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Money and health top the list of stressors for Filipinos, according to a recent Social Weather Stations survey. Fifty-three percent of respondents reported experiencing ‘big’ stress over their financial situation, while 42 percent cited health concerns as a major source of stress.

For senior citizens, this burden is even heavier. In a country with limited social safety nets, many older Filipinos face soaring medical costs and dwindling savings, forcing them to keep working well beyond retirement age- not by choice, but out of sheer necessity to meet basic needs.

A 2025 study published by the Asian Development Bank called ‘A Descriptive Analysis of Poverty Among Older People in the Philippines’ showed that there are a number of older Filipinos living below the poverty line.

‘As individuals move into older age brackets, their ability to participate in the workforce decreases, resulting in decreased income and greater dependence on pensions, savings, or family support,’ the report noted.

Prevailing economic and social challenges in the Philippines have prompted many senior citizens to continue working even in old age. Recognizing this growing reality is the first step in helping ease the financial burdens of many elderly Filipinos who continue to be part of the workforce out of necessity.

Let us not look at these as mere statistics. Let this be a wake-up call for stronger policies, better health care access, and real support systems that uphold dignity in aging.

To help ease their financial challenges, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo ‘Ompong’ Ordanes filed House Bill 2563, seeking to grant income tax exemption to Filipinos aged 60 and above earning P800,000 or less annually. The proposed exemption covers senior citizens who are employed either full-time or part-time, as well as contract workers and those working as consultants.

‘Many senior citizens continue working not because they want to, but because they have to – either to support their families, pay for medicines, or keep up with the rising cost of living. After decades of service to our nation, they deserve relief – not additional financial burdens from income tax deductions,’ Ordanes said.

This proposal is not just a fiscal incentive for the elderly, it is a matter of social justice.

Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, Filipinos aged 60 and above are afforded discounts and exemptions from value-added tax but there are no existing tax incentives for the elderly who remain employed.

Rep. Ordanes correctly argued that if the government can offer tax incentives to corporations and foreign investors, it should also extend similar compassion to senior citizens who have already paid their dues but continue to work even after retirement age.

The proposed exemption is targeted, applying only to working senior citizens earning P800,000 or less annually, ensuring that those who need it most benefit, while avoiding blanket exemptions for high-income earners.

Contrary to concerns that such a proposed exemption might hurt government tax collection, allowing working senior citizens to retain more of their income can actually help stimulate the ‘silver economy’ since they can spend more on goods and services.

An income tax exemption can also encourage more Filipinos aged 60 and above to remain as productive contributors to the economy. This will also allow seniors to remain active and mentally engaged, which is linked to better health outcomes. Likewise, by enabling seniors to earn and save more, the government can ease pressure on social assistance programs and healthcare subsidies.

Passing House Bill 2563 is more than a financial adjustment, it is actually a strategic investment in people and in the economy. For seniors, it means immediate relief from financial strain, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned income for essentials like medicine, food, and utilities. This translates to better health, dignity, and independence in their later years.

It would send a clear message that our nation values its senior citizens not just in words, but in policy.

Let us not penalize productivity in old age; rather, we should reward it.

Anti-narcotics agents arrested a businessman from Uganda who was caught allegedly with P42.5 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay on Tuesday night.

The 45-year-old suspect, whom the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) identified only as Adna, was nabbed during an interdiction operation at the airport’s customs exclusion room. He allegedly yielded 6.25 kilos of shabu.

The suspect arrived in the country from Antananarivo in Madagascar, authorities said.

Police detained Adna after five bags of shabu were found in his luggage.

Airport authorities confiscated the suspect’s passport, boarding pass, cell phone and personal belongings.

The foreigner is being held on charges of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Alex Eala is poised to breach rank 50, another first of the many firsts she monopolizes, only because she is alone in carrying the flag in the women s professional tour. No compatriot to share it with, she is a patriot herself. But she is not lonely, she is virtually embraced by the country like it was her extended family. Figuratively.

