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Face-to-face classes in public schools in Metro Manila are suspended from October 13 to 14 due to the increase in influenza-like illnesses among students and school staff, the Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd NCR) announced on Sunday.

According to DepEd, schools shall implement Alternative Delivery Modalities to ‘avoid disruption of learning’ during this period.

DepEd also cited the series of earthquakes that have occurred all over the country as a reason behind the class suspensions.

In those two days, public schools were ordered to disinfect, sanitize, and inspect their buildings and facilities.

DepEd also ordered the schools to prepare for earthquake drills, and other emergency protocols, and implement health and safety practices.

‘Private schools are also highly encouraged to observe and conduct these measures,’ DepEd advised.

Earlier, Marikina suspended classes on the same dates in all levels for both private and public schools due to the spike in flu and flu-like illnesses.

National University Fairview also implemented preventative health protocols, such as mandatory wearing of face masks.

The story is told about a group of wives who were instructed during a recollection to send a message of gratitude to their respective husbands. These are some of the responses that the women received: ‘Are you sick?’ ‘Do you need anything?’ ‘Can you repeat your message, please?’ The best one was: ‘Who you?’

In today’s Gospel (Lk. 17,11-19), Jesus teaches us the value of gratitude and how often we forget or take it for granted in our lives. ‘Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?’ All too often we focus on the gift and forget to thank the giver of the gift!

There are a lot of things we cannot understand or explain in our lives. There are a lot beyond our control, too, so if you are a ‘control freak,’ sooner or later you may become stressed or discouraged and may end up distressed. The sooner we let go of the game called control, the better. May we be given the gift to see life as a gift, a mission, and a lifetime full of gratitude and appreciation. Remember, we have received more, compared to what we have achieved in life.

Worse than physical leprosy is the political leprosy that has been caught by our political system and government. It all starts with greed, and greed is caused by lack of values and faith. In the time of Jesus, lepers were outcasts of society. Nowadays, our political lepers are well-entrenched in the very halls of the administrative, judicial, and legislative branches of our government.

If you have experienced healing, forgiveness, deliverance, or prosperity do not forget to look up with gratitude to God and look around you to help others in any way you can. Remember, those who have been given surprises and second chances must generously and gratefully share their blessings.

Thought for the journey: ‘The finest hour in our life is when we have done good things to nameless people without expecting them to remember our acts of love and kindness. The mathematics of life is not the multiplication of wealth, but the division of tasks, subtraction of greed, and addition of humility.’

We all are indebted to God. May we not forget that all we are, all we have is from Him, and all we do are made possible by Him. But, all too often, we are not only forgetful but also ungrateful people. ‘Is this how you repay the Lord, O foolish and senseless people? Is He not your Father and Creator? Has He not made you and established you?’ (Deut. 32, 6)

To return to God does not only mean coming back to the right way, but also giving back to God what is due Him. Go back to God’s heart. Conversion time! ‘. Come back to me with all your hearts, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ (Joel 2: 12) It also means to give back to God what is due Him. Payback time! ‘How can I repay the Lord for His goodness to me?’ (Psalm 116:12)

May we not forget to return to God, and keep on returning to Him as we journey on. Let us not stay too far and too long away from Him. May the lures and pleasures of this world not make us forget who we are, what our purpose in life is, and our final destination, heaven.

‘Till I find to my wonder, every path leads to thee . All that I can say is please, stay with me, stay with me.’ I borrow this last line from the theme song of the movie ‘The Cardinal’ to remind us that God accompanies us in our journey, and that all roads, no matter how narrow and winding, ultimately lead to Him.

‘Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.’ (St. Teresa of Avila, October 15)

A moment with the Lord:

Lord, help us to return and keep going back to You, and to return and keep giving back what is due unto You. Amen.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Sunday warned of possible steam-driven or phreatic eruptions due to an increase in seismic activity in the Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon.

In an advisory, the Phivolcs said that a total of 72 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded over the volcano since Saturday. The volcanic earthquakes ‘are associated with rock fracturing and are occurring at depths less than 10 kilometers beneath the northern sector of the volcano.’

