Author: INQUIRER.net

TOKYO — Sanae Takaichi made history by becoming Japan’s first female prime minister in October. She must now decide whether she’ll break another barrier: the taboo barring women from the sumo ring.

The winner of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament that ends Sunday will be presented with the Prime Minister’s Cup. Some of her male predecessors, including former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have entered the ring to hand over the cup.

Takaichi, a staunch conservative who supports Japan’s traditional gender and paternalistic values, may not break the taboo. In any case, she won’t face a decision on whether to enter the sumo ring this time because she returns a day later from the Group of 20 summit in South Africa.

Her next chance to make a decision will come at the New Year’s tournament in Tokyo.

But a debate on the taboo against women likely will continue, in no small part, because a woman now leads Japan. There also is criticism that the ban in sumo and other religious places is out of touch with the changing place of women in Japanese society.

READ: Japan’s parliament elects Sanae Takaichi as nation’s first female prime minister

Women still banned in some sacred places, festivals

The sumo ring is only part of the controversy.

In Japan, female worshippers have for centuries been banned from certain holy mountains, religious training sessions, temples, shrines and festivals.

Other places in the world have similar taboos, but the one in Japan stems from the belief in female “impurity” associated with menstruation and childbirth, as well as certain misogynic Buddhist views, says Naoko Kobayashi, an Aichi Gakuin University professor and expert on religion and gender.

The female ban at holy mountains, including Mount Fuji, and religious establishments has been largely eliminated over the years. But it lingers at certain shrines and festivals.

Many of these bans are from the 19th century Meiji era or later, Kobayashi said, and the taboo has been hard to break because women were also kept from political and religious decision-making over the years.

Sumo’s female ban not ancient tradition

Sumo’s origins are linked to rituals for Japan’s indigenous religion of Shinto, which is largely rooted in animism and the belief that thousands of kami, or spirits, inhabit nature. The first sumo matches date back 1,500 years as a ritual dedicated to the kami, with prayers for bountiful harvests, dancing and other performances at shrines.

The dohyo where sumo takes place is an elevated ring made of special clay, with its edge marked by a circle of rice-straw separating the inner sanctuary and the outside world of impurity. It’s off-limits to women in professional sumo.

Some experts say sumo follows the Shinto belief in female impurity.

The Japan Sumo Association has denied the female ban is based on the Shinto belief of impurity.

“This interpretation is a misunderstanding,” said the association chief, Nobuyoshi Hakkaku, in 2018. He said sumo rituals are tied to folk beliefs like being thankful for a good harvest and are not about rigid religious principles.

“We have consistently denied sexist intentions,” Hakkaku said. “The rule that makes the dohyo a serious battleground for men is only natural for wrestlers, making the dohyo a male-only world and (leading to) passing down the practice of not having women go up there.”

Citing a seventh century document called “Ancient Chronicles of Japan,” historians say female court members were the first to perform sumo at the request of an emperor. There are documentary records of female sumo wrestlers in 16th century documents.

Sumo gained prestige when matches were attended in 1884 by the Emperor Meiji and later earned the status of a national sport with the completion of the original Ryogoku Arena in 1909.

Barring women from ring has been criticized for decades

In 1978, a female labor ministry bureaucrat, Mayumi Moriyama, protested after the sumo association prevented a girl who had won a local children’s sumo qualifying match from advancing to the finals at a real sumo ring.

In 1990, Moriyama, as government spokesperson, expressed her desire to enter the ring for the presentation of the Prime Minister’s Cup but was rejected by the sumo association.

In 2018, the mayor of Maizuru in northern Kyoto collapsed during a speech in a sumo ring. Two female medical experts rushed in and started performing first aid as several male sumo officials watched. Two more women tried to join the first-aid effort before announcements demanded the women leave the ring. Sumo officials threw salt afterwards, a gesture of purification.

Days later, the association refused to allow Tomoko Nakagawa, then-mayor of Takarazuka city, to enter the dohyo to give a speech for an exhibition tournament. Nakagawa, forced to speak from the side of the ring, said she was mortified to be rejected just because she is female.

The sumo association chief apologized over the “failure to take appropriate action in a life-threatening situation” and for making Nakagawa uncomfortable, and formed a panel of outside experts to examine the female ban. Seven years later, a decision is still pending.

“Excluding women under the premise of male-centered traditions and customs can be no longer justified under the values of the times,” Kobayashi, the professor, said.

Takaichi backs Japan’s traditional views on gender

Takaichi is not considered a feminist. She has supported paternalistic family values and keeping the succession of Japan’s monarchy open only to men. She also opposes changing a 19th-century law that would allow married couples the option of keeping separate surnames.

