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By Marilou Guieb
HERE is a sanctuary of peace and beauty in Alno, La Trinidad, called the Living Gifts Nursery. It is reached following a winding road that begins to feel off track from modern civilization as the seemingly endless trip stretches to empty roadways and views of distant mountains and patches of flower gardens in valleys and meadows. It is owned by couple Dan and Nora Saclangan. The trip stops at an open parking space where one alights to a short stairway that pleasantly opens up to a maze of 12 gardens, each a delight to the senses—like the endless meadow of cosmos flowers in shades of pink, or the cool green of ornamental plants or edible vegetation and a Japanese-inspired garden. Most uniquely, some 3,000 species of cacti and succulents amaze visitors. Cactus that curl like dainty ribbons, or look like balls, or open like petals are strewn on the side of pathways or inside a covered nursery where tourists can buy them. It is the only cacti garden this side of Benguet Province, or perhaps in the Cordillera region and considered as the most extensive collection in the country. Dan first tasted prickly pear
cactus while in Israel for 11 days in 2005 under the Israeli agriculture internship program. He was impressed with the earnest use of research and technology which he employed in his thesis on beneficial fungi to fight strawberry rust for which he won an award from the National Fungus Society. The discipline helps him manage his farm tourism business to this day. Living Gifts Nursery today is one among a growing list of gardens as part of farm tourism after it opened its doors to guests in 2023.
ISRAELI Ambassador Dana Kursh with Living Gifts Nursery owners Dan and Nora Saclangan at the garden entrance. Dan was among the first batch of interns under the Agriculture Internship Program in 2005. Kursh visited the farm on July 9, 2026, to appraise and congratulate the couple for their success in their farm tourism cactus venture. MARILOU GUIEB
Farming is about experience
MINA GABOR, former tourism secretary and now president of the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST), explains that there is a misnomer that farming is just about tilling the land. ISST offers courses on ecotourism and
A SHARP ATTRACTION Thousands of cacti and succulents create a striking display at the Living Gifts Nursery, a farm-tourism destination owned by couple Dan and Nora Saclangan. The nursery is home to about 3,000 species of cacti and succulents, from curling, ribbon-like varieties to round and petal-shaped forms. Opened to guests in 2023, Living Gifts Nursery is among the farm destinations helping turn agriculture into an immersive experience, where visitors can explore gardens, learn about plants and sample food and drinks made with locally grown produce. MARILOU GUIEB
farm tourism. “Farming as part of tourism is about experience,” it is also about research and education, she explains. Everytime a guest comes to a farm, tourism comes to play, thus the farm must make sure it complies with basic standards in terms of security and cleanliness. It is the merging of two giant industries because they use the same resources, she further said. Each farm has a niche, such as the cactus garden of Living Gifts. Here, aside from getting acquainted with cacti from all over the globe, their Aloe Café offers both native and western cuisine and drinks. Yes, bacon pizza with slices of Nopales cactus or prickly
pear and a cocktail refreshment of Nopales, lemon and pineapple. Cordillera Tourism Regional Director Jovita Ganongan says that in the region, heritage farm tourism is in focus. “We integrate cultural heritage in farm tourism, which makes us unique,” she said in a press conference on farm tourism. It brings to mind the wide farm estate of Haight in Atok, Benguet, where tourists come curious about the old history it holds and how perhaps the vegetable industry and tourism started in this highland region. Spanish-American war veteran Guy Franklin Haight Continued on A2
2026 NJLA celebrates Marra PL. Lanot’s life, legacy This year’s edition also recognized 81 Graphic Salute awardees, along with a three-time Poet of the Year winner, ahead of the Philippines Graphic centennial next year
Eternal Gardens to honor those who shaped its 50-year journey THE 2026 Nick Joaqin Literary Awards organizing committee. BERNARD TESTA
MARRA PL. LANOT’S only child Kris Lanot Lacaba. BERNARD TESTA
NEW Philippines Graphic Reader literary editor Susan Lara. BERNARD TESTA
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By Jt Nisay
N the April 2021 issue of the Philippines Graphic, around the 17th death anniversary of Nick Joaquin, the outlet’s esteemed literary editor Marra PL. Lanot penned a poignant tribute to her hero. “Have you ever basked in the presence of your idol?” Lanot writes to open her piece, titled “Nick Joaquin: The twilight years.” What follows is a moving chronicle of her friendship with the late National Artist for Literature, a titan turned close friend. She recounts submitting a poem to him at the Free Press as a nervous young writer, exploring metro spots “where music is all” when they grew closer, and her son Kris
weeping during Joaquin’s necrological service at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, where friends honored the man she considers “the greatest Filipino writer in English.” Lanot, of course, was also quite the wordsmith in her own right. An award-winning poet, essayist, and journalist, she published articles and columns in newspapers and magazines, and translated Continued on A2
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TERNAL Gardens will recognize individuals and organizations that have contributed to its growth over the past 50 years during Gabi ng Parangal on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at the Grand Ballroom of Okada Manila. The event will be held on the birth anniversary of Eternal Gardens founder Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, adding significance to an evening dedicated to recognizing the people who have been part of the company’s journey since its establishment in 1976. The recognition will begin with the people who helped establish the organization during its formative years. Pioneering Executives will be honored for their leadership in shaping Eternal Gardens’ early direction. At the same time, Pioneering Agents will be recognized for bringing its services to families and communities and for helping build its sales organization. The company will also recognize Business Partners and City Mayors whose collaboration and support have contributed to Eternal Gardens’ presence in communities across the country. The evening will also high-
light the artistic contributions that have helped define the character of Eternal Gardens’ memorial parks. Distinguished Sculptors will be recognized for their works and contributions to the company. Rounding out the recognition will be members of the Hall of Fame and Top League Managers, who will be honored for their achievements and leadership within the company’s sales organization. The program will be hosted by Marissa Sanchez and will feature performances by singer Marco Sison and Himig Kabataan of the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels. Himig Kabataan’s participation carries a connection to Cabangon Chua, who had a personal association with the National Shrine of Saint Michael and the Archangels. The group will perform during the evening’s program. Eternal Gardens, established in 1976, is marking its Golden Anniversary this year through a series of activities celebrating its milestones and recognizing the individuals and organizations that have contributed to its development.
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 61.7640 n JAPAN 0.3876 n UK 84.0423 n HK 7.8799 n CHINA 9.1911 n SINGAPORE 48.6178 n AUSTRALIA 44.4330 n EU 71.9859 n KOREA 0.0448 n SAUDI ARABIA 16.4507 Source: BSP (August 28, 2026)
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2026 NJLA celebrates Marra PL. Lanot’s life, legacy Continued from A1
poems from English and Filipino into Spanish, just as her own poems have been translated and published abroad into foreign languages. She most recently served as the literary editor of the Philippines Graphic Reader, the companion literary magazine of the Philippines Graphic. On August 16, Lanot wrote 30. She was 82. Though the literary community mourns her passing, a fittingly poetic full-circle moment unfolded at the 2026 Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA). Years after writing that heartfelt tribute to her literary idol, Lanot was herself honored at the very event dedicated to his memory. “I know in my heart that Marra is here with us tonight,” said T. Anthony C. Cabangon, publisher of Philippines Graphic and the BusinessMirror, during the 2026 NJLA at the Luxent Hotel in Quezon City on August 27. “We offer the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards for you, Marra. Like the phoenix that rises above death and destruction, we rise and persist in spreading the written words of our literary writers to the Filipino people for generations to come.”
‘Poet, editor, writer… witch’
MUCH of the 2026 NJLA night of celebration was dedicated to the memorial tribute for Lanot. Her close friends and family took turns on stage to share their fondest memory with the beloved writer, who was described as a good friend and important figure for many writing careers.
“She made you feel like your voice actually mattered,” said Charo Joaquin-Villegas, niece of Nick Joaquin and a close family friend to Lanot. “Her legacy isn’t in what she wrote—it’s in all of us. She helped find our voice. Thank you, Marra.” Charo’s husband, Bing, also reflected on Lanot’s life. He read Nick Joaquin’s foreword to her book, Déjà vu and Other Essays, where she was famously described as “a babaylan in kimona and Levi’s.” Meanwhile, José María Fons Guardiola, Cultural Head of Instituto Cervantes de Manila, read a Spanish poem written by Lanot. Veteran journalist Ceres Doyo and award-winning writer Neni Sta. Romana paid tributes as well, along with Sol Juvida, Rochit Tañedo, Paulynn Sicam, Joel Saracho, and Beverly “Bebang” Sy. Also part of the fold were Philip Paraan, Seymour Barros Sanchez, Satur Ocampo, Gemma Nemenzo, Bobby Malay, and Dr. Jose Wendel Capili. During his speech earlier in the evening, Cabangon announced the appointment of Susan Lara as the new literary editor of the Philippines Graphic Reader. Also the chair of the 2026 NJLA panel of judges, Lara paid homage to Lanot, whom she fondly called “the original witch.” “If you ever had the pleasure of receiving an email from her, you could not have failed to take note of her email handle—brujaja—spelled with a ‘J.’ That said a lot of things about her. She called herself “witch,” and wore the title with pride. She could laugh at herself, and she embraced the
Spanish language alongside English and Filipino.” Lara noted that Lanot “grew up surrounded by words and music”— born to a writer-astrologer and a music teacher—and how she loved playing the piano, watching films, gardening, collecting stamps, swimming, ballroom dancing, and Elvis Presley. The two first met in the ’80s, when Lanot and her husband, poet Pete Lacaba, gave a reading at the UP Faculty Center. From then on, their paths crossed at countless poetry events. “Her poetry achieved that balance where form and content perfectly matched—structure amplifying meaning, never sacrificing one for the other,” Lara said. “Beyond her writing, she nurtured literature as editor: Philippines Graphic from 1998 to 2003; Mirror Weekly from 1995 to 1999; and Philippines Graphic Reader, from 2022 up to her last day on Earth.” Lara also emphasized Lanot’s role in helping shape the NJLA, where the former had been judging since 2017, and the latter serving as a “guiding presence.” It was July 24 when the last two spoke, Lara shared. They were deliberating the Poet of the Year award for the 2026 NJLA, and Lanot was asked to break a tie. “Marra, although already struggling to breathe, chose the poet who, to quote her, has ‘mastered the use of words with visual impact and depth of meaning.’ Even in frailty, her clarity and devotion to literature shone,” Lara said. “Thank you, and bye for now, Marra—poet, editor,
friend… witch. Thank you.”
Three-time NJLA Poet of the Year
ASIDE from the tribute to Lanot, the 2026 NJLA carried on its mission to recognize today’s exemplary Filipino literary writers with trophies, plaques, and cash prizes. This year’s big winner was once again F. Jordan Carnice for his piece, “Three Poems Before 2025.” It’s the Silliman University alumnus’ third time to win the prestigious award, following backto-back victories in 2024 and 2023. Meanwhile, winning first place in the Short Story Category was Jude Ortega for “The Decision,” followed by Richard Giye’s “The Quiet Animal” and Elvie Victonette B. Razon-Gonzales’ “Deliverance.” The 2026 NJLA coincided with the 99th year of the Philippines Graphic, which serves as the “longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and
promotes Philippine literature.” In 1990, the outlet was revived under the vision of publisher Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua and editor-in-chief National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. “For 36 years, the revived Philippines Graphic has helped in promoting and popularizing Philippine literature in English in the country,” said Philippines Graphic president Benjamin V. Ramos. “In 2022, we decided to fine-tune this support by creating a dedicated magazine for short stories and poems written by new and veteran Filipino writers, which became the Philippines Graphic Reader.” “In consultation with Marra, we looped the precious works found in the Graphic Reader with the NJLA,” he added. “Every published short story and poem became an entry to the NJLA. We did this to cement the relation between the art of writing and being recognized for writing.”
Thus, honored at this year’s NJLA were 81 Graphic Salute Awardees, whose short stories and poems saw the light of print in the Philippines Graphic Reader. Meanwhile, the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, was conferred the LGU Champion for 2026 Award, accepted by Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez, while Biñan City, Laguna, was given the LGU Champion Award, accepted by Vice Mayor Dada Reyes. The recognitions were introduced in 2024 as part of the NJLA-Local Government Unit (LGU) Advocacy for English and Literature Project that seeks to ensure that the works of Filipino poets and short fictionists reach the youth. “Next year, the Philippines Graphic is one hundred years old,” Ramos said. “Strong, solid, and true, the Graphic—with the Cabangon family— will continue to nurture the best and the brightest in Philippine literature in English.”
FARM TOURISM... Continued from A1
came with the company of Col. Lyman Kennon of the US Corps of Engineers in 1903 to build Kennon Road. He took a liking for one of the sons of the workers and named him Celo Haight, gave him a shirt and soap and taught him his first English words, “Go river, wash.” But after a year of work, Haight contracted tuberculosis and looked for a place to recuperate and following narrow foot trails found Paoay, Atok, where the weather was like his hometown in California. They set camp by a spring where the clear air and Celo’s loving care restored him to good health. They then felled oak trees where they planted cabbages, carrots, lettuce in the clearing, the seeds of which were sent by his relatives in America. Fourth-generation Susan Haight says the original hut of their grandmother still stands here. Haight’s Place was also a kind of health resort which was popular and he had guides who brought guests on horseback to places like Mt. Pulag and Mt. Data. This ancient story hangs on the walls of a building together with heritage photos. In June of 2016, Benguet’s sister city in Japan, Kochi, planted sakura trees on the rolling hills bordered by oak forests. Visitors come to take pictures every time the sakura trees blossom.
Other possibilities
GANONGAN also cited other possibilities. Chefs are also involved. Farms can have special cuisines and herbs. There is the wellness aspect where indigenous massage can blend with the pristine environment of farms. Winaca Village was started in the 1980s by couple Wilson and Narda Capuyan. They grew narra, coffee, rattan, anthuriums and developed orange and lemon orchards. Narda revived and pre-
A PATCH of edible Nopales cactus or prickly pear cactus pads grown at the Living Gifts Nursery. It is part of the Aloe Cafe menu here incorporated into their pizza and refreshments. MARILOU GUIEB
served the craft of weaving and ikat dyes, and popularized these as far as America and Europe in contemporary styles. After she passed away, her daughter Lucia Catanes added a natural and textile dye line from plants in the village. Mahogany Wilson planted yield brown dyes, cogon grass give yellow dyes, turmeric make orange colors and so are now planted around the village, including indigo plants now thriving in Winaca. Poinsettia flowers and leaves are used for leaf printing. Occasionally, workshops on natural dyes are held here. An original Sagada hut also stands here and visitors can get familiar with traditional rituals of the Mountain Province performed from womb to grave. Northern Blossoms along Halsema Highway in Sayangan Barangay in Atok, Benguet, is a popular destination for its flowers. It is a two-hour drive by bus from Baguio City. One can stand in the midst of rows of cabbage roses, pink/white
larkspurs, marigolds, snapdragons, among others, for instagrammable photos against the backdrop of misty mountains. Flowers are seasonal, but with the many varieties, there are always flowers in bloom throughout the year. It is a family-owned business managed by Leny Ganayan and her husband, Leonardo. Before it converted into farm tourism, they were flower wholesalers supplying Metro Manila and their shop in Dangwa, Manila. It was social media that opened the doors for tourism after netizens were amazed with pictures of their rose cabbages that went viral. Because of overwhelming public demand, they learned the ropes of farm tourism and now enjoy an endless stream of tourists flocking to their site.
Strategic Farm Tourism Plan
GANONGAN says that so far there are only 25 farms accredited in the Cordillera for farm tourism. Part of the Strategic Farm Tourism Plan for 2026–2031 is to make accreditation easier with the help of local governments and more orientation. There is so much potential in multiplier effect, Ganongan says, even within the farm itself, or in the community. There can be flower arrangement activities, or coffee tasting training. It will also solve the problem of the ageing farming population, as older farmers can be storytellers of culture and the business aspect will encourage the young on the internet generation to go into farm tourism. Gabor adds that only 138 farms have been officially accredited by the tourism department. Yet 30 percent of tourists in the entire world look for nature and the highest part is in farm tourism. For her, given its economic and environmental impact, farm tourism must be the way to go. To be concluded
Your Light Still Shines Remembering a Life That Illuminated So Many Others
Amba
92 Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua August 30, 1934-March 11, 2016
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Exclusive: US Patriot missile stocks in Europe are ‘beyond critical’ due to Iran war, officials say By Emma Burrows & Ben Finley
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The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—The US military is experiencing a “beyond critical” shortage of advanced missile interceptors in Europe largely driven by President Donald Trump’s war with Iran, a US defense official in Europe and a NATO official told The Associated Press, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in NATO countries to a potential Russian attack.
The US defense official said the most concerning shortfall involves Patriot missile interceptors, which can shoot down Russia’s high-speed ballistic missiles. The NATO official confirmed the low inventories of Patriots among American and NATO forces in Europe. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters. In the event of a Russian ballistic missile assault on, for example, a military headquarters or power plant, NATO could be in a similar position to Patriot-starved Ukraine and be forced “to take punch after punch in the mouth,” the US defense official said. In Europe, the American military “definitely” does not have enough Patriots to stop any possible sustained ballistic missile attack and would have “very limited” capability to
defend against a single ballistic missile strike or a stray Russian missile that goes off course, the US official said. It illustrates the cascading fallout from Trump’s decision to launch a war against Iran, a conflict that reaches the sixmonth mark on Friday. US missile stocks in Europe have been moved to the Middle East, where US and Gulf allies have fired off significant numbers of interceptors, including Patriots, to thwart Iran’s drones and missiles. Some of those attacks have killed and wounded American troops. Though a Russian ballistic missile attack against NATO countries is not imminently expected, CIA Director John Ratcliffe went to Moscow this week to warn Russia not to attack, The Wall Street Journal reported. Asked by reporters Thursday whether Ratcliffe delivered that
message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump offered a roundabout response. “I don’t want to comment on that, but they’re not going to attack,” Trump said. European and NATO officials say Russia could be in a position to attack countries in the alliance by 2030. Patriot stockpiles are projected to rebound by then. In the meantime, Russia’s war in Ukraine could hinder its ability to carry out any missile attack on Europe as it would be a challenge for Moscow to fight an air war on two fronts. US Patriot transfers to Ukraine played a role in the drawdown, but the Iran war wasn’t expected US Army Col. Martin O’Donnell, a senior NATO military spokesperson, said it is “simply not the case” that the number of Patriot missiles in Europe is beyond critical. NATO, he said, is able to “block punches” and has enough air defense munitions available to defend itself as well as to donate to Ukraine. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement Thursday that claims of US munition shortages “are false.” “We have everything required to strike at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” Parnell said. “Across multiple combatant commands, we have already executed successful operations while maintaining a deep, ready arsenal to defend our people and our interests.” Officials in Ukraine, however, are begging for more Patriots to defend against Russian missile attacks, while previous US transfers to Ukraine have drawn down some of the American
supply of the interceptors. Kyiv says only US-made Patriots can stop Russia’s advanced ballistic missiles, which increasingly are getting through Ukrainian defenses, including as part of a barrage overnight into Thursday. The US supplied hundreds of Patriot missiles to Ukraine over the course of the 4 1/2-year-long conflict, but the Iran war was the tipping point for shrinking inventories, said Ed Arnold, senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a military think tank in London. The supply to Ukraine was planned for and reasonably measured, he said, whereas stocks in the Middle East have been unexpectedly and quickly drained, exposing supply chain constraints. The US military in Europe also is grappling with critical shortages of the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, a medium-range ballistic missile designed to strike behind enemy lines, the two officials said. But the overall munitions picture in Europe is less dire than on air defenses alone because some European militaries have their own offensive missiles, such as the Taurus and Storm Shadow, which are both long-range air-launched bunker-busting missiles.
