Category: Auto Guid

After he alleged that the results of Miss Universe 2025 were rigged, Omar Harfouch escalated his allegations by publishing a photo that he claims shows Miss Universe owner Raul Rocha embracing Miss Mexico, Fatima Bosch, suggesting an “intimate” connection. 

In his Facebook post on Friday, Nov. 21, Harfouch, who had resigned from the Miss Universe 2025 judging panel, shared an alleged image of Rocha and Bosch hugging, captioned: “Do you know who these people are?” 

In the comments section, netizens linked the photo to Rocha and Bosch, while other commenters questioned the image’s authenticity, stating that the image could be “AI-generated.” 

In response, Harfouch shared a screenshot of the photo being run through an AI tool to attest to its authenticity. According to the screenshot, the photo was “100% real or human.” However, Rocha and Bosch have yet to comment on the photo’s authenticity. 

Harfouch earlier called Bosch a “fake winner” after she was crowned Miss Universe 2025 on Friday. He asserted that the latter’s victory was engineered due to a business relationship between the beauty queen’s father and Rocha.

The Lebanese-French composer claimed that Rocha and his son pressured him in Dubai to vote for Bosch, arguing that her win would “benefit their business.” He stated in a new series of comments in his Instagram Story that he had recordings to back up his claims. 

Harfouch previously accused the organization of forming a secret “impromptu jury” that allegedly pre-selected the top 30 finalists before the official judges were allowed to vote.

According to the resigned judge, that committee included individuals with “personal ties” to certain contestants – including one who he said had a romantic relationship with a delegate.

The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) has denied Harfouch’s claims, stating that an “impromptu jury” was never created and that their evaluation process followed “transparent” protocols. 

In a new interview with People, Harfouch said he was consulting a major New York law firm to prepare a formal complaint against the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), citing “fraud, corruption, conflict of interest, and reputational harm.” 

The results of Miss Universe 2025 drew mixed reactions globally after Philippine bet Ahtisa Manalo and Olivia Yacé of Côte d’Ivoire delivered the most composed answers in the final round, only to end up at the bottom of the runners-up. /ra

Written by Vaughn Alviar

Metro Manila’s southern gateway is booming with progress. Over the past decade, the sprawling area spanning Southern Metro Manila and the provinces of Cavite and Laguna has transformed from quiet quarters into some of the country’s most dynamic growth corridors. Yet long before this transformation, Cathay Land Inc. had already seen the promise of the area when the company first began its journey 30 years ago. “We started land banking in the Cavite-Laguna area 30 years ago, so [we have] 1,000 to 2,000 ha, and we’re still growing,” Cathay Land president Jeffrey T. Ng said in an exclusive interview with Inquirer Property.

Today, Cathay Land is reaping the fruits of that investment.

It now boasts of a portfolio of prime residential enclaves like South Forbes Golf City and Crestkey Estates. Cavite Light Industrial Park is a pioneer in promoting clean operations among locators, while Acienda Designer Outlet Mall is the Philippines’ first true international outlet shopping destination. These projects offer long-term value and community well-being.

First-mover attitude

Cathay Land’s first-mover approach allowed it to ride the regional surge seen in recent years.

Ng shared that Cavite and Laguna—where Cathay Land has significant landbank—were once bedroom communities for Metro Manila. These areas now have become economic powerhouses.

Further fueling progress in these provinces are big-ticket infrastructure projects that include the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) and the LRT-1 extension, Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), and the Cavitex-Calax Link. Also in the pipeline are the Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway and Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.

“Cavite and Laguna are the top two biggest provinces in the Philippines in terms of GDP already, and this will only accelerate in the coming five, 10, 20, 25 years,” Ng said.

Competitive advantage

As more families now set their sights on the South to access more space and greenery, Cathay Land has taken an integrated, human-scale approach to development. This, Ng noted, is where the company’s second advantage comes into play.

“[People] have seen how integrated our projects are,” he explained. “They have seen to what extent we provide all their needs within immediate walking and driving distance.”

Crestkey Estates, for example, is an innovative “College Business District” concept, uniquely blending learning, enterprise and modern living. Cathay Land even donated 7 ha of land to make way for the Chiang Kai Shek College Southmont.

Cathay Land’s flagship in the south of Metro Manila, Ananda Square, recently topped off Tower B, signifying bullish sales and the company’s confidence in Las Piñas City. It rises on Alabang-Zapote Road, a vibrant corridor that conveniently connects to Alabang and Makati. The project also features a commercial strip.

Affordable first-class living

Such developments, according to Ng, can compare to first class residences. Each project is built around how people envision the good life: to live well, work efficiently, play freely, learn continuously and connect meaningfully.

Cathay Land’s landmark South Forbes Golf City in Cavite, for instance, entices homeowners and investors with themed residential villages and mid-rise condominiums such as Fullerton Suites 2 and Berkeley Suites. It will soon finish its centerpiece 18-hole golf course.

The developer is not only after beauty and function, as it also considers safety, resilience and sustainability. Roads are 20-meter wide, keeping traffic woes at bay for decades to come.

Being above sea level also means freedom from flooding—something reinforced by efficient drainage and generous open spaces. Each project also undergoes a comprehensive analysis on soil conditions, terrain, wind exposure and seismic behavior.

Ng further claimed that Makati, Bonifacio Global City, the Bay Area, Taguig, and even Alabang now command land prices beyond the reach of most Filipino buyers. In contrast, Cathay Land offers subdivisions that have “better quality, better amenities for one-tenth of the price.”

Collaborations

To further raise the quality of their projects, Ng said they have forged partnerships with the “best in the country.”

“We are working with Ayala to unleash (the potential) and increase the volume velocity of our development,” he said.

