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2027: Archbishop Akinola urges commitment to national unity, accountability, people-centred governance

Taiwo Akinola, the presiding bishop of Rhema Christian Church and Towers, has called on the government, political leaders, institutions, and citizens to renew their commitment to justice, accountability, national unity, and people-centred governance, as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

Akinola said Nigeria possesses enormous human and material resources, and urged the government to prioritize citizens’ welfare. ‘Nevertheless, persistent insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, healthcare deficiencies, substance abuse, and threats to food safety demand urgent and coordinated responses,’ he said.

According to him, the 2027 general elections offer Nigerians another opportunity to strengthen democratic institutions and demand responsible governance. He therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and other stakeholders to work towards peaceful, transparent, inclusive, and credible elections.

‘Vote-buying, intimidation, electoral violence, religious manipulation, and misinformation must be firmly discouraged. Young people as well as senior citizens, should complete the necessary voter registration procedures, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards where applicable, and participate responsibly in the electoral process,’ Akinola said.

He reiterated that the Church must remain non-partisan but never indifferent to justice, truth, and good governance. According to him, the Church must educate consciences rather than dictate political choices. ‘The true measure of political leadership is not the volume of campaign promises but the tangible improvement in citizens’ lives,’ Akinola said.

The Archbishop said the 2024 World Bank’s development indicators, which puts Nigeria’s life expectancy at birth to approximately 54.6 years, underscores the need for sustained improvements in healthcare delivery, nutrition, sanitation, and living conditions.

He added that healthcare expenditure must produce measurable improvements in service delivery, and that no Nigerian should be denied essential medical attention merely because of poverty.

Akinola reiterated that a healthy population is indispensable to human dignity, national productivity, and sustainable development. He said further that greater investment in preventive healthcare, immunisation, nutrition, sanitation, and mental health services is equally necessary.

‘We urge the government at all levels to prioritise functional primary healthcare centres, affordable health insurance, essential medicines, maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, and improved welfare for medical personnel.’

Speaking on the church’s forthcoming convention themed, ‘More Than Conquerors,’ Akinola, who is the Pastor-General, Rhema Christian Church and Towers, said the 35th convention of the ministry will bring believers from diverse backgrounds for spiritual renewal, sound biblical teaching, fervent prayers, worship, and life-transforming encounters with the supernatural power of God.

According to him, the theme reminds the congregation that national challenges, however formidable, must not become excuses for despair or inaction. He reiterated that the theme reminds the church and Nigerians at large that adversity cannot extinguish hope; difficulties must not destroy faith, and believers can triumph through the unfailing grace and power of Jesus Christ.

‘At a time when individuals, families, and nations confront formidable economic, social, and spiritual challenges, this message is particularly timely. For thirty-five years, God has graciously sustained this ministry in its divine assignment of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and raising a people of His power, purity, and purpose,’ Akinola said.

Yomi Akinyemi, chairman, Rhema World Convention 2026, said daily sessions will be held at 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m., with a special Hosanna Night of Power and Praise on Friday, November 6, by 9:00 p.m.

According to him, the grand finale will be held on Sunday, November 8, with special thanksgiving and special impartation service. ‘As we celebrate thirty-five years of God’s faithfulness – our message, ‘More Than Conquerors’ is one of faith, responsibility, courage, and hope. We call on political leaders to rise above selfish interests, institutions to rise above negligence, and citizens to rise above apathy,’ he said.

C5 flyover repairs, road crashes disrupt Undas traffic

Motorists on C5 faced traffic disruptions on Sunday, November 1, as repairs continued on a major flyover in Quezon City and several road crashes were reported along the highway during the Undas weekend.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) began rehabilitating the northbound section of the C5 Boni Serrano Flyover at midnight on Saturday. The affected section is scheduled to reopen at 5 a.m. on Tuesday.

The work includes asphalt patching, lane marking, repainting of fences and installation of additional road delineators.

The DPWH has also installed steel grating to restore a previously closed drainage inlet and cleaned and repainted reflectorized delineators along the flyover.

The agency advised motorists to plan their trips and use alternative routes while the rehabilitation continues.

Slow-moving traffic, road incidents

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) reported slow-moving to moderate northbound traffic from the C5 Bagong Ilog Flyover to the service road on Sunday morning. Southbound traffic along the C5 service road was moderate.

