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The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is set to issue the suggested retail price (SRP) for Noche Buena products by mid-October.

‘In the next two weeks, we should put them out,’ Trade Secretary Cristina Roque told reporters on the sidelines of the Federation of Philippine Industries Business Summit 2025 yesterday.

She said the DTI is encouraging manufacturers not to implement price increases to make the products affordable for consumers.

One ham manufacturer, Roque noted, has committed to reduce its prices.

Meanwhile, the secretary is hopeful other manufacturers will keep their prices steady.

To help consumers make informed choices, the DTI issues a list of SRPs for Noche Buena products during the holiday season.

Last year’s Noche Buena price guide showed that over 100 stock keeping units (SKUs) posted price increases.

Meanwhile, 121 SKUs maintained their prices and 13 had price reductions.

Despite recent calamities that affected the country, the Department of Finance emphasized its commitment to keeping the prices of basic commodities affordable.

Christmas in the Philippines begins early, and this year, the spirit of togetherness takes center stage at Makati’s Power Plant Mall.

Pasko at Nayon Natin, a vibrant bayanihan pop-up led by ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, has been extended until the end October of October, inviting everyone to step into a Christmas village where the fiesta comes alive through craft, color, and collaboration.

Launched last August in time for Buwan ng Wika, Nayon Natin: A Bayanihan Pop-Up was designed as a living storybook and a two-month immersive marketplace filled with vibrant, community-centered brands.

Now continuing through the holiday season, this edition of Pasko at Nayon Natin is a feast not to be missed: showcasing festive collections, new unexpected collaborations, and shared experiences rooted in community.

“We wanted to recreate the feeling of a Filipino fiesta at Christmas – where togetherness, joyful exchange, and celebration of who we are as a people are at the center,” said ANTHILL co-founder Anya Lim in a statement, calling community the greatest gift. “Textiles are our language here, from woven threads to wearable statements of identity.”

Andanté Footwear co-founder Larcia Lim added that the pop-up is “bayanihan in the form of fashion” and her brand creates shoes made from fabrics honoring two different communities, Marikina and Cebu.

Other present Filipino brands are the handmade jewelry of Tropik Beatnik and home decorations of Studio Sursidan.

A Filipino seafarer injured by Houthi rebels has died, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) reported yesterday.

Houthi militants fired missiles at the ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden on Sept. 29.

Twelve Filipinos were among the ship’s crew. Ten of them have returned to the Philippines.

‘We convey the sad news of the passing of the seafarer who was injured in the attack on Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden,’ Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac posted on social media.

Rescuers drove a helicopter to save 19 of the ship’s crew, who are Russians, Ukrainians, Filipinos and Sri Lankans.

Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Iran-aligned group has been assaulting vessels in the Red Sea since 2023, targeting ships they deem linked to Israel, in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the DMW is seeking the immediate repatriation of the sailor’s remains.

Cacdac assured the seaman’s family of full support.

He is flying to Djibouti to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Amsterdam-based shipowner Spliethoff for the transport of the Filipino worker’s remains.

The victim’s wife and sister will accompany Cacdac.

While in the East African country, Cacdac said he would also visit the other injured Filipino sailors recovering in a hospital.

President Marcos has signed the Expanded Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act into law, paving the way for more campuses to rise in various parts of the country.

Under Republic Act 12310, more campuses will be established to offer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics or STEM education in line with the government’s efforts to produce more Filipino scientists and innovators.

The law mandates the establishment of at least two PSHS campuses in every administrative region, including one in the Negros Island Region, and consolidates all existing campuses under a unified system of governance

The Expanded PSHS law reflects the government’s commitment to make premier STEM education more accessible to Filipino students with exceptional aptitude in science and mathematics, while ensuring that the Philippine Science High School System remains a symbol of academic excellence, innovation and public service.

The PSHS System is an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology.

The expansion allows more talented youth to experience world-class STEM learning and to be part of a community that nurtures curiosity, creativity and scientific leadership.

