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GOOD FORTUNE. Locals and tourists alike flocked to Baguio City’s Session road to witness high-energy Wushu demonstrations and graceful Chinese music and dance performances, especially the spirited Dragon and Lion dances in celebration of the midAutumn festival. Conrad Rotor
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VOL. XL • NO. 226 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 •
US, China trade jabs over Ayungin resupply mission By Katrina Manubay and Vince Lopez THE United States and China traded accusations Sunday over a Philippine rotation and resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal, with Washington condemning what it called dangerous maneuvers by Chinese maritime forces and Beijing accusing the US of fanning tensions in the South China Sea. US Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Lipton condemned Chinese ships for maneuvers that he said risked a collision with a Philippine vessel and disrupted the resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal last Thursday. “The United States strongly condemns the use of dangerous blocking and other irresponsible maneuvers by the China Coast Guard and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) that threatened a collision with a Philippine
‘Nefarious activities’ of foreigners probed
Marcos orders dismantling of criminal networks in PH By Rex Espiritu and Vince Lopez
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered intelligence and law enforcement agencies to investigate alleged nefarious activities by foreign criminal networks in the Philippines, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said.
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LTFRB to mete out sanctions against transport strikers By Rio Arajo THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Sunday warned transport operators who will join the planned strike of the Samahang Manibela, Mananakay at Nagkaisang Terminal ng Transportasyon (Manibela) from September 28 to 30 that they may face sanctions. Meanwhile, the government suspended work and classes in public schools starting at 1 p.m. today in observance of Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga Day, part of National Family Week. The Albay provincial government also announced the suspension of faceto-face classes in all levels, public and private, from September 29 to 30 due to the transport strike. Next page
FARE HIKE NOTICE. Passenger jeepneys plying the Bagong Silangan–Commonwealth route install new fare matrices yesterday, in preparation for the fare increase taking effect today. Edd Castro
Teodoro said the directive covers various illegal activities allegedly involving foreign nationals, citing the case of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and the proliferation of what he described as substandard steel plants. “President Marcos has instructed our intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies to conduct evidence-based operations against these forms of nefarious activities,” Teodoro said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. The Philippine National Police on Sunday said it was intensifying its campaign to expose and dismantle illicit operations linked to foreign criminal groups operating in the country. PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police operations would focus on individuals and networks involved in criminal activities, regardless of nationality. “Foreign criminal groups have no place Next page
‘Leni-Bam tandem cuts lead of Sara-Robin teamup’ By Katrina Manubay THE hypothetical 2028 tandem of Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla saw its lead over the tandem of former Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Bam Aquino narrow to 12 points, according to a survey by the OCTA Research group. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said a
change in administration after the 2028 elections could affect the pace of the country's West Philippine Sea efforts, although he noted that the Marcos Jr. administration has institutionalized mechanisms intended to sustain the country’s defense programs. In a recent Tugon ng Masa (TNM) survey, results showed that while Duterte and Padilla lead nationally,
16 percent of respondents remain undecided. Across major areas, support for the Duterte-Padilla tandem was most pronounced in Mindanao (86 percent), followed by the Visayas (60 percent) and the National Capital Region (45 percent), while Balance Luzon registered the lowest level of support (24 percent). Next page
PBBM touts expanded zero-balance P9.7b slash in free billing program as key gov’t initiative college tuition fund By Katrina Manubay PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Sunday highlighted the expanded zero-balance billing (ZBB) program as one of the key government initiatives rolled out during his birthday celebration, saying the expanded program now extends coverage beyond ward patients to all patients in more than 132 hospitals across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In his new vlog, President Marcos expressed gratitude to Filipinos for their birthday greetings, saying he was unable to celebrate with his family be-
cause his schedule took him straight from Ilocos to India. “Thank you so much to everyone who greeted me last week. I barely had time to celebrate with my whole family, as my schedule was packed backto-back—from Ilocos all the way to India," the President said. The Chief Executive also noted that, upon his return, he celebrated his birthday at a nationwide event involving more than 98 local government units, where various government agencies provided food, programs, and assistance. Next page
to cripple program By Ram Superable
A P9.7-BILLION slash to the national free college tuition fund threatens to cripple Republic Act No. 12325, the law enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, as it prepares for rollout, Senator Joel Villanueva warned on Sunday. The cut is part of a broader 26.7-percent budget reduction for the Commission on Higher Education, reducing its free tuition fund from P37.547 billion to P27.790 billion. Next page
Eala takes center stage, PH wins 3 more bronzes By Riera U. Mallari NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)— The Philippines’ gold-medal hopes get a major boost Monday as tennis superstar Alexandra “Alex” Eala finally takes center stage in the 20th Asian Games, ready to lead the charge and inspire her fellow Next page athletes.
LOCKED IN AND READY.
Philippine tennis star Alex Eala wastes no time hitting the indoor courts at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center for her practice session ahead of her 2026 AichiNagoya Asian Games debut. The Filipina ace was seen going through resistance band warm-ups, dialing in her crisp groundstrokes, running through her court movement drills, and strategizing closely with her coach. POC Media
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in our communities. We will use intelligence, technology, and evidencedriven operations to expose their networks, disrupt their activities, and hold those responsible accountable under the law,” Nartatez said. “Our mandate is clear: protect our people and prevent our country from becoming a safe haven for illicit operations.” ‘No particular nationality targeted’ Nartatez stressed that the PNP's campaign would not target any particular nationality. “Our enforcement must be directed at criminality, not nationality. We
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vessel and prevented a lawful and routine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on September 24,” Lipton said in a statement. He urged the CCG and PLAN to stop what he described as “escalatory tactics” that could threaten freedom of navigation and a free and open Indo-Pacific. “We stand by our Philippine allies and laud their professionalism and restraint,” Lipton said. ‘Provocative, unlawful actions’ The Chinese Embassy in Manila rejected Lipton’s statement, accusing Washington of supporting what it called the Philippines’ “provocative and unlawful actions” at Ayungin Shoal, which Beijing refers to as Ren’ai Reef. “We strongly condemn the US Embassy in the Philippines’ disregard for right and wrong and its insistence on supporting the Philippines’ provocative and unlawful actions at Ren’ai Reef in China’s Nansha Qundao,” the embassy said. The embassy said the Philippine resupply mission violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and undermined
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The world no. 18 and top-seed Eala plunges into action at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center, launching her women’s singles campaign after receiving a first-round bye and taking on Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej, ranked No. 510, in the Round of 16. For a Philippine delegation looking for another major breakthrough, Eala’s arrival provides renewed optimism. The 21-year-old star is coming off a bronze-medal performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and is among the Philippines’ strongest prospects for another gold. Eala has beaten Cheapchandej once, prevailing, 6-3, 6-4, at the 2022 ITF Thailand 05A tournament. The Thai advanced by overwhelming Pakistan’s Mahin Aftab Qureshi, 6-1, 6-1. But Eala remains cautious. "I think I have as big a chance as any other person on the draw (in the Asian Games). I think once you compete and, like I said, once you're in the draw, you have a chance so I'll do my best," said Eala following her second-round exit at the 2026 Singapore Tennis Open. Eala will also partner with Shaira Hope Rivera in women’s doubles against Hong Kong’s Lai Ching Laam and Kallista Liu. Medal haul grows The medal haul grew with the women’s sepak takraw team securing at least bronze after beating Japan, 2-1, and India, 2-0, at Mizuho Park Gymnasium. Nelly Jay Salon, Jean Marie Sucalit and Abegail Sinogbuhan have advanced to the semifinals regardless of Monday’s result against South Korea. Sibol’s Pokémon UNITE squad likewise captured bronze, sweeping Hong Kong, 2-0, in the quarterfinals before falling to Indonesia, 0-2, in the semifinals at Aichi Sky Expo. It was the Philippines’ first esports medal in Asian Games history. "I’m still in awe kasi first time and
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“We authored this reform because the subsidy was not reaching the students who needed it most. A smaller
will go after individuals and networks when evidence shows that they are engaged in illegal activities, regardless of where they come from,” he said. “The rule of law applies equally to everyone, and our duty is to protect the Filipino people through fair, professional, and evidence-based policing,” he added. Teodoro cited Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, who was elected mayor of Bamban in 2022 and later faced questions over her citizenship and alleged links to Philippine offshore gaming operator activities. He also cited businessman Tony Yang, whom he said had information linking him to Guo. Teodoro further alleged that Yang had associates in Cambodia who were
connected to individuals involved in a large-scale money-laundering operation in Singapore. “With the discovery of Alice Guo as a fake Filipino, and Tony Yang as an admitted fake Filipino... there is some information to show that they have some relationship with each other, and internationally, as part of an international cabal,” Teodoro said. Teodoro said authorities should investigate not only Guo but also the broader network that supported the establishment and operation of the Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Bamban. He said the facility was built within two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, with much of its materials and workers allegedly brought in from
abroad. “If that many materials and that many people could enter so quickly during the pandemic, what about drugs? What about other things? That is what we should examine, not just Alice Guo but her entire support system. Could that happen with a private individual alone when the whole world was closed? I don't think so,” Teodoro said. Substandard steel plants flagged Teodoro also raised concerns over the proliferation of what he described as substandard steel plants, citing Sanjia Steel Corp. in Misamis Oriental as an example. Authorities raided the Sanjia facility in May, resulting in the arrest of 69 Chinese nationals.
“What does this do? You need a steel industry, you need a bona fide steel industry to manufacture, especially for your defense. Can you imagine using substandard steel for vessels which are... contaminated? You can’t do that,” Teodoro said. Meanwhile, Nartatez underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing criminal activities that may involve foreign syndicates.
regional peace and stability. “China urges the US side to stop fanning the flames and refrain from actions that undermine regional peace and stability,” it said. China reports Scarborough exercises The dispute came as China’s military conducted a joint naval and air training exercise around Scarborough Shoal, which Beijing calls Huangyan Dao and the Philippines calls Bajo de Masinloc. The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said the exercise was conducted in the waters and airspace around the shoal and was a response to actions by “certain countries” that it claimed had undermined regional peace and stability. The Chinese military said the training was intended to test and enhance its combat capabilities in safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing did not immediately comment on the exercise. PCG challenges CCG near Mindoro Separately, the Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday challenged a CCG vessel monitored loitering 36 nautical miles northwest of Cabra Island
in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, and dispatched a patrol ship to verify its presence. During a maritime domain awareness flight joined by ABS-CBN News, a PCG aircraft issued a radio challenge to the Chinese vessel, citing the Philippine Maritime Zones Act, UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award. The PCG told the Chinese vessel it had no legal authority to operate within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and directed it to leave. PCG spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Adm. Jay Tarriela identified the vessel as CCG 3303, one of the ships deployed in Bajo de Masinloc. He said the same vessel used a water cannon against the BRP Datu Cabaylo in July. “This morning, we were able to see CCG 3303. Comparing the location of this CCG vessel last night and today, it seems that it’s just loitering around the waters off Occidental Mindoro,” Tarriela said. The PCG dispatched the BRP Teresa Magbanua to confirm the vessel’s proximity to Occidental Mindoro. ‘Unusual presence’ Tarriela described the Chinese vessel’s presence near Lubang as
unusual, saying similar activity had previously been observed during Coast Guard exercises in Manila Bay involving the United States and Japan. “Sometimes, they go to Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan, but not in Mindoro,” he said. Tarriela said the PCG’s radio challenge and deployment were intended to prevent China from normalizing its presence in the area and ensure continued monitoring of what he described as illegal Chinese activities in the West Philippine Sea. The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea earlier condemned what it described as dangerous interference by Chinese maritime forces during the Philippine mission, saying Chinese vessels blocked the delivery of supplies and the rotation of personnel aboard the BRP Sierra Madre. The CCG, meanwhile, accused Manila of conducting a “provocative” resupply mission despite what it said were Chinese warnings and commitments between the two sides. DFA: No arrangement with Beijing In July, the Department of Foreign Affairs rejected efforts to misrepresent the provisional understanding governing resupply missions to the
BRP Sierra Madre. The DFA said the arrangement does not require Manila to seek Beijing’s permission and does not recognize any foreign jurisdiction over Philippine waters. It also said the understanding had allowed 15 incident-free resupply missions since July 2024 and was intended as a conflict-prevention measure. Scarborough Shoal is located 124 nautical miles off Masinloc, Zambales, and is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, according to the supplied report. In 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that the shoal’s high-tide features are rocks that cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own and therefore do not generate an exclusive economic zone or continental shelf. The tribunal also found that Scarborough Shoal had been a traditional fishing ground for fishermen of many nationalities and that China had unlawfully prevented Filipino fishermen from engaging in traditional fishing there. China does not recognize the ruling and continues to claim sovereignty over the shoal.
