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Ukraine strikes four Russian oil depots in Krasnodar Krai

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says its drones struck four oil depots in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai overnight on September 28, with fires reported at the facilities.

According to the SBU, drones operated by its Alfa special operations center targeted the Edelweiss-95 and Din-Yug-Oil oil depots in Stanitsa Novotitarovskaya. Fires were reported at the sites.

The Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt oil depot in Pavlovskaya was also hit, with a fire breaking out at the facility. The Angelinskaya oil depot in Staronizhestebliyevskaya was also reportedly struck and caught fire.

The SBU described the facilities as important parts of the fuel infrastructure used to store and supply petroleum products to Russian forces. Ukrainian officials have said such strikes are intended to disrupt fuel logistics.

Separately, Ukrainian and Russian sources reported a fire at the Edelweiss-95 depot in Novotitarovskaya following a drone attack. The depot has a reported capacity of 4,500 cubic meters and specializes in wholesale fuel supplies.

Melmac Sports opens FIFA-standard football field at Villar City

Melmac Sports officially opened its FIFA-standard football field at Villar City in Dasmariñas, Cavite, on Saturday, September 27, marking a significant milestone for the sports organization and the local football community.

The new facility sits on a 3.5-hectare property, providing ample space for football, sports activities, events, and future developments aimed at serving athletes, families, and the wider community.

The opening ceremony was led by All Star Properties, Inc. President and CEO Mel Macasaquit, alongside Melmac Sports partners and former Philippine national team players Misagh Bahadoran and Simon Greatwich.

Also in attendance was former Senator Manny Villar, Chairman of Villar Land Holdings, together with Chief Operating Officer Mary Lee Sardiasa, Division Head Engineer Allan Santos, members of the Villar City team, guests, and partners.

For Macasaquit, the opening represents more than just the addition of another sports facility, as football has long been close to his heart.

‘While people may see a lot of basketball in our portfolio, football has always been the foundation of Melmac Sports. It was through this beautiful game that our deeper involvement in sports began.

My partners, Misagh and Simon, both dedicated their careers to representing the Philippine national team, and for all of us, this has always been driven by our genuine love for the game. We hope this new facility gives young players a place to develop their skills, build their confidence, chase their dreams, and hopefully become the next generation of Philippine football players.

We’re incredibly grateful to the Villar Group for welcoming Melmac Sports to Villar City.

This was not easy. It took a tremendous amount of work, time, and commitment from everyone involved. We even turned Misagh into a construction worker just to make sure we got this done.’

‘Simon literally dedicated his life to teaching kids football through G8 Academy. Today, it finally has a home. And for me, that makes everything we went through worth it.’

The opening also coincided with the grand opening of Planet Melmac at Villar City, the fried chicken brand that originated in Singapore and has since expanded into the Philippines under the Melmac brand.

The Villar City facility further expands Melmac Sports’ growing footprint in Cavite.

MelMac Sports also operates a 3,500-square-meter multi-sport facility at Vista Mall Imus, which features courts and spaces for pickleball, 3×3 and 5-on-5 basketball, a sport-specific gym, and other recreational activities.

With the opening of the football field and Planet Melmac, Melmac Sports and Villar City aim to create a destination where athletes, families, and the wider community can come together through sports, recreation, and dining.

Leadway pushes stronger climate risk cover for Africa’s food systems

Leadway Assurance has called for stronger and more affordable climate risk solutions to protect Africa’s food systems as climate change increasingly threatens agricultural production, farmer incomes and investments across the continent.

The insurer made the call at the ninth edition of Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2026, convened by Sterling Bank, where industry stakeholders examined ways to improve food production, financing, processing, technology, trade and policy to build stronger agricultural value chains across Africa.

Speaking during a panel session titled ‘Climate Risk Management for Sustainability: Future-Proofing Africa’s Food System,’ Ayoola Fatona, global head, Agricultural Risk Solutions, Leadway Assurance, identified affordability and the trust deficit as major barriers limiting insurance adoption among smallholder farmers.

Fatona said addressing these barriers would require stronger partnerships capable of making insurance more accessible to farmers, particularly those most exposed to climate-related risks.

‘At Leadway, we have sought to address these challenges by building partnerships with organisations that share our commitment to advancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and strengthening their resilience to climate-related risks,’ he said.

‘Through these collaborations, we have been able to mobilise funding to pre-finance insurance premiums, ensuring that farmers have the protection they need in place from the outset of the planting season, when their risk exposure is at its highest.’

According to Fatona, the approach has enabled the insurer to significantly expand agricultural insurance coverage.

