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About 37 percent of Maya Black credit cardholders now come from Maya Black Express, the deposit-backed credit card of Maya Bank, marking a significant shift in how Filipinos are gaining access to formal credit.

Maya, in a statement, said the trend highlights how new, inclusive financial products are helping first-time borrowers enter the credit market in a country where credit card ownership remains limited.

Credit card penetration in the Philippines stands at only around 15 percent of the adult population. Maya said its deposit-backed product provides an alternative path for underserved customers who have no existing credit history.

‘When given the right entry point, Filipinos are ready to engage with credit on their own terms,’ said Shailesh Baidwan, president of Maya Group and co-founder of Maya Bank. ‘Maya Black Express provides both dignity and discipline – perks from day one, and a clear path to grow responsibly.’

Maya Black Express aims to fill a long-standing structural gap in the local credit market, where consumers are often unable to access credit precisely because they lack credit history.

The card requires users to make an express deposit, which serves as both collateral and an interest-earning account with an annual interest rate of 3.5 percent.

In return, customers receive a credit card with a dynamic CVV, a lifetime waiver of annual fees, and access to airport lounges and select Maya Preferred merchants for rewards boosters.

Unlike traditional entry-level cards that offer limited benefits, Maya said Black Express gives users a ‘fully loaded’ experience from the start. The minimum deposit starts at P12,500, 80 percent of which determines the user’s credit limit.

Consistent payments allow customers to upgrade to a standard unsecured credit line, with their initial deposit fully refunded.

Maya said this model promotes responsible credit growth while maintaining risk discipline, a key challenge for banks in emerging markets.

Several areas remain under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Ramil continues westward, according to state meteorologists on Friday, October 17.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that Ramil has maintained its strength, with the eye of the cyclone last recorded 640 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon.

Ramil is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA has raised Signal No. 1 (winds of up to 61 kph in the next 36 hours) warning over the following areas:

Luzon

Southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)

Eastern and southern portions of Quirino (Maddela, Nagtipunan)

Southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda)

Aurora

Eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Pantabangan, Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, San Jose City, Llanera, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, Peñaranda, City of Gapan)

Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)

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) including Pollilo Islands

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Albay

Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Visayas

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)

Strong waves as high as 4 meters are also anticipated in the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, as well as the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur.

The rest Catanduanes’ seaboards and the northern seaboard of Northern Samar may expect waves as high as 3.5 meters.

Lastly, the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, and Camarines Norte, the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon, the rest of the seaboards of Camarines Sur; the northwestern seaboard of Ilocos Norte; the northeastern seaboard of Eastern Samar, and the eastern seaboard of Northern Samar may expect rough waves as high as 2 meters.

Projected landfall

PAGASA said that Ramis is expected to move westward for the next 24 hours before turning westward towards Central and Southern Luzon. The cyclone is forecast to make landfall in Catanduanes in the afternoon of October 18 before passing through the Bicol Region.

Ramil is expected to make another landfall in Aurora or Quezon by Sunday.

After landfall, Ramis is expected to traverse Northern or Central Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Monday morning.

State meteorologists said that Rami; may further intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours.

Last Wednesday was a disastrous day for dogs.

In Cebu City, three dogs died in two separate fires. Rushie and Thunder, both owned by Dheve Claver, died in a fire in Barangay Duljo-Fatima. In Barangay Labangon, Lyka Mae Cezar lost her dog Elmo who died after a fire that started in the house of a neighbor spread to hers.

But those weren’t the only dogs to die that day. In Bacoor, Cavite, a resident lost two of her dogs while one is still missing after a fire destroyed 600 houses in Barangay Bagong Silangan.

Just following the quake that hit Bogo, two pets got their share of the limelight too. A dog was spotted frantically looking for its owner, an old woman who was killed after her house was crushed by boulders. Meanwhile, a six-year-old girl mourned her hamster, Jellybean, after it was found dead outside its cage.

So why are we talking about animals? It’s because they are becoming more important to many of us.

