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Pagasa: Rains in Southern Luzon, Visayas; fair weather in NCR Sunday

The southwest monsoon, or habagat, will continue to affect Southern Luzon and Visayas, while generally fair weather with occasional rains may prevail over Metro Manila on Sunday, Sept. 20, the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Daniel Villamil said in its 5 p.m. weather advisory that the southwest monsoon will affect the western portions of Southern Luzon and Visayas within the next three to five days.

‘Yung southwest monsoon pa rin, o habagat, ang patuloy na nakakaapekto dito sa western sections ng Southern Luzon at Visayas. So, for the next 3 to 5 days, aasahan po natin ‘yung mga mataas na tsansa ng mga kaulapan at pag-ulan sa mga nabanggit na lugar,’ he said.

(‘The southwest monsoon, or habagat, continues to affect the western sections of Southern Luzon and the Visayas. So, for the next three to five days, we can expect a high probability of cloudiness and rain in the aforementioned areas.’)

Pagasa reported that cloudy skies with scattered rains may prevail over Western Visayas, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan on Sunday, Sept. 20, due to the effects of the habagat.

It added that Negors Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Romblon, would also be affected by isolated rains.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of the country may experience generally fair weather with chances of rainshowers due to the localized thunderstorms.

‘Samantala, sa Metro Manila at sa lalabing bahagi ng ating bansa, magpapatuloy itong generally fair weather sa mga susunod na araw, pero may tsansa pa rin tayo ng isolated rain showers or localized,’ Villamil reported.

(‘Meanwhile, in Metro Manila and most parts of the country, generally fair weather will continue over the coming days, though there remains a chance of isolated rain showers or localized thunderstorms.’)

He added that most of Luzon may experience hot and humid weather in the morning, while localized rains by the afternoon and evening in the next coming days.

‘For most of Luzon, magpapatuloy pa rin ‘yung generally fair weather; mainit at maalinsangang panahon simula umaga hanggang sa tanghali, pero pagsapit ng late afternoon to evening, nandiyan pa rin ‘yung mga tsansa ng mga biglaan at panandaliang pag-ulan na dulot ng localized thunderstorms,’ he explained.

Aznar Shipping eyes P670 milyong IPO to expand Visayas fleet

Cebuano firm Aznar Shipping Corp. is turning to the Philippine capital markets to finance an expansion of its fleet and maritime infrastructure, confident that the growing role of shipping in domestic trade will sustain demand for inter-island services.

The shipping operator has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for an initial public offering of up to 1 billion primary common shares, with an over-allotment option of up to 100 million secondary shares, subject to regulatory approval.

At an indicative maximum price of P0.67 a share, the primary offering could raise as much as P670 million in gross proceeds. The secondary shares could generate a further P67 million if the over-allotment option is fully exercised.

The final offer price will be determined through book-building.

Aznar Shipping intends to deploy most of the proceeds towards fleet expansion and shipyard facility development, while allocating the remainder for general corporate purposes. The planned investment reflects the company’s effort to build a larger regional shipping platform at a time when trade and passenger flows across the Visayas are expanding.

‘As economic activity across the Visayas continues to grow, we want Aznar Shipping to grow with the region,’ Kyle Alexander C. Aznar, president and chief executive, said.

The company sees additional vessels and infrastructure as critical to connecting more of the region’s emerging economic centers and increasing its capacity to carry passengers, vehicles and cargo.

The investment case rests partly on the scale of maritime activity already concentrated in the Visayas.

A study by the Center for Research and Communication estimates that Visayas ports accounted for about 35 per cent of national cargo throughput, 60 per cent of passenger traffic and 49 per cent of roll-on/roll-off vehicle movements between 2022 and 2025. More than half of the country’s ship calls were also recorded in the region.

RoRo traffic – a key market for Aznar Shipping because its vessels carry vehicles as well as passengers and cargo – is expected to provide further momentum. The CRC study projects Visayas RoRo traffic to grow at an average annual rate of 12.9 per cent through 2028, compared with 10.7 per cent nationally.

That differential points to a potentially attractive regional growth market, but also underscores the capital intensity of competing for it.

Aznar Shipping currently operates nine vessels on four major inter-island routes, with regular port calls at eight ports across Cebu, Leyte, Panay and Negros Occidental.

Its customer base spans shippers, trucking and logistics companies, bus operators, construction companies, freight forwarders and passengers, giving the company exposure to both commercial and consumer demand.

The company plans to increase vessel capacity, add viable routes and develop the operational infrastructure needed to support a broader network.

The IPO will therefore provide Aznar Shipping with capital to pursue growth without relying solely on internally generated funds or conventional borrowing. For investors, however, the expansion also puts greater emphasis on the company’s ability to convert regional economic growth into higher vessel utilization, revenue and returns on capital.

