Author: INQUIRER.net

Discussion on sustainability used to be met with so much anticipation, but as targets fell short and the impacts of climate change continue to persist, the term has become just another “buzzword.”

“In my previous assignment, I was part of the team at the United Nations in New York. I was a negotiator for the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change,” narrated Maria Angela Ponce, Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia.

Speaking during this year’s Asia ESG Summit held Nov. 5 to 7 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ponce shared that back in 2015, it was a year filled with multilateral agreements, and at that time, “there was so much enthusiasm, there was so much hope, and there was so much anticipation.”

“There was so much humanization of the process, discussions, and negotiations,” Ponce said. “They set the goal for 2030, for something to happen to achieve all these SDGs that were identified, and then they set the details of implementation and the roadmap on how to get there.”

Lost connection

However, midway around 2020 to 2021, Ponce recalled how “everyone was in desperation, because especially for climate change and for the oceans, what they were looking at, what they were seeing was, you’re not going to reach goals by 2030.”

“Along the way, SDGs became really a buzzword that lost its connection to the human aspect of it,” she said.

Now, with the Philippines taking on chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the holding of the Asia ESG Summit, where at least 35 experts from both the public and private sectors discussed sustainability trends and shared best practices across various industries, Ponce hopes that the “human aspect” of the SDGs can be brought back.

“ESG (environmental, social, and governance) is not just greenwashing, but something that the private sector and corporations [can] really integrate into their systems. We hope that the work can continue on that,” she said.

Ponce also stressed how important it was for the private sector to “see that being sustainable in your practices and in your systems… makes good business sense,” and that collaboration with the government is important in achieving sustainability goals.

“The government cannot do it alone, [the] private sector cannot do it alone… They need to really work together in order for an accomplishment to move forward, to see that by 2030, if we have not accomplished our goals, at least we move closer to them, and then we reevaluate what’s working and what’s not working,” she said.

Pressing challenges

The Asia ESG Summit seeks to deepen understanding of ESG principles and inspire organizations to implement initiatives that would address pressing sustainability challenges in Southeast Asia, while also emphasizing the region’s role in achieving a net-zero future.

Speakers included experts, sustainability managers, and business leaders from technology, real estate, and telecommunication industries, as well as the academe, think tanks, and nongovernmental organizations.

The event’s topics included climate change mitigation, renewable energy, circular economy models, diversity and inclusion, ethical business practices, and stakeholder engagement.

The summit concluded with the Asia ESG Positive Impact Awards 2025, which gave recognition to businesses and organizations from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia that implemented some of the best sustainability programs in the region.

These companies had emerged as the gold winners of the ESG awards in their respective countries—the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s ESG Edge Impact Awards in the Philippines, The Star’s ESG Positive Impact Awards in Malaysia, and KG Media’s Lestari Awards in Indonesia—and now advanced to the regional stage.

The awards served as a recognition for ESG excellence while also inspiring industry-wide transformation and setting new benchmarks for sustainability leadership in Asia.

Former titleholder Lupita Jones revealed that the logo of the global tilt has been removed from the headquarters of Legacy Holdings in Mexico, a company owned by the Miss Universe Organization (MUO) president Raul Rocha. 

Jones shared a glimpse of the Legacy Holdings building in Mexico City where the Miss Universe logo is nowhere to be seen, as seen on her Instagram account on Tuesday, November 11. Legacy Holdings is a company owned by Rocha. 

“No caption needed. Experience cannot be improvised,” she wrote in Spanish, seemingly throwing shade at the MUO.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lupita Jones (@lupjones)

Jones, who was the first Mexican to bring home the Miss Universe title in 1991, was the national director of Miss Universe Mexico for over three decades until she stepped down in 2023.

Taking over her position is Cynthia de la Vega, which was announced by Thai business mogul and former Miss Universe owner Anne Jakrajutatip. 

Following Jones’ departure, she hinted at a seeming rift between herself and the MUO, where she revealed that she is “uncomfortable” with how things at the pageant organization have been going. 

