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Every five minutes, someone in the Philippines loses their sight-not from rare or untreatable illnesses, but from conditions that can often be prevented or managed if detected early.

Cataracts, glaucoma and uncorrected refractive errors affect more than a million Filipinos, yet eye health continues to be underprioritized in the national health agenda.

According to the Philippine Eye Disease Study conducted in 2018, around 1.98% of Filipinos live with visual impairment, defined as presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18 in the better eye.

The percentage may seem small, but it represents lives profoundly affected: careers interrupted, children falling behind in school, older adults losing independence and families under strain.

Among the main causes of visual impairment in the country are retinal diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME), neovascular or ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), and its subtype polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV). These are complex conditions that require advanced diagnostics and long-term treatment, yet they remain under-recognized and undertreated. Cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors still account for a large portion of blindness, while glaucoma contributes significantly.

But the growing burden of retinal diseases highlights a deeper challenge: these conditions cannot simply be resolved through surgery or corrective lenses and they demand sustained access to innovative therapies.

The social and economic impact of vision loss extends well beyond the clinic. A recent Asia-Pacific (APAC) Vision Health Survey offers important insights into the lived experiences of Filipinos facing or fearing visual impairment.

More than half of respondents-50.5%-believe vision loss would cause financial hardship, the highest rate across eight Asian countries surveyed. Nearly three-quarters worry it would compromise their ability to perform daily tasks such as cooking or cleaning.

Caregivers are also heavily affected, with many reporting difficulty taking time off work or income loss due to family responsibilities. And among Filipinos with diabetes, 84.6% report vision-related symptoms-the highest rate in the region.

While these figures are concerning, they also signal an opportunity for action. New research is bringing greater attention to a lesser-known eye disease that disproportionately affects Asians: polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy, or PCV.

In simple terms, PCV occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, the part of the eye responsible for clear vision. These vessels can leak or bleed, causing sudden and often permanent vision loss. PCV is often grouped under ‘wet’ age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), but it behaves differently, requires specific diagnostic tests and may respond differently to treatment.

This condition is particularly relevant for the Philippines because of its prevalence in Asian populations. Around 60% of global PCV cases are found in Asia, yet most clinical trials and treatment guidelines have historically focused on Western populations. This gap has left many Asian patients underrepresented in evidence and practice.

In the Philippines, a recent local study titled ‘Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy features among Filipino eyes with neovascular AMD based on APOIS criteria’ found that 53.3% of eyes initially diagnosed with nAMD actually showed features consistent with PCV.

In other words, more than half of patients may be living with a subtype of disease that is frequently misdiagnosed, leading to treatment approaches that may not deliver the best results.

This is especially concerning in a country where access to eye care is uneven. Fewer than one in three Filipinos undergo an annual eye exam.

In rural areas, ophthalmologists and diagnostic equipment are limited. Public awareness of retinal diseases like PCV remains low, and advanced tests such as indocyanine green angiography-which are critical to confirm PCV-are often unaffordable.

Without targeted policies and better access, many Filipinos remain at risk of losing their vision unnecessarily.

There are, however, encouraging developments. At the EURETINA 2025 Congress in Paris, one-year results of the SALWEEN Phase IIIb/IV trial were presented, demonstrating sustained improvements for patients with PCV across Asia. Patients in the study achieved an average gain of +8.9 letters in vision, with more than half able to extend dosing intervals to five months.

These findings show that with the right therapies, lasting improvements are possible. On the policy front, progress has also been made.

This year, PhilHealth introduced an optometric benefit package for children aged 0 to 15 years old. Under PhilHealth Circular 2025-0002, vision assessments, refraction and prescription eyeglasses-including lenses and frames-are now covered.

This reform could significantly reduce childhood vision problems, particularly in underserved communities. PhilHealth also increased reimbursement rates for cataract surgery, now ranging from P20,200 to P80,900 depending on lens type. These reforms are meaningful steps toward strengthening the public eye care system.

Yet gaps remain. Addressing cataracts and providing eyeglasses are important, but they cover only part of the vision health landscape.

For conditions like PCV and diabetic eye disease, patients also need earlier detection, access to advanced diagnostic tools, and appropriate long-term treatment-all of which are still out of reach for many. Eye health should be more firmly integrated into national strategies on noncommunicable diseases, aging, and disability.

