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A Japanese government panel on Wednesday reviewed countermeasures for inflation that were included in the government’s fiscal 2024 supplementary budget and fiscal 2025 budget.

Referring to progress on measures that were compiled under his administration, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said, ‘They are being steadily implemented as a whole.’

‘We will continue to protect people’s lives and business activities from rising prices,’ he said at a meeting of the government’s Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy.

At the meeting, council members confirmed that the government’s subsidies for electricity and gas charges had worked to lower utility fees.

The members also found that rice prices have risen again, due to the distribution of newly harvested rice, after temporarily falling thanks to the release of the government’s stockpiled rice.

Looking ahead, the council said that price growth is expected to slow in the second half of this year and to hover around 2 percent in the next fiscal year starting in April 2026, due to the effects of countermeasures and a slower pace of increase in food prices.

Additionally, the council suggested that the sentiment of consumers, who were concerned that prices would keep rising, has shown signs of improvement.

Regarding US President Donald Trump’s high tariffs, a risk factor for the Japanese economy, the panel underlined the need to keep a close watch on future developments, citing negative impacts such as a decline in automobile exports to the United States and deteriorating earnings at Japanese automakers.

Lindsey Vander Weide is ready to run it back with Petro Gazz, eager to reunite with former Oregon teammate and reigning PVL MVP Brooke Van Sickle.

Vander Weide, who won Best Import and Finals MVP when the Angels claimed the 2022 Reinforced Conference crown, said she jumped at the chance to return when Petro Gazz came calling ahead of the import-laden tournament, which kicks off Tuesday at Ynares Center Montalban. ‘I kind of always wanted to come back right after I left, but I wasn’t sure if the cards were ever going to play out, and they contacted me this season. I’m in a part where I’m not playing right now, so I’m super excited to be back, and I knew I had to do it with Petro Gazz,’ said Vander Weide.

Vander Weide, who spent the past three years in Puerto Rico and in American pro leagues, is determined to bring back the Reinforced glory to Petro Gazz after a quarterfinal exit last year.

‘That’s the goal. That felt amazing to do last time. I’m really hoping we can do it again. Like you said, we still have a lot of firepower, plus Brooke, huge addition, so hopefully we can get that done,’ she said. The 27-year-old American outside spiker can’t wait to share the court with Van Sickle, whom she played with from 2016 to 2019 in the US NCAA Division 1.

‘We did a lot of big things in college. You guys know Brooke is a huge arm. I’m a big arm so I know that duo is going to be really good, just like it was back then. And like you said, a lot of my old teammates are here too, so that’s really exciting,’ said Vander Weide.

For Van Sickle, it’s a full-circle moment to once again play alongside Vander Weide, who first introduced her to the PVL.

‘It’s really just a full circle moment, having her here, having my parents here,’ said Van Sickle.

The Ayala group’s mobility solutions unit will soon let go of its Honda dealership business after more than three decades. The group cited the need to focus on key growth areas, including electric vehicles.

Ayala Corp. on Thursday disclosed that ACMobility, through Iconic Dealership Inc., would turn over its Honda dealership operations to ‘new dealer principals’ by Jan. 1. ACMobility will continue operating Honda Cars Makati, Pasig, Shaw, Bacoor, Cebu, Mandaue, Iloilo, Negros and Cagayan de Oro until Dec. 31.

‘This transition reflects our ongoing effort to optimize our portfolio and focus on new growth areas,’ ACMobility CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said in a statement. Since 1990, ACMobility has sold over 220,000 Honda vehicles through its dealerships, the company said.

The announcement comes two weeks after ACMobility said it had agreed with Volkswagen AG to stop the distribution of the German band in the Philippines.

Aside from Volkswagen and Honda, ACMobility’s portfolio also includes BYD, Isuzu and Kia.

Though we wish that our country can enable all Filipinos to make a decent living locally, it is nevertheless good to know that the government of the territory nearest us, Hong Kong, recognizes that Filipino domestic helpers provide essential services to its citizens.

Early this week, the HK government announced a welcome raise of 2.2 percent in its minimum allowable wage (MAW) for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs), from HK$4,990 to HK$5,100 monthly.

The law further stipulates that employers provide helpers free food, either in their household or through a monthly allowance of at least HK$1,236 (unchanged from last year).

‘The Government regularly reviews the MAW for FDHs to ensure its level is commensurate with Hong Kong’s economic and labor market conditions,’ says a spokesman.

‘In this year’s review, we comprehensively considered a basket of factors in accordance with the established mechanism, including Hong Kong’s general economic performance and labor market conditions over the past year, near-term economic outlook, affordability of FDH employers, basic living needs of FDHs and views of different stakeholders. Taking into account all the relevant factors in a holistic manner, the Government has decided to increase the MAW.’ Rising wages

The dynamics of employer-employee relations were analyzed in a survey by HelperChoice, a recruitment company connecting both parties, through 1,549 job postings published on its site between August 2024 and August 2025, with the objective of analyzing salary and hiring conditions in the territory.