The Phivolcs also observed ‘shallow hydrothermal activity’ beneath the volcano such as very weak to weak range of degassing activity from active vents when the volcano was visible, and measurement of average emission of sulfur dioxide of 34 tons per day.

‘Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest) is maintained over Bulusan Volcano, but presently there are increased chances of steam-driven or phreatic eruptions occurring from the crater and/or its active vents on the summit that could occur suddenly and without warning,’ the Phivolcs said.

With this, Phivolcs reminded that entry into the four-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone must be prohibited and that flying of aircraft close to the volcano’s summit is not advised.

The agency also recommended vigilance in the two-kilometer Extended Danger Zone on the southeast portion due to possible hazards such as pyroclastic density currents, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches, and ashfall.

It also said that people living within valleys or along rivers or streams, especially on the western part of the volcano’s edifice, must be vigilant of sediment-laden stream flows and lahars.

‘Communities that experience ashfall must take all necessary precautions and use protective masks or wet cloth to prevent ash inhalation, with special attention given to vulnerable persons including elderly, persons with respiratory or cardio-vascular diseases, expecting mothers and infants,’ Phivolcs added.

Lea Salonga was confirmed to join the Board of Trustees of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for AIDS-related causes.

This was announced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on its Facebook page on Friday, Oct. 10, where Salonga will be joined by Sara Bareilles, Jeff T. Daniel, Andrew Flatt, J. Harrison Ghee, Joshua Henry, John Johnson, and Greg Nobile.

According to the organization’s executives, the new members of the board of trustees have long uplifted the community ‘through their passion and dedication.’

‘Their talent and diverse perspectives will be invaluable as we continue to grow Broadway Cares’ fundraising and grantmaking efforts,’ said board of trustees president and The Shubert Organization chairman and CEO Robert E. Wankel.

Salonga said on Facebook being part of the organization’s Board of Trustees is ‘an honor’.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS brings together members of the American theater community to raise funds for essential services for people living with AIDS. It initially started as two separate organizations, Equity Fights AIDS and Broadway Cares, before merging in May 1992.

Salonga, who’s currently in the US for her ‘Stage, Screen, and Everything in Between’ shows, was one of the leads in the Philippine staging of ‘Into the Woods’ last August.

Courtney Schwan had mixed emotions in her PVL debut after drawing overwhelming support from the fans in Creamline’s loss to Akari in their Reinforced Conference opener.

Schwan debuted in style with 26 points, 15 digs, and nine excellent receptions, but only for the Cool Smashers’ nine-game winning streak against Akari to be snapped with a 23-25, 25-23, 30-28, 23-25, 15-12 result ‘I was overwhelmed in the beginning. The Creamline fans are amazing and I did not expect to be welcomed so nicely. A little bummed about the result, obviously, because I’m a wimp, but I’m happy we lost early so that we can learn from our mistakes and move on,’ said Schwan.

The American hitter cut the deficit down to one in the fifth set, 12-11, but two crucial errors from her team sent Akari to match point before Annie Mitchem scored her 33rd point through the block.

‘I think we had a couple of errors in key moments of the match. They played very well, but I also think that we, in the end, made the mistakes and we lost it to ourselves,’ said Schwan.

Schwan and the Cool Smashers will be working out on their late-game lapses after starting their title defense with a tough defeat.

‘We have to take care of the small things, free routes, key moments, we have to [avoid] errors, we have to serve it in, those types of things,’ she said.

Creamline gets another acid test on Tuesday facing Petro Gazz and its duo of Brooke Van Sickle and Lindsey Vander Weide at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

‘The mindset is to get better at the things that we can as fast as possible,’ said Schwan. ‘We’re working hard to get better because this is a short conference, so we’re going to take as much time as we can to get better.’

Four persons have been confirmed death died while seven others are injured after a truck rammed 11 vehicles and three residential houses along the Maharlika Highway in this capital city of Quezon province on Saturday night, police said.

The number of fatalities in the road mishap went up midday on Sunday in an updated report by the Quezon police.