PhilHealth benefit packages must continue to expand, covering retinal imaging, anti-VEGF therapies, and other necessary interventions to help patients preserve their sight.

Policy reforms must also be supported by investments in infrastructure. Mobile eye clinics, barangay-level screenings and better-equipped rural health units can extend care to more communities. Training additional ophthalmic specialists and ensuring sustainable funding will also be critical.

Public awareness is another piece of the puzzle. Families need information about early warning signs, the importance of routine eye checkups, and where to seek care. Partnerships among government, private sector, and civil society can amplify education, prevention, and access through nationwide campaigns and local initiatives.

The convergence of new science and stronger policies provides a unique chance to make preventable blindness a problem of the past. But research and reforms must translate into real outcomes for real people. Vision is not a privilege; it is a basic need that shapes opportunity, dignity, and independence.

Every day without action is another day when a parent may lose the ability to provide for their family, or a grandparent may slip into dependency. Vision loss takes away not just sight, but quality of life for patients and for the families who support them.

The tools to change this reality already exist. The task now is to act with urgency, coordination, and commitment. So that every Filipino, regardless of age or income, has the chance to live fully with the gift of sight.

Yeng Guiao has been a basketball coach for 33 years, starting with the defunct Philippine Amateur Basketball League. He has always been known as a firebrand, a maverick, a catalyst for change. Over the years, the seven-time PBA champion mentor has nurtured his values in doing things the long way, the right way, some would say the hard way. He’s outspoken, blunt, down to earth, transparent. What’s right is right; what’s wrong is wrong. Period.

‘It’s probably the way I was brought up by my parents,’ he told The STAR and Basketball Universe PHL. ‘My father (10-year Pampanga governor Bren Guiao) said that if you’re doing what is right, even if other people are doing things differently, you should stick to your beliefs.’

Entering the PBA’s 50th season, the Rain or Shine head coach picked eight players in the annual PBA Rookie Draft. The four who survived are still fulfilling their collegiate and MPBL commitments, and will only be able to join the Elasto Painters in January. It will take even more time for them to blend in with the team, and learn from their elders Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga. Still, the retired politician is confident that RoS will be able to surpass the semifinals this season.

‘We were in the semis four consecutive conferences,’ Guiao explains. ‘That’s enough experience. This team is ripe. We hope to break through the ceiling of the semifinals.’

The 66-year-old tactician also shared that he does not see himself retiring. He’s been a player, Philippine Basketball League commissioner, and coach in the PBL, PBA and at the national team level. He says that he still tries to learn something every day. The game has evolved so much from when he started, from the emergence of dominant big men and athletic one-on-one players to the era where everyone can shoot from the outside and spacing is everything. Yeng doesn’t see himself retiring himself ever.

‘You can’t retire from life,’ he declares. ‘This is what I do. Retiring means starting from scratch again, and finding something to do. I don’t think about that. There’s still so much to learn.’

So Guiao will do what he does best, developing players who would otherwise never achieve greatness, speak out against what he feels is unfair, and build champion teams the long way, the hard way, the right way. He savors the progress his players make, which he counts as wins that give him lasting fulfillment. No quick fixes. He knows that, sooner than later, he will bring Rain or Shine to their first championship since 2016. For him, that will be worth 10 championship trophies won the easy way.

The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) issued an apology to Rosa Rosal and her family after falsely claiming the veteran actress had passed away.

FAMAS had initially posted an obituary card of Rosal, who turns 97 years old later this month, on its social media platforms.

The organization has since deleted the post and released a statement admitting that information fed to them was false.

“Ms. Rosal remains with us, and we deeply regret any confusion or distress this may have caused her family, friends, and admirers,” FAMAS said.

The organization added that it values truth and integrity, and going forward will be more vigilant in verifying information before releasing any statements, reiterating its apologies to Rosal, her loved ones and the public.

Entertainment journalist Mell Navarro confirmed with Rosal’s grandnephew, William Thio, that the retired actress was indeed still alive.

Navarro later shared a video from Thio of Rosal introducing herself and greeting everyone, “Merry Christmas.”

Prior to her retirement, Rosal – born Florence Lansang Danon – debuted during the Golden Age of Philippine Cinema, appearing in classic films like “Anak Dalita,” “Badjao” and “Biyaya ng Lupa.”

