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Iligan folk offer Mass for Typhoon Sendong victims on All Saints’ Day

Families, friends and village officials offered a Holy Mass and lit candles on All Saints’ Day for victims of Typhoon Sendong in Barangay Hinaplanon in Iligan City.

The Holy Mass, which was officiated by Reverend Father Rolando ‘Dodong’ Cantina of the Diocese of Iligan, was dedicated to the dead and missing individuals in the wake of the deadly typhoon, which struck on December 17, 2011.

Vernonico Echavez, former Hinaplanon barangay chairman and kagawad (councilor), told the Inquireron Tuesday, Nov. 2, that the mass was held in front of the barangay hall, where the names of over 500 missing persons were engraved in a lapida or marble wall.

‘Most of these missing individuals are my relatives,’ Echavez said in Bisaya.

Among the missing persons in the list is Michael Kundiman, a resident of Bayug Island and a broadcast journalist of then DXRJ station, Echavez said.

In Bayug Island, a memorial wall was also established, bearing the names of 1,600 individuals, including both the dead and the missing, he said.

Echaves said that some of the victims on the island were on Christmas vacation when the typhoon struck.

Many dead victims were buried in the public cemetery in Barangay Palao, where they are visited by relatives during Undas and other special occasions, Echaves said.

Gunmen abduct six mourners, abandon dead body on highway in Benue

Gunmen have kidnapped six people conveying the remains of a woman for burial along Adoka Road in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to sources, the husband of the deceased and five others were kidnapped on Friday at about 8 p.m. while taking her body to Okpoga in Okpokwu Local Government Area for burial.

It was gathered that the woman had died in Kano, and her body was being transported to Okpoga by her husband and five other mourners when their vehicle was intercepted along the notorious Adoka Road.

The kidnappers were said to have whisked the mourners away to the bush, abandoning the woman’s body on the highway.

A source said, ‘A man from Kano was carrying the body of his wife, who died in Kano, to Okpoga for burial on Friday.

‘They left Kano and got to Adoka at about 8 p.m. The husband of the deceased and five of his friends were in the vehicle when they were kidnapped along Adoka Road.

‘The kidnappers abandoned the dead body while they took the six people to the bush. From Friday until today (Monday), they were yet to be released, while a family member of the victims, whom I know, said the kidnappers were demanding N15 million.’

The source added that officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps found the body on the road on Saturday and took it to the police station in Adoka, from where the police later deposited it in a morgue.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, who confirmed the incident to journalists in a telephone interview on Monday, said the driver of the vehicle was his friend.

He said, ‘Yes, it happened. Incidentally, the driver of the vehicle is my friend. This is the unfortunate incident we are seeing. It is really traumatic.

‘The kidnappers are demanding N15 million. But the security agencies are trying to track the kidnappers. Also, our vigilantes and youths are not resting in their efforts to ensure that the kidnapped victims are rescued.’

Also confirming the incident in a telephone interview with journalists on Monday, the state police command spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said it happened on Friday.

‘It’s true, the incident happened on Friday, and our men are making efforts to rescue the victims,’ the police spokesperson said.

Adekanmbi parleys Oyo pensioners, urges them to be vigilant, resist manipulation

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi, has urged members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state to ensure that their votes count in 2027.

Adekanmbi stated this on Monday during an interactive session with the leadership and members of the union at Pensioners FM, Agbarigo, in Ibadan.

He said they must resist attempts by manipulators to rob them of their votes and cause crises in their various polling centres across the state.

‘You must not only exercise your voting rights but also take responsibility for ensuring that your votes count. The electoral mandate requires vigilance before, during and after elections,’ he said.

The APM candidate, while citing the recent Osun governorship election as a good example, added that the involvement of pensioners and organised labour in protecting votes demonstrated the importance of citizens’ participation in safeguarding the electoral process.

‘Let me urge you all (Oyo pensioners) to adopt a similar approach in 2027 by remaining at your polling units after voting to monitor the counting, recording and collation of results.

