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Sen. Robin Padilla admitted that he doesn’t miss show business at all because he believes that there are ‘better artists’ in the Senate amid the growing trend of celebrities joining politics.

‘Mas maraming magaling na artista sa Senado (There are more talented artists in the Senate). Kaya hindi ko namiss (So I didn’t miss it),’ Padilla told Boy Abunda in a recent guest appearance on ‘Fast Talk’ after he was asked if he missed showbiz since he no longer acts full time. The actor-politician and his wife Mariel Padilla were guests in the show.

However, Padilla clarified that he hasn’t turned his back on showbiz despite his role as a senator.

‘Katunayan po, katatapos ko lang ‘yung Bad Boy 3 (In fact, I just finished doing Bad Boy 3). Eleven years in the making,’ said the actor, adding that the film is expected to be released in December.

Padilla, who made a special brief appearance in the controversial 2022 film ‘Maid in Malacañang,’ is among the celebrities who currently hold a seat in the Senate alongside actors-turned-politicians Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid, and Tito Sotto III, among others.

Meanwhile, Padilla’s wife, Mariel Rodriguez Padilla, clarified that she is not returning full-time to show business because her priority right now is motherhood.

‘I have two girls who really need my attention right now,’ she said.

Padilla and Rodriguez, who are celebrating 15 years of their romance this year, got married in India in August 2010 after three months of their first meeting. They held their second wedding in September of that year in Baguio City.

Call it a modern phenomenon. We’ve seen it time and again, the moment when a new bogeyman steps out of the shadows and into the horror hall of fame. Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Freddy Krueger these are the names etched in cinematic history, horror pop culture, and fandom because these are the titans of horror who set the benchmark for terror. And now, after the massive, terrifying success of ‘The Black Phone’ and its equally bone-chilling sequel, ‘Black Phone 2,’ it’s time to add a new name to that pantheon: ‘The Grabber.’

Ethan Hawke’s monstrous, masked child abductor has been to hell and back literally and his return in ‘Black Phone 2’ is no mere encore. It’s a full-on coronation. With his disturbing masks, psychological games, and now his new supernatural dimension, The Grabber has done more than scare audiences; he has tapped into the anxieties of a new generation. He’s not just a slasher; he has become an experience, a full-blown cinematic experience of horror.

So, what makes this guy worthy to follow in the blood-soaked footsteps of Freddy Krueger or Jason Vorhees? Let’s break it down, because this is not just about jump scares, gore, and horror for the sake of horror. It’s about building a legacy.

A familiar, yet modern, flavor of terror

First things first: ‘The Grabber’ is a masterclass in modern horror mythology. The first film, set in the ’70s, grounded its evil in the unsettling reality of a forgotten past a time when kids played unsupervised and monsters could hide in plain sight. The horror felt real because it felt possible. In ‘Black Phone 2,’ the setting shifts to the ’80s, and the terror evolves.

But unlike old-school horror icons who relied on sheer muscle or one-liners, The Grabber’s most potent weapon is psychological torment. Think of that twisted game he calls ‘Naughty Boy,’ where he plays with his victims’ minds, offering escape only to snatch it away. It’s a level of messed-up mind game that resonates with an analytical and ultra-attentive modern audience raised on true crime podcasts and documentaries, where the psychology of evil is often more frightening than the gore itself. ‘The Grabber’ is a reflection of that modern fascination, and a damn good one at that.

The Freddy Krueger comparison

Okay, let’s talk about the big elephant in the room. When ‘The Grabber’ was killed off at the end of the first film, some of us, like me, thought, ‘That’s it? Game over?’ Oh, how naive we were. Hehe.’

The Black Phone 2′ official movie trailer confirms the fears of Finney and Gwen (and us): ‘The Grabber’ has returned, not as a man, but as a demonic, dream-haunting entity. He’s been to hell and back, and as Ethan Hawke’s character ominously states, it’s stripped him of any last shred of humanity. The mask with the devil horns? It’s not just for show anymore. This is pure, distilled evil.