Several incidents also affected portions of the highway earlier in the day.

At 6:06 a.m., two SUVs were involved in a crash on the northbound C5 Carlos P. Garcia Bridge, occupying one lane.

Another crash involving two motorcycles was reported at the C5-Ortigas IPI area eastbound at 5:50 a.m., also occupying one lane.

In Quezon City, a car crash at the C5 Katipunan-H. Ventura U-turn slot occupied one lane at 4:29 a.m.

Earlier, at 3:46 a.m., a wing van stalled because of a mechanical problem along northbound C5 Katipunan-H. Ventura, temporarily occupying another lane.

MMDA traffic enforcers responded to the crashes.

The incidents followed slow-moving traffic reported on Saturday evening along several C5 sections, including Eastwood to Bagong Ilog southbound, Palar to Bagong Ilog northbound, and Greenmeadows to Libis northbound.

In its 7 p.m. traffic bulletin on Saturday, the MMDA attributed congestion along those stretches to vehicle volume and ongoing DPWH roadworks.

Longer-term repairs in Pasig

Apart from the rehabilitation of the Boni Serrano Flyover, structural strengthening work is underway at the Pasig Boulevard-C5 Flyover in Barangay Bagong Ilog.

According to the Pasig City government, the DPWH project began July 11 and is expected to continue until April 5, 2027.

Work is scheduled daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day.

The city government previously warned that the project would affect traffic flow and advised motorists to consider alternative routes.

Undas travel preparations

The MMDA has deployed more than 2,000 personnel across Metro Manila to manage traffic and assist motorists near memorial parks as Filipinos observe All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2.

The agency is also implementing traffic rerouting schemes around major cemeteries and crowded areas.

In Quezon City, local authorities warned of heavier traffic near cemeteries and memorial parks from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 and advised motorists to use alternative routes.

Meanwhile, a moratorium on road excavation works across Metro Manila takes effect on November 1 and will last until Dececember 23, ahead of the Philippines’ hosting of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and the Christmas season.

The moratorium covers road reblocking, pipe laying, road upgrading and other excavation activities that could disrupt traffic.

The DPWH’s scheduled C5 rehabilitation work is continuing during the Undas break despite the broader excavation moratorium.

From Italy to Croatia, a warming climate threatens prized white truffles

ALBA, Italy – Guided by the beam of a flashlight, Tino Marolo follows his dog Stella through the darkness of a Piedmont woodland, searching for one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures hidden beneath the soil.

In the hills around Alba, home to the world’s most famous white truffles, hunters known as ‘trifolau’ traditionally begin their season on October 1. But increasingly, they are confronting a challenge above ground: climate change.

Months of heat and drought have raised concerns about the future of the prized white truffle, a fungus that depends on cool, moist soils and a delicate relationship with tree roots.

‘The entire month of October was affected by the lack of rain in July and August and the high temperatures, so it was characterized by poor production and poor truffle shelf life,’ said Antonio Degiacomi, president of Italy’s National Centre for Truffle Studies.

According to Degiacomi, dry and compacted soils have also produced smaller truffles this season.

The difficult harvest comes as Alba and the surrounding Langhe hills welcome visitors for the International White Truffle Fair, one of Italy’s best-known food events, which opened on October 10 and runs until December 6.

A changing harvest

For Axel Iberti, president of the fair, the season began slowly, with smaller truffles emerging after a hot, dry summer. More recent rains have improved conditions, helping larger specimens appear.

Despite tighter supplies, demand remains strong. Prices at Alba’s truffle market are running about 20 percent to 30 percent higher than last year, Iberti said, while hotels and other accommodations have largely sold out during the fair period.

The concerns extend beyond this year’s crop.

‘This year certainly stands out from a trend we all know has been going on for five or six years now,’ Degiacomi said, citing hotter summers and increasingly erratic rainfall patterns.

Back in the woods, Marolo says uncertainty has always been part of the hunt.

‘You certainly come home empty-handed more often than you do with a truffle,’ he said. ‘It’s really the thrill of saying: I don’t know what I’m going to find.’

The same warning signs

Similar concerns are emerging elsewhere in Europe’s truffle-producing regions, suggesting a challenge extending beyond any single forest or region.

Across the Adriatic in Croatia, truffle hunters and scientists describe many of the same challenges, from shrinking harvests to declining habitat suitability.