‘Don’t just go out to vote and return home. You must be vigilant and ensure that your votes count. Protect your votes against hijackers. What happens after casting your ballot is equally important. You must remain alert and follow the process to its logical conclusion,’ he urged.

On his governance agenda, Adekanmbi promised to build on the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde, saying his administration, if elected, would consolidate existing development efforts and take the state to a higher level of competitiveness and wealth creation.

He explained that Makinde’s first term was characterised by accelerated development, while the second focused on sustainable development, adding that his proposed administration would pursue what he described as continued development.

‘Now, my own is being built on continued development. That means there has been acceleration, there has been sustainability, and now you want to position the state for competitiveness, for wealth creation and for getting to the place where it should be in the comity of states,’ he said.

The former commissioner said he would not allow the development trajectory of the state to decline, arguing that the achievements of the present administration should serve as a foundation for further progress.

‘If somebody has done so much over the course of his two terms, the bar must not be dropped. The graph must be up and never flatten out or come down. The graph must continue to grow,’ Adekanmbi said.

Adekanmbi, who said his experience in government had given him firsthand knowledge of the state’s financial and administrative challenges, added that he understood the issues confronting Oyo State and had identified areas requiring urgent intervention.

‘I have firsthand information about the challenges of Oyo State. I know where the problems are, and I know the areas that require attention. I will work on the loopholes and ensure that we continue to move forward,’ he said.

The APM candidate further promised to establish periodic meetings with pensioners if elected, saying the engagement would provide an avenue for retired workers to communicate their concerns directly to his administration.

Saudi-led coalition intercepts Houthi missile as fighting intensifies in Yemen’s al-Jawf

The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen has intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels towards southern Saudi Arabia as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and government forces intensifies across northern Yemen.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki confirmed the interception on Monday, November 2, saying air defences destroyed the missile before it reached its target. The coalition had also intercepted a drone launched towards the kingdom on Sunday evening, according to Anadolu Agency.

The interception comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen’s strategic al-Jawf governorate, where government forces are attempting to recapture territory held by the Houthis.

Yemeni army spokesman Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili said government forces carried out 1,272 operations against Houthi fighters and military positions within 24 hours, claiming that about 500 fighters were killed and nearly 170 military vehicles and equipment were destroyed or disabled. Al Jazeera reported that these figures could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, Houthi-affiliated media reported that seven people were wounded in Saudi-led coalition air strikes on Hodeidah, including attacks on Ras Isa port and an oil company facility. The coalition had not commented on the reported casualties at the time of publication.

The renewed clashes add to the escalation of Yemen’s long-running conflict, raising fresh concerns over regional security and the humanitarian situation.

Justice For The Dead Miners

The 10-member Independent Committee to Investigate the Reported Deaths of 33 People in NSCDC Custody on September 17, 2026, headed by Mr Jonathan Kure, a retired Deputy Director-General of the Department of State Services, submitted its report last week, a few weeks after its constitution. In its report, the committee provided a thorough and far-reaching account of the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, leaving no doubt that it painstakingly examined the facts, reviewed available evidence and engaged relevant stakeholders before arriving at its recommendations.

In line with earlier eyewitness accounts, the committee found that the deaths of the detained miners resulted from environmental asphyxia caused by severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, extreme heat and dehydration in an unsuitable detention facility. The panel concluded that the tragedy was entirely preventable and stemmed from unlawful detention conditions, failure of duty of care, inadequate supervision and the disregard of repeated distress calls from detainees who pleaded for help throughout the night. Before the investigation, officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State sought to explain the deaths as possibly resulting from an unspecified disease outbreak. They later stated that the cause of death had not yet been established. That position was a disservice to the Nigerian people, who fund the activities of the NSCDC. Rejecting the disease outbreak claim, the committee further established that the arrests and detention of the alleged illegal miners were carried out without proper planning or authorisation.

