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While many pageant fans are anticipating the coronation of Filipino queen Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza’s Miss Grand International successor, another queen from the Philippines will also crown hers tonight, Oct. 18.

Mutya ng Pilipinas Liana Barrido is set to relinquish her Miss Tourism International title tonight, the same evening that the Miss Grand International pageant will hold its finale in Bangkok, Thailand.

The 28th edition of the Miss Tourism International pageant will conclude in a final competition show at Resorts World Genting in Malaysia, home country of the global tilt.

This year’s pageant was supposed to be hosted in Davao City in November, with Mutya ng Pilipinas Chair Fred Yuson announcing the news earlier this year.

But the organizers of both pageants later announced that Davao City’s hosting of the global tilt would not push through, and the contest will stay in Malaysia this year.

Forty delegates are competing for the title, including Barrido’s 2024 Mutya ng Pilipinas batchmate Christine Eds Enero. The national pageant has yet to mount a 2025 competition.

Aside from the Miss Tourism International crown, up for grabs are the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International, Miss Tourism Metropolitan, Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan and Miss Tourism Global titles.

The Philippines has produced the most number of Miss Tourism International titleholders with six winners in total – Peachy Manzano (2000), the late Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2012), Angeli Dione Gomez (2013), Jannie Alipo-on (2017), Cyrille Payumo (2019) and Barrido.

Several other Mutya ng Pilipinas queens have also received the other international titles from the pageant organization, including Leren Mae Bautista who won the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International crown in a standalone competition held in 2015.

Before we get the keys to our dream home, we first need the keys to our financial foundation.

Acquiring real property is one thing, but maintaining it is another. You need to think about repairs and maintenance, renovation and remodeling, real property tax, insurance, and even estate or donor’s taxes. There are phantom costs that most first time home buyers are not familiar with.

As such, being prepared means that when opportunity knocks, we must be ready to open the door-and you’ll need three keys to do so.

First, be financially ready to buy a home. Second, make smart choices when financing it. And lastly, build a long-term wealth mindset using real estate.

Laying the foundation

We Filipinos aren’t just buying a home-we’re building a future.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions we’ll ever make, emotionally and financially. But the truth is, the journey starts long before the first down payment. It starts with clarity. Do you really know your numbers-your income, expenses, debts, and savings?

Here’s a golden rule: ‘Budget before browsing.’ Before you open Lamudi, Carousell, or Facebook Marketplace, open your spreadsheet first. Know your financial capacity before you fall in love with a property.

Next is your emergency fund. Buying a home without an emergency fund is like building a house without a foundation. Aim for at least three to six months’ worth of expenses before you commit to a loan.

Then, check your credit score-it’s your down payment on trust. It can spell the difference between getting approved and getting declined, or by getting a 7 percent loan and a 9 percent loan.

And lastly, watch out for lifestyle creep.

As income grows, we tend to reward ourselves-better gadgets, grander vacations, upsized coffee. But remember: ‘If your lifestyle grows faster than your income, your dream home might just stay a dream.’

Smart home financing hacks

Once you’re financially ready, it’s time to play smart with financing. Let me share a simple framework-the 20-30-50 rule for home goals. Ideally, you should set aside at least 20 percent of the property’s price as your down payment. This not only lowers your loan amount, but it can also help you secure better interest rates and avoid additional insurance costs.

As a general rule, your monthly loan payments should not exceed 30 percent of your gross monthly income. This threshold helps ensure that your housing costs remain manageable and that you still have room in your budget for other financial obligations.

The remaining 50 percent of your income should cover your day-to-day expenses like food, utilities, transportation, insurance, education, and savings. Maintaining this balance allows you to live comfortably while keeping your finances healthy and resilient against unexpected events.

Next, compare your options.

Check total cost over time, hidden charges, insurance, and flexibility. A half-percent difference may look small today but can translate to big savings later. Compare promo offers which may include free mortgage redemption insurance (MRI) for the first year or perhaps a package deal with a property insurance with Acts of Nature coverage.

