New Makati bar Problem Child claims Philippine title in ‘Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ debut

Makati bar Problem Child punched inside the latest “Asia’s 50 Best Bars” list, earning the “The Best Bar in the Philippines” title on its debut.

The relatively new bar, having opened in late 2025, located along Jupiter Street ranked No. 44 on the prestigious list, the highest among all bars in the Philippines.

A write-up for the bar credits founders Kevin Corales, Wendy Esteban and Patrick Leyble for launching the establishment as a “boundary-pushing nightlife destination” and “thriving creative haven for Manila’s alternative social scene.”

“There’s no back bar clutter here; instead you’ll find stainless steel, clean timber lines and a play of light and color that can shift the whole mood,” the write-up said. “Warm, high-intensity marigold orange may wash the room like golden hour, as streaks of electric cobalt blue and deep indigo cut through with sharp, futuristic contrast.”

Problem Child is notable for its rotating beverage meny every three months that revolve around a single color scheme, imaginative examples being Green Sticks (rum, wakame distillate, salsa verde) and Serene (Japanese whisky, green tea, jasmine, oolong, orange bitters).

Classic cocktails like Negroni and Ranch Water are given a tropical twist, all accompanied by globetrotting grazing options and moving, soundtracking music.

Earlier this month The Spirits Library located along Makati’s Guerrero Street debuted on the extended list, just making the cut at No. 98. This marks the first time another Makati bar The Curator was not on any list since debuting at No. 16 back in 2016, and cedes the national title to a new establishment.

Topping the main list was Hope and Sesame based in Guangzhou, China. The mainland China bar has frequented “Asia’s 50 Best Bars” for seven consecutive years, and last year was No. 29.

Last year’s winner Bar Leone in Hong Kong dropped to No. 3, also overtaken by Korean bar Zest located in Seoul. Completing the Top 5 were sophomore entrant Dry Wave Cocktail Studio from Bangkok, Thailand and another Chinese establishment MO Bar Shenzhen.

“Asia’s 50 Best Bars” observed 14 new entries and two re-entries across 22 cities this year. Two other Bangkok bars were the highest new entry and highest climber respectively, Lennon’s (No. 7) and Bar Sathorn (31 spot-jump to No. 17).

Faye Huggett, Director of Community for “Asia’s 50 Best Bars,” shared in a statement that this year’s ranking was voted by over 300 independent Academy members across the region.

“[The 2026 list] showcases the remarkable depth and diversity of Asia’s bar scene,” Huggett also said. “It’s a clear reflection of how Asia’s cocktail culture is being shaped not just by its traditional capitals, but by a new generation of bars redefining what hospitality looks like across the region.”

Citing possible plunder in Taguig, Lacson submits infra records to Ombudsman

Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s office submitted documentary and testimonial evidence from his investigation into alleged anomalies in Taguig infrastructure projects to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lacson said Tuesday, July 28, that the files were gathered from government databases and confidential sources and could support possible charges of plunder, malversation of public funds and violations of Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“We hope the excellent research and investigative work that my staff did in this regard won’t be wasted and will contribute to the Ombudsman’s efforts to expedite their investigation,” Lacson said. “We will continue to submit to the Ombudsman whatever pieces of evidence we can still secure to help them achieve our shared crusade against graft and corruption.”

Taguig projects. Lacson said Bulacan had previously been viewed as the center of flood control anomalies, but claimed the situation in Taguig showed a more complex scheme.

He alleged that the Taguig projects involved old and new tactics dating back to 2019, including illegal reclamation projects allegedly disguised as slope protection structures, ghost projects, double appropriations and the use of recycled photos from past contracts to bill for new ones.

Lacson also alleged that the scheme was orchestrated by a single individual, but he did not name the person in the statement.

His office estimated that Taguig accumulated around P14.4 billion worth of infrastructure projects from 2020 to 2025, with the amount expected to rise as more records are reviewed.

Senate feud. The probe into infrastructure projects in Taguig, the political stronghold of Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, was launched amid an intensifying feud between Cayetano and Lacson.

The tension escalated after Cayetano called Sen. Erwin Tulfo a “lapdog” of Lacson.

Cayetano, who is allied with two senators facing plunder charges, also questioned the integrity of the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of Tulfo and Lacson.