sobrang happy ako sa boys ko kasi nga lifetime na nilang dadalhin ‘to na nagdala sila ng medalya para sa bansang Pilipinas,” head coach Albert Camp said. Sibol’s Honor of Kings team also guaranteed itself at least bronze after sweeping South Korea, 2-0. Justine Ritchie Tan, Golden Hart Dajao, Dragon Hart Dajao, Charles Roman Esguerra, Jhon Mike Tungol and Chammy Paul Nazarrea now face powerhouse China in Monday’s semifinals for a place in the gold-medal match. Meanwhile, John Cabang Tolentino delivered a bronze in the 110m hurdles with a 13.48 clocking, finishing behind champion Chen Yuanjiang of China (13.15) and runner-up Rachid Muratake of Japan (13.29). His teammate, Janry Ubas advanced to the men’s long jump final after clearing the qualifying mark with a 7.59-meter effort, good for eighth among 12 finalists. "Sobrang happy kasi na-hit agad ang qualifying standard. Sobrang lakas talaga, parang final na. 'Yung iba na magagaling, nahirapan din," said Ubas. The 32-year-old, who finished seventh in Hangzhou, is seeking his first Asian Games medal in his third appearance. "Feeling ko may natira pa akong lakas at mag-iimprove pa sa finals. Focus lang, huwag ma-pressure, tiwala lang sa training. Lahat naman naghanda," he said. "Gusto ko talaga maka-produce ng medalya kasi pang-third time ko na ito. Next time, 36 or 37 na ako," Ubas admitted. Also making her individual Asian Games debut Monday is Fil-American Victoria Bossong in the women’s 800 meters. Bossong owns a personal best of 1:58.52, faster than the Asian Games record of 1:59.02 set by Kazakhstan’s Margarita Mukasheva in 2014. She is one of only three runners in the field to have broken two minutes. Bossong already helped the Philippine mixed 4x400-meter relay team reach the final while setting a national record of 3:19.68.
‘Leni-Bam...
have the following margins of error at the same confidence level: ±6% for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, and the Visayas. Teodoro made the remarks when asked about the possibility that gains in protecting Philippine territory and maritime rights could be reversed or slowed under a future administration. “You cannot say that there is no chance. There is really a chance,” Teodoro said, referring to the possibility of changes in government policy in the area. He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had institutionalized mechanisms, particularly within the Armed Forces of the Philippines, to help ensure continuity in programs aimed at strengthening the country’s defense and protecting its sovereignty. But Teodoro acknowledged that a change in administration could bring a change in momentum, noting that foreign policy ultimately rests with the government in power. He said even a slowdown in defense efforts could carry risks because the Philippines is in a continuing race to build resilience while other countries are also advancing their capabilities.
PBBM...
budget makes that job harder, not easier,” Villanueva said. According to the lawmaker, the budget reduction directly undermines the legislation he authored to redirect tertiary subsidies toward low-income families.
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In contrast, the Robredo-Aquino tandem was strongest in Balance Luzon (54 percent), followed by the NCR (33 percent) and the Visayas (30 percent), while support was weakest in Mindanao, at five percent. The survey also revealed that the 12-point gap between the two tandems is the narrowest since the gap of approximately 20 to 25 points observed beginning in 2025. OCTA noted that these results suggest a narrowing trend as the 2028 elections approach. In February, Duterte announced her intention to run for president in 2028. Meanwhile, Robredo said she is not interested in running for national office in 2028 and plans to seek reelection as mayor of Naga. The survey was conducted faceto-face from July 4 to 11 among 1,200 respondents aged 18 and older. The survey has a margin of error of ±3% at a 95% confidence level. Subnational estimates for the geographic areas covered in the survey
In an interview over dzBB’s Super Radyo, acting LTFRB Chairman Greg Pua Jr. said operators who fail to operate may be issued a showcause order and fined P5,000 for a first offense. “Actually, their franchise stipulates that they must not stop providing services. We issue a show-cause order. The minimum fine for that is P5,000 for the first offense,” Pua said. He said second and third offenses may result in suspension and cancellation of franchises, respectively. “We have rules on abandonment. If you are a fleet and less than 60% did
not operate for a certain period, your franchise will be deemed abandoned and the government may cancel it,” he added. The strike will coincide with the first day of the fare increase for public utility vehicles. The Nagkakaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (PISTON), led by national president Modesto Floranda, will also stage protests from September 29 to 30. Manila Standard tried to reach both Manibela and PISTON for comment but received no response. “We are very open to that issue of increase. We always hear their sentiments and will see what the government can do to help the public transportation sector,” Pua said.
Targeting issues triggered the reform after 4Ps beneficiaries received only 12.6 percent of Tertiary Education Subsidy grants in the first semester of Academic Year 2025–2026. Offsetting the primary subsidy losses, student financial assistance
programs, on the other hand, expanded to P3.185 billion, widening coverage from 42,128 to 49,243 recipients. The Doktor Para sa Bayan medical scholarship scheme also retained funding at P1.232 billion to cover 4,557 existing scholars and admit 700
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“We will continue to strengthen partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to prevent these nefarious activities,” he said. The PNP also urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious activities involving foreigners to authorities.
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“Every government frontline service agency was involved, so the event felt like a grand celebration. One of the key initiatives we carried out that day was the "zero-balance billing" scheme, but we expanded its coverage," Mr. Marcos said. “Normally, this only covers ward patients. But on that day, we included everyone. As long as you were in the hospital—regardless of the room—your bill was covered," he added. Earlier this month, the Department of Budget and Management released P10.377 billion to expand the Marcos administration's ZBB program. Mr. Marcos also noted that the initiative reached beyond hospitals, with community- and school-based sites providing medical checkups, medicines, wheelchairs, and other assistance. He thanked local government units, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, PhilHealth, and volunteers, noting that the initiative served 175,565 beneficiaries across more than 282 participating sites. During the vlog, he also read letters from Filipinos expressing gratitude for the initiatives. He said he was happy and blessed to be able to offer Filipinos a little help and hope. The President likewise emphasized that September is also the birth month of his father, Ferdinand Marcos Sr., and his sister, Irene. He also celebrated the 89th birthday of his father’s photographer, whom he called “Tata Willy,” saying that the man had joined them through everything their family went through. President Marcos was born on September 13, 1957. This year, his birthday coincided with a visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, where he also held a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
new medical students. “We take note of the increase in our scholarship and financial assistance programs. More of our students are getting help, and we intend to keep pushing that number up,” Villanueva said.
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Sanctions won’t stop case against Duterte—ICC By Pot Chavez
‘ARAW NG ALICIA.’ A colorful parade is one of the highlights of Alicia’s 77th Araw ng Alicia celebration, featuring students from public and private schools in vibrant costumes and performances that showcase the town’s history, culture, heritage and unity.
‘Aid for school shooting victims’ By Katrina Manubay
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RESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate provision of financial assistance to those injured and the families of those killed in the Banga National High School shooting in South Cotabato. In a media statement, the Office of the Executive Secretary said President Marcos instructed Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to ensure that victims and their families receive the necessary assistance immediately. In response, Recto ordered the Office
of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration to immediately process and release the financial assistance in accordance with existing laws and policies, the statement read. The Office of the Executive Secre-
IN BRIEF Alicia wraps 77th founding anniversary in color, unity ALICIA, Isabela — The streets of Alicia came alive with color, music, and community spirit as the municipality celebrated its 77th Araw ng Alicia with the “Balitok ti Alicia” Street Dance Competition and Grand Parade on Sept. 25, 2026. Students from public and private schools showcased vibrant costumes, energetic performances, and choreography highlighting Alicia’s history, culture, heritage and unity. “The Araw ng Alicia is a celebration of our town’s history, progress, culture, and the people who continue to make Alicia a vibrant community,” Mayor Joel Amos P. Alejandro said. The Grand Parade featured contingents from schools, barangays, offices and organizations marching through the town center. The 77th founding anniversary commemorates Executive Order No. 268, signed on Sept. 28, 1949, which officially created Alicia. The municipality was named after Alicia Quirino, wife of former President Elpidio Quirino. Jessica M. Bacud
Central Visayas workers get pay increase, wage body says THE National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) has granted a P42 increase in the daily minimum wage of private-sector workers in Central Visayas, with the new rates set to take effect on Oct. 14, 2026. The increase will bring the daily minimum wage to P582 in Class A areas and P542 in Class B areas. The NWPC unanimously affirmed the wage order during its Sept. 26 deliberation at the Department of Labor and Employment Regional Office VII in Cebu. DOLE Secretary and NWPC Chairperson Francis N. Tolentino confirmed the action after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board VII submitted the wage order for review. The wage adjustment followed consultations and public hearings with labor, management and other stakeholders. RTWPB VII will publish the wage order before its Oct. 14 implementation. Vito Barcelo
tary also said the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided immediate assistance to affected families and psychological first aid to the school’s teachers. Earlier this week, Recto also directed the office to submit a progress report within five days of receiving the order and every five days thereafter until the assistance has been fully provided. On Sept. 18, reports indicated that at least three students were killed and several others were injured after a ninth-grade student allegedly opened fire at Banga National High School before taking his own life.
President Marcos, for his part, called it “unacceptable” that three rare school shooting incidents had occurred in the country within three months. He ordered concerned government agencies to investigate immediately and enhance security around school communities. In August, a student livestreamed himself shooting another classmate dead before taking his own life at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, a Catholic private school in western Mindanao. In June, three teenage students were killed and 20 others were wounded in an attack at a school in Tacloban.
WARM WELCOME.
Senator Risa Hontiveros visits Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology’s Main CampusTiwi Site in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, for a youth forum and thanks students and organizers for the warm welcome.
‘Impeachment trial aims to protect state, public interest’ By Rio N. Araja AN IMPEACHMENT trial is ultimately intended to protect the state and the public interest by determining whether an official should remain in office, trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said. “The issue on impeachment is not really to prove one’s culpability. It’s actually protecting the state, the interest of the state, and the interest of the people,” he maintained. He issued the statement when asked whether House prosecutors still saw a need to present evidence on the bribery charge against Vice President Sara Duterte after presenting their
case on other articles of impeachment. Adiong said an impeachment proceeding should be distinguished from an ordinary criminal prosecution because the central question is whether the respondent should continue holding public office. “The issue here is whether she is fit to continue as Vice President of our country,” he said. The Constitution provides that impeachment may result in removal from office and disqualification from holding public office, while an impeached official may separately remain liable to prosecution and punishment under the law.
Adiong said the prosecution believes the evidence it has presented so far supports allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. “Based on the presentation of evidence and the witnesses, it seems clear that there is really a culpable violation of the Constitution. There is betrayal of public trust,” he said. The Senate impeachment court has yet to decide whether Duterte committed any of the offenses alleged in the Articles of Impeachment. Adiong said the prosecutors are now considering whether it remains necessary to separately present evidence on the bribery charge.
Lacanilao orders action vs. Quezon mayor, staff
Tondo barangay officials accused of manhandling A NUMBER of barangay officials in Tondo are in hot water after they were accused of manhandling four individuals, including three minors. The complainants alleged that on the night of Sept. 16, a barangay executive officer collared the four, the eldest of whom is a 21-year-old man, while they were huddling. The group was reportedly accused of being unnecessarily noisy and cussing. Instead of being brought to the barangay hall, the four were allegedly taken to a nearby alley, where they claimed they were slapped and threatened with an icepick or at gunpoint. The complainants said the alleged assault involved the barangay executive officer, a barangay tanod and a barangay kagawad. They claimed they were also admonished for allegedly creating chaos on Sept. 8. Itchie G. Cabayan
THE sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on the International Criminal Court (ICC) will not hinder the case against former President Rodrigo Duterte, according to the counsels of human rights advocates. In a joint statement on Sunday, lawyers Neri Colmenares and Kristina Conti clarified the matter amid circulating rumors. “The Duterte case and the Philippine situation were brought to the court’s attention by many entities, including the very victims of the ‘war on drugs.’ The investigation and case were vetted vigorously under the court’s systems and protocols,” the statement read in part. “We see no direct risk of the sanctions to the proceedings, as the Duterte case moves on to the trial stage by the end of November 2026. Even if the decision on Duterte’s fitness to stand trial is still pending, the trial chamber has confirmed that Duterte must be kept in detention,” it added. Colmenares and Conti serve as counsels for Rise Up for Life and for Rights (Rise Up), an advocacy network representing drug war victims. They claimed that the international court will not automatically release the former president due to pressure, noting that it is not supported by U.S. money. Additionally, they said that none of the ICC’s physical facilities are hosted by or located in the U.S. According to them, there is indirect danger if the measures paralyze operations involving institutional or personal transactions, as officials already have serious issues with finances and communications.
