award, while continuing its dominant run by taking home Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for the seventh consecutive time and Asia’s Leading Beach Destination for the eighth time.

Apart from those, Boracay Island also earned a back-toback win as Asia’s Leading

Luxury Island Destination, while Clark Freeport Zone was named as Asia's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination.

The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, earned the Asia’s Leading Tourist Board award.

“These awards reaffirm the country’s place among the world’s premier destinations.

More than the recognition, this is a celebration of the people, especially our tourism frontliners—the guides, hospitality workers, weavers, boatmen, and countless others—whose

warmth, hospitality, and resilience continue to inspire travelers from all over the globe,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco in a statement.

The annual gala ceremony gathered industry leaders and government officials from Asia and Oceania to honor and award excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

Often called the Oscars of the travel industry, WTA "celebrates destinations and organizations that set the benchmark for world-class hospitality and tourism." n

Discaya couple will no longer cooperate in ICI probe – Hosaka

by Mary Joy Salcedo Inquirer.net

MANILA — Contractor couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya will no longer cooperate with the investigation into the flood control mess of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said this in a press conference on Wednesday, October 15, after the contractor couple attended the commission’s hearing for the third time.

“Upon the advice of their counsel, they invoked their right to self-incrimination and manifested that they will no longer cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the ICI,” Hosaka said.

According to Hosaka, the Discayas “explained that they were thinking that when they cooperate with the ICI, they will be getting a favorable recommendation from the commission as state witnesses.”

mostly in Filipino.

“However, I believe, and I saw the interview, that he qualified that as his and not by the commission,” the ICI executive director pointed out.

“So because of that, they are now saying that they will no longer appear before the commission and cooperate,” he added.

Despite this, Hosaka said they will still use the evidence, testimonies, and affidavits of the contractor couple in the past hearings they attended before the commission.

Curlee, who is currently under the Senate’s custody, on Wednesday first entered the ICI office at around 12:50 p.m.

Meanwhile, Sarah—apparently avoiding the media— used the backdoor to enter the commission’s office at around 12:55 p.m.

The ICI earlier said in a Viber message to reporters that the ICI hearing is scheduled at 1 p.m.

of the ICI.

“About money, about the particular persons mentioned in the affidavit, what the transaction is, what the history is…. we were ‘tell-all’ [during the probe],” Samaniego said on September 30.

“There is no turning back here,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, the contractor couple on October 7 requested to postpone their hearing to allow them more time to collect certain documents.

“They were asking for time for them to retrieve certain documents [that] the commission requested,” Hosaka said.

‘Other state witnesses’

Even though the Discayas will no longer cooperate on the investigation, Hosaka said the commission still has other state witnesses that would build their cases.

Meanwhile, the contractor mentioned a recent interview of journalist Karen Davila with ICI member and former Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, where the issue of the commission’s recommendation of state witnesses was being discussed.

“As far as they’re concerned, I believe that they said that there was a statement by Commissioner Singson regarding his own personal take, in his opinion that as of now, he sees no witness or no person who may be recommended by the commission as state witness,” Hosaka said

After the hearing, the contractor couple’s legal counsel, lawyer Cornelio Samaniego III, refused to answer the queries of the media. “No comment muna,” Samaniego said, adding that they will set a press conference for this. He, meanwhile, did not elaborate about the date of the said press conference.

The hearing this Wednesday is the third time the Discayas will be resource persons at the ICI hearing.

They appeared before the commission on September 30 and October 7.

During the first hearing of the Discayas on September 30, Samaniego said that they were “tell-all” on the queries

“Whatever other witnesses say will be sufficient enough for us to continue our investigation, build our cases, and file the necessary recommendations with the Ombudsman. We will also have sources of information and evidence for us to build our case,” he said in Filipino.

“We have a lot of information to gather. In fact, there are a lot of people testifying,” he added.

Hosaka said the ICI will piece all the testimonies together so they can see what really happened on the flood control issues and can provide personalities to recommend on the filing of cases.

“Definitely, we will get to the bottom of this; we will continue our investigation so we can find out who is really guilty,” said Hosaka. n

Senate names Erwin Tulfo acting Blue Ribbon chair after Lacson’s resignation

by AJPress

MANILA —  The Senate has named Senator Erwin Tulfo as acting chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee following Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s decision to step down from the post, which he described as final.

Senate President Pro Tempore Tito Sotto confirmed the designation on Wednesday, saying the majority bloc agreed to let Tulfo temporarily lead the chamber’s main investigative body while it deliberates on a permanent replacement.

“This is part of the internal adjustment process,” Sotto said, adding that the committee’s work would continue even as the Senate reviews its leadership lineup.

Tulfo, who previously served as the committee’s vice chair, said he intends to continue ongoing inquiries once sessions resume.

“We will pursue the hearings

when the proper documents are ready and invite those who need to appear,” Tulfo told reporters, referring to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, two names earlier identified as potential witnesses.

Lacson says resignation is final

Lacson formally tendered his resignation early this week, saying he wanted to give way to another member after learning that several colleagues had expressed dissatisfaction with how he handled hearings on alleged anomalies in government flood-control projects.

“Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood-control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,” Lacson said.  He clarified that his deci-

sion was not a retreat from his long-standing anti-corruption advocacy.

“I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds,” he said.

Lacson reiterated later that his resignation was “final” but emphasized that committee chairs “serve at the pleasure of one’s colleagues.”

Flood-control probe to continue

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee is investigating flood-control contracts valued at more than P545 billion since 2022, focusing on alleged ghost, overpriced, or substandard projects in Bulacan and Central Luzon. Witnesses have testified on supposed irregularities, though those named have denied wrongdoing.

