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JoyRide, the leading homegrown mobility app, continues to make waves in the transportation industry as its Super Taxi Airport Transfer was named the Rising Star for Mobility at the inaugural Klook Partner Awards held last August.

The event gathered over 200 local tourism and lifestyle partners from across the country, recognizing those who have demonstrated excellence, innovation and collaboration in elevating the Philippine travel experience.

The award celebrates the growing popularity and exceptional service of JoyRide’s Super Taxi Airport Transfer since its launch on Klook, Asia’s leading travel and experience platform. Through this partnership, travelers can easily pre-book scheduled airport pickups and drop-offs (hatid-sundo airport rides) via the Klook app, making travel in the Philippines simpler, faster and more seamless for both local and foreign guests.

‘This recognition is a significant milestone for JoyRide and for every Pilipinong Masipag who continues to strive and serve with dedication,’ said Sherwin Yu, president of JoyRide Philippines.

‘The entire JoyRide team extends its utmost gratitude to Klook for this award. We remain committed to keeping our promise of making every journey safer, more convenient and reliable,’ he added.

With the holiday season just around the corner, JoyRide Super Taxi Airport Transfer is ready to ensure that every ride remains timely, worry-free, and budget-friendly, allowing passengers to enjoy quality time with loved ones without the stress of travel. Through Klook, travelers can conveniently pre-book scheduled airport transfers at competitive rates, offering peace of mind and great value for money.

Aside from the convenience of pre-booking, customers have also praised JoyRide’s 24/7 concierge service, which promptly responds to and coordinates any concerns or inquiries, as well as its accessible airport lounge at NAIA Terminal 3.

While the lounge accommodates on-the-spot bookings, it also serves as a convenient coordination point for pre-booked customers, who can simply present their booking and head straight to their assigned Super Taxi, as all arrangements are already prepared for a seamless, hassle-free experience.

JoyRide’s dedicated Super Taxi Airport Transfer fleet also received praise. Composed entirely of well-maintained Toyota Veloz cars, they can comfortably seat up to four passengers and accommodate six pieces of luggage (two large and four small). Passengers commend the vehicle’s spacious interiors, uniformity, cleanliness, and comfort, along with the helpfulness and friendliness of the drivers, who consistently deliver excellent service with every ride.

There are two easy ways to experience JoyRide Super Taxi Airport Transfer: through the Klook app, by selecting ‘Transport’ and then ‘Airport Transfer’ to choose JoyRide Super Taxi; or through the JoyRide Superapp, by selecting ‘Airport Transfer’ and entering the necessary trip details.

Aboitiz Power Corp. saw its earnings decline in the first nine months amid flattish growth in its generation and distribution businesses.

The company reported a core net income of P23.1 billion from January to September, down 15 percent from the P27.2 billion earned a year ago.

‘The core net income for the first nine months of 2025 reflects the full impact of depreciation and interest expenses for GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), which AboitizPower began recognizing only in March 2024,’ it said.

GNPD operates a 1,336-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan.

In the nine-month period, beneficial earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were flat at P56.3 billion from P56.1 billion as lower spot market prices offset the contributions from new investments.

AboitizPower sealed in January a $3.3-billion deal with Meralco PowerGen Corp. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. to launch the country’s first and most expansive liquefied natural gas facility.

The company also recently activated its 173-MW-peak Calatrava Solar in Negros Occidental, 159-MWp Laoag Solar in Pangasinan and 45-MWp Armenia Solar in Tarlac.

Backed by these projects, AboitizPower posted an uptick in EBITDA for its generation and retail supply business to P50.9 billion from P50.6 billion, even amid softer energy prices.

Energy sales in this segment climbed by 19 percent to 32,138 gigawatt-hours from 26,910 GWh.

As for the distribution business, the company’s EBITDA marginally increased to P7 billion from P6.8 billion, driven by higher energy sales volume.

Electricity sales were said to have grown by five percent year-on-year to 5,166 GWh.

As of Sept. 30, AboitizPower’s consolidated assets stood at P584.3 billion.

As the Aboitiz Group’s energy arm, AboitizPower operated the largest portfolio of power generation assets in the Philippines as of July, according to the Energy Regulatory Commission.