By Rio N. Araja
MANILA FIRE. The Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reports a fire incident at the corner of Adriatico Street and Quirino Avenue on Sept. 27.
LAND Transportation Office (LTO) chief Markus Lacanilao has ordered immediate action against a mayor and several employees of a local government unit in Quezon who were involved in traffic violations after being seen traveling on their motorcycles without wearing the standard protective motorcycle helmet. When the video and photos related to the incident reached the agency, he directed the Intelligence and Investigation Division (IID) to determine the identities of the registered owners and designated riders of the motorcycles involved. The agency issued a show-cause order (SCO) to give them an opportunity to explain themselves. They are ordered to appear before the IID office at LTO headquarters on Oct. 1 for a hearing.
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EDITORIAL
From Bendalo to Banana THERE is this braggart who not too long ago fooled the American government by renaming himself Erich Sylvester, took US citizenship, served in its armed forces, came back, and re-took Philippine citizenship as he was appointed to the cabinet of this maladministration, and later, within the unaugust premises of the Senate, invented the term “bend the law.” Jesus of Nazareth was the best example of how “bend the law” could be deadly. Because the Jews shouted “crucify him” as he was brought before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor washed his hands of what he knew to be an unjust sentence and gave in to the roar of the crowd. A columnist of the Manila Times, Van Ybiernas, coined the term “Bendalo Republic” to describe how the rule of law has been violated in today’s benighted land. I once labeled our political economy as the “Ayuda Republic” in this same space because the only solution of this government to poverty is to give “ayuda,” a Spanish term which literally means “help” but in Tagalog street lingo once meant something unprintable. But perhaps the metaphoric ayuda is quite appropriate, as in government always “f---ks the people”. When “bendalo” was seconded by then Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, the wheels for bending the law went into high gear. And now that the right honorable Boying has become our Ombudsman, it seems bending the law as weapon against political enemies, or as sword of Damocles against those who need to be cowed to toe the line, has been elevated to the heights of legal and political praxis. So let me postulate my own theory: Ayuda as economic solution plus Bendalo as legal praxis equals a Banana Republic. In the case of the Vice President’s impeachment which was engineered by this administration to stop a Duterte from leading this nation once more, the senators of the realm not only bent the law. They arrogated unto themselves the power to revise the Constitution sans the procedures enshrined in it. The presiding judge, a fine lawyer, declared that “all the members of the Senate” meant 16 of 24, and no one objected. The Senate President, though not a lawyer, intoned the same constitutional arithmetic. Then on September 8, the Pilipino-Mexican American asked to revisit the rules of the game mid-way through the trial, this time warning of “acquittal by default.” The presiding judge and the Senate President then devised a scheme to lay the predicate to a “done deal.” They invited four amici curiae where only one who authored Article XI of the Constitution maintained that the letter of the fundamental law cannot be amended by the senator-judges. One of the amici, himself a member of the constitutional commission, reversed earlier pronouncements, and joined two other friends of the Senate court who went
through paroxysms of extra-legal contortions to devise a “contextual” interpretation of both letter and spirit of the fundamental law. Thus, as pre-ordained, the Senate court by a vote of 13 whose number is eerily similar to those present in the Last Supper, amended Section 6 of Article XI on September 23, right after hearing without listening nor weighing the arguments of the lawyers from both sides. As we write this article, two Filipinos have already brought the matter to the Supreme Court whose duty it is to interpret constitutional questions of transcendental importance, and rule if there is grave abuse of discretion amounting to a lack of jurisdiction.
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Throw in ayuda as an economic solution. One of the inane assertions from the prosecution is that the matter is not yet justiciable because the respondent cannot claim injury from conviction at this point. They posit that the senators should convict first, so that the respondent will have reason to appeal injury before the highest tribunal, as if a decision reversing the mangled threshold can yet bring her back to political life. Patayin muna, ‘pag nag-reklamo, baka sakaling buhaying muli. The “gods of Padre Faura” are not that omnipotent, and only a revolt by the people can undo the harm. Meanwhile, into the dustbin is thrown the rule of law and the stability of democratic institutions, with lasting and incalculable harm rendered to the economy. What investor, pray tell, would risk his money in a country where bending the law even to the point of revising constitutional fiat itself, can be done by thirteen politicians? The eminent Cebuano congressman and governor, Pablo Garcia Sr., once declared before a Senate committee chaired by Miriam Defensor Santiago, with then senator Marcos Jr. in rapt attention: “As Congress is a creation of the Constitution, it cannot repeal or nullify a mandate of the Constitution (because) the spring cannot rise above its source”. The Senate of the 20th Congress has done a deed so foul that history will forever remember it with disdain. And the Ayuda economy which led to Bendalo justice will morph into a Banana Republic. In a country dependent on the export not of bananas now afflicted with the Panama disease, but on the export of people bereft of hope for the future of their next generation, that Banana Republic is upon us.
WASHINGTON — China and the United States agreed to set up a “communication channel” for artificial intelligence incidents, both sides said, after a Washington summit short on breakthroughs. Donald Trump and Xi Jinping discussed matters ranging from AI and trade to the stalled war in Iran, and confirmed that they would meet for a third and fourth time this year at international summits in China and the United States. Xi’s visit to Washington was marked more by pomp than substance, but the White House said on Friday the nations agreed to establish a “bilateral communication channel” for AI incidents. Chinese state media confirmed the AI hotline was agreed in a report about the summit’s outcomes on Saturday. While billionaire Trump has repeatedly dismissed fears that AI could pose a threat to humanity, Xi took a more measured tone, noting the technology must develop under human control. The White House also reported some deals from the visit, including China agreeing to import at least 10 million metric tons of coal from the US in 2027 and 2028. Additionally, the two countries agreed more favorable tariff treatment for $30 billion of “non-sensitive goods” in each direction and two Chinese pandas were to arrive at a US zoo. Despite the focus on pomp and ceremony during the visit, the message from the US and Chinese sides was that the summit had nevertheless helped smooth tensions between the rival superpowers over a host of issues. Trump said the meeting was “one of Friendship, Strength, and Success, for both
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ODAY’S hyper-connected Filipino youth live in an era where independence is often measured by digital reach and unrestricted online expression. But the true blueprint of their freedom was drafted long before the internet age, specifically on Sept 29, 1898, during the historic Malolos Congress. This momentous occasion marked the ratification of the declaration of independence transforming a revolutionary struggle into a formalized, sovereign republic. For a generation bound to screens, understanding Malolos is vital because it proves that the Filipino character is not a modern trend but a hard-won inheritance. The Congress symbolized a unified national identity, bridging regional divides just as social media networks connect disparate islands today.
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The Malolos Congress serves as a reminder that sovereignty requires deliberate curation. By looking back, digital natives can see that their current online liberties are rooted in the constitutional battlegrounds of the past. The Malolos Congress servers as a
Dig once, connect more The law seeks to coordinate the installation of conduits with roadworks and other infrastructure projects so that repeated excavation can be minimized. Its implementing rules make the intent even clearer. The national policy is expected to address engineering and design standards, agreements for private use, fair and reasonable pricing, allocation of risks and costs, and dispute resolution. Local governments are also expected to be guided by model Dig Once policies and to coordinate excavation planning with network providers and other utilities.
The message was that was that the summit had helped smooth tensions between the rival superpowers over a host of issues.
Those details matter because a good idea can fail through poor execution. Who keeps an accurate record of where conduits and cables are located? Who maintains shared facilities and controls access? Who is responsible when a contractor damages a line? How are operators alerted before roadworks begin? And when an outage occurs, who restores the damaged infrastructure and keeps affected customers informed? For consumers, these are not technical questions. They determine whether an online payment goes through, whether a small shop can process an order, whether a student stays in class and whether a remote or work-from-home worker can finish the day’s work. The system must therefore be built around accountability as much as engineering. Conduits need proper drainage, safe access, and enough capacity for future networks. Contractors must follow safety
rules and restore roads and sidewalks properly. Local governments need to be involved early because they manage many of the roads affected and deal directly with communities when construction causes disruption. Shared infrastructure must also remain genuinely shareable. No provider should be able to occupy scarce conduit space simply to block a competitor. At the same time, access rules must recognize the real cost of building, operating, and maintaining these facilities. The goal should be fair, workable terms that allow both established operators and new entrants to invest and expand. There is also a question of where shared conduits are built. Success cannot be measured only by making deployment easier in business districts that already enjoy strong connectivity. Planning should identify opportunities to extend infrastructure toward underserved communities, particularly when public roads and other facilities are already scheduled for construction. Government and industry should also measure the results. Useful indicators include fiber-cut incidents, restoration times, customer notification during outages, deployment time and the number of previously underserved areas reached. Publishing such measures would help consumers see whether the policy is delivering what it promised. Shared underground conduits will not eliminate every fiber cut or solve every connectivity problem. But they can reduce unnecessary digging, improve coordination, make infrastructure more resilient, and create a more orderly path for network expansion. The next time we open a road, we should think beyond the pavement we need today and plan for the connections communities will need tomorrow. If we dig once and build with the future in mind, we can connect more people, more businesses, and more communities for years to come.
For his part, Xi said his Washington trip had added “new substance” to his summit with Trump in Beijing in May. The Chinese leader added that they had agreed to “strategic stability on the basis of respect, fairness, and reciprocity.” The announcement that the two leaders would continue their dialogue was perhaps the biggest deliverable for both sides. Both leaders confirmed they would meet again at the APEC summit in Shenzen, China, in November and the G20 forum at Trump’s Doral resort in Miami in December. While visiting the National Archives in Washington, the leaders inspected the Declaration of Independence, which marks its 250th anniversary this year and which set
out the path for American independence from the “tyrant” British king. Beneath the rotunda, Trump also showed Xi the US constitution, the document that set out the principles of the country’s democratic government two and a half centuries ago. “We’re just comparing how this goes 250 years, theirs goes 6,000 years,” Trump told reporters, referring to China’s ancient roots, as he stood alongside Xi, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, which has ruled China since 1949. Iran talks Trump confirmed during the archive visit that the two leaders had discussed the
US-Israeli war in Iran, which is approaching its seven-month mark. The Republican has faced pressure from Democrats and his own party to confront Xi over reports that Beijing has supplied Tehran with intelligence for attacks on US troops. “We did, we did,” Trump said at the National Archives when asked if they had talked about Iran. Asked if he thought there would be progress on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for the flow of oil, Trump replied: “I think we’re going to do great.” Trump’s showcasing of US democracy at
the National Archives comes a week after he banned three major US media outlets from the White House. They were readmitted on Thursday on the orders of a US judge. The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects the freedom of the press. Rights groups criticize China for its lack of press freedoms and the right of free expression. Trump also publicly mocked his democratically elected predecessor Joe Biden as he gave Xi a tour of the White House on Thursday, showing him a picture of an “autopen” that he has mounted in a gallery of US presidents instead of Biden’s portrait. AFP
China and the U.S.A.” “We’ve made great strides, very positive for both countries,” Trump told reporters as he had tea with Xi at the White House on Friday before the archives trip. ‘Strategic stability’ Trump rolled out the red carpet throughout the visit, treating Xi to a state banquet full of US tech titans, plus military parades, a flyover and even a tour of his new White House helipad and ballroom.
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Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno ManilaStandard
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It represents the intellectual grit of young ancestors who weaponized words, laws and printing presses to challenge colonial powers.
reminder that sovereignty requires deliberate curation, demanding the same critical engagement needed to navigate today’s algorithmic landscapes. It challenges the Filipino youth to look beyond fleeting viral trends and anchor their patriotism in entering historical truths. Appreciating this heritage elevates internet surfing from a mindless pastime into an exercise of democratic freedom. In sum, the spirit of Malolos calls on the internet generation to protect the digital frontiers of a nation built by revolutionaries. Knowing this history ensures that today’s youth do not misinterpret their freedom as a given, but revere it as a continuing responsibility. Let the memory of Sept. 29 inspire the digital generation to type, create, and advocate with the same revolutionary passion that birthed Asia’s first constitutional republic.