In its report, the committee made a series of recommendations aimed at ensuring accountability, justice and institutional reform. Foremost among them was that officers found culpable in the deaths of the detainees should be dismissed from service and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Significantly, the committee identified the officers involved and specified the roles each played in what amounted to an unnecessary loss of 37 lives. The committee also urged the federal government to provide compensation to the victims’ families, educational support for their dependants, and medical and psychological care for survivors and affected relatives. In addition, it called for a formal government apology in recognition of the gravity of the tragedy. On the institutional front, the panel recommended a comprehensive overhaul of detention practices within the NSCDC. This should include upgrading detention facilities, ensuring stricter adherence to constitutional safeguards and human rights standards, enhancing the supervision of detainees, improving officer training, and strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms. The committee further stressed the need for proper operational planning, record-keeping and authorisation procedures for future enforcement operations, warning that systemic failures and negligence must never again be allowed to cause such a preventable loss of life.

International human rights law and Section 33 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantee the right to life, a fundamental right that does not cease to apply simply because a person is under arrest or in detention. Detainees and inmates remain entitled to the protection of the law, humane treatment, access to medical care where necessary, and the constitutional safeguards of due process and fair hearing. The committee’s findings indicate that the deceased detainees repeatedly cried out for help and showed signs of severe distress before their deaths, yet those warnings were allegedly ignored. No domestic law or international human rights standard permits security personnel to stand by while people in their custody face a life-threatening emergency. The reported failure to respond raises serious questions about the training, judgment and conduct of the officers involved. Whether the neglect resulted from inadequate human rights training, gross indifference or an attempt to conceal wrongdoing, the tragedy represents a profound breach of the duty of care owed to every person in lawful custody.

While the officers directly implicated in the deaths of the detained miners must face the full weight of the law, it would be a grave mistake to treat the Niger State tragedy merely as the misconduct of a few individuals. The findings of the Independent Investigative Committee point to deeper institutional weaknesses, including poor supervision, inadequate detention conditions, operational failures and disregard for established standards of care.

The needless loss of lives has inevitably placed the NSCDC under intense public scrutiny and raised troubling questions about its procedures, oversight mechanisms and accountability structures. The government must therefore go beyond disciplining culpable officers and undertake a comprehensive review of the organisation’s operations nationwide. Such a review should examine detention practices, operational protocols, training standards, command responsibility and compliance with constitutional and human rights obligations. The tragedy in Niger State should serve as a wake-up call and an opportunity for meaningful reform. Anything short of a thorough institutional overhaul would risk leaving the conditions that produced this disaster unchanged, thereby exposing citizens to similar tragedies in the future.

Students share their views on what makes a gift acceptable

Here’s what Ugandan students consider appropriate gifts during exam season:

I think parents should give their children gifts that are meaningful and helpful to their growth, such as clothes, and other necessities. Gifts should not only be expensive items like cars. What matters most is the love and thought behind the gift, rather than its price.

Precious Nankebe

S6, Comprehensive College Kitetikka

The best gift a parent can give a child is prayers and presence and words of encouragement. Doing too much is gifting luxurious gifts like expensive phones, that is very spoiling.

Raymond Bateze

S2 St Gonzaga Budini SS Kaliro District

In my opinion, acceptable gifts are those that motivate children to work hard and become responsible people. Parents can reward good performance with school requirements, clothes or even an opportunity to participate in activities we enjoy. However, gifts should not make children feel entitled or believe that they deserve everything they ask for.

Bashir Kalanzi Ssempiira,

S6, Comprehensive College Kitetikka

Encouragement is an enough gift. Too much money is doing too much as a parent. Give us average money and a success card with words of encouragement and maybe more physical gifts like a necklace, each time I will see it in exams around my neck, I will remember your words of encouragement. Luxurious gifts like trending shoes and phones is doing too much.

