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Archers prevail vs Blue Eagles in overtime

La Salle shot down rival Ateneo, 76-73, in overtime of their UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tussle Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Green Archers fended off a gritty Blue Eagles side to get their third straight win in the tournament and rise to solo third.

Joaquin Tovera took center stage in the rivalry game, finishing with 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and a steal in 32 minutes of play before exiting the ballgame with an ankle injury. JC Macalalag added 11 markers and three boards to go with two steals.

The two teams traded haymakers in regulation, with the lead swinging like a pendulum.

A floater by Jared Bahay with 48.3 seconds to go in the fourth pushed Ateneo ahead, 65-64, before his split from the line with 26.9 ticks remaining pushed their lead to two, 66-64.

On the other end, a slam by Henry Agunanne tied things up, and a Kieffer Alas drifting jumper missed for the win.

In the overtime period, La Salle started off with a 6-0 run thanks to the collective effort of Luis Pablo and Tovera.

An and-one play by Travis Roberts snapped the run, before Mason Amos connected on a trey for the dagger, 75-69.

Back-to-back layups by Alas, however, nipped the lead to just two, 73-75, with 28.4 seconds to go.

A split from the line by Agunanne made it a three-point ballgame, 76-73, and after a miss by Roberts on the other end, Vhoris Marasigan was fouled. Marasigan missed both, and on the inbound, Ateneo’s Bahay could not

take control of the ball, which sailed out of bounds.

A pair of misses from the free throw line by Doy Dungo opened up a window of opportunity for the Blue Eagles, but a heave by Ian Espinosa from three-fourths court missed as the clock melted.

Dungo, Agunanne and Amos had eight points each in the win.

Bahay and Alas paced Ateneo with 18 points each. The former had nine rebounds, four assists and three steals, while the latter hauled down four boards, dished out three dimes and had two steals. Shawn Tuano and Roberts finished with 12 points each.

Through 101 contests all-time, La Salle is now leading 51-50.

The Green Archers are now holding a 6-4 win-loss record, while Ateneo dropped to 5-5.

Civil society groups urge BARMM parliament to shun traditional politics

As the first elected Parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) opened its inaugural session Friday, civil society leaders, peacebuilders, and rights advocates warned against trading a revolutionary legacy for the transactional spoils of traditional politics.

Rights advocacy group Katungod Bangsamoro framed the assembly not merely as a legislative milestone, but as an acute stress test of whether the regional government can break away from the clan rule, patronage, and elite compromise that crippled past autonomy projects.

‘We specifically challenge the elected members of the new Parliament who emerged from the revolutionary traditions and struggles of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and Moro National Liberation Front to remain true to the principles that once guided their fight, and not succumb to the rotten practices of traditional politics,’ lawyer Carlos Isagani Zarate, co-convener of Katungod Bangsamoro, told the Inquirer in a text message.

‘Entering parliamentary politics must never mean turning their backs on the aspirations of the people they fought for,’ Zarate added. ‘Their struggle was never about grabbing positions and privileges for a new ruling class, but ending historical oppression and advancing genuine self-determination, justice, and a dignified life for the people.’

Katungod Bangsamoro warned that the initial regional polls had already shown disturbing signs of dynastic entrenchment, money politics, and electoral manipulation.

The group pressed lawmakers to prioritize the dismantling of land dispossession, the protection of ancestral domains for both Moro and Non-Moro Indigenous Peoples (NMIP), and full accountability for public funds.

Civic leaders also underscored the heavy human cost that carved out the path to regional self-rule.

Drieza Lininding, chairman of the Marawi-based Moro Consensus Group, urged lawmakers to rise above partisan division and honor the sacrifices that bought their seats.

‘To my brothers and sisters in the Parliament: As you take your seats in this solemn chamber, remember that you carry the dreams of generations and the blood of those who paved this way,’ Lininding told the Inquirer by phone.

He added: ‘Put aside pride, unite in brotherhood, and let every law you craft serve as a shelter for the Bangsamoro people.’