Takaichi is trying to win back support from right-wing voters who have been drawn to emerging populist groups in recent elections. An attempt to present the trophy in the ring would be seen as defying sumo’s traditions and could harm her image with those voters.

She has not commented on how she’ll handle the trophy presentation, but her top government spokesperson has indicated Takaichi is not considering stepping into the ring.

“Prime Minister Takaichi intends to respect the tradition of sumo culture,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told reporters.

In the pantheon of cinema, few sagas resonate quite like the Rocky movies. I can’t think of anything like it. It’s more than just boxing; it’s a cinematic bible for what it means to stand tall, not just in the ring, but in life’s relentless battle. For generations of boys grappling with the complex and often daunting journey toward manhood, Sylvester Stallone’s indelible creation has served as a gritty, sweat-soaked blueprint, imparting lessons that transcend mere entertainment and into real life beyond what is seen on the big screen. 

I was the only one of those millions of boys growing up who was able to watch a Rocky movie, and I found it to be the most inspirational film I’ve ever seen in my young life back then. It left a lifelong, unshakable, indelible inspirational mark on me that this is the kind of film I have never watched before, and that a film should be this way: it should make you feel that something grand is possible in your life if you put your hard work into it. That nothing is too hard to achieve and overcome in one’s life if you put your heart into it.

I believe there is no other fictional onscreen character in Hollywood and cinema bar-none that has had the kind of deep-rooted impact that Rocky Balboa has had on generations of people and not only strictly per se moviegoers. This is a transcendent, almost mythic-like figure in cinema that everyone practically knows, and to have this kind of subconscious-like existence in people means Rocky has found its place in the hearts of many, that he has become more than a household name.

There are a few cinematic masterpieces, such as the Rocky movies, that have defied the test of time, the changing trends, and the never-ending public perception of cinema. The Rocky movie series has become a prized collection of films that every person must own in physical media because they hold significant value on a cultural level, societal level, and cinematic level. They are more than a “time capsule” into past eras in film, but they are constant reminders that you can always do better in life, no matter what you do. The simple logic is, if Rocky can do it, so can I. 

The reality is, the Rocky movies consistently highlighted cinema’s power to inspire and teach, focusing on the heart and heroism within the frames. The Rocky movies embody this philosophy entirely. They aren’t about winning every fight; they are about the sheer, unadulterated will to keep moving forward, a crucial lesson for any young man growing up.

The gospel of grit: Rising when you fall

The fundamental message embedded in Rocky Balboa’s DNA is encapsulated in a legendary monologue from Rocky Balboa (2006): “It ain’t about how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.” This isn’t just movie dialogue; it’s a life philosophy. It speaks to every single living person out there, especially the men scratching, clawing, and trying everything to make an honest living. To keep getting up no matter what life throws at you, figuratively and literally, is what it is all about. For me, that legendary monologue encapsulated everything that Rocky Balboa stood up for since the beginning of his journey.

Growing up, boys face inevitable setbacks—failed tests, lost games, broken hearts, and personal doubts. The Rocky movies teach them that these moments of failure are not endpoints but essential parts of the journey. Rocky is knocked down, bloody, countless times by Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, and life itself. Yet, he always finds the strength to rise, often with a little help from his corner—Mickey, Adrian, or just the belief in himself. This resilience is perhaps the most vital component of a young man’s emotional armor. Why so? They must be ready to get back up and fight the good fight, whether they are alone or have some support from a few. Either way, they must march forward. Rocky’s old-fashioned grit is exactly the main reason why he was so hard to topple by anything and anyone.

The value of heart over manufactured talent

In a world obsessed with manufactured talent, social media fame, and quick success, Rocky provides a refreshing dose of grounded reality. He wasn’t the fastest, strongest, or most technically gifted boxer. He was a “club fighter,” a southpaw with more heart than skill. Rocky knew he had to go that route to not only survive each boxing round but to ultimately be declared the winner of the match, even if it were by points and not a K.O. Oftentimes, it is because of his heart that he gets the victory.

The Rocky movies champion the underdog spirit, showing that dedication, discipline, and sheer heart often outweigh raw talent. Rocky’s training montages — running through Philadelphia’s icy streets, punching sides of beef, chugging raw eggs — became iconic rites of passage, visual metaphors for the hard work required to achieve greatness. These have become cinematic hallmarks, beloved timeless scenes of cinema that everyone knows the significance of. They taught young moviegoers back then, and now, that you have to work for what you want, a message that grounds boys and prepares them for the real world’s demands.

