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Dr. Vicki Belo did something she hadn’t done before, which is to ride the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) for the first time to catch Morissette Amon’s concert at the Big Dome.

Belo gave a glimpse of her unprecedented ride through her Instagram page on Wednesday, Oct. 29. In the video, the celebrity doctor is captured getting out of her car after she decided to ride the MRT instead.

‘The traffic is so bad. I’m gonna be so late. So ayan, first time,’ said Belo as she proceeded to walk to the MRT station alongside her helpers.

Belo brought her own tickets to the Cubao station where Morissette’s 15th-anniversary concert was to take place.

‘So nakasakay na ako. There’s always a first time to do anything. Grabe ‘yung traffic, tignan mo, hindi gumagalaw (Look at the traffic, it’s not moving),’ she said.

The celebrity doctor was teased by the security guard on board the train, who said that the MRT beats Belo’s luxury car.

Belo also wondered why the train was not full at the time, only to find out that she had passed through the priority lane leading to the designated train for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.

The 69-year-old doctor was able to make it in time for Morissette’s concert, saying that the MRT ride was ‘worth it.’

Belo, who is known as a breast cancer survivor, previously made headlines after she addressed the unsolicited comments about her ‘uneven’ breasts because of a surgery she had undergone to remove a tumor in one of them.

A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court directly challenging the constitutionality and scope of authority of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

ICI was created by Executive Order 94, issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to investigate, receive evidence, and evaluate reports against all individuals involved in substandard and ‘ghost’ flood control, and other infrastructure projects over the past 10 years.

The EO allows the body not only to investigate, receive evidence and evaluate reports, but also recommend the filing of appropriate criminal, civil and administrative cases.

The petitioner, John Barry T. Tayam, a citizen and taxpayer, urges the SC to ‘subsequently declare the validity and constitutionality of EO No. 94, and determine the lawful creation and scope of authority of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).’

Tayam said the legal and operational structure of the ICI raises serious constitutional questions, citing a potential violation of the equal protection clause, and a problematic redundancy with existing anti-graft agencies.

He said a conflict of interest is a cause of concern given that the ICI was created by the Executive branch of the government, and the center of the investigation – which is the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – is under the same branch of government.

Tayam added that the creation of the ICI could also drag out the investigation, as it would be a redundant office since the Office of the Ombudsman and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are already conducting the same investigations.

‘This excessive bureaucracy effectively deprives the public of its right to a speedy trial, a right crucial for a frustrated populace demanding quick resolution regarding the individuals involved in the flood control issues,’ Tayam said.

The petitioner ultimately prays for the Supreme Court to rule on the validity of E.O. 94 and define the lawful scope and limitations of the ICI’s authority.

Billionaire Manuel V. Pangilinan gained a stronger hold in SP New Energy Corp. (SPNEC) as businessman and newbie lawmaker Leandro Leviste completed his sale of shares worth about P13.76 billion.

The block sales, completed on Monday, allowed MGen Renewable Energy Inc. (MGreen) to secure 10.83 billion of new common shares from Leviste’s Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. This followed the maturity of their loan deals.

MGreen is the renewable arm of Meralco Power Gen Corp., the power generation business of Manila Electric Co.

The exchangeable note facility agreements were pursued in September 2024 and March of this year. The first portion involved 5.82 billion shares priced at P1.29 per share. The second wave, meanwhile, covered 5 billion shares at P1.25 each.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, SPNEC said MGreen’s stockholding rose to 28.7 billion common shares from 17.87 billion. It also has 19.4 billion preferred ‘B’ shares.

Solar Philippines’ remaining shares, on the other hand, were reduced from 18.99 billion to 8.16 billion common shares.

Following this development, MGen’s stake in SPNEC now stands at 69.25 percent.

Leviste’s move

Just last week, Leviste consolidated his shares via a P6.32-billion share transfer from his company, SolarPhilippines.

This came just four months after the young businessman had decided to unload his interests in SPNEC and affiliates after winning the position as Batangas 1st district representative.

SPNEC is set to make a mark not just in the Philippine renewable market as its P200-billion Luzon solar farm is expected to become the largest facility of its kind in the world.

MTerra Solar is designed to have a capacity of 3,500 megawatts (MW), with a battery energy storage system with 4,000 MW hours.

The group targets to make the power plant fully operational by 2027, powering over 2.4 million households.