WE keep rebuilding the same road, then digging it up again to connect the people who live and work along it. One contractor lays a pipe, another installs a cable, and a later excavation may damage what was buried before. The result is familiar: bumpy roads, traffic, construction noise, and when fiber is cut, disrupted internet service. For a country building an increasingly digital economy, this is an inefficient way to build critical infrastructure. The better approach is straightforward: even before a road is opened, plan the underground space for connectivity, power, water, and drainage. Shared conduits can give qualified network operators protected pathways for fiber, allowing them to expand without repeatedly excavating the same streets. With common engineering standards, reliable maps and clear rules on access and maintenance, better coordination can also reduce accidental damage. The proposal submitted through the Private Sector Advisory Council’s Digital Infrastructure sector calls for national standards and coordinated management of shared underground conduits. Atty. Froilan Castelo—president of the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators and Globe Telecom Inc.’s general counsel—has noted that a unified policy could provide telecommunications operators with clearer, more consistent guidance for planning and deploying networks, while strengthening infrastructure resilience. Consumers should see the results in fewer interruptions, quicker repairs and reliable connectivity reaching more communities. The principle already has a legal foundation. Republic Act No. 12234, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act, requires the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Public Works and Highways, working with other agencies, local governments, and private entities, to develop a Dig Once Policy.
China, US to open AI ‘communication channel’ after summit By Danny Kemp
Why the Malolos Congress matters to the internet generation
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Four Americans among 6 dead in Athens blast
Iran firm on terms to reopen Hormuz
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EHRAN — Iran stood firm Sunday on its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, despite US President Donald Trump’s rejection of the proposal that had created some optimism for breaking the Mideast war stalemate.
FLOODED BANGKOK. A man pushes a bike on a flooded road in Ramkhamhaeng district in Bangkok on September 27. Thousands of Bangkok residents awoke in shelters after flooding triggered by days of heavy rain in the Thai capital inundated homes and roads, with some starting to dry out their homes and belongings. AFP
The waterway is key to the world’s energy supply and is now central to the conflict between Washington and Tehran, which was triggered nearly seven months ago with deadly strikes on Iran. Iran’s plan called for a cessation of all hostilities in the Middle East, including in Lebanon, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and fulfilling conditions in the ceasefire deal that fell apart months ago. That agreement, which dissolved during fighting over Hormuz, called for the release of frozen Iranian assets, the lifting of sanctions on Iranian oil and an end to the US naval blockade. “Our conditions are clear, and any move toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon these conditions being fulfilled. We will not back down from them,” Araghchi said on Sunday, state broadcaster IRIB reported. “We have never closed the door to diplomacy or negotiations, but at the same
time, we have never backed down from our rights.” But Trump said on Saturday that he rejected the truce deal. “They want to make a deal where they open the Strait immediately because they’re losing so badly,” he told reporters. “They want to make a deal and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal too.” Araghchi said on Sunday that the Iranians “saw the first reaction from the US president, but so far, nothing has been conveyed to us by the mediators”. “We are waiting for the mediators to convey the definitive positions to us, and we will make a decision based on them,” the foreign minister added. ‘Tool for pressure’ Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June that aimed to end the war, to reopen the strait and to launch talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. AFP
ATHENS — Four American tourists visiting Greece were among six people confirmed dead Saturday after a blast brought down the small Athens residential building they had been staying in near the Acropolis, officials said. The explosion, which occurred at dawn on Friday in the popular Plaka district filled with tourist lodgings, was likely caused by a gas leak, according to the capital’s mayor, Haris Doukas. The other two people killed were an elderly British man and his Greek wife who lived on the second storey of the three-storey building, Greece’s state broadcaster ERT reported. The American family of four had been renting an apartment on the first storey and were preparing to go to the airport hours later Friday for their return to the United States when the blast occurred, according to the Kathimerini newspaper. The explosion brought down the residential building and damaged properties and vehicles along the street. The New York Times reported that the US family was composed of a couple, their son and his girlfriend. Greek authorities did not immediately give their identities, ages or where in the United States they came from. - ‘Incredible disaster’ On Saturday, AFP reporters saw mechanical diggers moving debris at the site and thermal-imaging cameras deployed. “We are talking about an incredible disaster,” mayor Doukas said. Two nearby buildings were left in a dangerous state, he added, with inspections under way “to determine if they can remain standing or if they also have to be demolished”. The owner of the ground-floor apartment, Mathaios Artavanis, told the Kathimerini daily he was absent at the time of the blast. He said he had tried afterwards to contact the UK-Greek couple who lived there, without success. AFP REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF COURT & EX-OFFICIO SHERIFF MANDALUYONG CITY Email: rtc1mdlocc@judiciary.gov.ph Hotline: 639952598147/82876702
MAYBANK PHILIPPINES, INC., Mortgagee, FRE-MC26-2270 EXTRA-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE UNDER ACT 3135 AS AMENDED BY ACT 4118 ADRIAN JESUS C. CABANOS and PAULA C. CABANOS, represented By their AIF, Maria Veronica V. Ayangco, Mortgagors, x--------------------------------------------------------x
NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALE Upon Extra-Judicial petition for sale under Act 3135 as amended by Act 4118 filed by MAYBANK PHILIPPINES, INC., Mortgagee, executed by ADRIANE JESUS C. CABANOS AND PAULA C. CABANOS, represented by their AttorneyIn-Fact, Maria Veronica V. Ayangco (Mortgagors), with postal address/es at: (1) 6 Road 1 corner Banaba, Pag-Ibig Homes, San Mateo, Rizal, and (2) Unit 2402 with Parking Slot at Level 4, The Dettifoss Tower, Acqua Private Residences Coronado St., Brgy. Hulo, Mandaluyong City, to satisfy the payment thereof, and all other obligation/s, which as of July 20, 2026, amounts to TWO MILLION NINE HUNDRED EIGHTY NINE THOUSAND THIRTY TWO PESOS & 28/100 (Php 2,989,032.28) ONLY, Philippine Currency inclusive of interest. service charge, penalty charge, up to the date of sale, foreclosure expenses and other bank charges and attorney’s fees, the Ex-Officio Sheriff of Mandaluyong City or his duly authorized deputy will sell at PUBLIC AUCTION to the HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH OR MANAGER’S CHECK and in Philippine Currency on the 20th day of October 2026 at 9:00 o’clock in the morning or soon thereafter but not later than 12:00 o’ clock in the afternoon at the main entrance of Mandaluyong City Hall, Maysilo Circle, Mandaluyong City, the Condominium unit together with all the improvements. existing thereon to wit. CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. -008-2018007557(with Parking Slot at Level 4) Registry of Deeds - City of Mandaluyong IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that the unit identified and described as: DETTIFOSS TOWER FLOOR NUMBER: 24 UNIT NUMBER : 2402 TOTAL UNIT AREA: 25.90 SQM OF “ACQUA PRIVATE PROJECT
RESIDENCES”
CONDOMINIUM
in the diagrammatic floor plan appended to the enabling or master deed of the condominium project annotated on TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE 2011001016 which embraces and describes the land located at MANDALUYONG CITY with an area of (TWO THOUSAND SEVENTY TWO (2,072) Square Meter more or less xxxxx “All sealed bid must be submitted to the under signed on the above stated time and date.” “In the event the public auction should not take place on the said date, it shall be held on October 27, 2026 at the same time and place without further notice” Prospective bidders or buyers are hereby enjoined to investigate for themselves the title of the said real property and the encumbrances thereon, if any there be. Mandaluyong City Philippines, August 4,2026.
FOR THE EX-OFFICIO HERIFF By: (Sgd.) LUCY LILIBETH A. ALCABA Sheriff IV Publication: MANILA STANDARD TODAY Copy furnished ATTY. MELVIN C. MALABANAN. Counsel for Petitioner Maybank Philippines, Inc. c/o Maybank, Second Floor, Legaspi Towers 300 P. Ocampo St. corner Roxas Blvd., Malate, City of Manila ADRIAN JESUS C. CABANO and PAULA C. CABANOS Unit 2402 with Parking Slot at Level 4, The Dettifos Tower, Acqua Private, Residences, Coronado St., Brgy Hulo, Mandaluyong City/ 6 Road I corner Banaba, Pag-Ibig Homes, San Mateo, Rizal
WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited to remove, deface or destroy this Notice of Sheriff’s Sale on or before the date of Auction Sale under penalty of the law. (MStandard - Sep. 14, 21 & 28, 2026)
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FUN RUN FOR SIERRA MADRE.
Dozens of youth are soaked after being sprayed with water from a fire truck for finishing a 7-kilometer fun run organized by Southern Tagalog for Environmental Development Protection of Sierra Madre Inc. (STEPHSierra Madre) on Sept. 26 to mark Save Sierra Madre Day. Teddy Brul
Youth join 7-km fun run to mark Sierra Madre Day INFANTA, Quezon—Dozens of youth joined a 7-kilometer fun run organized by Southern Tagalog for Environmental Development Protection of Sierra Madre Inc. (STEPH-Sierra Madre) as part of the observance of Sierra Madre Day. The participants ran toward Agos Bridge, carrying flags bearing the messages “No to Kaliwa Dam” and “Stop Quarrying in Agos River (Dredging).” Upon reaching the bridge, the participants were sprayed with water from a fire truck to cool them down after the run. They later waited for a motorcade from Infanta Cathedral that included priests, seminarians, nuns, Indigenous representatives and members of religious groups. As the motorcade arrived, the young participants lined up along the bridge, carrying banners spelling out “PROTECT SIERRA MADRE.” The activity was followed by a program where youth representatives, an Agta tribal leader, members of the clergy and representatives of other sectors discussed environmental protection and concerns affecting communities in the Sierra Madre area. Fr. Efren Diaz, social action director of the Diocesan Social Action Center of the Prelature of Infanta, said the Church was joining efforts to protect the environment and defend communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on natural resources. Teddy Brul
PH to UN: Put human face on global policy By Katrina Manubay
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OREIGN Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro urged world leaders to put a “human face” on global policy and renew their commitment to international law and stronger multilateralism as she delivered the Philippines’ national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly. In her remarks delivered Saturday in New York, Lazaro stressed that peace is an indivisible responsibility that demands sustained diplomacy, justice, and respect for international law. “Behind every metric is a human story. Every policy, every treaty, and every institutional reform is ultimately about
real human lives,” she said. Lazaro also warned that humanity is at a perilous precipice, facing more than 50 active conflicts, declining trust, and geopolitical fragmentation. She reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to an immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza.
“Secretary Lazaro called for the protection of civilians, the release of all hostages, and full compliance with international humanitarian law,” a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) media statement said Sunday. “She reiterated the Philippines’ firm support for the two-state solution, ensuring Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security,” it added. Earlier this month, the DFA expressed concern over Israel’s progress with the controversial E1 settlement plan and the ongoing increase in settler violence in the occupied West Bank, urging all parties to avoid unilateral actions that could threaten peace in Palestine.