“In recent years, there were already things that did not make me feel comfortable with Miss Universe… Something that I will always defend is that every competition must be fair and transparent, and there are several elements that, for me, must exist in a competition for it to happen that way,” she said, per reports from Mexican media outlets.

It remains unknown if the former beauty queen is in civil terms with Rocha.

However, the MUO—co-owned by Rocha’s Legacy Holdings and JKN Global Group—has yet to address the reason behind the removal of the global tilt’s logo from Legacy’s headquarters in Mexico. The organization has since remained mum on the further developments involving its ownership as well. 

The MUO has been in hot water, as Rocha continues to clash with Miss Universe VP for Asiana Nawat Itsaragrisil, who is currently leading the promotions of the pageant’s upcoming edition in Thailand.

Reigning titleholder Victoria Kjær Theilvig will pass her crown to her successor at the pageant’s coronation night at the Impact Challenger Hall in Nothaburi, Thailand, on November 21. /cb

RODRIGUEZ, Rizal—San Miguel Beer rolled to its fifth straight win after a 0-2 start in the PBA Philippine Cup as it ran roughshod over Titan Ultra, 158-117, on Wednesday at Ynares Center II here.

CJ Perez caught fire in the second quarter, where the Beermen built a gigantic lead over a deflated Giant Risers before June Mar Fajardo registered a triple-double to complete the lopsided result.

READ: PBA: Don Trollano rescues San Miguel in thriller vs Magnolia 

Perez scored 26 points, highlighted by three 4-pointers and two 3-pointers, while Fajardo tallied 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for San Miguel.

Jericho Cruz added 24 for the Beermen to claim victory before a three-week break due to the upcoming window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Fajardo and Perez are expected to take part for Gilas Pilipinas against the Cruz-led Guam side in a home-and-away series later in the month.

READ: PBA: Juami Tiongson shoots San Miguel Beer past Converge

Meanwhile, Titan Ultra absorbed its worst loss of the conference and fell to 2-5 in the standings, tied with Phoenix.

Von Pessumal and Joshua Munzon scored 21 and 20 points, respectively, while Calvin Abueva added 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Giant Risers.

CANLAON CITY — When Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) battered Canlaon City on the night of Nov. 2, John Rey Espora did what he was trained to do: respond to the call of duty.

As a member of the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), he braved the storm to rescue others in danger.

He left home that night as a father and a rescuer, but returned only as one of those who had lost everything.

READ: Over 150 dead, 85 missing, as retrieval ops continue in Cebu

When the storm subsided, his house was gone. So was his family, swept away by the violent surge of floodwaters.

Before leaving, Espora kissed his 10-year-old son, John Nathan Espora, goodbye. He recalled the moment as both unusual and almost prophetic.

“Before I left for duty, we promised to bond when I came back. I told him we’d eat balut or visit 7-Eleven,” he said in an interview with the Inquirer, his voice trembling.

“He was unusually clingy that night. He hugged me tightly, as if he didn’t want to let go. I didn’t know it was his way of saying goodbye.”

At home, his elder sister Sara had urged their father to evacuate. But he refused. Flooding was rare in their city, even during Typhoon Odette. Living near a stream had never been a cause for alarm.

So they stayed.

At the DRRMO command post, Espora and his team were on standby. Tents were ready for families forced to evacuate, while police and soldiers were stationed nearby. It felt like just another long, rainy night—until the rain became relentless.

“The water from Mt. Kanlaon came rushing down as if poured all at once,” he recalled. “Boulders, logs, even vehicles were being swept away.”

READ: Typhoon Tino death toll hits 232; 112 missing, 532 injured – NDRRMC

Panic struck. Espora tried to rush home to save his family, but the floodwaters were too strong. His teammates restrained him, knowing that if he crossed, he would not survive.

“I saw how the current swallowed everything,” he said. “All I could do was watch, pray, and cry.”

When the water subsided, Espora returned to the remains of his house. The only person he found was his sister Sara, covered in mud, trembling, and crying for help.