Europe has few alternatives while stocks are low
THE dearth of Patriot interceptors in Europe would leave few alternatives for shooting down Russia’s more advanced ballistic missiles, which can be combined with swarms of inexpensive drones to overwhelm defenses, experts say. Ukraine and some allies
already use systems that can destroy slower-moving drones without expensive missiles. But ballistic missiles are a challenge because they dive steeply toward targets at more than five times the speed of sound, leaving little time to stop them. The Patriot system tracks the missile, predicts its path and launches within minutes, all while carrying out complex calculations to ensure the interceptor finds its target. One Patriot battery can only cover a limited area: for example, a small military base but not a whole city. One alternative could be France and Italy’s SAMP/T NG air defense system. France has promised to speed up the delivery of the system—the upgraded version of the current SAMP/T—to Ukraine, which the manufacturer says is better able to counter ballistics. The new iteration, however, has not yet been battle tested and the current version of the SAMP/T has a smaller range than the Patriot. While US and European militaries have warships that can serve as mobile air defense, they may be too far from a target to protect it and could risk getting sunk.
Patriot stocks have plunged during the Iran war
UKRAINE has received Patriots from American and European stockpiles since Russia’s 2022 invasion, with the US providing about 600 of the interceptors during the Biden administration, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel who is now senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.
But the greatest expenditure has been during the Iran conflict, which has used up 65% of US Patriots, amounting to roughly 1,500 of the nation’s 2,330 interceptors, CSIS says. About 600 missiles, including those destined for Europe, should be made this year, with a production goal of 2,000 Patriot missiles a year set for 2030, Cancian said. NATO says Europe’s first Patriot missile production facility is expected to open in Germany in September, with deliveries possibly beginning early next year. The first deliveries should go to countries that have already placed orders, including Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain, the US defense official said. But for now, that means some countries, such as Germany, have bought expensive Patriot systems but are in the “ridiculous” position of not having any ammunition to fire from them, said Arnold of the London think tank. Germany’s defense ministry said it does not comment on stockpiles.
Russia also has limitations
MOSCOW likely cannot carry out a sustained air assault on a NATO target while it launches almost nightly attacks on Ukraine, Arnold said. Ukraine’s recent strikes into Russia also have exposed weaknesses in Russia’s air defenses, which could prompt Putin to think twice about provoking a retaliatory attack. “The uncomfortable truth is possibly the best air defense that we have is Russian constraints,” Arnold said.
The Kremlin says the CIA director held talks in Moscow with his intelligence counterparts By The Associated Press
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HE Kremlin said Wednesday that CIA Director John Ratcliffe held talks in Moscow with his intelligence counterparts, a rare and secretive visit at a time when relations with Washington remain strained over Russia’s war in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ratcliffe did not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was informed of the contacts that were “on the intelligence agencies’ level.”
“Of course, President Putin is immediately informed of everything,” Peskov added, refusing to say what was discussed. Russian state news agencies reported that a US military plane landed in Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on Tuesday and departed later that day. US President Donald Trump played down the significance of Ratcliffe’s trip, saying it was “sort of semi-routine.” “I hate to disappoint people,” he said on conservative broadcaster Glenn Beck’s radio show Wednesday.
A senior Ukrainian official told The Associated Press that Washington informed Kyiv a delegation would be traveling to the Russian capital and asked it to suspend strikes until it left. The official said the request did not apply to all Russian territory, but specifically to Moscow, St. Petersburg and some northern regions. Strikes on other parts of Russia continued, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to talk publicly. CBS News first reported on the visit.
Kremlin says US-Russia relations ‘are in a ‘profound crisis’ PESKOV said that “contacts between intelligence agencies are, in and of themselves, a positive phenomenon, a positive process,” but he stressed that Russia-US. relations remain in a “profound crisis.” He added that it was “too early to say” what impact Ratcliffe’s visit would have on the ties between the two countries. Andrei Soldatov, an expert on Russia’s security services, told AP that visits like the one by Ratcliffe do not “happen every year.” Official channels of communication between Moscow and Washington have been kept alive since the 1980s and exist so both sides can talk if American or Russian lives are in danger or for other reasons, Soldatov said. In 2021, Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Putin’s Security Council, met CIA Director William Burns in Moscow months before Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Burns later met Sergei Naryshkin, the head of Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, in Turkey in November 2022 to warn Russia not to deploy a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. Details of Tuesday’s discussions have not been revealed but such meetings
normally take place only when there is a matter of pressing national security and when it is in “American national interests,” Soldatov said. Russia-US relations sank to Cold War lows after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but appeared to warm after Trump returned to office. He had promised to end the war swiftly, holding multiple phone calls with Putin and even hosting him in Alaska a year ago. In his radio appearance Wednesday, Trump repeated that he wants to see the RussiaUkraine war end. Efforts to negotiate a peace deal have largely stalled, with US attention turning to its war with Iran and both Moscow and Kyiv stepping up their long-range attacks on each other. Putin has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s push for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that Russia wants a comprehensive settlement, not a temporary truce. Russia has proposed to mediate in the US and Israel’s war with Iran, Moscow’s important ally in the Middle East. Russia and Iran have a partnership treaty AFTER Putin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022, Tehran provided Russia with Shahed drones and later licensed their production in Russia. In January 2025, Moscow and
Tehran signed a “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty. But even as it has built ties with Iran, Russia also has remained friendly with Israel, and analysts have described its relations with Iran as complex and challenging. In March, AP reported that Russia provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with US intelligence on the matter. The officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the US intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information. Asked at the time whether Russia would go beyond political support and offer military assistance to Iran, Peskov said there has been no such request from Tehran. Pressed on whether Moscow provided any military or intelligence assistance to Tehran since the Iran war’s start, he refrained from comment. Soldatov said it’s possible Tuesday’s meeting involved protecting U.S. personnel, bases or facilities in the Middle East that have been targeted by Iran. Ratcliffe could have traveled to Moscow to try to influence this relationship, he added.
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Canada is bolstering its defense industry as US relations fray. A boom is on for local contractors By Kelvin Chan
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AP Business Writer
ORONTO—As Canada moves to reduce its dependence on American military suppliers, the push is on display inside a Toronto garment factory. Hunched over sewing machines, two workers rapidly stitch together pieces of camouflage-patterned fabric and Velcro strips. In the next room, workers snip stray threads as they inspect the finished product: helmet covers for the Canadian military. The factory is assembling uniforms for Wuxly, a luxury parka maker that is among a flurry of Canadian companies branching into defense contracting. As Canadian military spending surges, others are developing remote sensors for the country’s vast Arctic region, making drones to resupply soldiers, and building autonomous robots. The boom in the defense sector reflects Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s vow to strengthen the country’s economic self-sufficiency amid fraying relations with Washington, including a fresh escalation this week with new rounds of tariffs. Canadian startups and established companies, alongside firms in Europe, are set to
benefit from tens of billions of dollars in extra defense funding, driven partly by pressure from US President Donald Trump to contribute more to NATO. Canada’s investment remains small compared with the Pentagon’s budget, but its strategy aims to boost domestic defense capabilities, and not just US contractors.
A country known for peacekeeping ramps up military spending
A DEFENSE industrial strategy released earlier this year by Carney represents a generational shift for Canada, which invented modern peacekeeping and had long been content to remain in the shadow of its southern neighbor on defense matters. The defense plan earmarks an additional $60 billion in funding over the next five years, and the government has promised support for domestic businesses to sell into defense and security supply chains. Currently, Canada spends about $36 billion to $43 billion on national defense.
“The scale of investment that is involved is quite significant by Canadian standards, certainly in peacetime,” said Philippe Lagassé, an associate professor at Carleton University specializing in defense policy. The defense boom is “quite evident at all the events we’re at. Every defense show (is) sold out. Lots of new companies and (other) industries coming into the (defense) industry, getting involved,” said Wuxly founder and CEO James Yurichuk. Wuxly’s helmet covers, destined for the Canadian Armed Forces, allow soldiers to attach call sign patches or gear like lights, cameras and beacons. The company also makes military parkas and tank covers and has been supplying Ukraine’s military with gear, including 40,000 female uniforms—one of the company’s specialties. Carney has called for upgrading the Canadian military’s Arctic capabilities, increasing spending by tens of billions of dollars to assert sovereignty over the vast but sparsely populated and increasingly contested region. “There’s a lot of innovation that can create advantage in the North, and with the Arctic region being so important, we’ve got to clothe our soldiers properly,” Yurichuk said.
Canadian companies and European allies find new opportunities
A MAJOR part of the strategy is diversifying away from US defense contractors. It focuses
on tapping a wider global pool of suppliers of military hardware— and fostering domestic defense supply chains. The strategy envisions investments amounting to more than half a trillion dollars, creating 125,000 jobs and tripling the size of the country’s defense industry over the next decade by steering contracts to Canadian companies. It calls for accelerating research and development and prioritizes developing key “sovereign capabilities” including aerospace, robotics and unmanned systems. As Canada pursues partnerships with other allies, in addition to the United States, Ottawa has announced deals this year to buy radar planes from Sweden’s Saab over American competitors and submarines from Germany’s ThyssenKrupp. Canadian startups like New Frontier Robotics also are lining up to play a part. “There definitely is money in play,” said Nikhil Malhotra, co-founder of the two-person company. “We see it. Obviously, we are going for it.” The company is working on a mobile manipulator robot— essentially a robot arm on a mobile platform—powered by artificial intelligence that could have both military and civilian applications, in what’s known as dual-use technology. The initial plan was to target manufacturing, with robots working autonomously between assembly lines, but potential customers suggested there was
also a growing need from the defense industry. Robots could also be used for support roles at military bases, Malhotra said. “If you have infrastructure up in the Arctic that needs maintenance, obviously the climate is very dangerous. Are you really willing to risk an operator’s life? The answer is no. It’s better to put this thing on,” said Malhotra, whose company is based temporarily at a robotics lab at the University of Waterloo, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of Toronto.
Startups focus on products with versatility
CANADA’S efforts to modernize its war machine still face big potential challenges, including the risk that opposition parties target Carney’s spending plans in future elections. Companies that develop novel technologies could be lured to the US by its much larger defense market. It also will be tough for Canadian companies competing against American counterparts with much bigger research and development budgets that mean they are “always going to be a bit more at the edge of the technological capability,” Lagassé said. Still, the strategy opens new possibilities for companies like drone maker Volatus Aerospace, based near Montreal. “Defense was not a popular topic for a small-cap Canadian public company in the past,” CEO Glen Lynch said. Lynch said Canada has had limited manufacturing
capability not just for drones “but manufacturing capability in general.” Like New Frontier, Volatus’ technology is considered dual use. Because Canada is technically not at war, companies can’t rely on selling exclusively to the military. Volatus makes drones and related services for civilian and commercial uses, such as air dropping medicine to isolated communities. But it also has a defense unit and makes firstperson-view drones, also known as kamikaze drones, which take out targets by crashing into them. The company does some testing at a 100-acre site north of Toronto accessed by an unmarked gravel road and surrounded by fields of corn. Volatus employees demonstrated several aircraft on a recent visit by The Associated Press. The company showed off a drone with a 60-kilogram (132-pound) payload slung underneath by cable, and a scaled-down drone with tiltwing rotors that can carry cargo over long distances. In a demonstration, the drones operated autonomously and flew in a circular pattern before landing. One drone, dubbed the Canary, has payload bay doors and is used to airdrop medical supplies to remote indigenous First Nations communities in Alberta. It could also be used to send “resupply packages for soldiers” as well as dropping munitions, said Chief Operations Officer Greg Colacitti.
Congo’s Ebola outbreak is already a record. It may be far bigger–Africa CDC By Jason Gale, Melos Ambaye & Janice Kew Bloomberg News
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HE Ebola epidemic sweeping the Democratic Republic of Congo may be three times larger than official figures indicate, Africa’s top public-health agency said, suggesting thousands of infections are going undetected as authorities struggle to track transmission. Congo has officially recorded 5,713 confirmed infections and 2,744 deaths through Aug. 25. An outbreak three times that size would imply about 17,100 infections. The confirmed casefatality ratio has climbed to 48% from 27% two months earlier. Still, the proportion of deaths occurring in the community has fallen significantly over the past three days in areas where health workers have been deployed, Kyeng Mercy, the epidemic intelligence unit lead at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters Thursday. About 63% of deaths reported over the two weeks through Aug. 24 occurred in the community, compared with roughly half over the latest several days. The assessment underscores how little health authorities may know about the true extent of an epidemic that has spread across six provinces in eastern Congo. Weak contact tracing, insecurity and disruptions to the response have made it difficult to identify infected people and isolate them before they spread the virus. International attention, political focus and resources were still lagging behind the situation
on the ground, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday. “We know how to contain Ebola, how to interrupt transmission and how to save lives,” he said, “but we must also overcome another virus: the virus of indifference.”
Hidden spread
AFRICA CDC has previously acknowledged that the official numbers don’t capture the full outbreak. On Aug. 6, Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said more than 70% of new infections were being found in the community rather than among known contacts and that authorities believed additional cases weren’t being reported. Contact-tracing data provide evidence of substantial underdetection, according to Africa CDC. Authorities identified only about one-fifth of the contacts the agency would have expected from confirmed cases over the three weeks through Aug. 25. Africa CDC estimates the effective reproduction number nationally at a little over 1, though transmission varies substantially between health zones. Infections are declining in some major Ituri hotspots while continuing to grow in areas including Katwa in North Kivu. The agency has responded by shifting toward active case finding, including going houseto-house in affected communities rather than relying principally on lists of known contacts. Implementation is expanding across affected areas, although coverage remains uneven.
Genomic clues
GENOMIC sequencing can help reveal transmission that traditional contact tracing misses, but the data can’t yet determine the true size of the epidemic, said virologist Jason Kindrachuk, Canada research chair at the University of Manitoba who is involved in genomic analysis of the outbreak. Almost all the viral sequences analyzed by Kindrachuk and colleagues so far have come from Ituri, leaving much less visibility into how the virus is evolving and spreading elsewhere in the country. Some people with mild infections are probably going uncounted, while cases in areas beyond the reach of response teams may also be missed, he said. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus, was declared in mid-May and has expanded with unprecedented speed. Congo’s previous largest Ebola outbreak, in 2018-20, recorded about 3,310 confirmed infections over almost two years; the current outbreak surpassed 5,700 cases in less than 15 weeks and could surpass the 201316 West African epidemic if it continues at its current pace, according to the World Health Organization. Despite an influx of funding, shortages and payment problems continue to disrupt the response. About $867 million had been released for the response, Africa CDC said, though it’s still working with the WHO and other partners to reconcile financing figures. Getting money See “Ebola,” A6
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Sunday, August 30, 2026
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Trump used to say he saw a quick end to his Iran war, but 6 months later he claims he’s in no hurry By Aamer Madhani
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The Associated Press
ASHINGTON—President Donald Trump arrives at an awkward moment for his presidency on Friday as the US.-Israel war against Iran reaches the six-month mark, a notable milestone for a conflict that the Republican leader repeatedly assured Americans would be a “little excursion” lasting a matter of weeks.
The war isn’t over, though Trump claims that through bombs and blockade, he has already devastated Iran’s leadership, military and economy. And this week his administration said it would turn its focus to increasing economic pressure—rather than military action—to try to finish off Iran. The shifting strategy centers on threats to punish any country or entity that continues to conduct business with Tehran. The turn to using sanctions as the cudgel of choice comes as the administration weighs diminished munitions stockpiles after months of war, sparking concerns that the prolonged conflict could undermine US military readiness in other parts of the globe. As the conflict grinds on, Trump’s talk of finding a quick end to the war also appears to be fading. He stressed this week that he’s “not in a hurry” to get Iran back to the negotiating
table, and he continues making the case that the Islamic Republic’s leadership is on the ropes. “They’re not paying their troops. They’re in deep trouble. They have very little capacity,” Trump told reporters Thursday. “We don’t want to speak to them. We’re not looking to meet or anything,” he said. It’s unclear how—or if— Trump will address the sixmonth anniversary of a conflict that has already cost the United States more than $37.5 billion and done damage to his popularity ahead of critical November elections for his party. The president is spending Friday in Houston, where he’ll honor the Artemis II NASA crew for their 10-day mission around the moon earlier this year. Trump is declaring ‘mission accomplished’—a phrase that hurt a Republican predecessor On its face, the moment is complicated for the “America First” leader who fiercely
Panama Canal congestion drives gas tankers to unusual routes By Nicholas Lua Bloomberg News
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ROWING congestion at the Panama Canal is forcing some gas tankers into unusual journeys, from a rare detour around South America to the possible emergence of shuttling through the waterway. Two supertankers were recently observed conducting an unusual ship-to-ship transfer off Balboa port on Panama’s Pacific Ocean coast, according to vessel-tracking data, traders and shipbrokers. The process allows one of the tankers to shuttle back and forth through the canal to ensure the steady flow of liquefied petroleum gas to Asian customers, traders said. Wait times at the waterway have grown to as long as 19 days, the highest since 2022, according to Argus Media data, and some operators are paying millions of dollars to jump the queue. The Iran war has diverted more traffic through the canal, while authorities tightened restrictions on how much cargo vessels can carry along with the number of ships that can cross due to drier conditions triggered by El Niño. The biggest impact has been on wider Neopanamax vessels, which are typically used to ferry LPG from the US Gulf Coast to Asian customers. Rates and wait times for the narrower Panamax tankers, which go through a separate set of locks, haven’t increased as much, according to traders.
Off Balboa, the Panamax Energia Grandeur is transferring its cargo to the Eneos Wisdom, a Neopanamax tanker. The Energia Grandeur was previously carrying LPG across the Pacific toward Japan before U-turning. The move suggests its charterer saw more value in deploying the ship to shuttle gas through Panama, rather than tying it up on a month-long journey to Asia, traders said. The two supertankers were chartered by TotalEnergies SE. The French oil and gas major, along with MOL Energia Pte., the owner and ship manager of Energia Grandeur, and Eneos Ocean Corp., the ship manager of Eneos Wisdom, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Separately, the Panama logjam has prompted another supertanker, Gas Scorpio, to embark on a rare voyage around South America in order to load a cargo in the US, a costly trip that adds around a month of transit time. The vessel is currently off Chile. A similar voyage was last made in 2023, after low rainfall snarled traffic through the waterway. “The global LPG market is already stretched thin from Strait of Hormuz tensions, and the Panama Canal is one more disruption it simply couldn’t afford,” said Julian Renton, lead analyst covering natural gas liquids at East Daley Analytics. “It’s a vivid illustration of how geopolitics, climate, and energy security are colliding in real time.”
criticized his White House predecessors for wasting American taxpayer money and U.S. troops’ lives in Middle East conflicts and vowed on the campaign trail to keep the military out of “endless wars.” But Trump has bristled at suggestions that this war— in which no American troops have deployed into Iran—can be compared with the yearslong wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in which more than 7,000 Americans were killed. His Republican predecessor, President George W. Bush, was widely mocked for a 2003 speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln beneath a White Houseproduced banner that read “Mission Accomplished.” It came to symbolize a premature declaration of victory for the Iraq War, which would go on for nearly nine more years. More than two decades later, there are still U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. Trump’s war has stretched on far longer than he told Americans it would. It didn’t stop him from sharing a social media post this week declaring “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED 2026.” The AI-generated image features Trump against a backdrop of US fighter jets, a warship and American flags above smaller images of Bush and former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an Israeli strike in the opening salvos of the war. Trump has consistently emphasized that the US and Israel campaign has been devastating for Iran’s navy and air force. Iranian officials have said the country has suffered
$270 billion in direct and indirect damage. Israeli military strikes in the first weeks of the war wiped out much of the theocratic government’s leadership structure, including Khamenei. But Iran has found leverage through its own strikes in the critical Strait of Hormuz, where relatively few vessels carrying oil and liquefied natural gas are risking passage. Trump again declared Thursday that the “Strait of Hormuz is open,” saying 24 vessels passed through a day earlier. That’s a fraction of the roughly 130 vessels that passed through the vital waterway daily before the war began.
