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The Philippines is taking the lead in Southeast Asia’s nuclear energy push, driven by its strong policy commitment and growing technical expertise, according to research and analysis firm BMI.

The Fitch Solutions unit said the Philippines, alongside Vietnam, emerged as regional leaders in terms of readiness for a nuclear energy program amid widespread interest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

‘We believe there could be opportunities for an accelerated deployment given the Philippines’ capabilities and experience,’ BMI said in a report.

The Philippines is home to Southeast Asia’s only existing nuclear facility, the Bataan Nuclear Power, which was never commissioned due to safety and political issues.

In a renewed push to integrate the technology into the power mix, the Philippines aims to have at least 1,200 megawatts of commercially operational nuclear plants by 2032.

‘The Philippines has reaffirmed its policy direction toward nuclear development to meet its rapidly growing energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels,’ BMI said.

‘Critically, we highlight that the Philippines is a signatory to all major safety, security, safeguards and liability instruments, demonstrating its comprehensive engagement with the international nuclear governance framework,’ it said.

President Marcos recently signed into law a measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

The Philippines has also secured a seat at the policy-making Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the term 2025 to 2027.

‘This regulatory maturity, combined with concrete policy support and established institutional capacity, positions the Philippines as the frontrunner in ASEAN’s nuclear race,’ BMI said.

Across Asia, the report also emphasized that the growing power demand, grid bottlenecks and rising energy stability needs are turning the region into a global hotspot for nuclear development.

Electricity demand in Asia is forecast to increase at an annual average of 3.8 percent through 2034, driven by economic growth, electrification, building and transport sectors and data centers.

There are many reasons for a person to travel, and it can be as simple as the eagerness to improve one’s well-being.

Wellness tourism was among the topics discussed at the recent 2025 TravMedia Summit Asia in Singapore last October 13 attended by select international media outlets, including Philstar.com.

Singaporean host-actor Paul Foster moderated the discussion after overseeing a brief breathwork exercise for over a hundred attendees.

Participating in the talk were Flex Studio founder-director Heather Thomas, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas wellness vice president Mark Sands, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Regional Vice President Peter Draminsky, and Oster Group co-founder and chief medical officer Dr. Tsin Uin Foong.

The four exchanged words on redefining wellness tourism or travelling for one’s well-being, a global industry that is estimated to be worth $1.3 trillion (P75 trillion) by 2028 – a 100% increase from 2022 data.

Dr. Foong, from a healthcare perspective, believes the growth is attributed to a shift from sick to preventive as a result of the pandemic.

“People’s sense of time have changed [and are] choosing to live,” said Thomas, adding that people are more fully present and want to achieve more present daily living.

Sands said people want to continue their good behaviors from home when travelling, whether it’s activities or intentional meals, while Draminsky jumped on Dr. Foong’s statement by saying “indulgence is turning into a lifestyle post-pandemic.”

On the subject of trends in the wellness tourism landscape, Dr. Foong said tourists are now more sophisticated and discerning by looking for science-based and personalized experiences.

Draminsky brought up the Chi Longevity Clinic at the Four Seasons as an example, where someone is there to help an individual outside of regular appointments.

The guest speakers were asked their opinions on how business travellers differ from wellness tourists.

Thomas raised the term flow-state, the heightened state of concentration that results in productivity.

She believes business travellers want an uninterrupted flow-state by sleeping better and eating the same food as the body wants consistency.

Another factor Thomas brought up between the two tourist kinds are their attitude to money, or rather whoever pays the bill.

Sands noted that programming can when in urban destinations, adding that business travellers want to optimize performance.

Draminsky ended by sharing that sleep, nutrition, and recovery is huge for both kinds of tourists, and the overlap almost makes it difficult to differentiate.

The TNT Tropang 5G returned to the win column after disconnecting the Converge FiberXers, 110-103, in their PBA Philippine Cup clash Saturday at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

TNT, which rose to 2-1, thus dealt Converge its first loss in two games. The Tropang 5G also bounced back from a 92-77 drubbing by Ginebra last Wednesday.