Chaired by the DOST secretary, the PSHS board is composed of representatives from the Department of Education, University of the Philippines, Congress, the Alumni Association and the private sector.

Recognized as specialized science educators, PSHS teachers are exempt from civil service examinations and may extend their service under the Magna Carta for S and T Personnel, ensuring the retention of top STEM talent.

The law also grants tax and duty exemptions on donations and imported research equipment, enabling more resources to be directed toward innovation, research and student development.

The UK, having recorded as the fastest growing economy in the first quarter of 2025 at 0.7%, making it the fastest among the G7.

BCCP Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson noted that the UK is leveraging its growth momentum through its new Industrial Strategy, providing support to British businesses and increasing its competitiveness in areas such as Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Professional and Business Services.

Nelson said that, ‘I have been in discussions with Martin Kent, the UK Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific. He mentioned that UK trade growth in the APAC area is growing strongly.’

He added that the target sectors identified in industrial energy are also the areas that are of interest to the Philippines and have existing assistance and partnerships with the UK.

‘I think what the UK government has looked at, particularly with its industrial strategy plan, is to focus on key sector areas-in particular, things like renewable energy. There’s a lot of support from the UK in this area, and they’ll be looking at those opportunities,’ Nelson said.

The UK and the Philippines have entered into a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which would address market access issues and reinforce investment opportunities in multiple sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, economic development, life sciences, and technology.

Nelson also reiterated its support to the Philippines’ interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade group in which the UK is already a part of.

The Philippine-UK trade continues to see an upward trend in terms of total trade at £3.0 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025, with Nelson citing that the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration has placed driving trade and investment further at the forefront of its economic agenda, driven by reforms such as the recently passed RA 12252 extending the long-term lease of private lands to foreign investors from 50 years to up to 99 years and the Republic Act 12254 or the E-Governance Act – urging the release of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Nelson further added that, ‘Next year will be the 80th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and we continue to see growth in trade between the two areas. Our concern as a chamber, representing our members, is the impact on government work and legislation. We would like to see the Cybersecurity Act passed – as this is another area to which the Philippines can work together with the UK expertise.’

Yesha Mae Monsanto, second runner-up of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstar-Teen Category, was doing her assignment at home when she felt the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30. She immediately thought of her parents. ‘They were sleeping on the second floor when the earthquake happened. I shouted to wake them up,’ the 17-year-old candidate said during an October 4 press conference at Café Moni.

Grand winner of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk-Kids Category, Kiana Michaili Bacaltos, had to be awakened by her grandmother while she was sleeping. ‘I was relaxed when we were evacuating, but deep inside, my heart was beating so fast,’ she recalled.

In what was the strongest earthquake recorded in Cebu and the deadliest in the country since the 2013 Bohol quake, the tremors damaged the northern parts of the province, including Bogo City, which

was the epicenter. Waves of relief goods and donations were delivered, with some of the candidates participating in the efforts.

‘I prayed for the victims, then I sent donations, including food and water,’ said 11-year-old Eiyannah Khryss Yap, second runner-up in the Kids Category. ‘Even small ways of compassion can make a difference.’

‘I was looking for donation campaigns because I was willing to volunteer. I want to help in small ways whenever I can,’ added 14-year-old Shamzy Jopia, winner in the Preteen Category.

For Monsanto, who also volunteered in packing relief goods, the earthquake served as a reminder that resilience remains an important trait amid sudden crises.

‘We should be resilient because we can rise as one,’ she said, clarifying that resilience shouldn’t automatically excuse incompetence in addressing the impacts of natural calamities.

‘I would tell a public official that they are not a common person, but a leader who has a chance to help and be a big person for us. If you were chosen to be a leader, you have a role to ensure Filipinos are safe and united as one, so we can help others,’ she said.