IN BRIEF Lazatin seeks P300m for Pampang market ANGELES City First District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has requested P300 million in funding for the reconstruction of portions of the Pampang Public Market damaged by a fire. Lazatin said he made the request to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. through Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon, with the concurrence of Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II. The proposed funding would be sourced from the Local Government Support Fund and included in the 2027 national budget. “Babangon muli ang Pampang Public Market,” Lazatin said. He expressed sympathy for the market vendors, their families and workers affected by the fire. “I extend my sympathy and solidarity to the vendors, their families and their workers affected by the fire at Pampang Market. I am with you as you recover,” Lazatin said. Lazatin inspected the market with DPWH District Engineer Cezar Abella and Engr. Sheryl Faustino to assess the damage. Butch Gunio
Courts open half day to mark Family Week
FINANCIAL LITERACY TRAINING. About 100 public school teachers from South Caloocan attend an interactive financial management session organized by the Department of Education and BDO Foundation at Caloocan Central Elementary School on Sept. 21. Journalist and financial coach Salve Ibañez leads sessions on debt management and scam prevention with Securities and Exchange Commission representatives. Revoli Cortez
Matugas nixes signing road project papers, says he was out of office By Rio N. Araja SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas denied Sunday that he signed any document related to the Mahayhay-Tuburan Road project, saying he was out of public office for most of the project’s implementation and payment
period. Matugas made the assertion in a counter-affidavit filed with the Office of the Ombudsman during its preliminary investigation of the road project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. He said his term as governor ended June 30, 2022, and he held no elected
or appointed public office from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025. He assumed his congressional post on July 1, 2025. The complaint, quoted in his counteraffidavit, said the contract was entered into on Feb. 22, 2022, and contractor Boometrix Development Corp. was paid from Feb. 23, 2022, to March 24,
2024. “I never signed any document in relation to this Project,” Matugas said. He denied taking part in preparing, reviewing or approving the questioned project documents, disbursement vouchers, inspection reports or certifications. Matugas also disputed the com-
Consulate confirms Pinoys dead in Bavaria highway bus accident THE Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt on Sunday expressed condolences following a bus accident on the A96 highway in Bavaria involving Filipino nationals and said it was coordinating with German authorities for updates on the incident. In a statement, the consulate said it was providing consular assistance to those affected and their families. “The Philippine Consulate General in Frankfurt and the Philippine Honorary Consulate in Munich are in close contact with the German police and relevant authorities and are coordinating with them
regarding the Filipino nationals affected by the incident,” the statement read. “The Consulate is ready to provide consular assistance and support to those affected and their families,” it added. The consulate also said it would provide more information as it becomes available and is officially confirmed by authorities. According to the Associated Press, a bus carrying tourists from the Philippines veered off a highway west of Munich and overturned, killing at least two people and injuring at least eight others. Katrina Manubay
CENTRAL LUZON PRODUCTS. Bataan Gov. Joet Garcia (left), president of the
Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc., reiterates his support for promoting the region’s products and expanding market opportunities for local businesses during the opening of the Likhang Central Luzon Trade Fair 2026 at SM Megamall’s MegaTrade Hall in Mandaluyong City. With Garcia is DTI Bataan Director Ei Ocampo. Butch Gunio
COURT operations nationwide will be suspended Monday starting at 1 p.m. in observance of National Family Week, the Supreme Court said. In a memorandum signed by Acting Chief Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the High Court advised all affected courts to ensure that court users are promptly notified of the suspension. “All justices, judges, and court personnel are encouraged to take advantage of this time off to rekindle these foundational bonds. Nurturing true love empowers,” Leonen said. “Hug your loved ones. They will always be your constants,” he added. Essential frontline services, however, will maintain a skeletal workforce to process urgent matters involving liberty and time-sensitive legal remedies. These include applications for bail and release orders, applications for warrants, including cyber warrants, writs of habeas corpus and amparo, and other similar court activities. Pot Chavez
Bataan gov backs CL trade fair for MSMEs BATAAN Gov. Joet Garcia expressed support for local entrepreneurs participating in the 28th Likha ng Central Luzon Trade Fair 2026 at SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City. Garcia, president of the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc., delivered a message of support during the opening program of the trade fair, which ran from Sept. 23 to 27. “We have wholeheartedly supported our fellow Filipinos and our micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs),” Garcia said. The trade fair showcased products from Central Luzon and provided micro, small and medium enterprises with an opportunity to promote their businesses and reach more customers. Butch Gunio
SPORTS
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor
Ubas secures long jump final spot, eyes elusive Asiad medal By Riera U. Mallari NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—Janry Ubas kept the Philippines’ athletics medal hopes alive on Sunday morning after officially booking a spot in the men’s long jump final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The 32-year-old former Southeast Asian (SEA) Games champion recorded a 7.59-meter leap on his second attempt at the Mizuho Park Stadium, comfortably meeting the qualification standard. The mark placed him eighth overall among 12 finalists in a tightly contested field led by Uzbekistan’s Anvar Anvarov, who topped the round with an 8.00-meter jump. “Sobrang happy kasi na-hit agad ang qualifying standard. Sobrang lakas talaga, parang final na. ‘Yung iba na magagaling, nahirapan din,” said Ubas, acknowledging the steep continental competition. This marks Ubas’ second consecutive appearance in an Asian Games long jump final. At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, he advanced to the final round in third place before ultimately finishing seventh. Heading into Monday’s medal round, the veteran jumper is drawing on his extensive international experience to stay calm. “Feeling ko may natira pa akong lakas at magiimprove pa sa finals. Focus lang, huwag mapressure, tiwala lang sa training. Lahat naman naghanda,” he noted. Now in his third Asian Games campaign, Ubas recognizes the clock is ticking on his athletic career. Driven by a sense of urgency, he is focused on finally capturing that elusive Asian Games podium finish. “Gusto ko talaga makaproduce ng medalya kasi pang-third time ko na ito. Janry Ubas makes the Asian Games long jump final for the second time. Next time, 36 or 37 na POC Media Pool ako,” Ubas admitted.
(From left to right) SIBOL Pokemon UNITE team’s Lance David, Robert Mempin, Ducke Leoncio, coach Albert Camp, PESO President Brian Lim, Kim Rey Salazar, Vaughn Ocio, and Lawrence Gatmaitan Courtesy: SIBOL
PH Sibol UNITE squad bags historic Asiad esports bronze S By Jeremiah Sevilla
IBOL’S Pokémon UNITE team captured a bronze medal in the 20th Asian Games as it swept Hong Kong, 2-0, in the quarterfinals before falling to Indonesia, 0-2, in the semis on Sunday at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname City, Japan.
With the sweep over Hong Kong, the Sibol Pokémon UNITE squad delivered the Philippines’ first-ever esports medal in Asian Games history since the discipline debuted as a demonstration sport in the 2018 Jakarta edition and became a medal event in the 2023 Hangzhou edition. “I’m still in awe kasi first time and sobrang happy ako sa boys ko kasi nga lifetime na nilang dadalhin ‘to na nagdala sila ng medalya para sa bansang Pilipinas,” head coach Albert Camp said. A few hours later, Sibol’s Honor of Kings squad secured at least a bronze after blanking South Korea, 2-0, in the quarterfinals. Sibol Pokémon UNITE sparked a commanding start in Game 1 behind Robert Jon Mempin on Darkrai and Lawrence
Anthony Gatmaitan on Crustle en route to a lopsided 576-80 victory. Mempin finished with 230 points, four knockouts, and four assists while Gatmaitan came through with 211 points, three knockouts, and six assists. Hong Kong put up a stronger fight in Game 2, but the Philippines maintained control and pulled away to complete the sweep with another blowout, 576-207, and seal the bronze mint. Ducke Harnold Leoncio on Mew shone for the Nationals this time, dealing 71,672 damage while helping dismantle Hong Kong’s defense as he drained 129 points on top of four knockouts and five assists. However, Sibol, which was also bannered by Kim Rey Salazar, Michael Vaughn Ocio, and Lance David, was not able to sustain
the momentum against Indonesia. The Filipinos collapsed during the crucial Kyogre fight in both games as the Indonesians ran away with come-frombehind wins. Still, it was a remarkable turnaround for the Philippine Pokémon UNITE team, which started its campaign on the wrong foot after forfeiting its opening match against Kazakhstan due to a uniformrelated issue. Camp’s wards bounced back big with 2-0 sweeps over Chinese Taipei and Malaysia to top Group A and secure their place in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, the Sibol Honor of Kings division advanced to the knockout rounds after crushing Kazakhstan, 2-0, and yielding to Malaysia, 1-2, to finish second in Group B before pulling off the remarkable win against South Korea. The HoK team, composed of Justine Ritchie Tan, Golden Hart Dajao, Dragon Hart Dajao, Charles Roman Esguerra, Jhon Mike Tungol, and Chammy Paul Nazarrea, under coach Gerald Gelacio, is set to battle powerhouse China in the semifinals for a spot in the gold medal match on Monday.
Eala opens Asian Games gold bid against Thai rival NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home)—Filipina tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala fires off her gold medal hunt in the 20th Asian Games women’s singles event against Patcharin Cheapchandej of Thailand on Monday at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan. After earning a first-round bye as the top-seeded player in the tournament, world No. 18 Eala takes on No. 510 Cheapchandej in the second round (Round of 16), with their match schedule yet to be announced. Eala is heavily favored to win, being the best Southeast Asian tennister and having beaten Cheapchandej in their only previous meeting, 6-3, 6-4, in the Round of 16 of the ITF Thailand 05A tournament back in 2022. But the 21-year-old Filipina ace knows very well that she cannot take anyone at the Asiad lightly as she seeks to bounce back from her early exit in the 2026 Singapore Tennis Open, where she suffered a three-set loss to world No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova of Russia. “I think I have as big a chance as any other person on the draw. So, I’ll do
Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino inspects Higashiyama Park Tennis Center, venue of the Asian Games tennis competition. On the right, Alex Eala practices on the court. POC Media Pool
my best,” Eala said after her Singapore campaign surprisingly ended with a 6-4, 5-7, 3-6 upset to Prozorova in the second round. Eala is poised to add to the Philippines’ two-gold haul courtesy of gymnastics superstar Carlos Yulo and
improve her bronze medal finish from the 2023 Hangzhou edition. Before setting her sights on a potential gold, Eala has to first overcome the 31-year-old Cheapchandej, who posted a dominant 6-1, 6-1 sweep of Pakistan’s Qureshi Mahin Aftab to advance to the
Round of 16. Eala will also compete in the women’s doubles alongside Shaira Hope Rivera, with the Filipina pair opening their campaign against Hong Kong’s Lai Ching Laam and Kallista Liu. Jeremiah Sevilla
Gialon seeks to rekindle winning magic in Iloilo Zanieboy Gialon
WORKING his way back to form over the last two years, Zanieboy Gialon returns to the very venue where he last tasted victory, hoping to put everything together again when the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge blasts off Tuesday (Sept. 29) at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club. Gialon ended a two-year title drought the last time the Philippine Golf Tour visited the country’s oldest golf course, then known as Santa Barbara, in 2024. He turned what was expected to be a tight, furious finish into a runaway six-shot victory over Angelo Que and Ira Alido. Now, two years removed from that successful week in Iloilo, the 37-year-old Davao del Sur native finds himself in a familiar position: contending again, but still searching for that elusive next victory.
He has threatened in several tournaments during the current season, only to fall short when it mattered most. But his latest showing in last week’s ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic could provide the boost he needs heading back to a course where he has already proven he can win. Gialon finished solo fourth at Marapara, staying in contention deep into the final round with a two-under 33 on the front nine. He, however, could not sustain the charge, settling for a closing 35 and a 68 to finish three shots behind champion Art Arbole. The result nevertheless marked another encouraging performance for Gialon, who also posted a Top 5 finish at Caliraya Springs, the site of his 2022 triumph. His other results have been less consistent, including a missed
cut at Lakewood, a tie for 15th at Pinewoods, a joint 15th at Pradera and a share of 24th at Summit Point. But the Marapara performance could be particularly significant heading to Iloilo. Like the Marapara layout, Iloilo is tight and tricky, with doglegs and hazards that demand patience and sound decisionmaking. Aggressive play can yield rewards, but misplaced attacks can prove costly on a course where trouble lurks around virtually every corner. That should suit Gialon as he seeks to rekindle the form that carried him to his emphatic victory here two years ago. He will need it, however, with a stellar cast of rivals bringing their own missions to the P2.5-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.
Armed with sub-2:00 speed, Bossong set for Asiad 800m debut NAGOYA (Powered by PLDT Home) —Backed by a proven track record that includes two sub-2:00 clockings, Fil-American track sensation Victoria Bossong enters her individual Asian Games debut on Monday in the 800 meters as a legitimate medal contender. The Harvard Neuroscience graduate of 2025 boasts a career-best time of 1:58.52, a blistering mark that easily surpasses by nearly 5 seconds the 2023 Hangzhou gold-medal winning time of 2:03.20 by Sri Lanka’s Tharushi Karunarathna at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. More impressively, Bossong’s careerbest time is faster than the long-standing 12-year-old Asian Games record of 1:59.02, established by Kazakhstan’s Margarita Mukasheva at the 2014 Incheon Games. With two sub-2:00 clockings under her belt, Bossong enters a competitive 14-woman field in the 800 meters starting at 7:30 p.m. (Philippine time) as one of only three runners to have ever broken the elusive two-minute barrier. However, her path to the top of the podium will feature stiff international opposition. Standing in her way is Bahrain’s formidable Nelly Korir, who holds the field’s fastest personal best at 1:57.69 alongside a season’s best of 1:58.26. Also in the hunt is home-favorite Rin Kubo of Japan, who owns a personal best of 1:59.52 and a season’s best of 2:01.54. Despite the mounting pressure to deliver a breakthrough podium finish for the country, Bossong, whose mother Dr. Catalina Yaco Atienza is from Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro, remains unbothered, drawing momentum from her initial outing in Nagoya. On Thursday, Bossong anchored the Philippine 4x400 mixed relay team, alongside Kaylia Johnson, Michael del Prado, and Gabriel Borado, to the finals while shattering the national record with a time of 3:19.68. Bossong’s signature performance came on June 6, 2026, with her sub-2:00 masterpiece at the USATF Lone Star Grand Prix in College Station, Texas. Before that, Bossong’s first sub-2:00 feat came on April 13, 2024, when she clocked a 1:59.48, while finishing second at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. Riera U. Mallari
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UNIVERSITY TOWN. Villar Group chairman Manuel Villar, with Villar Land chief operating officer Mary Lee Sadiasa and Villar City division head Allan Santos, unveils the University Town marker and University Avenue at Villar City. The 150-hectare University Town is envisioned as a major education, research and innovation district, anchored by the University of the Philippines–Dasmariñas. Bringing together education and lifestyle, the mixed-use district will integrate schools, residences, recreation, sports, retail and business opportunities within one masterplanned community.