In oak forests outside Zagreb, truffle hunter Petar Alebic says years of drought have made the prized fungi harder to find.

‘Each year for the past seven or eight years has been worse than the last,’ Alebic said. ‘Due to the drought, unfortunately, truffles are becoming smaller and scarcer.’

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Alebic estimates this year’s harvest is about 30 percent below normal and increasingly supplements his income with truffle-hunting tours for tourists.

Scientists studying truffles in Croatia report similar findings. Croatia is home to about a dozen truffle species, according to mycologist Armin Mesic of the Rudjer Boskovic Institute. The most prized, the white truffle, can fetch as much as 4,000 euros ($4,500) per kilogram.

‘Drought, a lack of rainfall and high temperatures have a significant impact on both the quantity and quality of truffles,’ Mesic said.

‘Quantities are declining, as is the geographical area where white truffles grow,’ he added.

Part of the solution

Yet experts in Piedmont reject the idea that the white truffle is doomed.

‘I don’t think we’re facing extinction; we’re facing a challenge,’ Degiacomi said.

Researchers are studying ways to help truffle habitats adapt, including improved forest management and experimental irrigation during prolonged droughts.

‘We’re trying to do what nature does, and do it artificially,’ Degiacomi said.

In Alba, the response increasingly centers on restoring and protecting forests.

Iberti has expanded the fair’s focus beyond tourism to include environmental education and conservation efforts.

‘The truffle is the sum, but it’s also the vector,’ Iberti said. ‘People come to Alba and the Langhe to discover everything the territory has to offer.’

Working with municipalities, truffle hunters and landowners, communities have begun creating new public truffle grounds and planting trees that could eventually support truffle growth.

‘The forest is an act of love and faith for the next two or three generations,’ Iberti said.

Advocates say reforestation can help lower soil temperatures, retain moisture and reduce erosion, although it can take more than a decade before newly planted trees become suitable hosts for truffles.

Science looks underground

Researchers are also investigating the role of soil microorganisms and looking for tree varieties better suited to hotter and drier conditions.

Attempts to cultivate the prized white truffle continue, but reliable commercial production remains elusive. Unlike black truffles, which can be cultivated, white truffles have largely resisted large-scale production.

As autumn progresses, the size of this year’s harvest will become clearer, along with its effect on prices and supplies reaching restaurants and markets.

For now, however, the ancient partnership between hunters, dogs and forests endures.

One evening in the woods, Stella eventually stops and begins to dig.

The dog has found a truffle.

Whether future generations will continue to enjoy such moments may depend on a mix of science, conservation and adaptation to a warmer climate.

Nigeria’s digital economy faces DNS security risks as cyberattacks hit 4,361 weekly

Nigeria’s digital economy faces growing cybersecurity risks as organisations experience an average of 4,361 attempted cyberattacks weekly, exposing weaknesses in the country’s internet infrastructure and strengthening calls for tougher protection of the systems that direct users to government, financial and business websites.

The warning comes as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) moves to make Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) implementation part of its cybersecurity assessment of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in a bid to prevent attackers from exploiting weaknesses in the internet’s domain-name infrastructure.

Speaking at a cybersecurity awareness webinar organised by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, director-general of NITDA, said the agency would include DNS security in its cybersecurity assessment protocol and push for government-owned .gov.ng domains to adopt DNSSEC.

Represented by Oluwasegun Falayan, the NITDA chief said having a government domain was no longer sufficient without security mechanisms to protect it against manipulation and other cyber threats.

‘So we must lead, we must ensure that every .gov.ng is signed as much as possible, and we provide DNS as an inclusion in every security assessment that we do. So it’s not enough to just have a domain, but it must be secured and must be signed,’ he said.

The directive highlights a less visible but increasingly important vulnerability in Nigeria’s digital transformation: the security of the infrastructure that connects internet users to online services.

The Domain Name System (DNS) functions as the internet’s address book, translating website names into numerical internet addresses that computers use to communicate. When attackers manipulate this process, users can be redirected to fraudulent websites even when they enter what appears to be a legitimate web address.

DNSSEC adds a layer of protection through digital signatures that allow internet resolvers to verify whether DNS responses are authentic and have not been altered.

However, its adoption remains a challenge across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, where government institutions, businesses, internet providers and domain registrars have different responsibilities for securing the infrastructure.