READ: Estrada source: Enrile in ICU with pneumonia; ‘slim chances of surviving’

“She told me what I was most afraid to hear,” he said. “They were separated when the flood broke the walls of our house. My son was gone.”

His knees gave way. Still wearing his rescue uniform, he dropped to the ground, tears mixing with mud. Yet he did not stop.

With his bare hands, he dug through wreckage, mud, rocks, and debris, hoping to find his loved ones alive. He dug until sunset, and again until dawn.

He first found his younger sister, only her foot visible through the thick mud. One by one, the lifeless bodies of his family members were discovered, carried away by the flood to different locations.

Finally, he found his son.

“When I saw John Nathan, I remembered how he hugged me that night. Now it makes sense,” he said softly.

“He was holding onto a metal pole when we found him. Maybe he thought it would float. He tried to survive. He fought hard.”

John Nathan’s body was trapped beneath a firewall, buried in mud beside a four-wheel vehicle.

Eight of Espora’s family members perished that night. One remains missing.

Every day since, guilt has haunted him.

“I keep blaming myself,” he said, breaking down. “I’m part of the rescue team. I save people. But I couldn’t save my own family. I rescued other people, but not my own family. It hurts. It’s unbearable.”

He remembers how John Nathan used to dance to TikTok trends, greet the mayor with a cheerful smile, and how everyone in the neighborhood loved him.

“He was friendly and full of life. I knew he would have a bright future,” he said. “But maybe God had other plans. No matter how painful, I have to accept that He already took his borrowed life.”

In a city shattered by grief, John Rey Espora stands as both a hero and a reminder of sacrifice—a father who went out to save lives, only to lose the ones he loved most.

For now, his supervisor has allowed him time to grieve and rest. But when asked if he will return, Espora did not hesitate. He still wants to be on the frontlines, saving lives as he always has.

He promised to continue serving, carrying the memory of his son in every life he helps save.

For a rescuer who lost everything, saving others has become his only way of keeping his spirit alive.

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center (PNP WCPC) has arrested a female suspect and rescued four victims, including a baby, during a Nov. 11 operation in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, intensifying its campaign against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).  

In an emailed advisory from International Justice Mission (IJM) Wednesday, Nov. 12, Marianne van Elst-Sijtsma, IJM fellow, said the rescue operation was launched by the WCPC’s Mindanao Field Unit (MFU), led by Col. Mario M. Baquiran Jr., following a referral from the Philippine Internet Crimes against Children Center (PICACC). 

The PICACC case itself originated from a referral by the United Kingdom-National Crime Agency (UK-NCA).  

Authorities apprehended Leonila Talikig Trangia, who is accused of using a child to create, produce, sell, and distribute Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) online using information and communication technology.  

The four victims rescued from the abusive environment where they were being used to create exploitative online content include two female minors, one male minor, and an eight-month-old baby boy.

The rescued minors have since been placed under the protective custody of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) in Bayabas for immediate assessment, evaluation, and intervention, Elst-Sijtsma’s press advisory reads in part.

As part of the operation, law enforcement implemented a Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) to collect crucial digital evidence. 

An on-site digital forensic examination of the suspect’s mobile phone was conducted by the Digital Forensic Examiner of Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 13, which resulted in the discovery of several CSAEM and the subsequent arrest of Trangia for its possession under the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act (RA 11930).

The entire operation was done under the overall supervision of Brig. Gen. Maria Sheila T. Portento, the Acting Chief of the WCPC.  

“The WCPC-MFU will persist in pursuing those who exploit the vulnerable through online platforms. Protecting children and victims of exploitation remains our top priority,” the WCPC said in a statement. 

This action, carried out in coordination with other PNP units, DSWD-Caraga, and the MSWDO-Bayabas, is part of the PNP WCPC-MFU’s intensified campaign to dismantle OSAEC networks and protect vulnerable children. 

It was conducted with the active support of NCC-OSAEC/CSAEM, Regional Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Trafficking/Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force 13, and IJM.  

Under RA 11930, offenders may face severe penalties, including up to life imprisonment and fines reaching P5 million, depending on the gravity of the offense.  