Meanwhile, a young sprinter may be the future of track and field, after EJ Obiena calls it a career, hopefully after he medals in the Olympics. Los Angeles could be his last chance. Although he flopped in the worlds this year, in Manila he vaulted to 5.80m, the usual qualification standard in the Olympiad.

Pi Durden Wangkay won the 200m dash in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. A foreign sounding name, but he looks every inch a Filipino, without reference to the ruling a presidential candidate is a Filipino by her appearance, among others. The highest court virtually told those who doubt, just look at her, she looks like us. Literally.

Look at Wangkay too. He dashed to gold in 21.76s, a time fast enough for a woman to medal in the worlds or Olympics, but too slow for a man to even qualify. Below 20 seconds is now the currency of victory in the men s 200m. At 16, he still has so much to train for. With her retired athlete mother as coach, he could be a future champion. Just like Lydia de Vega who dominated the Asiad because of brutal fatherly love. Family matters, the verb.

But Carlos Yulo continues to excel despite his family rift. After winning two golds in Paris, he joined social media fray and experimented on fashion not everyone is ready to see. He is however back in his golden form everyone loves to see. This week he vaulted to gold in the worlds. Maybe not perfect, but the landing in the first vault is too precise it may not be reprised, not even by Yulo himself.

This he achieved without the family he comes from, but with a woman he makes a family with. This he achieved after his brother who earlier gave their parents a brand new car is predicted to follow his footsteps in the Olympics.

Some thought it was a shade against the glittering golden boy who virtually severed his family ties on account of money that could not be accounted for. Maybe, but no one knows for sure what exactly happened within the family. They may neither know nor understand how it happened. One thing is known though, Carlos is back on top, despite a family feud unresolved. Leave them alone, savor his mastery, avoid his domestic mystery. Family matters, the noun.

Operations against digital crimes are expected to intensify after the Philippines signed the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrimes.

Acting Philippine National Police chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. yesterday said the PNP is looking forward to an enhanced cybersecurity posture after the country became one of the first countries to join the global treaty.

Adopted by the UN in December last year, the treaty provides a unified framework for combating cybercrime and sharing electronic evidence against digital threats.

Nartatez has ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group and police units to beef up operations against online scams, cyberhacking and related crimes.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda signed the treaty in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Speaker Faustino Dy III wants the PNP to take stronger action against scam rings exploiting the names of public officials and institutions.

Asus Philippines has officially launched Asus Business, its new a commercial division catering to small and medium businesses (SMBs), as well as startups, entrepreneurs and professionals.

The well-attended grand launch, held on October 1 at the Shangri-La at the Fort in BGC, Taguig City, was highlighted by a series of demanding durability tests on the new Asus Expert Series laptops.

To demonstrate their resilience for modern businesses, the devices were subjected to and successfully withstood rigorous stress conditions, including liquid spills, high pressure, and repeated physical impacts, validating their suitability for the modern workplace.

‘Since 2020, Asus ‘Business’ had a vision to create a series built for businesses. We released the Expert Series to help businesses to upgrade to the ‘Incredible,” Francis Avila, head of Asus PH Commercial Business Unit, expressed in his welcome remarks.

‘[We have] our ExpertCenter desktop, the secure and reliable and business-ready desktops, the Expert Center AIO [All-in-One] PCs, which have modern comprehensive connectivity and security features in an easy-to-manage design. And lastly, the ExpertBook, best in class business laptops that are scalable to fit your business needs,’ he proudly shared.

In an exclusive interview, Rex Lee, Asus corporate vice president and general manager of the APAC Commercial Business Unit, confirmed the company is making a significant investment in the Asia-Pacific commercial market.

A series of grand launches was also held in APAC markets including Vietnam, Thailand and India.

‘We found (out) that all the new products coming out this year had a huge jump on the product innovation and product design,’ Lee noted adding, ‘This shows our ambition and determination to grow the business in the APAC region.’

