BusinessMirror November 08, 2025 by BusinessMirror

INFRA FIASCO’S IMPACT:

Q3 GROWTH A MERE 4%

Economists warn that until governance and spending efficiency improve, the country risks further stagnation amid mounting climate and infrastructure challenges.

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE worse-than-expected infrastructure corruption scandal coupled with muted household spending dragged the Philippine economy to its slowest pace since the pandemic.

On Friday, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced that the Philippine economy grew by 4 percent in the third quarter of 2025. This was the economy’s weakest pace since the first quarter of 2021, when it contracted by 3.8 percent.

Philippine economy’s performance in the third quarter resulted in an average 5 percent growth which is below the government’s target range of 5.5 to 6.5 percent.

As such, the country’s chief economist caved in, pointing out that the lower end of the government’s 5.5 to 6.5 percent target range may now be out of reach.

“It’s very challenging to meet already the lower range of the 5.5 percent because that would mean that fourth quarter would have to grow at 6.9 percent or something around that,” Balisacan noted, as he cited another set of challenges such as the super typhoon which is expected to hit the country this weekend.

Barring the Covid-19 pandemic, PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the 4-percent growth rate

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

THE Philippines’ debt-to-GDP ratio, or the country’s outstanding debt relative to its gross domestic product, stood at 63.1 percent in the third quarter of 2025, following the economy’s sluggish growth. Latest data from the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) showed the latest debt-to-GDP ratio remained at 63.1 percent in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter.

However, this is higher than the 60.1 percent recorded in the third quarter of 2024, and still above the internationally accepted threshold of 60 percent. This comes after the economy grew by 4 percent in the third quarter this year, which is below the government’s target range of 5.5 to 6.5 percent (See: https://businessmirror.

in the third quarter this year would be the lowest since the third quarter of 2011, or the period when the Philippine economy grew by only 3 percent.

DOF: Temporary setback

THE Department of Finance (DOF) is unfazed, however. It described the 4-percent GDP growth as only a temporary hiccup caused by public underspending, assuring that the Philippine economy is poised for a strong comeback in 2026 as spending efficiencies and infrastructure budgeting reform take full effect.

“Although there has been a slowdown in government spending as we continue to address the flood-control corruption controversy, this reflects the administration’s strong resolve for good governance and to spend only on legitimate, high-impact programs and projects,” Secretary Ralph G. Recto said.

“This short-term adjustment will pave the way for more efficient, transparent, and accountable public spending moving forward,” he added.

The Finance Chief stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s

com.ph/2025/11/07/psa-phl-economysurges-to-4-in-3q/).

The growth rate of the economy during the period was slower than the 5.5 percent in the second quarter this year and the 5.2 percent in the third quarter of 2024.

End-Sept debt: P17.455T MEANWHILE , the outstanding debt of the national government reached P17.455 trillion as of the end of September.

Of the amount, P11.972 trillion was owed to domestic sources, while P5.482 trillion was borrowed from external lenders.

“The national government’s fiscal position remains stable but still under pressure,” John Paolo R. Rivera, senior research fellow at state-run Philippine Institute for Development Studies, told the BusinessMirror

While the debt-to-GDP’s being

major government cleanup is aimed at leading to stronger institutions, better governance, and faster growth in the medium term.

Cases have already been filed against alleged actors in the flood control corruption, and they will be held fully accountable and brought to jail in the coming months, he noted.

“As said before, the flood control controversy has also revealed that not all capital expenditures translate into growth. And now that we’re plugging those leaks and reallocating funds to high-impact investments—such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and digitalization—we will only grow faster,” he added.

The government has put in place catch-up measures to keep spending aligned with national priorities and ensure that growth remains broadbased and inclusive.

The programmed P1.307 trillion in disbursements for the fourth quarter of 2025 will serve as a major stimulus to boost year-end and overall economic growth. The bulk of this will go to social services, following the President’s order to ensure that every peso spent in the final stretch of the year directly benefits the Filipino people.

Recto also noted that the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has taken timely and appropriate monetary policy measures to support growth.

“We already anticipated a temporary slowdown, which is why the BSP cut policy rates last month to help

unchanged from the previous quarter means that debt growth has slowed, the higher ratio compared with last year reflects that economic growth has been “too weak” to pull the ratio down, Rivera said.

“With GDP expanding only 4 percent, the economy is not growing fast enough to outpace the buildup in debt. This level is manageable but leaves little room for complacency,” Rivera noted.

To keep debt sustainable, Rivera said the government must focus on improving spending efficiency, accelerating growth and strengthening revenue collection, Rivera added.

“The goal should be to bring the ratio back toward the low 60s or below through faster growth and prudent borrowing, not just by cutting spending, but by ensuring that borrowed funds translate into real economic expansion,” Rivera said.

stimulate economic activity,” he said. Factors behind the slowdown ON the supply side, Balisacan said services and industry posted “weaker” growth in the third quarter, with a sharp contraction in general government or public construction.

Data from the PSA showed that the industry sector posted a 0.7-percent growth in the third quarter of 2025, the slowest growth recorded since the first quarter of 2021.

While services grew by 5.5 percent in the third quarter this year, this is slower than the 6.3 percent recorded in the same period of 2024.

Meanwhile, PSA data showed that gross capital formation (GCF) contracted by 2.8 percent in the third quarter of 2025. This was a reversal from the 12.8 percent growth in the same period of 2024.

Construction declined by 0.5 percent in the third quarter of 2025, attributed to the contraction of General government with 26.2 percent.

Mapa said this 26.2-percent contraction on General government is the slowest since the 22.5 percent decline in the third quarter of 2011.

Explaining the abrupt decline in public construction, Balisacan attributed this to the “stricter validation measures for [Department of Public Works and Highways] DPWH’s civil works, as well as the implementation of stricter requirements that delayed billings and disbursements for government projects.”

The government targets to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio to 60.4 percent by the end of the year and bring it further down to 56.3 percent by 2028.

Achieving this goal, however, will be challenging but not impossible, Rivera said. “The economy is not growing fast enough to naturally bring down the ratio, since debt remains high and interest costs are rising.”

For the target to be achievable, Rivera said the government would need stronger growth of at least 6 percent or higher, coupled with strict fiscal discipline and faster execution of high-impact projects that generate real output.

But if economic growth remains sluggish and spending continues to be uneven, Rivera said the government could see its debt-to-GDP ratio hovering closer to 62 to 63 percent instead of attaining its target.

Manufacturing seen to keep shedding jobs

By Justine Xyrah Garcia

Within manufacturing, the steepest declines were seen in garments, electronics, and motor-vehicle parts production, resulting in an average drop of about 208,000 jobs in the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

National Statistician Claire Dennis S. Mapa said the sustained decline may be linked to weaker export demand, noting that most local manufacturers produce goods for foreign markets.

“The reduction in the number of employed persons is quite substantial…What we are seeing is … a reduction in the number both for the month of September and even for the average ng nine months,” Mapa said in a press briefing.

For Ateneo de Manila University economist Leonardo A. Lanzona, the continued job losses in manufacturing mirrored the decline in semiconductor exports, the country’s top manufactured goods. He said the trend points to the sector’s loss of competitiveness compared to other countries that have expanded their production capacities.

“Usually, when the holiday season arrives the manufacturing jobs are rising and these often can be accompanied by higher wages. But with more workers being laid off from the export sector, the wages are unlikely to increase during this season,” Lanzona told BusinessMirror “We need to develop other exports based on higher value-added.

By VG Cabuag and Samuel P. Medenilla

RESIDENT Ferdinand Mar -

Pcos Jr. said Friday’s successful P34.33-billion initial public offering (IPO) of Maynilad Water Services Inc.—the second biggest in history of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)—proves that the country remains a safe haven for investments amid global market headwinds.

“The listing of Maynilad Water Services on the Philippine Stock Exchange is a sign of confidence in our markets and in our people,” the chief executive said in his speech during the event.

His confidence notwithstanding, the share price of the west zone concessionaire fell on Friday on its first day of trade at the Philippine Stock Exchange on still jittery market conditions. Maynilad’s shares closed P.02 lower to close at P14.98 per share.

In his speech, Marcos lauded how the Pangilian-owned Maynilad was able to secure new investors through the IPO, which will help the water and wastewater solutions provider to enhance its operations further, while at the same time expanding the country’s capital markets.

“This listing invites more investors and voices into the journey of managing a precious resource,” Marcos said.

PSE President and chief executive officer Ramon S. Monzon said Maynilad secured $245 million of investments from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) alone, disproving claims by “doomsayers” of foreign investment disinterest in the Philippines’ capital market, Palace officials noted. With Maynilad’s additional funding, Marcos said he is looking forward to the firm’s sustainability initiatives, which are aligned with

Infra fiasco’s impact: Q3 growth a mere 4%

Meanwhile, he said private construction remained “respectable,” but investment in durable equipment was subdued.

On the demand side, household consumption growth slowed to 4.1 percent compared to the 5.2 percent growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024.

Balisacan traced this to “widespread” cancellations of school, work, and travel activities due to typhoons which likely dampened spending.

Moreover, he said consumer confidence may have been tainted by the ongoing probes and discussions on government infrastructure spending, prompting many households to postpone purchases, especially durable goods.

Weak institutions, corruption THROUGH the lens of former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Dante B. Canlas, the corruption associated with the scandal over the flood control projects of the government just “worsened” the economic slowdown caused by the tariffs imposed by Washington and the “overall uncertainty” it generated.

He added that the Philippine economy’s growth rate in the third quarter this year is a “cause for pessimism moving forward.”

“The Q3 figures correlate with weak expectation about a recovery unless the government claws back asap the funds lost to corruption and reallocates them to efficient public spending,” Canlas told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message on Friday. As incomes of workers in construction decline, he also noted:

“Expect further weakening of GDP growth from low household savings & reduced overall investment.”

For his part, Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) economist Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. said the contraction in public construction is “selfinflicted.”

“If the government had done its job in raising the quality of institutions, these disruptions, including the devastation caused by typhoons, would not have occurred,” Lanzona told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message on Friday.

Even before the typhoons and the corruption mess, he said the economy has already been “weakening.”

“The fact that the country has not withstood these two events shows the poor state of institutions the country has,” Lanzona said, adding that huge debts as well as trade and budget deficits “forebode these signs of weakening GDP while flooding and corruption are simultaneously occurring.”

He emphasized that the effects “have now been reinforced and reflected in the third quarter GDP accounts as revelations show the huge scale of corruption.”

De La Salle University (DLSU) economist Maria Ella Oplas said corruption is “detrimental” to an economy.

“It directly affects not only fiscal policy but investment. It is a turn-off to investors. I agree with what Sec. Arsi [Balisacan] said. It’s what you call signaling,” Oplas told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message on Friday.

She added: “The news regarding how rampant corruption in the country is a signal to investors that governance is not reliable in the

country therefore can send insecurity to their investment. It is not showing any confidence.”

Business, industry’s lens MAKATI Business Club (MBC)Executive Director Rafael Alfonso Salvador Garcia Ongpin said the “significantly” lower third quarter GDP growth result of 4 percent “illustrates how the corruption scandal has begun to affect our macroeconomic performance.”

Ongpin said: “This is an indirect effect: the corruption scandal did not directly slow economic growth, but instead, it slowed government spending, as many programmed infrastructure projects are on hold or even in limbo, as the DPWH and the ICI investigate them.”

From the manufacturing sector, Federation of Philippine Industries, Inc. (FPI) Chairperson Elizabeth Lee said the slowdown of the economy to 4 percent is a “wake-up call and is really the result of a mix of things hitting all at once.”

“People are spending less as prices bite and confidence dips. Government spending slowed down too, with flood control projects stuck in controversy and procurement delays,” Lee said in a statement on Friday.

Lee explained that investments “barely moved” because businesses are “cautious” with all the corruption probe and policy uncertainty in the country.

“On top of that, typhoons disrupted farms and factories, while global pressures added even more weight. Put together, it’s no surprise growth came in at its weakest pace in years,” added the FPI chairperson.

Still, she saw this most recent

economic outcome as an “opportunity” for local industries “to regain momentum, with the government prioritizing locally sourced materials that meet product standards, priced correctly to benefit both manufacturers and public projects.”

This, Lee underscored, is the path to “rebuilding confidence and putting growth back on track.”

Balisacan on corruption scandal ADMITTEDLY, Balisacan said, “I never expected that it was as extensive as that. Of course, everybody knew that there was corruption. No government has no corruption, by the way, right? But it’s just so shocking to see how extensive it was.”

Moving forward, however, the discovery of such anomaly in an economy should “make our institutions stronger, our project implementation

mechanisms more robust and transparent, our economic governance including this infrastructure governance will be enhanced, improved substantially so that this kind of corruption will not happen again.”

He said that should these goals be truly implemented and public trust restored, then this will “turn out for the better in the future.”

The country’s socioeconomic planning chief pointed out that the measurement of an economy’s growth or GDP is also about expectations and confidence.

“It’s not just an infrastructure issue, but any noises or disturbances, shocks as we call them in economics that shape people’s perception of the future, can impact on your GDP. So confidence is key to that,” Balisacan underscored.

With a report from Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

instead of theft, this can be a good strategy,” Lanzona added.

“What is crucial now is not just cutting debt, but using borrowings more productively for infrastructure, digitalization, and climate resilience projects (not ghost projects) that boost productivity and revenues,” Rivera said.

“Sustained revenue reforms, such as improved tax collection and broadening the base without burdening consumption, will also be key to keeping the debt path credible and stable,” he added.

For Leonardo A. Lanzona, economist at Ateneo de Manila University, the government’s having a significant debt is not necessarily inefficient.

“With corruption now exposed, the government is expected now to improve the use of its debt and in the process create greater opportunities for everybody,” Lanzona told BusinessMirror

Given the general economic slowdown, Lanzona said the government must increase its expenditures to spur greater growth.

“As long as they utilize the borrowed funds in productive programs,

Push for industrialprogressive

The Department of Finance (DOF) said the slower-than-expected GDP is only a “temporary hiccup” caused by public underspending, and that the economy is poised for a “strong comeback” next year.

Next year, the DOF said the government will focus on accountable spending, institutional integrity and high-impact investments that deliver tangible results for Filipinos.

This will be supported by the P6.793-trillion proposed budget for 2026, which the DOF said will be the government’s “most powerful tool” to deliver the biggest growth and economic benefits.

“Fiscal discipline and transparency will guide the implementation of this budget. Taxpayers’ money will be directed only to genuine initiatives, eliminating waste and ensuring that every peso delivers measurable results,” the DOF said.

the government’s priorities such as climate-resilient water systems, investments in renewable energy and waste management, and watershed protection.

“All these initiatives align with our government’s agenda to build an economy that is adaptive and guided by sound governance,” the President said.

“Be assured the government is always in support of your initiatives, especially now that you have entered this new phase in your service,” he added.

Likewise, he noted the IPO will result in more scrutiny and accountability from Maynilad since it must be answerable to its shareholders.

For his part, Maynilad Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said they are ready to meet the higher expectations from their investors and their customers from the IPO.

“This listing is not just about franchise compliance nor is it simply about capital raising. It is, above all, a commitment to continued delivery of an essential service to our people and excellence and integrity,” Pangilinan said.

Since he took over Maynilad 18 years ago, the firm’s customers rose from 699,000 in 2007 to 1,651,000, he said, as it provides 95 percent of the water services in the west zone of Metro Manila.

Maynilad’s IPO, Monzon said, comes at a crucial time, when the local capital market is affected by global economic headwinds, “resulting in the PSE index being down 10.6 percent year-to-date.”

Despite the challenges, he said the country still has “bright spots” in its economy and our market, which can be exploited by capital markets stakeholders.

Marcos agreed with Monzon and said that there are still more opportunities for investors in the country.

“Maynilad’s public listing signals what I have been telling the world: that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to do business with you,” he said.

As Maynilad’s share price fell Friday, closing P.02 lower to close at P14.98 per share, the entire market’s drop was much deeper. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index declined 76.22 points to close at 5,759.37 points.