Abel Moya, executive director of nongovernment Pakigdait, Inc., welcomed the recent milestone in the BARMM, but pointed out that this must translate into realities on the ground in terms of changing people’s lives. ‘My earnest hope is that the Parliament will vigorously pursue the peace accord roadmap alongside these administrative efforts-specifically pushing forward the normalization track through continued decommissioning and the comprehensive transformation of camps like Camp Bilal, ensuring that the promise of genuine security and lasting peace is felt directly by the communities on the ground,’ Moya said in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

Why I baked 1,000 cakes in 48 hours and gave all away – Ogundare Janet

After investing her resources, energy and emotions into the 1,000 Cakes Project 1.0, Ogundare Oluwaseun Janet, CEO Deelipcious Cakes/ Super Fast Cakes, says the initiative is only getting started. In this interview by ADERONKE ADESANYA, she speaks about the inspiration behind the project, the financial and emotional sacrifices involved, the rising cost of baking ingredients in Nigeria and her vision of using cakes to promote love, friendship and community spirit.

What inspired you to undertake the 1,000 Cakes Project, and what did you hope to achieve beyond the milestone itself?

Community spirit. It seems we have lost it. Everyone is so busy chasing one thing or another that we have forgotten how to slow down and care for one another.

I experienced this firsthand around this time last year when I went through a very stressful period and needed a community to stand up for me. Only a few people, very few, showed up. I began to wonder how people who do not have many friends or a strong support system would feel in such situations.

The core idea behind the 1,000 Cakes Project was to show love and kindness and remind people of the importance of friendship and community spirit. I believe we were able to achieve that, and it makes me feel fulfilled.

You started baking in 2014 and began taking it seriously in 2015. Looking back, what experiences have shaped the baker and entrepreneur you are today?

I started baking in 2014, but I became serious about it on January 1, 2015. In 2016, I created a fast cake delivery service, which I called the ‘Fastest Cake Delivery Service in Ibadan’. We now call it Super Fast Cakes.

Looking back, I believe my self-determination has helped me greatly. The Nigerian baking industry has its ups and downs, just like every other industry. However, I have been able to navigate its challenges because of my strong will, independent thinking and commitment to truth and honesty, no matter how difficult things become. Sometimes, this means standing alone, but these experiences have shaped me into the person I am today.

What did planning and executing the 1,000 Cakes event involve, particularly in terms of funding, ingredients, manpower and logistics?

It involved a lot. We used almost 20 bags of flour, 18 bags of sugar, 224 crates of eggs and 21 buckets of butter, alongside cooking oil, baking powder and many other ingredients.

The event was about 85 per cent self-funded. We also received support from Amel Susan International, which donated 250kg of icing sugar, and Taroona, which donated six buckets of butter and five cartons of shortening.

We had a team of about 150 people handling different aspects of the project. It was a huge undertaking that required significant financial, physical and human resources. The project took so much out of me that I am still reflecting on the decisions I made to bring it to life. However, seeing people smile and enjoy themselves made everything worthwhile.

What was the most difficult part of the project, and was there a point when you questioned whether you could pull it off?

The most difficult parts were funding and getting enough support. On the morning of the event, I sat alone, cried a little and honestly asked myself what had led me to come up with such an ambitious idea. I was so stressed that I considered calling everything off.

For this first edition, we did not receive as much financial support as we had hoped, but we received donations of ingredients, cake boards, boxes and other essential materials from our sponsors.

I am particularly grateful to the Oyo State Government, the Oyo State Youth Agency, Amel Susan International, Lafinda Scents, Fan Milk Nigeria, Natures Treats, Cake Props Ibadan, Box It Right, My City App, This Is Ibadan, Wrok Premium Water and our anonymous donors. Their contributions played a significant role in making the first edition of the 1,000 Cakes Project possible.

With the rising cost of baking ingredients and equipment in Nigeria, how did you manage the financial demands of producing 1,000 cakes while maintaining your quality standards?

We were determined not to compromise on quality. Our goal was to share love and joy, one cake at a time, and we did not want to produce cakes that people would not enjoy. We wanted people to enjoy not just the event but also the cakes, celebrating life and happiness in a genuine way.

A few weeks before the event, fuel prices increased and ingredients became more expensive. However, we had already invested so much and come too far to turn back. We had to push through despite the financial pressure and stress.

What personal sacrifices did you make to bring this project to life, and how did you manage the pressure that came with it?

My bank account balance is now just ?4,000, so that gives you an idea of the sacrifices involved. The project took a great deal of my financial, physical, mental and emotional energy.

However, the sacrifices were not mine alone. The entire bakery and production team gave their best. Everyone contributed their strength, dedication and determination, from baking to planning and coordinating the event. The team worked with so much commitment, and I appreciate everyone who played a part in bringing the project to life.