RR Pogoy spearheaded the winning team with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while Calvin Oftana had 18 markers, six boards and five dimes.

After trailing by as much as 14 points, 47-61, Converge was able to tie things up at 90-all after a layup by Justine Baltazar.

But a 4-pointer by Rey Nambatac, followed by a trey by Pogoy, gave TNT a 97-90 advantage with 4:38 left.

A layup by Justin Arana halted the run, but Nambatac’s 4-pointer and a triple by Kelly Williams, which sandwiched a deuce by Juan Gomez-de Liano, pushed the Tropang 5G ahead by double digits anew, 104-94.

Gomez-de Liano tried to tow the FiberXers back with a 4-point play, but timely shots by Nambatac and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser kept Converge at bay.

Ganuelas-Rosser and Williams had 14 points apiece for TNT, while Nambatac had 10, with all coming in the fourth quarter.

Arana and Alec Stockton dropped 19 points each for the FiberXers. Justine Baltazar and Schonny Winston chipped in 17 monthly apiece while Gomez-de Liano added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

The FiberXers will try to regain their winning touch as they take on the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

For their part, the Tropang 5G will return to action on Friday against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

On October 12, Philippine vessels conducting a humanitarian mission to assist fisherfolk near Pag-asa Island were subjected to ramming, dangerous maneuvers and water-cannon attacks by Chinese ships. Less than a month earlier, another Philippine vessel in Bajo de Masinloc faced the same aggressive tactics, leaving a Filipino crew member injured.

Prior to this, the State Council of China announced the establishment of a so-called ‘Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve’ in those waters. Recently, Chinese vessels reportedly began issuing radio warnings ordering Philippine boats to stay out of what they now call their ‘environmental reserve.’

Far from acts of conservation, these moves form part of Beijing’s continuing attempts to legitimize its baseless maritime claims and restrict Filipino access to traditional fishing grounds. They are part of a broader pattern of coercion designed to intimidate, disrupt livelihoods, and assert control over waters where the Philippines has sovereign rights.

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has warned earlier that such behavior has led to the reduction of local fish catch by restricting access to productive grounds. The damage goes beyond economics.

Research has shown that at least 21,000 acres of coral reefs have been destroyed in the West Philippine Sea, while cyanide and other illegal fishing methods continue to ravage Bajo de Masinloc’s fragile ecosystems.

This is the maritime reality of the Philippines today-a convergence of security, economic, and environmental pressures. In this context, it is no surprise that despite our vast waters and immense blue-economy potential, ocean-based industries contribute less than five percent to GDP, and fisherfolk remain among the poorest sectors in society.

Confronted by these interlinked challenges, what the Philippines needs is a framework that addresses all fronts simultaneously.

As Stratbase Institute President Prof. Dindo Manhit stressed in a recent forum co-organized with the Embassy of France in the Philippines, maritime governance must balance security, economic growth and environmental protection. It cannot be piecemeal or selective. It must be comprehensive, coordinated, and inclusive.

‘Maritime governance is not only about defending one’s territory,’ Prof. Manhit emphasized. ‘It is about ensuring that the seas remain a shared space of peace, prosperity, and sustainability.’

This balance-the maritime trilemma-is what will allow the Philippines to translate its maritime rights into real security and prosperity for its people. Achieving this vision, however, requires partners that share the same conviction and are willing to invest in comprehensive, long-term cooperation.

France has proven to be precisely such a partner. In her address, Ambassador Marie Fontanel stressed the different dimensions of the France-Philippines partnership-from environmental protection to the blue economy and maritime security-reflecting an ever-deepening relationship.

She highlighted how the Letter of Intent signed between the Ministers of Armed Forces in December 2023 has fostered closer defense collaboration, capacity-building and regular exchanges on strategic challenges, particularly in the maritime domain. She emphasized that cooperation extends beyond the intergovernmental level, encompassing research, civil society, and economic partnerships.