Redefining strength: Vulnerability and commitment

Manhood is often mistakenly equated with stoicism and emotional invulnerability. Rocky shatters this stereotype. He is tough in the ring, but outside of it, he is a gentle, awkward, profoundly sensitive soul that wears his heart on his sleeve and punches his way through every battle in life. Rocky never knew exactly what life would throw at him, who would challenge him next, or when personal tragedy would hit; no matter what, his undying commitment remained rock solid despite his vulnerabilities. 

Rocky’s relationship with Adrian is the saga’s emotional anchor. Rocky Balboa is openly affectionate, vulnerable, and fiercely loyal. He shows that true strength lies not in suppressing emotions, but in loving deeply, committing to family, and allowing oneself to be supported. Rocky fights for Adrian; she is his motivation and constant supporter in every battle he must face. Rocky demonstrates that a real man can say “I love you” with as much conviction as he can take a punch. This balance between grit and tenderness is a powerful model for young men learning to navigate their own emotional landscapes. 

A lasting legacy

From the original 1976 classic to the Creed franchise, where Rocky becomes a mentor, the thread remains consistent: find your purpose, fight for what you believe in, and never give up on yourself or those you love. Rocky passes on the life lessons he has learned, imparts his accumulated wisdom, and wants to make you a better person in the process. There is a genuine selflessness in Rocky that speaks volumes to anyone looking for a cinematic figure to look up to.

The Rocky series of movies is “more than just a knockout success; they’re a cultural phenomenon that packs a serious punch to the heart.” They provide a clear moral compass for generations of boys, steering them towards resilience, humility, and the understanding that the biggest victories are rarely quick or easy. In Sylvester Stallone’s enduring legacy, we have found an eternal guide — a timeless fighting champion who taught us how to fight like a man, to take the challenges like a man, and, more importantly, how to be a man in real life. /ra

WASHINGTON, United States — Left-leaning social media users have amplified an AI-generated audio clip purporting to show President Donald Trump screaming at US officials to block the release of documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, researchers said Friday.

In recent weeks, renewed public furor over the so-called Epstein files has consumed US politics, spurring a showdown between lawmakers and Trump, a former friend of the late convicted sex offender.

“Not releasing the Epstein files,” a Trump-like synthetic voice said in a widely circulated clip that social media posts falsely claimed showed the president berating his cabinet.

“If I go down, I will bring all of you down with me.”

The clip was amplified by posts on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, many of which garnered millions of views and thousands of comments.

Disinformation watchdog NewsGuard said the audio was “an AI-generated fake.”

The clip — apparently first posted by a liberal TikTok user — came from a video showing signs it was generated with Sora, OpenAI’s text-to-video model, NewsGuard said.

The clip was then shared in multiple other videos that lacked Sora’s watermarks, thereby “obscuring its AI origins,” the watchdog said.

Liberal social media users have also wrongly quoted White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as saying that recently released Epstein emails do not refer to the president.

“It is not President Trump who is in the Epstein emails. It is another person with the same name,” read a post on X that credited the remark to Leavitt and amassed more than four million views.

The false claim also gained traction on Instagram.

Responding on one such post on X insisting that Leavitt had made the remark, a White House account on the platform said: “No … she didn’t. You are a weapons grade moron.”

The left-wing warping of reality underscores how disinformation is peddled across both sides of the political aisle in a hyperpolarized country. The falsehoods stir information chaos on increasingly unmoderated social media sites that has made it harder for ordinary users to decipher fact from fiction.

Trump has insisted he has “nothing to do” with his one-time close friend Epstein.

READ: Trump signs bill requiring Epstein files release

The Republican president signed into law on Wednesday a bill requiring his administration to release government documents on Epstein.

Trump had for months resisted the release of the files but stunned Washington this week after reversing course and ensuring that the legislation sailed through Congress.

Insiders warn that even with the president’s signature, his administration could lean on redactions, procedural delays or lingering federal investigations to keep explosive details out of the public eye.

Epstein, a wealthy financier, moved in elite circles for years, cultivating close ties with business tycoons, politicians, academics and celebrities to whom he was accused of trafficking girls and young women for sex.

Epstein’s 2019 arrest over a trafficking charge fueled a storm of outrage and pressure for a full accounting of his network and finances.

“KPop Demon Hunters” is one step closer to another golden moment: The Oscars. The Netflix phenomenon is among 35 films features eligible for the animated feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences released on Friday, Nov. 21, lists of all the films eligible for animated, documentary and international feature prizes at next year’s Oscars.