It goes without saying that you need to choose a property from a reputable developer. You also need to be this choosy when it comes to the bank you are borrowing from.

Third, get pre-approved. Pre-approval isn’t just paperwork. More than anything-it’s a confidence boost.

And one more thing, don’t rush the decision making process. Buying a property should never be an impulse-it’s a lifetime commitment.

Building long-term wealth

High demand and low supply mean high prices. In the case of real estate, everyone wants one. But there are fewer and fewer properties available.

And that explains why the brochure from six months ago is already obsolete. The problem with real estate as an investment vehicle is its high barrier to entry. You’ll need a considerable amount of money, but those who know will tell you-it will all be worth it.

Now that you’re ready and equipped, let’s zoom out to the big picture-wealth building.

Every payment you make builds equity-your silent partner in wealth. Over time, that equity can become your leverage for business, renovation, or even your next investment. Most importantly, think generationally. Your dream home today, can easily be your ancestral home for generations to come. Buy not just for where you are today, but for who you’re becoming tomorrow.

Keys to your dream home

So, before getting the keys to your dream home, make sure you follow these key tips: Be financially ready to buy a home; make smart choices when financing it; and build a long-term wealth mindset using real estate.

So start where you are, use what you have, and build not just for today, but for the future you want to come home to.

May you all find not just your dream house, but your financial home.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday questioned why the Office of the Ombudsman would put up a ‘show’ by issuing an order reopening access to statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALNs), claiming that it was only done ‘for a motive.’

Duterte was wondering why Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla had to issue a memorandum that finally allows access to all government officials’ SALNs, saying it was already a practice as far as she can remember.

‘I don’t know why they have orders that would allow access to SALN, when SALNs can be obtained even before,’ Duterte said at a press conference in Manaoag, Pangasinan, a recording of which was provided to journalists in Manila.

‘You will just write to the Ombudsman and ask for the SALN of that person,’ she also said.

Duterte recalled that her SALN had already been accessed by journalists, particularly from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), but this was in 2019 or way before then-Ombudsman Samuel Martires imposed restrictions on obtaining a SALN.

Other media outlets also had access to her SALN, as well as former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, according to her.

Martires-an appointee of Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte-issued a memorandum circular when he was the Ombudsman in 2020 that restricted the release of SALNs of government officials and employees.

He even told the budget panel at the House of Representatives that he would maintain the policy even if he received criticisms, which he did.

Martires also refused requests from journalists and lawyers for copies of the document, insisting that Republic Act No. 6713, or the code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees, disallows journalists from commenting on SALNs.

But the same law he cited also states that ‘the public has the right to know’ the SALNs of all government officials and employees.

For Duterte, however, Remulla’s order was all a ‘show,’ insisting on her claim that SALNs can be accessed before the latter assumed office.

‘I don’t understand why they would come up with this story that [the public] can finally get copies of SALNs. And I am sure it was for a reason, it has a motive,’ Duterte said.

Police are investigating an alleged shooting incident that occurred shortly after midnight on October 16 at the ranch of Bukidnon 3rd District Board Member Jose Miguel Fortich in Purok 12, Barangay San Jose, Quezon town.

The municipal government of Quezon has condemned in the strongest terms the incident that occurred around 12:15 a.m.

According to initial reports, unidentified suspects fired multiple gunshots at Fortich and his family while they were attending a private gathering.

Fortich immediately reported the incident to the Quezon Municipal Police Station, prompting Police Lt. Col. Erwin Nelga, the town police’s officer in charge, to lead an investigation and launch pursuit operations to identify and apprehend the suspects.

Authorities said no one was hurt in the attack.

In a statement, the local government denounced the act of violence, emphasizing that it goes against the values of peace and safety that the town upholds.