Built to last

At the launch, Avila proudly presented the latest products under the Expert Series P lineup, namely the ExpertBook P1, ExpertBook P3 (or PM3), and ExpertBook P5, which were also showcased at the Experience Area.

Here, attendees applied the rigorous stress tests first hand, which included, among others:

Hinge durability – The structural integrity of the hinges was demonstrated by supporting the laptop’s full weight at the edge of the screen. The hinges are rated to endure 50,000 open-and-close cycles.

Pressure resistance – This stimulated the stress of being crushed in overhead storage, the laptops withstood a maximum compression force of 120kg, demonstrated by attendees standing directly on the chassis and screen.

Panel pressure test – In a similar test, the panel display can also withstand pressure as demonstrated by slamming the screen with a ballpen.

Keyboard durability – The keyboards proved to be spill- and splash-resistant from up to 450ml of water, and are certified for a lifespan of up to 10,000,000 keystrokes.

I/O Port strength – The reinforced I/O ports supported an 8kg kettlebell suspended from an inserted LAN cable, confirming their physical robustness. It can withstand up to 9kg.

According to Avila, Asus applied 24 US military-grade tests in the development of the laptops. Some of these include drop test, temperature and humidity test, sand and dust test, altitude test, and solar radiation test.

Powered by AI

The Asus Expert Series also promises productivity powered by Artificial Intelligence.

‘We want to really leverage on AI to empower the normal customer, micro-entrepreneurs, SMB customers and private companies. That’s why in this series, the PM3 and the P5, are two of the first Copilot+ PCs launched in the market,’ Avila told Philstar.com.

The Copilot+ PC is a productivity tool providing Windows versatility, AI acceleration and enterprise-level security.

The laptops also come with the Asus AI ExpertMeet, an on-device AI software that features:

AI Meeting Minutes – Identifies speakers and easily sorts and summarizes key points

AI Translated Subtitles – Translates languages on-the-fly, for seamless participation in global calls

AI Noise Cancellation – Reduces background noise and enhances speaker’s voice through a massive deep-learning database

AI Camera – Gives the best video-call experience and ensures a user looks his best in virtual meetings

Webcam Watermark – Personalizes video calls with business cards, customized information and screen watermark

All these can be accessed an utilized without the need for internet, making it even more secure when handling confidential contents. For Lee, the Aus AI ExpertMeet is not just considered a tool but a manager that could help increase productivity.

Worry-free business

For Avila, the “worry-free” concept is central to the Asus Business value proposition, signifying an end-to-end support system for the entire device lifecycle.

This commitment is demonstrated through the comprehensive Asus Business Support package that includes on-site repairs, dedicated technical assistance and 24/7 customer support.

It also comes with a three-year on-site service with one-year accidental damage protection and international warranty over 80 countries.

Addressing modern cybersecurity threats, the Expert Series is fortified with multiple layers of security.

The platform integrates hardware-level protections such as a commercial-grade BIOS and biometric authentication, operates on Microsoft’s Secured-core framework, and includes a one-year McAfee Premium subscription for added data protection.

Finally, Asus also takes care of responsible and proper disposal of its devices so they don’t just end of in landfills.

‘We are welcoming a new era of worry-free business from performance to productivity, to connectivity, security, expandability, durability and support,’ Avila concluded.

The boardroom of AB Capital and Investment Corp. has welcomed a familiar name from the insurance world: Alexander Narciso, former president of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc., whose appointment as independent director was just approved by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Narciso brings with him decades of leadership in life insurance and financial services, having had full operational, financial and regulatory responsibility for Sun Life’s Philippine insurance business. Under his watch, the firm posted P55.79 billion in total premiums and P10 billion in new-business annual premium equivalent (NBAPE) in 2023, earning it the top spot among Philippine insurers for 13 years running.