Tulfo, speaking to reporters, claimed senators aligned with Cayetano were now asking the Senate majority bloc not to proceed with Blue Ribbon committee hearings.

‘Sila na po yung nakikiusap na wag na daw po namin ituloy ang Blue Ribbon,’ Tulfo said. (‘They are now the ones asking us not to proceed with the Blue Ribbon investigation.’)

Asked about the possible reason, Tulfo said: ‘Obvious, sinong pinapa-imbestiga, sinong tinutumbok ni Sen. Lacson?’ (‘It’s obvious. Who is being investigated? Who is Sen. Lacson pointing to?’)

July 28: No winners for P164.65M Ultra Lotto jackpot

No bettor won the jackpot prizes in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) major lotto draws on Tuesday, July 28, leaving the top prize in Ultra Lotto 6/58 to roll over to the next draw.

According to the PCSO, the winning combination for Ultra Lotto 6/58 was 32-48-34-55-30-07, carrying a jackpot of about P164.65 million. No ticket matched all six numbers to claim the top prize.

Super Lotto 6/49 also had no jackpot winner. The winning combination was 05-13-15-37-21-40 for a jackpot worth P25 million.

Meanwhile, Lotto 6/42 produced the winning combination 41-03-07-39-25-24 for a jackpot of about P10.47 million. No bettor won the jackpot.

Minor games

6D Lotto: 2-5-8-7-9-4; top prize of P2.39 million; no winner

3D Lotto 2 p.m.: 2-1-6; P4,500 first prize; 453 winners

3D Lotto 5 p.m.: 3-2-4; P4,500 first prize; 198 winners

3D Lotto 9 p.m.: 2-5-1; P4,500 first prize; 412 winners

2D Lotto 2 p.m.: 30-11; P4,000 first prize; 189 winners

2D Lotto 5 p.m.: 23-05; P4,000 first prize; 149 winners

2D Lotto 9 p.m.: 28-07; P4,000 first prize; 996 winners

Draw schedule

PCSO holds Ultra Lotto 6/58 draws every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. Super Lotto 6/49 is drawn every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, while Lotto 6/42 draws are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday

Pia Cayetano: Upper-middle-income status hard to celebrate if unfelt

Sen. Pia Cayetano said Tuesday that the Philippines’ upper-middle-income status is difficult to celebrate when most Filipinos do not feel an improvement in their lives, as she questioned whether the country’s progress mentioned in President Marcos’ fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday was translating into better lives for Filipino families.

‘It is very difficult to take pride in and explain that we are an upper-middle-income country when most Filipinos do not actually feel its benefits,’ Cayetano said in a privilege speech a day after Marcos delivered his Sona.

She explained that the classification, recognized early July by the World Bank, reflects the country’s economic size rather than individual household income, noting that many Filipinos are minimum wage earners, earning below minimum wage, or working in the informal sector.

Cayetano cited surveys showing that 42 percent of Filipino families consider themselves food-poor, while 23.2 percent experienced involuntary hunger in the first quarter of 2026.

‘So when we celebrate our status as an upper-middle-income country, people feel that you do not see us; you do not hear us… You do not feel the hardships we are going through,’ she said.

Cayetano said she has never celebrated the country nearing upper-middle-income status despite hearing about the prospect for years.

PH lagging in SDGs

Cayetano, who chairs the Senate committee on sustainable development goals, innovation and futures thinking, also noted that the Philippines is lagging in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

She said only 10 of the 17 SDGs have shown progress since 2015, with eight moving too slowly to meet their targets by 2030.

Furthermore, Cayetano added that the country is moving backward on two goals: good health and well-being, and sustainable cities and communities.

Reflecting on the accomplishments presented during Marcos’ Sona, Cayetano then asked, ‘Are Filipino families truly living better lives?’

Repeated currency devaluations deepen poverty -Ex-World Bank chief

FORMER World Bank President David Malpass has said that repeated currency devaluations are deepening poverty in developing countries, as falling exchange rates drive up the cost of food, fuel and medicine while eroding the value of pay and pensions.

He also warned that Nigeria’s growing reliance on collateral-backed borrowing risks complicating future debt restructuring as the country turns increasingly to complex financing deals to meet its fiscal needs.