‘In the 2025 wet season alone, our partnerships enabled us to mobilise over US$1.2 million to provide insurance coverage for more than 400,000 farmers, and we are continuing to build on that progress,’ he said.

He said affordability, however, would not be enough to drive sustained adoption if farmers lacked confidence that insurers would pay claims when losses occur.

‘Beyond affordability, we recognise that trust must be earned through action. That is why we remain committed to ensuring constant and rapid payouts, no matter how large, whenever insured events occur,’ Fatona said.

The challenge is particularly acute for smallholder farmers who often operate with limited financial buffers and are vulnerable to weather shocks, including drought, excessive rainfall and other climate-related events.

For insurers, expanding coverage to this segment also presents operational challenges, particularly in reaching farmers in remote communities and areas affected by insecurity.

Leadway said it is responding by deploying remote sensing and other technology-enabled solutions to assess farms virtually, understand their structures and farming practices, and maintain engagement with farmers where physical access is difficult.

The use of technology is expected to help insurers improve risk assessment and expand coverage while reducing some of the costs associated with traditional farm-level assessments.

The insurer’s participation at the Agriculture Summit Africa 2026 reflects its broader focus on using insurance to protect agricultural investments and strengthen resilience across the food value chain.

As African countries seek to increase food production, improve food security and develop stronger intra-African trade, industry stakeholders say managing climate-related risks will remain critical to protecting farmers, agribusinesses and the investments required to expand the sector.

Stock-Market Outlook

SHARE prices fell last week following economic growth downgrades of the Philippines to 2.9 percent from SandP Global and to 3.3 percent by the Asian Development Bank. The lingering post-FTSE foreign selling in Ayala Corp. and SM Investments Corp. also weighed on the market.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index fell 29.94 points to close at 5,825.97 points.

The main index also reached its lowest for the year on Thursday, closing at 5,730.02 points before paring down its losses the next day.

Volume for the week remained low, with average value of P5.75 billion, with foreign investors, who cornered 46 percent of the trades, were net sellers at P816.32 million.

Most of the sub-indices ended on the red, led by the broader All Shares index that fell 31.59 points to close at 3,246.21 points. The Financials index declined 9.24 to 1,811.39 while the Industrial index retreated 205.19 to 7,597.74. The Holding Firms index rose 5.87 to 4,143.01 while the Property index shed 37.63 to 1,760.37. The Services index was up 28.44 to3,192.41 and the Mining and Oil index plunged 1,259.40 to 20,600.79.

For the week, losers outnumbered gainers 138 to 83, and 26 shares were unchanged.

The top gainers were LFM Properties Corp., Pacifica Holdings Inc., Oriental Petroleum and Minerals Corp. A and B shares, Supercity Realty Development Corp., Ionics Inc., Alliance Select Foods International Inc. and Seafront Resources Corp.

The top losers, meanwhile, were Harbor Star Shipping Services Inc., Metro Alliance Holdings and Equities Corp., PAL Holdings Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp., Geograce Resources Philippines Inc., ABS-CBN Corp. and Prime Media Holdings Inc.

This week

SHARE prices may go up this week, but mainly on bargain hunting.

Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financials Inc., said that while current levels are considered bargains and fundamentals remain intact, the bearish case remains strong as other markets move unfavorably against local equities, while overall macroeconomic conditions remain discouraging.

Tantiangco also noted that both Washington and Tehran have shown last week that they are holding their respective grounds but at the same time expressed willingness to return to the negotiation table.

However, he said that, ultimately, the situation between the US and Iran remains uncertain leaving oil prices at elevated levels. The benchmark Brent crude remains above the $100 per barrel mark, Tantiangco noted.

Broker 2TradeAsia said eyes will be on Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas September inflation outlook and on the US Federal Reserve, especially with the latest payrolls print. Consensus is building for possible 25 basis points rate hike before year-end, according to the broker.

‘Underweighting risk assets is warranted, as cash/short-dated fixed income, which essentially pay money to wait, are significantly more compelling,’ said 2TradeAsia.

The broker advised to tilt toward US dollar earners like ports and infra, and toward large-cap banks, where higher rates support margins.

2TradeAsia said that, for now, brace for potential range tightness in the 5,500- to 6,000 points zone of the main index.

Stock picks

BROKER RCBC Securities Inc. gave an ‘overweight’ rating on the country’s Philippine water players West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. (PSE: MYNLD) and East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Co. Inc. (PSE: MWC).

The broker said that the country’s water sector is poised for steady, defensive growth this year, driven by aggressive capital deployment in water security and infrastructure.