Parallel government reviews remain underway:

• The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), created under Executive Or-

der No. 94, is pursuing an executive-branch investigation into public-works anomalies.

• The Commission on Audit (COA) has launched fraud audits after citizen complaints filed through Sumbong sa Pangulo.

• The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has reduced flood-control allocations in its 2026 proposal pending results of the probes.

• The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued immigration

lookout bulletin orders (ILBOs) for persons linked to the projects, while the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it is verifying travel records.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said investigations must proceed “based on evidence and due process” and that “no one will be spared” if wrongdoing is proven.

Search for a permanent chair

Senate leaders have yet to name a permanent Blue

Ribbon chair. Among those mentioned by colleagues as possible successors are Pia Cayetano, Risa Hontiveros, JV Ejercito, Kiko Pangilinan, and Raffy Tulfo, though some have already declined the post.  Sotto said the majority caucus will meet again next week to decide on the final appointment, but assured the public that the investigation into the P545-billion flood-control program will proceed under Senate oversight. n

Ateneo remains top Philippine university in Times Higher Education rankings

by AJPress

QUEZON CITY — Ateneo de Manila University has once again emerged as the Philippines’ top university in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2026, holding its position in the 1001–1200 global band. This marks the fourth straight year Ateneo has led all Philippine institutions in the annual list released on October 9, 2025.

According to THE, the 2026 edition evaluated 2,191 universities across 115 countries and regions using 18 indicators grouped into five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry impact, and international outlook. Ateneo’s performance across these metrics secured its continued presence in the top global tier.

Other Philippine universities

The University of the Philippines (UP) followed in the 1201–1500 range, while De La Salle University (DLSU), Mapúa University, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) remained in the 1501+ category.

All six Philippine institutions maintained their rank-

PHIVOLCS:

ings from last year, and no new schools entered the list.

UP continues to anchor the nation’s research network, while DLSU, Mapúa, MSUIIT, and UST have sustained competitiveness in teaching quality and innovation.

Education officials said the consistency of Philippine representation in the global rankings reflects gradual improvement in international visibility and research output.

Global leaders

Globally, Oxford University topped the list for the eighth consecutive year, followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Princeton and Cambridge shared third place, while Harvard and Stanford tied for fifth.

The 2026 rankings also not-

ed slower progress among top Asian universities for the first time in 14 years, even as Europe and the Middle East saw steady gains in research performance.

Significance

Ateneo’s consistent leadership highlights the strength of its research productivity, faculty excellence, and global partnerships. For other Philippine universities, the results underscore the need to expand research funding, publication output, and collaborations abroad.

Education experts view the rankings as a useful benchmark for aligning local academic priorities with global standards, though not the sole measure of educational quality. n

Chances of 'the big one' earthquake in NCR go up as 2058 nears

THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the likelihood of a major earthquake hitting Metro Manila rises as 2058 approaches.

On ANC’s Headstart on Monday, PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol gave a rough estimate of when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake—dubbed as “the big one”—is likely to strike Metro Manila.

While admitting the impossibility of predicting the exact time and place of earthquakes, Bacolcol said the most scientists can do is calculate the recurrence interval of major earthquakes in the Philippines

According to Bacolcol, historically, major earthquakes occur in the Philippines roughly every 400 to 600 years. The last time a seismic event of this intensity, with a 7.0 mag-

nitude, took place near Manila and Santa Cruz on August 20, 1658.

“As we get closer to 2058, the probability of this 7.2 earthquake recurring is tumataas. But it doesn’t mean that by 2058, mangyayari ‘yan It could be earlier; it could be later. Or it could [happen] in the upper boundary, which is 600 years,” said Bacolcol.

PHIVOLCS is speculating the major tremor to reach a magnitude of 7.2.

Earthquakes are not manmade

Meanwhile, the Department of Science and Technology maintained on Monday that man-made activities are too weak to bring about an earthquake.

“Wala pong anumang gawa ng tao na makakatumbas sa enerhiya na pinapakawalan ng lindol. Ang mga lindol ay masyadong malalim, mga

PHIVOLCS rules out connection among recent Cebu, Davao, Baguio quakes

PHIVOLCS confirmed that the Cebu, Davao, and Baguio earthquakes originated from separate fault systems and are not connected, dispelling fears of a nationwide seismic chain reaction

by AJPress

MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has clarified that the recent earthquakes recorded in Cebu, Davao, and Baguio/ La Union occurred on separate fault systems and are not connected. The agency emphasized that while the tremors struck within days of each other, there is no scientific basis to link them or to suggest a nationwide chain of seismic events.

Separate origins, distinct fault lines

PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol explained that each quake was triggered by different tectonic sources.

• The magnitude 6.9 quake in northern Cebu on September 30 originated from the Bogo Bay Fault, a local structure that PHIVOLCS is currently mapping.

• The magnitude 7.4 main shock and 6.8 aftershock that struck Davao Oriental on October 10 were caused by subduction movement along the Philippine Trench, forming what scientists classify as a “doublet earthquake”—two major quakes occurring close in time and location but on separate ruptures.

• The magnitude 4.4 trem-

kilometro po ang pinanggagalingan,” said Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum.

“For example, ‘yung magnitude 7.4 ay nasa 20 kilometers below the surface. So imposible pong maka-create pa tayo ng isang instrument na maka-impluwensiya doon sa napakalalim na parte,” he added.

According to Solidum, the amount of energy that causes major earthquakes builds up over hundreds or thousands of years.