Steven Bwanga

S3 St Gonzaga Budini S.S. Kaliro District

I believe parents should give children gifts that are appropriate for their age and contribute to their well-being. Items such as clothes, learning materials, toys and sports equipment can help us learn and enjoy our childhood. Parents should also understand that not every child needs the same gift, and they should avoid giving things that may negatively affect our studies or behaviour.

Shifurah Arish Nakitende

S2, Comprehensive College Kitetikka

I think parents should give children gifts that make them happy while also teaching them important values. For example, parents can buy us sports equipment, games or other things we need. However, gifts like phones and unrestricted access to social media should come with guidance and rules so that they do not distract us from schoolwork. Above all, love, encouragement and time spent together are also valuable gifts.

Shaban Raish

S3 Comprehensive College Kitetikka

Things like branded cups are acceptable and should be gifted. However, electronics gadgets like phones and laptops are just too much and some students misuse them.

Jalirah Namutamba.

S3 St Gonzaga Budini S.S, Kaliro district

I believe parents should give children gifts that encourage good behaviour, education and responsibility. Things like school bags, clothes and sports equipment are acceptable because they help us develop our talents. Parents should also spend time with their children because attention and guidance are gifts that money cannot buy.

Isaac Mukisa

S2, Comprehensive College Kitetikka

Normally what parents do is fantasize a lot, thinking it’s very expensive gifts that will make us pass, but it’s not. Instead it affects our cognitive reasoning negatively and we end up not performing well because we are more focused on the expensive gifts. Parents, please don’t send us your fantasies, instead come to school physically and encourage us to focus, this is better and a success card too with some small money not more than Shs 50,000.

Jesse Avril Besimire

S3 St Gonzaga Budini S.S. Kaliro District.

Parents should gift things like frame works with encouraging words like Bible verses in success frames. A lot of money distracts us. Money like Shs 200,000 a week is too much, messes with our concentration. Shs 50,000 is enough for the exams period.

Joseph Muwanguzi

S3 St Gonzaga Budini S.S Kaliro District

A success card and a picture frame and some money like Shs 50,000 is acceptable. Overboard is for flower bouquets of money hitting Shs 1m. That is too much and bad.

Maria Joy Nangobi,

S3 st Gonzaga Budini S.S. Kaliro District

Normal success card and a t-shirt branded with the students photo is enough but some parents exaggerate gifting kids lots of money like Shs 1m and some even cars. It affects our concentration

Vivian Norah Akoth

S5 St Gonzaga Budini S.S Kaliro District

Parents need to know that we are all from different backgrounds when gifting. So they shouldn’t exaggerate things like cars, that is over doing it. Gifts like frames with encouraging words and vacuum cups and success cards are enough.

Hudha Namusubo

S.3 St Gonzaga Budini S.S Kaliro District

I think different kids are different, understand your child 1st before gifting them. Gift them things that will make them comfortable. Rich kids can be gifted things like expensive phones, they are already used, poor kids shouldn’t be gifted luxurious things, they will be too excited and lose focus. For rich kids, things like gifting them a house is doing too much, they see no value in studying.

Abubakari Luba

S3 St Gonzaga Budini SS Kaliro District

I think parents should give their children gifts according to their needs and the family’s financial ability. Gifts such as clothes, shoes, and educational materials are good because they support our studies and personal development. Parents should avoid competing with others by buying expensive gifts that may put them under financial pressure.

Ruth Arinda

S5, Comprehensive College Kitetikka

Gifts like prayers, cakes, presence are acceptable but luxurious things like expensive phones is doing too much, they even distract us from concentrating

Ramah Kibedi

S2. St Gonzaga Budini SS Kaliro District

Beloved Filipino musical ‘Joseph the Dreamer’ returns this November

One of the longest-running original Filipino musicals, ‘Joseph the Dreamer,’ returns to the stage for a limited run with a new-generation cast including Jordan Andrews, Neo Rivera, and veteran actor Nonie Buencamino. Produced by Trumpet’s, Inc., the show will run from November 6 to 22, 2026, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

Inspired by the biblical tale in the Book of Genesis, the story follows Joseph, Jacob’s eleventh of 12 sons, who is sold into slavery by his brothers out of envy and resentment. Blessed with the ability to interpret dreams, Joseph overcomes hardships anchored by unwavering faith and trust in God.