Aznar Shipping has appointed Investment and Capital Corporation of the Philippines and PNB Capital and Investment Corporation as joint issue managers, joint lead underwriters and joint bookrunners.

Subject to regulatory approvals and market conditions, the IPO is scheduled to run from December 1 to December 8, 2026, with listing targeted for December 18 on the Philippine Stock Exchange’s Small, Medium and Emerging Board under the ticker ALX.

The company is enrolled in the PSE’s Listing Engagement and Assistance Program, which provides prospective issuers with guidance and support through the listing process.

For Aznar Shipping, the offering is more than a fund-raising exercise. It is a test of whether a regional shipping company can scale alongside an increasingly integrated Visayas economy – and whether investors will see enough value in that growth to back its next phase of expansion.

Ikeja Electric begins meter refunds, urges customers to check online

Ikeja Electric Plc has started refunding customers who previously paid for electricity meters under the Meter Asset Provider programme.

The electricity distribution company announced this during its September virtual stakeholder engagement, a monthly meeting where it provides customers with updates and addresses issues affecting its services.

Ikeja Electric said eligible customers would receive their refunds as credits added to their electricity vending transactions during the approved refund period.

According to the company, customers can check the status of their refunds online using their meter or account numbers.

The refund dashboard shows information such as the cost of the meter, number of refunds made, monthly refund amount, total amount refunded and the date of the last refund.

It also provides the applicable refund token, which is sent to the customer’s registered phone number or email address.

Ikeja Electric advised customers who have questions or complaints about their meter refunds to use its official complaint channels or visit the nearest undertaking office.

The company also used the stakeholder engagement to warn customers against using unauthorised electricians.

Olaniyi Olayiwola, Head of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment, said recent incidents involving unsafe electrical work had led to fatalities.

He warned customers against allowing unqualified persons to climb Ikeja Electric poles, work on power lines, tamper with electrical installations or carry out illegal connections.

‘Please do not engage electricians to climb Ikeja Electric poles. If you see someone carrying out unsafe activities around our infrastructure, kindly report to us,’ Olayiwola said.

He advised customers not to confront people carrying out dangerous electrical activities themselves. Instead, they should contact Ikeja Electric through its designated safety emergency channels.

Olayiwola also urged residents and communities to keep a safe distance from high voltage power lines.

He said encroachment on electricity infrastructure and inadequate space around power lines remained major safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Kingsley Okotie, Head of Corporate Communications, urged customers to rely on Ikeja Electric’s official communication and complaint channels for accurate information and quick resolution of complaints.

Okotie said the company’s engagement with customers was aimed not only at providing information but also at helping them stay safe, seek assistance and resolve their concerns.

’Bola’: Sunday Dare slams Atiku for addressing Tinubu by first name

Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunday Dare, has criticized the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, for stripping the president of his official status and merely addressing him by his first name at a media briefing.

Atiku, at a press conference on Friday where he called on the present administration to reduce the price of fuel to give succour to Nigerians, had evaded the official status of President Tinubu and simply addressed him as ‘Bola Tinubu.’

He said: ‘Bola Tinubu should not be ashamed to do what is necessary to lower the price of petrol simply because Atiku Abubakar proposed a government intervention.

‘He should just take the idea, rename it if he wishes, and even take the credit. What matters to me is that Nigerians pay less.’

Dare, in a post on his X handle, @SundayDareSD, accused the former Vice-President of insolence.

Dismissing the ADC presidential candidate’s appeal to President Tinubu to intervene and moderate the price of fuel, Dare declared that ‘Nigerians do not need lectures on fiscal management from a political wanderer whose decades-long pursuit of the presidency has been defined by perpetual opportunism.’

His post read: ‘Alhaji Atiku’s manner of addressing President Bola Tinubu as Bola is the height of insolence. It is a clear descent into the abyss of unbridled desperation and an unravelling mind.

‘To seek to lecture a sitting president with the unbridled insolence of dropping his first name, petulantly barking instructions, and dictating how governance should be run within a truncated timeline is the height of political hubris.

‘Nigerians do not need lectures on fiscal management from a political wanderer whose decades-long pursuit of the presidency has been defined by perpetual opportunism. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing the heavy, foundational lifting required to restructure an economy crippled by decades of structural inertia and subsidy hemorrhaging.

‘Atiku’s sudden conversion to the gospel of interventionism rings hollow. This is a desperate strategy by a perennial seeker of power who weaponizes transient national discomforts for electoral mileage.’

BTS closes 2026 iHeart Radio Music Festival Day 1 with fiery set

The 2026 iHeart Radio Music Festival concluded its first day with a high-energy set from K-pop supergroup BTS, featuring performances of their hits from their latest album ‘Arirang.’

Korean superstars Jin, Suga, RM, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook took the stage at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 18, (Sept. 19 in the Philippines).