The listing event, the country’s second largest initial public offering, celebrated Maynilad’s landmark P34.33-billion IPO, which drew strong participation from both local and international cornerstone investors, including the International Finance Corp. and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

dustrial policy that prioritizes responding to local demand as much as export markets and the promotion of agriculture and manufacturing.”

He added that aligning programs like jeepney modernization with local production incentives could help generate employment while supporting domestic firms and sustainable industrial growth.

Can seasonal hiring lift jobs?

DESPITE the job losses in manufacturing, Mapa said overall employment may still improve in the fourth quarter as seasonal hiring increases in accommodation and food services, retail trade, and service sales ahead of the holidays.

“This is where we usually see the increases during the ‘’ber months,’ moving toward the holiday season,” he added. The total number of employed Filipinos reached 49.60 million in September, down by 494,000 from 50.10 million in August and 270,000 lower than the 49.87 million recorded in the same month last year. The PSA reported that year-on-year, the largest employment

were in construction (+514,000),

and

(+313,000),

(+307,000),

(+183,000), and agriculture and forestry (+126,000). On a month-on-month basis, increases were seen in education (+223,000), agriculture and forestry (+129,000), human health and social work (+117,000), and mining and quarrying (+113,000).

However, De La Salle University economist Ma.

generate stable and meaningful jobs for millions of Filipinos, even amid uncertainties and headwinds,” Balisacan said.

“To build and strengthen the resilience of our labor markets, the Marcos administration will focus on implementing strategies that create stable, high-quality jobs and expand opportuni-

“Through this IPO, Maynilad strengthens its capacity to fund major expansion and modernization programs for water and wastewater infrastructure across the West Zone—further advancing its mission to provide safe, reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater services to millions of Filipinos,” the company said.

Maynilad chief finance officer Ricardo F. de los Reyes said cornerstone investors took 61.1 percent of the 2.29 billion IPO shares, which included the upsize and overallotment options.

Asian investors accounted for 53.6 percent of the IPO allocation, followed by local investors at 29.6 percent, European investors at 14.7 percent and United States investors at 1 percent.

Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito S. Fernandez said the company pushed through with the IPO despite challenging market conditions.

“Aside from fulfilling the requirements of the legislative franchise, we believe Maynilad has strong fundamentals. And we deliver essential services and we have predictable cash flows,” Fernandez said.

The timing, however, was right particularly with the involvement of lead cornerstone investors.

“The presence of ADB and IFC into this IPO helped us in the marketing effort.... And it attracted a lot more investors. It was good because we’ve attracted significant strong interest from both local and international investors,” Fernandez said.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

After devastation from ‘Tino,’ PHL braces for storm ‘Uwan’

By Jonathan L. Mayuga, Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco & Rex Anthony Naval

VARIOUS government agencies at the national and local levels on Friday scrambled to make their constituents ready for the expected landfall of super typhoon Uwan (“Fung-wong”), with its 700-km radius, even as Central Visayas is still reeling from the massive devastation and human toll wrought by typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi).

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) placed all area centers and airport operations under heightened alert in preparation for the incoming typhoon expected to affect parts of the country this weekend.

CAAP Director General Lt. Gen. Raul L. Del Rosario AFP (Ret) directed all airport managers, particularly those in the typhoon’s projected path, to activate their respective emergency preparedness and response plans to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft, and airport facilities.

Fung-Wong continues to intensify and has developed into a severe tropical storm as it approached the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, the weather bureau said.

Upon entering PAR, Fung-Wong

will be named Uwan, the 21st severe weather disturbance to affect the Philippines this year, and the second this month.

Nathaniel Servando, Pagasa Administrator, said the storm is expected to reach typhoon category upon entering PAR by Friday night or Saturday morning. According to Servando, “Uwan” has the potential of becoming a super typhoon. Currently, the storm has a radius of 700 km.

Weather forecasters believe Uwan would affect many areas in Luzon. It is forecasted to gain strength as it hovers over the waters before approaching landmass and make a devastating landfall at peak intensity.

It is expected to make landfall at peak strength in Central Luzon or Northern Luzon by November 10.

“Uwan is likely to bring destructive winds, intense to torrential rains, and dangerous storm surges – conditions that could lead to widespread flooding, landslides, and severe coastal inundation in vulnerable areas,” Servando said. Pagasa has issued Weather Advisory No. 2, warning the public of the potential impacts of “Uwan”.

Uwan is expected to enter PAR just days after Typhoon Tino left hundreds of people dead in the Visayas, particularly Cebu.

Continued on A5

‘Innovation, not just reliance on labor, resources, is vital’

By Andrea E. San Juan

THE Philippines should embrace the shift to an innovation-driven economy instead of relying solely on labor or resource-based growth amid the growing young population, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) noted.

On Thursday, DEPDev Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan highlighted this as the National Innovation Council (NIC) recognized the five Presidential Filipinnovation Awardees of the Year.

“We recognize that we can no longer rely solely on labor or resource-based growth. We must embrace the shift to an innovationdriven economy,” the country’s socioeconomic planning chief said during the 2025 Presidential Filipinnovation Awards on Thursday in Quezon city.

The need to transition to an innovation-driven economy stems from both “opportunity and urgency,”

with Balisacan further saying that the country is “poised to benefit from a demographic dividend—a young, digital-savvy population ready to create new markets and industries.”

This is also aligned with the need to face “rising global competition, climate and natural risks, and rapid technological disruption,” added Balisacan.

“These demand not only adaptation—but leadership,” the country’s chief economist also pointed out.

The five innovators named Presidential Filipinnovation Awardees of the Year for their innovations in

Food and Agribusiness, Learning and Education, and Health and Wellbeing were: PIli Seal, Pili AdheSeal, Inc., Luzon; Palatak Palay Seeder, Farmwell Agricultural Machinery Manufacturing, Luzon; RezBin, Rezbin Waste Technology,Inc., Visayas; Bambujett, Hamilton Agri Supply, Mindanao; and Ediphi, Ediphi Training Programs,Inc., NCR.

DEPDev said each awardee received a Presidential Medallion, Plaque, and Trophy, along with a cash grant and post-competition support package amounting to a combined value of P3.5 million.

On the sidelines of the 2025 Filipinnovation Awards, Baliscan explained to reporters how innovation can uplift the economy.

He said innovation is “usually” a source of sustained productivity growth.

“This will result in better products, better services, better processes, which in business terms will amount to reduced cost, lower price of goods and services, and or course things that improve consumer welfare and society’s welfare in general,” the country’s socioeconomic planning chief said.

He said innovation may contribute to disaster resilience

initiatives, healthcare, and education, among others. On climate change, he said, “As you see, our farmers are so exposed to risks from climate change. The disasters, typhoons, that we have had in recent months, in recent years, those were very costly to the economy, to communities and individuals.”

“What these innovations hopefully will do is to make our communities, our towns more resilient so that people don’t have to suffer much, don’t have to lose much whenever we are hit by calamities,” said Balisacan.

On health, he said innovators can come up with something that will reduce the cost of acquiring information about sourcing medicine or even developing new medicines.

On education, he said, “Our budding innovators can produce apps or products that will make education even more accessible to our citizens, particularly in remote areas, in rural areas.”

“This will make a lot of difference for our society, both economically and socially,” the country’s chief economist underscored.

LRMC boosts student safety by expanding ‘KaligtaSakay’

LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is actively expanding its safety and disaster preparedness efforts beyond its train lines and stations, and into the communities it serves, addressing the urgent needs highlighted by recent natural calamities like earthquakes and widespread floods.

LRMC is intensifying its efforts through the “LRT-1 KaligtaSakay: A Safety Education Program.” This initiative, launched in 2023, is a vital community outreach program aimed at building resilience right in the neighborhoods adjacent to the LRT-1 route. The program equips elementary and high school students and school personnel with essential knowledge directly applicable to both daily life and emergencies, including those triggered by natural disasters.

Through engaging and comprehensive modules, the program covers basic first aid, fire safety, electrical safety, basic school safety, basic train safety, commuting etiquette, and proper handwashing. These modules are designed to foster a culture of safety and preparedness that reaches from the classroom to the daily commute, and ultimately, to the home, empowering participants to act swiftly and correctly in emergencies.

LRMC has successfully partnered with key community institutions along the LRT-1 line, including Marcela Marcelo Elementary School, Philippine National School for the Blind, Philippine School for the Deaf, Don Carlos Village Elementary School, Apelo Cruz Elementary School, Baclaran Elementary School – Central, and Maricaban Elementary School.

“The recent earthquakes and floods are stark reminders that safety must be a shared responsibility that extends well beyond our rail operations,” said LRMC Head of Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Jason Magdaong.

“The LRT-1 KaligtaSakay program represents LRMC going the extra mile. We are taking the expertise and discipline of our rail safety protocols and sharing them with the communities that depend on us. By educating the youth in disaster and life safety, we are not just teaching them to be safe passengers; we re making them agents of resilience for their families and neighborhoods.”

The program has already empowered an average of 500 students and 70 teachers and administrative staff. This significant community contribution is amplified by the dedication of LRMC’s

BSP financial system H1 report sees credit growth holding firm

By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto

CREDIT growth is seen holding firm in the coming months, as strong domestic demand and a more accommodative monetary policy continue to fuel bank lending, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

In the BSP’s “Report on the Philippine Financial System for the First Semester of 2025,” bank lending grew by 10.9 percent to P15.9 trillion in June 2025 on the back of strong domestic demand.

The BSP said the expansion of corporate loan portfolios was fueled by robust sectoral demand, particularly from the energy and real estate sectors, as well as from small- and medium-sized enterprises.

The growth on the retail side, meanwhile, was supported by digitalization initiatives, such as cross-selling, targeted marketing and data-driven lead generation— particularly in housing and auto loans, the central bank added. Improving economic conditions, with the ratio of banks’ credit-to-GDP rising from 56.3 percent in June 2024 to 58.0 percent in June 2025, also contributed

to sustained bank lending.

“Expectations of further policy rate reductions and a supportive macro-financial environment are expected to bolster lending activity moving forward,” the BSP said.

Lending remained mostly domestic in orientation and broadbased across key sectors, with real estate continuing to be the top borrowing sector, consisting of 18.1 percent of total loans.

Households, electricity and utilities, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and financial and insurance activities are some of the other major borrowers, according to the BSP.

Further, growth in consumer lending also reached record levels, driven by strong borrower demand, favorable financing terms and improved consumer sentiment.

Total consumer loans, accounting for 21.4 percent of total loans, went up by 21.2 percent to P3.4 trillion, surpassing the 19.7 percent growth in June 2024.

Despite evolving risks and emerging opportunities, the BSP said the Philippine banking industry maintained its growth mo -

mentum in the first half of 2025. Assets rose 7.7 percent year-onyear to P28.2 trillion in June this year, supported by stable domestic deposits and strong liquidity and capital buffers.

Loans and investments comprised the bulk of total assets, and asset quality management remained satisfactory, the BSP noted.

As a result of prudent risk management and sound credit governance, profit grew by 4.1 percent year-on-year to P198.1 billion in the first half of the year.

“The banking system’s solid performance underscores its strength in seizing opportunities, navigating emerging risks, driving innovation, and championing inclusive and sustainable growth,” BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. said.

“In line with this, the BSP will continue pursuing policies that further strengthen the banking system. This supports an environment that helps banks to continue growing, supporting economic activity, and responding to the evolving needs of Filipinos,” Remolona added.

Unesco honors Dumaguete, QC for Creativity

By Ma. Stella F. Arnaldo Special to the BusinessMirror

TWO more Philippine cities joined the Creative Cities Network of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded the inclusion of Dumaguete and Quezon City in the prestigious international list of creativity-driven urban cities, “further cementing the country’s position as a champion of sustainable urban development,” it said in a news statement.

The Unesco made a separate announcement of 58 additional Creative Cities, which now join its dedicated network as part of its celebration of World Cities Day on October 31. This brings the network to 408 cities in more than 100 countries, recognized for their commitment to creative industries and cultural life.

“Unesco Creative Cities demonstrate that culture and creative industries can be concrete drivers of development. By welcoming 58 new cities, we are strengthening a Network where creativity supports local initiatives, attracts investment and promotes social cohesion,” said agency Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Quezon City, which is home to the country’s biggest film studios, broadcasting networks, and the annual QCinema International Film Festival, earned the

“Creative City of Film” distinction. It is among the first cities in Southeast Asia to receive the recognition, strengthening its position as the country’s film capital and the “heart of Philippine cinema.”

Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental was recognized as a “Creative City of Literature,” for its long-standing heritage in literature and its vibrant community of writers and readers.

The city is home to Silliman University, which hosts the annual National Writers Workshop, the oldest creative writing workshop in Asia, which has produced generations of acclaimed Filipino authors.

In a statement, QC Mayor Joy Belmonte said, “QC Film City is now a name that will forever be etched in the legacy of every filmmaker, artist, and storyteller who has shaped our city’s vibrant film heritage. From the golden era of Sampaguita Pictures and the brilliance of icons like Lino Brocka, Dolphy, Nora Aunor and Fernando Poe Jr., to the new generation of creators bringing our stories to life today—this recognition honors each and every one of them.” She dedicated the Unesco recognition to “the workers behind the screen and the QC citizens who deserve access to quality films.”

In a post on Facebook, Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel “Chiquiting” Sagarbarria said: “Dumaguete is a veritable City of Stories, a confluence of creative

narratives which have shaped its cultural identity.… [We have] also produced numerous winners of national literary awards such as the Palanca, and two National Artists—Edith Tiempo for Literature, and Eddie Romero for Film. No other Philippine city of its comparable size can boast this claim.”

He noted: “Today, Dumaguete’s literary tradition is enriched with new initiatives by grassroots creatives, including the Buglas Writers Guild (creative writers), Pinspired (storytellers through design), Beetzee and Lutas Film Festival (filmmakers), Youth Advocates Through Theater Arts (theater artists), Belltower Project (musicians), and others.”

With the addition of QC and Dumaguete, the Philippines now has five cities in the UN Creative Cities Network (UCCN), which includes Baguio City for Crafts and Folk Art (2017), Cebu City for Design (2019), and Iloilo City for Gastronomy (2023). Unesco said it added a new theme to its UCCN—Architecture—to the seven existing ones: Crafts and Folk Art, Media Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, and Music. “These cities stand out for their active commitment to culture and creativity, as well as their innovative approaches to urban planning,” added Azoulay.

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland in Finland, and Quito in Ecuador were among the cities recognized for their architecture.

Cardinal ‘Ambo’ leads call for a ‘truth commission’ on drug war

Justine Xyrah Garcia

AFILIPINO Cardinal on Friday urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to establish a “truth commission” that would review the unresolved killings linked to the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war.

Kalookan Bishop and Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Pablo Cardinal David said that such a commission would be

crucial in bringing closure to victims and families who continue to seek justice.

“We are not certain if all of them have recovered from the trauma they went through,” he said during a press conference.

“They lost their sense of security, their trust in public institutions, and in many cases their means of livelihood. Their grief is not abstract.”

David explained that the proposed commission would

not only investigate unresolved deaths but also provide a safe venue for victims, families, and witnesses to share their experiences.

He added that it should also encourage full disclosure from law enforcers and other actors involved, under proper legal safeguards.

The Cardinal said the body could recommend reparations

A5 Saturday, November 8, 2025

After devastation from ‘Tino,’ PHL braces for storm ‘Uwan’

3,260 classrooms sustained varying levels of damage.

Mandatory evacuations

THE Department of the Interior and Local Gernment (DILG) urged all concerned local government units (LGUs) to complete preemptive or mandatory evacuations of high-risk communities by Nov. 9, as Tropical Storm “FungWong” continues to intensify while moving closer to the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

It also said that LGUs should not wait for conditions to worsen before acting.

“We are calling on all local chief executives to complete the evacuation of residents in high-risk areas no later than Sunday. Early evacuation saves lives,” the DILG stressed, adding LGUs should plan out worst-case or likely scenarios.

The DILG also reminded LGUs to prepare evacuation centers with sufficient supplies and power sources, and to ensure proper management of evacuees.

Continuous coordination with Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (RDRRMCs) and real-time public information campaigns are essential, particularly in communities vulnerable to flooding, landslides, and storm surges.