Adesola Akinsanya, president of NiRA, said Check Point Research reported that the average Nigerian organisation faced about 4,361 attempted attacks weekly in June, compared with a global average of approximately 2,270.

The figures underscore the pressure on organisations as digital services expand and cybercriminals increasingly exploit vulnerabilities in online systems.

Akinsanya also cited Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) figures showing that digital-payment fraud amounted to N25.85 billion in 2025, despite a decline in reported incidents. He cautioned that the reduction could reflect under-reporting rather than an improvement in security.

‘DNS security is not a technical hobby. It is an economic question,’ he said.

The economic implications extend beyond the theft of funds. Compromised domain infrastructure can undermine trust in digital payment platforms, expose customers to phishing attacks, disrupt access to essential services and damage the credibility of Nigerian businesses operating online.

For a country seeking to expand digital financial services, electronic government platforms and technology-driven businesses, weaknesses in the internet’s naming infrastructure could create risks that extend across multiple sectors.

Akinsanya, however, cautioned against treating DNSSEC adoption as a standalone solution, noting that the technology does not encrypt internet traffic, prevent distributed denial-of-service attacks or protect against compromised domain registrar credentials.

He warned that improperly configured DNSSEC could also make domains inaccessible to users whose internet resolvers validate digital signatures.

This means that adoption must be accompanied by technical competence, proper implementation and coordination among the organisations responsible for managing domain records and internet infrastructure.

NiRA operates Nigeria’s .ng domain registry, but individual organisations remain responsible for managing their DNS infrastructure, registrar accounts and service providers.

Akinsanya disclosed that only 15 of Nigeria’s 164 accredited registrars had adopted DNSSEC, describing the figure as inadequate and calling for stronger implementation across the ecosystem.

He urged government institutions to review who controls their domain credentials, activate multi-factor authentication and establish clear procedures for responding to unauthorised changes to domain records.

He also called on internet service providers to enable DNSSEC validation, while urging regulators to incorporate the naming layer into Nigeria’s forthcoming cybersecurity framework and critical infrastructure planning.

The concerns received further attention during a panel session where Daniel Onyekpeze, head of incident handling at the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser, proposed an Executive Order to give DNSSEC Critical National Information Infrastructure status.

He argued that implementation should extend beyond government institutions to include the financial sector, given the importance of secure internet infrastructure to digital transactions and national resilience.

Other participants highlighted the changing nature of cyber threats. SP Kuma Ikyereve of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre identified phishing as the leading category of cybersecurity cases, while Lateef Hamzat, founder and chief executive officer of CyberPlural, said attacks were gradually shifting from individuals towards systems.

The shift raises the stakes for organisations whose digital infrastructure supports large numbers of customers and interconnected services. A vulnerability in a central system can potentially affect more users than an attack directed at an individual account.

For Nigeria, the challenge is therefore not simply to increase the number of secured domain names but to ensure that the underlying infrastructure is properly configured, monitored and protected.

NiRA has maintained that expanding the .ng domain should not come at the expense of security. Akinsanya said Nigeria had roughly one registered .ng domain for every 1,000 citizens, compared with approximately two per 1,000 in Kenya and 20 per 1,000 in South Africa.

He said the association was targeting 30 percent growth but would not pursue expansion without adequate security standards.

The broader policy challenge is ensuring that NITDA’s new assessment requirement translates into measurable improvements rather than another compliance exercise.

DNSSEC can help prevent attackers from manipulating DNS responses, but its effectiveness depends on organisations securing their registrar credentials, maintaining their systems, enabling validation and responding quickly to incidents.

As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and Nigeria’s economy becomes increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, securing the internet’s underlying systems is emerging as an important part of protecting financial transactions, public services and business confidence.

https://dailytrust.com/breaking-gwarzos-name-still-missing-on-updated-gubernatorial-list/

Governor Dauda Lawal has presented staff of office and official vehicles to 19 emirs in Zamfara State.

The coronation and presentation ceremony took place at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto, the Etsu Nupe and the Emir of Gwandu.

Following their oaths of office, Governor Lawal presented staff of office to 11 first class emirs and eight second class emirs.