Later movies include “Sakada” and “Esperanza: The Movie” having appeared in the original series from 1998.

She also starred in television shows such as “Saan Ka Man Naroroon,” “Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw,” “Narito Ang Puso Ko,” and “Vietnam Rose,” and hosted “Damayan” and “Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko.”

Pope Leo XIV has offered prayers and condoled with victims of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu on Tuesday night.

Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy yesterday said he received a message from Papal Nuncio Charles John Brown that the pope has expressed sympathy and is praying for the quake victims.

‘The Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Charles John Brown, called me to convey the Holy Father’s heartfelt sympathies for all the survivors of the earthquake, and his prayers for the eternal repose of the victims,’ Uy said.

He said the pope assured the faithful of his spiritual closeness as communities grieve and begin recovery efforts.

In his homily for the Feast of the Guardian Angels, Uy urged the faithful to embody the mission of angels by helping people in need.

‘In these difficult days, we are invited to show the spirit of angels by sharing whatever we can: food, clothing, shelter, prayers and even our time. Every act of generosity becomes a way of guarding, guiding and comforting others,’ Uy said.

He said to be an angel for someone is protecting the weak, comforting the lonely and giving hope to those who have lost much.

‘This is the best way to honor our guardian angels, by imitating their missions of love,’ he said.

On Wednesday, Uy visited parishes severely affected by the earthquake.

He offered prayers at the Daanbantayan District Hospital where several quake victims are being treated for injuries.

A new agreement has been signed between FIBA and long-standing broadcast partner Cignal, which will continue to provide basketball content on multiple platforms and channels in the Philippines.

The deal will play a role in continuing to help grow the game, reinforcing an already fruitful partnership that will now extend into a second decade, with Cignal having been a FIBA rights-holder since 2017.

An exciting multi-platform approach for this next broadcast period is expected to maximize the exposure of the sport by showcasing FIBA tournaments to both traditional television audiences and fans who prefer to consume basketball digitally.

Cignal has consistently delivered eye-catching ratings for FIBA events, particularly for games featuring Gilas Pilipinas.

There was a time when the “bakasyon” meant only one thing – leave home and go to a place to experience a change in scenery.

But times have changed. People are opting to have staycations rather than go on vacation in the province or abroad.

In the busy part of Makati, there is relatively new place called Alpaca Lemon Penthouse, a spacious five-bedroom apartment (each with their own bathtub) that provides guests with business or leisure stay options.

The Penthouse’s founder Lorren Dianne Ramel-Kriso bought the Makati unit in 2023 after marrying her husband Daniel.

Its name comes from two lifelong symbols of peace: alpacas, adored for their softness and grounding presence, and lemons, a superfood known for cleansing, brightness, and emotional anchoring.

Guests are welcomed with thoughtful rituals, homemade canapés, organic refreshments, cold towels with essential oil upon arrival, eco-organic cleaning, and butler-style care.

The pet-friendly Penthouse also has six toilets, an office room with sofa beds, sleeping capacity for up to 12 guests, and event capacity for up to 20 people.

Among the celebrities who’ve visited Alpaca are couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero, Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Michelle Dee, comedienne-beauty queen Herlene Nicole Budol, and models Juul Missiaen and Simon Javier.

“My childhood trauma after losing my father, health struggles, misdiagnoses, near-death in an ICU and the miracle of survival – they inspired me,” shared Lorren. “So, Alpaca Lemon my dream safe place is now here and open for others.”

Also a creative entrepreneur and a wellness advocate, Lorren is also building OOMI, The Healing Cave in Bali – a hollistic spa and bathouse featuring therapeutic baths, healing domes, movement studios, non-toxic beauty rituals and a wellness cafe.

She also wants to bring OOMI in Manila and eventually create an Alpaca Lemon Farmhouse in Nusa Penida, Indonesia where people can reconnect with animals, gardens, nature, and real alpacas and lemon trees.

Daniel meanwhile is currently building hotels and resorts in East Bali which is now nearing completion. One resort will soon open its doors, and the couple is now preparing to bring its concept to the Philippines.

“This project is close to our hearts as it reflects the same vision of creating soulful spaces, rooted in nature and designed to welcome travelers all over the world,” ended Lorren.