Fresh contracts were awarded last week for the south block of the project, consisting of 1,050 MWp of solar generation capacity and 1.2 gigawatt hours of battery energy storage system.

How do we motivate the next generation to continue the family business? What can we do to bridge the generation gap? How can we sustain relationships as a working family team?

The Ateneo Family Business Development Center (AFBDC) at the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) addresses these issues in its conference ‘Built for Legacy: Family and Business Continuity Through Generations’ at Bai Hotel Cebu, Mandaue City on Nov. 25 to 26.

Topics include:

Strengthening roots: Explore what empowers our business: healthy family relationships, shared values, professionalization and governance.

Bridging generations: Find understanding between different generations, both at home and at work.

Developing the next leadership: Discover how to hone the next generation’s talent and commitment; and

Passing on the torch: Prepare the family and business to carry on the legacy through the generations.

Pilar Tolentino, AFBDC director, whom I mentored for her dissertation on family businesses, heads the roster of speakers. She teaches family business management and leadership, strategic management, and international business and trade at JGSOM.

Her expertise in business succession, family dynamics, professionalization and governance has guided numerous families towards sustainable success.

Human resource management

Emerald Ilac, AFBDC head of research, who was my student in graduate school in psychology, is a respected scholar in multigenerational human resource management, organization development and business leadership. He is the director of the JGSOM PhD in Leadership program at Ateneo.

Melissa Reyes, an expert leadership trainer, helps develop leadership, team and organizational skills within family businesses, government and non-government organizations and corporations. She teaches organization development, organizational psychology and human resource management at the Ateneo Graduate School of Psychology.

AFBDC envisions itself as the leading resource for the strengthening of business families and the development of family businesses in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region.

Our mission aims to:

Educate and assist business families in achieving and sustaining harmonious and fulfilling relationships among each other;

promote professionalism and assist family businesses for sustainable growth through development of competencies in key management functions;

develop curricula and conduct research in the area of business families and family businesses; and

recruit, develop and engage competent committed faculty and resource persons to achieve our vision

Family business

To this end, we conduct seminars, consultations, facilitation, workshops and research on family business. On Jan. 14, I did a webinar on ‘Marrying In-Laws into the Family Business.’

For the Cebu conference, avail of the early bird rate of P17,000 per participant, or P68,000 per 4 plus 1 group promo until Nov. 7. Afterwards, the regular rate of P22,000 per participant or P88,000 per 4 plus 1 group promo applies.

The fee covers conference access and materials, certificate of participation, lunch and refreshments, giveaways, and of course, opportunities for networking.

Take advantage of the conference room rate of P4000 plus per night, with buffet breakfast, on or before Nov. 14. Only participants with paid attendance will be accommodated.

From strengthening roots to nurturing the next generation, discover valuable insights, lessons and tested approaches to family and business. Learn how you can grow together as a family business today, and long into the future.

To register for the conference, or to inquire further, contact the Ateneo Family Business Development Center at [email protected] or call 8928-3503.

Queena N. Lee-Chua is on the board of directors of Ateneo’s Family Business Center. Get her print book ‘All in the Family Business’ at Lazada or Shopee, or e-book at Amazon, Google Play, Apple iBooks. Contact the author at [email protected].

As Halloween 2025 creeps closer, there’s no better way to set the eerie mood than by curling up with a chilling horror flick. From psychological thrillers to supernatural stories, these films promise to keep you on the edge of your seat.

This lineup offers something for every horror fan, so prepare to be terrified as we combine a mix of Filipino and Western films to stream for a scary Halloween this year.

‘All Hallows’ Eve’ (2013)

This anthology horror film follows a babysitter on trick-or-treat night who finds a VHS tape in one of the kids’ candy bags, a tape that stitches together disturbing short stories linked by a clown named Art, which sets the tone for a reel-to-real Halloween terror.

‘Feng Shui’ (2004)

Starring Kris Aquino, this box-office hit centers on a mysterious bagua mirror that brings fortune to its owner but death to others. Rooted in Chinese superstition, it’s a Filipino horror classic that redefined an old school myth.

‘I Spit on Your Grave’ (2010)

A remake of the 1978 cult classic, this revenge horror tells the story of a woman who seeks brutal justice after surviving a horrific assault. It’s not for the faint of heart because its psychological edge makes it a harrowing reminder that women are not to be messed with.