The mandated minimum wage is one thing, but according to HelperChoice, the average monthly salary in 2025 is HK$5,722, which is a 7.9-percent increase from 2024.

The New Territories gives the highest average monthly wage at HK 5,886, followed by Hong Kong Island at HK$5,807, and Kowloon at HK$5,158.

‘This continued upward trend reflects employers’ growing willingness to offer competitive salaries to attract experienced domestic workers, particularly those already based in Hong Kong, whose paperwork processing is faster and who can often extend their contracts without returning home,’ says HelperChoice.

‘What families value most’

By law, FDHs must live with their employers. HelperChoice’s survey shows that 73.7 percent of employers provide a private room for them, 12.9 percent a shared room with a child, 8.3 percent shared space with another domestic worker, and 5.1 percent shared space with another adult family member, such as an elderly relative.

These signal the increasing trend towards more private living space for FDHs.

‘In 2025, we’re seeing a noticeable shift in what families value most,’ says Raymund Sze, the company’s general manager.

‘Employers are no longer just hiring based on cost, they’re willing to offer higher salaries for helpers with prior Hong Kong experience, child care or elderly care expertise. Convenience and reliability have become top priorities, especially in dual-income households where domestic workers play an essential role in day-to-day family life. Employers are typically willing to increase the salary when renewing the contract with a reliable domestic helper.’

Room for improvement

However, a March 2024 HelperChoice survey found areas for improvement. In interviews with FDHs, ‘several reported that they are ill-treated by the children: they lose credibility when their employer put into question their way of doing in front of the children; some housemaids are admonished because of the children’s behaviors or are held responsible in case the children complain to their parents.’

‘Less than a quarter of the domestic workers are taking care of pets but bites from dogs are unfortunately quite common among pet sitters.’

A third of interviewees said that their employers treated them disrespectfully, shouting at them, making them work long hours, giving them only little or leftover food.

Aside from sufficient wages, FDHs have the right to decent treatment as well.

Magnolia made another roster addition before the start of the PBA’s 50th season by signing former Phoenix forward Raffy Verano on Thursday.

The Hotshots announced the move on social media with a photo showing Verano being joined by team manager Alvin Patrimonio while inking on the dotted line. He had been joining Magnolia’s practices since the start of the week and even scored seven points in the 91-84 tune-up victory over Blackwater two days prior at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong City.

‘It’s a blessing, for sure,’ Verano told Inquirer after that tune-up game. ‘Everyone’s dream here in the Philippines is to be on a winning team. So I’m grateful and fortunate to land here.’

Verano joins Magnolia after he was released by Phoenix, which selected the Ateneo product in the second round of the Season 48 Draft two years ago.

Minutes have been inconsistent during the scrappy 6-foot-4 forward’s two seasons with the Fuel Masters.

His addition comes amid a busy offseason for Magnolia, which will now be handled by rookie coach LA Tenorio.

Also new to the squad are Javi Gomez de Liano and Paolo Taha while also signing rookie Gab Gomez.

Nadia Montenegro filed separate complaints against a Senate employee and certain media publications in relation to the incident of alleged marijuana use inside the Senate building.

Montenegro, who was a political affairs officer for Sen. Robin Padilla, was dragged into the matter after her name was included in the incident report filed by a Senate security personnel. In the report, the security staff member said he was informed of an odor that resembled that of ‘marijuana’ in the area where allegedly only Montenegro was present at the time.

The actress lodged complaints for unjust vexation and violations of the Safe Spaces Act against the security staff before the Pasay City Hall, stating that the latter pulled her toward the wall and grabbed her by the arm while confronting her for allegedly smoking marijuana.

Montenegro said the staff member did not immediately let her go despite denying the accusation and showing the content of her bag that included her vape. She added that he even allegedly warned her to be careful.

She further stated in her complaint that the staff member still issued an incident report addressed to the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms despite having confirmed that Montenegro did not smoke marijuana.

Such action, the actress said, made her feel ‘violated, harassed, annoyed, intimidated and confused.’

Libel case

Montenegro also filed libel cases before the Caloocan Regional Trial Court against two publications for their supposed false article and report.

In the actress’ complaint, she claimed that the publications falsely reported that she was the individual caught smoking marijuana inside the Senate premises.

Montenegro further noted that the articles subjected her to ‘misjudgments, bashings and grave humiliation’ which prompted her to go through series of mental and psychological therapy.

Karylle admitted she does not see herself sharing a friendship with her ex-boyfriend, actor Dingdong Dantes, saying she only considers them ‘people in the same industry who could support each other.’