-10.9% Business confidence index in August
Businesses, consumers turn less gloomy—BSP By Thony Rose Lesaca
-20.3%
F Business confidence index in July
-29.8% Consumer confidence index in Q3
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
ILIPINO businesses and households are feeling less gloomy about the economy, with sentiment improving in August and the third quarter of 2026, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said over the weekend. It said the business confidence index improved to -10.9 percent in August from -20.3 percent in July, but it remained in negative territory on concerns over adverse weather, elevated inflation, rising oil prices, cautious consumer spending on leisure and travel and higher production and operating costs.
Firms turned more optimistic for the next three months, with the confidence index climbing to 24.6 percent from 3.7 percent in July. Companies cited the possible resolution of the Middle East conflict, enhanced business operations and improved investor confidence as additional factors behind the brighter outlook. Employment prospects for the next three months rose to 13.4 percent from 11.0 percent, while the 12-month outlook surged to 30.7 percent from 9.0 percent. Fewer firms, however, reported plans to expand operations, with the three-month and 12-month expansion outlook slipping to 12.4 percent and 17.1 percent, respectively. The BSP said it continues to monitor developments in the Middle East and their potential effect on business confidence, consumer sentiment, spending and investment, noting these are among the indicators it weighs in
monetary policy decisions. The BSP also reported that consumer sentiment among Filipino households also turned less pessimistic in the third quarter, with the confidence index improving to -29.8 percent from -42.0 percent in the second quarter. Households expressed less pessimism about their economic condition, family financial situation and family income, driven by expectations of stronger demand for consumer and financial products and services and an uptick in business activity ahead of the holiday and rice harvest season. Consumers also grew more optimistic for the next 12 months, with the confidence index climbing to 36.4 percent from 29.4 percent in July. The BSP attributed the increase to expectations of easing inflation and improved consumer spending in tourism, construction, education and financial activities.
DICT asked to stop blocking apps without court order By Darwin G. Amojelar A DIGITAL rights group is pushing back against the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) power to block websites and apps on its own, saying officials broke the law when they cut off access to Discord nationwide without a court’s permission. Digital rights group Democracy. Net PH said the DICT should stop blocking online content and platforms because the agency has no legal authority to impose such restrictions without due process. The call followed the DICT’s temporary, nationwide restriction of Discord in the Philippines. “At no time has the CICC [Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Council] been granted the legal mandate to block online content nor online platforms that are not considered OSAEC [banned by Republic Act No. 11930] without due process of law,” Democracy.Net PH said in a statement. The group said the same limitation applies to the DICT, as Republic Act No. 10844, or the DICT Act, does not grant the department the power to impose such blocks. The government blocked Discord on Sept. 23 and lifted the restriction after the messaging platform pledged to strengthen protections for children and young users and to provide authorities with a direct “green lane” for coordination. The block triggered backlash from the Philippines’ technology and freelance communities, with critics calling for DICT Secretary Henry Aguda’s resignation.
Sun, Rain, and Resilience The need for a balanced energy portfolio to power through the dry and wet seasons in the Philippines ON JULY 17, 2026, Magat Dam’s water level had an elevation of 159.76 meters above sea level, slightly below the critical 160-mark and far from its maximum water depth of 193 meters. Two months later, by September 18, 2026, the water level of the multipurpose dam had climbed by close to 30 meters to 189.24 meters due to the southwest monsoon or habagat. Weeks of heavy rains delivered relief to key reservoirs like Magat Dam, steadily replenishing watersheds and hydroelectric dams that had dried up during the summer months. This recent surge of rain highlights a fundamental dynamic in the national energy system: the Philippines’renewable energy resource base can shift from scarcity to abundance, and from abundance to scarcity somewhere else in the grid. After all, the same clouds that filled Magat Dam also dimmed the sun, reducing the irradiance reaching solar photovoltaic panels. Solar and hydro power generation moving in opposite directions Looking at grid-wide data in 2025, solar gross generation across the Philippines fell to a year low of 1,039.4 gigawatt hour (GWh) from September to November. This is in contrast to its annual peak of 1,385.1 GWh from March to May. Inversely, hydro power increased from 2,747.9 GWh in the dry season of March to May 2025 to a peak of 4,083.9 GWh in September to November the same year. Comparing the dry to the wet season, hydro output rose by more than 48% while solar generation dropped by a third. Summer, in particular, tests grid stability with peak cooling demand and low hydro reservoirs, while peak solar output helps serve the daytime load. The habagat completely reverses this, with hydro output surging while cloud cover suppresses solar.
As one of Luzon’s largest hydro facilities, the Magat hydroelectric power plant in Ramon, Isabela and Alfonso Lista, Ifugao has a maximum output of 388 megawatts, drawing power from the Magat river through the multi-purpose Magat Dam. Photo taken September 2026.
Aerial view of the Kalayaan pumped-storage power plant, a critical component of the CBK hydroelectric power plant complex, storing energy and rapidly dispatching power to help strengthen system stability and provide essential ancillary services.
This inverse relationship illustrates why no single renewable generation technology can carry the power grid alone. Solar is weather-dependent and variable by nature, while hydro remains tied to seasonal rainfall. Consequently, a grid that leans too heavily on any single source, however clean, inherits that source’s weather risk in full. Grid stability and steady economic growth require a balanced energy portfolio since no single power source can handle seasonal weather swings alone. With hospitals, factories, and households all requiring reliable power, continuous operations 24/7 requires a balanced en-
ergy mix, where complementary sources constantly adjust in real time to offset disruptions. To manage seasonal shocks and protect consumers from power shortages or price volatility, the national grid needs reliable and dispatchable energy sources such as geothermal, natural gas, and thermal power to provide the stable foundation needed to meet baseline demand regardless of cloud cover or dam water levels. While AboitizPower is a major producer of renewable energy — with several hydroelectric, geothermal, and solar power generation facilities — it also has thermal power plants to sup-
port the country’s baseload and peak energy demands. In step with the country’s ambitions for its energy mix, AboitizPower continues to grow its portfolio of generation assets with renewables and selected baseload builds. The importance of energy storage There is also an infrastructure lesson embedded in the recovery of Magat’s water level: reservoirs that were struggling in July are, by mid-September, back near their normal high water level partly because storage exists to catch and hold rainwater. The same principle needs to extend further into the power system through batteries, pumped-storage hydro, and other storage technologies that can bank surplus energy from a strong month of hydro or solar and release it during peak demand hours.
The Luzon grid already has the Kalayaan pumped-storage units of AboitizPower’s 789-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) Hydroelectric Power Plant Complex in Laguna. These serve as large-scale natural batteries and critical energy buffers, equipped with high roundtrip efficiency and low efficiency degradation. Despite its age, the Kalayaan units are capable of doing both short- and long-duration energy storage, and can still do so in the decades to come given proper maintenance and upgrades. To date, AboitizPower also operates the 49-megawatt Maco BESS in Davao De Oro — Southeast Asia’s first hybrid BESS built on a floating platform — and, through the SN Aboitiz Power Group or SNAP, the 40-megawatt Magat BESS in Ramon, Isabela. A BESS is a type of energy storage that uses a set of batteries to store electrical energy when there
is a supply surplus in the grid and released when customers need power the most. Through its subsidiaries, AboitizPower’s pipeline of energy storage projects includes the 20-megawatt Bay BESS in Laguna, set to be the firstever BESS and geothermal hybrid system in the Philippines; the 60-megawatt Naga standalone BESS in Cebu; the 48-megawatt Nasipit hybrid BESS in Agusan del Norte; and the 30-megawatt EAUC hybrid BESS in the Mactan Economic Zone. Aboitiz Renewables’ upcoming 239-megawatt peak Luna Solar Power Plant in Barangay Luna, Cadiz City will also include a 65-megawatt BESS, making it the company’s first integrated renewable energy and storage system on Negros Island. SNAP is also developing BESS projects in Benguet: the 40-megawatt Binga BESS (Phase 1), which is the first BESS facility in the Cordillera Administrative Region; another 40-MW BESS at Binga (Phase 2); and a 40-MW BESS at the Ambuklao Hydroelectric Power Plant. The shift towards renewable energy should be built on a foundation broad enough to absorb the seasonal swings that geography and climate will always produce. With reliable and dispatchable power generation, as well as energy storage to regulate increasing frequency variability in the grid, the Philippines can build a resilient, diverse energy mix capable of powering the country through every season.
(Left) The 49-megawatt Maco BESS in Davao De Oro — AboitizPower’s first-ever BESS project. (Right) The first phase of SNAP’s Magat BESS facility in Ramon, Isabela, which has since expanded to 40 megawatts.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor
IN BRIEF PSEi may test 5,800 support this week
THE Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) may test the 5,800 support level this week as persistent concerns over inflation, elevated oil prices and rising bond yields keep investors cautious, Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Japhet Tantiangco said. The benchmark index hit a 2026 low of 5,730.02 last week. Even as local stocks have reached oversold levels and become more attractive, analysts said investors are expected to remain cautious amid persistent economic and geopolitical risks. The market was trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.3 times as of Friday, below its five-year average of 14.4 times. While this suggests local equities are relatively cheap, Tantiangco said the bearish outlook remains in place as external and domestic risks continue to weigh on sentiment. “The market may continue to test the 5,800 support level next week as investors remain cautious amid persistent economic and geopolitical concerns,” Tantiangco said. Uncertainty between the United States and Iran is keeping oil prices elevated, with Brent crude staying above $100 a barrel, he said. Both sides have signaled willingness to resume negotiations, but neither has backed down, leaving the outlook uncertain. Jenniffer B. Austria
DA weighs pork import cap as farmers struggle
THE government may cap how much pork the Philippines can bring in from abroad as officials look for new ways to shield local hog farmers from cheaper foreign competition,. Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said over the weekend the Department of Agriculture (DA) is considering a quantitative restriction (QR) on pork imports in addition to a proposed phased increase in pork tariffs. Tiu Laurel said the Safeguards Measures Act allows the DA to limit import volumes once a tariff-increase request triggers a window that permits quantitative restrictions while the case is under evaluation. “Once that is triggered, then, depending on the situation at that time, if needed, we will do the quantitative restriction,” Tiu Laurel said. He said World Trade Organization rules normally bar the DA from imposing a QR, but the department identified a legal window under an existing local law. The DA said it has not yet determined the restriction volume, but a possible scenario would limit imports that would normally enter over 12 months to the equivalent of one month’s volume. Othel V. Campos
DOT shifts to high-value tourism as sector hits P2.27t T By Othel V. Campos
OURISM contributed P2.27 trillion to the Philippine economy and supported 7.7 million jobs in 2025, prompting the Department of Tourism to shift its focus from simply increasing visitor arrivals to attracting investments, improving connectivity, and generating greater economic activity from tourists.
Tourism accounted for 8.1 percent of the gross domestic product last year, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, making the sector a major source of employment and economic growth nationwide. Tourism Secretary Ma. Bernadita Angara-
Mathay said the agency is positioning the industry as an investment platform by strengthening airports and other infrastructure, expanding air connectivity, and making tourism projects more attractive for private-sector participation. “We want to be defined as an agency that’s proactively taking the lead in tourism readiness. This means strengthening our airports and gateways, improving our physical tourism infrastructure, and expanding air connectivity, so our visitors can move seamlessly across the country,” she said. The Philippines recorded 4.11 million visitor arrivals from January to August 2026, up 3.7 percent from 3.97 million a year earlier. Chinese arrivals surged 69.15 percent to 310,088 from 183,319 during the same period last year. The DOT is pursuing new and resumed air routes while working with the Department of Transportation to expand services linking Manila, Cebu, and other gateways with key markets in North
Aboitiz Renewables, represented by (from lead) head of corporate communications Meg Racho and vice president for project developmentsolar Rolando Vergara, receives the Independent Power Producer of the Year award at the Enlit Asia Power & Energy Awards 2026.