This new supernatural dimension has drawn obvious parallels to Freddy Krueger, but with a crucial, 2025-appropriate difference. While Freddy Krueger was the king of ‘dream logic’ scares, The Grabber’s new powers feel less like a funhouse ride and more like an unstoppable force of vengeance. In an era where audiences have become desensitized to gore, his ability to prey on psychological trauma and specifically, to torment Gwen through her dreams is a scarier, more effective tool. The horror is no longer physical; it’s a persistent, inescapable spiritual haunting.

Why moviegoers are ringing the Black Phone

A scene from ‘The Black Phone’. Image from Universal Pictures

The films’ success isn’t just about a creepy villain; it’s also a testament to how well they resonate with moviegoers. Much of that credit goes to director Scott Derrickson and his cast. The first movie made a solid $161 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. The sequel, which I just watched and came out a few weeks ago here, is doing well, too, and is still showing in several cinemas. I was pleasantly surprised to see a long line to watch it, and the cinema I was in was almost fully seated with eager moviegoers who had become fans of these films. The strong turnout was also evident in most cinemas showing ‘The Black Phone 2,’ contributing to the total global box office gross. This proves that it wasn’t just a fluke or a stroke of luck in any way. This was a sequel that moviegoers wanted to see in droves.

The stories tap into themes that are both timeless and particularly relevant now. The trauma of the past, the struggles of adolescence, and the battle against forces that feel out of our control are all central to the narrative. These are all familiar tropes to a generation that grew up with technology but remembers a time of greater innocence, such as in the times of their parents and much older siblings, the 70s and 80s setting of the Black Phone films feels both familiar and deeply unsettling. The films themselves are a throwback. but they aren’t afraid to get dirty and gory in a way that satisfies modern horror sensibilities.

Plus, let’s not forget the core appeal: the cathartic experience of seeing evil defeated. The film gives us something to root for in Finney and Gwen, two kids who fight back against their demons, real or otherwise. That right there, friends, is a tried-and-tested classic trait of all great, timeless horror franchises of having protagonists to rally behind and defeat the evil force they are facing. It’s a fail-proof formula for repeat business and a franchise with legs.

So next time you hear a phone ringing in an empty room, don’t just dismiss it. It might be ‘The Grabber,’ dialing up a new generation of fear. And it’s a call that’s hard to ignore.

Five new units of S70-i Black Hawk helicopters have arrived in the country this month, according to the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

In an advisory on Wednesday, PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Christina Basco said its acceptance, turnover, and blessing ceremony will be held at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Nov. 6, 2025.

Basco said these aircraft were delivered on Oct. 20, according to a Philippine News Agency report.

PAF has 30 existing Black Hawk helicopters, another 17 are expected to arrive in the coming years, according to her.

Former PAF spokesperson Maria Consuelo Castillo said 10 of the S70-i Black Hawk choppers will arrive in this year’s last quarter, including the five newly-arrived choppers.

Seven more will arrive in the middle of 2026, Castillo had said.

The government earmarked P32 billion to purchase the new helicopters manufactured by Polish-aerospace PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of American firm Lockheed Martin.

Previously, Castillo said PAF is looking to upgrade the endurance capability of its S-70i Black Hawk choppers by installing auxiliary tanks in all of its existing units, which would provide additional fuel capacity to make it more capable to conduct missions in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Nikola Jokic had 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, matching an NBA record with his fourth straight triple-double to start the season, and the Denver Nuggets routed the winless New Orleans Pelicans 122-88 on Wednesday night.

Jokic joined Oscar Robertson (1961-62) and Russell Westbrook (2020-21) as the only players to begin a season with four consecutive triple-doubles. Those are the only players Jokic trails on the career triple-double list; the three-time MVP now has 168.

Jokic shot 10 of 15 from the field and played 28 minutes. He sat out the fourth quarter after the Nuggets went on a 24-0 run in the third period to open up a 33-point lead.

Jamal Murray and Christian Braun scored 17 points apiece for the Nuggets, who have won three straight since a season-opening loss at Golden State.

After missing the Pelicans’ loss to visiting Boston on Monday night with a bone bruise in his left foot, Zion Williamson scored 11 points. He finished with 27 points in each of New Orleans’ first two games.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears led the Pelicans with a season-high 21 points. New Orleans shot 37.2% from the field, 20.6% (7 of 34) from 3-point range and a dismal 58.6% (17 of 29) on free throws as it fell to 0-4 for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

KC Concepcion declared she’s very much ready to be a wife, saying she wants to embrace her femininity and settle down with a provider partner.