Audie Gemora, Trumpets’ Artistic Director and the original Joseph, looks back on the legacy of the musical that changed his life, which was first staged in 1989.

‘When I played Joseph the Dreamer for the first time, I realized we could affect people’s lives by our performance. People would come up to us and say, ‘I was going to leave my husband, but after watching this show, I learned about forgiveness.’ So many lives were changed,’ Gemora recalls.

For the 2026 run, Joseph Andrews and Neo Rivera will take turns portraying the title character, Joseph. Both actors previously played Judah, one of Joseph’s brothers, and they now step into the lead role with greater experience and a deeper appreciation of Joseph’s journey.

Andrews first took on the role of Joseph in 2025 with theater credits that include Ang Huling El Bimbo, Rent, Shrek the Musical, and A Chorus Line. He also gained early stage experience performing in Broadway and West End productions of Miss Saigon and The King and I. Andrews later became widely known in the Philippines as a housemate on Pinoy Big Brother Season 10: Celebrity Edition, where he was introduced as ‘The Musical Dream Chaser of London.’

For Andrews, Joseph’s story is something all people can relate to because of its universal theme of faith, perseverance, and the pursuit of dreams. It serves as a reminder that there is always ‘hope’ to hold on to even during difficult times.

‘We’ve all gone through our own journey, and Joseph is relatable because we all have dreams we want to achieve. [Whether] you’ve watched it a hundred times, or seeing it for the first time, we can all relate to that,’ Andrews shares.

Rivera is a versatile actor who’s also gifted in singing and dancing, and dabbles in the visual arts, photography, and content creation. He has built a steady career in theater and film, with lead roles in Going Home To Christmas and The Quest For The Adarna before briefly stepping away from the stage. Rivera made his comeback as Fred in A Christmas Carol, and was widely praised in portraying Phil in this year’s production of On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.

Veteran actor Nonie Buencamino joins the production as Jacob, the patriarch, bringing decades of experience across television, theater, and film. His notable screen credits include Heneral Luna, Goyo: The Boy General, and Jose Rizal. Buencamino also recently won a Gawad Buhay award for playing three roles in Balete and portrayed Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha.

The supporting cast includes Iya Villanueva and Naya Ambi, who alternate as Asenath and the principal narrator, while Lorenz Martinez plays the Pharaoh. Omar Uddin takes on the role of Potiphar, with Dippy Arceo and Jannah Baniasa as Mrs. Potiphar.

Rapah Manalo and Boo Gabunada play Judah and Reuben, respectively, alongside Luis Marcelo, Renz Bernardo, Sam Panlilio, Anton Posadas, Daniel Solis, Carlos Canlas, Gabo Tiongson, Antonio Valdez, and Matthew Barbers. Liam Nery and Enzo Isaac portray Young Joseph and Manasseh.

Julia Serad plays Rachel, Joseph’s mother, and performs the ballad ‘He Opens a Window.’ Justine Narciso, Kathleen Francisco, Gabby Concepcion, Jim Ferrer, and Coleen Paz complete the cast.

Leading this run’s production as the staging director is industry veteran Bernice Aspillaga, who has also worked on a variety of shows under Trumpets and Theatre Group Asia, among others. Jim Ferrer is also on board as assistant director and dance captain, and Jay Pangilinan as musical director.

Moscow Fashion Week: African fashion takes the runway and AI meets creativity

There is always a certain delight in being back in Moscow. Between the fashion, the food and the unmistakable flair of the city, there is never a shortage of things to enjoy. But beyond the beautiful sights and stylish crowds, my return to the Russian capital for the 2026 BRICS+ Fashion Summit and Moscow Fashion Week offered something more to think about: the future of fashion in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, even for African creatives.