The fatalities were identified as truck driver, identified only as ‘William,’ 34, of Daraga, Albay; a ‘Mark Oliver,’ a resident of one of the houses hit by the truck; a certain ‘Sherwin,’ 41, the tricycle driver; and, his passenger, ‘Roldan,’ 37, both residents of this city. ‘Sherwin’ and ‘Roldan’ died on the spot. The police report stated that a ten-wheeler being driven by ‘William’ was traveling at top speed when he lost control of his vehicle as he was crossing the Lucena Welcome Circle in Barangay Isabang at around 11:20 p.m. Saturday. October 11.

The wayward truck consequently rammed 11 vehicles – 10 of them cars and sport utility vehicles parked outside roadside establishments and in garages in their houses, and a tricycle.

Three of the vehicles caught fire after the collision.

The truck also subsequently crashed into three residential houses.

All the victims brought by rescuers to a nearby hospital, but four of them were pronounced dead. The fourth fatality was initially found under the rubble of his house that was destroyed by the charging truck. /INQ

The Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy Act (CREATE MORE Act or Republic Act No. 12066) is more than a tax reform measure. It positions the Philippines as a competitive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), digital innovation and talent decentralization.

For global leaders, it aligns policy with business incentives: lower corporate taxes, workforce flexibility and reduced operational friction.

When the CREATE MORE Act was signed into law in 2024, I didn’t wait for analysis. I asked my CFO for revised tax forecasts. After 15 years running Unity Communications across three continents, I’ve learned that timely policy shifts demand executive attention-not later, but now.

Unlike incremental tweaks, the law recalibrates incentives. It places the Philippines in direct competition with Vietnam and Malaysia by offering a predictable, globally competitive tax incentive framework.

I began with one employee. Today, we serve clients globally. Any policy that cuts friction and accelerates growth deserves executive attention.

Key provisions driving strategic advantage

While the law is rooted in fiscal reform, its implications extend further. It delivers five critical benefits for finance leaders:

Corporate tax reduction to 20 percent for qualified export-oriented firms

2-percent cap on local government taxes, improving location flexibility

Value-added tax (VAT) zero rating, enhancing liquidity and export competitiveness

Full electricity cost deductibility, significant for tech and business process outsourcing operations managing high energy costs

Remote work legitimacy for up to 50 percent of the registered staff, recognizing remote work and hybrid arrangements as a recognition of global work realities

The corporate income tax cut from 25 percent to 20 percent could fund real initiatives, including regional expansion, fiber infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) training on a larger scale.

Critically, the law reflects today’s workforce realities. With 55 percent of workers in hybrid setups and 26 percent working entirely remotely, the law ensures that incentives extend to distributed hiring. Remote employees can thrive in their hometowns, making talent decentralization a national strategy rather than a work-around.

Closing the FDI gap

The Philippines recorded $9.2 billion in foreign direct investment inflows in 2022, down 23 percent from $12 billion in 2021.

Meanwhile, Indonesia attracted $22 billion (up 4 percent), Vietnam captured $18 billion (up 14 percent) and Malaysia posted $17 billion (up 39 percent).

These disparities highlight the Philippines’ underperformance and CREATE MORE’s potential for policy-driven catch-up.

The IT-business process management (BPM) sector generates nearly $40 billion in revenue, employs 2 million people and contributes about 8 percent of gross domestic product, demonstrating the country’s capacity for knowledge-based growth.

CREATE MORE provides the clarity and coverage needed to narrow this investment gap, making the Philippines a strong Southeast Asian contender for foreign investment and multinational operations.

Strategic reinvestments

Tax incentives matter only if organizations use them strategically. Since CREATE MORE took effect, Unity Communications has directed savings toward:

Upskilling through an internal training academy focused on AI, cybersecurity and data analytics. The law doesn’t subsidize training directly, but it creates financial flexibility. Fewer tax burdens mean more resources for development.

Enhanced employee benefits, including extended health coverage, mentorship programs and wellness allowances. We expanded our family-centric structure that reinforces belonging and growth.

Rural digital infrastructure for seamless remote collaboration. Our service rep, Janelle, based in La Union, no longer chooses between her job and her hometown.