‘The Municipal Government of Quezon condemns in the strongest terms the alleged shooting incident involving Board Member Jomic Fortich and his family. Violence and crime have no place in our municipality. These contradict the values we uphold and our vision of a peaceful town where everyone can thrive,’ the statement reads in part.

Municipal officials said they are working closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation.

‘Our Municipal Public Safety Office also continues to take measures to prevent further untoward incidents,’ the local government said.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm and cooperative as investigations continue.

Police have yet to identify the suspects and determine the motive behind the shooting.

Heavy rains and strong winds spawned by Tropical Storm Ramil have submerged a bridge and caused the evacuation of at least 200 families in Biliran province and caused a landslide in Leyte province ahead of the projected landfall of the storm in Northern Samar this afternoon, Saturday, October 18.

At least 368 passengers were also stranded at the Allen Port in Northern Samar on Saturday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel in various ports in Eastern Visayas and the Bicol region since Friday due to rough seas.

The PCG in Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions have also warned fishermen against venturing out to sea amid the inclement weather.

Local government units across Eastern Visayas have heightened their monitoring and preparedness measures as Ramil continues to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the region.

In Northern Samar, Governor Harris Ongchuan convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and urged residents-especially those in low-lying and landslide-prone areas-to remain vigilant and closely monitor weather updates.

In Eastern Samar, the PDRRMO placed the province under blue alert status ensuring that local response teams are on standby for possible flooding, landslides, or other emergencies.

In Matuguinao, Samar, the local government advised residents to prepare ‘go bags’ containing essential items such as ready-to-eat food, medicine, and important documents in case of floods, power or communication outages, and if evacuation will be required.

Possible strong winds, heavy rains

The municipal government also discouraged residents from cutting trees or leaving their homes unnecessarily to avoid possible accidents during strong winds or heavy rain.

In Biliran’s capital town of Naval, 210 families-or 802 individuals-from various high-risk barangays have been moved to the municipal gymnasium for safety, the municipal government said.

In nearby Almeria town, continuous rains caused flooding in several barangays, prompting local officials to advise residents to move to designated evacuation centers if water levels continue to rise.

Meanwhile, a portion of the road in Barangay Bulalaco, Kawayan, Biliran became impassable after it was submerged by floodwaters, while a landslide was reported in Barangay Abijao, Villaba town, Leyte, due to incessant rainfall.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Eastern Visayas said it has prepositioned 113,673 family food packs and 22,051 non-food items, including hygiene and sleeping kits, ready for distribution to families that may be affected by the storm.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Ramil was over the coastal waters of Palapag at 11 a.m., packing sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 90 kph, while moving west-southwestward at 20 kph.

The storm was projected to move northwestward and was estimated to make landfall or pass close to Northern Samar by this afternoon, then over Catanduanes by evening, the Pagasa said.

‘Based on the observed movement of Ramil, the possibility of landfall over Albay or Sorsogon is increasing. Afterwards, it will continue moving west-northwestward, passing close to or over the mainland Bicol Region and Polillo Islands. On the track forecast, Ramil may make another landfall in the vicinity of Aurora tomorrow (19 October) morning or afternoon. The possibility of landfall over northern Quezon or southern Isabela instead of Aurora is also not ruled out based on the forecast confidence cone,’ the Pagasa said.

After making landfall in Aurora, Ramil is forecast to traverse the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union on Sunday evening and will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Monday (20 October) morning, Pagasa said

Stories of memory, nostalgia and thought-provoking perspectives of the inner self are the highlights of the 2025 KinoFest Film Festival, which puts the spotlight on the German film industry and select Filipino short films.

Held at the Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinemas from Oct. 17 to 19, the festival aims to showcase how the German and Filipino film industries are the same, despite the differences in culture and beginnings.

‘The selections revolve around themes of memory, reimagining, and the confrontation of perspectives, while also exploring family, belonging, and care. Together, they invite audiences to reflect on personal ties, collective histories, and the power of cinema to connect communities across borders,’ a release said.