Now that you have successfully completed the 1,000 Cakes Project, what does this milestone mean to you personally and professionally, and how would you define its success?

Personally, the project proved to me that my dreams are valid and that I can achieve what I set my mind to through determination.

Professionally, it helped me recognise my strengths, understand my capacity as a baker and discover what I am capable of achieving. I learnt a lot throughout the process, tested my limits and pushed myself beyond what I thought was possible.

Beyond the number of cakes we produced, I consider the event a success because I saw people dancing, playing games, making new friends and enjoying the sense of community we hoped to create. That was the real achievement for me.

Beyond the immediate event, what impact do you believe this milestone will have on the visibility, reputation and growth of DeeLipcious Cakes?

The event was not organised for personal gain. My intention was simply to bring smiles and joy to people and remind them of the importance of community spirit.

If the project brings recognition and greater visibility to DeeLipcious Cakes, I will be grateful. However, that was not the primary reason behind it. My greatest fulfilment comes from knowing that we were able to make people happy.

Did the project create opportunities for other people, such as aspiring bakers, staff members, suppliers or small businesses? If so, how do you hope to build on that impact?

Absolutely! We had bakers who joined the team and benefited from the experience. Content creators, photographers, cinematographers and people from different professional backgrounds also came together to contribute their skills.

The project gave them an opportunity to showcase their talents, work with others and grow both personally and professionally. It also allowed them to challenge misconceptions about Ibadan by showing the creativity, talent and collaborative spirit that exist within the city.

I believe the experience created valuable opportunities for everyone involved, and I hope we can build on this by bringing even more people together through future editions of the project.

From your experience, what are the biggest challenges facing Nigerian bakers today, and what changes would make it easier for them to build sustainable businesses?

The cost of ingredients has become extremely high. I remember when a bucket of butter cost ?5,500 and a bag of flour cost ?9,000. Today, they cost about ?57,000 and ?80,000 respectively. It is draining.

We hope the economy improves because rising costs have affected what customers can afford. Cake has increasingly become a luxury for many people, and that is sad to see.

Beyond the economy, I believe greater unity, togetherness and genuine support among bakers would help the industry grow. If we choose collaboration over competition, we can make decisions and create opportunities that benefit everyone. By working together, we can build stronger, more sustainable businesses and help the industry thrive.

Following the completion of the 1,000 Cakes Project, what are your plans for DeeLipcious Cakes, and are there other ambitious projects you hope to pursue?

The 1,000 Cakes Project is only getting started. This first edition is just the beginning.

We hope to continue bringing smiles, creating friendships, promoting community spirit, supporting people’s mental well-being and spreading joy, one cake at a time.

We intend to bring the project back, and we hope to attract more sponsors for subsequent editions so that we can expand its reach and make an even greater impact together.

Gov Bala pledges support for specialist eye hospital in Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has pledged continued support for the establishment of a specialist eye hospital in the state to provide advanced treatment and serve patients across Nigeria and West Africa.

The governor gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the Al-Basar International Foundation, Christian Blind Mission (CBM) and other partners on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Bauchi.

He commended their partnership with the Al-Muhibbah Foundation, describing it as a demonstration of unity and service to humanity.

Bala Mohammed also praised the First Lady, Dr Aisha Bala Mohammed, for her humanitarian efforts through the Al-Muhibbah Foundation. He said he had personally inspected the ongoing hospital project and was satisfied with its progress.

He expressed hope that construction would be completed in December, ahead of the proposed opening in January, and assured the partners of the state government’s support.

Earlier, the Regional Manager of Kano Eye Hospital, Bello Abdullahi Yuguda, disclosed that Al-Basar and CBM planned to conduct 2,500 free cataract surgeries in Bauchi this year, including 100 for children.

He added that another 600 free treatments had been allocated to the Al-Muhibbah Foundation for beneficiaries from less privileged backgrounds.

Yuguda said the SightQuest Programme was also supporting renovations at selected hospitals in Azare, Misau and Ningi, alongside the provision of eye-care equipment to selected primary healthcare centres.

He added that plans were underway to establish an eye-care training institution in Bauchi.

Also speaking, CBM representative, Mr Tobias Pflanz, appreciated the state government and its partners for their support.

He highlighted the case of a nine-year-old girl who recently regained her sight through surgery, expressing hope that the partnership would help more children and disadvantaged people.

