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TORONTO — Scottie Barnes scored 17 points, Ja’Kobe Walter added a season-high 16 and the Toronto Raptors won for the 11th time in 12 games, beating the Brooklyn Nets 119-109 on Sunday night.

Brandon Ingram had 14 points and Immanuel Quickley scored eight of his 13 in the fourth quarter to help Toronto extend its winning streak to seven.

READ: NBA: Raptors win 5th straight, surging in 3rd to beat 76ers

SEVEN STRAIGHT WINS FOR THE RAPTORS!

Their longest win streak since 2021-22 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4umZHvtU3C

— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2025

Toronto’s RJ Barrett scored 16 points before leaving midway through the third because of a sprained right knee. Barrett landed awkwardly after his steal led to a fast break dunk.

Brooklyn’s Tyrese Martin scored a season-high 26 points. Michael Porter Jr. had 25 and Noah Clowney added 22.

Nic Claxton had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets. Claxton had his first career triple-double in Friday night in a win at Boston.

Toronto’s Sandro Mamukelashvili scored 12 points in his first start of the season, Gradey Dick also scored 12 points and Jamal Shead had 11.

Porter’s layup with 4:24 left in the fourth tied it at 104, but Quickley made two 3-pointers as Toronto replied with a 10-0 run over the next 2 1/2 minutes.

READ: NBA: Scottie Barnes fuels Raptors in win over Cavaliers

Ingram reached 10,000 career points with a 3 in the second, his only basket of the period. Toronto led 65-58 at the intermission.

Mamukelashvili started for center Jakob Poeltl, who sat because of a sore lower back. Rookie Collin Murray-Boyles returned after missing two games because of a sore right knee.

Up next

Nets: Host New York on Monday night.

Raptors: Host Cleveland on Monday night.

In a vibrant celebration of World Contraception Day, Organon Philippines and the Quezon City government reaffirmed their shared commitment to empowering Filipino women through informed reproductive health choices. The “Take Control: Buhay Mo, Iplano Mo” initiative gathered hundreds of women for a day centered on agency, awareness, and supportive community action.

Empowerment Through Choice

At the heart of the celebration was a powerful message: women deserve the knowledge and the freedom to decide what’s right for their bodies and their futures. Organon Asia & the Pacific Medical Director Dr. Christina P. Crisologo emphasized that reproductive empowerment begins with access: to accurate information, to a range of family planning methods, and to supportive health systems.

“Family planning is about choice, control, and confidence,” she said. “When women are equipped with the right information and healthcare, they can make decisions that open doors to healthier, more secure futures for themselves and their families.” 

Quezon City as a Model for Reproductive Health

The partnership with the local government highlighted Quezon City’s strong track record as one of the country’s leading LGUs in reproductive health. Representing Mayor Joy Belmonte, Dr. Elenita R. Plata, Quezon City Health Department’s Medical Coordinator for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health & Nutrition, reaffirmed the city’s longstanding belief that equitable healthcare is foundational to community well-being.

She noted QC’s consistent investment in reproductive health programs, from accessible health centers and trained providers to aggressive information campaigns and family planning services that are available to all. These efforts have translated into real impact, including the reduction of maternal mortality cases from 135 in 2022 to 117 in 2024. 

“Family planning is a public health priority in Quezon City. By preventing unplanned pregnancies, we prevent avoidable maternal deaths,” she said. “Awareness leads to access and access saves lives.”

Educating Women on Modern Family Planning Options

A central part of the program was an expert-led discussion by Dr. Khristine Vine Dubhe Jadjuli, an OB-Gynecologist, who walked participants through various modern contraceptive options. She stressed that reproductive health should never be approached with a one-size-fits-all mindset.

“Every woman’s body and life situation is unique,” she explained. “Proper consultation with a healthcare professional is essential to choosing the method that works best for you.” 

This educational component reinforced the day’s core mission, empowering women to make informed decisions grounded in science, personal preference, and accessible support.