Held from September 28 to 30, the BRICS+ Fashion Summit brought together industry experts, designers, business leaders and fashion professionals from more than 60 countries to discuss the forces shaping the industry. Alongside it, Moscow Fashion Week, which ran from September 26 to October 1, provided a closer look at the creativity, craftsmanship and cultural influences finding their way onto the runway.

And if there was one conversation that stayed with me, it was about artificial intelligence and what its growing influence means for human creativity.

There is no denying that AI is making its way into almost every corner of the fashion industry. From predicting consumer behavior and generating design concepts to creating digital visuals and improving production processes, the technology is changing how brands work.

At the Summit’s session, Artificial Intelligence in the Creative Process: Tool, or Co-Author?, industry professionals explored a question that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: when technology can create designs in seconds, what happens to the human creativity that has always made fashion exciting?

Kanika Goyal, founder and creative director of Indian brand KGL, offered a useful perspective, arguing that while AI can assist with design, it cannot understand how a model feels or whether a particular piece of embroidery belongs in a specific place. Those decisions still require human judgement.

Sergio Puig, director of Mediterranean Fashion Week Valencia, also cautioned against the possibility of brands losing their individuality if everyone relies on the same technological tools.

It is a fair concern. Fashion is more than putting together colours, fabrics and silhouettes that look good on a screen. It is about emotion, identity, culture and the occasional creative decision that makes you wonder how someone even thought of it.

AI can generate ideas, analyze trends and make the design process faster, but can it replicate the experience of a designer drawing inspiration from childhood memories, traditional craftsmanship or a culture they have spent years understanding?

Perhaps the bigger question is not whether AI will replace designers, but whether designers will allow it to dictate their creativity.

For emerging brands, particularly those working with limited resources, AI presents opportunities to compete in a market that might otherwise be out of reach. However, the challenge will be using these tools without producing collections that all look and feel the same.

Technology may be changing the fashion business, but originality remains its greatest currency.

Kiko Romeo Brings Kenyan Rhythm to Moscow

Away from the conference rooms, Moscow Fashion Week offered its own compelling argument for why human creativity still matters. I also had the chance to experience some incredible runway showcases, thanks to our fashion facilitators, Ksusah Shalygina and Angelika Sarkisyan, who ensured we had front-row seats to take in the best of the fashion week.

One of the highlights for me was the showcase by Kenyan fashion brand Kiko Romeo. There was something particularly exciting about watching an African brand bring its designs to an international runway, accompanied by the sounds of Muthoni Drummer Queen and Blinky Bill’s Sina Makosa.

The music gave the presentation an unmistakable East African flavour, adding rhythm and personality to the models’ strides. It was a reminder that fashion does not exist in isolation. The brand unveiled its printed collection consisting of cotton easy styling pieces that brought that African flair to the runway.

For African designers, platforms such as Moscow Fashion Week offer an opportunity to introduce their work to audiences beyond the continent, while showing that African fashion is not a single aesthetic or story. It is a collection of influences, ideas and creative expressions that deserve space in the global conversation.

The BRICS+ Fashion Summit reinforced this point through discussions about cultural identity, international cooperation and the importance of helping local brands access new markets.

For African fashion to grow internationally, visibility is important, but so are the business relationships, production capacity and infrastructure that allow designers to turn attention into sustainable opportunities.

Another memorable presentation took place at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, where Moscow-based Viva Vox staged its showcase.

The setting alone made the experience special. The museum’s red walls, sculptures and striking architecture became part of the visual story, offering a refreshing departure from the conventional runway.

Viva Vox presented a black themed collection, with elongated silhouettes, leather pieces, bodysuits, loose coats and trench coats featuring stand collars. Dark sunglasses added a sharp finishing touch, while sandy brown and beige tones softened the collection.