The septet began their set with ‘Swim,’ then further energized the crowd with ‘2.0.’ The audience got even more fired up as the group performed ‘Mic Drop’ and ‘FYA.’

Clips from the show as well as glimpses of BTS’ backstage interview were shared by the festival on its social media pages.

UAAP: New-look Maroons test Blue Eagles for early lead

Ateneo and University of the Philippines seek follow-ups to impressive debuts when they clash on Saturday, while National U and University of the East look to bounce back and end the first week of UAAP Season 89 collegiate men’s basketball tournament eliminations on a positive note at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Blue Eagles and the Fighting Maroons battle in the latest chapter of their storied ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry at 5:30 p.m., with the game serving as the first major test for Ateneo, even as the Bulldogs and the Red Warriors pull the curtains up on an interesting double header at 3 p.m.

Despite being bannered by a new core, the Fighting Maroons made an early statement that they can still contend for another championship after rallying past University of Santo Tomas, 92-85, on opening day.

Led by Nigerian Francis Nnoruka and Noy Remogat, the Maroons are showing that there is life after the ‘Maroon 5’ days that were bannered by JD Cagulangan.

‘I believe this group din has its own identity din as a team,’ coach Goldwin Monteverde, now in his sixth season with the Maroons, said. ‘So far, while the team’s working together, they develop chemistry. At the same time, everybody’s really committed to really working and improving.’

Nnoruka, who had 18 points and 12 rebounds against the Growling Tigers, knows this version of the Maroons needs to raising the bar even higher.

‘I believe the previous UP teams, how everybody sees them, they have like a standard. It’s pretty much about continuing where they left off and raising the standards high,’ Nnoruka, who takes over from the effective Malick Diouf as UP’s foreign student-athlete, said.

‘I think it’s pretty much the mindset that we’ve had on our team the whole year,’ he went on. ‘We’ve just got to go out and show up, play with heart, effort, and just try and get the job done.’

Meanwhile, the Eagles seem to be healing well from the deadly disaster that marred their off-season.

Now focused on a campaign dedicated to fallen student-athletes Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia, Ateneo dominated the University of the East, 101-74, on Wednesday.

‘I think it says a lot about the players’ willingness, because after everything that happened to them, we still fight it out,’ said assistant coach RJ Jazul, who spoke on behalf of interim coach Louie Alas. ‘Of course, the emotional baggage will always be there. But they keep on climbing every day with hard practices. They’re all going hard.’

We repatriated 50,000 Nigerian refugees home in three years – NCFRMI

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) said it has returned no fewer than 50,000 refugees into the country in the past three years.

NCFRMI Federal Commissioner, Malam Aliyu Ahmed, revealed this in a speech at an event to celebrate his three years in office on Friday in Abuja

He also restated NCFRMI’s commitment to managing the more than 6.7 million displaced persons in the country.

According to him, some of the IDPs were from neighbouring countries.

‘In the last three years, we were able to return about 50,000 Nigerian refugees back into the country.

‘Within the last three years, we were able to take care of displaced individuals who are living in camps and also those that are living within the host communities.

‘We shall continue to manage about 6.7 million displaced individuals in this country. We are also managing the affairs of the refugees within and outside the country.

‘We have refugees from other nations living in Nigeria. And, of course, we have our own Nigerians who are living in other countries like Cameroon, Republic of Niger, Chad, Liberia and many others.

‘Just recently, we received 1,400 Nigerians from Republic of South Africa; and we have been receiving like that across the 36 states of the federation.

‘These are some of the most peculiar tasks on the shoulders of the NCFRMI.

‘But, with the support we are receiving from President Bola Tinubu, we are able to manage and then move on with our mandate,’ Ahmed said.

The NCFRMI boss further explained that within the last three years, the commission has been taking care of host communities accommodating the displaced persons.

‘This is because you cannot attend to only the displaced individuals; you must equally consider those who are receiving these IDPs in their communities,’ he said.

Ahmed said that the commission is putting efforts towards having an authentic and reliable data of migrants and displaced persons in the country.

He said a consultant had been engaged, adding that soon, NCFRMI would have a robust data management system for migrants and indigenous displaced persons.

He noted that most of the attention had been to the IDPs and the refugees.

‘Recently, Nigerian migrants were repatriated back into the country; we have been providing trainings for refugees, migrants and displaced individuals as a durable solution

‘This is against providing envelopes to Persons of Concern. The Federal Government cannot continue to fend for this 6.7 million displaced Nigerians.

‘We are into pure durable solutions now. And in doing that, we have engaged our IDPs into farming activities so that they can produce and fend for themselves.

‘Also, through the training, they should be able to take care of themselves and fend for themselves.

‘We have also been providing them with education because once we allow those children to live in camps without being educated, we are more or less rearing criminal in our societies.