‘Kutob’ (2005)

Marvin Agustin and Rica Peralejo star in this psychological thriller. Unlike typical ghost stories, ‘Kutob’ explores the horror of human emotions, making it a suspenseful pick for viewers who prefer psychological tension over jump scares.

‘The Visit’ (2015)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, ‘The Visit’ follows two siblings who spend time with their estranged grandparents, only to realize that they are not the grandparents they claimed to be. It’s a perfect choice for fans of twisted family horror.

‘Dalaw’ (2010)

Another Kris Aquino hit, ‘Dalaw’ tells the story of a woman haunted by a vengeful spirit after moving on from her late husband. Combining Filipino folklore and emotional storytelling, it’s a chilling take on love, guilt, and the supernatural.

‘The Hills Have Eyes’ (2006)

When a family’s road trip turns into a nightmare in a desert filled with mutants, survival becomes the only goal. This remake of Wes Craven’s classic captures pure panic and brutality, perfect for those who enjoy adrenaline-fueled horror.

‘Sukob’ (2006)

In this Filipino horror phenomenon, newlyweds face a deadly curse after violating a wedding superstition. With its mix of family drama and Filipino belief, ‘Sukob’ remains one of the most effective local horror films ever made.

‘Jeepers Creepers’ (2001)

A brother and sister encounter a terrifying creature that emerges every 23 years to feed. ‘Jeepers Creepers’ remains one of the most iconic horror road movies of the early 2000s that deserve to be revisited every Halloween.

‘The Healing’ (2012)

Starring Vilma Santos, ‘The Healing’ follows a group of people who visit a well known faith healer to seek cures for various ailments. The film explores how desperation and faith can open doors to something too sinister.

‘Hellraiser: Hellworld’ (2005)

In this chapter of the Hellraiser franchise, online gamers find themselves trapped in a real-life version of their favorite horror game. This film delivers a mix of supernatural dread and techno-horror nostalgia.

Melvin Jerusalem capped off ‘Thrilla in Manila 2′ by retaining his WBC minimumweight title, beating a game South African challenger, Siyakholwa Kuse, on points early Thursday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jerusalem won on all judges’ scorecards, 115-113 and 116-112 twice.

Kuse surprised many after giving Jerusalem a tough challenge and lasting the full 12 rounds.

Jerusalem, however, knew he couldn’t afford to let his guard down against Kuse (9-2-1, 4KOs).

‘He’s no pushover. He fights smart and I think he has a chance to become a world champion someday,’ Jerusalem said in Filipino.

The 31-year-old Jerusalem hiked his record to 25-3, 12KOs and is back to chasing a rematch with Puerto Rico’s two-belt champion Oscar Collazo in a unification bout.

Collazo won the WBO strap after stopping Jerusalem in May 2023.

Another Filipino, Pedro Taduran, has the IBF crown. Taduran beat Cebuano Christian Balunan on Sunday at San Andres Sports Complex.

Like Jerusalem, Taduran also wants a crack at Collazo.

On the Philippines’ new favorite ragebait machine known as Threads seriously, if you get dopamine from getting riled up, it’s a great place to be comes this new minor controversy: Local journalist Bernadette Reyes posted about an experience she recently had at a local fast food chain in which she noticed a customer not returning the warm greetings and niceties the service staff was giving them. In her story, she says she returned the warmth the crew member gave out, and ended with a quick moral: They deserve our courtesy, too.

Okay, not wrong. Sure, it’s good to be nice to service staff because they put in long hours dealing with far worse customers. It’s their job, but they could use a little more kindness. Check.

You don’t really know what other people are going through, and it is poor form to make them the star of your next viral social media story just because you didn’t agree

But while the ratio was technically nice to Reyes a lot of people liked her post more than commented there was still a lot of backlash. Some people criticized her for seemingly judging the cold customer and assuming that she wasn’t being nice, saying that it’s possible that that person was just not having a good morning. Some supported this theory, sharing anecdotes about how they’ve had to come up to a jolly cashier on a terrible day just so they could eat. Others hit Reyes for purportedly feeling ‘morally superior’ to that person.

(There was also a hint of elitism in her post because she described the customer as well-dressed with a nice phone rightfully eliciting the question of whether a worse-looking person wouldn’t be expected to act kindly and decently. I won’t get into that here, but I’ll mention it just the same.)