Here is the list of this year’s films for the KinoFest festival:

‘Riefenstahl’ by Andres Veiel

Screening date: Oct. 19, 8:15 p.m.

The documentary film revolves around the life and controversial legacy of writer-director Leni Riefenstahl, who is notable for making Nazi propaganda films in the 1930s. Even though Riefenstahl’s work has always been subjected to controversy, the filmmaker finds herself at the brunt of controversy; she denies aligning with Nazi ideologies.

‘Vena’ by Chiara Fleischhacker

Screening date: Oct. 19, 5 p.m.

Jenny and Bolle’s relationship is tested after it is revealed that they are expecting their first child. Turning to crystal meth as a coping mechanism, it was eventually discovered by the youth welfare office.

‘From Hilde with Love’ by Andreas Dresen

Screening dates: Oct. 18, 5:15 p.m.

Hilde and Hans’ romantic summer was interrupted after they were discovered by the Gestapo. In a quest to stay alive, Hilde pleads for her innocence, claiming that she helps Hans in transcribing coded transmissions from Moscow, Russia.

‘Köln 75’ by Ido Fluk

Screening dates: Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Based on a true story, Vera Brandes defies her conservative parents and takes it upon herself to organize a concert for American pianist and singer Keith Jarrett in Cologne, Germany.

‘The Light’ by Tom Tykwer

Screening date: Oct. 17, 8:30 p.m.

Tim, Milena, Frieda, Jon and Dio live a mundane and everyday life as a middle-class family, trying their best to get by. Their peaceful life is interrupted once Farrah, a mysterious housekeeper from Syria, enters their lives.

‘Giants of La Mancha’ by Gonzalo Gutierrez

Screening dates: Oct. 18, 1 p.m.; Oct. 19, 1 p.m.

Eleven-year-old Alfonso Quixote, said to be the descendant of Don Quixote, is on a quest to save his beloved hometown La Mancha from a massive storm.

‘Another German Tank Story’ by Jannis Alexander Kiefer

Screening date: Oct. 18, 3 p.m.

A film crew from the US travels to a small village in Wiesenwalde, Germany, to create a film centered around the Second World War. Little did they know that the filming site was home to villagers with personal dreams as well.

‘Woodwalkers’ by Damian John Harper

Screening dates: Oct. 18, 3:30 p.m.; Oct. 19, 3:30 p.m.

A group of humans is blessed with the ability to shapeshift into animals. However, their abilities come at a cost when they struggle to interact with people of their kind without revealing who they truly are.

Meanwhile, here is the list of Filipino short films under the KinoFest Special:

‘Baradiya’ by Gab Mejia – Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

‘Ngatta Naddaki y Nuang?’ by Austin Tan – Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

‘Rumbles of the Earth’ by Carl Joseph Lara: – Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

‘Sa Ilalum sa Balabal sa Alitaptap’ by Juvy Ann Clarito – Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

‘Water Sports’ by ‘Baradiya’ – Oct. 18, 6 p.m.

Even as the national and local governments and private organizations have started the rehabilitation phase of northern Cebu devastated by the deadly quake on Sept. 30, local authorities admit basic needs-like water and food-still needed to be delivered to affected communities.

According to a consolidated report from Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Friday, the City of Bogo, the epicenter of the quake, and the towns of Medellin, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Sogod, Borbon and Tabogon were still in dire need of drinking water, food packs and temporary shelters such as modular tents and tarpaulins for hundreds of displaced families.

The report was released just as President Marcos visited for the second time the earthquake-affected areas of San Remigio and Bogo City on Friday to personally assess the ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations in these localities. He first visited the area two days after the deadly quake struck.