More crucially, she reiterated France’s unwavering commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the 2016 Arbitral Award-pillars not only of a rules-based international order but also of sustainable and responsible stewardship of the marine environment.

For Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea of the Philippine Coast Guard, this partnership is not new. French-Philippine maritime cooperation has evolved-from early focuses on safety and economic connectivity, to strengthening the law-enforcement capability of Coast Guard assets, and to today’s united front against illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive maneuvering in Philippine waters.

He recalled that France’s engagement dates back decades, from its development assistance for the country’s nautical highway to the delivery of the BRP Gabriela Silang, the world’s largest aluminum offshore patrol vessel. Today, this cooperation continues through France’s commitment to supply 40 new patrol boats valued at pound 400 million, with half to be built in the Philippines.

‘This is not merely capability,’ Tarriela said. ‘It is a beacon for our shipbuilding industry. a testament to France’s investment in our future-not just arming us, but building us.’ He noted that the project is also fostering technology transfer and advancing the Philippines’ self-reliant defense posture, ensuring that cooperation strengthens both capability and local industry.

Vice Admiral Alexander Lopez (Ret.), spokesperson of the National Maritime Council, underscored that ‘sustainable and inclusive maritime governance must be the foundation of both security and prosperity in our region.’ Governance, he said, is now ‘a matter of strategic necessity.’

‘There are several pathways where France and the Philippines can cooperate toward a sustainable and inclusive maritime governance,’ Lopez noted, citing joint maritime domain awareness, capacity-building for blue-economy governance, and education and training platforms where civil servants, coastguards, and local leaders are trained on sustainable maritime management, maritime law enforcement and crisis communication in contested waters.

He emphasized, however, that collective efforts for sustainable governance cannot be divorced from the region’s most pressing security challenge-the West Philippine Sea.

The West Philippine Sea, he said, is the ultimate test of governance and cooperation-a theater where law, legitimacy, and leadership converge. ‘What we build together today with like-minded nations like France,’ he noted, ‘will define the future of maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.’

Ultimately, this is what genuine maritime cooperation embodies-a partnership that integrates defense, economic progress, and sustainable development. The Philippines’ struggle is not only about preventing ramming incidents or countering illegal fishing. It is about transforming the governance of its waters from confrontation into cooperation and vulnerability into capability.

France and the Philippines show that this vision is possible. They have anchored policy in international law, aligned security with sustainability, and pursued development that creates both livelihoods and resilience. The challenge now is for the two countries to sustain this commitment-to ensure that their partnership continues to uphold freedom of navigation, global trade and the integrity of our shared maritime commons.

The province of Sultan Kudarat recently held three major coffee events, further establishing itself as a hub for the agri-industry and international collaboration.

In line with its global thrust, the province co-hosted the International Coffee Innovation Summit 2025, the Southeast Asia (SEA) Green Coffee Competition and the Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition. These events were held simultaneously from October 5 to 9 at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center in Tacurong City.

The gatherings brought together coffee farmers, processors and buyers from across Asia-including Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines-for a vibrant exchange of innovation, quality and coffee culture.

Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu said the events align with the province’s vision of being open not only to the country but also to the world. He expressed pride in hosting the International Coffee Innovation Summit, noting its potential to boost Sultan Kudarat’s coffee industry.

He also announced plans to introduce processing centers, warehouses and farm-to-market roads across all coffee-producing areas in the province, emphasizing that coffee will be a priority program.

Filipino Coffee Institute (FCI) President Ramon Jerry Cabalse described the summit as a celebration of passion, skill and innovation in the coffee industry.

‘This summit is not just an event. It’s a tribute to the journey of coffee and its pivotal role in the Philippine coffee sector,’ he said.