Turning Personal Commitments Into Global Impact

The event culminated in a “Commitment Exercise,” where attendees pledged to advocate for informed reproductive health choices in their own communities. For every pledge, Organon donates US$1 to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), extending the impact from Quezon City to vulnerable women across the Asia-Pacific region. 

By day’s end, one message stood firm: reproductive health is not just a policy or a medical service, it is a pathway to women’s empowerment. Through partnerships like this and with LGUs like Quezon City leading by example, more women are gaining the knowledge, confidence, and support to shape the lives they envision.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by Organon.

MANILA, Philippines — The commander of the Philippine National Police – Drug Enforcement Group Calabarzon Special Operations Unit (PNP DEG 4A SOU) and 14 of his officers were relieved from their posts following the alleged robbery-rape of a Grade 9 student in Cavite.

The alleged robbery-rape involving the 14 officers and the victim identified only as “Nena” occurred in Barangay Talaba 3, Bacoor City last Saturday morning, according to a police report sent to reporters.

“As an initial action, I relieved the commander, I relieved the 14 personnel. They are all now under the admin holding office of PDEG… Ang ni-relieve natin is 15 to include the commander for command responsibility,” DEG Director Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Monday.

(As an initial action, I relieved the commander, I relieved the 14 personnel. They are all now under the admin holding office of PDEG… We relieved 15 to include the commander for command responsibility.)

“The operation was covered by yung target intel packet involving one personality na target sa Bacoor. However, hindi nag-materialize yung buy-bust operation, nakatakas [yung subject] at yung complainant [in the rape case] is the girlfriend of the would-be subject of the buy-bust,” Ragay added.

(The operation was covered by a target intel packet involving one personality who is the target in Bacoor. However, the buy-bust operation did not materialize, the subject escaped and the complainant in the rape case is the girlfriend of the would-be subject of the buy-bust.)

The PNP DEG director said the 15 officers will be facing an administrative case.

The police report further noted the 14 officers are awaiting a complaint for violation of Republic Act 8353 or the Anti-Rape Law before the Bacoor City Prosecutor.

According to the police report, the 14 officers are a police colonel, a police lieutenant, a police master sergeant, five police corporals and seven patrolmen.

Eight of the suspects have been arrested and six others are at large, Ragay said, adding: “Four of them (at-large suspects) are sending feelers for possible voluntary surrender.”

Meanwhile, according to Ragay, the victim had been placed under the custody and protection of the Bacoor City Police Station.

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) on Monday said it deployed its own investigators to look into the case.

“Based on initial reports received by the Commission, Napolcom noted that the alleged operation conducted by the officers had no coordination, no documented authorization, and no record of any legitimate police activity at the time,” Napolcom said.

“As part of its mandate, Napolcom is now preparing to file administrative charges should the ongoing investigation establish probable cause,” it added, noting the administrative cases may be for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Napolcom further said the victim, will file an administrative complaint before the commission tomorrow. /gsg

 

Universal Pictures’ two-part “Wicked” gamble continues to defy gravity at the box office. Just a year after part one brought droves of audiences to movie theaters around the country, even more people bought opening weekend tickets to see the epic conclusion, “Wicked: For Good.” According to studio estimates on Sunday, “Wicked: For Good” earned $150 million from North American theaters in its first days in theaters and $226 million globally.

Not only is it the biggest opening ever for a Broadway musical adaptation, unseating the record set by the first film’s $112 million launch, it’s also the second biggest debut of the year behind “A Minecraft Movie’s” $162 million.

“The results are just fantastic,” said Jim Orr, who heads domestic distribution for Universal. “Some films can deliver a false positive when tickets go on sale early but these results speak for themselves.”

Universal began rolling out “Wicked: For Good” in theaters earlier this week, with previews on Monday ($6.1 million from 1,050 theaters) and Wednesday ($6.5 million from 2,300 theaters). By Friday it was playing in 4,115 North American locations and had raked in $68.6 million. IMAX showings accounted for $15.5 million, or 11%, of its domestic haul — a November record for the company.

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond said in a statement that the strong market share shows, “our momentum carries into demos and genres beyond our traditional core, including families.”