Okay, also not wrong. You don’t really know what other people are going through, and it is poor form to make them the star of your next viral social media story just because you didn’t agree. There is much worse behavior out there, and simply not returning someone’s enthusiastic good mornings shouldn’t rank all that high.

To be or not to be

But the question does remain: Should we be warm to the random people we interact with every day, and never see again?

First, my personal answer: It really does cost nothing to be just as effusive to people, especially service workers even if they’re trained to be happy and smiley as part of their customer-facing job. It’s not hard for me to fake a smile or a high-pitched expression, even when I’m not up to it.

It’s pretty clear that the baseline for everyday human interaction is to simply not be rude and arrogant

But that’s me, and I don’t expect everyone to be able to do that. As much as it could suck to hear, sometimes you don’t have that kind of personality. If you totally have the bandwidth, though, you should treat your service workers with the joy and kindness that Reyes wanted from that other customer.

I think it’s pretty clear that the baseline for everyday human interaction is to simply not be rude and arrogant. On another wing of Threads, people love to complain about government service staff being grumpy and mean traits you definitely don’t want to experience from people you need to transact important matters with.

Simply put: As long as you’re not being a dick or a ‘Karen’ to people who are just doing their jobs (and are also not being mean to you), you’re good.

Keeping the social balance

The reason why opinions like Reyes’ are even a thing is because of the usual Filipino trait of pakikisama, in which the group harmony is important above all else. You or others watching you don’t want to upset the social balance by being anything less than effusive to others, or else you’ll be branded as a person no one wants to be around.

But I think it’s also worth noting that we can’t all positivity our way through life 100 percent of the time, especially when daily life in the Philippines is grinding us down to dust. The least we can ask for is for everyone to not antagonize everyone else and in the process, to not immediately interpret cold neutrality as antagonism.

Kindness isn’t just the nice, fuzzy words and feelings you give other people, but also the grace you give them when they’re not at their best.

Weightlifting prodigy Jhodie Peralta settled for a silver and later on a bronze, while boxer Leo Mhar Lobrido finished second on Tuesday in the third Asian Youth Games at Exhibition World Bahrain.

A 16-year-old product of Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz’s weightlifting training center in Zamboanga City, Peralta, actually was in contention for two gold medals in the girls’ 53-kilogram division but fell short in the snatch and clean and jerk.

Peralta’s 87-kg effort in the snatch was just one kilogram behind gold medal winner Pak Hae-yon, a North Korean who also ruled the clean and jerk over Y. Lien of Vietnam.

The Vietnamese also lost the clean and jerk title to Pak, who registered 107kg.

‘I just missed winning it,’ said Peralta, in Filipino, after her epic battle with Pak. ‘But it’s OK. I accept what God has given me.’

Still with six golds

The medals hiked the Philippines’ haul to six golds, seven silvers and eight bronzes, although the delegation dropped from as high as fifth overall a few days ago to ninth at press time.

There is still hope for more medals, as the country still has athletes competing in jiujitsu, wrestling, swimming and cycling, while its entries in table tennis and badminton have bowed out.

As for Lobrido, one of the country’s flag bearers, he was overwhelmed by the taller and longer Abdugani Yorkinjonov of Uzbekistan, absorbing a unanimous-decision loss in the boys’ 46-kg class and settling for a bronze the nation’s lone medal in the sport.

Lobrido, however, felt he had a chance in that match and that the judges saw it differently.

‘I think it’s still not yet my time,’ Lobrido, also in Filipino, said. ‘Maybe next time the gold can be mine.’

Three air assets registered under companies linked to resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co are no longer in the country, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) said Wednesday.

‘Two AgustaWestland helicopters are currently in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, having flown there on August 20 and September 11, respectively. Meanwhile, the Gulfstream aircraft has been in Singapore since August 16,’ Caap said in a statement.

Co, who has been tagged in the massive corruption scheme involving flood control projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), has remained abroad after leaving for the United States in August, reportedly to seek medical treatment for an undisclosed illness.

The aviation authority said ‘it continues to closely monitor all registered air assets in accordance with the law.’

Cannot be sold

Caap Director General Raul del Rosario assured the public that the assets abroad cannot be put up for sale as long as the aircraft are still registered in the Philippines.