Real estate group warns escrow rule could delay housing projects

The Philippine real estate industry is urging the government to reconsider new licensing rules requiring developers to place buyer payments in escrow, warning that the measure could restrict access to working capital, delay housing projects and discourage private investment.

The Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations Inc. (CREBA) said the requirement under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development’s (DHSUD) revised guidelines on temporary licenses to sell (TLS) could disrupt the financing arrangements developers rely on to move projects from planning to construction.

CREBA president Noel Toti Cariño described the condition as impractical, arguing that developers have already committed substantial capital to land acquisition, permits, architectural plans and other pre-development expenses before applying for authority to sell.

‘When you apply for a license to sell, it means you are already committed to the project,’ Cariño said, questioning how developers could accelerate construction if payments collected from buyers were inaccessible.

Under DHSUD Department Circular No. 2026-012, dated July 22, 2026, qualified developers may obtain a Temporary License to Sell (TLS) while completing specified regulatory and documentary requirements for subdivision, condominium and similar developments.

However, all payments collected from buyers under the temporary authority must be deposited in an escrow account established through an agreement involving the developer, DHSUD and an accredited bank.

The funds cannot be withdrawn or used by developers until the department authorizes their release after the prescribed conditions have been met.

The temporary license is valid for one year, with a possible final extension of up to six months on justifiable grounds and subject to regulatory approval. Developers that fail to secure a regular License to Sell (LTS) within the prescribed period may be ordered to refund buyers within 30 days of the issuance of the refund order.

The circular also requires developers to submit monthly reports on sales and project operations, while banks must provide regular statements of escrow accounts to the concerned DHSUD regional offices.

Licensing bottlenecks raise industry concerns

CREBA’s objections come amid an estimated 82 percent decline in LTS issued to developers, according to figures cited by industry representatives.

Cariño urged the government to examine the underlying data, noting that while regulators are justified in withholding licenses from developers with incomplete applications, broader restrictions could also affect companies that have already made substantial investments and are complying with regulatory requirements.

The association has formally communicated its concerns to the government and is awaiting a response. It has also brought the matter to its legislative conference, seeking further discussions with DHSUD.

CREBA has separately raised concerns about the centralization of license-to-sell processing, which previously reduced the authority of regional offices to evaluate and act on applications.

Cariño welcomed the restoration of processing responsibilities to regional offices, saying decentralization could improve administrative efficiency and shorten approval times.

For developers, the combination of tighter escrow requirements and slower licensing processes could have implications beyond compliance costs. Restricted access to pre-selling proceeds may increase dependence on bank financing and other sources of capital, potentially affecting project timelines and the pace of new housing supply.

CREBA said it would continue engaging with the housing department and other government agencies to seek a regulatory framework that safeguards buyers while allowing developers to mobilize capital and deliver projects.

The broader challenge for policymakers is to strengthen consumer protection without undermining the financing mechanisms and private investment needed to expand the country’s housing stock.

Sri Lanka could turn Maldives’ dollar dilemma into investment opportunity

There is a revealing incongruity at the heart of the Maldives’ latest foreign-exchange policy. A country whose economic model depends overwhelmingly on attracting foreign visitors and earning hard currency is tightening its grip on the dollars generated by its tourism industry. The decision to require Category A tourism establishments to convert 40 per cent of their monthly gross foreign-currency sales, effective from September 2026, comes amid renewed pressure on the country’s foreign-exchange position.

The Maldives Monetary Authority’s August figures showed official reserve assets rising marginally to $ 643.8 million, while usable reserves fell 9.6 per cent to $ 200.6 million. The central bank attributed the decline to foreign-currency sales exceeding inflows during the month.

The timing matters. This is not an isolated regulatory adjustment but a broader attempt to draw tourism earnings into the formal banking system, strengthen domestic foreign-exchange liquidity and reduce pressure on the currency market. President Mohamed Muizzu ratified the First Amendment to the Foreign Currency Act on 31 August, with the amendments taking effect on 1 September. Category A establishments must now convert 40 per cent of monthly gross foreign-currency sales through an MMA-licensed bank, replacing the previous option of converting $500 per tourist.

But the consequences extend beyond monetary management. They raise a question for the Indian Ocean tourism market, what happens when a government requires the businesses generating foreign currency to surrender a larger share of their earnings, while those same businesses depend on dollars to operate?

For Sri Lanka, the answer could influence the next generation of resort developments, international hotel partnerships and investment decisions.