As with the first film, women powered opening weekend, making up around 71% of ticket buyers according to PostTrak exit polls. Critics were somewhat mixed on the final chapter, but audiences weren’t: An overwhelming 83% of audiences said it was one they would “definitely recommend” to friends. As far as foot traffic is concerned, the box office tracker EntTelligence estimates that about 2 million more people came out for “Wicked: For Good’s” first weekend than for “Wicked’s.”

Jon M. Chu directed both “Wicked” films, starring Cynthia Ervio and Ariana Grande. The first film made over $758.7 million worldwide and received 10 Oscar nominations (winning two, for costume and production design). The question is how high “Wicked: For Good” can soar. Combined, the two films cost around $300 million to produce, not including marketing and promotion costs.

“The first film paved the way,” Orr said. “It’s really become a cultural event I think audiences are going to be flocking to theaters for quite some time to come.”

Two other films also opened in wide release this weekend, but further down on the charts behind a buffet of holdovers. Searchlight Pictures opened its Brendan Fraser film “Rental Family” in 1,925 theaters where it earned $3.3 million. The Finnish action film “Sisu: Road to Revenge,” a Sony release, also played in 2,222 theaters. It earned an estimated $2.6 million.

Second place went to “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” with $9.1 million in its second weekend, followed by “Predator: Badlands” with $6.3 million in weekend three. “The Running Man” followed in fourth place with $5.8 million, down 65% from its debut last weekend.

Although this weekend the box office was more of a winner takes all scenario, “Wicked: For Good’s” success is vitally important for the exhibition industry as a whole as it enters the final weeks of the year.

“It sets up a very strong final homestretch of the year,” said Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends.

After the slow fall season, the Thanksgiving blockbusters could not arrive soon enough. Early next week, “Zootopia 2” enters the mix and is also expected to drive big crowds to the cineplex over the holiday break.

Thanksgiving is often one of the biggest moviegoing frames of the year, Dergarabedian said, and both “Wicked 2” and “Zootopia 2” will benefit. Last year “Wicked,” “Moana 2” and “Gladiator II” helped power a record five-day frame.

The running domestic box office is currently hovering around $7.5 billion, according to Comscore. Before the pandemic, the annual box office would regularly hit $11 billion, but the post-pandemic goal has lessened to $9 billion. The big question now is whether titles like “Wicked: For Good,” “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar:Fire and Ash” can push the industry over that threshold.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

With final domestic figures being released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Wicked: For Good,” $150 million.

2. “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” $9.1 million.

3. “Predator: Badlands,” $6.3 million.

4. “The Running Man,” $5.8 million.

5. “Rental Family,” $3.3 million.

6. “Sisu: Road to Revenge,” $2.6 million.

7. “Regretting You,” $1.5 million.

8. “Nuremberg,” $1.2 million.

9. “Black Phone 2,” $1 million.

10. “Sarah’s Oil,” $711,542.

PHILADELPHIA — Norman Powell scored 32 points while Kel’el Ware had 20 points and 16 rebounds to help the Miami Heat win their fourth in a row with a 127-117 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday in the NBA.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 22 points, and Bam Adebayo contributed 18 for the Heat.

READ: NBA: Heat overpower Bulls behind balanced offense

Norman Powell powers the @MiamiHEAT to their 4th straight win!

🔥 32 PTS🔥 4 3PM🔥 11-18 FGM pic.twitter.com/QzVt4EDSOS

— NBA (@NBA) November 23, 2025

Tyrese Maxey had 27 points to pace Philadelphia, which played without former MVP Joel Embiid for the seventh straight game. Embiid (right knee injury management) has missed 10 of 16 contests this season. Maxey, who. entered second in the NBA in scoring at 33.4 points per contest, was coming off a career-high 54 points in Thursday’s 123-114 overtime win at Milwaukee.

Andre Drummond added 14 points and 23 rebounds for the 76ers. Rookie VJ Edgecombe (left calf tightness) also was sidelined for Philadelphia.

This was the first of three contests between the clubs.