PAGASA warns that weather conditions will begin to deteriorate over eastern Luzon by Sunday, with potentially life-threatening conditions expected in Northern and Central Luzon by Monday and Tuesday.

Coastal flooding and storm surges are likely, and gale warnings may be issued as early as Saturday.

The DILG, likewise, ordered the enforcement of a no-sailing policy and the suspension of tourism and outdoor activities in at-risk areas. LGUs are also instructed to mobilize equipment and personnel for road clearing and ensure unimpeded access for emergency and relief operations.

“We cannot be complacent. The next 48 hours are crucial for preparedness. We urge everyone to stay informed, follow local advisories, and cooperate with authorities,” the DILG said.

DepEd activates protocols

BRACING for the incoming Typhoon Uwan, the Department of Education (DepEd) activated its disaster response protocols as Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara has ordered immediate rehabilitation efforts and learning continuity measures after Typhoon Tino left widespread damage to schools across several regions.

According to DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), the department requires P30.63 million for clean-up and clearing operations in 407 affected schools, and P1.86 billion for minor classroom repairs, subject for further validation.

Based on DepEd’s Situation Report as of 12 noon of November 7, at least

LRMC. . .

Continued from A4

own workforce, with an average of 200 employee volunteers dedicating over 900 total volunteer hours.

By extending its corporate safety mandate to local schools, LRMC underscores its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11:

Ambo. . .

Continued from A4 and psychosocial support for victims’ families and push for institutional reforms to ensure that such abuses never happen again.

“Truth telling is not an act of reopening wounds. It is the only path by which wounds can finally heal. Silence breeds resentment and fear. Truth restores dignity, trust, and moral coherence to our democracy,” the Cardinal said.

A total of 3,478 public schools in 22 divisions suspended classes due to the typhoon’s impact on Friday, affecting over 1.9 million learners and around 80,000 teachers and personnel.

Angara said DepEd has activated its disaster response protocols, with division and regional engineers conducting inspections to assess structural damage.

He added that learning recovery measures are also being implemented to ensure classes can resume safely and without major disruption.

“This is about rebuilding hope and stability for our learners. Our priority is safety, and the quick restoration of learning spaces...DepEd will continue working with local governments, partners, and communities so that no child is left behind in the aftermath of any disaster,” Angara said.

Quick Response Fund

DEPED is using the Quick Response Fund (QRF) to fast-track the reconstruction of damaged classrooms.

It is also working with the DPWH for joint validation, in coordination with the local government units. The agency has also begun implementing psychosocial support programs for affected students and teachers to help communities recover emotionally and mentally.

In addition, DepEd has also reached out to its partners nationwide to help in the recovery efforts, especially with Typhoon Uwan approaching.

To ensure uninterrupted learning, Angara said DepEd will deploy EduKahon kits and other alternative learning modalities.

The National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) was also directed to remind regional and division offices to reiterate the use of the Dynamic Learning Program Learning Activity Sheets (DLP-LAS) in emergency situations, especially in anticipation of Typhoon Uwan.

DepEd recently signed a partnership agreement with Knowledge Channel and Solar Pictures to revitalize the DepEd TV and broaden learning recovery efforts through TV-based education.

DepEd will also construct upgraded Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) near affected schools to serve as temporary classrooms while repairs are ongoing.

Angara emphasized that the rehabilitation program will be carried out in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and private sector partners, as part of DepEd’s effort to restore normalcy in affected communities.

DepEd will continue its close coordination with the Education Cluster and field offices for ongoing monitoring and early preparations as Typhoon Uwan approaches.

Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Looking ahead, LRMC is committed to expanding its reach, planning to roll out the project with more partner schools this year. This continued effort solidifies LRMC’s dedication to not only providing safe, reliable, and efficient transportation but also actively contributing to the overall safety and disaster readiness of the communities that surround the LRT-1.

David also clarified that the purpose of such a commission would not be vengeance but the promotion of truth and accountability.

“We believe that this is a moment of grace and a historic opportunity. Your excellency, your leadership in establishing such a commission would send a powerful message that our nation chooses courage over fear, accountability over impunity, and reconciliation over silence,” David told Marcos.

The Cardinal’s letter was sent to Malacañang on Friday. The Palace has yet to respond.

❶

BusinessMirror

What tech gi�ts would you like to receive?

‘Konektadong Pinoy’ law inspires Equinix, enters PHL market

BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES

GLOBAL digital infrastructure company Equinix has been inspired to establish a presence in the Philippines because of “Konektadong Pinoy,” according to its leading executive in the Asia Pacific region.

“Two months ago, I came across two Filipino words that reinforced my belief in why Equinix should establish a presence in the Philippines. The words are ‘Konektadong Pinoy,’ which translates to ‘Connected Filipinos.’ As I learned later, this phrase represents both a law and a vision. It refers to the newly implemented Open Access in Data Transmission Law—a significant step forward for the Philippines in building a robust economy and a vision for better connectivity that benefits both people and businesses,” said Cyrus Adaggra, president of AsiaPacific at Equinix, during the recent opening of its data center in Carmona in Cavite.

Adaggra emphasized the Philippines’ pivotal role in the region’s future. He stated that the introduction of their interconnection services will be a “game changer,” helping businesses digitize more quickly and paving the way for AI adoption.

❷ THE Nothing Ear (Open) headphones is the stylish and more comfortable alternative to in-ear earbuds

❸ THE Ninja SLUSHi makes frozen drinks without ice or blending

❹

IF you were going to get a tech gift for the holidays, what would it be (aside from a phone)?

Personally, I would love to have the Beats Solo

4 JENNIE Special Edition Wireless On-Ear Headphones in Ruby Red if it was available. This was sold-out immediately after release. The headphone is a collaboration between Apple-owned Beats and South Korean pop star Jennie of the supergroup BLACKPINK.

The ear cushion is adorned with Jennie-inspired symbols and there are attachable red ribbons, tied in a bow that hang over the ear. Compatible for iOS and Android, these headphones also provide 5 hours of playback with a 10-minute charge. The headphones were sold for around ₱11,500.

Another gift I would love to get is the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, which was completely reengineered to be the brand’s thinnest yet and its component mounting capability has been improved by 30

percent, resulting in an 11 percent thinner design. Combined with the Dynamic Lug system, this design moves naturally with the wrist, providing greater comfort and improved stability for a better fit and enhanced health-tracking accuracy.

The Galaxy Watch8’s sleeker profile is complemented by its performance. Even when you are outdoors under bright sunlight, the display is 50 percent brighter with a peak brightness of 3,000nits for easy visibility, and the enhanced battery ensures the watch can keep up with an active lifestyle. The dual-frequency GPS provides more detailed and precise location results, while the powerful 3nm processor delivers faster performance and greater power efficiency.

It also has groundbreaking BioActive Sensor that enables deeper and more accurate health insights. Price for the Samsung Galaxy8 Classic starts at ₱29,990.

One of the best tech things I have used this year is the Ninja SLUSHi Professional Frozen Drink Maker. As someone who loves slushies, owning the SLUSHi is certainly a childhood dream come true.

The Ninja SLUSHi uses a compressor system to chill and freeze whatever liquid you add. The drink is circled around a frozen cylinder until it reaches the ideal temperature and texture for the selected preset program. The liquid will only freeze and chill depending on the sugar and/or fat content it contains and the Ninja SLUSHi will tell you if the liquid has too much or too little sugar. Sugar acts as an anti-freeze

Rakuten Viber all out in announcing Rufa

SHE’S funny, sexy, and the woman behind the famous catchphrases “Todo na ‘to!” and “Go, go, go!” Now, Rufa Mae Quinto brings her energetic and positive vibes into everyday work conversations with Rakuten Viber signing her as its newest brand ambassador.

As a fitting welcome, the global communication app drops the launch video marking Rufa Mae’s debut as the brand’s newest ambassador reminding subscribers, particularly the new generation of young working professionals: “Life is not always serious, keep it todo with Viber! GO, GO, GO!” Rakuten Viber also has a bunch of fun promotions and features lined up inspired by the well-loved comedian and actress. To start off her ambassador duties, Rufa Mae is lending her recognizable voice and trademark extended delivery of words to an exclusive audio sticker pack. Imagine replying to messages with stickers of her saying “Kaya todayyy?”,

and prevents the liquid turning into a solid block.

A temperature control dial lets you fine-tune thickness so your drink can be as light and refreshing or as rich and indulgent as you prefer.

The Ninja SLUSHi will then maintain the slushie for 12 hours. Take note that the machine will need 40 minutes to turn liquid into slushie so keep that in mind for mealtimes.

The machine comes with five modes: Slush, Spiked Slush, Frappé, Milkshake, and Frozen Juice. Each setting is programmed to deliver the ideal temperature and texture according to your liking. So, yes, you can make frappes, milkshakes and alcoholic drinks, aside from slushies.

What I like about the Ninja SLUSHi is that its operation is user-friendly.

Even the cleanup is just as easy. The built-in rinse cycle allows for quick washes between recipes, and the removable parts including the lid, drip tray, and auger are all dishwasher-safe. This is available for around ₱23,000.

Another good gift idea is the Nothing Ear (open), which are open-ear buds that rest gently on your ear canal rather than inside it like traditional buds. They’re comfy and let external sound in so if you’re using them for running, you are aware of sounds around you.

There’s no need to place any part of the device inside your ear canal so it’s painless and very comfortable to wear. These are available for around $150.

Equinix Fabric, which boasts the largest global private network of direct cloud on-ramps with over 220 native deployments, offers the interconnection density and capacity needed to create reliable, boundless connectivity. Equinix’s expansion in the Philippines, following operations in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, reinforces its commitment to meeting Southeast Asia’s surging demand for worldclass digital infrastructure.

“We’re proud to officially launch our operations in the Philippines, marked by the opening of three carrier-neutral data centers and the availability of our advanced interconnection services—Equinix Fabric and Equinix Internet Access. These services are set to transform how organizations across the Philippines connect with their partners, customers and suppliers—enabling seamless, secure, and private interconnection anytime, anywhere,” explained Adaggra in his speech on the opening of its data center in Carmona, Cavite.

He said the move instantly connects Philippine businesses to a massive global ecosystem of over 10,000 network and cloud providers, AI services, and enterprises.

He pointed out that the Philippines is quickly emerging as a dynamic hub in Southeast Asia’s digital landscape, with its digital economy projected to expand by 15 percent to 20 percent in 2025. This growth is fueled by improved infrastructure, a booming e-commerce sector, and increasing adoption of AI.

Mae Quinto as PHL brand ambassador

“Nooooted,” and of course: “Go go gooo!” They’re sure to bring some much-needed comic relief to an otherwise stressful workday. That’s exactly why Rakuten Viber chose Rufa Mae. In the seriousness of life, injecting appropriately timed light-hearted humor is both appreciated and a necessity to help us get through the day. Sometimes a good laugh is not a distraction but a part of getting things done. “I’m super excited to be with Viber, since l use it every day for everything—work, family and friends,” says Rufa Mae. “I know how hard people work, so if I can brighten their day, motivate them, and make them laugh, I’m happy that I can help kahit kont i. Sharing a laugh makes things lighter, so that’s our shared goal, Viber and me—make workdays better for all!” The audio sticker pack is available for a limited time only starting October 2025. Download the Rufa Mae Viber Sticker Pack on the Sticker Market in your Viber mobile app.

Cloud streaming now available at PlayStation Portal

their post reads. The community received this new addition well, stating how happy they are through the Reddit community.

“The fact you can stream games just made this thing so much better,” a user mentioned. they promise to keep working on expanding “ways you can enjoy your PS5 library.” So, whether you want to play side-by-side with a friend, or want to play while someone is using the console to watch movies, or maybe you want to play on the go, this new feature should sound sweet to you. Well, just remember to have a reliable and fast internet connection to play. PATRICK VILLANUEVA

Simon Lockington, Senior Director for Global Technical Sales for Equinix, said their entry and advanced solutions are poised to accelerate this transformation, enabling local businesses— particularly those in financial and network services— to embrace emerging technologies and scale their operations globally.

Equinix Fabric is the core of this offering, giving customers direct, private access to leading hyperscalers and AI infrastructure partners. This enables enterprises to build robust hybrid multicloud environments and adjust their connectivity ondemand to support evolving workloads and AI initiatives. By hosting both global and local carriers in its three Philippine High Performance Data Centers— MN1, MN2, and MN3—Equinix enhances network resilience and ensures lower latency, as data and applications are stored closer to end-users. The three centers offer over 1,000 cabinets of capacity and room for further expansion, providing a solid foundation for digital growth.

Meanwhile, Secretary Frederick D. Go, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, said the entry of Equinix indicates growing confidence in the country’s digital economy, strengthening its position as a key player in the regional data infrastructure landscape. Similarly, Secretary Henry Aguda of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) noted that Equinix’s expansion complements the DICT’s goal of accelerating the country’s digital ambitions, empowering businesses and communities to fully participate in the digital economy.

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

FORTNITE MAKER EPIC GAMES AND GOOGLE SAY THEY’RE SETTLING 5-YEAR LEGAL FIGHT OVER ANDROID APP STORE

SAN FRANCISCO—Video game maker Epic Games has reached a “comprehensive settlement” with Google that could end its 5-year-old legal crusade targeting Google’s Play Store for Android apps. Epic and Google revealed the settlement agreement in a joint legal document they filed in a San Francisco federal court on Tuesday. They said it “would allow the parties to put their disputes aside while making Android a more vibrant and competitive platform for users and developers.” Epic, which makes the hit online game Fortnite, won a victory over the summer when a federal appeals court upheld a jury verdict condemning Google’s Android app store as an illegal monopoly. The unanimous ruling cleared the way for a federal judge to enforce a potentially disruptive shake-up that’s designed to give consumers more choices. Google took another hit in October when the US Supreme Court refused to protect it from the judge’s required app store makeover.

The specific terms of the settlement agreement remain under seal and must be approved by US District Judge James Donato, but the two companies broadly outlined some of their agreements in their joint filing.

They said the settlement closely follows Donato’s October 2024 ruling ordering Google to tear down the digital walls shielding its Android app store from competition. That included a provision that will require its app store to distribute rival third-party app stores so consumers can download them to their phones, if they so desire.

Google had hoped to void those changes with an appeal, but the ruling issued in July by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered a legal blow for the tech giant, which has been waylaid in three separate antitrust trials different pillars of its internet empire.

Epic Games filed lawsuits targeting Google’s Play Store as well as Apple’s iPhone app store in 2020 in an attempt to bypass exclusive payment processing systems that charged 15 percent to 30 percent commissions on in-app transactions. The settlement agreement proposed Tuesday calls for Google to set certain limits on those payments.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney called the settlement an “awesome proposal” in a social media post. Sameer Samat, president of Google’s Android division, said it will “focus on expanding developer choice and flexibility, lowering fees, and encouraging more competition all while keeping users safe.” Google had previously complained that Donato’s forcing of more app store competition posed security concerns. A hearing is set for Thursday. AP

FILIPINO-MADE AI TOOL USED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN NAGA

IN the midst of several issues of corruption now being exposed and fought against by the public, along with multiple calls for transparency on flood control project probes, Naga City declared war on corruption through an AI-powered anti-corruption system.

Governed by the country’s former vice president and now Mayor of Naga City Leni Robredo, who championed transparency during her term through multiple high COA audit ratings, she led the deployment of Centro—the first 100 percent Filipino-developed anti-corruption and governance technology, innovated by a team of young scientists and innovators from PhilCentro Technologies Inc.

Highlighting that this partnership is not a reaction to the multiple corruption issues flooding the country, but instead a proactive approach for transparency, Mayor Leni said: “This is more than innovation. This is integrity in motion.”

With this technology, Nagaueños can monitor project progress, fund usage, and validate the completion of projects under the city. Additionally, Naga citizens can contribute to the fight against corruption as the MyNaga app, available in both Android and iOS, lets them report and give feedback on the projects.

Centro Protrak collaborated with AIRA AI Labs for the artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology used for the system’s analytical core, enabling them to process complex data from multiple departments in real time.