Wireless giant Smart Communications Inc. has partnered with sister e-wallet Maya in providing consumers with ease of access by removing convenience fees for load purchases.

Smart yesterday announced that its subscribers may now buy airtime load and data packages on Maya without convenience fees as part of efforts to ease the cost of connectivity.

Likewise, Maya can be accessed by Smart users without consuming mobile data, allowing them to use financial services even when they are offline.

Smart first vice president for corporate marketing and strategy Lloyd Manaloto said the telco is working on bringing down the cost of connectivity for customers. Smart also sees the urgency of expanding access to financial services in a time when Filipinos are almost always online.

‘This collaboration goes beyond promos – it is about breaking barriers to digital access. Together with Maya, we are making it easier for Filipinos to stay connected and take control of finances, without the extra costs,’ Manaloto said.

Maya Group chief commercial officer Khurram Malik said the e-wallet has agreed to give Smart users data-free access to the app so they can use its financial services anytime.

Malik said Maya and Smart are rolling out the initiative in phases nationwide, understanding the need to reduce the cost of accessing digital services nowadays.

‘By working with Smart, we are making it easier for Filipinos to access the tools that they need to manage their money, transfer funds, save, pay bills and stay online – without worrying about the extra costs,’ Malik said.

Right now, Smart is offering exclusive data bundles like Magic Data 99 and All Data 99 through Maya and Smart Online Store. The offer will run until Dec. 31.

Smart is trying to sustain operational stability following a workplace mess that led to the exit of its chief operating officer Anastacio Martirez. The executive has resigned from his post recently to pursue his own entrepreneurial ventures.

The country’s most awaited band competition is back as Pambansang Muziklaban once again gives local artists an avenue to showcase their talent, prove their skills, and stake their claim as the next great Filipino band.

For over two decades, Pambansang Muziklaban has been a launchpad for aspiring artists, providing a platform for Original Pilipino Music, and helping shape some of the most recognized names in the industry.

Among them are the 2004 Grand Champion Mayonnaise and fellow finalist Join the Club, best known for their respective hits “Jopay” and “Nobela.”

This year, the search continues as new groups bring their unique sound and energy to the spotlight. Bands from across the country are invited to join, share their music, and battle it out for the chance to make their mark on the national stage.

Participants will not only gain exposure and experience but also the chance to play in front of passionate crowds and alongside established artists who once stood where they are now, fueled by the same dream, driven by the same fire.

The competition will unfold across several stages, from online screening to live eliminations, and semi-finals, and culminating in the Grand Finals, where the best of the best will battle it out for the ultimate title of Pambansang Muziklaban 2025 Champion.

Winners will take home prizes, performance opportunities, and a place in Pambansang Muziklaban’s legendary roster of champions.

Malacañang yesterday defended the failure of the Philippines to secure a lower tariff from the United States after the US approved a zero percent import tariff for specific products originating from Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro was reacting after the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) expressed disappointment that three countries cornered zero percent tariff on certain exports while the Philippines got none despite being Washington’s closest ally.

‘(Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs) Secretary Frederick Go says, ‘we are trying to protect several industries in the Philippines such as rice, corn, sugar and poultry,’ ‘ Castro said.

The US decision was formalized during the recent Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

‘You see our neighbors getting special tariff exemptions and the Philippines has so far received none. We were expecting a little bit of good news because we have been negotiating for at least a sectoral policy relief when it comes to our semiconductor industry,’ PCCI vice president for trade Bryan Ang said.

The Philippine Navy has denied that Orly Guteza – a retired Marine sergeant who appeared as a surprise witness before the Senate blue ribbon committee last month – is under the protection of the Philippine Marines.

In a statement on Thursday, October 30, Navy spokesperson Capt. Marissa Martinez said Guteza had been retired from the Philippine Marine Corps since June 30, 2020, and ‘no longer falls under the administrative authority’ of the service. Martinez said any engagements or interactions he has today ‘are undertaken in his personal capacity.’

“It must be also made clear that Mr. Orly Regala Guteza is not under the protection of the Philippine Marine Corps, which has no involvement in his personal affairs,” the Navy spokesperson said.

The Navy also stressed that the service remains ‘a professional and non-partisan organization dedicated to upholding national sovereignty and serving the Filipino people with honor and integrity.’