‘Volume growth across both concessions will be catalyzed by capacity expansion, specifically Maynilad’s ongoing NRW (non-revenue water) recovery program and Manila Water’s commissioning of major treatment facilities (Wawa, East Bay), effectively translating enhanced raw water availability into sustained billed volume gains,’ RCBC Securities said.

MYNLD closed at P17 apiece, while MWC were last traded at P33.50 apiece.

Meanwhile, RCBC Securities maintained its ‘hold’ rating on the stock of Semirara Mining and Power Corp. (PSE: SCC), after the government issued an advisory formally terminating the 2026 coal bid round under the ‘Philippine Conventional Energy Contracting Program,’ directly impacting the auction for Semirara Island.

By citing continuing water seepage as a primary justification for the cancellation, the government has placed the site’s escalating hydrological and geological risks under a spotlight.

‘This puts pressure on SCC to commit substantial capital toward dewatering, safety and environmental compliance, driving up long-term opex (operational expense) while the government simultaneously seeks a larger revenue share,’ it said.

SCC closed last Friday at P15.28 apiece.

Sunshine Medical Devices supports Sri Lanka’s first national suture championship

Sunshine Medical Devices (SMD) has partnered with the Sri Lanka Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (SLAPRAS) to support Sri Lanka’s first national suturing competition for undergraduate medical students, reinforcing its commitment to developing the country’s future healthcare workforce through education, clinical excellence and industry collaboration.

The Master of Precision Suturing Championship brought together fourth-year medical students from 11 medical faculties across Sri Lanka, creating a national platform to identify emerging talent while strengthening practical surgical competencies at an early stage of medical training.

Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Ltd., Executive Director and Sunshine Medical Devices and Lina Manufacturing CEO Dr. T. Sayandhan, said the partnership reflects Sunshine Healthcare’s broader vision of strengthening Sri Lanka’s healthcare ecosystem through long-term investment in both technology and people. ‘Healthcare transformation is driven not only by innovation, but by the capability of the professionals delivering care. By partnering with SLAPRAS on this pioneering initiative, we are investing in future Surgeons by providing opportunities to learn from experts, strengthen practical skills and aspire to higher standards of clinical excellence. Developing healthcare talent today is essential to delivering better patient outcomes tomorrow,’ he said.

Designed as both a competition and a learning experience, the program provided participants with direct mentorship from leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons while exposing them to the standards, discipline and precision expected in modern surgical practice. Competitors were assessed on key aspects of suturing, including tissue handling, instrument control, precision, knot security, consistency and overall technique.

Plastic and Reconstructive Consultant Surgeon and SLAPRAS President Dr. Yasas Abeywickrama said: ‘This initiative is about far more than recognising technical skill. It is about cultivating the craftsmanship, discipline and professional standards that define surgical excellence. By providing students with early exposure to structured skills development and specialist mentorship, we are helping prepare the next generation of surgeons to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.’

The initiative was spearheaded by Plastic and Reconstructive Consultant Surgeon Dr. Gayan Ekanayake with the objective of creating a structured national platform to complement undergraduate medical education through practical skills development, mentorship and performance-based learning.

SLAPRAS intends to establish the championship as an annual national program, expanding opportunities for undergraduate medical students to benefit from structured surgical skills training, specialist mentorship and practical assessment.

’National standard to set PHL ube apart from rivals’

The government will work on establishing a national standard on fresh purple yam (ube) in 2027 as part of efforts to strengthen the tuber’s Philippine identity given the massive demand of the domestic and international markets for the crop.

Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards (BAFS) Chief Science Research Specialist Alpha Lanuza told the BusinessMirror that it targets to include the creation of a Philippine National Standard (PNS) on fresh purple yam in the pipeline next year.

BAFS, an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture (DA), is mandated to ‘formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, labelling, importation, exportation, distribution, and advertising of agricultural and fisheries products.’

‘We’re still waiting for the FDC’s [Food Development Center] research on color and flavor as well as the BPI’s [Bureau of Plant Industry] molecular characterization so these can be included in the PNS,’ Lanuza recently told this newspaper.

She noted that establishing a national standard on purple yam proves crucial at a time when global demand for Philippine ube grows at breakneck speed, owing to its expanding popularity that has muscled its way into overseas cafes and restaurants.

‘The standard will provide clear and consistent requirements for the safety, quality, grading, handling, and marketing of fresh ube, supporting regulation and strengthening the competitiveness of Philippine ube in domestic and international markets.’

Furthermore, Lanuza pointed out that the PNS on purple yam could safeguard the identity of Philippine ube.

This, as the DA flagged existing bottlenecks in domestic purple yam production that choke off supply, including fragmented supply chains and inconsistent quality standards.