As transparency was a key point for this project, they made sure that every project milestone, transaction and approval logged through ProTrak is permanently recorded on a tamper-proof ledger.

This safeguards public funds from alteration and ensures that public funds and processes are auditable to the public and regulatory bodies.

Experts believe that had this technology been made available years prior, the flood control controversy could have been prevented, or at least made transparent to the public.

This new technology sets a precedent for what the country’s fight against corruption in the near future would look like. No more empty promises; only auditable, factual and transparent numbers available to the public. PATRICK VILLANUEVA

The JBL BandBox makes its global debut in PHL

GLOBAL audio brand JBL has a way of launching products that feels less like a media event and more like a live experience—polished staging, music in motion, and performances from artists who actually make sound matter. There’s theater to it, but never the kind that feels excessive. It’s always controlled, intentional, and grounded in the idea that you understand a product best when you feel it.

Last year, they brought the media to Dusit Thani Mactan in Cebu for their annual showcase, where the unexpected highlight was the JBL Soundgear Frames. There wasn’t even a dramatic reveal. Guests simply picked them up, tried them on, and once the music came through, you could watch the realization happen in real time.

Eyebrows lifted. Conversations paused. Someone would tap the friend beside them to try it next. The sound was close, intimate, and yet still open to the world around it. It didn’t need a sales pitch. It didn’t need explanation.

It was understanding by experience—not persuasion. The JBL Soundgear Frames sold-out as quickly as it became available.

This year, with typhoon warnings and earthquake advisories in the background, hosting the launch in Manila was the practical choice. Yet the atmosphere at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel still carried that same quiet confidence. The Isla Ballroom hosted the dinner and main stage, but the surrounding function rooms were where the character of the launch lived. They became listening spaces—rooms where people wandered, plugged in, tested, compared, and talked directly with the product leads behind the devices. It felt like being invited to take your time with sound.

In one of the main rooms we entered, there were two speakers on a small stage—no band, no performer, no vocalists warming up. Just the JBL BandBox Solo and the JBL BandBox Trio, positioned under lights together with some instruments waiting to be played.

Chairs faced the stage the way they would at an intimate gig, but the “performers” were the speakers themselves.

BAND TOGETHER

A TRACK played through the JBL BandBox Trio— recognizable, steady, complete. Then, without any menu diving or visible cue, the vocals slipped away. A few moments later, the guitar moved out of the center of the mix, leaving the rhythm section and space—

clear, intentional, uncluttered. There was no laptop to hide behind, no engineer at the side of the room. The

The room didn’t break into applause. Instead, a different kind of reaction unfolded—people leaned forward, shoulders drew in, the air shifted slightly. You could feel attention collect. It wasn’t surprise. It

speakers built not for concert stages, but for the rooms where songs actually begin.

STEM AI: THE TOOL THAT OPENS THE MUSIC AT the core of the JBL BandBox system is Stem AI, a technology that allows the device to remove or isolate vocals, guitar, or drums from any song as it plays—no internet required, no studio stems, no special plugins. You don’t need to load files, buy separate tracks, or rely on cloud processing. You simply play music the way you already do—through Bluetooth, Spotify, YouTube, files on your phone—and the JBL BandBox opens the space inside the song.

The simplest way to understand it is to imagine that a recorded track is no longer fixed. If someone wants to sing lead, the vocals can disappear so that their voice becomes the center. If someone wants to learn a guitar riff, the original guitar part can fade away to make room for theirs. If a group just wants rhythm and pulse, the unnecessary layers can be removed so the groove sits clean.

Grace Koh, general manager and vice president of consumer audio at Harman Asia Pacific, described it best: “The JBL BandBox is the first-ever speaker to feature the revolutionary on-device Stem AI algorithm—it’s right there, inside the speaker. This groundbreaking tech can instantly isolate and remove vocals or instruments from any song, all without needing the internet or the cloud. This is a massive leap forward. It makes practicing, making progress, and jamming with friends or solo easier than you ever thought possible.”

And that understanding matters here because Filipinos do not wait for a stage to make music. Music here begins in motion, with inspiration and not instruction.

JBL BANDBOX TRIO: SHARED MUSIC AND SHARED ROOMS

FOR those who have a band or just starting one, the JBL BandBox Trio is built for communal musicmaking—the after-dinner sala session, the campus organization room, the choir’s side rehearsal before service, the barkada figuring out harmonies from memory. It allows up to four instruments to plug in at once, with a four-channel mixer that balances levels so nobody gets drowned out. Its powerful 135-watt output, powered by a 6.5-inch woofer and two tweeters, fills a space with clarity rather than loudness.

Vocals and instruments blend naturally thanks to subtle built-in effects that smooth sharp edges

without sounding processed. Crucially for singers, the BandBox Trio includes dedicated microphone effects like studio-quality Reverb and Delay to instantly polish vocals. The sound doesn’t dominate the room— it joins the room. And because rehearsals stretch naturally (someone remembers another song, someone wants to try something again), the JBL BandBox Trio uses a replaceable battery (JBL Battery 400) that lasts up to 10 hours. When it runs low, the session doesn’t have to end. You simply swap the battery and continue. The unit also features an integrated LCD color screen for quick, tactile control.

If a jam evolves into a performance, the JBL BandBox Trio can also act as a monitor and connect into a larger PA system. It scales when the moment scales.

JBL BANDBOX SOLO: FOR THE QUIET HOURS OF PRACTICE

WHERE the BandBoxTrio supports the shared joy of music, the BandBox Solo supports the quiet work that builds it.

The BandBox Solo is made for the hours no one else sees—the repetition, correction, and slow improvement that turn familiarity into fluency. Its 18-watt RMS output is tuned for close practice, perfect for individual sessions. Through the JBL One app, players can switch amp styles and adjust tone. A builtin looper helps layer and learn. A tuner, metronome, pitch tool, and drum machine support control and feel. The clear pixel display provides feedback that is clear without clutter.

When silence is necessary, headphones allow progress to continue without disturbance. When practice turns into something worth keeping, the Solo connects directly to a laptop via USB-C, allowing recording without extra gear or interfaces.

If the Trio strengthens confidence among others, the Solo strengthens confidence in oneself.

HEAR THE FUTURE

MUSIC in the Philippines is often born out of spontaneous, intimate settings, not formal stages. It starts with an available instrument, whether a cherished guitar or household objects serving as percussion. It relies on the natural ear, where harmony is discovered from memory and songs are mastered through listening and repetition, rather than sheet music or rigid instruction.

The JBL BandBox is engineered to perfectly fit this reality. It eliminates barriers—it doesn’t demand professional preparation, extensive equipment, or a special location. It begins wherever music naturally begins: right where people already are.

The JBL BandBox Solo and BandBox Trio is not designed to replace musical talent; they simply fit into the moment when those notes start becoming music. And that is where the magic usually happens.

The JBL BandBox Solo is priced at ₱16,499 while the JBL BandBox Trio will retail for ₱34,999 and will be available

www.businessmirror.com.ph • businessmirror.lifestyle@gmail.com

FORTNITE MAKER EPIC GAMES AND GOOGLE SAY THEY’RE SETTLING 5-YEAR LEGAL FIGHT OVER ANDROID APP STORE

FILIPINO-MADE AI TOOL USED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN NAGA

As transparency was a key point for this project, they made sure that every project milestone, transaction and approval logged through ProTrak is permanently recorded on a tamper-proof ledger.

This safeguards public funds from alteration and ensures that public funds and processes are auditable to the public and regulatory bodies.

Experts believe that had this technology been made available years prior, the flood control controversy could have been prevented, or at least made transparent to the public.

The JBL BandBox makes its global debut in PHL

It was understanding by experience—not persuasion. The JBL Soundgear Frames sold-out as quickly as it became available.

Chairs faced the stage the way they would at an intimate gig, but the “performers” were the speakers themselves.

BAND TOGETHER

clear, intentional, uncluttered. There was no laptop to hide behind, no engineer at the side of the room. The

speakers built not for concert stages, but for the rooms where songs actually begin.

And that understanding matters here because Filipinos do not wait for a stage to make music. Music here begins in motion, with inspiration and not instruction.

JBL BANDBOX TRIO: SHARED MUSIC AND SHARED ROOMS

Vocals and instruments blend naturally thanks to subtle built-in effects that smooth sharp edges

If a jam evolves into a performance, the JBL BandBox Trio can also act as a monitor and connect into a larger PA system. It scales when the moment scales.

JBL BANDBOX SOLO: FOR THE QUIET HOURS OF PRACTICE

WHERE the BandBoxTrio supports the shared joy of music, the BandBox Solo supports the quiet work that builds it.

If the Trio strengthens confidence among others, the Solo strengthens confidence in oneself.

HEAR THE FUTURE

The JBL BandBox Solo and BandBox Trio is not designed to replace musical talent; they simply fit into the moment when those notes start becoming music. And that is where the magic usually happens. The JBL BandBox Solo is priced at ₱16,499 while the JBL BandBox Trio will retail for ₱34,999 and will be available

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Bill seeks to increase discount for senior citizen PWDs to 30%

By Jovee Marie N. dela Cruz @joveemarie

ALAWMAKER is pushing for a higher discount for elderly Filipinos who are also persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Senior Citizen Party-list Rep. Rodolfo

“Ompong” Ordanes filed House Bill

5189, which seeks to raise the current 20 percent discount to 30 percent for senior citizens with disabilities (SCWDs), while retaining the provision that allows businesses to deduct the discount from their gross income when computing taxes.

Ordanes said the proposed increase is aimed at helping vulnerable seniors cope with rising prices and economic pressures.

“Inflation, higher loan interest rates, and peso depreciation have reduced the purchasing power of the peso,” Ordanes said. “Many seniors are not PWDs and are healthy, so the 30 percent discount will apply only to some seniors—those who are also PWDs.”

“The 30 percent discount for senior PWDs is not a loss for businesses. It actually lowers the taxable income of businesses,” he said. “I urge businesses and their employees not to look at seniors as bad for business or burdens because of their discounts.”

According to Ordanes, senior citizens often bring family members or caregivers with them when dining or shopping, increasing customer volume. He stressed that the discount applies only to the eligible senior PWD and not to companions.

The measure also retains the valueadded tax (VAT) exemption for seniors and the income tax exemption for seniors who are minimum wage earners.

Apart from HB 5189, Ordanes said he supports proposals to increase taxexempt ‘de minimis’ benefits for workers and to exempt bank deposit balances of P5,000 and below from final tax on interest income.

“Tax exemptions mean additional personal disposable income for wage earners and their dependents, including seniors in their households,” he added.

The lawmaker emphasized that the enhanced discount would not harm businesses, since the amount granted to eligible seniors can still be claimed as a tax deduction.

Never too late, too early for InLife retirement plans

By Romina S. Austria

MANILA—Either you die early or you live long—that’s the reality of life.

Another reality: Many Filipinos do not prepare for a comfortable life after retirement, either due to a lack of awareness or factors beyond their control.

A recent survey by mutual life insurance company InLife showed Generation X (aged 45 to 60) scored the highest at 54 out of 100 in the retirement index, although it is still deemed far from ideal as they may not have enough to last them through their advanced years.

The younger, single or childless groups have lower retirement preparedness, with Gen Z (13 to 28 years) understandably scoring the lowest at 36 because of a different set of priorities. Some also face financial constraints because they support parents, siblings or other family members.

Gen Z and millennials (29 to 44), however, are more open to and aware about what they must do post-retirement. A total of 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 59 participated in the InLife retirement index survey that took into consideration life stage, personal finances, health, pension program participation, retirement sentiment and social support.

“The Retirement Index shows us that Filipinos need to see retirement in a new light. It’s not just a financial milestone. It’s an emotional, social, and even cultural journey,” InLife chief marketing officer Gae Martinez said during a media briefing in Quezon City on Tuesday.

“If we only focus on money, we miss out on the other pillars that make retirement truly secure and meaningful.”

To help Filipinos plan their retirement, InLife has come up with Retire Assure, which it calls the “first true retirement insurance product in the country.” Retire Assure provides a guaranteed monthly income from age 60 or 65, until age 100. It is payable in five or 10 years, or until the age of 59 or 64, depending on one’s preference.

Davao City job fair hires 211 elderly and 41 PWDs

ATOTAL of 211 senior citizens and 41 persons with disabilities (PWDs) were successfully hired on the spot (HOTS) during the two-day special job fair at NCCC Mall VP in Davao City, held by the local government unit (LGU) and Public Employment Services Office (PESO) in partnership with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

In line with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to ensure equal employment opportunities for every Filipino, the special job fair was held on September 23-24, 2025, with a total of 320 registered applicants. The special job fair served as an offshoot of the earlier agreements between the city government of Davao and major fastfood chains McDonald’s and Jollibee, aimed at generating more employment op -

portunities for senior citizens and PWDs in Davao City.

On September 9, 2025, the city government signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Golden Arches Development Corp., the principal franchise owner of McDonald’s Philippines, and a second MOA signing took place on September 11, 2025, with the Jollibee Group.

Visitacion T. Huera, a senior citizen hired as a service crew at Jollib -

ee, conveyed her appreciation of the DOLE special job fair, saying that the opportunity would significantly help her family’s financial needs.

“It would be a big help because I also have grandchildren whom I need to send to school. I truly want to find work for our household expenses, as well as for my maintenance medicine,” she said.

Also hired as a service crew at McDonald’s, Alberto O. Ganzon thanked DOLE for conducting the event.

Language: Our greatest wasted gift

It is further enhanced by cash dividends that have the potential to increase over the years to keep up with the increases in living expenses.

Another option is Retire Assure 2, a two-pay variant recommended for professionals who are transitioning to senior positions in their careers and who want a lasting security instead of market-driven uncertainty.

It is for individuals aged 48 to 73 years old and is payable in two annual installments. The insured will start receiving a monthly income until age 100, after the second premium is paid.

Upon death, the insured’s beneficiaries receive the higher of either 110 percent of premiums paid (less payouts already received) or the guaranteed cash value, whichever is greater.

Brokerage company secretary “Lucy,” 58, is retiring in two years. Her husband retired five years earlier and their three children are already working, with the two younger ones still living with them.

“We have just enough but I hope we don’t get sick because it might deplete our savings,” she told the Philippine News Agency. “I don’t want to burden our children.”

She said they have insurance plans, which are “death” benefits for their children. Aside from her company’s retirement payout, she will rely on the monthly pension from the state’s Social Security System.

“I can still work, given the chance. Companies are more open to hiring senior citizens these days,” she said. Lucy’s mindset is what InLife advocates for: Real love.

“The kind of love that breaks intergenerational dependence. Many Filipinos say, ‘my family loves me. I can rely on my children when I retire. But true love means ensuring your children’s financial freedom by taking care of yourself first,” Martinez said.

She said families, communities and institutions must normalize talking about retirement. PNA

Iam currently reading an old book titled “The Miracle of Language” by Charlton Laird. It’s very engaging. The author makes a thrilling story of the evolution of human language. In the beginning was the first word, the essential building block of language. Ever since then, language has been our greatest unique possession as humans.

Laird tells us that when humans started forming words to communicate with each other, only a select few could speak words and those who could were highly respected and revered. Words were treasured and passed down from one designated tribal memory keeper to another, often without written records.

Human evolution has biologically endowed each of us with a set of organs that should enable us to speak and understand words. It is an innate skill from birth, according to linguistic expert Steven Pinker. It is up to each of us to develop this singular gift by amassing as many words as we can through exposure to experiences and people. Think of language as a personal treasure chest to be filled with the new words, phrases, idioms that we continuously encounter in life.

One can reasonably expect mature adults to have developed a rich vocabulary. However, how can one maintain a lively conversation with a friend when they respond like this: “Oo nga...sabi nga ni kuwan... ano raw...masyado raw ano si kuwan... alam mo na.”

When media reporters interview ordinary Filipinos, the lack of facility for words is in annoying display. Sentences are peppered with meaningless words such as “ bale” or “ kumbaga” to “fill in” the space. Most of the time, we speak in two

or three syllables and each string of two or three words are supposed to be complete sentences.

It’s not because we are a laconic culture, but because many of us have a very limited vocabulary. What a waste of our greatest gift as humans.