Each newly coronated emir also received a GAC ULTRA SUV (2025/2026 model), a MIKANO ZNA HILUX vehicle and an EV ANTIQUE MODEL car (DDP). The vehicles are intended to support their travels and help them engage more closely with their communities.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal said the ceremony reflected his administration’s recognition of the traditional institution as an enduring part of society and an important partner in promoting peace, stability and development.

He noted that the ceremony also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to giving traditional rulers the recognition and institutional support they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively.

He said, ‘The staff of office being presented today signifies the authority entrusted to you by the State,’ he said.

‘It also represents a responsibility to govern your respective domains with fairness, wisdom, integrity, and compassion.

‘I expect every emir to carry out their responsibilities without discrimination, uphold justice, and ensure that the traditional institution remains accessible to all members of the community.

‘Our people must find guidance, fairness, and reassurance in their traditional rulers.

‘Recognising the importance of royal palaces as centres of traditional authority and community engagement, I reaffirm our commitment to completing the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the remaining royal palaces.

‘This is part of our broader effort to strengthen these institutions and improve the conditions in which traditional rulers carry out their responsibilities.

‘We are also providing official vehicles to the 19 emirs. These include GAC ULTRA SUVs (2025/2026 models), MIKANO ZNA HILUX vehicles, and EV ANTIQUE MODEL cars (DDP).

‘This provision is intended to facilitate travel across your respective emirates, encourage closer engagement with your communities, and improve coordination with government institutions.

‘I expect these vehicles to be properly maintained and used responsibly in support of your official duties.’

The governor also urged the royal fathers to build a productive partnership between their emirates and the State Government.

Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, urged the newly coronated emirs to remain fully loyal to the authority. He also encouraged them to respect and uphold the dignity of the traditional institution as they discharge their duties.

Nearly 2,000 runners take part in Baku’s sixth Victory Run

The traditional “Victory Run”, dedicated to the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 2020 Patriotic War, has started in Baku.

The event opened with the national anthem, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives defending the country.

Participants started the 10-kilometre race near the Seven Beauties Fountain in the Seaside National Park.

Organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, the race is being held under the slogan “Forward with Pride” this year.

The sixth edition of the Victory Run has brought together a record number of participants, with nearly 2,000 people taking part.

The event also has a charitable purpose. Each participant made a minimum donation of 20 manats during registration, with all proceeds to be transferred to the YASAT Foundation.

The first runners to cross the finish line will receive awards. Following the race, participants and guests will enjoy a concert featuring People’s Artist Roya, Murad Arif and other well-known performers.

The Victory Run has been held annually since 2021.

SGV names new chairman

Professional services firm SGV and Co. has named Michael Sabado as its new chairman and country managing partner.

In a statement, SGV and Co. said that Sabado’s role will take effect on Nov. 3.

In this new role, Sabado will lead the firm’s continued efforts to strengthen relationships and collaboration and accelerate talent development.

Under his leadership, the aim is to position SGV and Co. as one of the most trusted professional services firms in the country.

Sabado is bringing more than three decades of professional experience at SGV to his new role.

Before being named chairman, Sabado served some of the firm’s clients, helping them navigate business, financial reporting and regulatory matters.

His previous roles include serving as an assurance partner and a former market group leader, where he worked with clients and gained experience guiding organizations through change and growth.

As SGV’s client relationship leader for core accounts and co-head of Japan Business Services, he also helped deepen key client engagements, promote greater integration in the organization and support growth.

Sabado completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, major in Accounting, at San Beda College.

SGV is the country’s leading and largest professional services company. It provides assurance, consulting, tax, strategy and transactions services.

Banks see stronger loan demand in Q4

Banks expect stronger demand for loans this quarter while keeping lending standards largely unchanged despite lingering economic uncertainty, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Results of the BSP’s latest Senior Bank Loan Officers’ Survey (SLOS) showed that 80.8 percent of respondent banks expect to maintain their credit standards for business loans in the fourth quarter, higher than 71.2 percent in the previous quarter.

For household loans, 85.7 percent of banks expect lending standards to remain unchanged, up from 77.1 percent in the third quarter.

Credit standards refer to the rules banks use in approving loans, including interest rates, collateral requirements, loan amounts and repayment terms. The results suggest that banks are becoming less inclined to tighten lending requirements.

For business loans, the share of banks expecting to tighten credit standards declined to 17.3 percent from 28.8 percent. Meanwhile, 1.9 percent intends to ease lending rules, compared with none previously.