In a world where nothing is becoming easier and many things aren’t making any sense anymore, people are turning to animals not for just companionship but also for love and a sense of security. They aren’t just animals to take care of, in their own way they also take care of their owners.

Which is why the outrage that follows every animal cruelty video that surfaces is very much justified. Which is why more and more netizens are calling attention to acts of unkindness against animals.

At least there’s good news for animals with the recent creation of the Provincial Animal Welfare Council (PAWC) by Cebu Province. Aside from institutionalizing programs on rabies control and marine life conservation in the province, it will also focus on animal welfare in general.

With so many concerns and problems competing for our attention these days it’s easy to overlook the needs of the animal sector; it also doesn’t help that they are practically voiceless, except for a few advocates.

But like we said, the household animals others consider as just pets are actually family to those who know their worth. But then again, this worth isn’t just for those animals with homes, but also those that roam the streets, uncared for.

Farm Fresh waylaid a short-handed Cignal, 25-19, 25-20, 25-16, yesterday to continue its strong start in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trisha Tubu carried most of the load with a match-best 21 points, 19 of which coming off attacks and two off blocks, as the Foxies registered their finest start in franchise history.

The win sent the Frank Lao-owned franchise atop Pool A.

‘This is our strongest start, that’s why we’re happy,’ said the athletic, power-hitting Tubu.

Helene Rousseaux slowed down after erupting for a conference-high 38 points in a 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21 win over Nxled a week ago in Dasmariñas City, chipping in 17 hits on this one.

But the prolific Belgian spiker didn’t need to score that much, thanks to Tubu taking charge all game.

‘We were relaxed entering the game, that’s why we also played relaxed inside the court,’ said Tubu.

The Super Spikers suffered their second straight defeat with the team stymied by the absence of Vannie Gandler (minor injury) and coach Shaq delos Santos (under the weather).

In the second game, Capital1 rode high on a conference-high 39-point effort by Sasha Bytsenko as it repulsed Nxled, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 25-12, for its first triumph in two starts.

Bytsenko’s effort erased the previous conference best of 38 scored by Rousseaux and came six points shy of matching the league record of 46 set by another Capital1 import Marina Tushova in this same conference a season ago.

‘We played like a team, I felt the energy,’ said Bytsenko.

The Chameleons stumbled to 0-2.

AJ Lim and Eric Jed Olivarez remained on a collision course in their long-running title rivalry, rolling to commanding victories to reach the semifinals of the Gentry National Tennis Open Championship at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan late Thursday.

Both former national team stalwarts barely broke a sweat as they moved a step closer to a potential finals rematch in the record P2-million tournament, presented by Great Wall Motor Philippines and backed by Gentry Timepieces through Hayb Anzures.

Lim, the top seed and recent PCA Open champion, barely flinched in his back-to-back victories – routing Alexis Acabo, 6-0, 6-1, in the Round of 16, before dismantling Thai bet Tanakorn Srirat, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarterfinals. He now braces for a semis showdown with No. 9 seed Charles Kinaadman.

Kinaadman, the 2023 Dagitab Festival Open champion, also had an impressive run, halting giant-killer Jarell Edangga, 6-1, 6-2, and then edging veteran PJ Tierro in a tight second-set tiebreaker, 6-1, 7-6(6), to earn his shot at Lim and a spot in the championship round.

On the lower half of the draw, Olivarez is eyeing revenge and redemption, powering past Evan Bacalso, 6-0, 6-1, and then outclassing Eric Jay Tangub, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to the Final Four. Standing in his way is unseeded Arthur Pantino, who has emerged as the tournament’s surprise package.

Pantino upset No. 7 seed Nilo Ledama with a composed 6-4, 6-1 win after breezing past RJ Dela Fuente, 6-0, 6-1, in the Round of 16, joining the elite men’s singles semis cast in the blue-ribbon event that attracted the country’s top players and rising stars.