This is why encountering a book like “The Miracle of Language” stirs in me the need to wake up our people from their apathy or mental laziness to learn new words and cultivate their vocabularies.

First, we must go back to the beginning—fall in love with the wonder and splendor of words and the marvel of language. I too started with a serious case of verbal anemia, low level vocabulary. So, I tried to learn as many new words as I could. I read books. I tried crossword puzzles. My favorite page in the Readers’ Digest was “Word Power.” I always had a pocket dictionary and a thesaurus on my work desk. I sought out individuals who had a facility for words to carry on conversations with them and I would mentally note down unfamiliar words, phrases, idioms and even palindromes.

language. I committed to memory the poetry of Jose Corazon de Jesus such as “Ang Pamana” and “Ang Pagbabalik.” My declamation piece in college was the Spanish poem “A las cinco de la tarde” (“At five in the afternoon) by Jose Garcia Lorca about the death of a bullfighter with its anaphoric refrain: “A las cinco de la tarde/Eran las cinco en punto de la tarde/Un niño trajo la blanca sábana a las cinco de la tarde.”

Even now I remain enchanted with words. I have a compulsion to note down poetic turns of phrase. I am probably afflicted with a case of “epeolatry,” which is characterized by deep reverence for words and language. Or maybe I am just a verbophile, an adventurous lover of words, or a verbivore, defined as someone who has an insatiable desire for the knowledge of words, or a verbosaur, an intelligent creature that lurks and preys on words.

Fascination with words leads to a world of linguistic wonder, beyond the commonplace and into the exceptional. For example, you might be familiar with collective nouns such as pack, litter, or herd. Why not expand your repertoire of collective nouns: a prickle of hedgehogs, a parliament of owls, a romp of otters, just to mention a few.

“I’m very thankful for the job hiring for senior citizens. It is a good opportunity to help myself and a great help to my family. My best regards to the people who helped organize the job fair,” Ganzon said. As the Philippines continues to emphasize inclusive growth, DOLE Region 11 affirms its commitment to targeted efforts to ensure that more workers have access to productive opportunities that improve the quality of their lives and their families.

I also fell in love with the melody of words. One of my favorite poems was “The Bells” by Edgar Alan Poe — “Hear the sledges with the bells/ Silver bells/How they tinkle, tinkle, tinkle/In the icy air of night/While the stars that oversprinkle/ Keeping time, time, time/In a sort of Runic rhyme/To the tintinabulation that so musically wells.”

But my love of melodious words was not confined to the English

How many words for colors do you know aside from the primary colors blue, red, and yellow. Have you ever watched a ponceau during a sunset? It means a vivid reddishorange color. What about greige? That’s a warm beige color with gray undertones. Have you ever seen a shade of yellow called quercitron? The word refers specifically to a grayish-green yellow color. What you may think is blue may be mazarine which is the word for a deep, rich blue, most commonly associated with textiles and ceramics.

There are at least 19 rare words —annatto, Tyrian purple, cerulean, puce, dragon’s blood and more— that can expand your personal colorama beyond the narrow six shades of color.

Would you like to encounter re-

ally obscure words? Here’s a few from my notebook: bimble (to walk or wander aimlessly, but with a cheerful and relaxed attitude); deipnosophist (a person skilled in the art of dining and engaging in clever, entertaining conversation at the table); philocalist (a lover of beauty; someone who sees and appreciates beauty in all things); livsnjutare (a person who fully embraces and enjoys life, savoring every moment); ludic (playful, spontaneous, or related to play and games); ailyak (the art of taking things slowly, savoring life’s moments, and embracing a stressfree, unhurried existence); eutaxy (good order or organization; a state of being well arranged and orderly). Why confine your search to English words? Surprise and delight your friends with uncommon native words. Use “dagitab” instead of “kuryente” or “elektrisidad”, describe something sparkingly bright as “matarling” instead of “maliwanag”. Sprinkle casual conversations with words like “dalumat” (concept), “haraya” (imagination), “duyog” (eclipse), “dagsin” (gravity), “alimbukad” (in full bloom), and so on. These obscure words should be enough to leave your audience with mouths agape as you drop a few of them in your next conversation. They will make you look erudite and intelligent in your social circle. Indeed, a wide and deep vocabulary is your passport to rise above the common to the upper echelons of society, business, academe and government. From the soaring spirit of aliferous to the bold brilliance of zazzy, equip your mind and your tongue with uncommon words that inspire, amuse, and expand the way you see and meet the outside world. I hope that by reading this far, you have been imbued or infected somehow with love for words, phrases and everything which has to do with our greatest gift as humans –the wondrous miracle called language. It’s not too late to fall in love with words and language. Take the opportunity to build upon your existing language skills, learn new concepts, and progress to elevated levels. Let’s make words and language come alive. When we share a love of language with our friends, we give a gift that provides a lifetime of incalculable benefits.

A TOTAL of 320 registered applicants participated in the two-day special job fair in Davao City, organized by the LGU and PESO in partnership with DOLE. PHOTOS FROM DOLE REGION 11

PHOTO shows an elderly person riding a bumper car. PNA FILE PHOTO BY JOAN BONDOC

Editor: Mike Policarpio

LearnCon serves platform for leadership, engagement mindset

MBy Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

ORE than 2,000 learners, student leaders and youth advocates representing School Division offices nationwide participated in the recent Learners’ Convergence Philippines (LearnCon PH) 2025.

The conference in Dumaguete City was part of the Department of Education's (DepEd) commitment to nurture leadership, civic engagement, and values of service among students.

LearnCon PH, which formally opened on October 27, took on a more transformative approach through the integration with the National Career Expo (NCEx) Kick-Off for School Year 2025-2026.

These activities help students build leadership and decision-making skills while connecting them with industry, business, and school partners to learn about future career opportunities.

Aligned with Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara’s 5-Point Reform Agenda, the fourday event featured leadership workshops, innovation labs, and dialogue sessions designed to empower students as active partners in shaping

school communities.

Angara encouraged the young representatives to impart their thoughts on national issues, present their projects, and participate in the workshop, thematic sessions, and Project Pitching Exercises.

With the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” this year’s LearnCon PH highlighted the vital role of youth voices in addressing social issues and shaping an inclusive, forward-looking society. It served as the largest face-to-face engagement of learners and education stakeholders from all 18 regions.

Delegates included learners from both the formal and alternative education systems, indigenous peoples groups or IPs, and learners with disabilities or LWDs.

Apart from matters affecting those groups, Education Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm S. Garma said that in the four-day

LearnConPH was designed to tackle important issues on leadership and civic engagement, health and wellbeing, gender and social inclusion, climate action, innovation and entrepreneurship, culture and peace, as well as the Alternative Learning System program.

Other highlights included the launch of the Landas Toolkit: a resource to guide students in career planning; the Learners’ Congress, which built policy-making and governance skills; and Project Pitching Sessions, where learners present innovative ideas to a panel of experts.

Garma added that the LearnCon was designed as a safe space for ideas

and an avenue for dialogue, debate, and creative expression. He told the students—as the event’s “main stars” or ‘bidas’—not to be afraid and shy to inquire and share.

Also scheduled were simultaneous thematic sessions on pressing national issues and a Youth Leaders Forum that featured dialogues with sector leaders. A Learners’ Night celebrated youth creativity and camaraderie.

For DepEd, LearnCon PH 2025 affirmed the youth’s role as “cocreators of an inclusive, empowered, and sustainable nation” by giving them a seat and a voice in shaping the country’s education and development agenda.

ASEAN DSE 2025 equips new gen with data-driven skills, acumen for future competitive global market

THE Asean Foundation, in collaboration with SAP, successfully conducted the ninth Asean Data Science Explorers (DSE) 2025 Regional Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-two students from secondary and tertiary institutions across the 10 Asean member states presented their data-driven proposals and innovative solutions to address socioeconomic issues in the region.

Using SAP Analytics Cloud, participants showcased their abilities to harness data and develop mobile applications for impactful solutions towards key socioeconomic issues across the region. Particularly, they focused on six Sustainable Development Goals that include “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2), “Good Health and Well-being” (SDG 3), “Clean Water and Sanitation” (SDG 6), “Sustainable Cities and Communities” (SDG 11), “Responsible Consumption and Production” (SDG 12), and “Climate Action” (SDG 13).

The Philippines’ Team Sharksfin presented the Asean water crisis problem as they launched HydroLink. Aligned with the SDG 6 “Clean Water and Sanitation,” this two-pronged system consists of a field-deployed device for groundwater monitoring connected to a user-friendly mobile application and centralized dashboards.

“We know that in Barangay Poblacion, Panglao and Barangay Bayog, Los Baños [in the province of Laguna], residents face salinity and bacterial contamination, threatening access to safe drinking water. Not just in the Philippines, but also in other countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Timor Leste, groundwater remains a significant dependency. With HydroLink, we want to transform a last-mile crisis into a first-mile opportunity for data generation and also community empowerment across Asean,” said Lizzie Annika Montemayor and Val Allen Eltagonde from Team Sharksfin, both representing Ateneo de Manila University.

Team DataMinions from Lao People’s Democratic Republic was officially named the Regional Winner for presenting an innovative solution named “Namjai Smart Water Tank” that filters and detects harmful substances

in water, and also alerts households, nongovernment organizations, and authorities to maintain clean water. This water tank was created to address the clean water issue in the region, particularly in Lao PDR, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

In addition, Team Mamamamoodeng from Thailand and Team MyKXLab from Malaysia were adjudged as the first and second runners-up.

“We are beyond grateful to become the regional winner of Asean DSE 2025. Seeing the projects of other finalists was truly inspiring and motivated us to further develop our initiatives to create a long lasting impact,” said Team DataMinions members Palinya Sengdalavong (Singapore University of Technology and Design) and Kounlasatty Manivong (Singapore Management University). “The friendships and invaluable connections forged during this program will not be temporary, but will stay with us as we move forward and further improve ourselves as a member of the Asean community.”

Job-readiness

CURRENTLY, data-driven skills are essential for the future workforce. According to the report published by MarketsandMarkets (2022), the global data science platform market is projected to grow from $95.3 billion in 2021 to $322.9 billion in 2026. Although the number of new jobs that require proficiency in digital and improved skills has risen across Asean, governments still question the readiness of their young workforces to meet these demands. A recent study

conducted by Asean Foundation and Google: Jobs Market and Skills Demand for the Future (2022) revealed that of the 1,080 surveyed underserved youth in the region, 72.2 percent have no or low levels of advanced digital skills.

Answering this issue, the Asean DSE program aims to bridge this gap by equipping participants with essential data analytics skills, ensuring they remain competitive in an evolving job market.

The 2025 Regional Finals were also significantly bolstered by the support of Malaysia’s Ministry of Education, acting as a key partner in line with the country’s Asean Chairship 2025 event held from October 26 to 28 2025. The ministry facilitated the participation of high-level delegates from all 10 member states and VIP guests. Their endless support highlighted the key importance of fostering digital literacy and readiness among Asean youth for sustainable development in the region.

“Asean DSE…is a prime example of how regional collaboration can drive innovation and build critical future skills among our youth,” said Ministry of Education-Malaysia’s Director General Ybhg. Dr. Mohd. Azam Ahmad. “Over the past nine years, the program has played a significant role in advancing digital literacy in [our country], impacting students and educators.”

The minister said that by aligning with the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education), the initiative equips their youth with tools needed to thrive in the modern workforce and contribute to the sustainable

development of the region: “We look forward to continuing this partnership, as it prepares our young people to lead us into a more digitally connected and prosperous future.”

Nurturing talent

ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Piti Srisangnam emphasized the program’s pivotal role: “The Asean DSE…is a key initiative to nurture young talents across our region. By providing them with digital tools and data skills they need, we empower them to think critically and innovate solutions to real-world problems, helping both their personal growth and the development of Asean as a whole.”

As a global leader in enterprise applications and business artificial intelligence, SAP is determined to prepare young people for the complexities of a rapidly evolving world by focusing on three essential skill sets: entrepreneurial skills, digital skills, and 21stcentury skills.

“SAP’s collaboration with the Asean Foundation showcases our strong commitment to empowering young people across the region, to providing our next generation of leaders with the skills they need to thrive in today’s evolving, data-driven world,” said SAP Southeast Asia President and Managing Director Liher Urbizu. “With this initiative, we are helping…foster innovative tech talent across Southeast Asia so that they can drive impactful change across [the region and help these countries’ organizations] accelerate innovation.”

Since its launch in 2017, the Asean DSE program has empowered more than 111,000 young people aged 15 to 30—including those from underserved communities—and engaged more than 3,300 educators across the region, with women making up 55 percent of the beneficiaries.

By equipping young talent with digital competencies, the program supports the Asean Work Plan on Youth 20212025, Asean Work Plan on Education 2021-2025, the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, and the Asean Digital Economy Framework which seeks to promote the development of a digitallyenabled regional economy, while fostering growth across the region.

THE University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (UPHSD) reached another significant milestone in time for its 50th anniversary when it successfully sent a nanosatellite into space—the first by a private university in the Philippines.

The Perpetual Satellite-1 was placed onboard the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) unmanned cargo transfer spacecraft HTV-X1 which was carried by the H3 F7 rocket, Japan’s seventh H3 Launch Vehicle. It took off from JAXA’s Tanegashima Space Center on the southeastern coast of the Tanegashima Island at around 9 a.m. on October 26, 2025.

HTV-X1 is set to dock with the International Space Station. Perpetual Satellite-1 will then be released into space around January 19, 2026. Once released, the nanosatellite will go into a low earth orbit for its store-andforward mission.

Perpetual Satellite-1 will collect data on Earth imaging for various applications such as marine traffic, greenhouse gases, and data for UPHSD’s recently launched Project DAGAT (Deploying Acoustic Guardians Advanced Tsunami Detection) which helps detect tsunamis and storm surges.

Part of Perpetual Satellite-1’s mission is to also test equipment like commercial off-the-shelf global positioning systems and an Anisotropic Magneto Resistance Magnetometer that helps navigation systems. Data collected will be transmitted to the PERPSAT-1 Ground Station located at the UPHSD’s Las Pinas campus.

Perpetual Satellite-1 is the

THE Embassy of Japan recently announced that the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) is now accepting applications for the 24th batch of fellows.

Successful applicants will pursue master’s degree studies at leading universities in Japan beginning in Academic Year 2026-2027. The deadline for applications is on December 12, 2025 (Friday) at 1 p.m.

The JDS has granted scholarships to 479 Filipino fellows since it was launched in the country in 2002. Funded by the Government of Japan through its Official Development Assistance and implemented by the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, the program aims to support the Philippine government’s human resource development policies by providing young Filipino government officers with

first nanosatellite of a private university in the Philippines under the ASEANSAT consortium. Its launch is the product of the collaboration with the Universiti Teknologi MARA in Shah Alam, Malaysia, the King Mongkut University of Technology North Bangkok in Thailand, and the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan.

“This is a proud moment for the [university] as we reach new heights in space technology. It is our institution’s contribution to the development of science and technology in the country,” said UPHSD president Dr. Anthony Jose M. Tamayo.

“This project [was made possible through the support of our visionary chair] and CEO Dr/ BGen Antonio L. Tamayo and our president Dr. Anthony Tamayo. It represents our efforts in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology and the Philippine Space Agency to proliferate space research exploration in our country,” said UPHSD’s College of Engineering dean Dr. Lorena Ilagan.

The nanosatellite’s space send-off coincided with UPHSD’s 50th-year celebration and the recent birth anniversary of the institution’s founder Dr/BGen Antonio L. Tamayo on October 24. Founded in 1975, the university subscribes to the philosophy that national development and transformation is predicated on the quality of the education of its people. It is committed to the ideals of teaching, community service, and research with its motto “Character Building is Nation Building” as guiding principle.

opportunities to pursue graduate studies in Japan. Through this initiative, participants are expected to gain specialized knowledge and conduct research that will contribute to the Philippines’ progress. This batch’s implementation is based on the Exchange of Notes signed between the two governments on April 25, 2025. This agreement reaffirms Japan’s commitment to supporting the Philippines in nurturing future leaders who can contribute to national socioeconomic development and further strengthen their bilateral relations. Many JDS Fellows have since played key roles in the formulation and implementation of policies in their respective fields. For the complete details of the application process, visit the official JDS Philippines website: https://jds-scholarship.org/country/philippines/index.html.