“Ang isang magnitude 6 na lindol ay katumbas ng isang Hiroshima na atomic bomb ang energy,” he added.

Frequent tremors are normal in the Philippines

With six active trenches and 180 active fault segments in the Philippines, Bacolcol says there is always the possibility of earthquakes taking place

or felt in La Union and Baguio City was a shallow crustal quake in northern Luzon, unrelated to either the Visayas or Mindanao events.

“All independent earthquake generators… Walang kinalaman yung isa sa Philippine Trench dun sa Bogo Bay Fault,” Bacolcol said in a televised interview. “The activity of one will not induce or trigger the activity of the other.”

Clarifying public fears

The series of strong quakes sparked speculation on social media that one event may have triggered another. PHIVOLCS dismissed those claims, explaining that the Philippine archipelago rests on multiple microplates that move and release stress independently.

“While the timing may appear close, there is no evidence that one quake caused another,” PHIVOLCS said in its advisory. “Each event is an isolated tectonic occurrence in different regions of the country.”

Aftershocks and monitoring

The Davao Oriental quakes prompted tsunami warnings for coastal provinces, which were later lifted by PHIVOLCS and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center after sea-level monitoring showed no significant rise. The agency has since cataloged hun-

one after the other, or even simultaneously. He emphasized, however, that the recent earthquakes that shook areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao within days of each other were not connected.

The PHIVOLCS director added that every day, the in-

stitute records about 30 earthquakes. But since most of these are minor tremors, people don’t feel them.

“Everything happening now is normal. It’s just that bigla lang nagkaroon ng malalakas na lindol na naramdaman ng tao,” said Bacolcol.

dreds of aftershocks—initially reporting 179 and later noting that the number had surpassed 400—as seismic activity continues to taper.

PHIVOLCS has deployed Quick Response Teams to Davao Oriental to conduct geologic impact assessments, including surveys for possible ground movement, landslides, and liquefaction. Bacolcol advised residents to remain vigilant: “Aftershocks may continue for several days or weeks, some of which may be felt,” he said.

Preparedness and resilience

Experts note that the Philippines experiences over 20,000 earthquakes each year, most too weak to be felt. The latest tremors underscore the country’s exposure to multiple fault systems— the Philippine Trench, East Luzon Trough, Central Philippine Fault, and others—making disaster preparedness a national imperative.

PHIVOLCS urged local governments to review evacuation plans and reminded the public to participate in regular earthquake drills. “Preparedness remains our best defense,” Bacolcol said. “We cannot predict earthquakes, but we can lessen their impact through awareness and resilient infrastructure.” n

Since Sept. 30, when Bogo City, Cebu experienced a 6.9-magnitude quake, different areas across the country has been hit by earthquakes in varying intensity, including San Fernando, La Union, Baguio, Zambales, and Davao Oriental. n

MMFF 2025 unveils 8 official entries, spotlighting new voices and returning icons

by AJPress

MANILA — The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) has announced all eight official entries for its 51st edition, promising a strong mix of fresh talent, established names, and stories that reflect the range of Filipino filmmaking. The festival opens nationwide on December 25, continuing its Christmas tradition of showcasing all-Filipino films.

The final four titles include Love You So Bad, Bar Boys After School, I’m Perfect, and UnMarry.

Love You So Bad, directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, features Will Ashley, Bianca de Vera, and Dustin Yu in a comingof-age love story co-produced by Star Cinema, GMA Pictures, and Regal Entertainment.

Bar Boys After School, a sequel to the 2017 hit,

reunites the original cast under Kip Oebanda, exploring the moral and personal struggles of young lawyers.

I’m Perfect, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo and produced by Nathan Studios, stars Lorna Tolentino, Sylvia Sanchez, Janice de Belen, and Zaijian Jaranilla in a moving story that promotes inclusion and awareness for persons with Down syndrome. UnMarry, from Jeffrey Jeturian and writers Chris Martinez and Therese Cayaba, features Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Tom Rodriguez, Solenn Heussaff, and Eugene Domingo in a modern look at love and independence after marriage. The earlier-announced entries are Call Me Mother, Rekonek, Manila’s Finest, and Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins.

Call Me Mother, directed by Jun Robles Lana,

stars Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre in a dramedy about chosen family. Rekonek, by Jade Castro, features Carmina Villarroel, Zoren Legaspi, Gloria Diaz, and Andrea Brillantes in a family story about reconnection in the digital age.

Manila’s Finest, directed by Raymond Red, stars Piolo Pascual as a conflicted law enforcer, while Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños, revives the country’s longest-running horror anthology.

Founded in 1975, the MMFF celebrates Filipino storytelling by giving local films exclusive screening nationwide during the holidays. Organized by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), it remains both a cultural and economic pillar of the Philippine film industry.

Hilda Koronel’s

‘Sisa’

selected as

entry to Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

by HannaH Mallorca

“SISA,” the upcoming film which marks the acting comeback of Hilda Koronel, will have its world premiere at the 29th Talliinn Black Nights Film Festival in Estonia this coming November.

“Sisa’s” world premiere was announced by Jun Robles Lana on X, saying he is “deeply excited” for the audience to see how much the crew had worked on it. He also shared a glimpse of the film’s teaser, showing Koronel as the titular character.

“I’m immensely proud to share that our film, ‘Sisa,’ starring the legendary Hilda Koronel, will have its World Premiere in the Official Competition at the 29th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival this November. It took an extraordinary team to bring this film to life, and I am deeply excited for them, and the world, to finally see it,” he said.