Cabalse also highlighted the SEA Green Coffee Competition, which showcased the finest Arabica, Robusta, Excelsa and Liberica coffees from ASEAN countries.

‘These varieties are now in the spotlight right here in the Philippines, in the heart of Philippine coffee-Sultan Kudarat,’ he added.

Sultan Kudarat once again proved its excellence in Robusta coffee, with Roan Basco from Senator Ninoy Aquino town clinching the Top 1 spot in the Robusta category. Joining him in the Top 12 were fellow Sultan Kudarat farmers Orlando Bayudan (Top 6), Rey John Basco (Top 9) and Denz Bert Deramos (Top 12), underscoring the province’s growing reputation in the international coffee scene.

The competition also celebrated excellence in other coffee varieties across Southeast Asia. Vietnam emerged as the Liberica champion, while Thailand took top honors in the Arabica category.

The 2025 Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition brought together the country’s finest roasters to showcase innovation and excellence in Philippine coffee. Bruce Bryan Rubio from Bukidnon was named champion.

These events served as a prelude to the highly anticipated Kalimudan Festival 2025, scheduled for November 19 to 22. With the theme ‘The World Meets Sultan Kudarat,’ the festival aims to showcase local talent, artistry, and products on the global stage through world-class festivities.

The Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat partnered with FCI, Specialty Coffee Depot, Sultan Kudarat State University, the Department of Agriculture Region 12 and the Department of Trade and Industry Region 12 to bring these events to life.

The Adamson Soaring Falcons finished off the first round of the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament with two straight wins after swooping down on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, 69-59, Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Adamson showcased a defensive masterclass to force UST to score their season-low in points in a game.

AJ Fransman provided the spark off the bench with 18 points, two rebounds and an assist, while Ced Manzano had 12 markers and eight boards.

The Falcons broke the game open in the second quarter, as they unleashed a 22-9 frame to grab a 38-25 advantage at the half.

This put the dangerous Tigers on comeback mode the entire game, but they could not claw out of the hole against the gritty Adamson squad.

UST was able to slice the deficit to five, 50-55, with 7:55 remaining, but the Falcons’ stellar defense and rebounding kept their foes at bay.

After a pair of free throws by Manzano pushed them to a 67-59 lead, huge misses by Nic Cabanero and Forthsky Padrigao could not pull the Tigers nearer as Austin Ronzone connected on the layup with time winding down to set the final score.

Ray Allen Torres chipped in 10 points for the Falcons, who hauled down a whopping 21 offensive rebounds and a total of 50 boards.

Cabanero paced UST with 23 points to go with five rebounds and two steals on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting. Collins Akowe backstopped with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

Adamson thus finished off the first round with a 3-4 win-loss record, while UST’s three-game win streak was snapped as the the Tigers dropped to 5-2, good for solo second.

Marginalized families in Barangay Rosary Heights 13 in this city benefited from another rice distribution activity last Thursday, October 16, organized by the office of a member of the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament.

Radio reports on Saturday morning, October 18, stated that the beneficiaries of the latest public service activity from the office of lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, a member of the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament, come from the Muslim, Christian, and indigenous Teduray communities in Barangay Rosary Heights 13.

Barangay Rosary Heights 13 is located southwest of Cotabato City, the capital of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which also covers the provinces of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, as well as the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

The humanitarian action team from Sinarimbo’s office distributed 583 bags of rice to poor families during their latest community engagement in 12 barangays in Cotabato City.

Since Sinarimbo was appointed member of the BARMM parliament by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March 2025, his team has provided rice and other food supplies to more than 5,000 villagers in the 12 barangays in Cotabato City and in BARMM’s Special Geographic Area in Cotabato province.

Sinarimbo previously served as BARMM’s local government minister before his appointment to the parliament by President Marcos Jr.

The UAAP has suspended University of the East head coach Chris Gavina for four games following his post-game rant after the Red Warriors’ loss against the La Salle Green Archers earlier this week.

