Author: gqSbgCfmna

November 23, 2025 | 2:56pm

MANILA, Philippines — Hometown hero Eldrew Yulo twisted and turned his way to a bronze medal in the floor exercise final of the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships.

Yulo bagged his first medal in the event with a graceful performance in front of the home crowd at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

Performing second in the start list, the 17-year-old gymnast tallied a total of 13.733 on 8.433 execution score and 5.300 difficulty.

Later, Yulo was dislodged from the top spot by China’s Yang Lanbin, who took home the gold with a score of 13.833.

Simone Speranza of Italy then pushed Yulo to the third rank with a score of 13.766.

Yulo held on to that podium spot with other gymnasts taking their turn. But Russia’s Arsenii Dukhno, who finished on top of the field in the men’s qualifications ahead of the second-seeded Filipino, performed last.

And while Dukhno, the individual all-around gold medalist, had an impressive showing, he did not have a clean landing on one of his jumps, which led to a penalty of -0.1.

He finished fourth with a score of 13.633.

After Dukhno’s score was announced, an emotional Yulo was seen hugging his coach, Munehiro Kugiyama, as they celebrated.

Yulo, who finished eighth in the all-around event on Friday, will try to bag more medals as he competes in the men’s vault and horizontal bar finals on Monday.

November 23, 2025 | 2:28pm

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has placed all personnel at international airports and seaports nationwide on heightened alert following the Sandiganbayan’s issuance of arrest warrants on November 21 against former lawmaker Zaldy Co and 15 others.

In a statement on Sunday, November 23, Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado said all individuals named in the anti-graft court’s warrants have been entered into the agency’s centralized derogatory database.

This enables immigration officers to immediately flag and verify anyone on the list if they attempt to enter or leave the Philippines.

“Once intercepted, our officers are under strict instruction to promptly coordinate with the Philippine National Police for the proper and lawful execution of the warrants,” Viado said.

According to BI travel records, four of the 16 individuals are currently outside the country.

The following departures have been recorded by the BI:

• Zaldy Co departed for Singapore on August 6.

• Montrexis Tamayo, officer-in-charge of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Planning and Design Division, left for Qatar on November 15.

• Co-owned Sunwest Inc. President and Board Chairman Aderma Angelie Alcazar traveled to Australia on October 2.

• Sunwest Inc. treasurer Cesar Buenaventura flew to the United Arab Emirates on October 2.

On November 21, the Sandiganbayan issued an arrest warrant against Co and 15 others in connection with an alleged anomalous flood control project in Oriental Mindoro.

Initially, 17 individuals were reportedly co-accused with Co. However, the anti-graft court did not issue warrants for two of them: Grace Lopez, a regular member of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), and Friedrich Karl Camero, BAC vice chairperson.

November 23, 2025 | 2:02pm

COTABATO CITY — Anti-narcotics agents seized P600,000 worth of compressed marijuana bricks from a warehouse of a cargo forwarding firm in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Saturday, November 22.

The operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) that led to the confiscation involved a parcel containing five bricks of marijuana, each weighing one kilogram. The raid was based on tips from informants who reported that the shipment was destined for a retailer in Cotabato City, coming from a supplier outside Maguindanao del Norte.

Benjamin Recites III, director of PDEA-BARMM, told reporters on Sunday that their agents, together with units of the Bangsamoro regional police, are working to identify the actual sender and recipient of the illegal parcel.

Recites said their agents located the parcel among a pile of packages inside the cargo forwarding warehouse using a narcotics-sniffing dog.

The management of the cargo forwarding firm assured PDEA-BARMM of their cooperation in identifying those behind the foiled attempt to ship P600,000 worth of compressed marijuana leaves, apparently from another region, to a contact in Cotabato City.

Recites added that PDEA-BARMM agents also seized P102,000 worth of shabu from a dealer apprehended in a separate operation on Saturday in upland Wao town, Lanao del Sur, which was planned with the assistance of municipal and provincial officials.

Recites said the 41-year-old suspect was immediately frisked and handcuffed by agents after selling P102,000 worth of shabu, weighing 15 grams, during a transaction in a secluded area in Wao, one of Lanao del Sur’s 39 towns.

The suspect is now in a detention facility, awaiting prosecution for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

November 23, 2025 | 2:02pm

COTABATO CITY — Anti-narcotics agents seized P600,000 worth of compressed marijuana bricks from a warehouse of a cargo forwarding firm in Barangay Salimbao, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte, on Saturday, November 22.

The operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM) that led to the confiscation involved a parcel containing five bricks of marijuana, each weighing one kilogram. The raid was based on tips from informants who reported that the shipment was destined for a retailer in Cotabato City, coming from a supplier outside Maguindanao del Norte.

Benjamin Recites III, director of PDEA-BARMM, told reporters on Sunday that their agents, together with units of the Bangsamoro regional police, are working to identify the actual sender and recipient of the illegal parcel.