The interplay between eveningwear and street-style details was particularly interesting. Against the museum’s grand backdrop, the clothes seemed to occupy a space between fashion, art and everyday life.

It was also a fitting reminder of a recurring theme at the Summit: fashion and cultural institutions have much to offer each other. Museums preserve history, while designers reinterpret it, giving familiar ideas new meaning for contemporary audiences.

Moscow-based Solangel is one of the labels I always look forward to seeing at Moscow Fashion Week, and this season was no exception. The Designer, Irena Soprano dedicated the collection to Russian ballet, sending voluminous dresses, sculptural corsets, long gloves, pearls and crystals down the runway. Real ballerinas in classic tutus joined the models, adding a theatrical touch to the showcase. There was an exciting Hollywood connection, too with this showcase. One of Solangel’s creations that featured in this showcase recently appeared in The Devil Wears Prada 2, worn by Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly.

Beyond these highlights, Moscow Fashion Week offered a broad picture of the industry’s diversity, from experimental graduate collections to designers reinterpreting traditional Russian dress, intricate lacework and heritage textiles.

There were collections that celebrated history, others that embraced bold contemporary silhouettes, and presentations that demonstrated how fashion can tell stories without relying on words.

Together, they reinforced the idea that while technology may influence how clothes are designed, produced and marketed, the industry still thrives on the ability to communicate something meaningful through what we wear.

And then, of course, there was Moscow itself.

While I had come for the fashion, our daily strolls from the Ararat Park Hotel, where we were staying, to the various show venues became an experience of their own. Along the way, we enjoyed the city’s remarkable sights, including Red Square and its surrounding historic buildings.

There is something beautiful about walking through a city where history and modern life sit so comfortably alongside each other. Moscow’s architecture, grand streets and rich cultural character provided a fitting backdrop.

I returned for the clothes, the designers and the conversations, but left with an even greater appreciation of the city. Moscow’s beauty is, in my view, underrated, and experiencing it on foot made that realization even sweeter.

If the BRICS+ Fashion Summit was about imagining where fashion is headed, Moscow Fashion Week was a reminder of what makes it worth watching in the first place: the people, the stories, the culture and the creativity behind every collection.

AI may well become an indispensable part of the industry’s future. But as long as fashion continues to draw from human experience, cultural memory and individual imagination, I suspect its soul will remain firmly in human hands.

MMDA: Light traffic on major NCR roads on All Souls’ Day morning

Major roads across Metro Manila are experiencing light traffic as of 7 a.m. on Monday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said.

The update came as Filipinos observe All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, with families visiting cemeteries to pay their respects to departed loved ones.

In its Metrobase traffic update, the MMDA reported light traffic along both the southbound and northbound lanes of Edsa.

Traffic was also light along the southbound lane of C-5 Road, while moderate traffic was recorded on its northbound stretch from Kalayaan Avenue to Bagong Ilog.

Meanwhile, traffic remained smooth in both directions along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon Avenue, Marcos Highway, and Ortigas Avenue.

Roxas Boulevard likewise recorded light traffic on both its southbound and northbound lanes, according to the MMDA.

The expanded number coding scheme is suspended on Nov. 2, a special non-working holiday.

QC sanitation department cleans Bagbag, Novaliches cemeteries

The Quezon City’s Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works conducted cleanup operations at the Bagbag Cemetery and Novaliches Public Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 2, as people continued to visit the graves of their departed loved ones on All Souls’ Day.

In a Facebook post, the local government said the cleanup drive aims to keep the cemeteries clean and orderly for visitors paying their respects to their departed loved ones.

Thousands of people flocked to the two cemeteries on Sunday, Nov. 1, for this year’s Undas observance. However, authorities said visitors continued to visit the burial grounds on Monday.

The local government also reminded cemeterygoers to refrain from littering and leaving their waste in public spaces.

‘Always dispose of your trash properly in designated waste bins or garbage containers,’ it said.