For household loans, the share of banks expecting tighter standards fell to 11.4 percent from 17.1 percent, while those expecting easier requirements declined to 2.9 percent from 5.7 percent.

Despite the softer tightening bias, banks cited uncertainty over the economic outlook, deteriorating borrower profiles and reduced willingness to take risks as factors that could prompt stricter lending requirements.

Meanwhile, banks anticipate stronger borrowing appetite from both businesses and consumers in the October to December period.

For enterprise loans, 69.2 percent of banks expect demand to remain unchanged, down from 75 percent in the previous quarter.

However, the share of banks expecting higher business loan demand rose to 26.9 percent from 19.2 percent, while those anticipating weaker demand declined to 3.8 percent from 5.8 percent.

The BSP attributed the expected pickup to higher financing requirements for inventories and accounts receivable, or money owed to businesses by their customers, as well as limited access to alternative funding sources.

A similar trend emerged in household lending, where 37.1 percent of banks expect demand to increase in the fourth quarter, nearly double the 20 percent recorded in the previous survey.

Meanwhile, 60 percent expect household loan demand to remain unchanged, down from 71.4 percent, while only 2.9 percent anticipate a decline, compared with 8.6 percent previously.

Banks expecting higher household loan demand cited stronger consumer spending, more attractive bank financing terms and increased housing investment as major drivers.

The BSP survey gathered responses from 55 out of 60 banks between Sept. 2 and Oct. 6.

The quarterly survey covers universal and commercial banks, thrift banks and rural banks. It tracks changes in banks’ lending policies and their assessment of borrowing demand, providing an indication of future credit conditions in the economy.

With timely ace, Bisera tops LPGT

Atimely hole-in-one saved Yvon Bisera’s season, pulling off one of the narrowest victories in Ladies Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit history.

Angelo Que relied on consistency to top the men’s earnings race for the second straight season.

Both fashioned out two victories to seize early control of their respective OOM races, but neither had an easy ride to the coveted season-ending title.

The women’s race came down to a mere P4,550.

While Que built a comfortable cushion through a series of strong finishes in the closing legs, Bisera saw her once-commanding position come under serious threat, setting up a dramatic showdown with Harmie Constantino in the final stop at Apo.

Bisera had seen her bid for a third leg victory fall short by just one stroke to Chanelle Avaricio at Summit Point. She came up two shots short of Tiffany Lee at Pueblo de Oro, then struggled to make a bigger impression at home at South Pacific, settling for fourth.

Still, she led the standings entering the finale at Apo, with Constantino closing in. And when Bisera opened with a 74 and followed it up with a 73 in the second round, the door swung wide open for Constantino, top player in 2024 who came up with a huge finish this season.

Constantino won the Apo title by two strokes. At one point, Bisera faced the prospect of finishing sixth and losing the season-long race by a mere P2,000 in earnings.

Then came the shot that changed everything.

Bisera aced the 17th hole, turning a potentially costly finish into a joint third-place effort with Avaricio and Princess Superal. It was a timely breakthrough that kept her in the money and, ultimately, preserved her place atop the rankings.

Her P83,750 share of the combined third- to fifth-place purse of P251,250 lifted her season earnings to P704,150, just enough to edge Constantino, whose P162,500 prize at Apo brought her total to P699,600.

‘Going into Apo, I wasn’t really thinking about the OOM title. But looking back, that hole-in-one on the final day was probably the biggest turning point and the main reason I was able to secure the OOM crown this year,’ said Bisera.

For Bisera, claiming the season-long honor was especially meaningful, considering the challenges she faced throughout the year and the strength of the competition.

‘Winning the OOM title means a lot to me. I’m really happy and grateful to have achieved this, especially after going a long time without a win following my victory at Pradera Verde. Although I wasn’t able to perform as well as I wanted in Mindanao, I’m still thankful to have come out on top, especially with the field being so strong this year,’ she said.

‘My two wins and two runner-up finishes were the biggest factors that helped me win the OOM title. But that clutch hole-in-one on the final day of the last tournament will always be especially memorable for me. I hope this achievement will give me more confidence as I prepare for my international tournaments,’ said Bisera.

Lee wound up third with P650,000, her bid for a maiden OOM title derailed by a difficult Apo campaign that saw her settle for a share of eighth place.