Regional expansion, including a new hub in Davao. Incentives supporting hybrid work and provincial hiring mean we source talent nationally without logistical trade-offs.

By supporting operations outside the capital, CREATE MORE addresses risk and opportunity. The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines projects that over half of future industry growth will happen in the regions, driven by improved connectivity and policy support.

Automation with a human touch

We’ve embedded AI in ticket triage, knowledge management and analytics. We don’t pursue automation for its own sake. We’ve learned that AI alone doesn’t deliver service excellence. People do.

At Unity Communications, agents are trained not only in tools but also in judgment-in when to trust AI and when to lead with empathy.

Our clients notice the difference. Research indicates that nearly half of consumers prefer AI-assisted human interactions. Full automation satisfies only a fraction, so we train for both. Our team learns new tools and adapts to rapid system changes.

We prioritize thoughtful integration over volume deployment.

Strategic agility in policy transitions

Founder-led companies move fast when laws, such as CREATE MORE emerge.

We have restructured tax reporting, updated incentive applications and opened new hiring corridors. Speed becomes a competitive advantage during policy transitions.

This responsiveness proved crucial during remote work transitions and AI pilot programs. We don’t overpromise. If a client request falls outside our core capabilities, we will say so. That clarity builds trust.

This discipline is strategic. It keeps us aligned and responsive, especially in a competitive outsourcing market where reputation and agility determine client retention.

Key takeaways for global leaders

CREATE MORE represents a modern fiscal strategy recognizing hybrid work realities, decentralization and export-centric growth.

For CFOs, investors and strategy officers managing cost structures across Asia, the Philippines now offers:

Competitive tax rates over a 10-year horizon with incentives locked until 2034

National framework for remote and regional hiring without regulatory friction

Lower barriers for digital and service exports through VAT zero rating

Clearer compliance through the Fiscal Incentives Review Board oversight

Success depends on regulatory implementation. CREATE MORE is not a silver bullet. Execution matters. Bureaucratic inefficiencies remain.

But the signal is clear: the Philippines is serious about attracting investment, distributing opportunity and anchoring growth in innovation and inclusion.

The bottom line

CREATE MORE illustrates how effective tax legislation, aligned with business incentives, fosters strategic reinvestment and regional competitiveness.

We view this as part of a larger policy, investment and skills alignment that drives sustainable growth.

At Unity Communications, we’re committed to building within that framework. We believe the future belongs to companies that scale responsibly, intentionally develop talent and integrate technology wisely.

For global leaders, the lesson is direct. Tax codes are not compliance issues; they are strategy levers. In the right environments, they unlock value across people, infrastructure and long-term competitiveness. -Contributed

Since ‘Hating Kapatid’ marks the first time the Legaspi family will be working together in a teleserye, Mavy Legaspi said he believes that he, his twin sister Cassy, and his parents can pull it off well.

The afternoon drama tells the story of Roselle (Carmina), who has long harbored feelings for her friend Cris (Zoren), although the latter eventually ended up marrying another woman. However, a passionate night led to Roselle getting impregnated by Cris.

Cris ends up taking Roselle’s daughter – hinting at a switch with another baby – but a twist of fate shows Roselle having a rare condition of giving birth to her daughter’s twin brother a month later.

While Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi had already established themselves as actors, Mavy said he doesn’t feel as pressured to live up to their legacies since he and Cassy were given the ‘freedom’ to be professional.

‘Wala naman akong negative thoughts of pressure, because coming into this show, alam ko na may freedom kami ni Cassy to act, and to be professionals. I believe in the capabilities of Team Legaspi na we’re very professional, so d’un ako grateful,’ he said during the drama’s media con. ‘We respect each other’s boundaries, and we treat each other as co-actors. But hindi nawawala ‘yung we treat each other as family also.’

(I don’t have any negative thoughts of pressure because coming into this show, Cassy and I were given the freedom to act and to be professionals. I believe in the capabilities of Team Legaspi that we’re very professional, so I’m grateful for that. We respect each other’s boundaries, and we treat each other as co-actors. But of course, we never forget to treat each other like family.)

Agreeing with her twin brother, Cassy said Carmina and Zoren are the type of parents who ‘let them fly.’