The clarification came a day after former lawmaker Mike Defensor claimed that Guteza was currently ‘under the Philippine Marines.’

In an interview on “Storycon” on One News, Defensor claimed that Guteza sought protection from the Marines after he testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee last month and opted not to be placed under the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) witness protection program.

Defensor – who earlier said he introduced Guteza to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta – maintained that the former Marine remains willing to cooperate with authorities if formally summoned.

Alleged cash deliveries. At the Senate hearing in September, Guteza alleged that he personally delivered 46 suitcases, each containing P48 million, to the residences of then-House appropriations chair Elizaldy Co and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Guteza also said he had served as a security consultant for Co.

Both Co and Romualdez have since denied these allegations.

Controversy over the credibility of Guteza – who was Marcoleta’s surprise witness as then-chairperson of the blue ribbon – deepened this week after the Manila Regional Trial Court confirmed that Guteza’s sworn statement bore a forged notary signature.

In an October 24 order, Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano-Sison of Branch 18 referred the falsification case to the DOJ for further investigation and possible charges.

The DOJ confirmed yesterday it would act on court order and investigate Guteza’s affidavit.

While the court found the notarization invalid, it did not rule on the truthfulness of Guteza’s claims.

Salmon Bank is targeting to infuse at least P1.2 billion in fresh capital over the next two years as it prepares to transition from a rural bank to a thrift bank as part of its broader strategy to expand nationwide.

Salmon Bank chairman and co-founder Raffy Montemayor said the group plans to inject at least P600 million before the end of 2025, bringing its equity to about P1.4 billion, and another P600 million in 2026 to support rapid growth and regulatory requirements for a thrift bank license.

‘We continue to prepare ourselves to apply for a thrift bank next year,’ Montemayor said.

‘In terms of capital, we’re already there. But we want to make sure we complete key investments in people and in technology before we apply,’ he said.

He added that the upgrade would mark a significant step toward operating on a nationwide scale, allowing the bank to combine a strong digital platform with an expanded physical presence.

‘We want to make sure the bank is ready to put its foot forward as a thrift bank, which brings with it a higher level of attention,’ Montemayor said.

Pavel Fedorov, who also co-founded Salmon, said the group is already among the most capitalized modern banks in the country and expects to be ‘well above most of the digital banks in capitalization fairly soon.’

‘Alongside net income, we’re injecting quite a bit of capital into the bank,’ Fedorov said. ‘We, as a group, will be bringing a lot more capital next year as well. We want to increase the share capital to the level where many of the new startups will be in our shadow.’

Fedorov said the parent company could inject more capital if the bank grows faster than expected.

He added that Salmon Bank has been sustaining rapid growth since its launch, doubling key operating and financial metrics every six to nine months.

According to Montemayor, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is currently reviewing Salmon’s application for an advanced electronic payments and financial services (EPFS) license, which was filed in August.

‘It could take six to 12 months,’ he said. ‘We have ongoing dialogue with the BSP to make sure we answer all the questions and provide the documentation they need.’

Salmon Bank is also gearing up to launch its ‘daily banking’ suite next year, a package of integrated products including checking and high-yield savings accounts, time deposits and digital payment features designed to meet customers’ everyday financial needs.

When asked if the rural bank is considering applying for a digital bank license, officials said they are focusing on expanding their physical footprint, which is restricted under a digital bank license.

To support its growing customer base, the bank plans to open three new flagship branches in Bonifacio Global City, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro, with the goal of testing a 24/7 branch model.

“Revival King” Jojo Mendrez continues to make his mark in the local music scene with songs he’s beautifully revived.

Some of these include Apo Hiking Society’s “Tuyo ng Damdamin,” Florante’s “Handog,” Jireh Lim’s “Magkabilang Mundo,” and Julie Vega’s “Somewhere in My Past.”

Aside from his revival hits, Jojo also has original songs such as “Basta Ikaw,” “Diwa ng Pasko,” and “Nandito Lang Ako” – along with a new Christmas single composed by award-winning songwriter Jonathan Manalo.

“Ngayong Pasko’y Ikaw Pa Rin marks a career highlight for Jojo as it was specially written for him by Jonathan.