‘The standard can also provide a recognized technical basis for identifying and distinguishing Philippine fresh ube, including its molecular characteristics and unique flavor and color attributes,’ Lanuza said.

‘This can help protect and strengthen the identity and market position of Philippine ube while supporting its development as a high-value agricultural commodity.’

The DA recently slapped an indefinite ban on exports of fresh ube to safeguard the country’s planting material given the stiff competition among producers to meet booming global demand. (See: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2026/09/11/phl-bans-exports-of-purple-yam-as-global-demand-soars/).

The move excludes value-added products, such as powdered ube, ube halaya, and paste.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told the BusinessMirror that the temporary ban would protect the country’s planting material from a potential wave of poaching among other nations. Ube is propagated by cutting a whole tuber into small pieces.

‘We don’t want to export planting material. We severely lack it ourselves and other countries might use it to compete with us,’ he said.

The DA noted that its strategy is centered on building an ample stockpile in the domestic market before ramping up exports of the crop as local production lags behind soaring demand.

To boost output, the government has introduced a swath of interventions, including expanding production of planting materials through tissue culture, community-based nurseries, and the mini-sett propagation technique.

Healthcare for elderly gets Rotary District 9112 attention as it provides Sick Bay

Access to basic healthcare has continued to receive a boost as Rotary International District 9112 has opened a recreation centre, OGRA Sick Bay, in Lagos, a facility designed to provide basic healthcare services, particularly for elderly members and other users.

The facility was recently inaugurated by the Governor of Rotary International District 9112, Rotarian Layi Abidoye, alongside the President of the OGRA Recreation Centre, Aliu Obabiolorunosi Gafar, and the President of the Rotary Club of Ogudu GRA, Ayodeji Odumosu.

Speaking on the project, according to a statement, Gafar described the sick bay as a timely intervention, noting that it would improve access to healthcare within the centre.

In a show of community empowerment, the club also presented microcredit cheques totalling N2.1 million to 10 beneficiaries, including the Baba Oloja, to support small businesses and improve livelihoods.

Secretary-General of the Kosofo Market Association, Gbenga Fayemi, according to the statement, commended the initiative and urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds responsibly. He stressed that proper use of the fund would ensure sustainability and allow more people to benefit from the scheme.

‘The financial support is an important intervention that can help strengthen businesses and improve livelihoods,’ Fayemi said.

In his remarks, the Club President, Odumosu, said the activities were designed to grow membership and deliver impactful projects that address community needs.

He noted that the District Governor’s visit provided an opportunity to review the club’s programmes and strengthen its alignment with Rotary’s service objectives.

Homegrown stories draw crowds as several Puregold CinePanalo screenings sell out

For Filipino moviegoers looking for homegrown stories, the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival is proving to be a popular destination, with several screenings selling out within its first few days.

Long lines and packed lobbies greeted audiences on opening day, while moviegoers also took to social media to share updates on sold-out shows and remaining schedules.

The turnout comes amid ongoing conversations about the state of Philippine cinema, with the festival offering another indication of audiences’ continued interest in locally made stories.

‘This year, Pinoy cinema has been the subject of much debate and discourse,’ said Puregold CinePanalo Festival Director Chris Cahilig. ‘However, the success of our first day of screenings makes things incredibly clear: there remains a strong appetite for Filipino stories told by Filipino voices.’

The interest was already visible before opening day, with moviegoers lining up to secure tickets and festival passes at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma.

Among the films drawing audiences were the coming-of-age story ‘Apol of My Ai,’ supernatural queer films ‘Patay Gutom’ and ‘Multwoh (Patay na Patay sa ‘Yo),’ and romantic comedy ‘Stuck on You,’ which puts a deadly twist on the genre.

The festival’s seven full-length films and 19 student short films continue to screen at participating cinemas, with several late-afternoon and evening screenings during the previous weekend being sold out.

Beyond the films, festivalgoers can also take home souvenirs and giveaways, including grocery bags, custom totes, pins and personalized souvenir receipts.

‘Puregold CinePanalo is our treat to both artists and fans of cinema,’ Cahilig said. ‘While we continue to uplift the stories of local filmmakers, we also strive to create memorable experiences for those who come to support these films.’

The Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2026 runs until October 4 at Gateway Cineplex 18, TriNoma, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Ayala Malls Circuit, Ayala Malls Manila Bay and Market! Market!

Regular tickets cost P250, while discounted tickets are P200 for PWDs, senior citizens, students, national athletes, and Aling Puring and Puregold Perks cardholders.

A P2,000 festival pass is also available at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma and can be used across participating festival venues.