He is also credited with having reshaped Sun Life’s sales force into a streamlined, high-performance team of around 21,000 advisors by the time of his retirement in 2023. Over this period, the company earned the Trusted Brand Platinum Award in Life Insurance for 14 consecutive years and repeatedly produced the most Million Dollar Round Table qualifiers nationwide.

Beyond business metrics, Narciso channels his energy into social causes: he serves as an independent trustee for both the Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation and the World Surgical Foundation. He also holds a philosophy degree from Ateneo de Manila University, a master’s in industrial economics from the Center for Research and Communication, and is a fellow (with distinction) of the Life Management Institute.

Belle Mariano and Piolo Pascual, two of the lead stars of ‘Meet, Greet, and Bye,’ took part in the film’s exclusive trailer previews, followed by insightful discussions about the anticipated family drama movie across North America.

The ABS-CBN stars led the conversations on family, identity, and culture with next-gen Filipino voices in Vancouver on October 19 and Los Angeles on Oct. 20 through the ‘NextGen and Tastemakers Screening and Panel Discussions.’

Belle also had an exciting dialogue with the San Francisco leg attendees about the inspiration behind ‘Meet, Greet, and Bye’ and Filipino storytelling in general on Oct. 22.

Apart from the private screeners and dialogues, Belle and Piolo also promoted the latest Star Cinema movie through a series of media rounds and interviews.

Belle even guested on FOX 11’s morning news program ‘Good Day LA,’ where she shared the timely message and relatability of the film, which will be shown in North America before the annual Thanksgiving celebration.

‘I hope that once we watch this movie, we don’t take our loved ones for granted. I hope it brings us closer to one another,’ she shared. ‘It’s a universal story. A family’s love is universal, a mother’s connection to her kids is something everyone can relate to.’

The Kapamilya actress also had an interview on ‘Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa” on NBC Bay Area together with ‘Meet, Greet and Bye’ film director Cathy Garcia-Sampana.

Belle likewise graced the ‘East Meets West’ event hosted by the Asian American creative group Gold House and FilAm Creatives in celebration of the Filipino-American Heritage Month.

‘Meet, Greet and Bye’ centers on the Facundo family with four siblings who want to grant their cancer-stricken mother’s wish to meet her favorite K-drama idol. Apart from Belle and Piolo, the film is topbilled by Joshua Garcia, Juan Karlos, and Maricel Soriano.

The film will be showing in cinemas in the Philippines beginning Nov. 12 and in North America starting Nov. 14.

Alex Eala and Victoria Mboko were both clearly running on fumes as they went in deep water in their round of 16 matchup in the Hong Kong Open.

But Mboko was able to muster just enough to grab the come-from-behind victory.

Mboko needed two hours and 28 minutes to get the 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win Thursday evening in Hong Kong.

Eala was actually firmly in control in the third set, going up 4-1 after holding her serve.

But the Canadian dug deep and clawed out of that hole.

Mboko, ranked 21st in the world and third in the tournament, tied things up at four games apiece after holding her serve in the eighth game.

Eala, though, could not recover as Mboko asserted her mastery.

And with Mboko now holding the momentum, she blanked the 20-year-old Filipina the rest of the way, as Eala’s return went straight to the net to formalize the 19-year-old’s win.

‘I wanna first congratulate Alex for an amazing match, It’s never easy to play one of your friends. And I’ve known her for such a long time, so that made it a little bit emotional, but I also want to thank everyone who came to support today,’ Mboko said.

‘I know there’s so many Filipinos here that came to support Alex, and this is what this sport is all about. And I love the support you came today, and it made the match so much more intense and super tough for me. So I think I really had to fight for every single point,’ she added.

‘I think it was just an unbelievable match, so thank you.’

After getting the victory in the first set, Eala looked like she had Mboko figured out as she was able to connect on her winners.

Mboko, though, broke the second set open, getting separation from a 2-2 deadlock to force the third set, 6-3.

