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Team strategy and communication will be key elements for the North and South squads as they open their three-day, three-format duel for the right to be called the first ICTSI Junior Elite Finals champion starting on Wednesday at the ultra-exclusive The Country Club layout in Laguna.

Four-ball action opens up play where each of the four members from three different age-groups of each team will play, leaving the onus on team captains to pick out the proper tandems for the crucial head start.

Alternate play (foursomes) will be the format on Thursday before the culminating singles are held the day after, as the team that wins 24.5 points first will have bragging rights.

‘Keep the ball in the fairway and greens in regulation,’ Team North coskipper Ryan Tambalque said when asked of team strategy. ‘[We want]them [to] enjoy the game. I’m confident in our players-and they’re all good, strong players.

‘Whichever way we pair them, I know they’ll do their best.’

South skipper Alfred Gaccion, meanwhile, exuded quiet confidence.

‘The opposing team is equally equipped, so we’re focusing on a balanced fielding of players,’ Gaccion said. ‘Fortunately, we have strong representatives in every age division.’

Gaccion singled out the girls’ 15-18 division as a potential game-changer as he has a team that is loaded to the brim. Tashanah Balangauan, Crista Miñoza, Precious Zaragosa and Mikela Guillermo make up his squad. INQ

The provincial government of Bohol is extending assistance to Cebu following the deadly 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck the province Tuesday night.

Governor Aris Aumentado announced that the province is sending P5 million in financial aid, along with a team of 16 medical and rescue personnel, two ambulances, and a rescue vehicle to help quake-hit areas in Cebu. The team is scheduled to leave Bohol at 1:30 p.m. today.

‘This is our help for Cebu. Our team will be heading there this afternoon,’ Aumentado said after presiding over an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning with local agencies to assess the situation. While Cebu bore the brunt of the earthquake, Bohol sustained minimal damage. Some school buildings in Sevilla, Balilihan, Ubay, Bien Unido, and Guindulman reported minor cracks that were deemed non-hazardous.

Hospitals across the province remain fully operational.

At the Gov. Celestino Gallares Medical Center in Tagbilaran City, 87 patients were briefly evacuated Tuesday night as a precaution, but they were later returned indoors after engineers cleared the hospital building as safe. Road networks remain passable, except for two bridges in Dauis town. The Castel Bridge is open only to light vehicles, while the Borja Bridge is operating on a single-lane basis due to structural concerns. The tremor, which struck at 9:59 p.m., caused a temporary power outage across Bohol and sent residents rushing to the streets in panic.

Classes and government work in the province were suspended on Wednesday to allow safety inspections of public infrastructure./coa

The provincial government of South Cotabato is sending rescue and medical responders and relief goods for victims of the deadly 6.9 magnitude earthquake that jolted Cebu province Tuesday evening.

South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo ordered the deployment of rescue and medical teams, as well as relief assistance, as part of the province’s solidarity and humanitarian response to the tragedy.

‘Early in the morning, relief goods and hygiene kits from the people of South Cotabato will be heading to Cebu,’ Tamayo said in a statement.

He said the relief assistance, as well as rescue and medical teams from the province, will be under the disposal of Cebu Gov. Pam Baricuatro or her designated incident command center, as they are familiar with the situation on the ground.

Rolly Doane Aquino, head of the South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said they immediately prepared the relief goods that will be transported to Cebu, hopefully within the day.

He said the rescue and medical teams would be sent to the quake-struck province through a commercial plane.

Aquino said his office is coordinating with the Cebu provincial government and their PDRRMO counterparts on where to deploy the responders and relief assistance from South Cotabato.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night killed at least 22 people, damaged heritage churches and other structures, and knocked out power in parts of the central Philippines, the Inquirer reported.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially measured the quake at magnitude 6.7 before upgrading it to 6.9. It occurred at 9:59 p.m., with the epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded a magnitude 7.0 before revising it downward, it added.

Authorities warned of more fatalities due to significant damage suffered in northern Cebu due to the shallow depth of the quake

What was supposed to be a night of glamor and charity had a frantic conclusion as the 6.9 magnitude earthquake halted the benefit gala night of the 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant here.

The quake’s epicenter was traced to Bogo City some 95 kilometers – or close to 3 hours – away, from where the pageant event was being held in the capital city.

Just as the 43 delegates were making their exit from the runway at the ballroom of Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu City on Tuesday evening, Sept. 30, the hall shook and the ladies frantically ran to different directions as they sought cover.

The international pageant was holding the event to raise funds for Operation Smile through ticket sales for the fashion show of Philippine ternos designed by Cebuano designers, showcased by the delegates.

A silent auction of luxury bags and statement pieces was also conducted to help gather additional funds for the nonprofit organization, while a live bidding was held for items from Cebuano furniture designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Vito Selma, London-based fashion designer John Herrera, and jewelry maker Oro China.