The actress talked about this during her ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ interview on Wednesday, Oct. 29. The topic was brought up after show host Abunda asked if she is ready to be a missus, to which she responded, ‘Yes na yes with Mr. Right!’

Expounding on her answer, Concepcion said, ‘I am ready to share my life with someone. I think I’ve enjoyed my life so much that gusto kong i-share (I want it to share) to someone deserving.’

Concepcion then opened up about her discoveries in herself, including how she loves and wants to be loved.

‘With every relationship na dumating sa buhay ko, natuto talaga akong mag-trust at magmahal. Natuto ako kung ano ‘yung weaknesses ko, kung saan ako nagkukulang, kung saan ako pwedeng mag-improve, at kung ano ‘yung mga takot ko dati.’

(With every relationship that I had, I really learned how to trust and love. I learned about my weaknesses, the areas where I lack and need to improve, as well as my fears before.)

She also admitted how she had her guards up before whenever she was in a relationship. ‘Ngayon, mas bukas na ako at mas narararamdaman ko na po ‘yung pagiging babae ko.’

(Now, I am more open and I feel more like a woman.)

”Di ba marami ‘yung equal [‘yung gusto], ako gusto ko ‘yung lalaki provider man pa rin. Alam ko po ‘yung kaya kong i-contribute pero masarap din po ‘yung feeling na babae na [acts cute] gano’n ka lang.’

(A lot of people want to be equal with their partners in a relationship, but for me, I still want a provider man. I know what I can contribute but it feels good to embrace my femininity.)

Then describing her ideal man, she continued, ‘Preferably someone na nakilala ko na, maalaga, provider-‘yung mararamdaman ko na lalaking-lalaki siya at babaeng-babae ako.’

(Preferably it’s someone whom I already know, caring, provider-someone who is very masculine and who will make me feel very feminine.)

Concepcion did not immediately disclose during the interview if she is currently in a relationship, although she vowed she will share it to the public once she found the one for her.

Concepcion previously sparked reconciliation rumors with her ex-boyfriend Aly Borromeo after they were seen together in several instances.

It is 15 degrees Celsius here, but the excitement of Filipinos from different parts of South Korea made it feel as if everyone were back home in the Philippines.

A total of 212 Filipinos-some from Busan, Seoul, Ulsan, and Jeju Island-gathered at the Wyndham Grand Busan Hotel for a meet and greet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos is currently in South Korea to participate in the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju.

One of the attendees, Sonia Madiwo from Ifugao, shared her experience living in South Korea since 2008. She married a Korean national and decided to settle in a foreign land.

‘Our life here is okay. We’re able to get by. Here, no one will go hungry because work is just around the corner. There are plenty of jobs here,’ she told INQUIRER.net.

‘I think the President is already doing everything to provide jobs in the Philippines. So what the youth should do is really study, get training, and then secure a job,’ she also said.

In his remarks, Marcos reiterated his administration’s support for the welfare of OFWs.

‘My fellow Filipinos, I want to assure you, hindi namin kayo nakakalimutan (we never forget you). We are working hard to make sure that government services reach you, all the way here in Korea or wherever you are,’ he said.

‘Our programs for OFWs continue so that you are protected and supported, and have the opportunity to return home and succeed in our own country,’ he also said.

One of these is the upcoming establishment of a Philippine consulate in Busan and a Social Security System office at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

Based on the latest data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are more than 70,000 Filipinos living in Korea, more than 42,000 of whom are OFWs.

Many of the OFWs work in sectors of manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, entertainment, and other industries.

The Agusan del Sur Police Provincial Office (PPO) has deployed 53 police officers and four members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (Pecu) to secure cemeteries, terminals, and places of worship across the province for the observance of Undas this year.

Police Col. Yahya Bustamante Yusup, PPO chief in Agusan del Sur, led the send-off ceremony of the deployed police officers on Thursday, October 30, at the Agusan del Sur PPO covered court in Patin-ay village, Prosperidad town.

The activity is part of the nationwide Ligtas Undas 2025 campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to ensure public safety during the long holiday.