In a policy paper titled Public Debt and Central Banks, prepared for the World Bank’s Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) 2026, Malpass said collateralised sovereign transactions by countries including Nigeria, Angola and Senegal are fuelling a ‘race toward seniority’ among creditors. This, he argued, will make debt workouts far more difficult should economic conditions deteriorate.

‘The growing use of sophisticated collateral-backed financing instruments will add further complexity to sovereign debt restructuring, particularly for countries facing financial distress,’ he wrote.

The comments come weeks after Nigeria drew $1.5 billion from a $5 billion facility arranged with First Abu Dhabi Bank. Under the terms, the Federal Government must pledge government securities worth about 133 per cent of the amount drawn as collateral in exchange for dollar liquidity, allowing it to access foreign currency without issuing Eurobonds at current market rates.

Authorities have said the proceeds will finance the 2026 budget, support infrastructure projects and refinance existing obligations.

Malpass cautioned that such structures, often accompanied by confidentiality clauses, reduce transparency and make it harder for investors and creditors to assess a country’s true debt profile. He also criticised existing international debt resolution mechanisms, saying the G20 Common Framework has failed to deliver meaningful relief after years of operation. The Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable, which he proposed in 2022 to improve transparency and broaden creditor participation, has likewise fallen short of expectations, he added.

He called for new approaches that prioritise restoring debt sustainability over protecting creditor interests.

His concerns align with recent alerts from the International Monetary Fund, which noted that derivative-based arrangements such as total return swaps can obscure sovereign liabilities because they are difficult for investors to value and monitor. Fitch Ratings has similarly warned that Nigeria’s deal with First Abu Dhabi Bank could weaken fiscal transparency and create contingent liabilities not fully captured in conventional debt statistics.

On currency policy, Malpass argued that repeated devaluations transfer wealth to those with privileged access to foreign-currency assets.

He cited Nigeria, Egypt and Ethiopia as examples where exchange-rate reforms have contributed to declining living standards.

Nigeria has carried out two major naira devaluations since 2023 as part of efforts to liberalise the foreign-exchange market. The moves have significantly raised inflationary pressures and business operating costs.

Despite the challenges, Malpass expressed optimism about Nigeria’s longer-term prospects. Sustained reforms in exchange-rate management, taxation, agriculture and the oil sector, he said, could unlock stronger growth.

He recalled holding several discussions with the previous Nigerian administration during his World Bank tenure to advance such reforms, though implementation remained limited.

The former World Bank president’s remarks add to the debate over how Nigeria should finance its widening fiscal deficit at a time when elevated global interest rates have made conventional external borrowing more expensive, prompting the authorities to explore alternative sources of foreign-currency funding.

Nigeria’s net foreign debt rises, as high interest rates attract foreign money

NIGERIA’S net foreign liability position rose to $90.2 billion in 2025, an increase of $7.5 billion from $82.7 billion in 2024, the Central Bank of Nigeria has reported.

This means foreign investors now own more Nigerian assets than Nigerians own in other countries. Total foreign claims on Nigeria stood at $215.8 billion, while Nigerian investments and assets abroad totalled US$125.6 billion.

The rise was driven mainly by higher foreign portfolio and direct investment. Portfolio investment liabilities grew by $10.1 billion. Most of this money went into Nigerian debt securities, especially Open Market Operations (OMO) bills. High interest rates in Nigeria created attractive ‘carry trade’ opportunities that drew in foreign funds.

Direct investment liabilities also increased by US$6.7 billion. This shows foreign companies raised their stakes in Nigerian subsidiaries – a positive sign of investor confidence.

On the other side, Nigeria’s external reserves rose by $5.6 billion. Nigerian residents also slightly increased their own investments abroad. These gains helped limit the overall rise in the net liability figure.

The inflow of foreign money has improved Nigeria’s external liquidity and helped keep the exchange rate more stable. However, the heavy concentration of funds in short-term, high-yield debt securities has raised concerns. Such portfolio flows can leave quickly if global interest rates change or investor sentiment turns negative. Dr. Yemisi Ayinde, a researcher at Covenant University, said the situation shows the difficult balance between attracting foreign capital and protecting the economy. While the inflows have strengthened liquidity and confidence, the dominance of portfolio money over long-term investment increases risks of sudden outflows and refinancing pressure. She called for reforms that boost exports, expand value-added production, attract more foreign direct investment, and strengthen domestic savings.