Trump is showing little interest in talks
MEDIATORS Qatar and Pakistan continue to press for a diplomatic off-ramp from the two sides. Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, was in Tehran on Thursday to discuss a proposed plan between Iran and Oman to boost traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. But in Washington, Trump has shown little interest in getting back to the preliminary deal reached in June that aimed to reopen the strait and launch talks about Iran’s nuclear program. That deal fell apart within weeks after Iran started attacking ships. At the same time, Trump says the US effort to economically choke off Tehran is working, with a US naval blockade preventing Iranian oil from making it to market as the trickle of vessels carrying oil from other Gulf nations pass
through. “We have control and we have the blockade,” Trump said. “Iran is not getting anything. Nothing is going through.”
Iran is badly battered, but has a history of showing resilience
THERE’S no doubt that the strikes combined with decades of international sanctions have battered Iran, said Aarathi Krishnan, a geopolitical risk analyst at RAKSHA Intelligence Future. But as Trump tries to turn to a new chapter in the war, Krishnan argues the Republican may be misguided in concluding that more pressure on Tehran— which has spent decades adapting to international economic sanctions—will produce the political outcome he wants. Indeed, Iran’s economy in the run-up to the start of the war was mired in surging inflation, according to the International Monetary Fund. National income per person had fallen from about $8,000 in 2012 to $5,000 in 2024, according to World Bank data. But Tehran has also shown resilience, selling discounted oil and establishing opaque shipping and financial networks, Krishnan said. “This administration has completely underestimated the Iranian resolve,” Krishnan said. “This is not new to the Iranian regime.”
Trump must decide how far he’s willing to go with sanctions RICHARD GOLDBERG, who served as a senior adviser on Iran at the National Security Council during Trump’s first
White House term, argues that Iran now finds itself in “uncharted waters” if the administration follows through with a truly biting campaign to pressure Iranian trade partners. “What we should be seeing is an attempt to seal off every escape hatch the regime has left,” said Goldberg, who is now at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish Washington think tank. “Use the economic power of the United States to layer a naval blockade with an air and land embargo while dropping the hammer on anyone who gives the regime access to hard currency— whether that’s in the Middle East, China or even Europe.” But it remains to be seen how far the administration is willing to go. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week unveiled a campaign the White House calls “Operation Economic Outcast,” but only issued warnings to nations to cut trade and has yet to announce any secondary sanctions. Bessent told reporters the administration wanted countries to have a chance to shift away from Iran before it was too late—and acknowledged there was economic risk to the US, too, in moving ahead. China, which is Iran’s biggest trade partner and oil buyer, responded by expressing its opposition to “illegal unilateral sanctions.” Pressed Thursday about why he wasn’t already sanctioning Chinese banks, Trump offered a cryptic response. “Who said I’m not? You don’t know if I’m doing it,” Trump said. “I don’t have to announce everything, do I?”
Heat makes emergency rooms busier. Study shows which illness and injuries rise during hot spells By Seth Borenstein Ap Science Writer
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ASHINGTON— When the temperature heats up, so do emergency rooms, according to a massive study of Chicago hospital and urgent care records, which found increased accidental gunshot wounds, kidney complaints, skin problems, varicose veins and even mental health issues related to marijuana use. Northwestern University medical school researchers pored through records of 916,404 visits to hospital emergency rooms and urgent care centers in Chicago from 2011 to 2023 to see if they could spot trends in illnesses and injuries when the temperature hits 92.6 degrees (33.7 degrees Celsius) or higher. They found when it gets hot, more than a dozen broad categories of injuries and illness become more frequent, including some that most people don’t associate with heat, according to the study in Wednesday’s Science Advances. While the study looked only at Chicago, outside experts said it highlights underestimated health problems and rising costs that infect much of the warming world.
“The sound of the city is the sound of ambulances,” said study senior author Dr. Abel Kho, an internal medicine professor at Northwestern. “Hot days are just like, something’s going to happen.”
How heat multiplies medical problems
“WHEN there’s heat, there’s a much higher likelihood of people having external injuries, as well as complications of certain conditions, specifically those related to kidney disorders or things like exacerbations of drug effects, like cannabinoids,” said Kho, a former emergency room physician. Some problems doubled, tripled or, in the case of accidental gunshot wounds, jumped more than 30-fold compared to days under 92 degrees, the study said. Unspecified injuries from assault showed an even bigger increase, the data showed. This study “helps confirm that we’ve been underestimating health risks from heat exposures,” said Dr. Jonathan Patz, chair of health and environment at the University of Wisconsin, who wasn’t part of the research. “It also is a reminder that the price of climate change is increased illness, strain on
our health care system and health care costs,” said Dr. Courtney Howard, a Canadian emergency room physician, chair of the Global Climate and Health Alliance and presidentelect of the Canadian Medical Association. She was not part of the study. Northwestern researchers looked through all the records to see what became more frequent, instead of just focusing on known heatrelated problems. “Heat-related illness is undercounted when studies only search for explicit heat codes like heat stroke,” said Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, presidentelect of the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians. He wasn’t part of the study. Researchers found an association between high temperatures and individual medical problems, but that’s not the same as a cause-andeffect, Kho said. The data had more Black people and women represented than the general population, but University of Washington climate and health scientist Kris Ebi said that’s another positive part of the study because those groups are often underrepresented in medical studies. “We know that heat waves are becoming more frequent, more intense, and lasting longer,” said study
co-author Daniel Horton, a Northwestern climate scientist. “So a study like this indicates that those heat waves have real effects on people, not only on the likelihood of mortality, but of morbidity as well. So all the other things, the bad things that happen on the way up to dying, may also increase.”
The importance of taking heat seriously
COZZI said that the study has an important message for the public: “Don’t wait for heat stroke symptoms to take heat seriously. If you have a chronic condition—kidney disease, MS, venous issues—treat extreme heat days as a trigger for extra caution, not just an outdoor-activity problem.” Many of the diseases that saw an uptick in heat had to do with kidneys and the renal system. The skin issues are known by doctors but not often seen in non-medical literature, Kho said. With the marijuana mental health issues, Kho said doctors have long known that when a body is “under physiologic stress, some medications will have greater effects.” That’s why, he said, when it gets hot “maybe people need to be a little more careful if they’re going to be using certain things.”
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FNRI pushes R&D for emergency-ready meals
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By John Eiron R. Francisco
HE Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) is looking to develop more nutritious ready-to-eat food products that could be used in government disaster relief operations and meet the standards and requirements of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Salvador Serrano, DOST-FNRI Chief Science Research Specialist, said only a limited number of the institute’s food products currently qualify for inclusion in the DSWD’s Family Food Packs, as one of the key requirements being considered is a shelf life of at least two years. “It’s a challenge to our R&D to develop products that would last for at least two years,” Serrano said partly in Filipino. He noted that the products must have a sufficiently long shelf life because they are intended to be stored and deployed only when needed, particularly during disaster and emergency situations. Among the products being considered for possible inclusion in the DSWD’s Family Food Packs
is the FNRI’s Iron-Fortified Rice, which the institute is continuing to develop in partnership with the National Food Authority (NFA), the agency that supplies rice to the DSWD. “We need to discuss in detail with our institutional partners the feasibility to incorporate these products, especially the ready-to-eat food for disaster relief operations,” Serrano said, noting the growing need for such products as disasters become more frequent and the number of beneficiaries of the school-based feeding program increases.
New food technologies, ready-to-eat products
THE institute recently launched its newest food technologies, including
a lineup of ready-to-eat products designed to provide greater nutritional value and variety while catering to Filipino taste preferences. Among these are ChamPro+, a high-protein chocolate porridge; Nameaaat, a reduced-sod ium chicken dish with an adobo-style flavor; and KAIN Na!, a savory fried rice meal with chicken and mixed vegetables. The products are intended to complement, rather than replace, existing emergency food packs by offering more nutritious and familiar meal options. n C h a mpro+ prov ides 14 grams of protein per serving, which the institute said is comparable to the protein from two whole eggs and one egg white, or 50 grams of cooked chicken breast. It received a 7 out of 9 rating in sensory evaluation. n Nameaaat, meanwhile, contains 101 milligrams of sodium per serving, which DOST-FNRI said is four to five times lower than the sodium content of commonly distributed relief foods, such as sardines, corned beef and canned chicken. It ranked first in meaty flavor and overall liking in a preference test against two commercially available adobo-style canned chicken products. n KAIN Na! was developed as a ready-to-eat rice meal made from rice, chicken and mixed vegetables, providing carbohydrates as a source of energy while offering the familiarity of a home-cooked meal. It likewise received a 7 out of 9 rating in sensory evaluation.
THE Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology, through Science Research Specialist I Czarlyn Mendoza-Cela, announces its new Res-Q meals that are nutritious, ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food products with long shelf life, and could be readily available during emergency situations. PHOTO CREDIT TO DOST-FNRI
n EnerBisc is a biscuit intended to provide children with a convenient source of energy during both regular consumption and emergency situations. DOST-FNRI said one serving can provide up to 25 percent of the recommended energy intake for children aged 6 to 9, while sensory evaluation gave the product an overall acceptability score of 8 out of 9. Unlike some conventional relief biscuits that may have limited nutritional value or lower acceptability among children, EnerBisc uses locally available raw materials and common baking equipment, making it suitable for adoption by existing and new baked-product manufacturers. The institute identified children and parents as its primary
consumer market, while government agencies, such as the DSWD, were cited as potential institutional users for relief operations. n For consumers who need food that requires minimal preparation, DOST-FNRI also introduced Oricea Instant Iron-Fortified Rice and Maizea Ready-to-Cook RiceShaped White Corn Kernels. Oricea can be prepared by adding hot water and is ready in about 5 minutes. A 30-gram serving provides 8 percent of the iron requirement of children aged 6 to 9, according to the institute. Ma i zea, mea nwh i le, t a kes about three minutes to cook and was designed to resemble rice in appearance and consistency. Both products received an average sensory evaluation score of 8 out of 9 and have a reported
shelf life of up to 12 months, making them suitable for household storage, emergency supplies and retail distribution. Their estimated retail prices were placed at about P16 for Oricea and P21 for Maizea. DOST-FNRI said the products could serve both everyday consumers and institutional markets, including schools, government agencies, supermarkets, groceries and convenience stores. The institute also sees opportunities to work with government agencies, nongovernment organizations and humanitarian groups for disaster preparedness and relief operations. The development of the products forms part of DOST-FNRI’s broader effort to translate food and nutrition research into technologies that can address malnutrition, improve food security and encourage healthier dietary choices. The institute is seeking technology adopters and industry partners that can manufacture and bring the products to the market, with some technologies requiring specialized processing equipment such as retort systems to ensure shelf stability. Through partnerships with manufacturers and other adopters, DOST-FNRI aims to move these technologies beyond research and development, and make nutritious, affordable and convenient food products more accessible to Filipino consumers.
Why food is DOST’s biggest bet in Zambo region Beyond food
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
D THE sculpture-model of “El Dapitanon” monument of National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal will be rendered in 46-foot tall 3D at the Rotonda Lawaan in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte. PHOTO FROM DISCOVER DAPITAN-FACEBOOK PAGE
World’s tallest 3D-printed Rizal statue set in Dapitan City
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TOWERING 46-foot-tall (14.02 meters) 3D-printed monument of National Hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal that is eyed to become the tallest in the world is set to be erected in Dapitan City in 2027. With the Dapitan City government and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) joining forces, the monument, named “El Dapitanon,”will portray the hero’s life during his exile in the city for four years from 1892 to 1896. “May [El Dapitanon] stand not only as a symbol of Rizal’s greatness, but also [as a] beacon of what Filipinos can achieve when science, technology, innovation, culture, and nation-building come together,” Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said in his speech. El Dapitanon, as described by the Dapitan government, will be the Rizal whom locals may have remembered: a teacher, physician, scientist, artist, and community worker. In a statement by the city government during the groundbreaking for the monument, it said: “This does not place Rizal above Dapitan, but walking with it; and recognized as one who lived, worked, dreamed, and served among them.” The DOST officials, led by Solidum, and Dapitan City Mayor Evelyn T. Uy, put the project into motion with a groundbreaking ceremony last August 13, during the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The sculpture-model features Rizal in a forward stance, wearing simple “camisa de chino”(traditional Chinese-Filipino undershirt) and plain trousers, while carrying “Mi Retiro [My Retreat],”a poem he wrote during his exile. Designed by Prof. Jose Manuel “Manolo”Sicat of the University of the Philippines Diliman,
El Dapitanon is sculpted in a 5-foot-and-4-inch model, which will serve as the basis for the 3D print statue. The city government added: “He [Rizal as depicted by the statue] appears ready to take another step, undertake another task, solve another problem, and once again be of service.” The DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center (DOST-MIRDC) has yet to do a 3D-scan of the 5-foot sculpture for it to scale-up to almost comparable to a 4-story-high building once printed. Through the Advanced Manufacturing Center of the DOST-MIRDC, the outer shell of Rizal’s figure will be made of 3D-printed acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate, a highquality plastic reinforced with concrete and reinforcement bars. “[We will make the 3D printing of the statue portion by portion] from below, the outer shell around the steel structure will be filled with cement, then another layer will be created until it rises upwards,” Engr. Robert O. Dizon, director of DOST-MIRDC, explained in Filipino. Out of the 46-foot-high monument, Dizon said only the 26-foot Rizal statue with a bronze finish will be 3D-printed atop a 20-foot cement pedestal. Similar technology was used on the “The Filipino Scientist” Rizal monument at the DOST plaza in Bicutan, Taguig City, which sculpture model was also commissioned to Sicat. “This is an even bigger challenge, literally a bigger challenge, because what we had then [in Bicutan] was 12.5 feet [The Filipino Scientist statue]. Challenge accepted. We can easily do it [El Dapitanon],” Dizon affirmed partly in Filipino. Karl Jerome M. del Mundo/S&T News Service
IPOLOG CITY—For the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the next breakthrough in the Zamboanga Peninsula may not come from a laboratory or a high-tech facility. It could come from a food processor, a sardine manufacturer or another business trying to produce more with limited resources. Food has emerged as the DOST’s biggest priority sector in the region, with the agency seeing room for science and technology (S&T) to address both production constraints and the growing pressure to make the country’s food supply more secure. The emphasis was laid out during the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week (RSTW) in Dipolog City from August 12 to 14. “The biggest sector that we’re looking at now is the food sector. The potential is quite high,” Science Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang said during the opening of the RSTW in Region 9. The focus comes as the country continues to face food-security pressures. Citing data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, 44.7 percent of Filipinos experienced moderate to severe food insecurity between 2021 and 2023, the highest rate in Southeast Asia. For the DOST, the issue is therefore not simply about having enough food available. It is also about improving how food is produced, processed and brought to consumers, as well as helping businesses build the capacity to do so.
A region built around it
THE Zamboanga Peninsula already has an economic base that makes food technology a natural target. According to the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development, agriculture, fishing and forestry accounted for 18.4 percent of the region’s gross regional domestic product from 2018 to 2023, while manufacturing contributed 17 percent. The region’s food-processing activities also provide a ready market for technologies that can improve production, efficiency and product development.
Science Undersecretary Sancho A. Mabborang (right) with Zamboanga del Norte Gov. Darel T. Uy at the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Dipolog City from August 12 to 14. PHOTO CREDIT TO GOV. DAREL T. UY FCEBOOK
Mabborang pointed specifically to the sardine industry in Zamboanga del Norte, where DOST has worked with businesses in Dipolog, Dapitan and other areas. “The good sector here, and probably you would also consider it, the subindustry of sardines. We have assisted many of them,” he said partly in Filipino. “We have assisted so many already here in Zamboanga Del Norte, in Dipolog, Dapitan and other areas. And we have seen that they’re very, very successful,” Mabborang added. The experience suggested that technology adoption does not necessarily have to begin with entirely new industries. Existing businesses can also use science and innovation to improve products, processes and productivity. Mabborang said the next major sector DOST is looking at is metals and engineering, which accounts for around 20 percent to 25 percent of its portfolio.
From assistance to actual businesses
THE agency’s approach in Zamboanga
Peninsula (Region 9) has already reached a substantial number of enterprises. Since the start of the current administration, DOST said it has assisted 1,124 firms in the region through its Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP), with around P50 million invested. Mabborang cited the program’s economic returns, saying that the assistance has generated significantly more value than the government investment. The figures, however, are tied specifically to SETUP and should not be read as a measure of the entire DOST innovation portfolio. The agency is also preparing around P220 million over the next three years for Innovation Hubs, which are intended to provide additional support for enterprises and innovators. Mabborang said the agency generally sets a target equivalent to about 10 percent of its baseline, although this is considered a minimum and actual results could be higher.
WHILE food is the agency’s leading priority, DOST’s science agenda in the region extends to other areas where technology could address practical economic and public concerns. The region’s existing industrial and technical base, including activities related to motor vehicle maintenance, also gives it potential to develop electric mobility. Dipolog City currently has one converted electric tricycle, or c-trike, while Dapitan City is set to receive additional units following the turnover of six e-trikes and two CharM electric vehicle charging stations in 2025. Disaster resilience is another major area of technology adoption. The Philippines ranked highest in the 2025 World Risk Index, making disaster preparedness particularly relevant for communities exposed to earthquakes, flooding, landslides and coastal hazards. In the Zamboanga Peninsula, DOST said 44 local government units have adopted its disaster-risk technologies, while 43 local resolutions have institutionalized science-based approaches to risk reduction. The region is also the first in the country to complete all five modules of the Rapid Earthquake Damage Assessment System platform. Community Tsunami Alerting Stations are likewise operational in vulnerable coastal communities.
Making science pay off
IN his opening speech for the RSTW, Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. framed the agency’s work around problems that science can help solve at the community level. “If we aim for food security, let us empower our farmers, fisherfolk, and food producers with modern technology,” Solidum said. “If we seek energy independence, let us embrace clean technology and digital transformation. If we are committed to resilience, let us anchor every local policy and disaster plan in sound science,” he added. For Zamboanga Peninsula, the immediate test is whether these technologies can translate into stronger businesses, higher productivity and more resilient communities.
A8 Sunday, August 30, 2026
Faith
Sunday Editor: Lyn Resurreccion • www.businessmirror.com.ph
Filipino clergy undergo Shariah training in Egypt
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By Malou Talosig-Bartolome
DELEGATION of Filipino Catholic priests and archbishops are in Cairo for a 10‑day intensive training course on Islamic Shariah, in what both Manila and Cairo describe as a landmark interfaith initiative. The program that started this past week was first proposed by Cardinal Jose Advincula, Archbishop of Manila, during a bilateral meeting with Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt’s Minister of Religious Endowments last April. Egyptian Ambassador to Manila Nader Zaki said the idea was to “train the Catholic priests in one region in Egypt to know more about the Sharia, about what are the sensitive issues for Muslim Filipinos in
order to enhance…a peaceful co‑existence in these regions.” Zaki emphasized that cultural exchange remains the strongest pillar of Egypt-Philippines relations. “If you don’t have people-topeople engagement, don’t count on political relations [to be] very sustainable. Cultural exchange is our best success story between both countries,” Zaki told BusinessMirror in an exclusive interview.
EGYPTIAN Ambassador to the Philippines Nader Zaki THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE FACEBOOK
The training is designed to deepen the clergy’s understanding of Islamic law and cultural sensitivities, knowledge seen as critical for priests assigned to pastoral roles in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Daily pastoral work in the BARMM often involves
navigating interfaith marriages, community disputes, and cultural practices rooted in Islamic tradition. In Cairo, the program will combine lectures with field visits to historic churches, mosques, and landmarks along the route of the Holy Family’s journey in Egypt. Zaki invited Filipino pilgrims to rediscover this heritage. “Jesus Christ and Mary spent four years in Egypt before returning home. We have mapped every stop they made, with churches and monasteries in these areas. Through this program, we hope Filipinos will also visit the Holy Family route,” he said. The initiative follows earlier exchanges, including visits by Egyptian imams and sheikhs to the Philippines for Shariah training, and is expected to expand further to include Filipino judges and lawyers as the country establishes Shariah courts.