Smart houses

Accompanied by Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Philippine Red Cross head Dick Gordon, and other local officials led by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro, President Marcos on Friday began his visit in San Remigio, where he inspected the Bayanihan Village, where 67 prefabricated modular ‘smart houses’ have been built to replace makeshift tents and provide safer, more dignified living spaces for residents whose homes were destroyed or deemed unsafe.

According to Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Central Visayas Director Eva Marie Marfil, 45 units are already ready for occupancy, with 22 families having moved in. The site is set to benefit a portion of the 254 families affected in northern Cebu.

The President then proceeded to the Tent City in Bogo City, where 176 tents provided by the Red Cross currently house 162 families.

Speaking to reporters, the President said they planned to also replace the tents with modular houses, even as he confirmed that DHSUD has started distributing construction materials to help residents begin rebuilding their homes.

He commended the progress being made to address the needs of affected residents in northern Cebu.

‘For now, I think we are okay. We will keep working to make sure everybody is okay, everybody is healthy, everybody has what they need,’ President Marcos said. Urgent needs

Still, according to PDRRMO, there were urgent needs that required attention.

In the town of Borbon, where no modular houses have yet to be set up, the local government has requested 300 to 500 pieces of sleeping tents and 5,000 hygiene kits for displaced families, the PDRRMO said.

Essential medical supplies were also being prioritized, including medicines for high blood pressure, fever, stomach ache, diarrhea and wounds, as well as antibiotics, tetanus and anti-rabies vaccines, and personal protective equipment (PPE) for responders.

To address water supply issues, water tankers were requested by several municipalities-San Remigio (3 units), City of Bogo (4), Daanbantayan (2), Borbon (3), Tabuelan (2) and Tabogon (5).

Other necessities identified include sleeping kits (blankets, mats and folding beds), lights and solar lamps, generator sets, rice and cooking kits. Some areas, like Sogod and San Remigio, have also requested dignity kits, medical teams and psychosocial support units to assist affected residents.

San Francisco town on Camotes Islands has reported the need for 48 tents and container vans to serve as temporary classrooms for 14 damaged schools.

Meanwhile, technical support was also sought by Medellin, San Remigio and Tabogon, which need engineers for building safety inspections and geotechnical experts to assess sinkholes and fissures for public safety.

In Bogo City, several barangays requested tents for temporary shelters, with Barangay Nailon alone seeking up to 120-160 units.

Borbon officials have likewise requested five generator sets, 100 flashlights for 19 barangays and 20 tents to be used as temporary municipal offices in front of the Municipal Hall and public market.

Local authorities have assured that requests have been forwarded to the PDRRMO and national agencies for immediate response and coordination.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has grounded the entire operations of aircraft operator Woodland Airpark following the crash of an ultralight aircraft in Concepcion, Tarlac, on Saturday, leading to two fatalities. Caap Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario said in a statement on Saturday that Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez likewise ordered the immediate conduct of a safety and operations audit for Woodland Airpark.

Rosario said the directive aims ‘to assess the airworthiness of the aircraft and the operator’s compliance with aviation safety standards.’

According to Caap, under the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulations, ultralight aircraft fall under the category of Non-Certificated Type Aircraft, signifying that they are authorized solely for recreational purposes.

‘The aircraft is restricted to operate within its designated Flying Club Aerodrome, limited to a maximum altitude of 800 feet and must be conducted strictly under Visual Flight Rules conditions,’ the aviation authority pointed out.

Caap said it will take appropriate action against any individual or organization that would be found to have violated existing aviation safety laws and operational guidelines. Based on an earlier police report, the two individuals who died from the ultralight aircraft crash were identified as a male pilot (19 years old) and a female passenger (18 years old). Both were residents of Pampanga.

The investigation into the cause of the plane crash is ongoing

Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza turned emotional as she took her final walk and delivered her farewell speech as Miss Grand International 2024 during this year’s finale night on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Opiaza looked back on her unexpected journey to the crown, recalling how she had only three days to prepare after assuming the role.