While the World No. 51 tennister only had 38 unforced errors to her opponent’s 51, Mboko punched in eight aces against Eala’s two.

The Hong Kong Open is Eala’s final tournament of the season.

Mboko will now take on Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals of the tourney.

Marian Rivera has once again been celebrated for her beauty, authenticity, transparency and inner glow as a woman during the formal signing event of her contract renewal with food supplement and glutathione brand Nuwhite in Makati City.

Such transparency of the Kapuso Primetime Queen has been applauded by the fans and press members alike, an attribute aligned with Nuwhite’s core values as a brand.

A food supplement known for its formulation of pure and authentic 200 milligrams of S-Acetyl, the most premium kind of glutathione, Nuwhite is a beauty and wellness capsule that solves more than just your skin issues. It is an effective antioxidant that helps regulate your rest as you can get quality sleep, as well as assists you with managing stress.

S-Acetyl is most effective when it is given at 200 milligrams per capsule, a transparency in formulation that Nuwhite has been proud of for years. This authenticity in its formula has been the backbone of the year-long campaign of Nuwhite dubbed as ‘Glow for 200,’ a series of brand activities that celebrate women who glow from within because of their integrity and inner beauty- from Nuwhite’s #WhatMakesYouGlow visual art expression in March, to its monthly activation of putting the spotlight on women who glow from within with their integrity and inner beauty.

‘Marian Rivera stands for that same integrity and transparency that Nuwhite has been revered for. Nuwhite’s ‘Glow for 200′ campaign that kicked off earlier this year has celebrated the integrity, credibility, brilliance and inner peace of women – core values that define not just our brand, but the women who resonate with Nuwhite’s honest formulation as a beauty and wellness product,’ Maureen Estrada, Nuwhite founder and CEO, shared in a press statement.

While other glutathione brands would promise formulations that are not completely honest and transparent, Nuwhite guarantees top-notch wellness benefits that are value for money for its clientele. Nuwhite has the right dosage of the best kind of glutathione in the market, backed by science proven to deliver maximum skincare, wellness and health benefits.

Such honesty of the brand resonates well with the transparency, realness and inner glow of renowned Filipina actress Marian Rivera.

The actress shared her thoughts on inner beauty rooted in authenticity and beautiful glow caused by one’s realness and transparency.

‘Kapag sinabi nating glowing, mahalaga sa akin ang glowing from inside and out. So hindi lang dahil maganda sa labas, maganda na. Mas maganda pa rin ‘yung good combination na maganda ka na sa labas, pero mas maganda kung ano nasa kalooban,’ Marian said during the press conference of her contract renewal with Nuwhite.

During the contract-signing event, the press members got to see a peek at the latest photo shoot of the brand ambassador for upcoming campaigns and collaborations.

‘Of course, proud ako sa Nuwhite kasi maganda talaga ‘yung produkto nila, very transparent talaga sila. Kung ano ang nagagawa ng produkto, at ano ba talaga ‘yung ingredients na inilagay nila, never nagtatago ang Nuwhite. Lagi nagsasabi ng totoo about their formulation, and ano ang ginagawa nito to your skin, at ang nagagawa ng pag-glow sa’yo. So para sakin, magandang bagay ‘yung pagiging transparent nila at totoo, at kung ano ‘yung sinasabi ng Nuwhite about sa ingredients and formulation, ‘yun lang talaga ‘yung totoo na meron ang Nuwhite,’ she added.

‘Bilang tao, at bilang artista, kung ano man ang position ko sa buhay, kapag meron ka kasing tinatago, ang hirap. At ang hirap magpanggap. Kapag totoo ka, lahat magfo-follow na ‘yan, at wala kang dapat itago. So para sakin, mahalaga talaga kapag totoo ka sa sarili mo, kasi paano magiging smooth at magiging maayos ang lahat kung ‘di ka transparent? Makikita at makikita ng mga tao ‘yan. So para sakin, mas maganda pa rin na authentic ka, at transparent ka bilang tao. Wala kang tinatago kasi ‘yun nga ‘yung sinasabi ko, ang pagiging totoo, ‘yan ang pinaka powerful na hawak mo na, you know, ikaw mismo sa sarili mo, you love yourself and who you are. And everything else will follow,’ Marian concluded.