Mount Kailash, a sacred site for pilgrims missing after floods in Nepal, Tibet
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EIJING—Devotees on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash—a sacred site in the Himalayas—were among the many people missing after the massive floods along the border between Nepal and China. Mount Kailash is a Himalayan peak in southwestern Tibet, near China’s borders with Nepal and India. It rises more than 6,400 meters (21,000 feet) above sea level and lies close to Lake Manasarovar. Both have long been part of Sanskrit religious and literary traditions. Mount Kailash holds sacred significance for Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and the Tibetan Bon tradition. Each associates the mountain with different beliefs and sacred histories. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the mountain is considered the home of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, and Parvati, a Hindu goddess associated with marriage, fertility and motherhood. Followers of the Tibetan Bon tradition regard it as a seat of spiritual power and associate the region with Tonpa Shenrab, the tradition’s founder. Geographer Emily Yeh, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, who has conducted research in Tibet, wrote in 2017 that Kailash is associated with the mythical Mount Meru, considered the center of the world in Hindu and Buddhist cosmology. The surrounding landscape also figures in local legends and Himalayan traditions. “Shared Sacred Landscapes,” a book published by ICIMOD in 2017, gathers some of them. One story tells of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, who visits villagers longing to make the pilgrimage to Mount Kailash. Nanak teaches them that the true pilgrimage
is a spiritual journey within themselves.
Pilgrims travel to the mountain for purification India’s government operates an official Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage from June through August or September each year, with routes through the states of Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Private operators also organize pilgrimages through Nepal. Pilgrims traditionally walk around Mount Kailash rather than climb it, completing a roughly 33-mile (53-kilometer) circuit around the mountain. The journey around the peak is believed to cleanse pilgrims of their sins and can take about three days to complete. Hindus and Buddhists traditionally circle the mountain clockwise,
while followers of Bon travel counterclockwise. At nearby Lake Manasarovar, some Hindu pilgrims bathe in its waters as a ritual of spiritual purification. Yeh wrote that Tibetan pilgrims stop at monasteries and other sacred sites along the route, touching prayer beads or their foreheads to features believed to bear sacred imprints. Other rituals are meant to test a pilgrim’s merit, sin or fortune. Pilgrims are among the missing after floods The death toll for the disaster continues to grow into the hundreds, and authorities in Nepal and China have counted well beyond a thousand people among the missing. The missing include at least
A MUDSLIDE-HIT area near Gyirong Port in southwestern China’s Tibetan Autonomous Region on August 26. XINHUA VIA AP
178 people from India, most of whom were believed to be on the pilgrimage. The missing also includes people from US, Australia, Britain and Canada. Indian spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, said in a post on X that 77 people returning from the mountain with groups organized by his Isha Foundation were at an immigration center in Gyirong, Tibet, when the floods struck. The floods followed a glacier collapse that sent debris rushing downstream through communities on both sides of the border. Similar flash floods have struck the region as warming temperatures increasingly destabilize Himalayan ice. María Teresa Hernández/TheAssociated Press
NUNS pray at the Basilica of the Holy Rosary, locally known as the Bandel Church near Kolkata, India, on May 30. PRIYADARSHINI SEN/RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
In East India, a Marian shrine draws in Christian, Hindu, Muslim pilgrims
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ANDEL, India—Each week for the last 13 years, 28-year-old Rimpa Chowdhury, who describes herself as a devout Hindu, has visited the Basilica of the Holy Rosary—a historic 16th-century Catholic church on the banks of the Hooghly River in eastern India with a shrine to the Virgin Mary. For Chowdhury, the Bandel Church, as it is known locally, is more than a place where her prayers have been answered. Its vast riverside grounds, 50 miles north of Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, are where she has found community and peace. “There’s something about this place,” said Chowdhury, wearing a loose green tunic. “A shrine becomes something else when a woman has power over it.” Over decades, thousands of pilgrims—the majority of them Muslims and Hindus— have been visiting the basilica for feast days every year, led by what they call the “power of the divine feminine”—their belief in the power of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Against its grand façade, featuring soaring arches and a vaulted-ceiling nave of ancient murals, a statue of Mary, “Our Lady of Happy Voyage,” stands out as the main attraction. Sailors and travelers visit her shrine frequently, praying for protection from danger. In 1988, Pope John Paul II declared the historic sanctuary a minor basilica, recognizing the church’s spiritual significance. According to historical records, Catholic Augustinian friars and Portuguese traders settled in this region of Bengal in the late 16th century. Portugal’s monarchy tied Marian devotion to their colonial conquests, placing their outposts under the protection of the Virgin Mary. Although the original church, built in 1599, was destroyed during an invasion by Muslim rulers of the Portuguese outpost in 1632 and again by an earthquake, legends say the rescue of Mary’s statue from the depths of the Hooghly River cemented her place as a divine protector. “In Bengal, the goddess is revered as the ultimate primordial force in the universe,” said Father John Chalil, lead priest of the Bandel Church. “Devotees from all over India come here seeking sanctuary, and the nuns cater to their various needs.” Since the 1950s, Chalil says, nuns from five congregations have been serving at the shrine and building social harmony in an area dotted with terracotta temples, mosques and churches. Local communities lean on each other, often transcending religious differences. The shrine community around the church stretches across several villages—each village informally named after Marian apparitions, including Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Vailankanni (Good Health). The harmony is historically rooted. Though once a vital Portuguese outpost on the Hooghly River, the town of Bandel has evolved into a shared space where people of all faiths venerate local shrines. The church’s community programs reach non-Christian populations. “We go to the surrounding villages to educate the masses about women’s rights and tribal welfare,” said Sister Nirmala, a nun involved with spiritual work at Bandel for more than 15 years. “Religious differences have not interfered with people’s faith in Mary.” The nuns have been offering spiritual nourishment to the devotees and smoothing sectarian differences despite the growing religious polarization in India. Those with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity provide vital care and health services in the nearby areas. The Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate offer retreats and counseling to pilgrims, and the Auxilium Convent Sisters run a boarding home for young, underprivileged girls, providing them an education and assistance to live independently after graduation. Sister Philomena Mathew, a nun with the Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, another Catholic order in the local community, is concerned about the growing attacks on Christians across the country. “We’re willing to confront anyone who obstructs the peace and harmony in this region,” she said. Anti-Christian violence spearheaded by Hindu nationalist mobs has escalated across India since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014. Vigilante groups have disrupted prayer gatherings, vandalized church properties and assaulted pastors and nuns, accusing them without evidence of forcibly converting Hindus to Christianity. “Last year there were 831 attacks against Christians in India,” said AC Michael, the national coordinator for United Christian Forum, a New Delhi-based human rights coalition that advocates for the rights of religious minorities. “From isolated localized incidents, the violence has become systemic, operating through a network of persecutions,” Michael said. Even though West Bengal has in the past been a safer state for religious minorities compared to the rest of the country, the recent election of a BJP state government has sparked apprehension, with attacks against Christians rising in the region. Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, a global Catholic order founded in Kolkata, has been coming under severe scrutiny from Hindu nationalist organizations, which claim its charitable work is aimed at converting vulnerable Hindus to Christianity. In December 2021, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs revoked the organization’s license, but reversed its decision after weeks of pushback. “If nuns from the Missionaries of Charity were able to fend off attacks from religious extremists, I’m sure nuns at Bandel will also keep the community safe,” Michael said. Mother Teresa visited Bandel Church in 1995, two years before her death. Her work in the region was centered on maintaining a mutually supportive relationship with the local Salesian order. The town of Bandel has not been a focal point of targeted minority violence, but the broader region has occasionally witnessed political and festival-related communal clashes. On July 5, a mob barged into a newly constructed church south of Kolkata, threatening the congregants and vandalizing crosses. “It’s the vision of the great saints that we are carrying forward,” said Sister Jesline Rose, a nun with the Missionary Sisters of Mary Immaculate who serves at the church. “No doubt the political landscape in Bengal is changing, but we’ll keep our pluralistic spirit alive.” Rose and her fellow nuns regularly visit Hindu and Muslim families in the neighborhood to offer spiritual support and solace to individuals facing personal and medical hardships. The pilgrims, aided by the nuns, write down their prayer intentions on small slips of paper that are dropped into the wish box located near the statue of the Virgin Mary. Priyadarshini Sen/Religion News Service Via Ap
Sunday, August 30, 2026 A9
Hope taking root: Mangrove recovery must be sustained
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By Jonathan L. Mayuga
@jonlmayuga
ROM one of the most threatened ecosystems due to rapid deforestation, mangrove forest cover has steadily increased through natural regeneration and restoration initiatives since 2010. Executive Director Jerome Montemayor of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) was jubilant of what he described as a global achievement in increasing mangrove cover, with his call on all sectors—the government, Indigenous peoples, local communities, youth, women's groups, civil society, and the private sector—to continue ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives “to sustain and accelerate the progress we have achieved so far.” Montemayor was citing the study “Unexpected expansion and regrowth in Earth’s mangrove forests over the past four decades” that was released in July. He said that in addition to being home to a diverse range of wildlife species, mangroves provide food and other raw materials, sustain livelihoods, and protect shorelines and coastal communities from large waves, storms, and tsunamis.
Blue carbon ecosystems
WITH around 40 percent of the world's mangroves—the largest concentration—the Asean region is also home to the largest blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and peatlands, which play an important role in climate mitigation, Montemayor pointed out. “It is estimated that these ecosystems capture 55 percent of the world’s carbon, more efficiently than terrestrial forests,” he added. Citing another study, he said mangrove and seagrass ecosystems in the Asean region cover more than 7 million hectares. “This substantial carbon reservoir can store more than 850 megatons of carbon in coastal soils, which then translates to a net climate benefit of 44.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year,” he said.
Sustainable mangrove management
THE A sean member states
developed t he A sea n St rateg y on Susta inable Mang rove Eco system. It of fers a st rateg ic framework that g uides actions a nd integ rates sc ience, pol ic y, commu n it y engagement, a nd inter nat iona l cooperat ion. It aims to promote the resilience and vitality of the region's mangrove ecosystems, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and continue to contribute to the well-being of coastal communities and those who depend on these resources. Montemayor said the Blue C a r b on E cos y ste m s d i re c t ly support the realization of the Asean Community Vision 2045, a regional roadmap that aims to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation, thus, reducing vulnerability, and promoting a resilient and sustainable Asean community. The initiatives, he said, contribute to efforts aimed at restoring 30 percent of all degraded ecosystems by promoting science- and knowledge-based terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine restoration.
Asean efforts
THE ACB, in partnership with the Global Environment Centre, is implementing the Enhancing Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands and Peatlands in Asean as Effective Sinks and Reservoirs of Greenhouse Gases project, an initiative funded by the United Kingdom Mission to Asean through the Asean-UK Green Transition Fund. The project aims to create science-based and practical methods to protect carbon-rich ecosystems, such as wetlands and peatlands, to protect biodiversity in the region, Montemayor said. He cited the project pilot sites— the Maludam National Park in Sarawak in Malaysia, and the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in
WITH more than 18 hectares of mangrove stands and 30 hectares of seagrass beds, Agoo-Damortis Protected Landscape and Seascape in La Union, the Philippines, is a blue carbon powerhouse. It is home to economically important fishes, invertebrates, and birds. PHOTO CREDIT TO DENR-REGION I
Agusan del Sur in the Philippines. “Interventions in the form of micro-grants are being proposed to restore wetlands and peatlands while providing livelihood support to the community. Nursery establishment for native species and other nature-based solutions, including practical interventions to strengthen fire prevention, were also proposed,” he said.
Data sharing
ACCORDING to Montemayor, the ACB likewise promotes data sharing and knowledge management on mangroves to the general public through the Asean Biodiversity Dashboard, an online interactive platform for visualising trends and geographic variation in biodiversity indicators. The ACB is also engaged in various communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) activities. Early this year, the ACB-supported Mangrove Matters PH, a youth-led environmental organization, that published a workbook to help primary-school pupils understand the importance of mangroves, their unique features, and their vital role in protecting coastal communities and supporting biodiversity called Mangroves for YOUth. This project was implemented through the third edition of the Conservation Action Fund, a subprogram of the Asean Youth Biodiversity Programme, with support from the ACB Small Grants Programme II.
Threats, losses
MONTEM AYOR , however, lamented that although progress has been made globally, these valuable natural resources continue to face threats, and significant losses are still reported in different parts of the globe. “[The] International Mangrove Day challenges all of us to become active stewards of our blue carbon ecosystems—mangroves, seagrasses, and peatlands, he pointed out,” he said in a statement. This years IMD was on July 25. “There are many ways in which we can take part in this shared responsibility. One can participate in mangrove planting and growing activities, ensuring that the right species are used in the appropriate areas,” the ACB leader said. “We can likewise promote and patronise sustainable businesses, reduce plastic pollution, actively take part in CEPA activities, and generously support the youth engaged in biodiversity conservation, climate action, and blue economy solutions,” he added.
A welcome, encouraging sign
KRISTINE Kate Lim, country director of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)-Philippines Program, told the BusinessMirror that the reported recovery of mangrove forests is a welcome and encouraging sign that conservation and restoration efforts can work. However, Lim said restoring mangroves should not come at the expense of protecting the natural forests that are still standing.
“For coastal communities, mangroves are not simply carbon sinks; they are part of the ecosystems that support livelihoods, protect homes and shorelines, and provide food and other resources,” she said via email on August 26. “Protecting them, therefore, needs to be grounded in science, but also in the realities and knowledge of the communities who depend on them,” Lim said. According to Lim, in the Philippines, strengthening communityled and science-based conservation of mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems can help protect biodiversity, reduce climate risks, and ensure that the benefits of conservation are shared by the people who are most exposed to climate impacts. “WCS Philippines stands with the [ACB] in advancing practical, inclusive, and locally grounded approaches to keeping these vital ecosystems intact,” she said.
Commendable efforts
INTERNATIONAL biodiversity expert Theresa Mundita S. Lim commended the continuing efforts to protect and restore the country’s mangrove ecosystems. She likewise cited the wide range of ecosystem services they provide—from supporting fisheries as breeding and nursery grounds, to stabilizing shorelines and protecting coastal communities from erosion, storm surges, and other climate-related hazards. “These functions make mangroves indispensable not only to
biodiversity conservation, but also to food security, livelihoods, and the resilience of coastal communities. At the same time, it is important to recognise that mangrove ecosystems are not homogenous,” added Lim, a former director of the Environment department’s Biodiversity Management Bureau, and executive director of the ACB. The the executive director of the Environmental Studies Institute at Miriam College, Lim said the Philippines is home to a remarkable diversity of mangrove species, each adapted to particular environmental conditions and performing different ecological functions. “It is this diversity, together with the ecological relationships among species and their surrounding habitats, that helps determine how resilient, productive, and sustainable a mangrove ecosystem can be,” she said.
Protect mangrove diversity
LIM said that while the contribution of mangroves to carbon sequestration and climate-change mitigation is increasingly recognized, equal attention should be given to protecting the diversity of mangrove species and the coastal habitats they form part of. “Biodiversity is fundamental to maintaining the ecological functions that make mangrove ecosystems resilient and effective in delivering multiple ecosystem ser v ices, par ticu larly their role in ecosystem-based adaptation and nature-based resilience,” she said. For an archipelagic country such as the Philippines, where many communities are increasingly exposed to sea-level rise, stronger storms, coastal erosion, and declining fisheries, Lim pointed out that “conserving healthy and biologically diverse mangrove ecosystems is, therefore, not only a climate mitigation strategy, but an essential investment in climate adaptation, food security, and the long-term resilience of coastal communities.” Across the country, community efforts to protect coastal and marine environments are gaining ground. The same is true in other Asean countries. While recent reports of mangrove recovery are something to celebrate in every corner of the world, the message is clear: it is a victory that people must work to sustain.
Gene-edited beagles may offer option for people with dog allergies
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EW YORK—Matt Walker couldn’t pet a dog without sneezing—until he and other scientists used a gene editing technique to produce a hypoallergenic beagle named Bailey. Now, he can feed Bailey spoons of peanut butter while she lies on his lap and play fetch with her in Central Park. His allergies didn’t go away: Bailey’s saliva and hair no longer contain a key allergycausing protein. “The feeling right now is sort of a mix of relief and awe and gratitude that it worked,” said Walker, a geneticist. His company, Kindred Companion Sciences, created Bailey and her twin Alfie using a Nobel Prizewinning technique called CRISPR. It’ll take years before the millions who suffer from dog-related allergies can walk into a pet store and buy a pooch like Alfie or Bailey. Scientists have to monitor the long-term health effects of the genetic tweak, and find ways to commercialize the approach to
make it affordable. And experts not involved with the effort say it could hurt shelter and rescue animals waiting to be adopted. “It opens the door to a lot more people being able to own pets. On the negative side, it may discourage people from trying to use strays and unwanted animals that are not engineered to be allergyfree,” said bioethicist Arthur Caplan with New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. Researchers have tried to create hypoallergenic pets before, mostly using cloning. But this led to sicker pups that were too genetically similar. Two years ago, researchers used CRISPR to reduce levels of an allergy-causing protein in a cat named Alsik. But it’s not yet clear whether this technique is safe to be tested on other cats. Dogs that shed less, like poodles, are often thought of as hypoallergenic. But these pups still produce allergy-causing proteins that end up in their saliva, hair and dander, so
Alfie and Bailey, gene-edited hypoallergenic dogs, in New York, 2025. MATT WALKER VIA AP
they can still make people sniffly. To create Alfie and Bailey, scientists started in the lab. They edited the genetic code inside dog skin cells, switching off the main gene responsible for producing allergy-causing proteins. Then they transferred the edited genetic code into eggs that went into a beagle surrogate
that gave birth to two healthy female pups in September 2024. Scientists tested their saliva and fur and didn’t find signs of the allergy-causing protein. They also performed an allergy test, pricking Walker’s skin with extracts from Alfie and Bailey’s saliva and dander. His skin reacted to samples from a poodle
and goldendoodle, but not from the beagles. T he research, published Wednesday in the CRISPR Journal, is the first time such an approach has been tried successfully in dogs. Walker says all dogs have the same allergy-causing gene that was edited in Alfie and Bailey. Kindred Companion Sciences hopes to test the technique on other dogs and service animals to see if they can breed an allergyfree line of pups beyond beagles. Future research should test the gene-edited hypoallergenic dogs on more people with pet allergies to be sure they can soothe symptoms across a broader swath of the human population, said Dr. Jeff SoRelle, a pathologist at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Since the switched-off gene is the main—but not the only—allergy-causing culprit in dogs that was tested, “we don’t exactly know just how effective or broadly useful this could be for stopping dog
allergy in humans,” said SoRelle, who had no role in the study. Bailey lives with Walker in New York, and Alfie lives in Florida with another Kindred scientist. The edit made to their genes is rare but does occur naturally in some dogs, so Walker said it’s unlikely to have any negative effects on the pups. But it will still be important to monitor them at routine vet visits and make sure they stay healthy. Walker has had Bailey for a little over a year and says she’s become a member of the family. Despite being a lifelong dog lover, his allergies kept him away from pups growing up. Even breeds that were supposed to be more hypoallergenic, like his family’s goldendoodle, gave him itchy eyes and painful rashes. But he and Bailey can play tugof-war together in his living room, and she snuggles at his feet to comfort him when he’s sick. “It feels just amazing to get to have a dog,” Walker said. Adithi Ramakrishnan, Ap Science Writer
Sports BusinessMirror
A10 Sunday, August 30, 2026
They’re no terminators (yet?) Robots play soccer and
in a free combat event during the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Experts acknowledged the progress humanoid robots have made in sports where conditions are relatively predictable, but say the real challenge is navigating the complexities of the real world. Robots also compete in real-world tasks— including housework, hotel services and emergency response. AP
DLS-Lipa tops in inter-school swimming tilt
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E LA SALLE-LIPA emerged overall champion in the recent Milo InterSchool Short Course Swimming Championships held at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna. De La Salle-Lipa garnered 1,542 points in the boys’ events and 1,433 points in the girls competitions to rule the two-day event held August 1 and 2 that gathered 612 swimmers from 211 schools. In the girls’ division, Colegio San Agustin, De La Salle-Lipa and Calayan Educational Foundation led the 12-and-under division, while De La Salle Lipa, University of Batangas and Holy Rosary College of Sta. Rosa topped 13–17 category. De La Salle-Lipa, University of the Philippines-Los Baños and Lipa City Colleges completed the podium in the 18-and-over class of the event that gave the young swimmers the opportunity to represent their schools, test their skills and create their own #MyMILOStory. Elizabeth Seton South, Sto. Niño Formation and Science and De La Salle Lipa led 12-and-under division; De La Salle-Lipa, Frontline Christian Academy and Holy Rosary College of Sta. Rosa topped the 13–17 class; and De La SalleLipa, University of Batangas and Lipa City Colleges finished in the top three of the 18-and-over category of the boys’ contest. The championships resumed in Western Visayas with University of St. La Salle emerging as overall champion in both boys and girls divisions with St. Scholastica’s Academy Bacolod, University of St. La Salle and St. John’s Institute completing the 12-and-under division. St. Scholastica’s Academy-Bacolod also topped the girls’ 13-17, followed by University of St. La Salle and Negros Occidental High School, and University of St. La Salle, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University and Trinity Christian School finishing 1-2-3 in the 18-over races. In the boys’ division, University of St. La Salle, Education and Training Center School and Silay South Elementary School topped 12-and-under class, University of St. La Salle, St. John’s Institute and St. Scholastica’s Academy Bacolod dominated the 13–17 group and Colegio Del Sagrado Corazon De Jesus, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University and Southland College were the podium finishers in the 18-over division. Similar championships will be staged in the National Capital Region, Central Visayas, North Luzon and Mindanao.
mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph | Editor: Jun Lomibao
IS IT THE END T FOR LIV GOLF? T
World elite teams gear up in European races for LTdL2026
Ryder Cup qualifications were also lost, and in Henrik Stenson’s case, even his captaincy. LIV’s most vocal proponent and its brains, Greg Norman, was eventually ousted to give way to the possibility of better relations with the PGA Tour. But all these efforts still couldn’t bring in the numbers.