The actress-TV host said this during an interview in ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ on Wednesday, Oct. 1, after she was asked about the actor’s July visit to the noontime program ‘It’s Showtime,’ where Karylle is one of the hosts.

‘I wouldn’t have put myself in a situation na hindi ako handa siguro (I was not ready for),’ she said, confessing she was not ready to face Dantes a few years back. ‘So I think it was okay.’

Karylle recalled how some people even questioned how she had apparently been avoiding encounters with the actor. She then described their ‘Showtime’ reunion as a ‘beautiful moment,’ citing comments from fans.

‘All is well, you know? I think with every public breakup, it’s a bit hard when it happened,’ she continued, recalling how she also struggled when her parents separated when she was young.

Abunda then asked Karylle if she could be friends with Dantes, to which she responded, ‘I don’t know if ‘friend’ is the word. I would imagine, being people in the same industry, we could support each other.’

Karylle underscored how both of them exerted efforts to support each others’ movies.

‘So I think, supporting each other, maybe. The friendship, I don’t think is in the cards anymore,’ she added.

Karylle and Dantes reportedly started being in a relationship in 2006, then broke up in 2008. Karylle is now married to Sponge Cola vocalist Yael Yuzon, while Dantes is married to actress Marian Rivera. /ra

Sisters Vina Morales and Shaina Magdayao are heartbroken after seeing the extent of the damage caused by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck their hometown, Bogo City, Cebu.

Vina reposted photos of the damaged structures in the city – which was the epicenter of the earthquake – along with a call for prayers through her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

‘Lord, we lift up Cebu, especially my hometown Bogo, in this difficult time. Protect and comfort everyone affected by the earthquake. May healing, strength and safety cover all,’ she said in the caption.

Vina said another prayer for those affected by the calamity through a separate post.

‘Lord, we pray for everyone affected by the earthquake in Cebu. Cover them with Your protection and embrace them with Your love. Strengthen their hearts in this time of trial and grant them courage, resilience and hope. I lift up my hometown , keep everyone safe and surround them with Your comfort and peace. Amen,’ she wrote.

Shaina shared photos of the widespread destruction as well via her Instagram Stories, writing, ‘My dad’s hometown, Bogo,’ adding a crying face and folded hands emoji.

The powerful earthquake struck Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. As of Thursday morning, Oct. 2, the death toll has exceeded 60, while almost 300 people were reported injured and dozens feared missing. The province has been placed under a state of calamity.

Other celebrities also earlier called for prayers for the victims, among them Cebuanos Slater Young, Manilyn Reynes and Ellen Adarna. /ra

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At the back, the Exquisite Transparent Camera Module showcases a minimalist vertical lens layout that blends seamlessly into the panel. The subtle sparkle of the transparent material adds a premium touch while staying compact, so you can capture content in portrait or landscape without any awkward grip.

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Brooke Van Sickle welcomes the rare chance to be coached by her parents as Petro Gazz gears up for redemption in the upcoming PVL Reinforced Conference.

Gary Van Sickle has been appointed as head coach, replacing interim mentor Brian Esquibel, while Brooke’s mother Lisa will serve as assistant coach. ‘It’s amazing to have them here, to be close to family. It’s really hard being overseas, making sacrifices and being away from them. I’m just grateful they’re able to be here to watch me grow as a player and as a person,’ said the PVL season MVP.

The former Oregon player is thrilled to share with her teammates all the things she learned from Gary and Lisa, who have been her coaches for her entire life. But she vows to act as their player, not daughter, inside the court.

‘We already have an understanding where once we step into the gym, they’re not my parents. They’re very educated with volleyball. Their IQ is really great,’ said Van Sickle. ‘They can make that adjustment, that separation. Outside of volleyball, we’re a loving family but when we step on the court, it’s all business and we want to win it’s all professional, all business.’

Gary, who played for the University of Hawai’i from 1988 to 1990, said Petro Gazz valued their volleyball credentials and sought their services weeks ago.

‘They kind of mentioned to us the last time we kind of talked a little bit about volleyball and they kind of wanted our background in it. And I guess about three or four weeks ago, they started reaching out to more and we started talking and seeing if we were interested,’ said the new Petro Gazz head coach.

‘We’ve seen them last year when we were watching and I think we’ll settle in because we kind of know the girls. We’re looking forward to it and excited.’

Lisa, who suited up for Hawaii Pacific University, is happy to join their daughter on the same team, but stressed their focus is helping the Angels reclaim the Reinforced crown after last year’s quarterfinal exit. ‘It was an easy decision to be with Brooke, to be able to coach her again. We’ve been watching the team ever since she’s been here. So we’re very familiar with the style of play that all the girls, other teammates have and all that,’ she said.