After the successful bidders were announced, the ladies took the runway in their Filipiniana flair of different fabrics, silhouettes and styles. Reigning queen Janelis Leyba and second runner-up Selena Ali showcased the creations of renowned Cebuano fashion icon Cary Santiago.

Belgium’s Jana Janssens was chosen by Santiago as the Best in Philippine Terno, while Herrera picked Alejandro Godinez Jr. as the Best Philippine Terno Designer, his creation paraded by the Philippines’ Anita Rose Gomez.

Grace under pressure, chaos

After the awards were handed out and just as the program was about to close, the floor started shaking, and the crystal pieces from the chandeliers started swaying. The tremor was so strong that the wine glasses and water goblets on the tables tumbled. Some guests rushed outside the ballroom, while the others ducked and went under the tables, including some of the ladies. When the tremor stopped, hotel staff members guided the guests to safety, leading them out to the parking lot.

In her panic, reigning Miss Asia Pacific International queen Janelis Leyba from the United States could be seen in the video hurling off her crown as she tried to leave the stage.

Many of the ladies took off their high heels and rushed outside barefoot, some of them clutching their long skirts as Eva Patalinjug, the pageant’s president, instructed them to follow the ushers to safety while looking out for everyone’s welfare.

The police was deployed to the scene, followed by a rescue team. Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, who attended the gathering, was seen consulting her staff, asking about the province’s current situation and hurrying out of the vicinity.

Janssens had to get help from others to get to safety as she hurt her leg after jumping from the stage. She was later rushed to the hospital for tests and treatment. She had since been declared out of danger and has already joined her fellow delegates. As soon as the guests gathered at the designated evacuation area, the hotel setup a help desk at the parking lot. Staff members distributed towels for some of the guests who needed additional covering.

Slippers were handed out to those who had taken off their shoes, and for guests seeking relief from running in the high heels that they have been wearing all night.

Staff members also handed out bottled water as the hotel’s security team assessed the situation. And even if the ballroom was just located on the second floor, the ladies and the production team had to wait for hours before they were allowed backstage.

The ladies, still in their terno, sat on the chairs laid out by the staff members on the parking lot, as more seats were being setup in the evacuation area. But just as the hotel was winding down its sweep of the property, it started raining and the guests were ushered to shelter, with staff members hurriedly handing out umbrellas and helping guests seek cover.

The lobby on the ground floor was the first to be made available for the guests to settle in and collect themselves. The chairs set up in the parking lot were moved to the area for guests to use again.

And at the homestretch of the assessment for structural integrity, the hotel laid out a spread of warm dishes, breads, other food items and drinks for the guests who are awaiting further instructions.

The delegates and the production team were then allowed to return backstage, and the ladies were able to slip into more comfortable clothes. They then also got their meals from the spread.

A couple of hours after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the ladies were then guided to the buses that would take them to their hotel residence in Mandaue City that has also finished conducting an assessment for structural integrity.

Several other activities have been planned for the ladies in the province, under the Cebu local government’s partnership with the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant. But many of the items in their calendar have been put on hold as of this writing.

The PBA officially approved Pureblends Corporation’s purchase of the NorthPort franchise, with the team to be known as the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.

Official schedules and rosters for the upcoming 50th season revealed the new team’s official name, which had been an open secret for weeks even when the sale was still pending league approval.

Other details of the deal have yet to be revealed as of posting time, as the league was holding a press conference for the upcoming season at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City.

In attendance during the presscon is Titan Ultra’s team governor Emilio Tiu.

Pureblends reportedly purchased NorthPort’s lock, stock and barrel for P90 million but the PBA had to undergo a stringent review of the sale.

Despite that, Pureblends officials led by owner Bryann Calantoc were already dealing with the team’s affairs despite still being known as NorthPort during the Rookie Draft and tune-up games.

But the team had to wear white shirts instead of playing jerseys during last week’s Media Day.

Calvin Abueva, however, created buzz on social media last Monday by showing the team’s jersey with the logo of Titan Maxx, a dietary supplement. The team, though, opted to go with the name Titan Ultra.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday it rescued 10 Chinese after their tugboat lost engine power off Palawan.

The vessel identified as M/Tug Virgo was reported adrift about 43 nautical miles off Coron on Monday.

Coast Guard District Palawan dispatched BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403), which located the tugboat the following day near Linapacan town. According to the PCG, all 10 crew members were declared to be in good condition after undergoing medical checks.

The vessel’s master told authorities they had departed Malaysia and were bound for China when the engine failed.

To prevent further risk, the Coast Guard vessel began towing the tugboat on Monday toward El Nido, Palawan, where it is awaiting assistance from its shipping company, which has arranged repairs and a rescue tug.

‘This successful operation highlights the Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to safeguard lives and vessels at sea, whether foreign or domestic, within the Philippine maritime jurisdiction,’ the PCG said in a statement.

The incident adds to a series of maritime emergencies in Philippine waters this year, with the Coast Guard noting it routinely responds to vessels in distress regardless of flag or nationality.