‘Every capsule of Nuwhite contains 200 milligrams of S-Acetyl, and it is at the heart of every Nuwhite capsule. It is a very powerful antioxidant, as it’s not only skin brightening, but it is for overall wellness, because it helps with managing stress, detoxifying your liver. It can energize you, regulate your sleep, and of course, we will really glow from within,’ the Nuwhite CEO said during the event, wrapping up the occasion.

The contract-signing event saw the celebration of Nuwhite’s four-year relationship with the actress, while signaling the latest phase of their partnership with a new two-year contract for Marian as the brand’s ambassador.

StudyIn, the world’s most trusted higher education consultancy, is set to host its first large-scale education fair in the Philippines.

The StudyIn Global University Fair 2025 will take place on November 8 at Makati Diamond Residences, bringing together leading universities and education partners from around the world to connect with Filipinos who want to study abroad. Admission is free.

Meet the top universities from UK and Australia in 1 fair

The Global University Fair marks a milestone for StudyIn in the Philippines, welcoming over 20 top universities from the UK and Australia. The one-day event offers students and parents the chance to meet university representatives, explore academic programs and discover scholarship opportunities.

Highlights include:

Seminars delivered by the British Council, Austrade and StudyIn experts.

One-on-one sessions with university representatives.

Networking opportunities for students, parents and academic professionals.

Admission to the event is free of charge.

Partnerships with student organizations

StudyIn has partnered with key student organizations to extend the fair’s reach and impact:

AIESEC – De La Salle University (DLSU): Engaging globally minded student leaders.

UP CAPES – University of the Philippines: Supporting engineering and STEM-focused students in exploring global study options.

AMSTUD – De La Salle University (DLSU): Providing international pathways for students in American Studies.

These collaborations reflect StudyIn’s commitment to empowering student groups that foster academic excellence, leadership and career readiness.

Academic focus

The fair will highlight academic areas most in demand among Filipino students, including:

Business and MBA programs designed for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

Health Science degrees that prepare students for careers in medicine, nursing, allied health and related fields.

Technology and Artificial Intelligence courses at the forefront of innovation.

Engineering and Architecture programs blending technical expertise and creativity.

Students will also gain insights into scholarships and post-study work opportunities, opening doors to international career pathways.

The partner universities attending are:

Cambridge Education Group (UK)

CEG/ Aston University London and University of Hull London

Edith Cowan University

Education Centre for Australia

James Cook University

Leeds Beckett University

Malvern House International Limited

Mander Portman Woodward

Navitas Australia

Regents College London

Sheffield Hallam University

Southern Cross University

St. George’s University

Study Group International Centres

Teesside University

University of Canberra

University of Central Lancashire

University of Chester

University of Hertfordshire

University of Northampton

University of Portsmouth

University of South Wales

On a mission to connect Filipinos to global academic opportunities

Through the Global University Fair, StudyIn aims to connect Filipinos to global universities and opportunities through expert guidance and assistance.

‘At StudyIn, our mission is to open doors for Filipino students who dream of studying abroad. The Global University Fair is a milestone for us here in the Philippines because it connects students directly with top universities and programs that align with the world’s most in-demand careers. Whether it’s healthcare, business, technology or innovation, we want Filipino students to see that global opportunities are within their reach and that they are guided at every step of the journey,’ says Isabel Brotonel, Philippines country manager.

StudyIn works with students across the Philippines to provide free counselling, application support and personalized guidance on studying overseas.

The organization collaborates closely with universities and institutions in key destinations, including the UK, Australia and Canada, ensuring students are supported at every stage of their international education journey.