OFFICIALS from DepEd, local government representatives, and education partners, with student leaders at the LearnCon PH FB: DEPED PHILIPPINES

Tourism&Entertainment

Traversing the ancient Silk Road (Part 2)

OBaluyut-Jimenez

UR adventure continued as our tour bus made its way to the Nalati Alpine Grasslands in Yiling, Zinjiang. The breathtaking landscape combines rolling grasslands, lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and snow-capped mountains. For centuries, nomadic tribes such as the Kazakhs and the Mongols have used these fertile grasslands to pasture their cattle.

According to a Mongolian legend, the great warrior Genghis Khan passed through these grasslands after a grueling battle. When the skies cleared, golden sunlight bathed the vast land, making Genghis Khan exclaim “Nalati!”, meaning “s unshine.” And that’s how the place got its name.

Tourists come here to enjoy the stunning scenery and the rolling meadows. There is horseback riding and hiking for the sports-minded and adventurous visitors. During the winter, people go skiing, sledding, and snowboarding.

The Yurt Experience

PRETTY Yurts- circular Mongolian tents that are the traditional homes of the Kazakhs dot the grasslands. Some have been converted into tourist lounges. We entered one of the yurts, curious to see how it looked inside.

Warm air greeted us as we entered. Colorful carpets covered the floor.

A low, long table was laden with an enticing array of Kazakh snacks and sweets. For a fee of 30 yuan per person (around P240), we were invited to sit, enjoy the snacks, and take photos. We readily agreed. Soon, we were served steaming cups of warm, fresh cow’s milk lightly infused with tea, along with an assortment of nuts, dates, milk candy, and cookies. We had fun trying on the Mongolian headgear and happily snapped photos.

Through our unofficial interpreter, Tsinoy journalist Wilson Lee Flores, we chatted with the Kazakh woman who served our snacks. She and her husband owned 50 cows and two horses, and their two children attended school in the city. In winter, their family moves with their herd to a warmer area. Life, she said, is very peaceful in their community, and tourism provides extra income for their family. Their dream is for their two children to pursue university education after high school.

Duku Highway BECAUSE of the heavy snowfall, we were told that our plan to pass through the Duku Highway would have to be cancelled. This high altitude route is open only for four months in a year, as the unpredictable weather often makes it impassible. But at the last minute, we received news that the high altitude highway had reopened. We were excited because the 560-kilometer Duku Highway is said to be one of China’s most epic road trips, a destination rather than just a route between two points. The highway is also called Hero Road in honor of the 168 soldiers who perished while building the highway from 1973 to 1983. Our group had to be divided into

smaller groups to fit into mini-vans as our bus was too big for the narrow, cliff-hugging sections of the Duku Highway. It was an eight-hour drive from Nalati to the so-called Celestial Mountains or Tianshan Mountain peaks.

We hardly noticed the time as we were amazed by the panoramic view of the canyons, grasslands, snow-capped mountains, and the leaves of the trees that were turning golden yellow. We had to avoid herds of cows, sheep, and horses that would block our vehicle every now and then. I can only imagine how silk and spice traders braved this difficult route during ancient times.

At two-hour intervals, we would stop for a toilet break and do a bit of shopping in the makeshift outdoor

Sorsogon’s alluring sanctuary

Story by C. Mendez Legaspi

AHIDDEN gem among the Philippines’ wealth of wonderful destinations, Sorsogon is steadily becoming an intriguing alternative for travelers. On the southeastern tip of Luzon, this unpretentious province in the Bicol Region beckons to any visitor looking for rich cultural attractions, natural wonders and diverse wildlife. At its heart is Sorsogon City, a promising center experiencing rapid urbanization. And ready to welcome you is the sanctuary called La Luma, a cabin-boutique hotel set to be a promising landmark. Located at the Suarez Compound in Barangay Bibincahan, it has the city scenery in close proximity, with soothing hot springs nearby, and picture-perfect views of the serene countryside.

Origins

“IF we do a search on Google, La Luma means ‘the old new,’ or ‘ang makabagong luma,’” explains Lambert L. Angeles, the brainchild behind the posh resort. “But La Luma is a portmanteau of my name (Lambert), my dad’s (Luis) and my mom’s (Marilyn).” Angeles initially planned to build a rest house or a retirement house for his parents, renovating what used to be a small house in the property. Having no hotel or hospitality background, he commissioned feasibility studies and consulted with friends in the hotel management and marketing fields.

“In 2023, I decided to reconfigure the design to a boutique hotel. It was quite a challenge to my architects because there was a

tremendous change in the building plan. We had to troubleshoot some of the construction changes to fit the new requirements,” Angeles says. “Luckily, we did it! We made it happen. La Luma was built this year and is still continuously developing into something trailblazing in our town.”

Art and design WITH its Filipino-Hispanic industrial-inspired look, La Luma blends harmony, romance and history in an idyllic setting. It boasts of solihiya cabinets, intricate woodworks, capiz lamps, cement-finished walls and woodcrafted artworks.

“I am the visionary of this project. Most of my inspiration comes from my childhood and the influence of my parents, especially my

father, who has impeccable taste in Filipino ancestral houses and old furniture,” shares Angeles. “It feels like a blast from the past. I am also fascinated with the architectural design of Intramuros and Vigan, those are some of my favorite tourist destinations in the Philippines.”

La Luma has an area of 7500 sqm. The Phase 1 Project, which includes the main banquet hall/events place, has around 500 sqm of floor area while the six bedrooms occupy about 250 sqm floor area.

For the hotel, aptly called Casa Luis (after Angeles’ dad), with a sumptuous Standard Room is P5,000 a night with breakfast for two people. It has charming Pinoy-flavored names such as Harana, Kundiman, Indak, and Paraluman. A tasteful Suite Room goes for P7000 good for two people with free breakfast, with glorious names like Ligaya, and Luwalhati.

“The inspiration for the rooms is the old houses in the Philippines. Madaming kahoy at malawak. We also use big ceiling fans because I grew up having these in my Lola’s house at the dining area paired with huge lighting fixtures. We really want to stick to the old-house vibe yet modern and minimalist.” recalls Angeles.”

“Our furniture pieces are made by our own karpenteros. We just buy old capiz windows and old wood and then Architect Luwalhati Dioneda would design the tables to our own specifications. In this way, we can make our furniture more budget-friendly and in line with La Luma’s quiet-luxury concept,” shares Angeles. A dentist by profession, Angeles’ LA Den -

the new Beijing Daxing International Airport—the largest airport in the world and widely regarded as one of the most beautiful. Designed by the late world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, Daxing Airport is a stunning example of modern architecture, with flowing curves and muted colors. Its terminals radiate out from a central hub, making passenger movement remarkably efficient. It can accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually, with four runways currently in use and plans to expand to seven, underscoring China’s ambitious vision for global connectivity.

The Future is Upon Us

ON our second day in Beijing, we visited the Robot Mall. At the entrance, a lady in a black suit greeted us. She was slim, pretty, and had flawless, milky white skin. I asked her if she was a robot. She laughed and replied, “No, I am human”. She brought us to another lady who was speaking, and whose skin and hair looked human. But this time I could tell the difference: This was a humanoid. I couldn’t help but laugh at how convincing she looked.

I knew we would be seeing some hitech gadgets, but what I saw exceeded my expectations. There was a dog that could teach languages; mechanoid doctors and dentists who can perform high precision surgery remotely, and robots that can dance, play basketball, and soccer. The highlight for me was the handsome robotic butler who could mix drinks and serve food. If he could clean my house, I would have bought him on the spot.

markets that sold local food, fruits, snacks, and souvenirs.

Because of the varying altitudes along the highway, travelers usually experience dramatic changes in weather and scenery all within a single journey. We layered our clothing as we climbed to a higher altitude. It was a freezing negative 2 degrees when we reached our destination. The Tianshan mountain range, a world heritage site, was truly breathtaking and worth the long drive.

Futuristic Airport

AFTER eight days of traversing the Silk Road, we boarded a four-hour flight from Urumqi back to Beijing. Although our plane landed at the old Beijing Capital Airport, we dropped by

These were just a few of the most advanced products on display at Beijing’s Robot Mall, also known as the Humanoid 4S Store. The mall sells about 50 kinds of robot products from over 40 domestic manufacturers. It felt like we were catching a glimpse of the future, and our group couldn’t help but be impressed.

Many of these robots are already being used in warehousing, logistics, delivery and even in restaurants as chefs. In fact, in one of the hotels we stayed in, we were surprised when a robot rolled up to our door to deliver our order, a reminder that the future is no longer distant; it is already here.

Beijing Landmarks ONE of the awesome man-made wonders that no visitor to China should miss is the Great Wall. Built over 2,000 years ago as a defense against inva -

tal Center has three branches in the Bicol Region, located in Sorsogon City, Legazpi City and Tabaco City. He is currently part of JIAHS Kitchen, a Middle Eastern restaurant located in Legazpi City, and Southbank Cafe and Lounge in BGC. He is also part of LA ProdHouse, a dynamic and upcoming production company based in Metro Manila.

However, Angeles is an artist by heart. So, the hotel has the feel of a living art gallery, with artworks on splendid display all over the place.

“The pieces of art are my prized possessions. I love art, let’s start from there. If I were not a dentist, I would have been in the field of arts—as a painter, sculptor or designer,” Angeles shares. “Art is priceless for me. It is also timeless. It is for all walks of life and it is something that we should appreciate. That is why I don’t have limitations when it comes to art. As long as it is beautiful in my eyes, a conversation piece or even a bit controversial, as long as it is interesting, I’ll keep it and show it to our guests.”

sions, the monumental brick structure still stands tall and proud, an enduring symbol of history and culture. We met a woman dressed in a traditional Chinese costume. I asked if we could borrow her costume for some photos, and to our delight, she agreed. We learned that she was a nurse from Wuhan who would love to visit the Philippines someday. We exchanged numbers and invited her to come and visit our beautiful country. We visited another iconic landmark, the Royal Summer Palace in Beijing, originally developed in the 12th century as a retreat for emperors. Much of it has been preserved but tourists are no longer allowed to enter the palace itself after some of its valuable antiques were stolen a few years ago. Even so, visitors can still get a glimpse of life in the olden days. We rode the dragon boat and imagined ourselves as royal guests, enjoying the serene lake and cool air. Along the walkways of the palace grounds, souvenir shops and food stores added to the lively atmosphere.

Diplomacy and Friendship ONE of the highlights of our tour was a special dinner with the Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz, his wife Ana, and several Embassy officials. In his brief remarks, Ambassador FlorCruz expressed hopes that despite current maritime issues between the Philippines and China, both nations can continue to improve our people-to-people cooperation, which he described as “a foundation that can withstand storms.” He explained that our maritime issues with China is not the sum total of our relations”, and underscored the importance of expanding economic collaboration, educational exchanges, and enhanced trade and tourism.

Former Senator Nikki Coseteng expressed her appreciation that Ambassador FlorCruz was chosen as the Philippines’ envoy to China during this time of uncertainty. “We can’t discount the possibility of our country sinking to the bottom of the sea if we choose to go to war with China”, she candidly remarked. She said that “What we started as our people-topeople relations will hopefully make our government realize that both countries desire peace and a meaningful relationship.”

She added, “Although Xinjiang was a no-go place in the past, this trip opened our eyes to many things. We enjoyed ourselves, and it was a very safe trip.”

Benchmark for Sorsogon hospitality SORSOGON , as the “Gateway to Southern Philippines,” serves as a vibrant transshipment point from the Visayas and Mindanao provinces. Napakaganda ng Sorsogon! Name an iconic tourist destination in the Philippines, we got a local version for it in our town. You want Boracay fine sand? We have Subic Matnog, in Matnog, Sorsogon City, which has fine and pinkish sand and has a protected school of fishes,” gushes Angeles. You want a surfing spot just like La Union? Say hello to Gubat, Sorsogon. Lola Sayong eco-surf camp is one of the favorite go-to places there. It has a chill vibe, good food and waves that will hone your surfing skills. Sorsogon also has several springs and waterfalls. “I love San Benon Hot Spring in Irosin, with the hot water coming from the Bulusan Volcano. There is also Bulusan Lake, where you can do kayaking, group boat sailing,” says Angeles. “Did you know that Bu -

lusan Lake houses some of the biggest bats in the Philippines? They’re almost the same size as a kid. Sorsogon will surely surprise visitors because it has a wide selection of tourist destinations.” And, not to forget, La Luma is the perfect jumping-off point to explore these marvelous environmental wonders.

“I wish La Luma will be known as a hospitality and food destination not just in our region. We pray our space will be noticed by non-Bicolanos and international visitors as well. We hope sooner or later our lovely province will be discovered by the rest of the world.

Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan

Story & photos by Veronica

THE Royal Summer Palace in Beijing

A QUICK snapshot before entering the Robot Mall in Beijing. Tourists are allowed to stay in the mall for only two hours. L-R: Peter Sicat, Pong Olanday, Sen Nikki Coseteng, the author, Sally Lao, Arlene David, Jon Vic Dimbla

DR. LAMBERT L. ANGELES, the brainchild of La Luma, with the main centerpiece of the property in the background

SAVORING Kazakh hospitality inside a Yurt. with an array of delightful local snacks and fresh cow’s milk with a hint of tea. From left: Our host Pong Olanday, Wilson Lee Flores, the author, Sen. Nikki Coseteng, Wu Yu Zhang, Edward Co Tang, Wilson Tang, Jon Vic Dimbia

A PICTURESQUE view of the lush forests and rolling meadows along the Duku Highway

A BREATHTAKING view of the snow-capped mountains along the Duku Highway

Editor: Angel R. Calso

Brazil launches $5.5 billion fund to preserve tropical forests ahead of UN climate summit

By Mauricio Savarese & Isabel Debre The Associated Press

BELEM, Brazil—Brazil on Thursday unveiled long-awaited details of a plan to pay countries to preserve their tropical forests and announced it had already drawn $5.5 billion in pledges.

The fund is President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s flagship project as he welcomes world leaders to the edge of the Amazon for the United Nations annual climate summit— an effort to draw attention and money to the imperiled rainforest crucial to curbing global warming. Financed by interest-bearing debt instead of donations, the fund, dubbed the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, seeks to turn the economic logic of deforestation on its head by making it more lucra -

tive for governments to keep their trees rather than cut them down.

Although destroying rainforests makes money for cattle ranchers, miners and illegal loggers, Brazil hopes to convince countries that preserving forests promises richer rewards for the entire world by absorbing huge amounts of planet-warming emissions.

As senior Brazilian officials walked reporters through the fund’s inner workings, Norway pledged $3 billion—the biggest

commitment of the day—raising hopes about Lula’s ambitions becoming a reality.

Through investments in fixedrate assets, the fund aims to issue $25 billion of debt within its first few years before leveraging that into a pot worth $125 billion that can pay developing countries to protect their tropical rainforests.

A list of more than 70 heavily forested countries—from Congo to Colombia—will be eligible for payments as long as they keep deforestation below a set rate.

Nations that fail to protect their forests will see their payouts reduced at a punitive rate for every hectare that’s destroyed.

“I was already very excited about this, but now even more so,” Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said in a press conference.

But the fine print on Norway’s announcement—contingent on Brazil raising some $9.8 billion in other contributions—has ramped up the pressure on Brazil to deliver. Other pledges include $1 billion

from Indonesia and $500 million from France, along with $5 million from the Netherlands and $1 million from Portugal toward setup costs.

Brazil earlier announced $1 billion to kick off the fund. Officials said they expected to hear about

Germany’s contribution on Friday.

But it remained unclear how many other countries would follow suit. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed support for the initiative on Thursday but declined to declare a pledge. Brazil is also banking on the

participation of the private sector after the fund reaches $10 billion, considered enough to start preparing bond issuances.

When asked about possible concerns on Thursday, Norwegian Climate Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen said he thought the risks to the fund were “manageable.”