READ: NBA: Heat surge late, defeat shorthanded Warriors

Miami controlled the contest throughout, but the 76ers got within 105-103 with 8:28 left after Trendon Watford’s layup. The Heat then scored 13 of the next 15 points, capped by Powell’s running layup with 4:40 remaining, to go ahead by 13.

The 76ers honored the 25-year anniversary of the 2001 Eastern Conference champions by wearing replica black jerseys from that era. Allen Iverson, who was named MVP that season, was in attendance. Theo Ratliff rang the ceremonial Liberty Bell prior to the contest. Ratliff helped the 76ers to a 41-14 record before a midseason trade sent him to Atlanta for Dikembe Mutombo.

Up Next

Heat: Host Dallas on Monday night.

76ers: Host Orlando on Tuesday night.

As a way of supporting his girlfriend, Janine Gutierrez, who recently lost four family members successively, Jericho Rosales said he invited the actress and her sisters to spend time at the beach.

“They needed time to relax. But of course, that’s just one effort. Just sitting down, listening, and understanding her… I know that means a lot,” said Jericho, who has been dating Janine since August 2024.

Janine’s difficult year began in April with the passing of her paternal grandmother, singer Pilita Corrales. Four days later, her maternal grandmother, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor, who was the adoptive mother of Lotlot de Leon, also died.

The losses continued in May with the death of her uncle, actor Ricky Davao, the former husband of her aunt Jackie Lou Blanco. Most recently, her longtime nanny, Yaya Pat, whom she regarded as a second mother, also passed away.

“It’s been hard for her,” Jericho told reporters during a party organized for him by a digibank company.

“I cannot imagine what the family is feeling right now. I see them, and as a unit, they are very loving and very supportive of one another. They’re incredibly tight as a family, and I guess that helps a lot.”

He continued, “I recently asked Janine to come with me to the beach with her sister. I also told her, ‘You don’t need to work. You just have to process this. If you need the rest of the year to take a break, then do it.’”

“That’s the kind of support I give because I know I can’t take the pain away,” he added. “Just being with her is enough. I’m so impressed by her. I’m learning so much about the family. For the first time, I’ve seen a family outside my own that is this tight.”

Quezon’s success

Meanwhile, Rosales said the Jerrold Tarog biopic “Quezon” in which he plays the titular role, still has a long way to go in reaching more Filipino audiences.

Rosales was asked about the box-office performance of the movie, and whether the controversy surrounding the film contributed to its momentum.

“Yes, we’re on our sixth week. We also have international screenings starting today. We have screenings in the Middle East and, hopefully, more here again for school tours. The journey is still long. It’s been a while since I’ve had a movie stay this long in cinemas. It shows that it’s an important film and peopleappreciate it.”

He said promoting the film was not easy, especially with the challenge of bringing audiences back to theaters. “It feels like we’re promoting movies the way we did in the ’90s, the 2000s, and the 2010s. It’s a mix of social media and being physically present—going to cinemas and surprising people. But the success of ‘Quezon’ made everything worth it. Thank you to everyone who supported the film.”

Asked if the controversies surrounding “Quezon,” including protests from one of President Manuel L. Quezon’s relatives, affected public perception, Jericho said they were prepared.

“Since Day One of making Bayaniverse, Jerrold, the team, and I already expected these reactions. We don’t see it as something that helped our promo, but conversations were bound to happen, and whatever resulted from them was simply a reaction to the reaction,” he said, adding that their team has always respectful of feelings, emotions, and comments.

“Whatever they are, good or bad, we read everything. We welcome everything. It has made us wiser. Like I said before, it made us more accepting, more open, more understanding. As a filmmaker and as an actor, I feel like I’ve been stretched. Parang mas tumibay ang pundasyon ko dahil doon.” /edv

OKLAHOMA CITY — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 37 points in three quarters and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Portland Trail Blazers 122-95 on Sunday night to avenge their only loss of the season.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 13 of 18 attempts from the field and all nine of his free throws.