National, international bets

Following their coronation last July, this year’s candidates of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars are ready to face off at the Kids and Teens Pageant Global Philippines happening this October 11 in Metro Manila.

Among them are Yap as the Cebu City representative in the Little Miss Global Pageant Philippines; Allynah Ciarrah Zabate as Cebu City South’s delegate; Mary Corazon Gualiza for Cebu City North in the

Miss Preteen Global Pageant Philippines; and Rhean Summer Dela Victoria for Cebu City at Miss Teen Global Pageant Philippines.

Others will compete in international pageants, including Rhonne Angeline Jhayle Daugdaug and Candy Tumakay at the KidStar International Pageant in Thailand from December 1 to 8, while Hnin SoeChe Tun will represent the country in Cambodia from November 12 to 17 for Little Miss Icon Philippines. Jediaelle Rhianne Caritan is set to compete in a 2026 pageant to be held in the Philippines in May.

Other candidates present at the press conference included first runner-up of Teen Star International 2024 Riki Gabrielle Pitogo; Little Miss Heritage Rafaella Carra Cabalda; Laiza Loraine Lungtad, fourth

runner-up in the Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars-Kids Category; and Alexandra Almario, second runner-up in the Preteen Category.

Pitogo recalled her experience in Thailand as both fun and challenging. ‘I got to meet new friends from other countries and know about their culture,’ she shared, advising her fellow candidates

representing Cebu and the Philippines to count on the support of their friends, family, and supporters to boost their confidence.

Many of the candidates consider Pitogo their inspiration in their respective competitions. Caritan said, ‘Ate Rikki is always so kind to us, and she always believes in herself. I want to be like her because

she’s a great role model.’

Caritan also considers her mother as her role model, someone who continues to support her as a young pageant contestant.

Gualiza, 14, echoed a similar sentiment. ‘My mom has taught me to be brave, confident, and to be everything – correcting myself and learning from my mistakes and stepping out of my comfort zone,’ she said.

Almario, 13, cites her grandmother as her role model. ‘She is the person who shaped me into who I am, considering she is the person who took care of me throughout my whole life,’ she said.

For Bacaltos, 11, it’s her fellow candidates whom she considers her sisters. ‘I know our journey is very hard, and we are all young. Being a kid doesn’t mean we are not perfect. They inspire me to be

confident, and that’s enough,’ she said.

‘The sisterhood we built up is so strong. I couldn’t be here without my friends,’ said Tun, 11. ‘We faced a lot of obstacles, and we are always here for each other since we all have the same dreams.’

Nothing beats making your own ice cream at home, especially a flavor not commonly found in stores.

No matter how simple and pure or how beautifully complex it is, it is your own, and you are the only one who has it.

Multi-talented chef Don Baldosano whipped up this recipe for a pure raisin and milk ice cream after being “assigned” to make dessert for his recent collaboration with fellow chef Angelo Comsti and food content producer Erwan Heussaff.

The collab was put together by California Raisins to highlight its versatility in Filipino cooking.

A versatile ingredient like raisins not only enhances the natural flavors of savory dishes but, more importantly in this recipe, adds sweetness to desserts.

Raisins alone work wonders with milk in producing a great-tasting ice cream such as this one by Chef Don.

For this recipe, Chef Don reimagined sorbetes, the iconic Filipino-style ice cream traditionally sold from street carts, using milk and California raisins, accompanied by a crisp milk tuile and burnt raisin paste oil.

California raisins milk ice cream with milk tuile and burnt California raisin paste oil

Ingredients:

300 grams of California Raisins

330 grams of milk

100 grams if cream

7 grams of agar-agar

110 grams of sugar

60 grams of butter

70 grams of all-purpose flour

250 ml.of water

10 grams of lemon juice

Canola oil

Procedure:

For the ice cream

Combine the milk, cream, agar-agar, 50 grams California Raisins, and 50 grams sugar.

Simmer together for five minutes, then allow to cool.

Once cooled, blend until smooth and transfer to an ice cream machine.