‘The air assets have not been deregistered. There was an attempt to deregister, but since they were the subject of an investigation, the application was not processed by Caap,’ he said in Filipino in an interview on News5.

Del Rosario said the Gulfstream, which is worth $36 million, was applied for deregistration on August 18, while the two helicopters, each costing $16 million, were applied for deregistration on September 14 and September 15.

The Caap official explained that the registration of an aircraft can have only one nationality, and since the air assets have not been deregistered here, they cannot be registered in another country.

He said Caap had reason to believe that the earlier attempt to deregister three of the 10 aircraft linked to Co indicated an intent to sell the assets.

No freeze order

Del Rosario also noted that they cannot hold the air assets’ movement without a freeze order from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

‘As far as our records are concerned, we are just monitoring the movements of these aircraft. We have not received any freeze order here at Caap,’ Del Rosario said.

Once the AMLC issues a freeze order, Del Rosario said the government can reach out to the countries where the assets were taken for their respective civil aviation authorities to implement the order.

3 bodies informed

He said Caap has alerted all airports to monitor the movements of the remaining aircraft linked to Co, which are now in hangars in Bicol and at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon had earlier relayed to the AMLC, the Department of Justice, and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure about Co’s alleged ownership of aircraft reportedly worth P4.7 billion.

‘Caap sent us a letter [about] the 11 registered air assets of Congressman Zaldy Co. Total of P4.7 billion value of his air assets are registered to various companies. First is Misibis, second is Hi-Tone, which I think is connected to Congressman Zaldy Co, and also QM Builder,’ Dizon said.

Misibis Aviation owns air assets with a combined estimated value of $74.65 million (P4.29 billion at the current exchange rate), including two AgustaWestland AW1398 helicopters worth $16 million each, a Gulfstream 350 jet valued at $36 million, two Bell 407 helicopters pegged at $3 million each, and a Bell 206B3 helicopter estimated at $650,000.

Hi-Tone Construction Development Corp. holds aircraft valued at a total of $7.94 million (P456 million).

Its fleet consists of a Cessna 414A Chancellor worth $700,000, an Agusta A109E helicopter pegged at $6.9 million, and a PA 31-350 Chieftain aircraft estimated at $340,000.

Meanwhile, QM Builder lists a single air asset a Bell 505 helicopter with an estimated value of $2 million (P114 million).

The Pangasinan Salt Center in Barangay Zaragosa, Bolinao town, aims to produce 8,500 metric tons (MT) of salt, up from 7,500 MT in the previous season, for use as agricultural-grade salt fertilizer by coconut farmers.

The increase in salt production is scheduled to begin in late November and continue through June 2026.

In a phone interview Wednesday, Assistant Provincial Agriculturist Nestor Batalla said they are still in the preparation stage, which has been slightly delayed due to recent weather disturbances.

He said the provincial government, which has been the interim manager of the salt farm since 2023, has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) for an initial order of over 17,500 bags of 50-kilo agricultural-grade salt fertilizer.

‘It will be for coconut farmers in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and Cordillera Administrative Region. Central Luzon might also order 25,000 bags of salt fertilizer, but it is still in the works,’ Batalla said.

He added that PCA’s total requirement is 1.5 million bags, which other companies or groups bid on.

‘We are hoping that the other winning bidders near our province will also order from us,’ he said.

Priced at P750 to P800 per bag, the PCA’s coconut fertilization project aims to boost coconut productivity by rehabilitating low-bearing palms.

‘There are also walk-ins who buy the salt directly at the salt farm. They go to us,’ Batalla said, adding that the provincial government is preparing to implement projects specifically aimed at further boosting salt production in the area.

He also noted that Gov. Ramon Guico III, representing the province, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) for the Pilot Saltern Farm on Oct. 27.

‘The MOU aims to allow MMSU to conduct research on how to improve salt production using different kinds of technology they learned from India and Indonesia, which they will test here to see if it could be adopted in the country’s climate,’ he said.

The Pangasinan Salt Center supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ‘Philippine Salt Industry Development Act,’ which aims to strengthen and revitalize the country’s salt industry.

It also directly responds to the president’s call to address the nation’s salt crisis.

Guico said about 93 percent of the country’s salt needs are currently imported from China and Australia.

‘We need to drastically reduce our dependency on imported salt and produce 100 percent of our consumption needs. We must even think of becoming a net exporter of salt in the future,’ he said.