Though “KPop Demon Hunters” made its name on Netflix, it also received a qualifying theatrical run in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco in June, which satisfied the film academy’s requirements for Oscar consideration. Its UK theatrical run was not enough to qualify for the BAFTAs, however.

Other animated titles that qualified for the Oscars animated feature category were Neon’s “Arco,” Disney’s “Elio” and “Zootopia 2,” GKids’ “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” Netflix’s “In Your Dreams” and Crunchyroll/Sony’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle” and “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc.” Notably, the Chinese blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” was not among the 35 titles listed.

“KPop Demon Hunters,” which Netflix has said is its most watched film of all time, has amassed more than 541 million hours viewed worldwide. It’s the highest charting soundtrack of 2025 with eight of its songs landing on the Billboard Hot 100.

It also made a splash in theaters in August where it was estimated to have made around $18 million (which would have topped the charts if Netflix released theatrical earnings) and got a subsequent release over Halloween weekend. Netflix won their first animated feature Oscar in 2022 for “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.”

There are also 201 documentaries and 86 international features eligible, including “Sentimental Value” (Norway), “Sirât” (Spain), “The Secret Agent” (Brazil), “It Was Just an Accident” (France), “The Voice of Hind Rajab” (Tunisia) and “My Father’s Shadow” (United Kingdom). “2000 Meters to Andriivka,” a co-production between the AP and PBS Frontline, is eligible in both categories. Both documentary and international titles will be winnowed to a 10-film shortlist that will be revealed on Dec. 16.

“KPop Demon Hunters” fans will have to wait for nomination morning on Jan. 22 to hear whether or not they made the cut for animated feature. It’s largely expected to be a player in the original song category as well, where “Golden” is among the songs being submitted.

The 98th Oscars will air live on ABC on March 15 at 7 p.m. ET.

After months of extreme heat, it’s a fact that sweltering hot weather conditions can trigger  cold symptoms. Additionally, the pollution that is perennial everywhere can also be a  potential trigger for this.

It wouldn’t be surprising then if children suddenly wake up with a clogged or runny nose, itchy  watery eyes, and sneezing. Unfortunately, what starts as a common cold symptom when not  treated and managed immediately, can progress to complications like otitis media and  pneumonia, to name a few. 

It is said that children, especially the younger ones can experience up to 8 episodes of the  common cold per year. The cold virus—which can be transmitted through airborne droplets  when an infected person coughs or sneezes and through direct contact with contaminated  surfaces—is widespread in children between 2 to 12 years old. For instance, kids are  frequently around a lot of people and spend most of their time in daycare or school and are  in close contact with their classmates who are infected can unknowingly catch the virus  through playing, and exchanging pencils, toys, and other things. 

Prevention is better than cure and here are ways to protect children from contracting the  virus: 

1. Wearing a mask when going to school or when simply going out will help protect or  shield them. 

2. When it comes to practical, doable measures to prevent colds, teaching children to  develop good hygiene habits is key. Encourage them to wash their hands as often as  possible. Washing with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer after playtime could  help curb the infection. Remind them to cover their mouth when they cough, sneeze,  and using a tissue when blowing their noses can help prevent the spread of the  common cold. 

3.  Adequate rest and quality sleep are essential for strengthening a child’s immunity,  helping them to prevent getting sick.

4. Keeping them hydrated by encouraging them to drink plenty of water, milk, or juices  is important. 

5. At home, household surfaces such as tables, countertops, toilets, and utensils  should be always disinfected and kept clean. 

6. Strengthen a child’s immune system with essential vitamins, a nutritious diet, and an active lifestyle. 

Parents should always be proactive in providing medications to help relieve the symptoms  of the common cold, such as nasal congestion and runny nose, while preventing further  progression and spread of infection; Thus, having quick relief that works in as fast as 15  minutes, readily available in the family medicine cabinet at the onset of a child’s colds is  essential.  

At the first sign of colds, Phenylephrine HCl + Chlorphenamine Maleate (Disudrin®) plays an  important role, as its two main ingredients work together to provide relief – combined with a  proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. Phenylephrine HCl helps clear nasal congestion for easier  breathing, while Chlorphenamine Maleate is an anti-allergy that helps ease runny nose,  sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. 

The good news is, Phenylephrine HCl + Chlorphenamine Maleate (Disudrin®), the number  one and most pedia-prescribed colds medicine for kids, is an over-the-counter medicine  that brings quick relief at the first onset of colds, alleviating symptoms in as fast as 15  minutes, along with proper diet and exercise. 