HE speculations have been brewing for a few months. Ever since Saudi Arabia’s PIF—for Public Investment Fund— announced it was pulling funding for the renegade league in April, everyone knew the end was near. Sure, there were/are rumors of a new investor. But even that were true, the size and scale surely wouldn’t equal that of what the Saudis put in. So what’s next for LIV and the players who defected? Before we get into the what ifs and probabilities, let’s take a quick look into what happened and the effects LIV had on professional golf in general.
The end is near
The early days
THE inaugural LIV London Invitational held in June 2022 drew mixed reactions, but way before the first tournament, the mudslinging was already in full gear. Aside from huge contracts (some in nine figures US dollars), having a polarizing CEO in Greg Norman and funding from Saudi’s PIF ensured strong sentiments from various sectors. I am of the opinion that when it comes to livelihood, we should respect each professional’s decision. Records and legacy aside, if you aren’t close to dominating the sport and breaking all sorts of all-time records, then getting a huge paycheck is an easy choice to make for any professional. That is the essence of being a pro after all, being paid to play. Among the issues hurled at LIV is the source of their funding—the Saudi PIF. But the PGA Tour also has sponsors with money from the same region. So for me, that is a bunch of the pot calling the kettle black. Both LIV and the PGA Tour have oil-stained hands. On the issues of recruiting players and giving large contracts, and on funding, I am for LIV. As for growing the game of golf, LIV has also done well by holding tournaments outside the usual venues, with events played other than in the US and Europe.
IF LIV truly had such an amazing product, they wouldn’t have had to look elsewhere for validation. FILE PHOTO So that’s another plus. In fact, locally, we have been the receiving end with The International Series Philippines last year being part of a pathway series into LIV. The issue I have with the defectors to LIV was the various reasons they gave on why they jumped ship. From a less hectic schedule to growing the game, from better caddy treatment to gripes about PGA Tour regulations, the reasons were everything but money. LIV had deep pockets and drew everyone from those atop the food chain to those barely hanging on to their cards.
Reality sinks in
AFTER a couple of years of battling for audience share, sponsors and critics, the cracks started to show. The business side really didn’t make much sense. The format of 54-hole tournaments also wasn’t working. Players lost their places on the Official World Golf Rankings and their chances to join majors with it. Only past major champions and a few exemptions were able to compete at the big events.
IN the past few days, LIV players have started posting statements on social media. While they will surely have good things to say about the rebel league, the future is very vague for those still in their prime and hoping for a pathway to return to the PGA Tour. It helps that the top LIV recruits have made tens to hundreds of millions in guaranteed money for defecting. But for rookies who weren’t offered huge signing bonuses, and players who are at the twilight of their careers, it may spell the end. LIV was not all bad. It forced a number of changes to the PGA Tour and brought more money in for the best players. The rivalry and bitter debates also resulted in renewed interest in golf. If LIV was hoping for an eventual merger with the PGA Tour like what happened in other pro sports like the ABA (American Basketball Association) and NBA (National Basketball Association) or in pro football, they never had enough muscle to do it. LIV simply never gained traction and the majority of the stories during LIV’s short episode revolved around being able to play both LIV and majors, or LIV and PGA events, or LIV and the Ryder Cup. If LIV truly had such an amazing product, they wouldn’t have had to look elsewhere for validation. LIV supporters are calling this the end of LIV 1.0, probably thinking there will be something next. That looks remote if not impossible. Golf is better united and everyone wants the best players competing on the same stages. It seems like good riddance to LIV Golf.
EAMS heading to the 30th edition of Le Tour de Langkawi 2026 (LTdL2026) are gearing up across Europe before traveling to Malaysia for the eight-stage race scheduled from September 27 to October 4. While several outfits including Picnic PostNL, Equipo Kern Pharma, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Bardiani CSF-7 Saber and Burgos Burpellet-BH have submitted their initial six-rider rosters and reserves to the LTdL26 Secretariat, final team lists remain subject to change until team managers submit their confirmed entries a day before flag-off. Since early August, top-tier WorldTeams such as XDS Astana and Picnic PostNL, alongside ProTeams including Tudor Pro Cycling, TotalEnergies, Bardiani, Unibet Rose Rockets, Caja Rural, Kern Pharma, and Burgos, have been competing in oneday races and stage events across Europe on the UCI WorldTour (UWT) and ProSeries calendars. US-based ProTeam newcomer Modern Adventure Pro Cycling, sporting in their signature maroon kit, has also actively toured Europe to test their squad, build endurance and refine race pace. LTdL26 Secretariat Chief Operating Officer (COO) Emir Abdul Jalal noted that these European outings serve as crucial testing grounds to select riders suited for LTdL26’s demands. “LTdL26 presents a distinct test,” Jalal said. “Beyond the tropical heat, riders face three major summit finishes which is two Hors Category ascents at Cameron Highlands and Genting Highlands, alongside a Category 1 climb at Gunung Jerai.” “Every team uses their own assessment criteria to select riders who can navigate these obstacles while hitting specific objectives, whether aiming for the Individual General Classification, Team Overall, King of the Mountains or targeting flat stages with sprint specialists for the Points Classification,” Emir added. Currently, five teams from the LTdL26 roster are competing in the Czech Tour, while six outfits joined the Arctic Race of Norway following appearances at the Donostia San Sebastian one-day classic (1 August) and the Tour de Pologne stage race. Their race schedules continue through the Renewi Tour (Belgium) and the Lidl Deutschland Tour starting 19 August, followed by the season’s final Grand Tour, the Vuelta a Espana. Rider evaluations will extend into September at the Lloyd’s Tour of Britain (September 2), Skoda Tour of Luxembourg (September 16) and the CRO Race (September 22), all rated 2.ProSeries events.
Filipino pickleballers see action in Da Nang World Cup
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HE Philippines is out to make heads turn when it vies in the tough 70-nation Pickleball World Cup that starts Sunday and ends Sunday in Da Nang, Vietnam. Pickleball is currently the world’s fastestgrowing sport and the Philippines is in the mix, experiencing a local boom that can be compared to that of badminton years ago. “That is why eyes are on us. They want to see what we can bring. And many will be surprised,” Philippine Pickleball Federation president Shery Cu told last week’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Media Room. Cu was joined at the forum by national team players Ruben Gonzales, a former member of the Philippine Davis Cup, and Nik Isagan, Kelsey Laurente and Fatima Amirul. The Philippines will field 38 players vying in the Open, Under-18, Under-14, Kids and
PHILIPPINE Pickleball Federation president Shery Cu (third from left) with (from left) Nik Isagan, Ruben Gonzales, Kelsey Laurente and Fatima Amirul. PSA PHOTO Seniors divisions of the event that drew more than 4,000 participants. Cu said the team was formed after almost six months of local trials and while some slots were openly selected based on the players’
current standings, some made it via tryouts. “We want to make an impression. We are hoping for a podium finish. We expect a good finish in this World Cup,” added Cu in the forum presented by San Miguel Corp., PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, Milo and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus. Teams to beat in the event that was held in Peru and the United States in the past two years include Vietnam and the United States. “It’s an honor to represent the Philippines in pickleball now,” said Gonzales, a two-time gold medalist in the Southeast Asian Games. “I’ve been with the national tennis team since 2010 and this is my first time playing for our country in pickleball.” “There’s a high chance but it’s going to be tough because there are many powerhouse teams like the US and Vietnam,” said Isagan, who was also into tennis before switching to pickleball in 2023. “We will do our best and bring that gold medal back home,” Laurente said.
BIKES are seen atop one of the team cars during last year’s finish in Kuala Lumpur. LTDL PHOTO
BusinessMirror
August 30, 2026
Thinking about life inside:
How performance creates discussion for crime and punishment
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TEETH’S LASTING BITE
YOUR MUSI
Popular ’90s band holds ‘Legacy Tour’
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Story by Jingo Zapata
eeth is the latest band from Pinoy alternative rock’s heyday in the 1990s to hold a reunion concert, dubbed “The Legacy Tour,” on the following dates: Aug. 30, Foochow Building, Singapore; Sept. 5, SM North Edsa Skydome; Sept. 12, The Commons at MTS, Davao; Sept. 13, Tagum; Sept. 19, Iloilo; and Sept. 26, Cebu. TEETH
The shows will coincide with the vinyl release on Backspacer Records of its debut album, which has sold out on pre-orders. If the Eraserheads was no. 1 on the list of the greatest of those years, and Yano arguably the second best, Teeth won’t be far behind, probably sharing the third spot with Rivermaya, Parokya Ni Edgar, Wolfgang, Razorback, The Youth, and Color It Red. But ratings are relative. Listening again to Teeth’s three studio albums
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— the self-titled debut (1995), “Time Machine” (’97), “I Was a Teenage Tree” (’99) — proves the band is in a class of its own, defining youthful freedom, energy, foibles and humor with biting truth. Its debut release melded Led Zeppelin’s old-school metal and Nirvana’s grunge in songs celebrating music (“Tugtugan Na”), mocking teenage rebellion (“Galit sa Mundo,” Stokwa”), recalling the highs and lows of drinking (“Laklak”), andimaginingromancewithastranger(“Prinsesa”). The quartet lineup of Jerome Velasco on guitar; Peding Narvaja, bass; Mike Dizon, drums; and Glenn Jacinto on vocals exuded collective confidence — especially on “Laklak,” which was a hit the moment people heard the first lines: “Nagsimula sa patikimtikim…” The whole guitar-driven song captured what it felt like to get drunk, never mind if the lyrics seemed to confuse alcohol’s effects with those of weed: “Tumataas na ang amats ko…” Nonetheless, the tune ended with a wink and a smirk: “Laklak ka nang laklak, mukha ka nang parak!” And there was “Prinsesa,” which used the fantasy of romance in a kingdom as a device to tell the story of an imaginary affair. Two years later, “Time Machine” came out, with twin guitars blasting a heavier sound as Dok Sergio joined the band. Mocking humor was still present, pronouncing Alabang with an American accent in the lyrics of “Take a Ride,” and again engaging in drunken bliss in “Hay Sarap.” Butthealbum’shighlightwastheballad“Luha,” inwhichmelancholywallowedinovereightminutes of groaning guitars. Teeth would achieve songwriting maturity in its third release, “I Was a Teenage Tree,” which portrayed the simple joys of cycling (“BMX”) and dreaming (“Shooting Star”) with innocence, while drenching the rest of the album with a sonic avalanche. Before the ’90s ended, Jacinto moved to the United States, while Dizon joined Sandwich, and as the 2000s rolled in, Ely Buendia recruited Velasco and Sergio to form the Mongols, and, later, Pupil. Teeth held a previous reunion concert in 2014, but that was 12 years ago and its members want to give it another go while they still can — as they told the media at a recent Zoom meeting. Jacinto looked healthy, with no trace of the cancer he said he suffered from in 1996 which forced
Teeth’s self-titled debut album melded Led Zeppelin’s old-school metal (Led Zeppelin) and Nirvana’s grunge in songs celebrating music (“Tugtugan Na”), mocking teenage rebellion (“Galit sa Mundo,” Stokwa”), recalling the highs and lows of drinking (“Laklak”), and imagining romance with a stranger (“Prinsesa”).
Two years later, in 1997, “Time Machine” came out, with twin guitars blasting a heavier sound as Dok Sergio joined the band. Mocking humor was still present, pronouncing Alabang with an American accent in the lyrics of “Take a Ride,” and again engaging in drunken bliss in “Hay Sarap.”
Teeth achieved songwriting maturity in its third release, “I Was a Teenage Tree,” which portrayed the simple joys of cycling (“BMX”) and dreaming (“Shooting Star” with innocence, while drenching the rest of the album with a sonic avalanche.
the band to temporarily take a break. Dizon, Velasco, Narvaja, and Segio likewise all appeared none the worse for wear, probably due to clean, cautious living — though Dizon has been enjoying his preoccupation as a food vlogger. The guys have maintained a tight relationship since they grew up together in grade school at Manresa, Jacinto said.
Teeth’s Legacy Tour will coincide with the vinyl release of its debut album on Backspacer Records, which has sold out on pre-orders.
They’re excited to play not just the hits, but also the deep cuts in their albums, Dizon noted. More than 30 years since the band came into the scene with its original lineup intact, Teeth would like to make its fans feel, once more, its lasting bite.
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AUGUST 30, 2026 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com
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‘HAPPINESS’ IS…
BUSINESS
An unforgettable Rex Orange County concert in Manila Story and photos by Trixzy Leigh Bonotan
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eavy showers halted just in time, and the skies brought forth sunshine and warmth as Rex Orange County took the stage at the Mall of Asia Arena on the night of August 20, 2026, Thursday — his first Manila show in almost three years. The British singer-songwriter, whose real name is Alexander James O’ Connor, had given fans a preview of the trip a day earlier, sharing on social media: “GUYS I’M IN THE MALL OF ASIA IN MANILA TRYNA NOT GET LOST…TOMORO I PLAY MY FIRST SHOW w THE BAND IN LIKE A YEAR N A HALF. EVERYTHING’S GREAT.” since his last visit in October 2023, fans had been counting down to see him again — this time, in a much bigger venue. Even before the doors opened, the anticipation outside the arena was its own kind of spectacle. Fans lined up early to secure their slots, especially those headed for the standing area, where prime spots are notoriously hard to get. Once inside, every time the LED screens flashed “Rex Orange County”, the crowd would holler and clap on cue — some fans, I noticed, were still busy making sure their phones were fully charged before he even stepped on stage.
Over October & Maki set the tone
Over October opened the night with a set that started calmly with “Dahan” and built beautifully, closing out with “Ikot” — a song the crowd knew word for word and swayed along to. It was my first time seeing them live, so a win is a win for me! What struck me most, though, was how great they actually sound in person — their band synergy is genuinely impressive, the kind that’s hard to appreciate fully until you’ve heard it live. Maki came up next, and let’s just say: that man has pipes! Finding out he’d be one of the openers for Rex Orange County was already another personal win; my song wishlist practically wrote itself — “Kahel na Langit”, “Kailan”, “Saan” all made an appearance. Maki also shared on stage that Alex (Rex Orange County) had inspired one of his songs, and spoke about how grateful he was to open for him.
Rex Orange County takes center stage
Rex Orange County opened his set with “Television”, and the crowd lost it. If you’ve spent any time on TikTok, you already know this one. It’s been all over everyone’s FYPs, spilling onto Instagram and Facebook, too.
“Manila, what’s going on? My name is Rex Orange County. Are you ready to have a fantastic evening with me?” he greeted the already hyped and hollering fans. Let me tell you something about Filipinos welcoming artists at concerts — it’s loud, and goosebumps will run all over you. From there, Rex Orange County brought an electrifying energy to MOA Arena, and the fans gave it right back, twice over. His band matched him beat for beat — and yes, I’ll admit some bias here, but the trumpet and saxophone players were AMAZING. (pun intended) A few moments later, the tender intro to “Pluto Projector” began to play, and the arena glowed as fans switched their phone flashlights to an orange filter — the fan project called Project Sharmaine — turning the crowd into a visual that matched the song perfectly. From where I was sitting, it looked like a cosmos of orange, like stars shining brightly across the arena. He noticed and told everyone to “keep those lights on”. Between songs, Alex took a moment to speak more personally to the crowd. He mentioned that this was only his second time in Manila, but that he would definitely be back — and that he’d see everyone again when he does, a promise that earned him some of the loudest cheers of the night. Midway through the concert, I hit a very different kind of crisis: my phone flashed a storage-full warning, right as I was trying to capture more of the show. Qué horror! There I was, frantically deleting apps and old videos to free up space to keep filming — a very real reminder that some nights demand more storage than you think you’ll ever need. Alex also had a few surprises up his sleeve for the Filipino fans present. He gave Manila an exclusive performance of “Belly (The Grass Stains)”, slipped the unreleased “Boyfriend” into the mix, and brought “Take a Drive” to the stage for its live debut. And in a moment that felt genuinely rare, he played “Indecision”, his new collaboration with Daniel Caesar, live for the first time (the song had only dropped a day before the Manila show).
Rex Orange County
A night to look back on
Right when “Happiness” rang out, fans assumed that the night was over. Then the lights slowly went back on as Alex and his band came out for one final surprise: an encore of “4 Seasons” and “Loving is Easy”, with the crowd chanting “Isa pa! Isa pa! Isa pa!” so I insistently joked to my friend that they might break into Seventeen’s “Aju Nice” next. (A running joke within Seventeen’s fandom, Carat)
I hadn’t even noticed it was nearing midnight until my eyes grew heavy — that’s how much energy he brought to the stage. He packed so many songs into one night, and somehow, it still didn’t feel enough. Some concerts you watch. This one, you feel until you can’t anymore. Rex Orange County live in Manila will be a night I will be replaying for a while. Don’t change a thing, YOU ARE AMAZING, Rex Orange County. Manila is already awaiting your return.