Yusup urged the deployed personnel to perform their duties with integrity, compassion, and vigilance, even as he stressed the importance of maintaining peace and order as thousands would flock to cemeteries and other public places to remember their dear departed.

‘Our goal is to ensure that every person in Agusan del Sur can honor their departed loved ones without fear or inconvenience. Let us remain proactive, alert, and ready to assist at all times,’ Yusup said.

Fr. Romeo Garcia officiated the blessing of the deployed personnel and their mobility assets. He also prayed for their safety and the success of their mission. The ceremony concluded with an inspection of police units and vehicles, before their symbolic send-off.

According to Yusup, Ligtas Undas is part of the police’s goal of promoting heightened visibility, helping ease traffic and crowd management in cemeteries to guarantee a safe, orderly, and peaceful observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

For writer-director Richard Somes, it was the innate power and strength of Charlie Dizon that made her the perfect lead for his psychological horror film ‘Near Death.’

An entry to the sixth CineSindak Film Festival, ‘Near Death’ tells the story of Julia (Dizon) who survived an attempt to take her own life. She was then brought to the place of her younger sister Mia (Xyriel Manabat) to help her recover mentally. However, Julia finds herself haunted by mysterious souls urging her to redo her attempt and join them in the afterlife.

‘She’s a powerful and strong actress,’ Somes said of Dizon’s acting prowess when interviewed by reporters during the film’s premiere night.

‘[‘Yung ‘Near Death’], hindi siya ‘yung horror na may jumpscare (‘Near Death’ is not a horror film that focuses on jumpscares). I believe in a horror story, dapat ang bida mo should be tormented and tested – and I think that Charlie is one of the few actresses who could bring that onscreen,’ he continued.

For her part, Dizon said that while doing ‘Near Death’ was physically and mentally exhausting, it was nonetheless fulfilling because she knows how much the film meant to Somes.

‘Ilang beses ko sinabunutan at sinaktan ang sarili ko. Ibang klaseng pagod ito. Noong [nakuha ko ang offer], umoo agad ako. Hindi ko pa nababasa ang script, kinuwento pa lang niya, umoo na ako,’ she said.

(There were a lot of times when I pulled my own hair and hurt myself. The exhaustion I had was different. When I got the offer, I immediately said yes. I hadn’t read the script; Richard Somes only told me about the story, but I said yes right away.)

Life after death

While Somes is known by many as a filmmaker with a straightforward approach to the action genre, he explained that ‘Near Death’ talks about the questions he had about death and what happens after.

‘It’s like coming back to my roots. it is a spiritual journey toward the afterlife. It’s a question of is there life after death and kung meron, ano ang magiging experience mo. I, myself, since childhood, I’ve been asking that. It’s a psychological horror film because it deals with a challenging premise because it deals with what’s happening right now,’ he said.

The writer-director also shared that he grew up as a ‘Catholic boy in church,’ where the topic of suicide has always been taboo. ‘Lahat tayo, may iba’t ibang takot. What I discovered about Filipinos is that they fear sin.’

‘Takot kayong magkamali kasi baka parusahan tayo. It’s a haunting challenge,’ he continued, seemingly noting that many religious people consider suicide as a sinful act. ‘That’s what I’m exploring sa istorya na ‘to. Ayokong mag-preach what is right and wrong.’

(We’re all scared of different things. What I discovered about Filipinos is that they fear sin. We’re all scared of making mistakes because we might get punished. It’s a haunting challenge. That’s what I’m exploring in this story. I don’t want to preach what is right and wrong.)

Staying on the topic, Somes believes that there is life after death. He also hopes that people need to ‘be kind to everyone else’ as a way of taking care of one’s mental heatlh.

‘I really believe that there’s truly life after death, a Supreme Being, and what we fear is not what it seems all along,’ he said. ‘I just want to show what is worth discussing. On a spiritual context, you need to follow the Scripture but on a moral standard, but may mga bagay na kailangan mong gawin (there are things you have to do).’

Joining Dizon and Manabat are RK Bagatsing, Soliman Cruz and Lotlot de Leon.