With “Sisa” and “Call Me Mother” (Lana’s Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 entry starring Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre) in mind, the filmmaker said both films are

an ode to motherhood and a portrayal of how “courage [deserves] to exist.”

“I didn’t realize until this year that the two films I was making centered on motherhood, although in radically different forms. With one film, we explore a motherhood defined by sacrifice, not biology. With SISA, we explore the mothering of a nation: the fierce, necessary commitment to teach our people how to resist and survive,” he said

“Both are stories about the fight to be seen and the courage to exist. I couldn’t be more excited for everyone to witness the journeys of my two mothers soon,” he continued.

The film’s upcoming premiere was also echoed by its production company, The IdeaFirst Company, in a separate post.

“Hilda Koronel’s much-awaited return as SISA.

A film by Jun Robles Lana. World Premiere in Official Competition at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival this November,” the post read.

According to the film festival’s website, “Sisa” is set in the Philippines in 1902, where

widows, including Sisa, “fill the villages” after the war.

“Beneath the rags and ramblings, Sisa hides a secret: she is a spy. A survivor. A mother robbed of everything but rage. Haunted by visions she cannot silence, she begins to lead a quiet revolt – gathering women who, like her, have been pushed to the margins. As betrayal coils around her, Sisa walks the line between memory and madness, asking what it takes to rise when the world has already buried you,” the film’s logline reads.

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, from November 7 to 23.

Manny, Jinkee Pacquiao to welcome first grandchild from son Jimuel

FILIPINO boxer Manny Pacquiao and his wife Jinkee are about to become grandparents with the birth of their son Jimuel's baby.

Jinkee posted on Instagram a throwback photo of her and a baby Jimuel as a way to announce their family's good news.

"The day I became your mother, my world changed instantly... It marked the start of a new version of myself, one that is tender, tired, and transformed," Jinkee wrote.

"Time flies so fast na ikaw ang karga-karga ko noon sa

susunod na buwan ang apo ko naman ang kakargahin ko. So grateful to God. He is indeed good all the time!" the boxer's wife added.

Jimuel's family had dinner with his rumored fiancee's family in Los Angeles, California, as seen in Jinkee's Instagram post last July.

“Tonight deserves something special. Family dinner time. Cherishing family moments," Jinkee wrote in her caption last July.

Manny fought against Mario Barrios in Las Vegas last July. (Philstar.com)

Lea Salonga named a member of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS’ trustees

by HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

LEA Salonga was confirmed to join the Board of Trustees of Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for AIDS-related causes.

This was announced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on its Facebook page on Friday, Oct. 10, where Salonga will be joined by Sara Bareilles, Jeff T. Daniel, Andrew Flatt, J. Harrison Ghee, Joshua Henry, John Johnson, and Greg Nobile.

According to the organization’s executives, the new members of the board of trustees have long uplifted the community “through their passion and dedication.”

“Their talent and diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to grow Broadway Cares’ fundraising and grantmaking efforts,” said board of trustees president and The Shubert Orga-

M H M

nization chairman and CEO Robert E. Wankel.

Salonga said on Facebook being part of the organization’s Board of Trustees is “an honor”.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS brings together members of the American theater community to raise funds for essential services for people living with AIDS.

It initially started as two separate organizations, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares, before merging in May 1992.

Salonga, who’s currently in the U.S. for her “Stage, Screen, and Everything in Between” shows, was one of the leads in the Philippine staging of “Into the Woods” last August.

Maricel Soriano: Don’t disregard your parents

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

DIAMOND Star Maricel

Soriano advised the Filipino youth to take care of their parents while they are still around.

During the media conference of her upcoming movie "Meet, Greet & Bye," Maricel recalled a moment where she was greeted by millennials in a mall.

"Minsan marami akong nakakasalubong na mga bagets, mga babae naka-mini skirt sila, naka-bag sila at babatiin ako, nilalapitan ko, ‘alam ba ng mga magulang ninyo kung nasaan kayo ngayon? So, siyempre tumigil ang mga laughter, di ba? Seryoso sila bigla," she shared.

The actress recalled telling them the importance of letting parents know of their whereabouts, "Kasi siyempre aandap-andap ang kalooban niyan, hindi alam kung sino ang kasama n'yo, nasaan kayo, at ano ang mga nangyayari sa inyo."

Maricel also asked younger generations not to disregard their mothers in particular.

"Huwag n'yo naman dedmahin ang mga nanay n'yo.

Isa lang naman ang hinihingi [nila] ibigay n'yo na," Maricel said. "Sabi ko pa, alam ninyo darating ang panahon tatanda rin kayo magkakaroon kayo ng anak, magkakaroon kayo ng pamilya, gusto n'yo ba kung ano ang ginagawa ninyo ngayon ay gawin din sa inyo? Di ba hindi?"

She reiterated her plea not to snub or abandon one's parents, instead take every effort to share one's love for them.

"Walang magulang na nag-iisip ng pangit sa mga anak nila," Maricel ended.

A family's story of love, laughter, togetherness, and

pain is poised to captivate audiences and tug hearts in the upcoming film "Meet, Greet & Bye" beginning November 12.

The film follows the heartwarming journey of the Facundo family led by Mama Baby (Maricel), who is diagnosed with cancer but refuses to undergo chemotherapy after losing hope of getting better.

Her four children, Tupe (Piolo Pascual), Brad (Joshua Garcia), Leo (Juan Karlos Labajo), and Geri (Belle Mariano) try to find and push for alternative treatment before time runs out for Mama Baby.