Thinking about life inside:
How performance creates discussion for crime and punishment By Saul Hewish & Sarah Bartley
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The Conversation
HE informal role of prison philosopher is taken up by incarcerated people across the world. With time on their hands and a proximity to other people, systems of control and narratives of morality, people in prison are well positioned to practice philosophy. This is the terrain covered by Dennis Kelly’s six-part BBC television drama Waiting for the Out, released earlier this year. The series is an adaptation of Andy West’s 2022 memoir, The Life Inside, which shares his experiences of teaching philosophy in prison contexts and unfolds his own proximity to criminalization through his father, uncle and brother, who all spent time in prison. We are theatre-makers who regularly co-create work with people living or working inside [UK’s] criminal justice system. Saul with arts organization Rideout Creative Arts for Rehabilitation and Sarah as a researcher and practitioner based at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Our latest collaboration explores the resonances and utility today of French philosopher Michel Foucault’s influential 1975 work Discipline and Punish. Foucault’s book, which is core reading on most social sciences undergraduate curriculums, argues that since the late 18th century, punishment has morphed into discipline, a more diffuse form of surveillance and social control.
“THE expansion of mainstream live performance, TV series and films addressing ideas around justice, harm, and punishment is to be welcomed. It marks an increased appetite from a broad range of people to examine the values, histories and philosophies of our criminal legal system.” PHOTO BY YE JINGHAN ON UNSPLASH We were keen to investigate whether the book held meaning for people with lived experience of our criminal legal system today and understand what new insights they, in turn, might bring to Foucault’s work. We also drew inspiration from more contemporary writing, most fruitfully Henrique Carvalho and Anastasia Chamberlen’s nuanced interrogation of contemporary practices of punishment, Questioning Punishment (2023).
Justice on center stage
IN spring of 2025, across ten initial drama workshops, we collaborated with members of Expert Citizens, an organization led by and for people with lived experience of multiple disadvantage. We collectively explored power, punishing institutions and surveillance. We went on to create an ensemble comprised of four Expert Citizens members and six theatre-makers. They shared creative, lived and theoretical knowledge with one another across a four-week intensive devising and rehearsal period. Ultimately the ensemble created Punishment Acts: Tales of Retribution, Reparation and Redemption, an 80-minute production that was staged over
seven nights at the B Arts theatre in Stoke on Trent. Set in a prison cell late at night, between restless sleep and wakefulness, the cell’s occupants traverse different histories and spaces of punishment. Through a collage of puppetry, fable and movement, the show asked audiences to reflect on beliefs about punishment and consider whether there are other ways to achieve justice. Punishment Acts sits in a landscape of theatre work that is increasingly interested in opening up conversations with audiences about what we want our justice system to look and feel like. Theatre has long been a practice that invites audiences to (re)examine our relationship to the criminal justice system. What was distinctive about Punishment Acts is the explicit integration of philosophy, lived experience and community performance.
The importance of lived experience
FOUCAULT’S ideas became less abstract through the ways our mixed cast could engage with and expand them in relation to contemporary prisons, probation and support services in Britain. Punishment Acts was not autobiographical and used a fictional frame to enable some distance between cast members’ own stories and the characters in the play. But as one of the Expert Citizens mentors noted, the character they came up with embodied the frustrations they’d experienced in their own journey. This was integral to the project and underscored how lived experience groups reanimate and offer useful perspectives on philosophy rather than the learning only going one way. For example, the ensemble devised a scene in a hostel that blended Foucault’s discussion of how institutions organize space and time to enact control with their own experiences of punitive treatment in hostels. In the play, the character of Melissa ar-
rives at an Approved Premises looking for support, but is met with a long list of rigid and increasingly punitive rules from the use of the washing machine to the working hours of the communal kettle. The list is in fact so long it makes Melissa late for a probation appointment. When Melissa eventually meets her probation officer, an under resourced and overworked figure, another set of rules is deployed in lieu of support. Ultimately, her infringement of lateness lands her back in prison, back into the same cycle. Melissa’s journey drew on Foucault’s proposal that punishment expands far beyond the prison gate and echoed the experiences of our ensemble. They also recognized that those working in these contexts (housing, justice, employment) are also being let down by systems that so often do not enable them to meaningfully support people. The expansion of mainstream live performance, TV series and films addressing ideas around justice, harm, and punishment is to be welcomed. It marks an increased appetite from a broad range of people to examine the values, histories and philosophies of our criminal legal system. Amid this growth in representation on our stages and screens, it’s vital to support community-rooted and research-informed performance projects. Such work brings people with different skills and experiences together, it foregrounds the knowledge of those who have had contact with our justice system, and enables us to collectively explore the fundamental ideas that inform our approach to punishment. n Authors Saul Hewish and Sarah Bartley serve as a teaching fellow in Theatre Practice at the University of Warwick, and a co-program leader in MA Applied Theatre/ senior lecturer in Applied and Community Performance at Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, respectively n Cover photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.com
Hospitality as a pathway to second chances
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M Hotels & Conventions Corporation (SMHCC) helps create a practical link between skills development, hospitality employment, and life beyond detention. Through SMHCC’s hotel properties Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA and Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu—along with partnerships with local governments, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Radisson Hotel Group, and other stakeholders—SM Hotels is utilizing hospitality training to help Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) gain industry-relevant skills and transition into actual employment. The nationwide advocacy traces its begin-
nings to the Quezon City Government under Mayor Joy Belmonte, whose No Woman Left Behind and No Juan Left Behind programs provide PDLs with opportunities to gain practical skills and prepare for their transition back into the workforce. SM Hotels has supported these initiatives by bringing its hospitality expertise and training capabilities into the programs, creating opportunities for qualified graduates to apply their skills in an actual hotel environment. In 2024, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA launched Basic Housekeeping Skills Training for women PDLs at the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory. The program expanded in 2026 to the Quezon City Jail Male
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Dormitory through Basic Food and Beverage Operations Training, providing both women and men with industry-relevant skills aligned with actual hotel operations. For SM Hotels, the impact of these programs goes beyond training completion. The ultimate measure is the ability of graduates to translate their newly acquired skills into meaningful work. In particular, Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA recently welcomed Severino Montallana II, its first hire under the No Juan Left Behind program. After completing the Basic Food and Beverage Operations Training while at the Quezon City Jail Male Dormitory, Montallana regained his freedom and subsequently joined the hotel workforce. Montallana joins AUGUST 30, 2026
Marissa Basa, the first graduate of the hotel’s Basic Housekeeping Skills Training for women PDLs to secure employment at Park Inn by Radisson North EDSA after her release. “Mayor Joy Belmonte started this effort with a clear vision of leaving no one behind, and it has now grown into an advocacy with the potential to reach more cities across the country,” said SM Hotels & Conventions Corporation Executive Vice President Peggy Angeles. “As one of the country’s leading hospitality groups with a nationwide footprint, SM Hotels is in a unique position to help turn this vision into reality by bringing together our properties, partners, and stakeholders to help more PDLs gain skills, find meaningful work, and move forward.”
Wine&Dine
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Editor: Anne Ruth Dela Cruz | Sunday, August 30, 2026 C1
A tribute worth tasting: Inside Don Tomas at Tribute Hotel Signage of Don Tomas
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Bacon Pepperoni Pizza
Basque Cheesecake
Beef & Tendon
Beef Rendang
Braised Pork
Nasigoreng
By Trixzy Leigh Bonotan
HERE is something fitting about a restaurant named after a man whose name has become synonymous with one of Quezon City’s most familiar streets. Located within the quiet Scout area of Quezon City, Tribute Hotel pays homage to the city’s first mayor, Tomas Morato, through its name—and carries that tribute into its in-house restaurant, Don Tomas. Chris Guballa, Managing Director of Approche Hospitality Management Corp., said the property stands on land originally owned by Don Tomas Morato himself, giving the hotel and restaurant a connection to the city’s history that goes beyond its name. But while the history provides the backdrop, it is the food and hospitality that give Don Tomas its own identity. Step past the lobby and into the restaurant, and the space feels considered rather than decorated for effect. It is the kind of room designed for lingering over a meal rather than rushing through one, setting the tone before the first plate even arrives.
Flavors without borders
THE menu reads almost like a culinary passport—Filipino comfort dishes sitting alongside Asian favorites and Western classics, each finding its own voice without losing the thread that ties the table together. According to Chef Erwin Rarugal, executive chef of Don To-
mas, the menu was shaped by the preferences of returning guests. He wanted the restaurant to be a onestop dining destination, particularly in an area already surrounded by restaurants, while still offering enough variety to accommodate different tastes. That philosophy is evident in the menu, which moves easily from familiar comfort food to more adventurous regional flavors. Braised Pork, Beef and Tendon, and Carbonara de Tomas share space with Chicken Biryani, Nasi Goreng, and Seafood Aligue Pasta, while artisanal pizzas offer another option for diners looking for something familiar. Desserts get the same treatment, with Ube Langka Mochi, Basque Cheesecake, and Matcha Tiramisu giving classic sweets a distinctly modern and multicultural spin. Chef Erwin also shared that Don Tomas will be adding more dishes to the menu soon, a reason for diners in Quezon City and nearby areas to keep an eye on what comes next.
A tribute, tasted
EXPERIENCING Don Tomas firsthand made one thing clear: the restaurant’s strength lies in its ability to make a wide-ranging menu feel cohesive rather than scattered. Starting light with the Squid
Bombs, squid, cabbage, bonito flakes, and seaweed come together in Don Tomas’ own take on takoyaki. Playful and savory, it sets the tone for the meal without giving too much away. From there came the Cuapao Sliders: soft char siu pork tucked into homemade buns with house barbecue sauce, cucumber, and leeks. The combination keeps every bite fresh instead of heavy, the kind of dish that disappears faster than you mean it to. The Calamares Fritos followed, and this one earned its place as a genuine standout. Squid finished in barbecue flavor is paired with mango salsa, garlic mayo dip, and a wedge of lemon, bringing savory, sweet, and fresh notes together without any one element fighting for space. It is the kind of dish that works just as well as a shared starter as it does as a reason to order another round. Then came the Soft Taco Mussel Sisig: fresh taco, romaine, pickled onions, cucumber, tomato, mussel, and garlic aioli. Savory and bright, with just enough tartness to keep the flavors lively, it was another plate that encouraged one more bite before the meal moved on. From there, the flavors trav-
eled further from home. The Salmon Kimchi came out sweet and spicy in equal measure— a salmon steak set over kimchi rice, rounded out with sautéed beans that gave the plate some breathing room between bites. The Chicken Biryani brought exactly the right amount of kick. Its chicken thigh fillet is built on turmeric, shallots, garlic, and coriander, with meat tender enough to slow the whole table down midconversation. It’s the kind of dish that makes you stop talking and simply enjoy it. Nasi Goreng rounded out the international stretch of the meal, and by then it was clear that the kitchen wasn’t simply borrowing flavors for novelty. Tamarind shrimp fried rice, egg, chicken and beef satay, cucumber, and prawn crackers come together as a complete plate, with the tamarind running through the rice and shrimp and tying the components together. The last savory courses leaned back into comfort. Between the Braised Pork and Beef Rendang, the table got two versions of the same idea: meat cooked low and slow with coconut, ginger, turmeric, shallots, garlic,
and coriander until it gives way at the fork. One is sweet and herby, while the other carries a gentler hint of spice beneath the richness. The Beef and Tendon closed the savory portion simply, built on dark soy sauce, star anise, and cinnamon. Glazed and clearly meant to be eaten with rice, it is unfussy but satisfying—the sort of dish that feels right at the end of a meal that has already covered considerable culinary ground. Dessert closed the meal on an unexpectedly delicate note, with three very different ideas of what a meal-ender can be on the same plate. The Matcha Tiramisu was earthy without a trace of bitterness, its cream doing the real work— soft, rich, and balanced. The Basque Cheesecake offered a different kind of comfort: no-fuss and light on the palate, with a caramelized top giving way to a soft center. Then there was the Ube Langka Mochi, bringing the meal full circle with its distinctly Filipino character. Soft and melt-in-the-mouth, it was a fitting reminder that even dessert isn’t exempt from Don Tomas’s habit of bringing different culinary influences together. Each dessert could have closed
the meal on its own. Together, they made the ending feel less like a final bite and more like a proper send-off.
Hospitality beyond the plate
DON Tomas doesn’t stand alone. Both the restaurant and Tribute Hotel are managed by Approche Hospitality Management Corp., and the connection is evident in the way the dining and hotel experience complement each other. The result is a restaurant that can serve different purposes: a convenient dining option for hotel guests, a place for families and friends to gather, or a destination in its own right for those looking to explore a menu that moves comfortably across cuisines. For travelers missing the flavors of home, or diners simply looking for familiar food with a little more variety, Don Tomas offers plenty to discover. And perhaps that is the most fitting tribute of all. In a city where names, streets, and memories are deeply intertwined, Don Tomas gives the name of Tomas Morato another place at the table—this time through food, hospitality, and the simple pleasure of sharing a meal.
LOCAL FLAVORS, GLOBAL TECHNIQUE PUT PHILIPPINE BARS ON TORRES RADAR Story and photos by John Eiron R. Francisco
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HERE is something about Filipino bartenders that Cristóbal Cofré noticed long before his recent visit to Manila. During his years working aboard cruise ships, the Torres Global Brand Ambassador encountered Filipino bartenders who, he recalled, were among the fastest and most skilled he had worked with. So when he arrived in the Philippines, he was curious to see what that talent looked like at home. He did not have to wait long to be impressed. “What stands out to me is how you can feel they are using these local products and local flavors combined with this great technique,” Cofré told the BusinessMirror during Torres’ two-night bar takeover at Polilya Craft Beer and Cocktails in Poblacion, Makati, and AKA Day/ Night Drinks in Timog, Quezon City, in July. For Cofré, the combination of Filipino ingredients and increasingly sophisticated cocktail techniques suggests that the country’s bar scene has the potential to gain greater
international recognition.
A distinctly Filipino cocktail scene
THE Manila stop was Cofré’s first on a regional tour that took him to the Philippines ahead of the Asia’s 50 Best Bars event. During the takeovers, he worked alongside local bartenders to create cocktails featuring different Torres brandy expressions and Philippine ingredients. It was an opportunity not only to showcase the Spanish spirit but also to experience how local bartenders interpret familiar flavors through cocktails. Cofré was particularly struck by the use of techniques such as carbonation, which he saw being applied alongside local ingredients and flavors. The experience extended beyond the bar. One of the highlights of his visit was pairing a Torres brandy-based cocktail with chicken inasal. “It was mind-blowing,” Cofré said. The pairing points to a broader evolution in cocktail culture, where drinks are increasingly treated as part of the dining experience rather than as
something enjoyed separately from food. For Filipino bartenders, the country’s abundance of tropical fruits, herbs, spices and other local ingredients provides a natural foundation for experimentation. “I’m excited to discover new flavors, new tropical fruits, and the palate of the Filipinos and their cocktail culture,” Cofré said during his Manila visit.
give Philippine cocktails a stronger identity on the international stage.
Bringing Spanish brandy to Manila
From cruise ships to cocktail bars
COFRÉ brings nearly two decades of hospitality and spirits experience to his role with Torres. He entered the industry in 2008 while working part-time to help finance his university studies in Chile, eventually moving through five-star hotels, cruise ships and the international spirits industry. He now serves as Global Brand Ambassador for Juan Torres Master Distillers and leads the Torres Brandy Zero Challenge, a sustainability-focused bar competition now in its fourth edition. His experience at sea also gave him an
Torres Cocktails @ Polilya
Cristóbal Cofré is delighted to be in Manila, serving Torres’ signature cocktails to guests during the Torres Brandy Bar Takeover in Makati
early appreciation for Filipino bartending talent. The Manila takeover gave him a chance to see that talent in a different setting—one where
bartenders could draw directly from the ingredients, flavors and food culture around them. That combination, he suggested, could
THE bar takeover was also part of Torres’ effort to deepen its presence in the Philippine drinks scene. Torres entered the Philippine market in January through a distribution partnership with Tanduay Distillers Inc., with Torres 5 Light leading its local debut. For Torres Spirits Regional Manager Ricard Vidal, however, introducing the brand is about more than expanding distribution. “Our goal is for them to see Torres as more than just a drink, but a brand they can relate to, trust, and proudly choose for their special moments and everyday occasions,” Vidal said. The company traces its roots to Spain’s Penedès region, where the Torres family has been involved in winemaking since the 16th century. Casa Torres was established in 1870, while its brandy-making tradition began in 1928 under Juan Torres Casals.
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FLOUR POT: WHERE COMFORT FOOD MEETS THE FILIPINO FARMER By Anne Ruth Dela Cruz
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OR Chef Rhea SyCip, Flour Pot is more than a bakery. It is, in many ways, a return to the kitchen she has always wanted to have, one where she can bake with the ingredients she believes in, cook the food she genuinely enjoys eating, and give farmers and local producers a place at the table. On a particularly rainy day in Bonifacio Global City, members of the media gathered at Flour Pot Bistro and Bakery for a tasting that offered a glimpse into SyCip’s culinary philosophy. From Mediterranean Toast and Shrimp Rolls to Clams and Kiniing Pasta, Coda Alla Vaccinara and Pan-Seared Local Seabass, the meal moved between familiar comfort food and thoughtful interpretations built around carefully sourced ingredients. And, naturally, there were desserts—Ube Coconut, Strawberry Shortcake, Tres Leches, Miel Cake and Tableya Chocolate Cake—along with the Signature Rum Cake that has a particularly personal place in SyCip’s story. It was an expansive menu, but it never felt like food designed merely to impress. Instead, it reflected the philosophy behind Flour Pot: good ingredients, treated with respect, prepared with care and allowed to speak for themselves. “Food should be intentional, heartfelt, and connected to the people and places that inspire it,” SyCip says.
A chef who never really left the kitchen
IT may be easy to think of SyCip primarily as a pastry chef, particularly with Flour Pot’s reputation for cakes and baked creations. But her professional beginnings were actually in the hot kitchen. She was just 23 when she became corporate chef for Dome Café Philippines, handling seven branches. Her career subsequently took her through restaurants, hotels, food and beverage management and the academe. She also pursued further training in bakery arts at Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School in Bangkok and Alain Ducasse. Yet baking had been part of her life long before she entered the professional kitchen. “I’ve been baking since I was eight,” she recalls.
That early love eventually found an outlet in a cake she made simply for herself and her husband, Chef Jayjay SyCip.
It started with a cake
HAVING spent years working in commercial kitchens, SyCip knew how cost considerations could affect the ingredients chefs were allowed to use. Free-range eggs and pure butter, for instance, were more expensive. So she decided to make a cake without those restrictions. She would use the ingredients she wanted, make it the way she wanted, and simply enjoy it at home. That cake became the Signature Rum Cake. A friend tasted it and encouraged her to offer it commercially. SyCip was hesitant because of its high ingredient cost, but people liked it. They began asking for more. Strawberry Shortcake followed, and eventually the cakes became a growing part of her business. The experience reinforced something SyCip wanted to preserve throughout her culinary career: the freedom to use good ingredients without compromising simply to bring down costs. “I don’t usually scrimp on the ingredients,” she says. That principle remains at the heart of Flour Pot.