A tighter grip on tourism dollars

The amended framework compresses the conversion timetable. September earnings must be converted by 28 October, rather than by the 28th day of the third subsequent month under the previous arrangement. Compliance records and transaction logs must be submitted through the MMA’s Foreign Exchange Portal.

The authorities have also strengthened controls over foreign-exchange transactions. The revised regime provides for penalties of up to MVR 1 million for prohibited foreign-currency transactions conducted above rates authorised by the central bank. It also introduces restrictions on publishing or disseminating unofficial exchange rates, including through media and digital channels, alongside stricter licensing requirements for money changers.

Money-exchange operators must obtain formal MMA licences and meet a mandatory $50,000 security-deposit requirement. Together, these measures seek to reduce unregulated currency dealing and direct more foreign-exchange transactions through authorised institutions.

The underlying objective is understandable. When dollars earned from tourism do not circulate adequately through the formal financial system, the central bank has fewer resources to meet import requirements and ease shortages. However, enforcement alone cannot resolve the economic incentives that drive businesses towards alternative channels.

The dollar paradox facing resorts

A Maldivian resort is an unusually foreign-currency-intensive business. Imported food and beverages, fuel, equipment, insurance, spare parts, overseas services and foreign-currency financing account for substantial operating requirements.

The resort earns dollars from international visitors but also needs those dollars to remain commercially viable.

The difficulty emerges when mandatory conversion into Rufiyaa is not matched by reliable access to foreign currency for legitimate international payments. Businesses may receive local currency through conversion only to face delays, additional costs or uncertainty when purchasing dollars to pay overseas suppliers, service foreign debt or settle foreign-currency obligations.

At a 40 per cent conversion threshold, this becomes a material consideration for working capital, margins and investment returns.

The regulatory framework recognises that a uniform requirement may create difficulties for certain operators. The MMA Governor has discretionary powers to reduce the threshold where businesses demonstrate that compliance would impair their ability to service foreign debt, pay mandatory foreign-currency taxes or meet essential overseas operating costs.

Such concessions may provide relief, but discretionary exemptions are not necessarily equivalent to a predictable, transparent system guaranteeing access to foreign currency when legitimate commercial obligations fall due.

Taxing offshore tourism transactions

The foreign-exchange measures also intersect with efforts to capture more value from tourism transactions arranged outside the Maldives.

Revisions to the Tourism Goods and Services Tax framework target foreign tour operators and online travel agencies, bringing offshore package and booking arrangements within a more clearly defined domestic tax-compliance regime.

Resorts and guesthouses are required to disclose transactions, booking values and revenue arrangements involving foreign travel intermediaries to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority.

The policy challenge is to ensure that tourism-related economic activity is appropriately reported and taxed, even when booking and payment arrangements cross national borders. Yet taxation, foreign-exchange conversion and access to dollars are distinct issues. Their combined effect on resort cash flow and investment returns will matter to operators assessing future projects.

Commercial banks also face foreign-currency surrender obligations requiring them to transfer prescribed portions of foreign currency purchased to the MMA. The objective is to strengthen central-bank reserves and support essential imports, including fuel, food and pharmaceuticals.

The wider question is whether the system can improve the availability of dollars across the economy without undermining the businesses responsible for generating them.

Why Sri Lanka should look beyond tourist arrivals

This is where the story becomes particularly relevant for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka has experienced its own severe foreign-exchange crisis and has no reason to assume that its present position is permanently secure. Nevertheless, the country has an opportunity to compete for international tourism capital by offering investors a credible, predictable operating environment.

An investor evaluating an Indian Ocean resort does not compare beaches, room rates and tourist arrivals alone. The calculation includes financing costs, foreign-currency liquidity, imported operating expenses, debt servicing, taxation, regulatory predictability and the ability to repatriate legitimate returns.

The distinction is important. A tourist may change destinations for a week. An international hotel group may commit hundreds of millions of dollars to a project expected to operate for decades.

Sri Lanka should therefore resist treating the Maldives’ regulatory changes merely as an opportunity to attract displaced visitors. The larger prize is investment capital: new resorts, hotel-management agreements, integrated tourism developments and long-term hospitality infrastructure.

Colombo should engage international hotel groups and resort operators while investment decisions are still being made. Its proposition should combine a diversified tourism offering, connectivity, luxury and experiential tourism opportunities, infrastructure development and a transparent framework for managing foreign-currency earnings.