Angelica Panganiban opens up on celebrities turning to drugs, alcoholism

by Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA star Angelica Panganiban spoke candidly on how some celebrities become addicted to illegal drugs and alcohol to deal with pressure in their careers.

Appearing as a guest on Alyssa Valdez’s Spotify podcast, Angelica admitting being an actor is a very hard job.

“Alam mo kung ano yung mahirap na hindi naiintindihan ng mga tao? Akala nila yung mga artista, sasabihin nila, ‘Ah, ano iyan, wild iyan, ganito iyan, pariwara iyan,’” she began. “Makakarinig at makakarinig ka talaga ng mga ganu’n. Pero ang hindi nila alam, hindi naman sila mga artista. Hindi niyo alam ang pinagdadaanan namin every scene.”

Angelica said that their mental states are affected by the different emotions given during taping.

An example she gave was grieving a death in one scene, happily celebrating a birthday in another, then followed by a triggering scenario.

“Uuwi ka ng bahay na ang daming nangyari sa iyo, mentally. So, hindi ka talaga makakatulog,” Angelica added.

As a result, Angelica said many celebrities turn to addiction, eventually needing rehabilitation or else risk wrecking their lives.

“May ibang tao, ang takbuhan nila is alcohol or drugs. Nakaka-escape na sila, e [sa reayalidad ng buhay]. Parang gagaan ang loob mo, and then

Angelica Panganiban Photo from Instagram/@iamangelicap

kahit paano, maitutulog mo,” Angelica continued.

“Gigising ka, it’s another day. Parang di mo na alam ulit yung nangyari kahapon. Para siyang blackhole, parang pag pinasok mo puwede ka niyang higupin. Magiging masamang tao ka na lang din.”

She did point out there are some professional actors who are capable of “snapping out” and distance themselves from performances.

Angelica then shared how she broke down back in 2009 as a result of too many projects — at the time she was working on “Rubi,” “I Love You, Goodbye,” “Banana Sunday,” “Kris TV,” and “ASAP,” on top of guestings.

She recalled one time break-

ing down in front of fellow actor John Pratts while at a taping for a comedy show, “Sino mag-aakala na may chance at makakaramdam ka ng depression o kaguluhan ng isip mo habang surrounded ka ng masasayahing tao? Pero wala, e, nangyari lang talaga siya.”

“Iyak ako nang iyak. Sabi ko, hindi ko na kilala yung sarili ko. Ang dami kong ginagawa,” she went on. “Tapos napo-portray ko sila with flying colors, pero si Angelica, wala na, wala na siya. Nasaan siya? Tapos iyak ako nang iyak.”

Angelica ended with the realization that being an actress is not her ultimate dream but becoming a mother to daughter Amile and a wife to husband Gregg Homan.

Ai-Ai delas Alas celebrates ‘freedom anniversary’: ‘One year wiser, freer’

by anne PaSaJol Inquirer.net

AI-AI delas Alas marked the first year since she and her estranged husband Gerald Sibayan separated, calling it her “freedom anniversary.”

The actress-comedian spent the occasion in Las Vegas, United States, as seen in the video she shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

“Happy Freedom Anniversary. One year wiser, one year stronger, one year freer,” she captioned her post.

“Here’s to the woman who rose when she could’ve [been] broken. Pain was my teacher. Healing is my revolution,” she added. “To GOD [be] all the glory and honor.”

In the clip, Delas Alas showed herself going to a church to attend a mass.

“Magpapasalamat ako sa Diyos dahil ako ay buhay,” she said, adding that she would afterwards enjoy her company.

Delas Alas and Sibayan got married in 2017 then parted ways in October 2024. The actress disclosed that the latter broke up with her through an online messaging application.

Delas Alas later alluded to a cheater and confessed that she considers their marriage a “wrong decision.” She further admitted that she only wanted to prove back then that age does not matter.

“But it matters,” she said. “Obvious ba? Wala na [kami]”.

Why Filipino Gen Z can’t get enough of K-pop (and

what it means for their mental

by Dr rafael r caStillo Philstar.com

STEP into any café, jeepney, or TikTok scroll, and you’ll hear the unmistakable beat of K-pop.

From BTS and Blackpink to Stray Kids, Seventeen, and NewJeans, Korean pop culture has swept through the Philippines like a musical monsoon—stylish, synchronized, and unstoppable.

Spotify reports that the Philippines ranks among the world’s top five countries for K-pop streaming, with millions of daily plays. Filipino fans don’t just listen; they live the experience—learning choreography, collecting merchandise, joining fandom groups, and even celebrating idols’ birthdays as community events.

But beyond the glitter and glamour lies a deeper question: Why does K-pop resonate so powerfully with Filipino Gen Z—and is this global obsession actually helping or harming their mental health?

The power of emotion and storytelling K-pop’s global rise is no accident. Its secret lies in emotional storytelling wrapped in audiovisual precision.

Each song is a narrative— about friendship, heartbreak, self-discovery, or resilience. Music videos unfold like short films, rich in symbolism and color.

Filipinos, known for emotional expressiveness and love for drama, easily connect with this storytelling style. It mirrors the Filipino psyche: passionate, hopeful, and resilient amid struggle.

For Gen Z navigating anxiety, academic pressure, and the loneliness of the digital age, K-pop becomes a safe emotional mirror—a way to feel deeply in a world that often demands numbness.

A 2023 Frontiers in Psychology study found that fans often form “para-social relationships” with their idols one-sided bonds that, surprisingly, can provide comfort and emotional support.