Avaricio finished fourth with P588,600 despite winning three legs at Pinewoods, Summit Point and South Pacific, her campaign affected by her decision to skip a couple of LPGT events in favor of overseas tournaments. Last year’s OOM champion Sarah Ababa, meanwhile, settled for fifth with P491,450 after a winless season.

On the men’s side, Que took a markedly different route to his second consecutive OOM crown, leaning on his early-season victories and a string of respectable finishes to keep his pursuers at bay.

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The veteran campaigner drew strength from his come-from-behind triumph at Caliraya Springs and his two-shot victory over Aidric Chan at Summit Point, building the earnings cushion that would prove decisive in the final stretch.

Juggling commitments between the PGT and the Asian Tour, Que endured a demanding schedule that left little room for rest. Fresh from an Asian Tour event, he struggled to a joint 12th-place finish in Negros Occidental before placing joint 21st in Iloilo. He then shared ninth at Pueblo de Oro, took fifth at South Pacific and closed out his campaign with an eighth-place finish at Apo.

Although he failed to crack the Top 5 in the final five legs, Que’s earlier victories and steady accumulation of earnings proved more than enough. He finished with P1.445 million to complete a rare back-to-back OOM championship.

Jeffren Lumbo remained within striking distance and still had a mathematical chance of overtaking Que heading into Apo. But the Sarangani standout also faltered in the finale, winding up joint 18th and settling for second with P1.230 million.

Clyde Mondilla, winner at South Pacific, was third with P1.223 million, his campaign likewise affected by missed opportunities in key legs. Rupert Zaragosa, who won at Pueblo de Oro, placed fourth with P1.038 million, while Keanu Jahns, winless after sweeping three titles last season, wound up fifth with P982,550.

Aradel’s revenue surges 633%, but finance costs erode earnings

Aradel Holdings Plc grew revenue more than sevenfold in the nine months to September 2026, but the expansion did not translate into stronger bottom-line earnings as rising finance costs and tax expenses weighed on profit.

The oil and gas group reported revenue of N3.95 trillion for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared with N538.81 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. Gross profit rose to N1.66 trillion from N234.73 billion, while operating profit increased to N1.56 trillion from N167.53 billion.

However, finance costs climbed sharply to N841.13 billion from N21.39 billion, while tax expenses rose to N721.41 billion from N55.56 billion. Consequently, profit after tax fell 82.3 percent to N43.30 billion from N245.13 billion.

Profit after tax declined by 82.3 percent to N43.30 billion from N245.12 billion, while earnings per share dropped to N32.57 from N55.90.

The increase in finance costs was driven largely by the N529.10 billion unwinding of contingent consideration linked to the acquisitions of ND Western and Renaissance, alongside N251.06 billion in interest on bank borrowings. The unwinding charge is an accounting expense and should not be interpreted entirely as cash interest paid.

The revenue expansion also reflects a significantly larger business following Aradel’s acquisition of ND Western and Renaissance, completed on December 31, 2025. The 2026 figures therefore include businesses that were not consolidated on the same basis in the 2025 comparative period.

The enlarged group’s balance sheet reflected that expansion. Total assets rose to N10.76 trillion at September 2026 from N1.96 trillion a year earlier, while total liabilities increased to N8.81 trillion from N459.56 billion. Shareholders’ equity grew to N1.95 trillion from N1.50 trillion.

Cash and cash equivalents increased to N2.00 trillion from N411.83 billion. However, total borrowings also rose to approximately N1.51 trillion from N206.51 billion, reflecting the group’s larger financing structure.

Cash generation strengthened during the period. Net cash from operating activities reached N2.46 trillion, compared with N205.41 billion in the corresponding nine months of 2025. This was supported partly by a N1.38 trillion increase in trade and other payables, while the group paid N690.32 billion in taxes.

Investment spending also increased, with purchases of property, plant and equipment rising to N570.64 billion from N116.54 billion. Net cash used in financing activities widened to N1.32 trillion from N54.46 billion, reflecting outflows including interest, dividends, borrowing repayments and contingent consideration payments.

The company is generating substantially more revenue and operating cash, but facing a much heavier finance and tax burden as it integrates its enlarged business.

Aradel Holdings currently trades at N1439.9 and has a market capitalisation of N6.3 trillion; it has remained one of the most performing stocks on the stock exchange, returning 99.9 percent.