The very emotional track brings back memories of love and longing, all delivered with Jojo’s soulful and heartfelt voice.

“I’m honored because the songs of Gary V and Ariel are timeless. they stay in people’s hearts and are played every Christmas,” said Jojo. “So for me, this is truly one of the biggest honors of my career.”

The situation in Tipo-Tipo has returned to normal after gunmen attacked the town center on Tuesday, with evacuees returning to their homes and traders reopening their businesses, Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman said yesterday.

Security was tightened around the province as Philippine National Police personnel intensified peacekeeping and investigative operations, acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Although the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was earlier tagged in the attack, the MILF denied any involvement, saying its members who participated acted on their own and were not sanctioned by the organization.

‘If there were members (who participated), they were on their own, perhaps because they were relatives,’ said Hadji Dan Asnawi, commander of the 114th Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces-MILF unit.

Tipo-Tipo Mayor Tong Istarul said the attack was not a rido (retaliatory clan conflict) as the gunmen had targeted the town hall.

‘If the attackers were just lawless elements, they could not have reached as many as 200 people with high-powered firearms,’ Istarul said.

Hataman said the tension and firefight subsided as the gunmen withdrew after accepting the assurances of the provincial government and police to render justice in the killing of Ustadz Nadzmi Tarahin, a barangay councilor and religious leader who was shot dead at a bus terminal in Lamitan City on Oct. 21.

‘The PNP remains steadfast in pursuing justice for the slain barangay official while ensuring that peace is sustained through continuous dialogue and law enforcement cooperation,’ Nartatez said in a statement.

According to reports, the gunmen who were from Barangay Baguindan attacked the town center in an attempt to seize a member of the municipal security team they believe to be responsible in the killing of Tarahin.

The attack forced 7,000 civilians to evacuate to safer ground to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Hataman assured the public that the situation had returned to normal, while stressing that ‘the situation remains sensitive and should be handled carefully.’

He urged the families and supporters of Tarahin to wait for the result of the investigation and to file a case ‘against the real suspect.’

Abdulrauf Macacua, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief minister, said the attacking groups have repositioned away from the town center.

Macacua also heads the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development delivered on Tuesday 2,500 family food packs in Tipo-Tipo to help ease the plight of families affected by the gunfight, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian said yesterday.

‘The 2,500 family food packs arrived in Isabela City last Tuesday as initial assistance to the families evacuated because of the tension in Tipo-Tipo. Our coordination with the local government for additional support and intervention continues,’ Gatchalian said in his Facebook post yesterday.

The Government of Canada has advised its citizens traveling to the Philippines to exercise a ‘high degree of caution’ following rising cases of dengue fever.

In a health notice issued on October 27, the government raised the risk level for the Philippines to Level 1, urging travelers to take preventive measures such as avoiding mosquito bites, practicing proper hand hygiene and ensuring they have the latest vaccinations.

“Many travel destinations are reporting increasing numbers of dengue cases. … Pay close attention to the dengue situation in your destination before and during travel, including at the local level,” the notice read.

In the first two weeks of October, the Department of Health in the Philippines reported 8,460 dengue cases. This follows a surge in late September and August, when case numbers peaked at around 14,000 to 15,000.

Other countries with raised health precautions for dengue include Bangladesh, Belize, the Cook Islands, Cuba, Ecuador, French Polynesia, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Kiribati, Mali, Mexico, Nauru, Panama, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Senegal, Sudan, Tuvalu, Vietnam and American Samoa.

Dengue is commonly found in tropical and subtropical countries, with cases typically spiking during the rainy season. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, particularly the Aedes aegypti. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant pools of water.

Symptoms usually appear four to 10 days after the bite and may include a high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, rashes, nausea and vomiting. Without immediate treatment, more serious symptoms may develop, including persistent vomiting, blood in the vomit or stool and severe abdominal pain.

To prevent dengue infection, it’s important to protect yourself from mosquito bites. This includes using insect repellents, wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, socks, and closed-toe shoes, staying hydrated and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.

There is also no vaccine available in Canada to prevent dengue infections, the government said. However, it mentioned that the QDENGA vaccine may be authorized for use in countries outside Canada such as Europe.

The government also said that the risk level notice will remain in effect until the threat of dengue subsides, at which point it will be lifted.