When K-pop groups speak openly about mental health, self-worth, or burnout, young fans feel validated. Idols like RM of BTS, who openly discuss therapy and self-doubt, have become unlikely role models for emotional honesty. Discipline that inspires Behind the flawless performances are years of disciplined training. K-pop artists undergo rigorous prepara-

health)

tion—often eight to 10 years of daily practice in dance, vocals, and media behavior.

To Filipino Gen Z raised in a culture of high expectations, this discipline is both intimidating and inspiring. It counters the myth of instant fame and teaches that success demands grit, consistency, and teamwork.

This can have a positive mental effect: the belief that effort matters—a healthy antidote to the helplessness many youths feel in uncertain times.

As one Filipino fan put it, “K-pop reminds me that even perfection is practiced.”

However, the flip side is comparison. Idol culture’s obsession with beauty and achievement can fuel body image issues and self-doubt. When fans idealize unattainable perfection, admiration can turn into quiet inadequacy.

Like caffeine, K-pop can energize—but over-consumption may leave one restless.”

“K-pop can calm the storm — but it should never become the shelter we never leave.

The digital dimension: community as coping

For Filipino Gen Z—the world’s most active social media users—K-pop is not just music; it’s belonging. Fandoms like ARMY (BTS fans) and Blinks (BLACKPINK fans) are highly organized online families.

They run donation drives, organize “cup sleeve” events in cafés, and collaborate across continents to “stream” songs and boost global rankings.

During the pandemic, these fandoms became mental health lifelines. A De La Salle University study in 2022 found that online fan communities helped young people cope with isolation, giving them purpose and connection when physical friendships

were impossible. Digital belonging, when grounded in empathy, can be therapeutic. But constant online engagement also has its mental toll. The pressure to stay updated—to stream, post, or defend idols in fan wars—can trigger stress and digital fatigue. Like all relationships, para-social ones require boundaries.

Shared values and cultural comfort

Part of K-pop’s appeal lies in its cultural resonance. Korean values—respect for elders, humility, discipline, and family loyalty—echo Filipino ideals. Even the language feels emotionally familiar; fans often say, “I don’t understand every word, but I feel every emotion.”

In a region where Western culture has long dominated, K-pop offers representation that feels closer to home— Asian faces on global stages, proving that talent transcends borders. For many Filipino youths, seeing Asian artists conquer the world boosts both pride and possibility.

Aesthetic escapism in an anxious world

K-pop offers what psychologists call “controlled escapism”—a harmless mental vacation. In a nation where daily realities include traffic, inflation, graft and corruption, and uncertainty, K-pop’s perfection—synchronized dance, immaculate visuals, and hopeful lyrics—becomes a form of emotional regulation. The colors, choreography, and cinematic music videos trigger dopamine release and reduce stress. It’s not unlike meditation—rhythmic, repetitive, and emotionally transporting.

Still, it’s escapism, not cure.

When it replaces real relationships or sleep, it stops being refuge and becomes

philip S. ChuA, MD, FACS, FpCS

ABOUT 90,000 individuals are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) in the United States each year. In the Philippines, thousands of new cases are detected annually, with a prevalence of around 0.55 percent, but there are no actual data available. Globally, about 1.18 million cases of Parkinson’s are diagnosed each year.

Debilitating symptoms of PD include movement problems, like stiffness and tremors, balance issues, depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, sleep disorders, loss of smell, speech, and swallowing difficulty.

New data from the U.S. EPA National Air Toxic Assessment research found that “longterm exposure to high levels of the industrial degreasing chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) was associated with a 10 percent increased risk for Parkinson’s disease.”

TCE is found in 30 percent of drinking water supplies across the United States, including source-contaminated bottled water, an alarming public health hazard.

To filter out microplastics in our drinking water, I have a tabletop 4-stage water filtration system and an under-sink 7-stage reverse osmosis (with UV light) water filtration device. These units also filter out TCE and other toxic chemicals.

Unhealthy foods

People today are more health-conscious than ever.

The FDA, physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and well-informed individuals around the world agree that the following items, among others, are unhealthy: bacon and other processed foods; wheat (gluten-loaded) bread; soft drinks, the sweet poison a large segment of our society are “addicted” to; French fries, this calorie-dense, saturated-fatty and salty food item is one of many that contribute to heart attack and stroke.

Healthy foods

The “good” nutritional foods include fresh and clean fish, vegetables of all colors, fruits, and nuts. Avocados (ad lib); all berries, pineapple, papaya, mangoes are, in moderation, healthy, but high in calories, which should be included in the calorie-count, especially among those with diabetes; Cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, for salad dressing, or ingested 1 tablespoonful a day,

TCE and Parkinson’s

has tremendous overall health benefits. Most of our common chronic illnesses, especially among seniors, are due to the unhealthy food items we have been eating since we were toddlers. Repeat: We are what we eat!

GLP-1 and cancer

About 12 percent of adults, especially women 50-64 years of age, in the United States have used GLP-1 for diabetes and weight loss. Many are very enthusiastic about this glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RAs) to control body weight and to guard against cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The FDA has been “issuing a host of approvals for these conditions in the past few years,” because of its effectiveness and customer satisfaction. A new study posted in JAMA Oncology claims “that GLP-1 RA use could reduce overall cancer incidence by 17%.” Since this group of drugs reduces obesity, which is a great cancer risk in itself, perhaps the “cancer-reducing incidence” is due to weight reduction, and not a direct effect of these drugs as anti-cancer. Nonetheless, this finding is still most welcome news among users of GLP-1.

Warning: Since there is no evidence-based data that these drugs are proven anti-cancer, those who are not obese or not diabetic should not take these drugs with the goal of lowering their risk for cancer.