Recites said their agents located the parcel among a pile of packages inside the cargo forwarding warehouse using a narcotics-sniffing dog.

The management of the cargo forwarding firm assured PDEA-BARMM of their cooperation in identifying those behind the foiled attempt to ship P600,000 worth of compressed marijuana leaves, apparently from another region, to a contact in Cotabato City.

Recites added that PDEA-BARMM agents also seized P102,000 worth of shabu from a dealer apprehended in a separate operation on Saturday in upland Wao town, Lanao del Sur, which was planned with the assistance of municipal and provincial officials.

Recites said the 41-year-old suspect was immediately frisked and handcuffed by agents after selling P102,000 worth of shabu, weighing 15 grams, during a transaction in a secluded area in Wao, one of Lanao del Sur’s 39 towns.

The suspect is now in a detention facility, awaiting prosecution for violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Philstar.com

November 23, 2025 | 1:37pm

MANILA, Philippines — The fourth edition of the ever-popular AIA Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series Manila presented by ASICS, set on November 29, at Rizal Park is gearing up to be more than just an annual year-end racing festival.

While it continues to showcase the energy, culture and camaraderie that make Manila a vibrant running destination, this year’s staging introduces a special highlight: a deeper, more meaningful celebration of family fitness and youth participation.

One of the most exciting additions to this year’s event is the inaugural AIA 1km Kids Run, designed to give children their own place in one of the country’s most electrifying running events. Held side by side with the main race, the kids’ category provides youngsters with a safe, inclusive, and enjoyable space to discover the joy of movement.

This initiative reflects AIA’s commitment to nurturing healthy habits from a young age, reinforcing the idea that fitness can be fun, accessible, and family-driven. With a playful and engaging atmosphere – complete with music, mascots, cheering zones, and activity areas – the run offers children the chance to experience the same Rock ’n’ Roll excitement that fuels the grown-ups.

For many young participants, this may be their first taste of organized running, and the event aims to inspire confidence, spark joy, and encourage a lifelong appreciation for physical activity. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to join in the fun, turning the kids’ run into a bonding moment that supports AIA’s goal of keeping families active together.

Meanwhile, runners of all levels can take on the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon categories – each backed by world-class race organization, dynamic on-course entertainment, and vibrant post-race festivities.

With an AIMS and World Athletics-certified course, Filipino runners have the chance to qualify for major international marathons while experiencing a festival that blends sport, music and culture.

The event will officially be launched today at 10:30 a.m. at Robinsons Place Manila, where AIA Philippines once again places the spotlight on health, wellness and community. The event remains a year-end tradition that champions movement and celebrates what makes Manila uniquely spirited.

Beyond the race itself, the running series embodies AIA’s long-standing commitment to promoting physical and mental well-being through sports and community engagement. Runners will enjoy a distinctly Filipino fiesta vibe – complete with show bands, lion dancers, drum beaters, and cultural performances cheering them along every kilometer.

Participants will pass by Manila’s iconic landmarks, surrounded by lively lights, festive music, and the cheers of supporters, transforming the streets into one big celebration of movement, motivation, and the enduring power of community.

For details, visit www.runrocknroll.com/manila or email [email protected].

November 23, 2025 | 1:10pm

MANILA, Philippines — Entering must-win territory, the Ateneo Blue Eagles underscored that the fighting spirit is still alive and kicking as they try to punch a ticket to the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball Final Four.

The Blue Eagles, who missed the Final Four for the first time in the Tab Baldwin era last season, needs to win their final two games for a chance to make it to the semifinals. They are currently holding a 5-7 win-loss record.

But first, Ateneo will need to win its game against Adamson on Sunday, 1:30 p.m., at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Like the Blue Eagles, Adamson, holding a 6-7 card, is also in a must-win situation.

After Ateneo’s crucial 79-75 defeat against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons earlier in the week, head coach Tab Baldwin stressed that the team is unbowed.

“As far as playoff aspirations, it’s still alive. We just have to win games. There’s two left. I think it’s pretty important to win both of them,” he told reporters.

“While the playoff scenario isn’t entirely in our hands, the likelihood is that we will still have a good shot, a very, very good shot if we can win the next two games. We have everything to play for,’ he added.

Ateneo won its first four games, before going on a five-game slump. It finally broke the dry spell with a win over UE, but lost two straight heading to the crucial stretch.

“As I said, the mood in the locker room was disappointed that we lost. But still, fighting spirit is there because there’s a lot to fight for,” said Baldwin.

The Ateneo-Adamson clash is technically a do-or-die matchup. With the top two spots locked up by National University and UP,  University of Santo Tomas (7-5), La Salle (7-6), FEU and Adamson (6-7) and Ateneo are still in the running for the last two Final Four spots.

Any team that would reach eight losses will be eliminated.