The tournament is held in partnership with the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships and is supported by a strong roster of sponsors including Hiessence, Purse Maison, Mobile Cart, Primoshine, Sole Avenue, PDAX, Darling’s Fine Jewels, Luxetrust by Amethyst, The Watch Reserve, and Guapo Car Care Solutions. Official balls are provided by Dunlop and Icon.

In the women’s singles Open, Rachel Velez pulled off the biggest shocker of the tournament so far, ousting top seed Mikaela Vicencio in a thrilling 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(3) comeback win to secure a semis berth against Tennielle Madis, who earlier dominated Joanna Pena, 6-1, 6-2.

Second seed Tiffany Nocos stayed on track for the women’s crown and the top P100,000 prize, defeating Paula Uy, 6-3, 6-3. She will next face Stefi Aludo, who cruised past Elizabeth Abarquez, 6-3, 6-1, in the quarters.

In men’s doubles, Acabo and Ronard Joven pulled off a massive upset, toppling the top-seeded tandem of Lim and Noel Damian in a thrilling 7-5, 5-7, 10-8 finish to advance to the finals. They will face the formidable pair of Olivarez and Kinaadman for the crown.

In women’s doubles, Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulete overpowered Erynne Ong and Vicencio, 6-0, 6-2, to arrange a championship clash with the duo of Aludo and Madis, who routed Aileen Rogan and Uy, 6-1, 6-1.

Olympic gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo would be limited to one apparatus in this December’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.

‘Carlos cannot compete in all apparatus. They’re giving only one every gymnast, only one,’ said Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion.

Carrion said Yulo, a double-gold winner in last year’s Paris Olympics, can win all the six apparatuses, but the curious rule change will prevent the latter from achieving such.

‘They know Carlos can win it all,’ she said.

Intriguingly, the last hosts, the Cambodians, limited participants in artistic gymnastics to just a maximum of two events each in the Phnom Penh edition two years ago that denied Yulo from replicating, if not surpassing, his five-gold haul the previous edition in Hanoi in 2022.

Yulo eventually won two golds (individual all-around and parallel bars) and the silver (rings) in the Cambodian capital.

From two, it’s now down to one.

Despite this, Carrion said they would try to win the other events.

‘Of course we want to win all of it,’ she said.

Students across Metro Manila walked out of their campuses and marched to Mendiola on Friday, October 17, to air their fury as the government’s investigations into widespread anomalies in public works projects continue to drag on without major charges filed.

The protests, smaller but similarly coordinated as last month’s rallies, are a signal that the anger that drew tens of thousands to the streets on September 21 had not yet ebbed despite the Malacañang’s calls for calm.

The coordinated campus walkouts spanned the University of the Philippines Diliman, University of Philippines Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson University, schools along the university belt in Manila such as San Beda University, schools in Intramuros, including Mapúa University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

Also present were students from Taft schools, such as the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, St. Scholastica’s College and Philippine Normal University.

The coordinated walkouts were organized under the banner of the National Day of Youth Action Against Corruption, a campaign organized by the UP Act Against Corruption Network and the National Union of Students of the Philippines.

The organizers said in a statement on Friday that the mass action was meant to ‘sustain public pressure’ over unresolved irregularities in government infrastructure projects, particularly those under the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control program.

In their joint manifesto, student leaders from the UP Act Against Corruption Network described the current controversy as ‘the gravest unresolved corruption scandal in recent history,’ accusing the administration of using ‘violence, disinformation, and political theatrics” to divide the people and blunt public outrage.

‘Gen Z Filipinos will not be pacified by PR stunts or token reforms meant only to preserve a rotten system,’ the statement read. ‘Not a single contractor or government official has been held to account.’

Continuing outrage

The protests come nearly three months after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bared that P100 billion worth of flood control projects – 20% of the total – were corned by just 15 contractors since 2022.

The revelations have since triggered Senate hearings and a separate probe by the newly formed ICI, but both inquiries have drawn backlash amid questions about whether it can take a real aim at the big names involved in the scandal.