NFA rolls out purchase orders for faster palay buying
The National Food Authority (NFA) said over the weekend it is rolling out a new booking system that allows rice farmers to reserve a slot to sell their palay or unmilled rice to the government, cutting the long lines and guesswork that have long plagued the agency’s warehouses. It said it will prioritize farmers who secure purchase orders for palay deliveries under the new system aimed at making government procurement more predictable, organized and transparent during the 2026 maincrop harvest. Under the new system, individual farmers, farmers’ organizations, farmers’ cooperatives and farmers’ associations that submit completed purchase orders will get priority in delivery scheduling and procurement arrangements, the NFA said. The purchase order system will not replace existing procurement procedures. Farmers without purchase orders can still deliver palay through the usual process, but those with approved orders will be prioritized. “The purchase order system will give our farmers greater certainty on when and where they can deliver their palay, while allowing the NFA to better manage its warehouses, drying facilities and procurement funds,” NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said. Othel V. Campos
Career Opportunity in COLAS RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. Position Title: Design Manager-Trackworks JOB DESCRIPTION ● Leads the railway track systems, ensuring safe, cost effective, and compliant trackwork solutions. Coordinates with clients, project teams, and stakeholders to deliver track designs on schedule while managing technical quality, standards, and project requirements. QUALIFICATION ● Bachelor degree in engineering, construction management, transportation or a related fi eld. ● 3–5 years of experience in railway operations, construction, training development, or a related role. ● Strong knowledge of project coordination, documentation, and compliance procedures Application may be sent to colasrail.philippines@colasrail.com Company/ Employer Company Name: Colas Rail Philippines, Inc. Complete Address: Level 6 Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2, Paseo De Roxas cor. Makati Avenue Bel-Air 1209 City of Makati NCR, Fourth District Philippines
Name of foreign national intending to apply for the position Name of Foreigner: Scott, Benjamin Peter Address: Makati City Nationality: British Intended Period of Employment: Three (3) years
Nature of Business: Construction of roads, highways, bridges and railways. COLAS RAIL PHILIPPINES, INC. hereby declares that the above-named foreign national is able, willing and qualified to perform the services and job description for this position. The company has the intention to employ the said foreign national and apply for an Alien Employment Permit with the Department of Labor and Employment – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines Any Filipino jobseeker who is competent, able and willing to perform the services for which the foreign national is intended to be hired for, may fi le an objection at Department of Labor Manila and Employment – Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Building, Muralla Wing cor. General Luna St., Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Philippines after this publication. Please inform the Department of Labor and Employment – NCR, if you have any information on criminal offenses committed by the foreign national.
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America, Europe, and Asia. An air services agreement with Turkey will double Manila-Istanbul flights to 14 weekly and provide unlimited frequency rights for secondary gateways, including Cebu, Clark, and Davao. On the investment side, the DOT is rolling out programs aimed at turning tourism opportunities into bankable projects, including the Tourism Investment Accountability Program, Tourism Investment Readiness Program, Tourism Intelligence Program, and Strategic Investment Engagement Program. Japan is the first market where the department is testing a more hands-on investment development approach. It formed a Japan Tourism Investment and Business Development Team following a business roundtable held during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Tokyo, with discussions involving Marubeni on a specialty medical clinic and Sojitz on telecom infrastructure in underserved tourist destinations.
Insititutional backing boosts Mynt’s IPO By Jenniffer B. Austria THE participation of more than 20 local and foreign institutional investors in Mynt Inc.’s planned P92.32 billion initial public offering signals the company’s long-term growth prospects, according to Southeast Asia Focus Portfolio hedge fund manager Eric Jurado. Jurado said the investors’ commitments showed that they saw potential in GCash operator Mynt, the country’s largest digital finance platform, and believed its long-term growth prospects justified investing in its IPO. “For an international asset manager investing in a new market, committing cornerstone capital means putting its investors’ money behind a company it believes offers an attractive long-term opportunity,” Jurado said. Mynt last week said local and foreign funds had committed to participate in its IPO, which will offer up to 9.23 billion shares at P10 each. The commitments cov-
Aboitiz Renewables takes top regional award for clean energy
er the entire 70 percent allocation for qualified institutional investors. Among the foreign investors are subsidiaries of BlackRock, Capital Research, Fidelity, HSBC Global Asset Management, the International Finance Corp., Ninety One, T. By Alena Mae S. Flores Rowe Price, and Schroders.Local institutions include ATRAM Trust Corp., BPI JAKARTA, Indonesia — Aboitiz RenewAsset Management and Trust Corp., Chiables Inc., the renewable energy arm of na Bank Capital Corp., Metrobank Trust Aboitiz Power Corp., was named IndeBanking Group, Philequity Management pendent Power Producer of the Year at the Inc., and RCBC Capital Corp. Enlit Asia Power & Energy Awards 2026 Jurado said investors believe Mynt can for its project completions, mergers and continue to grow as digital financial seracquisitions, and leadership in advancing vices expand in the Philippines, creating clean energy in the Philippines. potential returns for shareholders. Aboitiz Renewables added 846 mega“These institutions are not buying watts of new and diversified supply to the GCash simply because it is a famous PhilYELLOW BLACK grid over the past 48 months. This includes ippine brand. They are investing becauseCYAN MAGENTA six solar plants totaling 789 MW, a 40-MW they see the possibility that the value of battery energy storage system integrated the business can grow meaningfully over with renewable energy, and a 17-MW geotime,” he said thermal binary plant in Tiwi, Albay. With the acquisition of the CalirayaBotocan-Kalayaan pumped-storage hydro complex in February, the company grew its attributable capacity from about 900 MW in 2022 to more than 2 gigawatts.Aboitiz Renewables also moved four battery energy storage projects into construction and aims to bring its first wind project online by the end of 2026. “We are deeply grateful for this recognition, but the real credit goes to our team members. It is their passion, innovative spirit, and responsible and reliable project execution that make this possible,” Aboitiz Renewables president Jimmy Villaroman said. “True excellence is an ongoing process, and we are privileged to support the Philippines’ clean energy transition.” Aboitiz Renewables operates 45 renewable energy facilities nationwide, with a development pipeline of more than 1,000 MW across solar, hydro, and wind projects.Aboitiz Power is the holding company for the Aboitiz Group’s investments in power generation, distribution, and retail electricity services. Together with its partners, it holds the largest renewable energy portfolio in the Philippines based on installed capacity under its operational control Meanwhile, Enlit Asia is the region’s annual platform for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations power sector, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators across the power value chain. Its Power & Energy Awards recognize organizations driving the region’s transition to a low-carbon energy future.
NOTICE OF LOSS
The Public is hereby notified that Proprietary Membership Certificate No. 4522 of the Manila Polo Club representing one (1) share therein registered in the name of Tony Tan Caktiong has been declared missing and cannot be located. After the expiration of one (1) year from the date of last publication of this notice on September 28, 2026, if no contest has been presented to Manila Polo Club regarding said certificate, the right to make such contest shall be barred and the Club shall cancel in its books the certificate of stock which has been lost, stolen or destroyed and issue in lieu thereof new certificate of stock unless the registered owner files a bond or other security in lieu thereof running for a period of one year, in which case a new certificate may be issued even before the expiration of the one (1) year period.
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extrastory2000@gmail.com Jenniffer B. Austria, Issue Editor
Maritime museum brings Philippine history to life at SM Mall of Asia
Cresendo estate builds Tarlac’s next growth hub C RESENDO estate, Ayala Land Inc.’s 290-hectare development in Tarlac City, is taking shape as a new growth center in Central Luzon, bringing together industrial, commercial, educational and residential developments. Located along Tarlac City’s growth corridor, the estate is anchored by a 47-hectare downtown envisioned to serve as a new urban center for the province. The development is designed to bring together places to live, work, study and do business, with its location providing access to major economic centers in Central Luzon. Cresendo is accessible through the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX), North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX), MacArthur Highway and Luisita Access Road. Clark International Airport is about 40 minutes away, while Subic Bay
Freeport Zone is approximately 1.5 hours away. The estate’s connectivity is also improving, with the expansion of Luisita Access Road from two lanes to six lanes completed. The SCTEX Luisita Exit North Interchange is scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2027. Industry and education Cresendo’s 32-hectare industrial park is planned for light-to-medium, non-polluting industries, with most lots currently leased to manufacturing, logistics and distribution companies. The industrial park is expected to generate up to 2,000 jobs. At full development, the estate is pro-
jected to accommodate about 54,000 residents, 5,000 students and 2,000 workers. Education is also becoming part of the community through Don Bosco Senior High School, which began its senior high school program in 2024. Its student population has grown from 700 to 800, drawing students from Cresendo and nearby communities. The school is preparing to offer technical-vocational courses in automotive, machine, electrical and electronics skills, which are relevant to the needs of businesses in the industrial park. “Cresendo is set to grow with the community around it. As businesses establish themselves, schools develop, and more families and residents become part of the estate, the different parts of everyday life can come together and support one another,” said Rica Balbido, senior project development head of Cresendo. Downtown development The estate’s 47-hectare downtown is being developed as a center for retail, dining, services, workplaces and other community activities. Shophouses in the downtown district offer a live-work arrangement, allowing owners to operate businesses on the ground floor and use upper floors as residences. Cresendo’s residential component is expected to complement its industrial and commercial developments, bringing more families into the estate as employment and other opportunities expand. Jenniffer B. Austria
THE SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City is expanding its tourism and cultural attractions with the opening of Museo del Galeón, a four-level maritime museum that aims to draw more visitors to the mixed-use development. The 9,000-square-meter museum, which opened in May, features immersive exhibits and interactive displays on Philippine maritime history and the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade. Its main attraction is a full-scale replica of the 17th-century Galeón Espíritu Santo, made of fiberglass by local artisans. Since opening, the museum has welcomed thousands of visitors, including students, families, tourists and corporate groups. It has also hosted private tours, workshops, talks and after-hours activities. Museo del Galeón Operations Director Chiqui Batac said the museum offers companies an opportunity to support heritage preservation while engaging clients and customers through cultural experiences.
“There is a real opportunity for the private sector to become part of this story—not simply as sponsors, but as partners in preserving our heritage and bringing Philippine maritime history to a much wider audience,” Batac said. The museum also allows companies and individuals to sponsor one of 181 permanent floating galleon installations. Each vessel carries the sponsor’s name, providing a way to support the museum’s educational and cultural programs. Batac said the museum’s location within the MOA Complex has helped introduce it to a wider mix of visitors. “Our approach is to keep the experience evolving,” Batac said. “We want visitors to have new things to discover each time they come, while also creating different opportunities for the public to engage with the museum.” The museum adds to the MOA Complex’s mix of retail, leisure and entertainment attractions, as SM Prime Holdings Inc. continues to develop the area as a destination for visitors beyond shopping.
Museo del Galeón features a full-scale representation of the 17th-century Galeón Espíritu Santo, alongside interactive exhibits and audiovisual installations that explore the Philippines’ maritime heritage and its role in the historic Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
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M. Standard – September 21 & 28, 2026
SHOWBIZ
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
Bea Borres chooses monetized content over BFF Andrea Brillantes By Jasper Valdez SOCIAL media personality Bea Borres admitted to “blocking” longtime friend Andrea Brillantes after deciding to continue making content with her ex-boyfriend, Meray Yamada. In social media parlance, “blocking” means temporarily restricting someone from contacting you or viewing your social media account. During a conversation with
Benedict Cua in his “Potluck” series, Bea said she already knew Andrea would disapprove. “Ni-block ko si Blythe,” Bea said. “Alam ko na sasabihin mo, i-block na lang kita. Mag-uunblock-an rin naman tayo.” Bea confirmed she blocked the young actress because of their disagreement over Meray. “Oo, alam ko na eh,” she said. Despite the temporary block, Bea maintained that their friendship remains intact. “We don’t hate each other.
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Amy Perez rejects big offers to leave ABS-CBN
EEING people line up for Filipino movies feels particularly reassuring these days. At a time when the state of Philippine cinema has been the subject of endless debate, packed cinema lobbies and sold-out screenings at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival offer a welcome sight.