‘The commission has taken it upon itself to provide education for the displaced children that are living within the Camps,’ Ahmed said.

During the celebration, different heads of departments in the NCFRMI reeled out the achievements recorded within the three years under Ahmed’s leadership.

Knights rip Stags, raise record to 2-0

After Letran’s first win in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament, Jimboy Estrada spoke highly of the Knights’ desire to make this campaign their ‘redemption season,’ echoing what coach Allen Ricardo has instilled in their mindset.

‘We’re just trying to build momentum heading into our other games,’ Ricardo said, after steering Letran to a 2-0 record in Group A following a lopsided 99-62 victory over San Sebastian on a rainy Friday at San Juan Arena.

‘This is the redemption season that coach Allen (Ricardo) has been saying all the time,’ Estrada said.

‘As much as we can, defensively, we want to excel, and offensively, we want to push the ball,’ Ricardo said as the Knights started out hot with a 24-15 lead in the first quarter and were never headed.

The Knights continued their onslaught in the second quarter, limiting the Golden Stags to just 12 points in the second frame to make the final half a cruise as the first half ended with Letran sitting on a 49-27 bubble.

Denzil Walker top-scored for last season’s losing finalists with 25 points, while Chad Gammad finished with 19 that went with four rebounds and three assists. Titing Manalili, meanwhile, was an assist shy of a double-double with 14 points.

Khit Barroga paced San Sebastian with 15 points, Matt Acosta scoring 10 as the Stags lost for the second straight game.

The first game between San Beda and Jose Rizal University (JRU), meanwhile, was called off because of a slippery playing court caused by leaks on the roof brought about by heavy afternoon rains.

At the 5:25 mark of the first quarter, JRU led San Beda 9-3, but game officials asked for a break in the game, which ultimately led to the match’s suspension.

Heavy rains ensued in the San Juan area, affecting the playing court and making it unfit for players.

The NCAA committee kept the players’ safety in mind with the decision as the floor became ‘too moist’ for play.

2 fishermen missing off Occidental Mindoro waters

The Coast Guard Station Occidental Mindoro (CGSOM) has appealed to the public for help locating two fishermen missing after leaving to fish in the waters off Calavite, Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

The missing fishermen were identified as Rolando Rodriguez, 59, and Armando De Ladia, 50, both residents of Sitio Balibago 2, Barangay Armado, Abra de Ilog.

According to the CGSOM, the two left Sitio Aroma in Barangay Tayamaan, Mamburao, on Sept. 15 aboard the motorized banca MBCA ‘King Nonoy’ to fish off Calavite.

They were expected to return on Sept. 19, but authorities said they could no longer be contacted.

Rodriguez was last seen wearing a gray polo shirt and pants, while De Ladia was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and shorts. The Coast Guard urged fishermen, boat operators, coastal communities and other members of the public who may have seen the two men or their boat to immediately report any information that could help authorities locate them.

Information may be reported to the CGSOM at 0945-266-2085, the Coast Guard Sub-Station Mamburao at 0995-277-9296, or Editha Rodriguez at 0975-653-3070.

The CGSOM appealed for public cooperation as search efforts continue.

WAFU-B U17 Championship: Flamingos outclass Ghana in 4-2 thriller

Nigeria’s U17 girls, the Flamingos, continued their impressive campaign at the WAFU-B U17 Girls Championship with a 4-2 victory over Ghana’s Black Princesses in Yamoussoukro on Friday.

The Flamingos overcame a cagey start to take control after the break, with Oluwakemi Adegbuyi opening the scoring in the 33rd minute with a well-taken finish.

Nigeria doubled their advantage in first-half stoppage time when captain Harmony Chidi found the net to give the Flamingos a 2-0 lead at the break.

Flamingos withstand red card

Nigeria’s task grew harder in the 59th minute when defender Elizabeth Adesuyi was shown a straight red card for a foul on a Ghanaian attacker.

Ghana quickly capitalised on the numerical advantage, with captain Seidatu Wahab scoring directly from the resulting free-kick to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

Despite being reduced to 10 players, Nigeria responded strongly and restored their two-goal advantage in the 70th minute.

Mary Dunstan produced an impressive individual effort, beating her marker before rounding the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Despite being reduced to 10 players, Nigeria responded strongly and restored their two-goal advantage in the 70th minute.

Mary Dunstan produced an impressive individual effort, beating her marker before rounding the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

Kaosarat Akanji produced a superb free-kick to extend the Flamingos’ lead to 4-1.

Ghana scored a second goal through Gloria Ameaa in the 90th minute, but the late strike proved insufficient as Nigeria closed out the match for a 4-2 victory.

The result strengthens Nigeria’s position in the WAFU-B championship and keeps the Flamingos on course in their bid for regional honours.

Their ability to maintain tactical discipline and control for more than 30 minutes with 10 players was a key feature of the victory.