The youth-led network is lamenting the fact that despite months of televised hearings and repeated assurances from the Palace, no major figure – whether from Congress, the contractor networks, or the Cabinet – has been held to account.

‘The Senate hearings have stalled, the so-called Independent Commission for Infrastructure operates in secrecy, and those in power seek to distract, delay, and silence us,’ the manifesto read. ‘Marcos Jr., architect and greatest beneficiary of the very system we condemn, continues to evade accountability.’

Friday’s demonstrations, they said, were meant to ‘make clear that the persistence of corruption lies in the ineptitude and complicity of Malacañang itself.’

“The two highest officials of the land–the President and the Vice President embody the most powerful corrupt dynasties in the country, and to resolve this crisis, they too must be held accountable, if not removed altogether, for nothing will change while they remain in power,” the network said.

Aiah Arceta of the Nation’s Girl Group BINI visited the Philippine Red Cross-Cebu Chapter’s emergency operations center to meet volunteers assisting victims of an earthquake that struck Cebu last September 30.

The Philippine Red Cross thanked Aiah as it shared photos of the artist visiting the Cebu center.

The organization said Aiah “showed true bayanihan spirit” during her visit as she met and encouraged Red Cross Youth volunteers who’ve been repacking and distributing relief goods for families affected by the earthquake.

Recently, Aiah launched a donation drive under her initiative Aiahdvocacy and was able to raise over P440,000.

“Beyond her visit, the proud Cebuana also organized a donation drive, raising funds and donating 783 pieces of 2-meter sakoline,” the Philippine Red Cross shared.

Sakoline are durable waterproof sheets used as temporary roofing and ground cover.

“Thank you, Aiah, for bringing hope and compassion to your fellow Cebuanos,” the organization ended.

Aiah has long been engaged in charitable work, having conducted outreach programs for different communities in the past.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) denied reports that former House Speaker Martin Romualdez was being considered as a state witness.

‘Former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not filed an application for state witness with the DOJ,’ the department said in a statement,

It said there was “no factual or legal basis” for the move, and that the public should be wary of false and misleading information intended to confuse.

To become a state witness, a person must apply to the DOJ’s witness protection program, which then determines if the applicant meets the qualifications.

‘We remind the public to rely on verified and official information coming from the DOJ exclusively,’ the department said. ‘The Department of Justice remains firm and steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, guided by facts – not politics.’

Romualdez’s name surfaced in connection with the scandal after Orly Guteza, a former security aide of resigned congressman Zaldy Co, alleged he had delivered suitcases of cash to the former Speaker. Guteza’s credibility, however, has since been questioned after the lawyer who purportedly notarized his affidavit denied signing the document.

Witness protection applications. Several figures implicated in the flood control scandal have applied for witness protection. They include retired undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Henry Alcantara, and Brice Hernandez.

Government contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya have also applied, althrough they have recently hesitated to cooperate in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s investigations after doubting their chances of becoming state witnesses.

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin is what activists of 1970, 1986, 2001 and 2014 would’ve called a ‘fascist pig.’ Sworn in Monday as adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, he berated citizens and flood victims protesting massive corruption. The ex-PNP chief saw only ‘division, chaos, violence’ in their rallies.

Lost to Azurin are the basic freedoms of expression, assembly, seeking redress. He’d rather that all just shut up while ICI investigates behind closed doors P1.7-trillion plunder of flood control funds.

But why behind closed doors? Isn’t transparency, like sunlight, the best antiseptic? Azurin may want to check the background of one of ICI’s three commissioners.

Rossana Fajardo is country managing partner of the Philippines’ largest auditing firm SyCip Gorres Velayo. SGV is the external auditor of giant miner Benguet Corp., of ex-speaker Martin Romualdez and siblings. Romualdez is among officials to be probed by ICI.

Fajardo’s SGV is also external auditor of pioneering constructor Engineering Equipment Inc. and holding firm House of Investments. Romualdez’s RYM Business Management Corp. executed buyouts with both firms in April 2023 and March 2025.