Very Wang
Nickie Wang
Bea Borres (right) continues making videos with Meray Yamada despite Andrea Brillantes’ objections, explaining that the collaboration is helping her earn toward a personal goal
Nagkaka-inisan lang. Kaya block na lang [kita],” she said. Bea also acknowledged Andrea’s concerns but said she plans to continue making content with Meray for now because it has increased her monetization. “Sis, I know naman what you’re saying. Totoo naman. Hindi ko naman dini-deny, totoo naman talaga lahat. I just really want to buy something. Hanggang sa mabili ko, promise I’ll stop na,” Bea said.
Festivalgoers turn out in large numbers for this year’s slate of Filipino features and student shorts across participating cinemas
Puregold CinePanalo opens to sold-out screenings
People are showing up, buying tickets, The demand is continuing, with and making time for Filipino stories. The multiple screenings for the coming festival, now on its biggest edition yet, weekend already sold out. The seven fullopened to a strong first-week turnout, length films are particularly in demand with several screenings selling out during late-afternoon and evening within its first few days. schedules. Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma Festivalgoers have also been receiving were particularly busy as cinephiles souvenirs and giveaways, including picked up festival passes covering the grocery bags, custom totes, pins, and lineup of full-length films and student personalized souvenir receipts. short-film sets. By opening day, several “Puregold CinePanalo is our treat to screenings were already sold out. both artists and fans of cinema,” Cahilig Among those drawing packed houses said. “While we continue to uplift the were the coming-of-age story Apol of stories of local filmmakers, we also My Ai; supernatural queer films Patay strive to create memorable experiences Strong ticket demand for homegrown movies points to Gutom, and Multwoh (Patay na Patay for those who come to support these continued audience interest in seeing Filipino stories on the sa ’Yo); and the romantic comedy Stuck films.” big screen on You, which adds a deadly twist to the The festival runs until Oct. 4, with all genre. seven full-length films and 19 original and the picture looks rather different. People The rush has also moved online, with student shorts screening at Gateway are waiting for their films. moviegoers posting sold-out notices and Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, “This year, Pinoy cinema has been the sharing available schedules to help fellow Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala subject of much debate and discourse,” said festivalgoers find seats. Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market! Puregold CinePanalo Festival director Chris For me, that is perhaps the most interesting Regular tickets are P250, while discounted Cahilig. “However, the success of our first part of the CinePanalo opening. The tickets are P200 for PWDs, senior citizens, day of screenings makes things incredibly conversation around Philippine cinema can students, national athletes, and Aling Puring clear: there remains a strong appetite for often feel dominated by box-office figures, and Puregold Perks cardholders. Filipino stories told by Filipino voices.” industry problems, and questions about A P2,000 festival pass is also available at Cahilig added that Puregold CinePanalo whether audiences still care about local films. Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma and can has always been proud to uplift stories from Walk into a CinePanalo cinema, however, be used across participating festival venues. local artists.
TV host Amy Perez remained with ABS-CBN even after the network lost its broadcast franchise, turning down what she described as sizeable offers from other networks. Tyang Amy, as she is fondly called on TV, made the revelation during a chat with Charo Cordial of Maddox Jewelry. She had dropped by after hearing about the brand’s natural diamond pieces. Their conversation turned to the TV host’s nearly four-decade career. They also discussed the loss of ABS-CBN’s franchise. “Even if the offer was that big, I’m okay here at ABS,” Perez said while recalling the network’s support during the pandemic. “Even during the pandemic, we didn’t work for three months, but ABS still paid our salaries,” she went on. “My whole TV career, I think I would say that it really started at ABS-CBN.” Perez said she prayed for a sign before accepting another offer. She felt the answer was clear. “No, Amy, don’t transfer,” she recalled. “So I didn’t transfer. And I stayed with ABS up to now,” Perez said of the company where her showbiz career began. The conversation also touched on her decade with It’s Showtime. Perez described the hosts as siblings despite their different personalities. They have seen each other’s strengths and weaknesses over the years. That included Perez’s short temper during perimenopause. “They really witnessed all my crankiness,” she said with a laugh. Watch their full conversation on Maddox Jewelry’s official Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pages.
Amy Perez looks back on nearly four decades in television and credits the network’s support during the pandemic as one reason she chose to stay
Curtain falls on the romance of India’s single-screen cinemas THE demolition has begun at Bengaluru’s Urvashi Cinema, once a 1,200-seat movie palace where generations of filmgoers cheered and whistled, another casualty of India’s vanishing single-screen era. “The theater came up in the 1970s... I was so happy when it opened,” said Manjunath, watching as seats were ripped out and strewn outside. Manjunath, who uses one name, recalled its glory days, when the shop he runs opposite was packed with customers buying snacks before and after shows. Photographer Hemant Chaturvedi, 58, has spent seven years documenting the decline, photographing 1,350 single-screen cinemas across 1,000 towns. “People would be cheering, jumping on the seats, even throwing money at the screen,” he said. “Now that old ecosystem is fading, and the charm is being
lost.” India’s single-screen cinemas have been squeezed by multiplexes, streaming, rising property costs, and the expense of maintaining aging buildings and equipment. Researchers estimate India had around 14,000 single-screen halls in the 1980s. Only around 2,000 remain today. Many could accommodate around 1,000 people, creating a communal atmosphere rarely found in today’s multiplexes “To me, the new cinemas have lost the charm,” said Chaturvedi, a former Bollywood cinematographer. “The multiplexes are a generic, cold experience.” Some old cinemas have been restored, and the single-screen experience still has its devotees. In Bengaluru, Mukunda Cinemas continues to draw crowds, even for early-morning shows. Hundreds recently lined up before dawn for a 6:00 a.m. screening of the latest film starring Yash, with crowds
Photographer Hemant Chaturvedi chronicles the decline of India’s old movie houses as only about 2,000 remain from an estimated 14,000 in the 1980s
setting off fireworks outside. “Only in the single-screen theaters can they take the cinema to the next level, it increases the tradition of cinema,” said Santosh, a 47-year-old businessman. Veerain Reddy, the third generation of his family running the 50-year-old theater, said maintaining it “was not an easy task.” Inflation, rising costs, and “so much competition” have made business tough. “But people who are really passionate are still trying to maintain these single-screen theaters, where people come to watch and celebrate cinema,” he told AFP. Another survivor in Mumbai is Regal Cinema, an Art Deco hall that opened in 1933. “The rest of them feel very artificial, commercial, very blingy,” a fan said. “But Bombay has little places which remind us of the old times.” AFP
LIFE
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026
lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com NICKIE WANG, Editor ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer JASPER VALDEZ, Writer
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The Nautilus at CaSoBe combines beachfront vacation living with the health and resilience standards of the WELL for residential pilot program
By Nickie Wang
HOME is supposed to be where we recharge. But what if the place we live in could actually help us live better?
Common lounges bring Landco’s “Life on Vacation” philosophy to life through natural light and biophilic design
That is the idea behind The Nautilus at CaSoBe (Calatagan South Beach) in Batangas, which is joining the pilot phase of WELL for residential, a new program from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) focused on making homes healthier and more resilient. The idea caught my attention because wellness in real estate often stops at the swimming pool, gym or landscaped garden. WELL takes the conversation somewhere deeper, looking at the things residents may not immediately notice but experience every day, from air and water quality to lighting, materials, and opportunities for movement. The program is based on the WELL Building Standard and its 10 WELL concepts, with more than 100 strategies that can be applied to single-family homes and units in multifamily developments. The Nautilus is among the pilot participants helping test the framework, joining projects in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and the Netherlands. Residents could experience the program through very tangible details. Air and water quality monitoring, filtration, and testing protocols are part of the plan. In a coastal development such as The Nautilus, where humidity and salt air are part of everyday life, those considerations become particularly relevant. Lighting is another. Circadian-responsive lighting and glazing are designed around the WELL Light concept, with the aim of supporting healthier sleep cycles while making better use of natural light. Then there is movement. A resort community naturally lends itself to walking, outdoor spaces, and active common areas, but WELL gives those elements a health-focused framework. Materials also matter, particularly in a marine environment where moisture can become a long-term concern. The WELL Materials concept considers issues such as off-gassing and
The program, based on the WELL Building Standard, considers factors like air and water quality, lighting, materials, and opportunities for movement to create healthier living environments
Bedrooms are designed around circadian lighting and moisture-conscious materials for better sleep and sea-air resilience
What if your home could help you live better? moisture-related choices. Perhaps the most interesting part is that the process does not simply end with a certificate hanging somewhere after construction. The program allows for precertification following preliminary design review, giving buyers thirdparty-verified assurance while the project is still being developed. Landco Lifestyle Ventures President and CEO Erickson Y. Manzano describes the approach as
an extension of the company’s “Life on Vacation” philosophy, where a home should give life back to its residents rather than simply provide shelter. That seems particularly fitting for a beachfront property. A vacation home has always promised an escape from the usual routine. The more interesting question now is whether the place we escape to can also support how well we live. WELL for residential was developed with
input from more than 100 experts across architecture, engineering, public health, building science, and real estate. It is intended to create a common benchmark for healthier homes at a time when consumers are paying closer attention to wellness. Perhaps that is where the future of residential development is heading: homes designed not merely around how they look, but around how they make people feel, move, rest, and live.
A blissful coexistence with colorful blooms WHO would think that the latest personality in our country’s art scene is also a multi-awarded accountant-lawyer with a joint degree of Master of Laws and International Tax Program from Harvard University? She is the founding partner and chief executive officer of BDB Law, which specializes in tax and corporate law. Benedicta “Dick” Du-Baladad celebrated her first formal foray into our art world with a collection of almost 100 paintings in oil, acrylic, mixed media, and other smaller facture. With the theme, “A Blissful Coexistence,” the event was held at the Atrium of The Podium. Luminaries from business, social, and government circles, along with leading press personalities, attended. Du-Baladad declares that her colorful masterpieces “display how people may relate to the organic world and how we might find peace among the chaotic crosscurrents of contemporary existence.” This, I realized, as I viewed the dozens of colorful art pieces on display in various sizes. It is obvious that the artist gets her inspiration from flowers and plants.
Former Department of Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista (left) and Malaysian Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino grace the event
colorful petals, grouped under the “Where Petals Breathe” series, in various sizes, with prices ranging from P58,000 to P480,000. Bob Zozobrado There are also 10 attractive artworks She actively sought out international on radiant blooms in organizations and professional flower vases, aptly titled Flower development opportunities to further Vases Series, in various sizes and refine and formalize her craft. She priced from P55,000 to P105,000. integrates her understanding of A short chat with the artist structure, boundaries, and balance revealed that she is inspired by the directly into her creative process. richness of the lush trees, vibrant flowers, birds, butterflies, and countless other forms of life. Thus, it is no surprise that these elements YOUR MONDAY CHUCKLE find their way into her paintings. FROM A FORLORN HUSBAND: She chose the theme to banner the There are two ways to argue possibility of living in harmony with with a woman…but neither one works! nature, not as its master, but as part of it, with a shared responsibility As I viewed each of the attractive to nurture and preserve the world paintings on display, I picked out we inhabit. What a noble purpose, many favorites, so I asked her definitely worthy of praise! to pose in front of her favorite Du-Baladad’s exhibit ran only masterpiece. She also had a hard for a whole week, but there is a time deciding as, she said, every clamor for her to stage another one. single one was her favorite. So, Word got around pretty fast among she just picked out the biggest one, the well-heeled and the country’s which is also on my list. Its name art enthusiasts, from those who is the theme of the exhibit, Blissful delightfully and contentedly availed Coexistence, 178 x 172 cm, made of her masterpieces in this first of acrylic and oil on canvas, and exhibit. priced at P750,000. The exhibit also includes 11 For feedback, I’m at art pieces displaying close-ups of bobzozobrado@gmail.com
Mercury Rising
The collection’s piece de résistance is also the theme of the exhibit, ‘A Blissful Coexistence’
Further elaborating on the preponderance of colors in her artworks, she says, “Even when I try painting something subdued or muted, I eventually find myself adding more color because I want the finished piece to feel alive. To me, flowers are living beings with their own voice, and vibrant color is how I allow that voice to be heard.” Du-Baladad is a self-taught artist who successfully kept an enviable balance between learning a new craft and navigating the demanding and highly structured Among the guests were (from left) Veterans Bank’s Bobby Ocampo, Secretary of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas worlds of law and corporate finance. Klink Ang, and Manila Times’ Blanca Mercado
Artist Benedicta ‘Dick’ Du-Baladad showcases her self-taught talent and love for vibrant organic themes
SMX vice president Mike Albaña shows support at the event