Churn and set aside to chill.

For the tuile

Combine the remaining sugar, 100 grams finely chopped California Raisins, butter, and all-purpose flour.

Mix thoroughly until well combined, then bake in a 170°C oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

To make a jam

Gently toast some California raisins in a pan until slightly charred.

Allow to cool, then add water.

Simmer until the water is reduced by one-third.

Blend until smooth to create a purée, then season with lemon juice.

For the raisin paste oil

Slowly simmer canola oil and the remaining California Raisins together until fragrant.

Blend roughly, then strain to extract the oil.

To plate

Place a base of crumbled tuile on the plate, followed by a scoop of ice cream with a hollow center.

Fill the hollow center with jam, arrange shards of tuile around the ice cream, and finish the dish with California raisin oil.

Newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla has taken his oath of office, formally installing him as the country’s new Ombudsman.

The former justice secretary took his oath before Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen at the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 9.

Remulla is the seventh official to hold the position, succeeding former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27, 2025.

As Ombudsman, Remulla will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of crimes, particularly graft and corruption.

He was appointed to the position by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 7.

Remulla had served as justice secretary since the start of the Marcos administration, overseeing the arrest and prosecution of several high-profile personalities such as doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.

He was also among the officials involved in handling the government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case.

One of his final acts as justice secretary was signing the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against more than a dozen former and current government officials linked to the alleged flood control project corruption case.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has expressed support for the passage of a proposed measure seeking to grant President Macos emergency powers to address the country’s classroom shortage, which now exceeds 165,000.

Earlier, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre filed House Bill 5103, which aims to declare a state of national emergency to tackle the severe lack of classrooms across the country.

Under the bill, President Marcos would be granted temporary emergency powers to fast-track classroom construction by adopting special procurement measures, reallocating government funds and establishing an oversight task force to address the shortage.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara previously disclosed that the shortage is primarily due to the country’s growing population.

Both the Department of Education (DepEd) and EDCOM 2 reported that the education system continues to struggle with a persistent and severe classroom shortage, compounded by a massive backlog in the repair and rehabilitation of existing school facilities.

The measure cited that millions of students are currently attending overcrowded classes, with many schools implementing double or triple shifts, while others resort to makeshift or condemned structures, compromising students’ health, safety and learning outcomes.

The bill also noted that the country’s frequent exposure to natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes has worsened the situation, necessitating the immediate repair and reconstruction of thousands of damaged schools.

‘Existing procurement, budgetary and administrative processes, while necessary for accountability, are often too slow and cumbersome to effectively address this crisis with the urgency it demands. The traditional timeline for project conceptualization, bidding and execution spans multiple fiscal years, a pace that cannot keep up with the increasing student population and the rapid destruction of facilities caused by disasters,’ Acidre said in his explanatory note.

The government, he added, aims to declare a ‘temporary and targeted state of necessity’ within the education infrastructure sector.

‘The grant of emergency powers, which shall be for a limited period and subject to strict reporting and oversight by Congress, is imperative to streamline procurement, accelerate budget utilization and ensure inter-agency coordination,’ said Acidre.

ARAL program

Aside from the passage of House Bill 5103, the government is also pushing to strengthen the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

Angara has directed concerned DepEd officials to refine the program and the promotion system for teachers, following President Marcos’ order during the culmination of National Teachers’ Month.

The directive was issued during the 47th executive committee meeting, where discussions also covered the Senior High School Recognition program, safe learning environments and updates from the School Meals Coalition Global Summit.

At the same meeting, Marcos vowed that no public school teacher will retire as Teacher I, underscoring the implementation of Republic Act 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which expands teachers’ career pathways.

DepEd Memorandum 64 enforces the ARAL-Reading component for key stages 1 to 3 under Republic Act 12028 or the ARAL Program Act, which offers free tutorials to address learning gaps.