“There is perhaps an even bigger risk of not participating,” he said.

“Rainforests are disappearing before our eyes.”

The fund’s rules call for 20% of the money to go to Indigenous peoples.

“These initiatives demonstrate a massive and welcome shift in recognizing the central role that Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities play in protecting the forests that sustain us,” said Wanjira Mathai, managing director for Africa and Global Partnerships at the World Resources Institute, a research organization.

“These commitments could be transformative, but only if governments turn these words into action.”

RSF accepts truce proposal as Sudan war drags on and millions face famine

By FATMA KHALED

CThe Associated Press

AIRO—The Rapid Support Forces, a paramili -

tary group that has been at war with the Sudanese military for over two years, said Thursday it has agreed to a humanitarian truce proposed by a US-led mediator group known as the Quad. The agreement to the proposal comes more than a week after the RSF seized el-Fasher city which had been under siege for over 18 months. It was also the last Sudanese military stronghold in Sudan’s western Darfur region.

“The Rapid Support Forces looks forward to implementing the agreement and immediately commencing discussions on arrangements for a cessation of hostilities and the fundamental principles guiding the political process in Sudan, in a manner that addresses the root causes of the conflicts, ending the suffering of the Sudanese people,” an RSF statement read.

A Sudan military official told The Associated Press the army welcomes the Quad’s proposal but will only agree to a truce when the RSF completely withdraws from civilian areas and give up weapons per previous peace proposals. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to freely discuss the matter.

Millions face displacement, food insecurity

THE war between the RSF and the military began in 2023, when tensions erupted between the two

former allies that were meant to oversee a democratic transition after a 2019 uprising. The fighting has killed at least 40,000 people, according to the WHO, and displaced 12 million. However, aid groups say the true death toll could be many times higher. Over 24 million people are also facing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Program.

Massad Boulos, a US adviser for African affairs, said the US was working with the Sudanese army and RSF to bring about a humanitarian truce and could have an announcement “soon.”

“We were working on this for the last almost 10 days with both sides, hoping to finalize the details,” Boulos told the AP in an interview on Monday. The US-led plan would start with a threemonth humanitarian truce followed by a nine-month political process, he said.

US working with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the UAE THE US has been working with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates—the Quad—on ways to end the war.

“We urge both sides to move forward in response to the US-led effort to conclude a humanitarian truce, given the immediate urgency of de-escalating the violence and ending the suffering of the Sudanese people,” the US State Department said Thursday.

El-Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur, is one of two regions hit by famine, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, a global hunger monitoring group,

said Monday. The other is the town of Kadugli in South Kordofan province.

“We have to confirm that the main reason behind this famine is that it’s man-made. We’re not talking about natural disasters because there is ongoing conflict, insecurity, the inability to access food, and the lack of humanitarian corridors that ensures people in much need obtain food,” said AbdulHakim Elwaer, regional

representative for Near East and North Africa.

Talks on helping aid reach those in need

ELWAER told The Associated Press on Thursday during a video call that there were talks for almost two years about making it easier for aid to reach communities in need through opening safe humanitarian corridors.

“I’m optimistic that by the end

of the year we’ll reach a solution and there has to be a solution because we can’t allow millions of people to die of hunger because aid is not reaching them,” he said.

The nonprofit Islamic Relief warned in a statement Thursday that community kitchens that provide a lifeline to many families are at risk of collapse. A new survey by the group found that 83% of families in east and west Sudan are now without enough food.

Humanitarian organizations have long labeled Sudan as having one of the most alarming displacement crises in the world. Most recently, more people were displaced after el-Fasher was overtaken by the RSF following a series of attacks by the group that ran rampant in the city. An influx of displaced people recently fled el-Fasher to arrive at

See “RSF,” A12

BRAZIL’S President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a roundtable with

A12 Saturday, November 8, 2025

THE 5-YEAR PLAN:

www.businessmirror.com.ph

A concentrated expression of China’s institutional strength

By Guoliang Yang

CHINA’S economic development achievements have drawn worldwide attention. How should this success be explained? The reasons include both the reform and opening-up strategy and institutional mechanisms such as the five-year plan. At the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held from October 20 to 23, 2025, China has decided to implement the 15th Five-Year Plan for national economic and social development.

I. The core of the Five-Year Plan is to build consensus and stabilize expectations FOR a long time, through the formulation of successive fiveyear plans, China has been able to set clear goals, mobilize resources, and follow one blueprint to the end. On February 14, 1951, Chairman Mao Zedong proposed the idea of drafting a national economic development plan. The First Five-Year Plan, launched on

July 30, 1955, set directions such as prioritizing the heavy industry and improving people’s livelihoods, paving the way for China’s socialist industrialization and modernization. From the first to the fifth five-year plan (1955–1980), China gradually built a complete and independent economic system, especially a strong manufacturing base. For example, the Hongqi sedan, familiar to many Filipino friends, was one of the outcomes of the First Five-Year Plan. From the sixth to the thirteenth fiveyear plan (1981–2020), China moved toward comprehensive opening-up, achieving an average annual GDP growth rate of 9.5%, eradicating absolute poverty, and building a moderately prosperous society in all respects. During the fourteenth five-year plan period (2021–2025), under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China has been working to raise its economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and overall national

power to new heights. China’s GDP is expected to reach 140 trillion yuan (about US$19.7 trillion) in 2025, with its contribution to global economic growth remaining around 30%, marking steady progress toward building a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious.

In fact, China is not the only country in the world that adopts the five-year planning model of governance, but what distinguishes China is its perseverance. From 1952 to 2024, China’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 7.9%, achieving comprehensive progress in the economy, politics, science and technology, and environment conservation. Over the past seventy years, China has transformed from poverty and backwardness into prosperity and strength: per capita income now exceeds US$13,000, manufacturing accounts for nearly 30% of global output, and China’s overall national strength ranks among the top in the world, marking an extraordinary achievement in human history.

II. The formulation of the Five-Year Plan is based on the whole-process democracy WHEN formulating Five-Year Plans, China adheres to pooling the wisdom of all, fully demonstrating the Chinese-style wholeprocess democracy. President XI Jinping emphasizes the importance of “integrating top-level design with consultation with the people”. The formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan adheres to the process of “first democracy, then centralization, democracy afterwards, and centralization in the end”, follows the path of “discussion-communicationconsensus”, fully listens to the demands and requests of various democratic parties, experts and scholars, and enterprise representatives, and hence represents the broadest consensus. Strongly supported by China’s “three-level, multi-category” system, the 15th Five-Year Plan is a scientific, profound and systematic planning for the national economy and development, encompassing multi-level plans of various provinces, cities and counties, professional plans of territorial space,

foreign trade, modern energy, transportation and so forth, and even the “Comprehensive Green Transformation Action Plan”. Especially in terms of the extent of participation, the formulation of the five-year plan is a major event for the Chinese people, while opinions and suggestions from the people are solicited in various forms. When drafting the 14th Five-Year Plan, China solicited opinions through the Internet for the first time. The 15th Five-Year Plan has advanced solicitation by nearly three months in order to facilitate a more extensive and sufficient consultation with the people, and has so far collected more than 3.113 million suggestions from netizens. China’s fiveyear plan is open to all advice, suggestions and wisdom from all quarters, forms the greatest policy consensus by finding the greatest common denominator through rounds of opinion solicitation, and consequently reflects the common development vision of all the Chinese people.

China has 34 provincial-level administrative regions, 333 prefectural-level administrative

regions, and 2,843 county-level administrative regions. Each locality and field is vastly different. But China’s five-year plans fully cater to people’s livelihood and opinions, ensuring 1.4 billion Chinese people could eventually draw together a blueprint for happiness and build one beautiful Chinese Dream. This all-in-one governance approach is precisely the great advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics.

President Xi Jinping has pointed out that the scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans is an important experience in the Party’s governance and a major political advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Now, the goals of the 15th Five-Year Plan have been clearly set; in the next five years, China will unite all forces that can be united and unswervingly strive for Chinese-style modernization.

The author is Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of the Philippines

China commissions new aircraft carrier as it seeks to extend power far from its coast

BBy David Rising The Associated Press

ANGKOK—China has commissioned its latest aircraft carrier after extensive sea trials, state media reported Friday, adding a ship that experts say will help what is already the world’s largest navy expand its power farther beyond its own waters.

The official Xinhua news agency reported Friday that the Fujian was commissioned in Sanya on Hainan island on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by top leader Xi Jinping.

The Fujian is China’s third carrier and the first that it both designed and built itself. It is perhaps the most visible example so far of leader Xi Jinping’s massive military overhaul and expansion that aims to have a modernized force by 2035 and one that is “world class” by mid-century—which most take to mean capable of going toe-totoe with the United States. With it, Beijing takes another step toward closing the gap with the US Navy and its carrier fleet and network of bases that allow it to maintain a presence around the world.

“Carriers are key to Chinese leadership’s vision of China as a great power with a blue-water navy,” or one that can project power far from its coastal waters, said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

China wants to contest waters as far as Guam FOR China’s navy, one goal is to dominate the near waters of the

South China Sea, East China Sea and Yellow Sea around the socalled First Island Chain, which runs south through Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines. But deeper into the Pacific, it also wants to be able to contest control of the Second Island Chain, where the US has important military facilities on Guam and elsewhere, Poling said.

“A carrier doesn’t really help you in the First Island Chain, but it’s key to that contest, if you want one, with the Americans in the wider Indo-Pacific,” Poling said.

China’s “increasingly capable military” and ability to “project power globally” is one of the reasons the Pentagon in its latest report to Congress continued to call it “the only competitor to the United States with the intent and, increasingly, the capacity to reshape the international order.”

At the same time, it is Beijing’s right to “transform its navy into a blue-water strategic navy commensurate with China’s national strength,” said Song Zhongping, a Hong Kong-based military affairs expert.

“China’s carriers cannot just operate near home, they must operate in the distant oceans and far seas to carry out various training and support missions,” Song said.

“China is a great power and our overseas interests span the globe; we need to be globally present.”

The Fujian is a step in that direction.

ONE possibility that raises concerns in foreign capitals is a possible blockade or invasion of the democratically self-governed island of Taiwan, which China

claims as its own territory and which leader Xi Jinping has not ruled out taking by force.

Though the island sits right off of China’s coast, if China had the ability to position an aircraft carrier group or groups around the Second Island Chain—between Taiwan and the US Pacific Fleet headquarters in Hawaii—that could delay possible American military assistance in the event of a Chinese attack.

“They want those aircraft carriers to play a part in kind of extending the strategic perimeter farther out from China, and one of the important things that an aircraft carrier can do is extend the range of China’s domain awareness to keep an eye on activities in the air, on the sea, and below the sea,” said Brian Hart,

Al-Affad displacement camp in the town of Al-Dabbah in the Northern State, which is some 350 kilometers from the capital Khartoum.

Harrowing escapes from el-Fasher SEVERAL people who spoke to the

With the Fujian, China’s warplanes can deploy far from its shores

CHINA’S first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was Soviet made and its second, the Shandong, was built in China but based on the Soviet model. Both use older-style skijump type systems to help planes take flight.

The Fujian skips past the steam catapult technology used on most American carriers to employ an electromagnetic launch system found only on the latest US Navy Ford-class carriers.

The system causes less stress to the aircraft and the ship, allows for more precise control over speed and can launch a wider range of

AP this week recounted harrowing details of their escape from el-Fasher. Othman Mohamed, a teacher who fled the city at the end of September, said he saw bodies scattered along the road and people collapsing from exhaustion and abuse during the journey.

He said he had lived in a crisis in el-Fasher where drones and artillery were used and food was barely available. People often sur -

aircraft than the steam system.

Compared to the ski-jump system, it gives China the ability to launch heavier aircraft, with full fuel loads, like the KJ-600 early warning and control plane, which it successfully tested during its sea trials.

Its latest J-35 stealth fighter and J-15T heavy fighter were also launched from the Fujian, giving the new carrier “full-deck operation capability” according to the Chinese navy.

The ability to carry its own reconnaissance aircraft means unlike its first two carriers, it won’t be operating blind when out of the range of land-based support, giving it the ability to operate its most advanced aircraft far afield including the Second Island Chain.

vived on Ombaz until it was hard to obtain. Ombaz is what is left from pressing peanut oil.

“In el-Fasher there’s nothing but beating and killing using drones in the sky that you can’t see but it hits you. The drone strikes you without you feeling it,” said Rawda Mohamed, who spent hours walking to Al-Affad camp.

“The Fujian carrier is a big leapfrog for China in terms of the capabilities of its aircraft carriers compared to the first two,” Hart said. China’s carriers aren’t nuclear powered, limiting their range STILL , Hart noted, China’s navy lags behind the US in several significant ways.

Numerically it only has three carriers compared to the US Navy’s 11, and while China’s carriers are all conventionally powered, the US’s are all nuclear powered which means they can operate almost indefinitely without being refueled—dramatically increasing their range. The Ford-class carrier, of which only one is currently in service but more are being built, is also larger, can carry more aircraft on its flight deck, and has a third elevator that means it can move more aircraft from lower deck hangars in less time.

China also lags behind the US in guided missile cruisers and destroyers, which are critical in providing air and submarine defense and support for larger naval groups, as well as nuclear-powered submarines.

The US is also ahead in vertical launching system cells—basically the systems for holding and launching missiles from ships—which is a measure of how much firepower vessels can carry, though China is increasing that capacity, Hart said.

Beyond just equipment, China lacks the network of overseas bases that the US has, which are critical for resupplying carriers and also providing alternative runways

See “China,” A13

Mathilde Vu, an advocacy manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, said in a briefing Thursday that people in el-Fasher have been surviving on animal food and rain water. They have often been shelled and sheltered in holes they dug in the ground for safety. Those who tried to flee were attacked, she added.

contributed to this report.

AP journalist Matthew Lee in Washington

deputy director of CSIS’s China Power Project

IN this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, China’s third conventionally powered aircraft carrier, the Fujian, conducts a maiden sea trial on May 7, 2024. DING ZIYU/XINHUA VIA AP

Pope Leo XIV settles into role, upholds social justice while embracing traditional papal style

By Nicole Winfield

VThe Associated Press

ATICAN CITY—“You get used to it.”

That was Pope Leo XIV

‘s matter-of-fact response when King Charles III asked about the swarms of television cameras documenting his historic visit to the Vatican last month.

Charles is no stranger to paparazzi, so Leo wasn’t telling the monarch anything he didn’t already know. But Leo’s blasé comment seemed to confirm what Vatican observers have noticed recently: that Leo has indeed gotten used to being pope, and is finding his footing six months into the job.

After his shock election in May and sharp learning curve over the summer, Leo’s key priorities are coming into focus, especially where he dovetails with his predecessor, Pope Francis, and where he diverges.

As his pontificate’s six-month mark arrives on Nov. 8, here’s a rundown of what we’ve learned about the first American pope, his style, substance and where he might take the Catholic Church. Continuity with Francis on key social justice issues

LEO showed himself in perfect lockstep with Francis when he published his first major teaching document last month, on the church’s non-negotiable “preferential option for the poor.” Francis

began writing the text before he died; Leo took it over and made it his own.

In it, Leo criticized how the wealthy live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while poor people suffer on the margins. He urged a renewed commitment to fixing the structural causes of poverty.

Leo has also embraced Francis’ ecological legacy, presiding over the first Mass using a new prayer formula “for the care of creation.”

He has given the go-ahead to Francis’ ambitious plan to turn a Vatican-owned property north of Rome into a massive solar farm that could make Vatican City the world’s first carbon-neutral state.

Perhaps nowhere was Leo more Francis-like than on Oct. 23, when he met at the Vatican with Indigenous groups and representatives of popular movements who had been championed by the Argentine Jesuit.

Francis had prioritized people on the margins, and exhorted the church to accompany them as they demanded the basic human necessities of “tierra, techo, trabajo,” –land, housing and work.

Leo repeated Francis’ mantra during his audience and put his own spin on it, noting that his namesake, Pope Leo XIII, took up the issue of workers’ rights at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

“Echoing Francis’ words, I say today: land, housing and work are sacred rights. It is worthwhile to

fight for them, and I would like you to hear me say, ‘I am here, I am with you!’” Leo said.