‘I asked myself, how can I best represent the whole Philippines? But against all odds, we won,’ she said as she failed in her battle to fight back tears.

‘I am now your queen. I know I only assumed the crown. But I am forever grateful that I was given this chance to represent the Miss Grand International organization,’ continued the Filipino beauty queen.

Opiaza ascended the throne after winner from India, Rachel Gupta, resigned from her post after a much-publicized feud with the MGI management.

Because of this, she said that she had been vilified and called names. Still, beauty queen humbly embraced the challenge when fate called on her to take over the title.

‘It knocked on my door. It says, if the winner, for any reason, cannot fulfill her duties, the first runner-up will take over,’ she said in tears.

Before she exited the stage, Miss Grand International president and CEO Nawat Itsaragrisil, gave her a hug and a piece of handkerchief to wipe her tears. Afterwards, she bent down so that her Miss Grand crown was replaced with the new ‘Unity Torch’ crown.

Emma Tiglao is representing the Philippines this year and is aiming to inherit the title from Opiaza who is expected to crown her successor at the end of the night

Emma Tiglao gave the Philippines its first back-to-back victory at the Miss Grand International 2025 as she received her crown from Filipina queen, Christine Juliane Opiaza.

Tiglao, a pageant veteran from Pampanga, made history as the first beauty queen to secure a back-to-back win at the Miss Grand International pageant, and also the first for Thailand-based pageant.

With her poise and sunny disposition, Tiglao easily won the hearts of her Thai fans and was an early favorite, eventually winning the ‘Country’s Power of the Year’ award, which was given at the start of the finale show, held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok, Thailand.

She will be the first queen to wear the new ‘Unity Torch’ crown of the Thailand-based global tilt, which positions itself as a beauty contest for entertainment, with the participants allowed to inject antics in their routines.

The 30-year-old TV host confidently bested 76 other candidates, including her Thai room mate, Sarunrat Puagpipat, who settled for first runner-up. This year’s competition attracted its biggest haul of aspirants in its 13-year run.

Tiglao entered the Top 22 by topping the online poll for ‘Country’s Power of the Year’ award, a first for the Philippines in Miss Grand International pageant’s history. For her final look, she donned an embellished gold cut-out tube gown by Rian Fernandez, which accentuated her svelte figure.

She then made a mark when she cited the corruption problem in the Philippines in her spiel for the Top 10 candidates, and then again at Top 5 question-and-answer portion, wherein she said that scammers should be made accountable by putting them behind bars.

‘As someone who reports these kinds of stories, I really want to use the power of balance. [For] us people to be educated and aware, for us to not be scammed, and a help [from] the government to enhance their justice system for the scammers to be behind bars, to be accountable. Because one day, I hope that we will live in a peaceful world where no one should deceive just to survive,’ she said. Capping the list of winners are: Aitana Jimenez of Spain (2nd runner-up), Faith Porter of Ghana (3rd runner-up), and, Nariman Battikha of Guatemala (4th runner-up).

The seasoned pageant queen also attempted to post a back-to-back win for the Philippines in the 2019 Miss Intercontinental pageant. She finished in the Top 20 in that contest.

Opiaza, in turn, received a new diamond-and emerald encrusted crown of her own from Miss Grand International president Nawat Itsaragrisil, after she delivered an emotional farewell speech, surrounded by various images of her during her reign flashed on the LED panels.

As the then first runner-up, Opiaza’s ascent to the Miss Grand throne was no less controversial after the then queen from India, Rachel Gupta resigned, citing the supposed ‘toxic environment’ that she experienced with management.

Itsaragrisil, in an earlier statement before the media, said, ‘if you want to see the entertainment pageant, come to Miss Grand International, really fun. But if you want to see the elegant, the more top-class pageant is Miss Universe.’

Nawat, incidentally, is also currently the Vice President for Asiana of the Miss Universe Organization. He is also on top of organizing the 74th Miss Universe pageant in Thailand next month.