The objective should not be to promise investors that Sri Lanka will never experience currency pressure. It should be to demonstrate that legitimate foreign-currency obligations can be managed through predictable rules and functioning financial markets.

A window, not a guaranteed windfall

The opportunity is neither automatic nor permanent.

The Maldivian government could modify the 40 per cent threshold, expand exemptions or improve access to dollars through domestic banks. Its established luxury-tourism brand, existing resort infrastructure and international commercial relationships remain formidable advantages. A regulatory change does not mean international investors will abandon existing projects.

The more important question is what happens at the margin: where the next resort is built, where the next hotel-management agreement is signed and where international capital is committed.

For Sri Lanka, converting this opening into investment requires credible policy, efficient approvals, reliable infrastructure, regulatory stability and a clear commitment to protecting the commercial viability of tourism projects. Without these, any advantage created by developments elsewhere will remain theoretical.

Maldives’ foreign-exchange difficulties should not be celebrated. They should be studied.

The Maldives may have a foreign-exchange problem. Sri Lanka has an investment problem. One country is attempting to retain more of the dollars generated by tourism; the other needs to attract more foreign capital into its tourism economy.

If Colombo can align its tourism, investment, foreign-exchange and infrastructure policies intelligently, the Maldivian policy shift could create an opening that extends far beyond the next tourist arrival.

The question is whether Sri Lanka will recognise that opportunity while it is still a window, rather than discovering it after the capital has already chosen where to go.

2027: Tompolo drums support for Tinubu in Ogun says investors returning economy stabilising

The Grand Patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement Government Ekpemupolo has called on the people of Ogun State to massively vote for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 to continue to enjoy the gains of his administration.

He made the call during the inauguration of the state chapter of the movement and the donation of 26 campaign vehicles and other materials in Abeokuta on Friday.

Ekpemupolo better known as Tompolo who was represented by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Kestin Pondi praised Tinubu for his bold policies which he noted were making Nigeria attractive to investors again and stabilising the economy.

He pointed out that the bold reforms by the Tinubu administration have done away with perennial fuel queues in the country and ensured more infrastructure development regular payment of salaries and pensions among others.

‘We have a president who said Nigeria must be better. Today there is no more capital flight investors are returning and the naira is stabilising.

‘Go everywhere and tell them your son your brother your father must return to Aso Rock. Make them understand that he’s the best. The reforms have no doubt come with challenges but just like the challenges a woman in labour faces but rejoices at the birth of her child we shall all be happy.

‘Every developed country has gone through this path Tinubu is taking us and came out stronger. Nigeria will come out stronger with the policies and reforms of Tinubu. Let us keep faith with him. He means well for Nigeria.’

Tompolo reiterated that the movement was in the state to work together with other campaign groups to ensure that the APC wins from top to bottom.

Also speaking Governor Dapo Abiodun who was represented by his deputy Noimot Salako-Oyedele commended the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement for the support which she noted would complement all other campaign efforts.

She said Ogun was ready to support the president as a mark of appreciation for the many good things the state was enjoying as a result of his policies and reforms.

Speaking directly to the electorate the governor said: ‘No matter how confident we are we have to come out and vote. There is no room for complacency no need to say it is a done deal because the deal can only be done at the polling booth.

We have received a lot from the president because we supported him before. If we do it again it means we appreciate him and we want more.’

APC governorship candidate Senator Solomon Adeola said it was imperative to support Tinubu as he has changed the narrative of our country.

‘For the first time since independence we are seeing changes in all sectors of the economy. Things are changing for good investors are coming back international organisations have acknowledged the positive changes the macro economy is doing well and the micro economy is picking up and will do better in no distant time’ he stated.

While pointing out that Tinubu is their own son and they had resolved to give him no less than 2 million votes come January 2027 Adeola appreciated the Movement for the donation which he pointed out would aid the campaign.

National Coordinator of the Movement Sunday Asuku in a remark advised the people to be on alert and not allow themselves to be deceived by the opposition who have nothing better to offer and do not mean well for the country.

‘The right choice before Nigeria is Tinubu. With President Tinubu we’re on track. Don’t allow anyone to use you to derail the journey. Come January 2027 vote for Asiwaju’ he said.

Halloween events and more to end October, welcome November

October finally comes to a close, but not without leaving a few frights on it way out the door.

Filipinos around the country will be preparing their costumes for Halloween this Saturday, and the next couple of days pay their respects to their dearly departed.

Halloween events will be ringing around the Philippines, plus some other fun activities on the side.