Gavina had a profanity-laced rant after UE’s 111-110 defeat against La Salle on October 15.

In the game, Red Warrior Wello Lingolingo was called for an unsportsmanlike foul after a scramble play, which left La Salle guard Kean Baclaan injured with a torn MCL.

Gavina slammed the officiating, as he voiced displeasure on the call.

In a statement on Saturday, the UAAP said Gavina will serve his suspension starting Sunday at against Far Eastern University.

‘During a post-game interview, Coach Gavina directed profanity-laced remarks and displayed unprofessional conduct toward the game officials,’ the UAAP said.

‘As a collegial body representing eight universities, the UAAP upholds the values of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and respect. Coach Gavina’s actions were contrary to these principles,’ he added.

‘As a teacher and leader, a coach sets a high standard for the student-athletes and the university community.’

UE is currently winless through six games.

Lingolingo, who is averaging 14.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game thus far, was also slapped with a three-game suspension following his foul.

‘The UAAP reiterates its commitment to fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and sportsmanship across all participating universities.’

Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) made landfall over the coastal waters of Gubat, Sorsogon on Saturday afternoon, October 18, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that Ramil was spotted over the coastal waters of Gubat, Sorsogon, with peak winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 90 kph and a central pressure of 998 hPa.

It was moving slowly westward, with strong to gale-force winds extending outward up to 400 kilometers from the storm’s center.

Wind signals

PAGASA said the following areas are under tropical cyclone wind signals:

Signal No. 2

Luzon

southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)

southern portion of Quirino (Nagtipunan, Maddela)

southern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda)

northern and central portions of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan, Baler, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

northern and eastern portions of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Sagñay, Tigaon)

eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Santo Domingo, Manito, Tiwi, Malinao)

northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)

Visayas

northern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Rosario, Lavezares, San Jose, Catarman, Bobon, Palapag)

Signal No. 1

Luzon

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

rest of Isabela

rest of Quirino

rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao, Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

rest of Aurora,

Nueva Ecija

eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat)

eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona)

eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)

northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc)

rest of Camarines Sur

rest of Albay

rest of Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Visayas

rest of Northern Samar

northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid)

northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong)

Storm surge, severe winds

PAGASA warned of possible storm surges of 1.0 to 2.0 meters along low-lying coastal areas in Isabela, Ilocos Norte and Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Samar within 36 hours.

The storm’s outer rainbands and prevailing easterlies may bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas:

Saturday, October 18: Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte and Sur, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Masbate, Caluya Islands, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran

Sunday, October 19: Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes

Sea conditions

Gale warnings are in effect over the eastern seaboards of Southern Luzon.

Up to 5.0 meters: seaboard of Isabela

Up to 4.5 meters: seaboard of Camarines Norte; northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes

Up to 4.0 meters: eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan; northern portion of Aurora

Up to 3.5 meters: seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Sur; eastern seaboards of Babuyan Islands, northern Quezon, Albay, Sorsogon; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands, Northern Samar

Up to 3.0 meters: seaboards of Batanes; remaining coasts of mainland Cagayan and Babuyan Islands

Up to 2.5 meters: La Union; western Pangasinan; eastern Eastern Samar; rest of Quezon

Up to 2.0 meters: Marinduque; eastern Dinagat Islands; western Northern Samar; remaining Bicol and Quezon coasts

Mariners are strongly advised against sea travel. PAGASA also warned that small vessels, motorbancas and ill-equipped boats should avoid venturing out.

Track and intensity

Ramil is expected to continue moving west-northwestward toward Central and Southern Luzon. On its track, it may make landfall or pass close to Catanduanes Saturday afternoon or evening, move near Vinzons, Camarines Norte, and Polillo Islands by Sunday morning, and could make another landfall over Aurora or Isabela Sunday afternoon.

After crossing Luzon’s mountainous terrain, Ramil is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea Sunday evening and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday morning, October 20. It may intensify into a severe tropical storm before landfall, weaken slightly over land, and re-intensify once over open waters.