The sixth CineSindak festival runs from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 at SM Cinemas. Other films included in the lineup are Kristian Gatto’s ‘Hidden in the Dark,’ Joe Lam’s ‘The Fetus,’ Michael Caissie’s ‘No Tears in Hell,’ David Charbonier and Justin Powell’s ‘Push’ and Luciano Onetti and Nicolas Onetti’s ‘1978.’

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Thursday will assist passengers returning to their home provinces in time for Undas 2025, including food packs and ready-to-eat food items.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed all regional directors of the DSWD to ensure their readiness ahead of the nationwide observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively.

Part of the directive is to prepare immediate assistance to families and individuals who may get stranded when traveling to their home provinces, according to DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao.

Dumlao said the DSWD has sufficient relief items such as its ready-to-eat food and family food packs, as well as other food and non-food items to individuals who may be stranded.

‘We have enough family food packs in our warehouses and all ready-to-eat food items have been prepositioned to different ports and terminals,’ Dumlao said in a statement. ‘We also have enough food and non-food items.’

Gatchalian also ordered all DSWD Quick Response Teams (QRTs) nationwide to be on standby to respond ‘in case any untoward incidents or eventualities occur.’

The QRTs will also assist local government units should they need augmentation support, Dumlao said.

‘Our preparations have never stopped, even in time for Undas, so we can ensure the provision of immediate assistance to our fellow Filipinos who may be affected by any possible problems they may encounter as they go back to their provinces,’ Dumlao said.

Light rains may affect several areas starting Friday as the country gears up to commemorate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, due to the effects of several weather systems, the state weather bureau said on Thursday afternoon.

Updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) showed that three weather systems currently affect the country – an intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) over the southern part of the country, the northeast monsoon or amihan up north, and the shear line on the northeastern side.

Pagasa defines ITCZ as the area where winds from the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere converge. The shearline, on the other hand, is the part where cold winds from the northeast monsoon and warm winds due to the easterlies meet, causing moisture and eventually, rain showers.

‘From today until tomorrow, rains are possible because first, due to the intertropical convergence zone or the meeting point of winds from the northern and southern hemisphere,’ Pagasa weather specialist Leanne Loreto said, speaking in Filipino.

‘This ITCZ, we can see that these are the clouds around Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Rains are also possible starting this afternoon over Metro Manila, including areas in Calabarzon and Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, along with Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM [Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao], Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental,’ she added.

Due to the ITCZ, Pagasa warned of possible flash floods in Palawan and Zamboanga del Norte, as the amount of rain for Friday may range from 50 millimeters to 100 millimeters.

The northeast monsoon and the shearline, meanwhile, would bring light rains over Batanes and the rest of extreme northern Luzon.

‘The northeast monsoon will bring light rains over Batanes [.] and we can also see that the shear line which is a line of clouds that can possibly bring rains and thunderstorms, lightning strikes over Cagayan, Aurora, and even Isabela,’ Loreto noted.

Pagasa is also monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) located 1,805 kilometers east of Mindanao, way outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR). Another area that Pagasa is monitoring is the Sulu Sea, as they expect a second LPA to be formed due to the ITCZ.

‘This possible low pressure area will move northwestward towards Palawan, then outside our Philippine area of responsibility. And so these cloud clusters near the Mindoro-Palawan area are being monitored. Second, there is an LPA outside our PAR [.] and this can still develop,’ she added.

For Friday, Pagasa said that temperatures in Luzon may be a little lower than usual due to the rains, ranging from 25 to 32 degrees Celsius in Laoag and Metro Manila; 24 to 31 degrees in Tuguegarao; 18 to 24 degrees in Baguio City; 23 to 28 degrees in Tagaytay; 26 to 31 degrees in Legazpi; and 25 to 29 degrees in Palawan.

The same scenario is expected for Visayas and Mindanao, with temperatures playing between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius in Iloilo and Cebu; 24 to 30 degrees in Tacloban; 24 to 31 degrees in Zamboanga; 23 to 31 degrees in Davao; and 24 to 29 degrees in Cagayan de Oro.

No gale warning has been raised over any part of the country, but Pagasa warned that sea conditions over the northern Luzon seaboard may range from moderate to rough, with waves ranging from 1.5 meters to 2.8 meters.