Phenylephrine HCl + Chlorphenamine Maleate (Disudrin®) is available at leading local  drugstore chains nationwide, and can also be conveniently purchased on Lazada, Shopee,  and Tiktok Shop. 

To know more about Phenylephrine HCl + Chlorphenamine Maleate (Disudrin®), check out  its website, https://www.unilab.com.ph/products/disudrin, and  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DisudrinPH. 

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. 

ASC Reference Code: U0199P102325D

* Source: PMDI, IQVIA SOLUTIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. reprinted with permission. Systemic  nasal preps in D – ORAL LIQUID ORDINARY with Patient Group = Less than 1 year old, 1 to 4  years, 5 to 11 years, 12 to 19 years among PEDIATRICIAN. MAT JUNE 2025 (July 2024 -June  2025). Systemic nasal preps in D – ORAL LIQUID ORDINARY in counting units, dosage units  and container units covering the period MAT JUNE 2025 (July 2024 -June 2025). Systemic  nasal preps in D – ORAL LIQUID ORDINARY in values covering the period MAT JUNE 2025 (July  2024 -June 2025) for both the most prescribed and No.1 claim.

References: 

• American Lung Association. (n.d.). Facts about the common cold. Retrieved June 3,  2025, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/facts about-the-common-cold 

• Monto, A. S., & Ullman, B. M. (1968). Acute respiratory illness in an American  community: The Tecumseh study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 87(2), 419–432.  https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a120616 • Unilab. (n.d.-a). Disudrin® FAQs. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from  https://www.unilab.com.ph/disudrin/faqs

• Unilab. (n.d.-b). Kids and colds: Symptoms and treatment. Retrieved June 3, 2025,  from https://www.unilab.com.ph/health-tips/kids-and-colds:-symptoms,-treatment 

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/JC

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine police and other law enforcement teams were deployed to arrest 18 suspects in a corruption scandal involving flood control projects that has sparked huge protests and forced implicated congressional leaders to step down, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other officials said Friday.

Marcos has been scrambling to quell public outrage over the massive corruption, which has been blamed for substandard, defective or non-existent flood control projects in a poverty-stricken country, long prone to deadly typhoons, floodings and extreme weather in tropical Asia.

The warrants were issued by the Sandiganbayan, a special anti-corruption court, against Zaldy Co, who has resigned from the House of Representatives and fled to an unspecified country, and 17 others, including government engineers and executives of Sunwest Corp., a construction firm, over irregularities in a flood control project in Oriental Mindoro province.

Government prosecutors have recommended no bail for the suspects because of the scope of the irregularities in the river dike project, worth P289 million ($4.8 million).

“They will be arrested, presented to the court and made to answer to the law,” Marcos said in a video message where he thanked the public for its patience. “There will be no special treatment, and nobody would be spared.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the National Bureau of Investigation said law enforcement teams have been deployed to arrest the suspects. The Interpol would be asked to help track and arrest Co through a Red Notice if he’s still out of the country, Remulla said, adding that the former lawmaker was last spotted in Japan a few days ago.

An immigration order has been issued to prevent the suspects in the Philippines from leaving the country, officials said.

Last week, Marcos said many of at least 37 powerful senators, members of Congress and wealthy construction executives implicated in the corruption scandal would be in jail by Christmas.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, a key prosecutor in charge of fighting government corruption, told The Associated Press that at least five former and incumbent senators were under investigation for allegedly pocketing huge kickbacks in the faulty flood control projects. Among them is former Senate President Chiz Escudero, who has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Those implicated include lawmakers opposed to and allied with Marcos, including Rep. Martin Romualdez, the president’s cousin and key ally, who has denied any involvement but has stepped down as House of Representatives speaker. Sen. Bong Go, a key ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has also come under suspicion but has denied any wrongdoing.

Duterte was arrested in March and detained by the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands for alleged crimes against humanity over his deadly anti-drugs crackdowns.

He is a harsh critic of Marcos and father of the incumbent vice president, Sara Duterte, who has said that the president should also be held accountable and jailed for signing into law the 2025 national budget that carried appropriations for irregular infrastructure projects.

Aides have defended Marcos from allegations linking him to the irregularities, saying that he first raised alarm over them in July in his annual state of the nation address before Congress.

At least 9,855 flood control projects worth more than P545 billion ($9 billion) that were supposed to have been undertaken since Marcos took office in mid-2022 are under investigation. In September, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto told legislators that up to P118.5 billion ($2 billion) for flood control projects may have been lost to corruption since 2023.