Femi Awoyemi, founder of Proshare, noted that the rise in foreign investment has supported liquidity and exchange-rate stability. However, the focus on high-yield debt securities leaves the economy more exposed to shifts in global rates and investor mood. Sustaining progress, he said, will require a larger share of long-term direct investment, stronger export earnings, and continued reserve accumulation.

Looking ahead, firm international crude oil prices are expected to support Nigeria’s external position through higher export earnings, stronger foreign exchange inflows, and further reserve building.

Timi of Ede rally votes for Accord

The Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, yesterday urged residents of Ede to vote massively for Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election, declaring that the town would produce enough votes to offset any deficit from other parts of the state.

The monarch made the remark during the commissioning of the 9-kilometre Akoda Baptist-Oke Gada Road project at Oja-Timi in Ede Township, on Tuesday where he also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the forthcoming election is free, fair and credible.

Oba Lawal said ‘We are using this opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu not to rig the governorship election. He should leave us alone and allow each of us to vote where we desire.’

The monarch expressed confidence in Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid, saying ‘My people of Ede, this August 15 election, we must vote massively. We will use Ede’s vote to pay the deficit from other local government areas of Osun State. We are going to fill the ballot boxes to the brim for our party. God has strategically positioned us(Accord) on top of the ballot,’ he declared.

The monarch also recounted an encounter involving the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), at a social event in Offa, Kwara State.

According to him, he attended the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the Chief Imam of Offa, where Oyebamiji greeted him after being introduced by members of his entourage.

Oba Lawal, however, said he was displeased when some supporters of the APC candidate joined a musician in singing a song suggesting that ‘Ede’s light should be put out and Ikire’s light switched on.’

‘I was surprised when his followers joined the musician to sing that they should put out Ede’s light and put on that of Ikire. When I got home, I spoke to God to end their reign and God did that immediately,’ he said.

Oba Lawal also dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that he fled his palace when APC leaders visited Ede, describing the allegation as false.

He maintained that he led traditional rulers’ delegation to Ile-Ife on the day in question and challenged those behind the claim to explain why they expected him to welcome people associated with what he described as a derogatory chant against his town.

‘They are carrying a campaign of calumny that when they came to Ede, I ran from the palace, I have been expecting the day they would come and greet me so that I can ask them that I was in Offa when they say they should put off Ede’s light, what are they expecting from me, it is a curse!’

In the remark of Adeleke, said ‘With this dualised road, movement within Ede will be faster and safer; business along Akoda, Cottage, Oke Gada will grow; students and workers will get to school and work on time; night life and security will improve with solar lighting. This is part of our administration’s agenda of infrastructure renewal across all zones of Osun.’

Earlier, the Director of Highways, Engr Moruf Ojebode, gave the specifications, saying ‘The dual carriage was consist of two phase; awarded on November, 2023 for one year contract duration. Phase 1 is 5.4KM and second phase is 3.6KM.’

2027: Presidency must remain in South, forum insists

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has restated its position that the Presidency must remain in the Southern region in 2027.

The group also applauded the renewed efforts and successes of the Armed Forces in tackling insecurity in the land.

SMBLF stated this in a communique it issued at the end of its regular general meeting yesterday in Abuja

The meeting, according to the communique, was attended by four delegates each from the various organisations that constitute the group: Afenifere, Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).

Some prominent leaders of the group include Obong Victor Attah, Ezekwesi Nwodo, Goodknows Igali, and Bitrus Pogu.

Reading the communique, Chairman of the forum and leader of Afenifere, Oladipo Olaitan, said the meeting discussed issues of particular concern to the Nigerian nation and resolved to stand by its earlier stand that the Presidency should remain in the southern part of the country in 2027.

Announcing the forum’s stand on next year’s general election, Olaitan said: ‘SMBLF reiterates its earlier resolution that the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain in the southern region in the next four years consequent on the 2027 general election in the interest of national political stability.’

The group decried what it called a lack of internal democracy during the party primaries.

‘The essence of democracy is free choice by the people. The situation of one person or an oligarchy of a few choosing candidates in a political system that excludes independent candidates is antithetical to democracy and national development,’ he argued.

Notwithstanding, the forum’s chairman was upbeat about the future of the country.

He said: ‘Nigeria shall remain a thriving multi-party constitutional democracy, which also allows for independent candidacy.’