Tricks and treats

Just in time for Intramuros allowing the use of cameras again, the night walks of “Echoes in the Shadows” take place on October 30 and 31 for people to experience Old Manila during the spookiest time of year.

On Halloween proper within the walled city, the “Intramumu” street party will turn Magallenes Drive into a massive night of music, costumes and scary fun.

One can expect similar parties at The Palace, Spirits Library, Uma Nota, Nokal, 12 Monkeys, McKinley Whisky Park and Manila Yacht Club

Visitors will get 50% off admission to Museo Pambata in Manila this October 30 if they dress up as a character from Philippine folklore, as part of the museum’s “Mumuseo” initiative to celebrate local myths and legends.

The cinema club of Sari Sari Bar in Makati is hosting “Twi-night” on the same day, where fans can enjoy the films about Edward Cullen, Bella Swan and Jacob Black.

McDonald’s will have a two-part “Aura Maxxing Grand Halloween Party” at Makati’s The Space at One Ayala as the fast food chain gets into the spooky spirit.

Around Araneta City is a series of Halloween events like the “Eternal Guardians” costume contest and course, trick-or-treating, though the Parolan continues to welcome customers at the Expo Centro Parking.

Who said Halloween ends when the clock strikes midnight? The “Run For Your Life” zombie marathon will take place in Intramuros in the early hours of November 1 where “the undead” chase racers to the finish line.

Outside of the scares, Janine Berdin leads the special guest line-up at Pixel Loot Fair creator marketplace this October 31 in Mandaluyong’s Podium Hall, offering opportunities to meet creators and score limited edition merchandise.

Shows continue

Pop star Zara Larsson takes her “Midnight Sun” tour to the Araneta Coliseum on October 30, returning to the Philippines in nearly a decade, while Korean actor Hwang In-youp hosts a fan meeting in the nearby New Frontier Theater on the same day.

Local rock band Autoletic marks the 10th anniversary of its debut album “Papunta Pabalik” with a show in Mandaluyong’s 123 Block Mandala Park on October 31, celebrating the release that introduced hits like “Languyin” and “Laro.”

Also doing a Halloween gig this year is Rob Deniel at the Viva Cafe in Quezon City, as well as Thai artist Charlotte Austin at Taguig’s Maybank Performing Arts Theater.

“Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration” and Repertory Philippines’ “Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper” continue their runs at The Space at Solaire and REP Eastwood Theater in Quezon City, respectively.

Gary Valenciano closes his “Back at the Museum” series at the Music Museum in Greenhills on October 30 and 31 while “Bongga Ka, ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical” end its run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Undas 2026: Over 30,000 passengers flock to ports amid travel rush – PCG

More than 30,000 passengers passed through ports nationwide on Saturday morning, Oct. 31, as Filipinos traveled to their home provinces for Undas, the annual observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In its latest tally as of 7:45 a.m., the PCG recorded 18,717 outbound passengers and 17,491 inbound passengers.

It also reported inspecting 216 vessels and 72 motor bancas.

On Friday, the PCG logged more than 100,000 passengers at ports between noon and 6 p.m., and over 60,000 more between 6 p.m. and midnight.

In anticipation of a surge in passenger traffic during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the PCG placed all units on heightened alert and deployed 6,146 frontline personnel at major ports across the country.

The Philippine Ports Authority earlier said it expects 1.93 million passengers to travel by sea to their home provinces during the long weekend, a slight increase from the 1.90 million recorded in 2025.

Gasoline prices to rise anew in 1st week of November

Fuel retailers are expected to implement mixed adjustments in the prices of domestic petroleum products in the first week of November, with gasoline on track for another increase.

Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said gasoline may see a price jump ranging from P2.90 to P3.20 per liter.

Diesel may record a slight reduction of 40 centavos to 60 centavos per liter.

‘Regional attacks’

‘Diesel and gasoline closely followed the movement of crude oil, which continues to be supported by concerns about energy supply disruptions in the Middle East as regional attacks continue and worries the US could strike Iran after next week’s US midterm elections,’ he said.

‘However, hopes for a breakthrough in the diplomatic efforts to end the eight-month-long conflict helped pare oil’s further rise,’ Bellas added.

Estimates were based on the first four days of trading at the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and foreign exchange movements. MOPS is the basis for the pricing of refined petroleum products in Southeast Asia.

Oil firms will announce their latest weekly price movements on Monday.