‘I’m very, very grateful that our parents give us the space to act as professionals. They let us be and let us fly. I try to put at the back of my mind na artista kami and we’re all in a professional setting,’ she said. ‘May pressure and kinakabahan ako, but I try to remain calm and professional. At the end of the day, I’m thankful that they let us grow as artists.’

(I’m very, very grateful that our parents give us the space to act as professionals. They let us be and let us fly. I try to put it at the back of my mind that we’re actors and we’re all in a professional setting. There is pressure, and I am nervous. But I try to remain calm and professional. At the end of the day, I’m thankful that they let us grow as artists.)

Set arrangement

To shift her focus to taking on the afternoon drama as an actress instead of a mom, Carmina said Zoren would always remind her that she is on the set for work.

‘Nagkaroon kami ng usapan that we’ll treat each other as co-actors. Pagdating sa set, alam kasi ni Zoren na maalalahanin ako, parang typical Mommy. Kaya sabi niya sa set, ‘Hon, please, hindi mo ko asawa.’ Hindi siya in a bad way kasi lagi ko silang iniisip, so kinondisyon ko na sarili ko sa set na ako si Carmina bilang artista, hindi bilang nanay or asawa,’ she said.

(We had a discussion to treat each other as co-actors. When we arrive on set, Zoren knows that I am often worried about them, like a typical mom. So this is why he would tell me on set, ‘Hon, please, I’m not your husband this time.’ He didn’t say this in a bad way, but I would always think of them. This is why I condition myself as Carmina the actress, and not as a mom or wife.)

Proud mama

Despite adapting a more ‘actress-focused’ mindset, the former child star said seeing her children exhibit professionalism on set at a young age reminded her that she did something right.

‘Alam mo ‘yung naiiyak ako na may goosebumps. I am such a proud mama kasi nakikita ko ang hard work nila. Sa bahay, binabasa nila ang script nila, alam na nila ang storya. They’re very hands-on, hardworking, and professional,’ she said.

‘They don’t take advantage of the privilege [of being with the coaches and director]. They came prepared, and I am so proud of that. Siyempre, bilang isang magulang and isang artista, I did something right,’ she continued.

(You know the feeling of goosebumps, almost to the point of wanting to cry? I am such a proud mama because I saw the fruits of their hard work. They would read their script at home, so they come on set knowing the story. They’re very hands-on, hardworking, and professional. They don’t take advantage of the privilege [of being with the coaches and director]. They came prepared, and I am so proud of that. As a mom and as an actress, I did something right.) For his part, Zoren admitted that he was initially worried about Cassy and Mavy keeping up with the intense schedule of doing an afternoon drama. But seeing his twins take every filming day seriously made him relieved.

‘I just trust them – with prayers na kasama – kasi iba ang afternoon drama. Iba ‘yung atake, iba ‘yung mga salita, wording, and isa ‘yun sa mga fears ko na hindi sila maka-cope up, and thankfully, they did it. They did a good job,’ he said.

(I just trust them – with prayers along the way – because doing an afternoon drama has a different kind of pressure. Things are done differently. The lines and wording are different. One of the fears I had was that they might be unable to keep up. But thankfully, they did. They did a good job.) Joining the Legaspis in ‘Hating Kapatid’ are Valerie Concepcion, Bobby Andrews, Leandro Baldemor, Mercedes Cabral, Vince Maristela, Cheska Fausto, and Haley Dizon. The afternoon drama will premiere on October 13.

The first win didn’t count. The debut didn’t happen. Anna DeBeer warmed up, ready to stamp her passport into the PVL. Then the league drew a hard line: no international transfer certificates, no imports. ZUS’ victory was wiped clean, and the opening two games were sent into replay.

‘I think it just makes the anticipation higher and the excitement more exciting,’ DeBeer said. ‘It’s really out of our control, so I really wasn’t stressing and worrying too much and just really working hard this week to be ready for today.’