READ: NBA: Thunder use big 3rd quarter to race past Jazz

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moves closer to Wilt Chamberlain 👀

37 PTS | 5 REB | 7 AST | 2 STL

That’s 90 straight games with 20+ PTS, three away from passing Wilt (92) for the second-longest streak in NBA history! pic.twitter.com/col9eudhIv

— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2025

Ajay Mitchell scored 20 points on 8-for-8 shooting as the defending champion Thunder won their ninth straight after a 121-119 loss at Portland on Nov. 5. They improved to an NBA-best 17-1 and are 85-15 since the start of last season.

The Thunder continue to roll, despite injuries. They still are waiting on 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams to return from wrist surgery, and key reserve Aaron Wiggins missed the game with a left thigh strain. Still, Oklahoma City’s average scoring margin during its winning streak is 22.3 points, with a 13-point difference being the closest result.

Jerami Grant led Portland with 21 points. Deni Avdija, who led the Trail Blazers with 26 points the first time the teams met, finished with 11 points on 4-for-16 shooting in the rematch.

Portland guards Shaedon Sharpe and Jrue Holiday both were out with right calf strains. Sharpe is the team’s second-leading scorer and Holiday is one of the team’s best perimeter defenders.

READ: NBA: Chet Holmgren, Thunder roll past reeling Pelicans

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first quarter to set the tone and help the Thunder take a 39-18 lead.

In the second quarter, Oklahoma City’s Mitchell drove to the hoop before Portland’s Rayan Rupert hit him in the head while going for the block. The Thunder ran down to protect Mitchell and Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Hartenstein was called for a technical for escalating the situation. Mitchell made the second of two free throws on the shooting foul, then made a floater to put the Thunder ahead 49-25.

Gilgeous-Alexander’s layup in the closing seconds of the first half pushed his total to 28 points and gave the Thunder a 67-46 lead at the break. The game was never close in the second half.

The teams will meet again next Sunday in Portland.

Up next

Trail Blazers: At Milwaukee on Monday night.

Thunder: Host Minnesota on Wednesday night.

SALT LAKE CITY — Luka Doncic had 33 points and 11 rebounds and LeBron James scored 17 points in his first road game of the season as the Los Angeles Lakes beat the Utah Jazz 108-106 on Sunday night.

James, who scored most of his points on fast breaks and strong drives to the hoop, added eight assists and six rebounds in 34 minutes. He had 11 points and 12 assists in a win against the Jazz on Tuesday, in the first game of his 23rd NBA season. James missed training camp and the Lakers’ first 14 games due to sciatica.

READ: NBA: Luka leads Lakers past Jazz in LeBron’s historic season debut

Luka Dončić stuffed the stat sheet once again in the Lakers’ 4th straight victory!

🪄 33 PTS🪄 11 REB🪄 8 AST🪄 3 STL🪄 3 3PM pic.twitter.com/gNcukjpmK8

— NBA (@NBA) November 24, 2025

Lauri Markkanen scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and keyed a Jazz comeback. His 3-pointer was the last of a 17-5 run that brought Utah within 107-106. After Doncic made one of two free throws, Keyonte George’s contested jumper from the corner glanced off the rim just before the final horn.

George had 27 points and eight assists for the Jazz (5-11), who led Wednesday’s game at halftime before falling 140-126. This one was more competitive from tipoff to buzzer.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points and Rui Hachimura added 13 for the Lakers (12-4), who have won four in a row.

Neither team led by more than nine points until the Lakers went on a 13-0 run that was punctuated by Doncic’s 3-pointer with 6:06 remaining to give Los Angeles a 98-85 lead.

READ: Lakers’ LeBron James begins record 23rd NBA season vs Jazz

The largest advantage before that was when the Lakers were up 67-58. The Jazz went on a 16-2 run for a 74-69 lead midway through the third.

Deandre Ayton scored two points in 13 minutes before leaving midway through the second quarter with a knee bruise.

Maxi Kleber made his 1,000th career field goal, his only basket of the game. It was a crucial dunk and the Lakers’ last field goal to make it 107-101 with 1:21 to play.

Up next

Lakers: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.

Jazz: Visit Golden State on Monday.