Focusing on the security situation in the country, Olaitan said: ‘SMBLF recognises and appreciates the renewed efforts and successes of the Armed Forces on the state of security, particularly in Oyo, Zamfara, and Borno states. It urges renewed momentum in the Middle Belt, particularly Benue, Plateau, Kaduna, Kwara, and Kogi states.’

SMBLF also urged the Federal Government ‘to intensify actions including collaboration with our neighbours and the international community’.

The forum said it welcomed ‘State Police, of which we have been the advocate of the years but we insist that State Police should reflect true federalism and not a Federal State Police. To that end, state governors shall have the same power to appoint or remove a Commissioner of Police as the President in relation to the Inspector-General of Police’.

The group also urged the Judiciary to remain ‘truly independent and ever alert to its constitutional roles of interpreting the constitution and the laws in the interest of peace, stability and progress of the nation and its democracy’.

It equally urged the press to ‘remain ever vigilant as the Fourth Estate of the realm in line with its acknowledged historic roles in the struggle for Nigerian independence and as a veritable defender of her democracy’.

Commenting on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the SMBLF said: ‘The burden of proof of fair, free and credible elections should henceforth be borne by the Independent National Electoral Commission.’

SMBLF also insisted on the need for the country to restructure, calling for a ‘new Constitution that reflects True Federalism and shall mobilise the people to vote for a presidential candidate that will give the people of Nigeria a new Constitution.’

Ondo APC crisis worsens as Finance Commissioner sues 35 party elders

The Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, has sued a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Adekola Olawoye, and 34 other elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state High Court over alleged libel.

The suit, pending before Justice Yemi Fasanmi, stems from a publication the claimant alleges was defamatory and damaging to her reputation.

Speaking with journalists after court proceedings, Olawoye, the first defendant in the suit, said he and his co-defendants appeared in court to move a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court and the competence of the claimant’s processes.

However, he noted that they could not proceed after the claimant filed an application seeking to amend her court processes.

‘We came here with the intention to move our preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction and competency of the process filed by the claimants. Unfortunately, they brought an application to correct some of the defects. We allowed them to move the application, and the court awarded N3.5 million costs in our favour,’ Olawoye said.

The SAN explained that the dispute arose from a letter he authored and sent to the National Chairman of the APC, outlining what he described as recent developments within the party in their local government area.

He maintained that the letter was lawfully addressed to party leadership and was not intended as a defamatory publication.

Olawoye also disclosed that before instituting the civil action, the claimant had petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the same allegations.

According to him, the defendants honoured an invitation by a special police team in Abuja-where both parties presented their positions-after which the defendants were neither detained nor charged.

He added that attempts had been made to resolve the dispute amicably, as both parties belong to the APC and hail from the same community, but those efforts proved unsuccessful.

‘As an elder of the party, I will always accommodate settlement. We made moves and spoke with relevant authorities in the state, but they felt otherwise. If they give room for settlement, all well and good,’ he added.

However, counsel to the claimant, Olaoluwa Imoru, argued that the suit was based on an allegedly libellous publication authored by Olawoye and published in the Nigerian Tribune on February 2, 2026.

He stated that his client is asking the court to declare the publication defamatory, award aggravated, special, and general damages, and compel the defendants to publish a full retraction and apology.

According to Imoru, one of the statements in question allegedly referred to Mrs. Isaac as ‘the governor’s mummy’-a description he argued falsely suggested she exercised undue influence over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Justice Yemi Fasanmi subsequently adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026, for further proceedings.

Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (A)

FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0600 29/07/2026 UNTIL 0600 30/07/2026

Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1006hPa (hectopascal)

Seasonal low pressure is affecting the area. The weather will be mainly fine.

Visibility: Good

Sea surface temperature: 28°C

Warnings: NIL

AREA

PERIOD

WIND

STATE OF SEA

West Coast

Morning

Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3

Smooth to Slight

South Coast

Morning

Northeast to East 3, locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Afternoon

Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, locally Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

East Coast

Morning

North to Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Afternoon

Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight

Night

Northwest to Northeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

North Coast

Morning

Northeast to East 3 to 4, at times locally 4

Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight

Afternoon

Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight Slight

Night

Variable 3, at times offshore Northeast 3 to 4

Smooth to Slight