Saturday became the proper beginning. The University of Louisville product turned that pent-up anticipation into a scoring exhibition: 37 points-35 kills, a block and an ace-plus 14 excellent receptions, as ZUS Coffee outlasted Chery Tiggo, 25-15, 19-25, 25-20, 25-23, at Dasmariñas Arena here.

‘We were just focusing on the positives,’ ZUS coach Jerry Yee said. ‘Like today, it probably helped that this wasn’t our first game anymore and we already played in Montalban. That kind of experience helped us in this match.’

The Thunderbelles played like a group that no longer had newcomer written all over it. AC Miner chipped in 13 points with three blocks; Clo Mondoñedo stitched the attack with 22 excellent sets; libero Alyssa Eroa steadied the floor with 12 receptions and 11 digs.

Mylene Paat, finally back after more than a year out due to an undisclosed injury, punched in six off the bench and strung together clutch swings to knot the match after two.

Chery Tiggo delivered its own punch, led by Yunieska Batista’s 22 and Ara Galang’s 15. But with DeBeer in full stride, the Thunderbelles refused to be denied.

‘Obviously, as a team, we want to win this thing. And we’re going to try our best to get there,’ DeBeer said. ‘I think that’s why it’s super exciting to be in an environment with such a great team, with great staff, and be around good people where it’s fun to work hard every single day. So I’m really just excited about getting better and seeing how far we can go.’

At six feet, DeBeer knows she won’t always tower over defensive walls.

‘I think in the US, we’ve kind of brought it out like height doesn’t matter, so I really don’t think about-I didn’t even know I was one of the shorter ones,’ she said.

Perpetual Help continued its surprise run in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, improving to an unblemished 4-0 (win-loss) start in Group A after defeating Arellano, 72-67, at Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

While that win may say something on paper, coach Olsen Racela is choosing not to look at it any more than part of the team’s objective of making things less challenging in the latter stages of the tournament.

‘This isn’t really a statement, but we’re trying to get as many wins as possible to get in a better position in the next round,’ he said.

‘Yes, having four wins is a big thing, but we can’t rely on that. We still have nine games. There’s a long way to go. We can’t relax and we’ll keep going.’

The Altas showed they have the firepower to go toe-to-toe with the Group A teams, with wins over San Sebastian, Lyceum and, more importantly, defending champion Mapua.

But beating those three squads-all by double figures-had little to do with their offense as it did with their elite league-leading defense. Perpetual is surrendering the fewest points per season at 61.8 points per game, about six points better than the next-best defensive squads. And they’re doing it with consistent defensive rating game-by-game splits of 79.9, 82.9, 85.5 and 85.5 for a league-best 83.5.

Patrick Sleat exemplified this focus on defense, mixing three blocks and a steal to his team-best 12 points against the Chiefs.

And their offense is backing that defense well.

‘Coach wants us to create for one another. Because that’s what the coach wants, that’s what we do inside the court,’ he said.

‘You can even see it outside the court because our bond grows stronger every time,’ he added.

Helping Sleat overcome the Chiefs were Mark Gojo Cruz and Josiah Alcantara, who finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

‘We had to play possession by possession,’ said Gojo Cruz, who finished the team captain. ‘We didn’t need to run with them in transition. We just reminded each other to stay focused and take the best shot.’

Arellano dropped to a 1-2 record. The Chiefs are the only team that Perpetual didn’t beat by double figures so far.

Perpetual will face a stern test this Wednesday with a showdown against a Letran squad that has finally found its form.

Deo Cuajao paced the Knights for its first win of the tournament with an 84-80 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.

‘Earlier, when I saw one of my shots go in, I knew it was going to keep going,’ he said after scoring 23 points with six buckets from the three-point area.

Cuajao’s shooting from beyond the arc braced Letran’s vast improvement there. The Knights made 35.7 percent of their shots against the Generals after making just 21.7 percent in their first three losses.

Jonathan Manalili and Aaron Buensalida both tallied double-doubles in the victory to help Cuajao. Manalili registered 12 points and 13 assists while Buensalida turned in 12 points and 11 rebounds. ‘Of course, cohesiveness and chemistry take time,’ said Letran coach Allen Ricardo. ‘I’m hoping little by little, we can start peaking as a team.’