PAGASA said that heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surges may still be felt outside the storm’s direct path, and any shift in Ramil’s track could change its landfall location.

Sean Ramos kept his foot on the gas with a second consecutive five-under 65, surging into a share of eighth place at the $1-million Macao Open Saturday and setting himself up for a potential career-best finish on the Asian Tour.

Displaying nerves of steel and a refined touch on the greens, the 24-year-old Ramos turned in a superb 33-32 round at the par-70 Macau Golf and Country Club, birdieing four of his final seven holes to bring his three-day total to 10-under 200.

After an inconsistent start to the tournament, Ramos shifted into high gear midway through the second round and hasn’t looked back. His back-to-back 65s – both among the lowest scores in the field – not only highlighted his shot-making maturity but also reinforced his readiness to compete at the highest level of regional golf.

He now finds himself tied at eighth with five others, including fellow Korean-American Micah Shin, who also fired a 66.

While Ramos remains six shots off the lead held by Thai frontrunner Sarit Suwannarut at 16-under 194, his surge up the leaderboard puts him in prime position for his first Top 10 finish – and possibly more – in his rookie season on the Tour.

Ramos’ previous best finish came just last week with a 19th place showing in Indonesia, but his performance here in Macao points to a player fast finding his footing among Asia’s elite. His composed finish on Saturday, especially amid a leaderboard peppered with seasoned pros and rising stars, is a testament to both his growing confidence and ability to execute under pressure.

At the top, Suwannarut kept his grip on the lead with a clinical 66, birdieing three of his first nine holes and bouncing back from a three-putt bogey on No. 10 with clutch birdies on 16 and 18. He heads into Sunday’s final round at 16-under 194, two shots clear of hard-charging Australian Brett Rankin, who fired a sizzling 64 for solo second at 196.

China’s Wenyi Ding, still in the mix after a solid 65, sits alone in third at 197.

Meanwhile, another Filipino campaigner, Justin Quiban, cooled off with an even-par 70, dropping him to a tie for 39th at 206. He’ll be looking to bounce back in Sunday’s final round of the $1 million championship.

Over in Tarlac, Angelo Que and Carl Corpus sustained their hot streaks with another pair of gutsy performances in the third round of the ADT Players Championship at Luisita Golf and Country Club on Saturday, bolstering their respective bids for a coveted Top 2 finish.

Que, a three-time Asian Tour winner, continued to flash vintage form, firing a second consecutive bogey-free 67 to jump into solo third at 206, just one shot behind Thailand’s Waris Manthorn (69) in second at 205.

The veteran Filipino remained six strokes off leader Sam Broadhurst of England, but is firmly in contention for the runner-up spot in the tournament, which offers a berth in the first-ever International Series leg to be held in the Philippines, at Sta. Elena next week.

Broadhurst widened his lead with a flawless eight-under 64, highlighted by three sets of back-to-back birdies on the front nine, followed by two more on the inward stretch. He compiled nines of 30-34 for a 16-under 200 total, taking a commanding five-shot lead over Manthorn.

Corpus, meanwhile, mounted a remarkable comeback after a shaky start, rallying with a fiery 68 to join a crowded group tied for fourth at 207. The rookie campaigner looked out of sorts early, stumbling with a double bogey-bogey-double bogey stretch.

But showing grit and composure beyond his years, the Filipino ace ignited a scoring spree with back-to-back birdies from No. 4, then racked up seven more over a 12-hole stretch starting from the seventh.

Corpus is seeking to follow up on his breakthrough ADT victory in Morocco last June and has positioned himself well for a strong Sunday finish.

For his part, amateur Shinichi Suzuki carded an even-par 72 to slip to joint 33rd at 213. Fellow amateur Perry Bucay and Enrico Gallardo also matched par 72s to remain tied at 42nd with 216s.