Undoubtedly Fajardo brings into ICI vast experience in forensic audit. She can uncover evidence of financial felonies, for use in court.

Still, conflict of interest might taint Fajardo’s ICI. Benguet, EEI and HI are among the country’s largest firms and SGV clients.

President Bongbong Marcos formed the ICI. Yet he too might need investigating.

For ten years now, Malacañang has been inserting pork barrels in national budgets. Budget and public works chiefs call those ‘leadership funds.’ Congress transfers to ‘commissionable’ public works money for education, health, agriculture and defense. Senate-House bicameral committees confer in secret. Two presidents enacted their outputs. Justices came and left without resolving citizens’ complaints.

ICI has no subpoena or contempt powers. It can only invite and be snubbed. New Senate President Tito Sotto and Pro Tempore Ping Lacson have vowed support.

Linked to fake and faulty flood works, ex-SP Chiz Escudero and ex-speaker Romualdez have heeded ICI invitations. Same with ex-DPWH head Manuel Bonoan and successor Vince Dizon. Reports are that Duterte’s DPWH chief Mark Villar, now a senator, yelled at the ICI. Awaited is Rep. Zaldy Co, linked to one of 15 main constructors.

Yesterday, multibillionaire contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya stopped cooperating with ICI. They accused of bias Commissioner Rogelio Singson, Noynoy Aquino’s DPWH chief. They cited a TV interview in which Singson opined seeing nobody worthy as state witness.

Only the least guilty can be state witness. The Discayas’ nine construction firms allegedly bid against each other to corner contracts. They bagged 1,214 flood works worth P78 billion from 2016 to 2025. Last week, the Anti-Money Laundering Council froze their 425 bank accounts through which P180 billion flowed that decade.

Protests are directed against BBM, predecessor Rody Duterte and VP Sara Duterte. Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte supposedly got the highest infra insertion – P51.78 billion – in his father’s last three years in office. The Discayas et al allegedly had projects in BBM’s Ilocos Norte.

Crooked DPWH engineers, contractors and politicos enable flood scams. In time, their sleaze infected the system.

DPWH appointed undersecretaries to ‘liaise’ pork barrels between legislators and DBM. Testifying at the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, one of them, Roberto Bernardo, implicated even Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. The latter belied him.

Focused on flood works, DPWH neglected erecting 165,000 classrooms since 2019. Half of 600 super health centers ‘built’ for DOH were ghost. DA’s farm-to-market roads were overpriced. One kilometer costs P300 million, way beyond the P15-million limit. It’ll only be P10 million if the usual 30-percent kickback is removed.

Check-and-balance agencies didn’t lift a finger: Competition Commission under Malacañang, Government Procurement Policy Board under DBM and Contractors Accreditation Board under DTI. Local officials colluded with dynastic kin in Congress.

Constitutional offices got infected. The ombudsman hid statements of assets, liabilities and net worth. Comelec contracted the Discayas for P18-billion worth of voting machines. COA kept silent as Associate Commissioner Mario Lipana’s wife wangled DPWH road lighting contracts in Bulacan and a mining concession in Pangasinan.

Bulacan DPWH engineer Brice Hernandez confessed that all their road, bridge and lighting works were substandard or inexistent.

That’s why Filipinos hold weekly noise barrages, school and work walkouts and red-letter day Trillion-Peso Marches.

Azurin, however, wants opacity. During his PNP leadership, August 2022-April 2023, occurred one of its worst scandals. The hideaway of 990 kilos of shabu was uncovered in the Manila office of a PNP Drug Enforcement sergeant. Then-interior Sec. Benhur Abalos wondered why Azurin was mum for a week.

Within hours of that discovery, cops from various units drove by to loot sacks of shabu. Two hundred kilos worth P1.38 billion had vanished. Present interior Sec Jonvic Remulla said in January that Azurin will face charges for the mess.