From bakery to bistro
WHEN Flour Pot took shape, SyCip knew the concept had to go beyond cakes. “We also know that we cannot just live with cakes alone,” she says. The answer was to create a bakery and bistro where baking and savory cooking could coexist, and where SyCip could return to something she had missed: cooking. While she and her husband are often viewed as a culinary partnership in which he handles savory food and she focuses on desserts, SyCip wanted Flour Pot to reflect more of her own cooking. Her style, she explains, is rooted in comfort food. “I don’t want it to be labeled as fine dining,” she says. “It’s just that I give due respect to the ingredients that I use.” That philosophy was evident during the rainy-day media tasting. The Mediterranean Toast, with whipped
Pomodoro & Basil with Burratino
Smoked Duck Salad
Pan Seared Local Seabass
Coda Alla Vaccinara
Chicken & Biscuits
Roast Chicken Curry
Calamaretti
Clams and Kiniing Pasta
ricotta, dates, figs and roasted pistachios, offered a bright beginning, while Shrimp Rolls paired brioche with Mindanao sustainable shrimp. Smoked Duck Salad brought together seasonal fruits, greens and a bignay vinaigrette. Among the more substantial dishes were Clams and Kiniing Pasta, combining Manila clams with smoked pork from Mountain Province, and Chicken & Biscuits, which paired buttermilk-fried chicken with freshly baked honey biscuits, corn ribs, corn grits and herbed gravy. There was also Coda Alla Vaccinara, made with local Wagyu oxtail and Fatted Calf smoked bacon, and Pan-Seared Local Seabass, paired with apahap, adlai, Benguet fennel, kiniing and mushrooms. The dishes are recognizable, but thoughtful details give them a distinctly Flour Pot character. SyCip herself admits that she is a simple eater. Her favorite, she says, is essentially a straightforward vongole—olive oil, perfectly cooked garlic and butter. The kiniing was added later, inspired by a conversation with one of the farmers she works with.
The farmers behind the food
PERHAPS the most compelling part of Flour Pot’s story is what happens before the ingredients reach the kitchen. SyCip is a longtime advocate for farmers and serves as community leader of Slow Food Community Cavite. Her work has allowed her to build relationships with farming communities and help bridge farmers directly with end users. At Flour Pot, that commitment is reflected in its sourcing. Vegetables arrive from Benguet several times a week. River prawns are sourced through fisherfolk and aquaculturists in mainland Mindanao, the Sulu Peninsula and Palawan. The kitchen also works with free-range chicken, organic pork, kiniing from Mountain Province, duck from Tarlac and mussels from Palawan. Even tomatoes are considered carefully. Flour Pot uses locally grown tomatoes canned at peak ripeness. For SyCip, local sourcing is not simply a culinary trend. It is a way of highlighting Philippine ingredients while supporting the people who produce them.
City of Dreams Manila is overall champion in the professional division at the Philippine Culinary Cup 2026
C
ITY of Dreams Manila, the luxury integrated resort in Entertainment City and Aseana City, Paranaque, emerged as Overall Champion in the Professional Division of the 2026 Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), besting 52 teams from hotels, restaurants, and catering services. This marks a new milestone in the luxury integrated resort’s award-winning track record since 2016 at the prestigious competition. The four-day 16th edition of the PCC was held alongside the World Food Expo (WOFEX) at the SMX Convention Center. “This distinction is a proud recognition of our chefs’ creativity, discipline and commitment to their craft. Our team has earned consistent accolades at the Philippine Culinary Cup through the years, reflecting the depth of talent we continue to nurture. More importantly, our colleagues bring the same passion and exacting standards to our kitchens every day, strengthening City of Dreams Manila’s position as one of the country’s leading dining destinations,” Property President Geoff Andres stated.
A culinary team at the top of its game
DRAWN from the resort’s restaurants, pastry and banquet kitchens, the 17-chef delegation to the PCC showcased the diversity of talent across its culinary operations. Competing in 13 categories, the team brought home one Highest Gold, one Gold, nine Silver and four Bronze medals.
“Our food tells the stories of the farmers who grow it,” she says. “Supporting them by sourcing locally is one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.” That commitment comes with a cost, particularly in an industry where margins are already tight. But SyCip believes the value extends beyond the restaurant. “If you pay for premium ingredients, well, at least for us, it doesn’t go straight to our pockets,” she says. “It’s something that we share to the farmers.”
A place to linger
LOCATED at Verve Tower along 27th Street corner 7th Avenue, Flour Pot is designed as an all-day dining space, moving from morning coffee and pastries to sit-down meals. Its interiors feature soft pastels and warm textures, with subtle references to tradition reinterpreted for contemporary BGC. Despite its location in one of Metro Manila’s busiest lifestyle districts, Flour Pot is not trying to be overly formal. It is meant to be a place where people can
stay awhile, a space for coffee and pastry, a casual lunch, dinner with friends or a slice of cake at the end of the day. And the concept is already growing. SyCip says a smaller Flour Pot is planned for SM Megamall, with a more compact menu focused on sandwiches and simpler offerings. But she sees the BGC branch as the creative base of the brand—the place where new ideas and specials can continue to emerge. For now, Flour Pot represents a kind of homecoming for SyCip. After years of working in hot kitchens, managing hotels and restaurants, teaching culinary students and building relationships with farmers, she has created a space where all those experiences can meet. It is a bakery, but not only a bakery. It is a bistro, but not quite a conventional one. More importantly, it is a restaurant where the story of the food does not begin when the plate reaches the table. It begins much earlier—with the farmer who grows the vegetable, the fisherfolk who brings in the catch, the producer who raises the animal and the chef who chooses each ingredient with intention.
Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines introduces a new menu, 48-Minute Lunch
ver in the Filipino Cuisine Challenge. Joined by Commis Chef Emylene Montesines, they bagged another Silver in the Dream Team Challenge.
Crafting a winning cocktail City of Dreams Manila celebrates a defining achievement as Overall Champion in the Professional Division of the Philippine Culinary Cup 2026, further distinguishing the luxury resort as a premier dining destination. The resort’s 17-chef delegation at the PCC and winning mixologist at the Gourmet Coffee Cocktail Showdown simultaneously held at WOFEX, share the celebratory moment with Property President Geoff Andres (center) flanked by Food and Beverage Director Chad Ogden, Executive Chef - Chinese Danny Khoo; and Executive Chef – Western Jeff Hurst and Assistant Food and Beverage Director Juvel Contreras. Not in photo is Executive Sous Chef Edmundo San Jose.
The 15-medal haul propelled City of Dreams Manila to the Overall Championship in the Professional Division, affirming the resort’s dedication to culinary excellence through refined techniques and innovative ideas. Among the standouts was Sous Chef Lee Chia Lok, who achieved the coveted Highest Gold in the Asian Gourmet Challenge and Bronze in the Art of Dim Sum. He is Sous Chef at Season88, the 24/7 dining room and lounge at the main gaming floor, featuring Asian and international cuisine. From the award-winning Crystal Dragon restaurant which specializes in Cantonese cuisine and regional Chinese specialties, Dim Sum Chef de Cuisine Ngooi She Chong won Bronze in the Art of Dim Sum and Sous Chef Zhang He secured Silver in the Asian Gourmet Challenge. Banquet Chef de Partie Rier Maverick Franco demonstrated exceptional versatility across five individual categories, garnering Gold
in U.S. Beef, and Silver in the Creative Breakfast Challenge, U.S. Lamb, U.S. Pork, and Pasta categories. Pastry Chef de Cuisine Julius Javin earned Silver in the Dress the Cake category and received an additional special recognition from Whippit by Bakersfield for “Best Creation 2026”. Pastry Commis Chef Enrique Ferrer received Silver in the French Touch Challenge-Pastry competition, accepting his award from PCC 2026 judge Josh Boutwood, the chef-owner of Helm, the Philippines’ only two-Michelin-starred restaurant. From The Café, the international buffet and all-day dining restaurant, Commis Chef Angelyka Garin secured Bronze in the U.S. Pork category. In the group entry, Commis Chefs Danica Millete, Ricky Alto and Ma. Erika Monique Alfonso clinched Bronze in the Dream Team Challenge. Haliya modern Filipino restaurant’s Sous Chef Jiro Flora and Chef de Partie Nikki Raquion earned Sil-
CITY of Dreams Manila also earned recognition for beverage craft at WOFEX, where CenterPlay bartender Justin Dela Cruz won Silver in the DaVinci Gourmet Coffee Cocktail Showdown. His entry showcased the flair, creativity and craftsmanship that shape the beverage program at CenterPlay a lounge at the focal point of the main gaming area known for live music, food, cocktails and nightlife.
A stage for culinary excellence
THE country’s only culinary competition approved by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WORLDCHEFS), the Philippine Culinary Cup serves as an internationally recognized platform for professional and aspiring chefs to hone their skills, benchmark their work against global standards and showcase Filipino culinary talent. This year’s competition brought together more than 1,000 chefs from leading hotels and restaurants and students from hospitality and culinary schools. Delegates put their technical skills, artistry and precision to the test across a range of culinary disciplines before a panel of 60 local and international chef-judges. For more information, visit https://www.cityofdreamsmanila. com/en/blog/cod-pcc-champion.
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HIS August, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines at Newport World Resorts unveils an exciting new menu inspired by what guests have been asking for - bolder flavors, more exceptional dishes, and more reasons to come back. Launched on August 5, 2026, the expanded selection brings together comforting classics, grilled specialties, and seafood plates. Among the new additions are Spaghetti Bolognese, Steak Frites, Lamb Ribs, Beef Burger, Grilled Pompano, and Mussels. The broader menu caters to a range of occasions, from leisurely lunches and business engagements to intimate celebrations and relaxed dinners.
Midday dining in 48 minutes
THE new 48-Minute Lunch brings a more streamlined dining format to the working week. Available on weekdays, the offer features a two-course lunch for P888 and a three-course set for P1,300, with one complimentary drink included in the latter. Guests may choose from a selection of appetizers, mains, and desserts from the restaurant’s latest menu. Suited to business meetings, casual catch-ups, and midday breaks, the 48-Minute Lunch brings the Gordon Ramsay Bar
& Grill Philippines experience into a more concise format.
A second anniversary celebration
THE restaurant will also mark its second anniversary from August 29 to 31, 2026. The celebratory weekend is set to feature a special brunch experience, entertainment, and other surprises. Reservations may be made through TableCheck: https://www.tablecheck.com/ en/gordon-ramsay-bar-and-grill-philippines/ reserve/message?utm_source=grrph-web, by email at reservations@gordonramsayrestaurants.com.ph, or through Viber and WhatsApp chat at 0917 147 6576. For more information on Newport World Resorts, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Join Newport World Resorts Viber Community at https://newportwr.com/nwrvibercommunity for exclusive updates. Every visit is made more rewarding with an Epic Rewards membership, download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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Sunday, August 30, 2026 C3
HEAVEN’S BBQ: AN OLD MANILA FAVORITE FINDS A NEW CHAPTER
“Taste of Heaven,” a sampler of pork BBQ on a stick, chicken BBQ on a stick, pork liempo, and boneless chicken BBQ.
Heaven’s BBQ Bistro & Café’s Iza Guariña with the author
Artworks by girls of CRIBS Foundation Inc., based in Sitio San Luis, Antipolo City, adorn the wall of Heaven’s BBQ Bistro & Cafe
Photos and story by Brian K. Ong
with a selection of wines, cocktails, and beers, while acoustic nights and an open-mic setup bring a latenight energy that feels like a subtle callback to the old Fort Strip days. Coffee and desserts have also joined the menu, with the affogato emerging as a favorite among regulars.
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O, you probably remember it as “Heaven’s Barbeque,” tucked into the old Fort Strip — the official “loading and washing” station for the nighttime bargoers, or for the buzzed earlymorning crowd stumbling out of the old Embassy, Aracama, and the rest of that long-gone BGC party row. Not to date myself, but that was one of the go-to places, before or after a night out at the Fort Strip and BGC circuit, back when that stretch still had a pulse of its own. The Heaven’s brand, best known for its BBQ, is now 25 years strong. It has survived a pandemic that gutted the restaurant industry, the closure of its original branch at The Zone in Malugay, and eventually, the shuttering of its famous Fort Strip outpost. Yet the BBQ remains. And now, Heaven’s is entering a new chapter.
A full-circle reconnection
I FIRST tried Heaven’s at the Fort Strip branch, on several occasions with friends and family, long before
Jollibee wants Filipinos to taste the thrill of spice
More than a restaurant
THE new branch also reflects some of Iza’s personal values. Displayed on its walls are artworks painted by the girls of CRIBS Foundation Inc., based in Sitio San Luis, Antipolo City. Proceeds from the sale of the paintings go directly to the foundation. “Each color tells a story of healing, courage, and dreams reborn. From pain to purpose, their art speaks louder than words,” Iza said. It is a small but meaningful detail that adds another layer to the new space. Heaven’s is no longer simply a place for BBQ and late-night cravings. It is evolving into a neighborhood bistro and café while holding on to the food and memories that made the brand endure.
Where it began — on a badminton court
EVERY brand has an origin story, but few of them start on a badminton court. As owner Iza Guariña recalled, the first store space at The Zone in Malugay was offered to her 25 years ago through a connection she made while playing badminton. The idea for the BBQ itself came earlier. While attending her sons’ kiddie parties, Iza found herself repeatedly disappointed by the BBQ being served. So she began developing her own marinade at home. Her first attempts were not criticized for taste, but for cost. She was using premium ingredients, and her family questioned whether a recipe built around them could ever make business sense. So she went back to the drawing board, experimenting with substitutions and combinations until she found a marinade that satisfied both her palate and her ledger. That recipe became the foundation of Heaven’s. What began as a home cook’s attempt to make better BBQ eventually became a Manila institution.
Heaven’s Pancit with Sisig on Top
Still a Manila favorite
Affogato
the pandemic reshaped what BGC’s nightlife strip looked like. Because it was a 24-hour joint, it became part of my own comingof-age around the neighborhood— one of those places that didn’t need to be fancy because it already had the loyalty of people who would stumble in at 2 am. craving pork BBQ and garlic rice. Years later, I found myself reconnecting with the brand through pickleball. I got to know Iza not initially as a restaurant owner, but simply as a fellow player. It was only in conversation that I realized the woman I’d been rallying with was the person behind the BBQ that had fed me and my friends years earlier at Fort Strip. Finding that out, and then tasting her BBQ again at the newest branch, felt like closing a loop. A brand born through a badminton connection had somehow come back into my life through pickleball.
A new chapter along Yakal
HEAVEN’S isn’t back on Malugay.
The original The Zone branch closed about two years ago, and the street that once housed the brand’s first store no longer does. Instead, last December, Heaven’s reopened along Yakal Street in Makati as Heaven’s BBQ Bistro & Café. It is not a return to the exact address where the story began, but it is very much a continuation of it. The marinade and founder remain, but the new space is designed to take the brand beyond its traditional BBQ-on-a-stick identity. For first-timers, Iza recommends the Taste of Heaven, a sampler featuring pork BBQ on a stick, chicken BBQ on a stick, pork liempo, and her signature boneless chicken BBQ. Another bestseller is the Heaven’s Pancit with Sisig on Top, a dish that reflects how the menu has evolved beyond the sticks and rice that built the brand’s reputation. The Yakal branch now offers appetizers, soups and salads, rice meals, pastas, and bistro dishes such as Beef Salpicao, Sizzling Sisig, and Beef Mushroom. There is also a VIP cellar room
IS Heaven’s still the best BBQ in Manila? That’s a debate best left to the city’s fiercely loyal BBQ eaters. What is harder to dispute is what Heaven’s has that a new BBQ spot cannot manufacture overnight: 25 years of history. There are the familiar flavors, the old Fort Strip memories, the people who discovered the restaurant after a night out, and now a new generation discovering the brand at Yakal. And there is the promise of another full-circle moment. Heaven’s is reportedly preparing to open a new location in Fort/ BGC soon. If it does, it won’t simply be a return to an old neighborhood. It will be an opportunity for those who remember the original to make new memories—and for those discovering Heaven’s for the first time to create their own. Some restaurants survive because they keep changing. Others survive because, no matter how much changes around them, they manage to keep one thing familiar. For Heaven’s, that may simply be the taste that started it all.
F
OR Filipinos who believe fried chicken tastes even better with a little kick, Jollibee is turning up the heat with Spicy Chickenjoy, putting the spotlight on a familiar favorite with a flavor profile designed to deliver more than just the sting of spice. Jollibee Spicy Chickenjoy combines its signature crispy, juicy chicken with a blend of spices, bringing a noticeable kick to every bite. Rather than treating spiciness as a test of endurance, the brand is framing it as another layer of flavor to enjoy. “Spiciness should not simply be about tolerating the heat. It should be about enjoying what the spice brings to the overall flavor experience. With Spicy Chickenjoy, we want Filipinos to discover that spicy can be exciting, flavorful and, most importantly, delicious,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. The move also comes as spicy flavors continue to gain a place among Filipino food preferences. According to research, 13 percent of surveyed adult Filipinos, or roughly one in eight, identified spicy as a taste preference. While the findings do not suggest that spicy food appeals to everyone, they point to a notable group of
I
consumers who enjoy the added flavor and heat that spicy food brings. Jollibee is bringing that flavor story to life with Alexa Ilacad, an actress, singer and performer known for her energetic personality and strong connection with younger Filipino audiences. Her naturally lively and expressive persona makes her a fitting face for Spicy Chickenjoy, particularly for a campaign that seeks to portray spice not as something intimidating, but as something fun, exciting and full of character. For Ilacad, whose public persona often combines confidence, playfulness and youthful energy, the partnership gives Jollibee a way to personify the product’s fiery personality while keeping the focus on the enjoyment that comes with every bite. With Spicy Chickenjoy, Jollibee is ultimately asking consumers to look at spicy food beyond the question of how much heat they can handle. The bigger question, it suggests, is how much flavor they can enjoy. Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order. jollibee.com, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!
Trend alert: Dessert-inspired coffee is having a moment.
NDULGENT flavors, expertly brewed. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s newest limited-time drinks feature three creations crafted with the depth, balance, and quality of true specialty coffee. With premium espresso and cold brew at the heart of this series, every sip is rich and bold. Whether you’re looking to elevate your coffee order or rediscover your love for coffee, this series offers indulgence worth trying. Visit your nearest The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® and enjoy the NEW White Chocolate Macadamia Cold Brew, Tiramisu Cold Brew, and Salted Caramel Latte. Available starting August 17, 2026, nationwide.
Try all three limited-time drinks before they’re gone! For more information, visit The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®’s official social pages.
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2026 MHR F&B Conference champions hospitality professionals, regional Filipino cuisine
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Executive Committee: (from left) Loleth So, Group Commercial Director; Arturo Boncato Jr., Group General Manager; Avinash Menon, Cluster General Manager – Visayas; Jun Justo, Cluster General Manager – NCR+; Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director; Eden Decano, Chief Financial Officer; Divine delos Reyes, Head of People Management and Development; and Sonny Alvaro, Cluster General Manager – Boracay.
By Vincent Peter Rivera Comfort. Warmth. Fullness.
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RAVELERS usually associate these words with finding the ideal hotel—a comfortable room, a cozy bed, and a full suite of amenities. Yet if you think about it, these criteria extend far beyond the room itself; they apply just as directly to the hotel’s dining experience. Food plays an important role in any stay, and an exceptional meal speaks volumes about both the property and the region it calls home. Investing in culinary excellence is more than a way to attract guests; it is a declaration of a hotel’s commitment to a holistic hospitality experience. Bringing this philosophy to the forefront, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts (MHR) hosted its 2026 Food & Beverage Conference at its newest property, Chancellor Hotel Boracay. The event gathered culinary professionals from across MHR’s 16 properties for a series of workshops and discussions centered on industry innovation and skills enhancement. “Today’s travelers don’t simply book a hotel room; they seek meaningful experiences that connect them to the destination,” said Sonny Alvaro, MHR’s Cluster General Manager for Boracay. “Food has become one of the strongest ways to tell a destination’s story. This is a huge opportunity for Boracay, which is now a melting pot of different cuisines.” Anchored by the theme “Timpla: Balancing Heritage, Elevating Craft, Driving Growth,” the con-
ference set the trajectory for the group’s evolving culinary vision. In her foreword, MHR Managing Director Cleofe Albiso emphasized that MHR’s greatest strength lies in honoring the Philippines’ rich culinary traditions and regional stories, the very elements that make each property unique. The group actively seizes every opportunity to showcase authentic regional flavors while remaining accessible to all types of travelers. “While we honor our heritage, we continue to refine our skills and elevate our craft,” Albiso noted. “Every dish served, every table set, and every interaction with our guests reflects our standards and our dedication to delivering warm Filipino hospitality.” Over the course of the threeday summit, MHR’s chefs, hygienists, stewards, and F&B service teams engaged in transformational learning while showcasing their regional culinary offerings.