The WCPC also reminds the community that it runs a 24-hour Facebook page where citizens can report online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. 

They invite everyone to share information and report on the page: PNP Women and Children Protection Center. /mr

SACRAMENTO, California — Nikola Jokic scored 35 points and had 15 rebounds, Jamal Murray added 23 points and the Denver Nuggets won their fifth game in a row, 122-108 over the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

The Kings were led by Domantas Sabonis, who finished with 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Drew Eubanks added 19 points and seven rebounds for Sacramento, which has lost three straight.

READ: NBA: Nikola Jokic has 6th triple-double in 9 games in Nuggets win

Another Nikola Jokić hoops masterclass 🙌

💥 35 PTS💥 16-19 FGM (84.2 FG%)💥 15 REB💥 7 AST💥 2 STL

Nuggets ride their 5-game W streak to 8-2! pic.twitter.com/cZyoaiM6JV

— NBA (@NBA) November 12, 2025

The Kings led by one after the first quarter but the Nuggets took the lead for good with 1:45 left in the second. They Nuggets extended their lead to 101-86 during the fourth quarter, fueled by a 16-2 run.

Aaron Gordon scored 17 points for the Nuggets and Bruce Brown added 14 off the bench.

DeMar DeRozan scored 18 for Sacramento and Russell Westbrook had 14.

NBA: Nikola Jokic triple-double powers Nuggets past Heat

The Nuggets had a 48-35 rebounding advantage and shot 51% from the field.

Up next

Denver: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.

Sacramento: Play host to Atalanta on Wednesday night.

MANILA, Philippines – Due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong), 366 areas across eight regions remain flooded, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

As of 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the NDRRMC reported that 147 areas in Central Luzon, 104 in the Bicol Region, and 61 in Cagayan Valley are still flooded.

Twenty nine areas in the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region are also still flooded, along ith 16 in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, four in the Ilocos Region, three in Western Visayas and two in Northern Mindanao.

Uwan’s onslaught has affected at least 3,596,174 persons or 1,006,149 families in 16 regions, the NDRRMC added.

The Bicol Region has the most number of affected persons at 1,414,412 (394,349 families), followed by the Ilocos Region (426,884 affected persons /122,044 families), and Eastern Visayas (422,392 affected persons / 117,529 families).

The number of affected persons or families in the other regions is listed below.

• Central Luzon: 269,133 persons / 74,818 families
• Negros Island Region: 198,120 persons / 51,468 families
• Cagayan Valley: 192,787 persons / 61,419 families
• Western Visayas: 166,812 persons / 52,410 families
• BARMM: 151,960 persons / 30,392 families
• Mimaropa: 107,186 persons / 31,199 families
• Caraga: 105,122 persons / 30,201 families
• Metro Manila: 69,426 persons / 18,511 families
• Cordillera Administrative Region: 38,870 persons / 12,399 families
• Calabarzon: 14,703 persons / 4,685 families
• Zamboanga Peninsula: 11,206  persons / 2,996 families
• Northern Mindanao: 6,942 persons / 1,678 families
• SOCCKSKARGEN: 219 persons / 51 families

Of those affected, 623,310 individuals or 171,768 families are still in 9,014 evacuation centers, while 296,035 persons or 84,524 families were served outside of evacuation centers, the NDRRMC said.

The NDRRMC also recorded 27 deaths, 36 injuries, and two missing persons.

Additionally, 33,882 houses were reported partially damaged, and another 7,320 were totally damaged, as per the NDRRMC’s report.

The largest number of damaged houses was reported in Bicol Region, with 20,387 partially damaged and 6,518 totally damaged.

Furthermore, the number of impassable roads and bridges also increased, the NDRRMC added.

Across eight regions, 277 roads and 61 bridges are impassable – 118 of the roads are in the Bicol Region, while 39 of the bridges are in Cagayan Valley.

A total of 410 cities or municipalities have power interruptions, while 18 cities still suffer from water supply interruptions.

There are also 121 cities or municipalities with non-operational communication lines, 88 of which are located in Eastern Visayas, the NDRRMC reported. /gsg