Microplastics and cancer

It appears none of us is exempt from having microplastics in our brains and other organs in our bodies. A 2024 study revealed that each of us has an average of 4,806 micrograms in our brain, roughly the amount of microplastics in one plastic teaspoon. There has been a 50 percent increase from 3,057 micrograms in 2016 to the present level in 8 years.

The brains of persons with dementia have been found to contain up to 10 times microplastics than a healthy brain. Microplastics are abundantly present in our environment.

The new study shows microplastics in the gut might be contributing to the increased risk for colorectal cancer, by “increasing the acidity of gut microbes and leading to patterns similar to those linked to colorectal cancer and depression.” This finding of the impact of microplastics on our gut microbiome is preliminary and needs larger independent studies for confirmation.

Since our water supplies, including bottled water, are

most contaminated with microplastics, we recommend a 5-7 stage reverse osmosis water filtration system with UVC light (countertop or under-sink). They are relatively inexpensive, cheaper than the cost of 20 packs of cigarettes, or 720 cans (2 cans a day) of soft drinks, both of which are even more poisonous to our bodies.

Our health and longevity are worth investing in, with a super-wonderful ROI.

Coffee and longevity

There are many health benefits in drinking coffee (without additives like cream or sugar; cinnamon is healthy). New research shows that “drinking 3-5 cups of coffee a day is linked to longer (10 to 15 percent) life span and lower diabetes and cardiovascular risk by 15 percent.” The findings are the same for all types of coffee and for decaf as well. The 2019 meta-analysis also shows drinking coffee may decrease the risk for some cancers, like endometrial cancer, lower the risk for chronic respiratory disease mortality, and also decrease the risk for injuries and accidents. Coffee consumption also “benefits the liver and the kidneys, reduces cognitive disorders by 25 percent, and lowers depression and the risk for Parkinson’s Disease and its progression.” Consult your physicians for details.

Warning - Energy drinks

Soft drinks are poison to our bodies, and energy drinks are worse. Those who consume energy drinks regularly can develop serious health problems that include rapid/irregular heart rate, anxiety, blood pressure issues, insomnia, dental problems, weight gain, diabetes, fatigue, and crashes. The NIH warns that excessive caffeine and taurine can negatively affect the heart, kidney, and liver function. Heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and deaths have been reported, attributed to energy drinks.

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.

Regine Velasquez slams poor public service in PH amid high taxes

by anne PaSaJol Inquirer.net

REGINE Velasquez once again expressed her dismay toward the Philippine government as she stressed how Filipino taxpayers do not deserve the poor public service they currently experience.

The singer-actress shared her sentiment through her Instagram page on Monday, Oct. 13 along with a video which underscored that the country is rich in natural resources but is infested with corruption.

“Nung bata ako ang akala ko mahirap ang Pilipinas hindi rin nakatulong na pinanganak akong mahirap. Pero ngayon napagtatanto ko hindi tayo mahirap!! Pinahihirapan tayo!” she said.

“Ako po ay isang singer lamang na nagsumikap para maiahon ang aking pamilya sa hirap. Sa tulong ng ating Panginoon natulungan ko ang aking pamilya,” she continued.

Velasquez then lamented how she has been working

Why

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hard and paying her taxes right, but has not been benefitting from it.

“Ang aking income tax ay nasa 32% plus meron po akong [value added tax] na 12% — 32+12=44% po ng pinaghirapan ko napupunta sa gobyerno pero wala akong nakukuha kahit anong benipisyo,” she lamented.

The singer further pointed out the country’s need for proper health care as well as quality education and infrastructures—which the government should have provided using the taxpayers’ money.

“Hindi mahirap ang Pilipinas, sa aking palagay hinayaan nilang isipin nating mahirap ang bansa natin para hindi tayo magreklamo at para umasa na lang tayo sa mga barya barya nilang binibigay,” she stated, taking for example the relief goods that feature the photos of politicians during calamities.

“I’m ranting again, I know, pero ang laki ng utang ng gobyerno sa mga Pilipino,” she concluded.

Velasquez’s sentiment came amid the public outcry against the worsening corruption that has been plaguing the country.

Filipino Gen Z can’t get enough of K-pop...

avoidance. Balance remains key: K-pop can calm the storm but should not become the shelter we never leave.

The mental health equation: help or harm?

So—is K-pop good for mental health?

The answer, like any medicine, is dose-dependent. Positive effects:

• Emotional validation. Lyrics and interviews that normalize sadness, failure, and recovery.

• Community belonging. Fandoms foster social connection and reduce loneliness.

• Creative expression. Many fans dance, sing, and create art, channeling emotion into productivity.

• Hope and optimism.Success stories of idols inspire perseverance and resilience. Risks and cautions:

• Unrealistic comparison. Idol perfection can trigger low self-esteem or disordered eating.

• Over-identification.Excessive devotion may lead to emotional dependency or detachment from reality.

• Financial stress. Concerts, merchandise, and “fan projects” can become compulsive spending.

• Sleep loss and fatigue. Late-night streaming and

social media participation contribute to poor rest—a common theme in my own cardiology practice.

In short: K-pop can heal or harm depending on how it’s used—as inspiration or as escape, as connection or as obsession.

Encouraging moderation and balance

For parents and mentors puzzled by the K-pop phenomenon, the key is not to judge but to understand. This isn’t “just music.” It’s a generational language of emotion, creativity, and belonging.

Instead of scolding youth for being “too obsessed,” guide them to balance passion with presence. Encourage moderation: enjoy the music, celebrate the artistry, but don’t lose sleep—literally or metaphorically—over it.