For school year 2025-2026, the program will prioritize reading, targeting over 6.7 million learners with the help of 447,000 tutors and 45,000 school heads.

ARAL-Reading will launch in the second quarter, to be followed by ARAL-Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, ARAL-Science for Grades 3 to 10 and ARAL-Summer Programs.

DepEd said tutor training, learning material distribution and readiness audits have been completed to ensure the program’s success.

Goverment pensions

In a separate development, officials of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) met with representatives of the Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) and the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) to discuss concerns on pensions and other benefits of teachers.

The dialogue, led by GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso, tackled issues raised by members and pensioners, including the review of the minimum pension, burial benefits and the Christmas cash gift for some retirees.

Veloso gave assurance that the GSIS understands these concerns, but emphasized that any adjustment to benefits must undergo actuarial study to protect the long-term stability of the Social Insurance Fund.

He also cited ongoing GSIS initiatives to make transactions easier for members, such as the GSIS Touch mobile app for online loan filing and Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation, as well as housing programs with lease-with-option-to-buy schemes.

ASSERT president Arlene James Pagaduan underscored the importance of continuous consultations to address teachers’ issues effectively, while PGEA president Esperanza Ocampo said her group looks forward to sustained collaboration with GSIS to advance the welfare of government workers.

The GSIS said a separate meeting would be held with the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition.

Inflation is projected to climb in the coming months as supply-side pressures and the extension of rice import restrictions threaten to push prices higher, which could prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep policy rates unchanged today.

Following the slight uptick in inflation to 1.7 percent in September from 1.5 percent in August, analysts said this may mark the start of a gradual pickup after months of subdued readings, with weather-related disruptions and policy measures posing upside risks toward year end.

HSBC ASEAN economist Aris Dacanay said that while September’s below-consensus figure still falls below the BSP’s two to four percent target range, rice prices would be a key factor to watch in the next few months after the government extended its rice import ban until the end of the year.

‘This is a major upside risk to inflation that needs to be monitored,’ he said. ‘But importers have frontloaded their rice orders in anticipation of the ban, leading to ample supply by end-August. If local farmers were able to harvest before Typhoon Nando hit, rice supply may be sufficient to keep prices stable through year end.’

Despite the soft inflation reading in September, HSBC expects the BSP to pause its easing cycle this week before resuming rate cuts in December.

‘We think September inflation sets the stage for a quarter-point rate cut in the fourth quarter to 4.75 percent. But we still expect the BSP to wait for more data on gross domestic product and rice prices before continuing its easing cycle,’ Dacanay said.

He added that the policy rate could fall to 4.50 percent by the first quarter of 2026 if inflation remains stable.

Economists at Citi echoed the view that the BSP would likely stay on hold in October, even as it eyes further rate cuts toward the end of the year.

‘Following tame inflation readings in September, we continue to expect a gradual rebound of the headline into the three-percent handle in 2026,’ Citi said.

‘Growth concerns could eventually resurface, leading to a cut before the end of the year. However, as economic data is so far mixed, BSP will probably pause in the October meeting.’

Citi expects inflation to stay between 1.3 and two percent year-on-year through the first quarter of 2026 before rising to around 3.5 percent by end-2026.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri also flagged that inflation risks remain tilted to the upside, particularly due to weather disturbances and import restrictions.

Neri expects inflation to stay near two percent for the rest of 2025 before climbing to around 3.5 percent by mid-2026 and nearing four percent by the third quarter next year as base effects fade and supply risks persist.

‘With inflation likely to pick up in the coming months, the pace of monetary easing may slow down,’ Neri said. ‘A more conservative approach is justified as cutting rates aggressively could leave the economy vulnerable to inflation shocks that might force a sharp policy reversal later on.’

The BSP has so far cut policy rates by a total of 150 basis points since August 2024, bringing the benchmark rate to five percent.

After today’s policy meeting, the Monetary Board is scheduled to hold its final policy review for the year on Dec. 11.