Jollibee, DreamWorks team up for global ‘Forgotten Island’ campaign celebrating friendship and Filipino culture

Jollibee and DreamWorks Animation are teaming up for a global partnership tied to the worldwide theatrical release of Forgotten Island, a new original animated feature that celebrates friendship, family, and Filipino-inspired storytelling.

The collaboration brings together DreamWorks, the studio behind globally recognized films including Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, and The Wild Robot, and Jollibee, the beloved Filipino restaurant brand that makes your favorite Chickenjoy, Yumburger, Jolly Spaghetti and Burger Steak.

The partnership also brings together shared themes of friendship and togetherness. Forgotten Island draws inspiration from Filipino mythology and stories passed down through Filipino families, while Jollibee has long brought people together through shared meals and everyday moments of joy. In the Philippines, the collaboration offers fans an opportunity to experience the film’s themes and Filipino cultural elements through Jollibee.

At the heart of Forgotten Island, from the filmmakers of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, are lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, voiced by Grammy and Academy Award winner H.E.R. and Filipino actress Liza Soberano. The story follows the two friends as they discover a mysterious portal leading to Nakali, a magical island inhabited by mythical creatures inspired by stories from their Filipino families.

Their adventure takes a turn when they discover that returning home comes at the cost of losing their memories of each other. Joined by a group of allies, Jo and Raissa must navigate the challenges of Nakali while finding a way to preserve their friendship.

The film features an international voice cast that includes Dave Franco, Lea Salonga, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, and Ronny Chieng, bringing together global talent and Filipino voices in a story rooted in Filipino-inspired mythology.

‘At Jollibee, we’ve always believed that some of life’s best memories are made around the dining table. Forgotten Island is a beautiful and moving story that reminds us of the power and importance of friendship, something that has always been at the heart of our brand,’ said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. ‘Through this partnership with DreamWorks, we’re excited to give Filipinos another meaningful way to celebrate friendship, create lasting memories, and share the joy of eating together.’

To bring the partnership closer to Filipino fans, Jollibee Philippines will introduce the limited-time Forgotten Island Adventure Bundle launching September 16 in Metro Manila and September 23 in all other regions, available until October 31 at participating stores nationwide.

The Adventure Bundle includes Jollibee’s 1-pc. Chickenjoy with rice and Pineapple Quencher, the new Peach Mango Pie à la Mode with Vanilla Soft Serve, Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie with Chocolate Sauce, and an exclusive Forgotten Island Friendship Charm Bracelet. The bundle is priced at P389.

Inspired by the film, the exclusive Friendship Charm Bracelet serves as a collectible that fans can take home as a memento of the partnership and the friendships celebrated in Forgotten Island.

The Forgotten Island Adventure Bundle will be available through dine-in, takeout, and drive-thru, while supplies last.

Forgotten Island, distributed by Universal Pictures, opens in Philippine cinemas on September 23, 2026.

State-owned universities’ pro-chancellors protest regulatory interference in school administration

The National Universities Commission (NUC) has been called upon to make members of professional bodies part of its accreditation team to universities to eliminate regulatory interference in university administration by the professional bodies.

The Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities (COPSUN), which made the call in a communique signed by Ayodeji Omole, its Professorial Chairman, said ‘the National Universities Commission (NUC), as the regulatory authority for the university system, should be legally strengthened and empowered to exercise overriding authority over university administration nationwide with the professional bodies serving only as part of the accreditation team being headed by NUC’

A communique which forms part of their resolutions after its 73rd quarterly meeting and made available to newsmen in Ibadan, stated, ‘COPSUN received the reports from our various universities over the growing interference of professional regulatory bodies in university governance.

‘These organisations, though legally established and constitutionally empowered, subject universities to multiple overlapping exercises such as resource verification, accreditation, indexing, induction, and licensing. These acts put a lot of pressure on the universities, leading to accreditation fatigue in most universities’ systems.’

On the extension of the tenure of the Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University, Oshogbo. COPSUN received a report ‘that the Vice-Chancellor’s tenure had been extended by two years beyond the statutory five-year term through the Executive pronouncement by the Visitor with a proposal to amend the University law to legitimise this illegal extension, which was deemed contrary to the existing legal framework.’

The Pro-Chancellors resolved to formally notify the Visitor (Governor Adeleke) of the University regarding this illegality and the need to adhere strictly to the existing law of the University in line with the University Miscellaneous Act of 2012 as amended.

‘The Pro-Chancellor of the University, who is a member of COPSUN, is also urged to adhere to the law and due process to safeguard the governance integrity of the university system.’