Cardinal Michael Czerny, a top adviser to both popes, said Leo is in perfect continuity with Francis, implementing processes that Francis set in motion.

“The transition from one Holy Father to another is not primarily a transition in policies,” Czerny said in an interview. While a change in governments from one party to the next can signal a break, “here it would be a mistake to look for that.”

“The stylistic differences are in the person, not in the teaching,” he said.

Leo’s honeymoon with conservatives continues ON style, it’s now clear that Leo is happy to pope the old-fashioned way, wearing the red mozzetta cape and embroidered stole for all but the most mundane occasions.

He sticks to the script of his prepared texts, shows discipline in his liturgical observance and doesn’t ad-lib with wisecracks the way Francis sometimes did.

That has endeared him to many of the Catholic conservatives who bristled at Francis’ informality. Even though Leo is echoing many of Francis’ Gospel-mandated social justice preaching points, his style and gestures have generally won them over so far.

“What I’m hearing and sensing

is a real joy in the maturity, the discipline and the tradition that he brings back to the papacy,” said Patrick Reilly, founder and head of the conservative Cardinal Newman Society, which ranks Catholic colleges in the US on upholding traditional doctrine.

“I don’t know of anyone who has any concerns or is disturbed or anything like we saw,” with Francis, he said.

The Latin Mass returns to St. Peter’s

MANY credit Leo for allowing a traditional Latin Mass to be celebrated at the back altar of St. Peter’s Basilica, presided over by none other than the figurehead of the American Catholic right, Cardinal Raymond Burke. Francis in 2021 cracked down on the spread of the ancient liturgy, saying it had become a source of division in dioceses. The crackdown fueled conservative and traditionalist opposition to Francis, leading to a new impasse in the age-old liturgical wars.

But Leo has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue with traditionalists, suggesting a detente is possible.

“We love our pope, we pray for him,” said Christina Tignot, who attended the Latin Mass service during the traditionalists’ annual pilgrimage. With her was her husband and homeschooled daughter, who joined her mother in wearing

a lace veil over her head.

A willingness to chart a new path

FOR all his continuity with Francis, Leo has charted his own path and even corrected Francis when necessary.

In one case of a reversal, Leo abrogated a 2022 law issued by Francis that concentrated financial power in the Vatican bank. Leo issued his own law allowing the Holy See’s investment committee to use other banks, outside the Vatican, if it made better financial sense.

Leo has also met with a group of activist survivors of clergy sexual abuse, who said he promised to engage in dialogue as they press the Vatican to adopt a zero-tolerance for abuse policy worldwide. Francis had met regularly with individual abuse survivors, but kept advocacy and activist groups at an arm’s length.

A new routine elicits a comment about abortion

AT the six-month mark, Leo’s personal routine is also showing a break from that of the workaholic homebody Francis.

Leo has taken to spending Monday afternoons and Tuesdays at the papal country house in Castel Gandolfo, where he can take time off and get in a tennis game in the estate’s court. (He plays with his secretary).

To the news media’s delight, Leo has agreed to field some questions each Tuesday evening as he leaves from a gaggle of reporters gathered outside, weighing in on everything from the Gaza ceasefire to immigration enforcement raids in Chicago. his hometown. His initially timid responses were noticed. They led to a biting television skit by Italian political satirist Maurizio Crozza, who suggested that the name “Leo” was perhaps a mismatch for a pope seemingly afraid of his own shadow. But with the passage of time, Leo seems to be getting into his groove. He sparked a brief but seemingly temporary alarm in conservative circles when, during one recent Tuesday evening Q&A, he chimed in on the US abortion debate by challenging abortion opponents about what it really means to be pro-life.

In a more formal setting, he also showed some chutzpah when Queen Rania of Jordan asked him if it was really safe to travel to Lebanon. Leo plans to visit Lebanon and Turkey on his first foreign trip at the end of the month. They were posing for a formal photo in Leo’s library after an official state audience. Rania’s question was picked up by the Vatican camera’s hot mic, as was Leo’s response.

“Well, we’re going,” Leo said matter-of-factly, while smiling for the cameras.

Elon Musk could become history’s first trillionaire as Tesla shareholders approve giant pay package

By Bernard Condon The Associated Press

YORK—The

Nworld’s richest man was just handed a chance to become history’s first trillionaire.

Elon Musk won a shareholder vote on Thursday that would give the Tesla CEO stock worth $1 trillion if he hits certain performance targets over the next decade. The vote followed weeks of debate over his management record at the electric car maker and whether anyone deserved such unprecedented pay, drawing heated commentary from small investors to giant pension funds and even the pope. In the end, more than 75% of voters approved the plan as shareholders gathered in Austin, Texas, for their annual meeting.

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should aircraft not be able to return safely to the carrier.

China is working on expanding its foreign bases, however, and has a nuclear propulsion system for a carrier in development.

“Fantastic group of shareholders,” Musk said after the final vote was tallied, adding “Hang on to

your Tesla stock.”

The vote is a resounding victory for Musk showing investors still have faith in him as Tesla struggles with plunging sales, market share and profits in no small part due to Musk himself. Car buyers fled the company this year as he has ventured into politics both in the US and Europe, and trafficked in conspiracy theories.

The vote came just three days after a report from Europe show -

ing Tesla car sales plunged again last month, including a 50% collapse in Germany.

Still, many Tesla investors consider Musk as a sort of miracle man capable of stunning business feats, such as when he pulled Tesla from the brink of bankruptcy a halfdozen years ago to turn it into one of the world’s most valuable companies.

The vote clears a path for Musk to become a trillionaire by grant -

ing him new shares, but it won’t be easy. The board of directors that designed the pay package require him to hit several ambitious financial and operational targets, including increasing the value of the company on the stock market nearly six times its current level.

Musk also has to deliver 20 million Tesla electric vehicles to the market over 10 years amid new, stiff competition, more than double the number since the found -

ing of the company. He also has to deploy 1 million of his humanlike robots that he has promised will transform work and home— he calls it a “robot army”—from zero today.

Musk could add billions to his wealth in a few years by partly delivering these goals, according to various intermediate steps that will hand him newly created stock in the company as he nears the ultimate targets.

“Really across the board, China’s closing the gap,” Hart said.

“They’re fielding and building more aircraft carriers, they’re fielding more nuclear-powered subs, they are fielding more, larger destroyers and other vessels that carry a larger number

There’s also evidence that China is already building another carrier. Chinese shipyards have the capabilities to build more than one at once and have also been churning out other new vessels at a pace the US can’t currently come close to matching.

of missiles. So, they’re really catching up.”

The Fujian is just one of China’s latest military assets

CHINA has happily shown off its new military assets, releasing video of the KJ-600, J-35 and J15T test flights from the Fujian.

A World War II Victory Day parade at the start of September showcased all three aircraft along with hypersonic glide vehi -

cles—whose high-speed, maneuverability and other attributes make them more difficult to intercept than traditional ballistic missiles—aerial and underwater drones and electronic warfare systems.

Sophisticated new equipment does not necessarily translate to military readiness, however, said Singapore-based analyst Tang Meng Kit, who noted that China hasn’t fought a war since 1979 and

that the carefully choreographed parade was good at “amplifying perceptions of strength.”

“It is possible that China’s capabilities are overstated, as realworld operational readiness lags behind its showcased arsenal,” he told the AP.

He also cautioned in a recent analysis for the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore that it would be a mistake to see China’s military

modernization as simply geared toward a possible Taiwan invasion, which he said is only one part of a “larger mosaic.”

The parade “signaled China’s broader strategic intent, which is to deter major powers, pressure regional actors, expand its global influence, and reinforce its domestic legitimacy,” he said.

Albee Zhang in Washington contributed to this report.

More record performances in UAAP

RECORD performances continued in the University Athletics Association of the Philippines athletics and swimming competitions, with Edna Magtubo shining brightest on Friday at the Athletics Stadium of the New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac. Far Eastern University’s Magtubo setting a new league record in the women’s 5000 meters to spark the defending champions’ resurgence after trailing the University of Santo Tomas early in the meet. The second-year standout clocked 17:59.13, breaking the 13-year-old mark of Mercedita Manipol (17:59.22) by just nine milliseconds.

National University’s Jesse Roda came in a close second with a time of 17:59.50, just 37 milliseconds behind Magtubo, while FEU’s Nicole Diloy completed the podium with 18:03.01. At the Aquatics Center here, Ateneo’s Miguel Martinez matched the long-standing UAAP record of former Blue Eagle Rian Tirol in the boys’ 50-meter breaststroke.

Martinez clocked 51.04 seconds during the morning preliminaries of the championships.

The Lady Tamaraws, aiming for backto-back titles and their 26th women’s athletics crown overall, also struck gold in the women’s javelin throw. Ana Espenilla unleashed a best throw of 48.00 meters as UP’s Chrizzel Lanipa bagged silver with a 38.08-m thrown and and UE’s Janice Nemi earning bronze with 37.18 meters.

Meanwhile, National University finally broke through with its first gold of Season 88, thanks to Rico Jay Patanao, who pulled off the tournament’s biggest upset so far in the men’s 10,000 meters. The one-and-done Bulldog outlasted reigning MVP Alfrence Braza of FEU, finishing with a time of 32:44.72 against Braza’s 32:52.39. UP’s Roy Laudit bagged bronze with 32:56.66.

UST’s Azeneth Serat, 21, earlier defended her title in the women’s 5,000-meter racewalk and broke a 16-year-old record previously held by Far Eastern University’s Florida Gonzales. Serat set a new mark of 26:04.63, eclipsing Gonzales’ 27:27.73. The athlete from Bukidnon finished well ahead of University of the Philippines’ Juliana Talaro (27:44.80) and Julianne Bayola (29:21.33).

Canino, Frayna stay in title hunt in Asean Chess Championship

ATIONAL women’s champion

NRuelle Canino downed another star while Janelle Mae Frayna opted for a quick draw to remain in the title race after the sixth round of the 6th Asean Individual Chess Championships-Gov. Henry Oaminal Cup at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Resort and Aquamarine Park in Ozamiz City. Canino, a 17-year-old Woman FIDE Master and Olympiad veteran, continued her giant-slaying ways as she slew fifth-seed Woman International Master Laysa Latifah of Indonesia in 36 moves of a Sicilian duel. Frayna, the country’s first and only Woman Grandmaster, couldn’t find anything out of their Reti encounter and decided for a truce with WGM Hoang Thi Bao Tram in 26 moves.

Those results sent the two Filipinas in a five-player logjam in second spot with 4.5 points each, just half a point behind solo leader IM Evgenija Ovod of Russia. Also in that chase group were Hoang, Vietnamese WGM Nguyen Thi Mai Hung and another Russian in WIM Ekaterina Smirnova.

THE Premier Volleyball League’s leading squads look to formalize their quarterfinal stints when they face rivals looking to stay in contention on Saturday in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.

The surging ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles aim for their sixth straight victory and a formal entry into the Round of Eight as they take on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 6:30 p.m. main game at the Candon City Arena.

The PLDT High Speed Hitters, who hold the second-best record, face Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 4 p.m. match. Fresh off a sweep of the first phase of the two-part prelims—highlighted by a stirring come-from-behind win over the Akari Chargers last Tuesday—the Thunderbelles look to notch their sixth win in as many matches as they battle the Flying Titans. Import Anna DeBeer continues to power the team with her blend of offense, leadership and composure, inspiring a youthful roster now thrust into the PVL spotlight.

Also starring AC Miner, Riza Nogales, Thea Gagate, Chinnie Arroyo, Mycah Go, setter Cloane Mondonedo and libero Alyssa

The eighth-seeded Ovod split the point with Vietnamese WGM Nguyen Thi Mai in 30 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined to hold sway at the helm in this nine-round meet sponsored by Misamis Occidental, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and sanctioned by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines.

It was Canino’s masterful victory over the sixth-seeded Latifah that emerged the biggest of the round as she, playing black, pounced on an early blunder by the latter to go an exchange up and defended well enough in the end to preserve the win.

The Cagayan de Oro lass ended Latifah’s agony with a rook sacrifice on an empty space that will lead, if captured, into losing more materials including the 19-year-old Idonesian’s last strong piece—the queen.

In the open section, Filipino IMs Pau Bersamina and Christian Gian Karlo Arca preserved their energy and halved the point in just 18 moves of a Catalan to stay in a five-man jam at No. 3 with four points each.

Season 85 MVP Lianne Pama delivered UST’s second gold medal after ruling the women’s 100 meters with a blistering 11.82 seconds—the only sub-12 performance in the final.

FEU’s Shane Ponce (12.00) and Annie Mercurio (12.24) settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

On the men’s side, Hokkett Delos Santos maintained his dominance in the pole vault, claiming another gold with 4.50 meters to lead a UST sweep of the podium.

Mejen Sumbongan (4.30) and Sean Harry Narag (4.20) completed the 1-2-3 finish. Susan Ramadan captured gold in the 800 meters with a time of 2:12.25.

The FEU senior edged UP rookie Mary Jane Pagayon (2:14.10) and Adamson University’s Ligan Duhaylungsod (2:14.46).

They trail co-leaders IMs Munkhdalai Amilal of Mongolia and V S Raahul of India, who outlasted local bets in IM Jem Garcia and Kim Steven Yap, respectively.

Of the two, Amilal was the lucky one after Garcia, who went on a sacrificial attack right on the opening phase, missed several winning chances and fell in 94 moves of a razor-sharp Queen’s Indian duel.

By Josef T. Ramos

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA)

is set to lean more on grassroots development programs for upcoming international competitions, following the breakout performances of young sprinters Pi Durden Wangkay and Naomi Cesar at the recently concluded 3rd Asian Youth Games in Manama, Bahrain.

Sixteen-year-old Wangkay of De La Salle Zobel clocked an impressive 21.76 seconds to capture gold in the 200-meter dash-an achievement, a big boost ahead of his stint with the Philippine seniors squad in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok scheduled from December 9 to 20.

Cesar clinched silver in the girls’ 800-meter final, finishing just a second behind China’s Jinping Song, who won gold with a time of 2:07.84. Cesar’s 2:08.69 finish-her personal bestshattered her previous mark of 2:17.87 set at the 2025 Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Saudi Arabia, where she earned bronze.

The 16-year-old Cesar is also set to see action in the SEA Games and the World Athletics U20 Championships in Portland, Oregon slated for August 5 to 9, 2026. Their sterling performances

N ONITO “THE FILIPINO FLASH” DONAIRE JR . will face World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi on December 17 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Donaire, the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight champion, seeks to become the thirdoldest world boxing champion at 43 after American heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins at 49 and George Foreman at 45. He trains at

contributed to the

“Patafa believes we can discover more Wangkays and Cesars for next year’s competitions. We just have to maximize our grassroots,” Patafa secretary-general Jasper Tanhueco told the BusinessMirror on Friday.

“Young faces of Philippine athletics have arrived-and they’ve already delivered gold and silver medals in Bahrain,” Tanhueco added. “They are the future of our sport, and we’re excited to see them compete on bigger stages.”

“They’re the youngest members of our national team in this biennial meet, and we’re proud to give them the opportunity to compete at the SEA Games this December,” Tanhueco said.

“They’re both hardworking athletes who truly deserve their slots.”

Wangkay, who is focusing on the 100 and 200, will serve as a reserve for the 4x100-meter relay team, according to Tanhueco.

Wangkay and Cesar are also preparing to qualify for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.

“This is about giving them exposure and experience ahead of the Youth Olympics and other junior competitions next year,” he explained. “Pi and Naomi represent the bright future of Philippine athletics, and we’re committed to supporting them. We’ll find more like them soon.”

ATIONAL UNIVERSITY and University of Santo Tomas begin their best-of-three title showdown in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The match starts at 4 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs and Tigresses punched their way into the finale of the league’s centerpiece tournament by sweeping their respective Final Four opponents two weeks ago. NU, gunning for a fourth straight title and second consecutive season sweep following its conquest of the National Invitationals Davao Leg, rolled past Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in their semifinal match despite the absence of a couple of key players. Celine Marsh starred along with