Inside the learning tracks
TO bring this philosophy to life, what was once a culinary conference evolved into the MHR F&B Conference, which featured three specialized learning tracks, each tailored to key operational roles across the group’s properties. Executive chefs, general managers, and executive committee members took part in Track 1, which covered topics such as “Precision Profitability: Designing F&B for Sustainable Performance,” “Scaling Identity: Growing While Preserving Culinary Soul,” and “Decision Intelligence: Leading F&B with Data, Not Instinct Alone.” Meanwhile, service leaders in
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts’ Culinary and Food and Beverage Teams attended the F&B Conference held at Boracay Newcoast on July 21 to 23.
Chef Paolo Aviso, Executive Chef of Mercure Mactan Cebu, winning the Best Signature Dish award for his Balbacua Pares.
Chef Vojtech Végh is the Zero-Waste Culinary Advisor at Winnow discussing zero-waste cooking.
The Mercure Hotel Mactan, Cebu booth. PHOTO BY VINCENT PETER RIVERA
Track 2 tackled commercial thinking and techniques for delivering efficient, memorable dining experiences that drive revenue. Track 3 brought hygiene and stewarding teams together to examine food safety dynamics, foodborne pathogens, and illness prevention. Complementing these breakout tracks were joint plenary sessions on zero-waste initiatives, highlighted by Chef Vojtech Végh’s Culinary ZERO WASTE Program, as well as interactive discussions led by Dr. Rico and Coach Menchit Wong on developing an evolving mindset.
Regional culinary dishes, all at once
THE three-day summit capped off on a high note with “Timpla: MHR Food Festival & Awards,” turning the Boracay Newcoast Convention
Center into a diverse showcase of regional gastronomy. Surrounding the venue were 16 distinct booths, each representing an MHR property from across the country and curated to spotlight its flagship dishes and local culinary heritage. Taking center stage was Mercure Mactan Cebu, which swept the top honors by clinching the Best Overall Showcase Experience (Gold Award), the Culinary Excellence Award for Best Flagship Dish, and the coveted People’s Choice Award. At the heart of its triumphant spread was Executive Chef Pao Aviso’s “Balbacua Pares,” a dish that honors Visayan roots through its rich, collagen-infused broth, merges these with the Philippines’ street-food staple, Beef Pares, and elevates the experience with roasted prime rib. The winning dish was paired
with “Pangaslum,” a zero-waste mocktail inspired by green mango and bagoong. Thoughtfully utilizing every part of the fruit—the flesh as a shrub, the seed ground into a bitter powder, and the skin transformed into a crisp garnish— the drink was finished with a touch of Bohol’s rare Asin Tibuok and a savory umami finish. Kingsford Hotel Manila earned the Silver Award behind Chef Chubby Timban’s “Baka Tula-sog,” a slow-braised beef paired with burnt pineapple, sweet yam, Sampaguitacilantro aioli, and a bold touch of bagoong-tablea frit. The dish was complemented by “Niyog Nga Tinunu,” a clarified coconut and Andy Player whisky cocktail topped with Malibu foam. Rounding out the podium as the Bronze Winner was host property Chancellor Hotel Boracay, led by Chef Jhon Ryan German. Guid-
ed by the hotel’s “Mindful Escape” ethos, its showcase featured “Sariwang Ani at Huli,” a spread of fresh garden vegetable ensalada and locally caught grilled seafood, paired with the “Coastal Green Refresher,” a mix of calamansi, cucumber, green mango, lemongrass, and pandan that captures the island’s coastal spirit. As the summit drew to a close, representatives from each property returned home with a renewed sense of purpose, bringing back insights that push beyond conventional hotel dining and drive meaningful growth across their respective regions. At the core of this evolution is a shared commitment to memorable cuisine: dishes that do more than satisfy an appetite but complete the guest experience by delivering the true comfort, warmth, and fullness of Megaworld’s Filipino hospitality.
Cebu’s not-so-well-kept secrets
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OOD is always a big reason to visit Cebu. It’s no surprise that the Department of Tourism launched its gastronomy tourism initiative in this province two years ago. Regional favorites like Sinugba, Sutukil, Humba, Puso, Balbacua, Danggit, Torta, and of course, Lechon Cebu, are largely identified with this Central Visayas destination. Being the largest province in the country in terms of population, Cebu has much more to offer. In a recent visit to Plantation Bay, one of the long-standing landmarks in Lapu-Lapu City that celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, I’ve discovered some of its exclusive culinary wonders, including its reimagination of already popular Pinoy favorites. These are not-so-well-kept secrets that first-time and even regular guests and diners can only enjoy exclusively at any of the four dining options inside Plantation Bay.
There’s Kilimanjaro Kafé for International and Filipino cuisine plus impressive soup and vegan selections. Fiji is the go-to place for seafood, Asian, and Filipino favorites. With Palermo, you get Spanish Tapas, Italian pastas, and complex, nuanced, and utterly delicious char-broiled steaks, while Route 66 is a retro American diner for all-day breakfast fare, burgers, hot dogs, and deli favorites.
Route 66 Diner
Many of Plantation Bay’s offerings are either personal recipes of founder and CEO J. Manuel “Manny” Gonzalez or created under his close supervision. While Gonzalez has long been an advocate of wellness and healthy eating, that doesn’t mean Plantation Bay is without its share of all-time favorites. Even some of its dishes that I can consider as guilty pleasures are crafted with a healthy twist. Here are a few of the resort’s exclusives that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed and hope to partake in again when I return to Cebu soon. The Real Adobo. Part of Plantation Bay’s touted “Delicious Dozen,” this is their unique take on what seems to me like Adobong Puti. A harmony of all five tastes (salt, fat, acid, heat, and yes, sweet), it works by combining classic ingredients like bay leaf, cracked pepper,
World’s Best Tempura
vinegar, garlic, and sugar. Yes, it does not include soy sauce or MSG, and the meat isn’t fried. Patient, slow cooking in its own juices gives the flavor plenty of time to shine through when finally served. Available at Fiji. Millionaire’s Beefsteak. Not your Daddy’s Bistek Tagalog, this one is powered by US beef, lightly grilled, then sautéed in soy sauce with caramelized onions. Sarsa pa lang, ulam na. This one lingered in my consciousness long enough to order it again on another day. Always a treat at Kilimanjaro. Nuclear Kagoshima Wagyu. I’ve always preferred Wagyu over Angus Beef, mainly because of its more tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality. And the one they serve at Plantation Bay is no exception. If you’ve never asked for steak to be well done, it’s a must-try simply
World’s Best Kare-Kare
because it works so well with the Wagyu. Burnt to a crisp outside and brimming with flavor upon first bite. Get it at Palermo. Round-The-World Burgers. More beefy goodness, this is another Delicious Dozen favorite. Home-made US beef patties with just the right blend of lean and fat, charbroiled in two stages over a real fire. Cheese is placed on the bottom (not on the top), which adds to its distinctive taste. I crave burgers from time to time, but I never saw the need to go out of the resort since this one is always available at Route 66. The World’s Best Kare-Kare. Is it what its name says? I’m inclined to agree. Kare-Kare is traditional oxtail stewed in peanut sauce. There’s nothing traditional about Plantation Bay’s sought-after version. Rich, meaty, and absolutely
Real Adobo
delicious with a taste reminiscent of Osso Bucco, this Kilimanjaro staple made fall in love with it at first bite. World’s Best Tempura. Manny Gonzalez likes to call his dishes World’s Best, doesn’t he? In this case, it’s for good reason. Four jumbo crispy prawns stand tall, enhanced only by a pair of spritzes for added flavor. This Fiji classic is also part of the resort’s Delicious Dozen. Home-made ice cream. As desserts go, the resort has plenty of variety to tickle any sweet tooth. For me, their home-made ice cream is the best of the bunch. This is an incredible combo of Peanut Butter Chocolate, Mango, Vanilla, Strawberry, Jackfruit, Ube, and Coffee Chocolate Chip, nicely mixed with whole cream. It’s mainly available at Route 66, but you can order it from any resto in the resort.
Sunday, August 30, 2026 | Edited by Jose F. Lacaba
Marra PL. Lanot’s brave march to feminism and freedom
PORTRAIT of Marra. Oil painting of feminist poet and essayist Marra PL Lanot by expressionist painter Danilo Dalena
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By Barbara Mae Naredo Dacanay
EAUTEOUS, creative, determined, and quiet, writer, editor, poet, and journalist Marra Lanot-Lacaba has fulfilled six decades of self-imposed marching orders: feminism, the fight for freedom through a feminist perspective, and the promotion of gender equality across all forms of development. Joining women from various groups since the 1980s, Lanot-Lacaba has fiercely articulated this kind of searing consciousness on street rallies, in organizational work, through book projects, and within all possible personal spaces.
Lanot-Lacaba passed away on August 16, at 82. Tributes centered on her “creative, intrepid, and surprising approaches” to achieve liberation for all contemporary Filipinas, one step at a time, measure for measure, while she lived happily as the wife of
writer-poet Pete Lacaba. They were married in 1975. Praises for Lanot-Lacaba at her wake became bridges that brought back the spirit of the Asociación Feminista Filipina. It was founded in 1905 by Concepcion Felix de Calderon, Trinidad Rizal, Clemencia Lopez, Bonifacio Delgado De Barretto, Maria Arevalo, Sofia Reyes, Helen Wilson, Paz Natividad, Vda. Zuluetam Naria De Villamor, Teresa Solis, and Agueda and Jacoba Paterno. Lanot-Lacaba’s passing offered a platform to analyze the achievement, depth, and uniqueness of fighting for gender-equality in the Philippines. “I met Marra when I came home from Australia in mid-1980s,” recalled Princess Nemenzo, wife of the late University of the Philippines President Francisco Nemenzo, “Inanyayahan niya ako sa [She invited me to] CAP (Concerned Artist of the Philippines). Pero hindi naman ako artist. Sabi niya [But I am not an artist, (I said). She replied]: ‘You have
the soul of an artist. Halika, halika, sama tayo [Come, come, let us join].’ So I became a recruit of Marra,’” Nemenzo recalled. Former President Ferdinand Marcos called for snap elections in late 1985. The campaign began when Corazon Cojuangco Aquino rose as a presidential candidate, in preparation for the polls in early 1986. Cojuangco-Aquino was very popular then. Her husband, former Senator Benigno Aquino, was assassinated in 1983 at the service stairway of the China Airlines plane at the then the Manila International Airport (now named the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, or NAIA). “When Cory decided to push through and challenge him (Marcos), sabi niya [she said], ‘These women should just confine themselves in the bedroom. Syempre galit na galit ang mga women [Of course, the women were very mad],’” recalled Nemenzo. “So, the women organized—na (maging) pangatlo kami sa (programa
sa) loob ng [and worked, so we can be the third number in the program at the] Kapihan sa Manila Hotel. About 10 to 12 of us organized. We were all dressed in our fine clothes, (in our) Sunday best, hindi na yung mga jeans [no longer in jeans]. We all made placards which we put in gift boxes inside our bags. So, we were decent looking people, women, when we entered Manila Hotel. Lahat (ng dala namin) dapat nasa [All our things were in] boxes. Hindi [Not] knapsack,” she narrated. “We had a long banner. Hindi pa [It was not yet] tarpaulin, at the time. Cloth pa yun. Na ni-roll up [We rolled up cloth]. We put it inside our shopping bags. And our slogans, placards, ginawa namin ito sa bahay ni Marra. Kami, kami [we made them at Marra’s house. We did it]. We really made some of the placards,” boasted Nemenzo. “I was asked to speak. Karina David was assigned to give a signal— when to go inside (the Kapihan), sit
down, and listen to the discussions. At a certain point, Karina would give a signal, when all of us would stand up and unfurl our big banner and the placards. Wala ngang kahoy (yung placards), naka rolyo lang [There were no wooden placards. It was all rolled up cloth]. So, we all stood up. Then we unfurled this long banner that said, ‘No to sexism! No to dictatorship!’ Pinag-kaguluhan kami [They swarmed us]. All the media people took photos. Nagulat sila [They were surprised]. Tapos, tumingin si Blas Ople, campaign manager ni Marcos, na kaibigan ni Dodong Nemenzo. Pag-tingin niya sa akin, sabi niya, ‘(Aba), si Princess pala eto ah.’ [Then, Blas Ople—campaign manager of Marcos and my husband’s friend, looked at me and said, Oh, it’s Princess].” (For me), it was a way to make our protest against that sexist remark of Marcos—that women should confine themselves to the bedroom,” Nemenzo explained. Continued on page 2
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Marra PL. Lanot (1944-2026)
Marra PL. Lanot’s brave march to feminism and freedom Continued from page 3
“Thank you Marra. We had 10 years of that,” said Sarabia. Reacting to the Lanot-Lacaba treatise, Sarabia said, “You could see that Marra very strongly believed that the women’s movement should be an active, but an independent part of the national liberation movement. A lot of people forget that.” “I don’t know what the CAP looks like now; whether CAP has a women’s desk; or whether CAP has a feminist perspective that is different from the national liberation perspective,” Sarabia said. Noting the impact of the Women’s Desk in CAP, Sarabia said various representatives of women’s groups in the Philippines attended the (feminist) Beijing Conference in 1995. “By that
time, there must have been a thousand women’s NGOs all over the country, but none was so distinct as the women’s desk of the CAP.” Sarabia estimated. Nemenzo, however, disagreed with the estimated number of these groups, as of 2026. She did not give details.
CAP NOW
IN reaction to Sarabia’s question, artist Lisa Ito of CAP, said, “We can only presume that the Women’s Desk (in CAP) was coterminous with its most active proponents, many of whom were affected after the passing of film director Lino Brocka in 1991.” “The Women’s Desk may have been dissolved (in CAP in 1995), but we have always upheld the principle
of making women and queer voices, (their) images, and stories visible; responding to systemic harassment and violence against vulnerable groups; and ensuring women’s representation in organizational leadership and production,” said Ito. Recalling what she and LanotLacaba discussed in a meeting before the COVID-19 pandemic (2020), Ito said, “We tried our best to revive the Women’s Desk (though we have a different organizational structure today.” She did not give details. CAP is 43 years old. It was led by its founder, Lino Brocka (1983 to 1991. Its succeeding chairs included: National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera (1992 to 2018); artist Neil Doloricon, (2019 to 2024); and writeractress Bibeth Orteza Siguion-Reyna (2024 to present).
MARRA PL Lanot and Pete Lacaba family photo (with Pfootsy Lanot, Marra’s sister)
MARRA PL Lanot at the grand launch of her book, Poesía Completa en Lengua Española
(L-R) Narita Manuel Gonzalez, NVM Gonzalez, Nick Joaquin, Billy Lacaba, Marra PL Lanot, Pete Lacaba, and Tony Lacaba
DR. Roland Tolentino (3rd from left) with poets Marra PL Lanot and Pete Lacaba at the booklaunch of Pagkat Tayo Man ay May Sampaga: New Philippine Writing and Translation for a Free Palestine” in 2025. Marra contributed two poems, Sarah Raymundo (extreme, right) is one of four coeditors of the book. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUSINESSMIRROR/DR. ROLAND TOLENTINO.
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Marra PL. Lanot (1944-2026)
Marra PL. Lanot’s brave march to feminism and freedom
GROUP photo of Women Writers in Media Now (sixth from Left is Marra PL Lanot)
MARRA PL Lanot with fellow feminist writer Ninotchka Rosca
AT the 1992 launching of Forbidden Fruit: Women Write the Erotic in 1992, edited by Tina Cuyugan, published by Anvil Publishing and with foreword by Margarita Holmes. Marra PL Lanot is third from right, with Nerissa Balce, second from right. PHOTO COURTESY OF BUSINESSMIRROR/NERISSA BALCE
AT THE LANOT HOUSEHOLD. (L-R): Danny Dalena, Marra PL Lanot, Pete Lacaba, Elena, Nick Joaquin Continued from page 1
“After a while, lumabas na kami [we went out]. We continued to march with our unfurled banner outside of the Manila Hotel. Para ipakita sa mga tao sa labas [To show people outside] —that we have these slogans,” Nemenzo said, recalling the birth of women protesting on their own, against sexism.
WOMEN’S DESK AT CAP, MARRA’S COUP
“THE most important thing that Marra did for us was convening the Concerned Artists of the Philippines’ Women’s Desk,” said anthropologist and Gota de Leche Executive Director Ana Leah Sarabia.
“Nung nag me-meeting kasi kami nuong 80s, duon pa sa Heritage Arts Center ni Odette Alcantara sa Cubao (Quezon City), kokonti lang kaming kababaihan [There were so few of us women when we had our meetings during the 80s at Odette Alcantara’s Heritage Arts Center in Cubao, Quezon City]. I was hoping, dahil medyo siga naman yung pangalan ng mga kababaihan duon (sa CAP), papakinggan kami [since the women at CAP were known, they would listen to us. But we were not really paid attention to. Some of the women with us also were not agreeing that feminism should be part of the CAP,” Sarabia said about the growing up pains of feminism in CAP.
When Heritage burned down, CAP held a big meeting at (Manila’s) National Press Club. “Duon sa [At the] fourth floor. Sa kainan ng [at the dining area of the] bar,” recalled Sarabia. “It was 1984. Nung umakyat ako (sa NPC), nanduon si Marra sa tabi ng pintuan [When I went up the NPC, Marra was near the door]. She was saying, ‘Halika, halika [Come, come]. I have something important to say.’ Sabi niya, ‘Basta, we just listen. And I hope you all agree..’ Towards the end of the meeting (when questions were asked), Marra stood up and said, ‘We need a women’s desk. We need to have a women’s desk among the artists of this group because the voices and opinions of women and feminists are not really being incorporated into the
discussions,’” Sarabia quoted LanotLacaba as saying. “So Marra said, ‘We need to have a women’s desk separate from the other committees. (in CAP).’ Kasi may committee on film, literature. The whole lot. And then Sylvia Mayuga said, ‘Why do we need a separate women’s desk? There are women in literature, women in film.’ Marra argued (against that and said), ‘The feminist perspective must be.. must have its own… integrity,’” said Sarabia, showing how Lanot-Lacaba got what she wanted. “In 2005, women’s groups from the 80s and the 70s decided to celebrate the Centennial of the feminist movement in the Philippines, With Senator Leticia Shahani at the helm, we thought it was time to celebrate the
100 years of the Asociación Feminista Filipina. We held centennial meetings, to prepare a whole year of celebration. We had a big dinner in Gota de Leche in Sampaloc and we gave awards to the different women’s groups that fought for the women’s movement from 1905 up to 2005,” narrated Sarabia. “I asked Marra to write something about the Concerned Artists of the Philippines (CAP) Women’s Desk. It was written on Feb 14, 2005. (This was done) just to remind people that there was such a thing as the CAP’s women’s desk. And Marra was the organizer,” said Sarabia. Lanot-Lacaba’s wrote: “ The Concerned Artists of the Philippines Women’s Desk from 1984 to 1994, was deeply entrenched in
the women’s movement. It actively worked for women in the arts; (for them to) explore, expose, and critique the oppression and exploitation of women; help raise the consciousness of artists and lovers of art through fora, in schools, radio, newspapers, and television; and mobilize women for concrete and committed actions towards gender equality and national liberation,” the article said. “It also incessantly espoused the principles of, among others, responsible exercise of freedom of expression, without prejudice to truth, justice, and the Filipinos’ interest,” the Lanot-Lacaba stated. Continued on page 4
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