I am turning 31 soon, and at this point, people might tell me that I am about to be dropped from the calendar—that is, because a calendar month only goes up to 31! At this age, I feel “more adult” than I was at 21, so whenever I look at a 21-year-old, especially pictures of myself at that age, I cannot help but think: “They are still so childlike!”

In times long past, we used to have rituals that distinguished the threshold between child and adult. This is called a “rite of passage,” because a person transitions from one status to another. This means that they get more benefits as part of the adult world, but it also means that they have more responsibilities. Around the time a person turns 18 to 21, they can now buy alcohol and cigarettes, enter a casino, and watch R-rated movies.

But they are usually also expected to get a job, pay taxes, get married, and eventually, start a family. They are expected to be able to make clear decisions. Yes, there are benefits, but also responsibilities.

READ: Coming-of-age films about finding your way in life

Meaningful life transitions

Many Indigenous cultures around the world still have their own rites of passage, but for urbanized and globalized people, these rituals have become superficial performances of meaningful life transitions. If anything, many Indigenous traditions are at risk of extinction precisely because of how Westernized we are becoming—through influences from Hollywood and our social media feeds!

Religions have been very consistent with these rites. In Catholicism, the Rite of Confirmation that children go through at age 12 is meant to be a meaningful transition from growing up in a Catholic household to actually accepting Catholicism as their personal faith.

But not everyone is Catholic, and not everyone finds Confirmation meaningful. I was raised Catholic, and, sorry, I do not even remember my own Confirmation.

Filipino rites of passage

So it got me thinking: What are some rites of passage we still practice today? What rituals do we actually do in our modern-day lives that most Filipinos are expected to celebrate? (Though this does not mean that every Filipino will go through it the same way, as there might be some societal pressures to do it.)

First, I immediately think of a girl’s debut in the Philippines, which happens when she turns 18. It’s supposed to celebrate the blossoming of a woman, but this might also reinforce old ideas of “femininity” (pagkababae). Of course, it is also an avenue for a family to showcase their wealth. Imagine all the magnificent debuts you have been to, and think about how much one of those costs—sometimes it can be just as expensive as a wedding!

After all, the suppliers and locations are usually the same. In a way, blowing candles on birthdays is a rite of passage, but this just marks the completion of a year. A debut is the clear transition from child to adult.

But even when we agree that 18 is technically a legal adult, older adults know that it is still too young to start engaging in “adult things.” I cannot think of an equivalent of a debut for boys, even when they turn 21, but I do think of tuli (circumcision) as a rite of passage.

When I was much younger, there was a stigma attached to the uncircumcised (supot), implying that they are ignorant about the ways of the world because of their rawness. Being supot is like being an unripe fruit that still has its covering (“supot” is also the term for a plastic bag). But if we think about the mental, physical, and social development of children, the age of circumcision is too young to actually call them a “man,” and yet, older men will say, “Lalaki ka na!”

Markers of maturity

Apart from these two, most Filipinos might consider graduating a rite of passage, whether that is from senior high school or from college. This is probably because we still hold the idea that education is the key to a good life, and most jobs (even those that do not need the complexity of a college degree) still expect applicants to have graduated from college.

After college, the emerging adult begins to navigate the “real world” by joining the workforce and becoming serious tax-paying members of society.

And yet, writing this as a 30-year-old, I still feel like I did not get a true rite of passage. I was too young to find any meaning in tuli or the Rite of Confirmation, and, as a man, I did not get a debut.

Yes, I graduated from university, and I eventually graduated again after completing my master’s degree. But these are just completions of programs, not necessarily markers of maturity. I had to develop in my own way as I navigated the very strange adult world—what we call “adulting,” which sounds like something you are trying to do, not necessarily something you are doing well.

Maybe this is why so many adults are still “isip bata,” and why many men still carry a very childish, “toxic” masculinity. We need serious rituals—events that really mark a level of maturity and allow people to be functioning, responsible members of a larger society.

For now, most of what we have is very kaniya-kaniya. There are barely any more masters to learn from or meaningful guidebooks that can help us survive and thrive. We need better parental figures—or, since we are the new adults, we must take it upon ourselves to be the adults that would have really helped our younger selves.