And for Gen Z themselves: Remember that your idols may inspire you, but your worth is not measured by fandom activity. Even your favorite artist rests. Even perfection rehearses peace.

A cardiologist’s reflection

As a physician, I often meet young people who come with palpitations, anxiety, or sleeplessness—many fueled by digital overstimulation, latenight scrolling, and caffeinated lifestyles. But when we talk, I find that what they truly

seek is meaning, not medication.

K-pop, at its best, provides a spark of joy, a rhythm of community, and an outlet for emotional honesty. It can soothe the anxious heart—if it’s not allowed to overstimulate it.

Like music itself, the key is tempo: Enjoy the beat, but remember to rest between songs.

Is K-pop good for mental health?

K-pop’s hold on Filipino Gen Z is both cultural and emotional—a mirror of their search for connection, beauty, and purpose in an increasingly chaotic world.

It is not just about catchy tunes or glamorous idols. It is about identity—finding voice, comfort, and courage through shared sound.

So is it good for their mental health?

When enjoyed mindfully, yes—profoundly so. It builds community, self-expression, and hope. But when consumed compulsively, it becomes noise drowning out the heart’s true rhythm.

Perhaps, in the end, K-pop’s greatest gift is not escape, but empathy—a reminder that across languages and borders, we all move to the same beat: the universal longing to be seen, understood, and loved.

Indefatigable CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo

My P.E.P. (People, Events,Places)

RoGelio ConStAntino MeDinA

DURING the press launch of the 2025 Manila FAME held at Centro de Turismo Intramuros—which I featured in Balikbayan Magazine some months ago—I felt honored when my former officemate, Leah Pulido Ocampo, the current Executive Director of the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) responsible for all international trade events and related export programs for the Philippines, approached me.

She remains the same approachable, creative, hardworking, and amiable Leah I have known since my CITEM days. Her extensive experience and competence cover various aspects of micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) growth, development, and industry promotion in both local and international settings.

She is one of the brightest and most dedicated professionals who rose from the ranks. Her excellent service as a public servant has been honed through more than 20 years of career development.

Her training portfolio includes participation in International Trade and Export Promotion in The Netherlands; Investment Promotion in China; Digitalization for MSMEs in Vietnam; and MSME Development in Japan.

I remember that she served as project director for CITEM’s major export promotion events, including Manila FAME, International Food Exhibition (IFEX), CREATE Philippines, Go Lokal Program, Foodex Japan, Gulfood in Dubai, NY Now in New York, Boston Seafood Show, Anuga, China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China, and Expo Seville.

She also led delegations for numerous Philippine business missions across key cities worldwide, including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe, Japan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam; Myanmar; Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, Vietnam; Hong Kong; Singapore; Jakarta, Indonesia; Nanning, China; Dubai, UAE; Los Angeles, California; Boston; New Jersey; New York, USA; Toronto,

Canada; Seville and Granada, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; Eindhoven and Rotterdam, The Netherlands; and Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Frankfurt, Germany.

Certainly, her directorship at CITEM, which she assumed in June 2024, marks her return to the agency where she began honing her skills through various key positions that helped shape her solid experience in industry development, MSME growth, and export marketing and promotion.

To Leah—may you continue to be blessed as a dedicated and passionate public servant in the world of transformational leadership.

Leah Ocampo in Italy

As part of their benchmarking and learning activities following the Fashion Philippines showcase in Milan, representatives from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), led by Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo and Creative Goods Division Chief Anna Marie Alzona, were joined by Lilo Caya of the Philippine Textile Research Institute, Carissa Cruz Evangelista of the Philippine Fashion Coalition, and Tetta Ortiz-Matera of LIT Fashion Consultancy in a visit to Reggiani.

Reggiani is a pioneering Italian textile company renowned for being the first in the world to industrially produce wool-Lycra and cotton-Lycra fabrics—a breakthrough that transformed the global textile industry. Its innovations have long attracted the world’s top luxury brands, including Hermès, Coccinelle, Loro Piana, and leading houses within the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) Group.

The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Giovanni Reggiani, Creative and Sales Director and son of the company’s founder, together with Marco Spola, General Director.

Fellow Andrean Tony Gonzales

On that same day, I met a fellow alumnus of St. Andrew’s School, Parañaque, Tony Gonzales (High School Batch 1978), during the Manila FAME press preview.

In the late 1990s, a new generation of Filipino designers emerged—among them Tony Gonzales and Milo Naval, two of the founding members of Movement 8, a pioneering collective that helped bring Philippine design to global

recognition.

Catch Design Commune and more at Manila FAME 2025, the Philippines’ premier home, fashion, and lifestyle trade show organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (DTI-CITEM) on October 16–18, 2025, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Philippines.

• Register as a trade buyer: https://citem.ph/p/fb75fc

• Register as a visitor: https://citem.ph/p/d35b7d

Dream of the Biblical Books

On October 13, 2025, I dreamed of the different contents of the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Holy Bible—from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation.

However, I forgot to mention the Books of Job, Psalms, and Proverbs in the Old Testament and most of the books in the New Testament (except Revelation) in that dream.

I remember when I was in high school at St. Andrew’s School in Parañaque City— which has produced many priests, including Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle—I memorized all the books of the Holy Bible and received a final grade of 99%. Thanks to my late religion teacher, Odelia Cruz.

Contents of the Holy Bible

Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges,

Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 Maccabees, 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Wisdom, Sirach, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts of the Apostles, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation. *

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

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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.

awardees

Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.