San Simon, Pampanga Mayor Abundio ‘JP’ Punsalan Jr. pleaded not guilty to graft and extortion charges before the Sandiganbayan, two months after he was entrapped by authorities at a restaurant in Clark Freeport while allegedly receiving a bag containing around P30 million.

Punsalan entered his plea as the charges were read to him during his arraignment before the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division on Wednesday.

A Sandiganbayan order dated Sept. 9 showed that the mayor surrendered and posted cash bonds of P90,000 for each case filed against him for violating Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code (robbery by means of extortion).

The complaint against him stemmed from the claim of San Simon-based Real Steel Corporation that the mayor demanded P80 million from the company in exchange for not overturning Municipal Ordinance No. 24-0025, which granted tax incentives to the firm.

The demand was allegedly accompanied by threats that Real Steel’s incentives would be revoked if payment was not made.

Reports also showed that Real Steel filed an urgent motion before the Office of the Ombudsman to suspend Punsalan in connection with an administrative case for grave misconduct and serious dishonesty. The motion remains pending.

The company likewise lodged a separate administrative case against the mayor before the Pampanga provincial board.

The municipality of Medellin has been placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, Oct. 1, following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu province.

In their official announcement on Facebook, Medellin officials said that the Medellin Municipal Hall and its annex buildings sustained damage from the tremor.

Rescue teams are responding to multiple emergencies across the town.

An Emergency Operations Center has been activated at the Regional Evacuation Center near the Medellin Public Market to coordinate the response.

The tremor shook Cebu on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, damaging heritage churches and knocking out power. Its epicenter was located 21 kilometers east of Bogo City.

A 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off Bogo City, Cebu, late Tuesday night was felt across Eastern Visayas, sending thousands of residents into the streets and causing structural damage in several provinces.

The quake, which occurred at 9:59 p.m., lasted several seconds and triggered panic among residents in Tacloban City and surrounding areas.

‘I thought I was just dreaming,’ recalled Sharon Gatmaitan, a Tacloban resident who was visibly shaken after the tremor.

In Naval, Biliran, power was cut after the Biliran Electric Cooperative shut down its substation as a precaution. The cooperative said electricity will be restored once facilities are declared safe and stable.

The quake also disrupted a basketball game at the Naval gym, where hundreds of spectators rushed outside in panic. Mayor Gretchen Espina confirmed that a portion of the gym’s ceiling was damaged. The local engineering office has been tasked with assessing the facility’s structural integrity.

In Leyte town, a landslide occurred in Sitio Tabengue, Barangay Wague, rendering the area impassable. The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office also reported cracks in a bridge in Barangay Consuegra, raising safety concerns.

In Ormoc City, Leyte, patients at Ormoc Doctors Hospital were evacuated as a precaution. Students attending a school program at the city’s superdome also rushed out when parts of the structure reportedly collapsed.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) reported that the earthquake caused the Leyte, Samar, and part of the Bohol grid to separate from the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid. NGCP confirmed damage at its Daanbantayan Substation in northern Cebu, near the epicenter, and said four 230-kilovolt transmission lines in the Visayas tripped.

‘Aerial and foot inspections, as well as restoration work, will be in full swing as soon as the situation allows, as there are still aftershocks in the area,’ NGCP said in a statement shortly after the quake.

Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage while monitoring for possible aftershocks. /mcm

With a new contract and a new coach, expectations are high that Zavier Lucero could raise his game to another level for Magnolia going into the PBA season.

But Lucero, in his third season in the league and second with the Hotshots, has one thing in mind.

‘I just want to win,’ Lucero said.

Lucero unleashed the talents he hardly showed in his rookie campaign with NorthPort while recovering from an ACL injury and became arguably Magnolia’s best player in Season 48 with energy on both ends.

That also paved the way for Magnolia to reach an agreement with Lucero on a two-year deal despite rumors that the University of the Philippines product may have been headed elsewhere, particularly overseas.

He averaged 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in Season 49, where Magnolia absorbed quarterfinal exits in all three conferences. Those finishes are among the reasons why the Hotshots made some changes, beginning with the appointment of Barangay Ginebra legend LA Tenorio as coach coupled with the addition of Javi Gomez de Liano in a trade with Terrafirma.

With Magnolia keeping the core of Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang intact, Lucero hopes to put the Hotshots in a position to be among the contenders, especially in the season-opening Philippine Cup where San Miguel Beer is the defending champion, TNT is eager to build on its near Grand Slam and Barangay Ginebra always in the running.

‘I understand that I will always be on the floor and that I have God-given talent that should help us,’ Lucero said. ‘But it’s a team game. I can’t do it by myself and none of us can do it by ourselves.

‘So it’s just about putting it together and contributing what I can. And the main thing is just not seeing my stats on offense, I’m just trying to make sure I’m solid on defense and do what I’m supposed to be doing.’