The company has joint ventures with Alveo Land for Verdea and Hillside Ridge, and Ayala Land Premier for Lanewood Hills. It has partnered also with Phinma and Microtel Development to build Microtel South Forbes. Award-winning interior design studio Atelier Almario lends the lobby at Ananda Square a high-end feel, while Gold’s Gym helps residents hit their fitness goals.

Ng is eyeing more such collaborations “to enhance, improve, and even prime and develop our land bank faster and better.”

Worthy investment

Brisk take-up and capital appreciation prove Cathay Land’s success.

“Our take-up is healthy,” Ng noted. “Our locations are the best there can be… so that’s our ace. Our [other] advantage: Everything is integrated, well planned, well thought-out, well executed, well delivered.”

Capital appreciation has been exponential, revealed Ng. South Forbes Golf City’s residential lots now cost 10 times more than the P6,250 per sqm at the beginning. Commercial lots, meanwhile, now cost up to P80,000 per sqm from just P12,000 then.

“Our homeowners are happy [with] the value that they have gotten from their investment, from their hopes,” Ng declared. “Prices are bound to appreciate, probably even faster.”

And definitely, Cathay Land will continue to be a catalyst for transformation in the South, Ng declared.

“Yes, we will ‘build more better’—and bigger. [We will build] better amenities and better features. That’s what people can look forward to in our projects in the coming years,” Ng concluded.

MANILA, Philippines — A 22-year-old graduate from Batangas topped the November 2025 Pharmacy Licensure Examination (PHLE), the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announced.

Sean Jan Diomampo Ilagan, who was singlehandedly raised by his father Lamberto after his mother passed away, secured the No. 1 spot nationwide with a rating of 95.47 percent.

“I dedicate this milestone first and foremost to the Lord, who sustained me throughout the review season. He knows the effort I’ve put into making this dream a reality. All glory goes back to Him,” Ilagan said in an interview.

He added, “I also dedicate this win to my family and loved ones, whose silent prayers and motivation served as my constant source of strength.”

Ilagan, who finished his pharmacy degree at Lyceum of the Philippines University in Batangas, said that he was driven by a desire to overcome personal setbacks, especially not graduating with Latin honors. 

“My inspiration throughout my PHLE journey was the personal desire to rise above my limitations and prove to myself that every setback can be transformed into a stepping stone,” he said.

Asked about his future plans, Ilagan said he is still discerning his next steps but is interested in pursuing opportunities in the academe and research. 

“For now, I am keeping my options open, but I am excited to discover what lies ahead,” he said.

His father expressed his pride and gratitude for his son’s achievement.

“Yung pumasa lang siya, okay na sa amin (We would have been happy even if he just passed),” he said. “Pero thankful kami na nag-top 1 siya (But we’re very thankful that he became the topnotcher).”

The PRC said 3,670 out of 4,555 examinees passed the PHLE, posting a national passing rate of 80.57 percent. The exams were held on Nov. 15 and 16, with results released on Nov. 21. /dm

Ayala Land launches Metro Nuvali, a 200-hectare central business district rising in the heart of Calabarzon, envisioned as the South’s defining address for enterprise, culture, and public life.

Anchored within Nuvali’s 2,500-ha eco-community, Metro Nuvali embodies a new way to city—where commerce, civic spaces and sustainable living come together in a seamlessly connected environment framed by green corridors, dynamic plazas and future-ready infrastructure.

A three-district blueprint for growth

The 100-ha Lakeside District is a reimagined destination for shopping, dining and leisure, anchored by Ayala Malls Nuvali, a super regional mall seamlessly integrated with the lakeside, Seda Hotel and future office towers. Nearly 50,000 sqm of new retail will open by next year, highlighted by a flagship multi-level wing and wellness venues.

The 40-ha Central District serves as the commercial and cultural core of Metro Nuvali, featuring modern office towers, collaborative workspaces, and a 3-ha Central Park complementing the East Bloc Garden. It offers a dynamic environment where business, creativity and open space intersect.

The 60-ha Civic District stands as the institutional heart of the new metro, anchored by the Santa Rosa Civic Complex, a 2-ha development housing a Satellite City Hall, convention center, hotel, and command center. Within the same district, the Nuvali Parish Church stands as a landmark for faith and community. With direct frontage along Casile–Tagaytay Road, it opens a bold new gateway linking Cavite, Tagaytay and Laguna.

 All three districts will be seamlessly connected to Nuvali’s larger ecosystem, through major road networks, public transport links, and walkable green corridors that foster mobility and community life.

 Building on over a decade of progress, Metro Nuvali represents the culmination of Ayala Land’s long-term vision for a sustainable southern metropolis—one that combines enterprise, nature and community in perfect balance.

Connectivity that powers growth

Metro Nuvali connects seamlessly to the broader Nuvali estate ecosystem, which includes Solenad, the 36-ha sports and arts hub; Nuvali Commons, the estate’s social quarter; and South Nuvali, a network of green neighborhoods and parks.

 Its accessibility will further expand with the upcoming Carmona–Biñan Link Road, targeted for completion in 2028, linking the district to South Luzon Expressway (SLEx), Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax), and the future Cavite–Tagaytay–Batangas Expressway (CTBEx), ensuring unmatched regional connectivity.

Investing in the South’s next growth capital

For over 15 years, Nuvali has set the standard for sustainable living in Southern Luzon. Now, Metro Nuvali builds on that legacy, emerging as Calabarzon’s premier business capital and a landmark investment opportunity for enterprises and visionaries.

With its scale, infrastructure, and Ayala Land’s hallmark of long-term estate development, Metro Nuvali leads the South’s next wave of growth–where the future of business, lifestyle and connectivity converge.

The future is closer than you think.

ADVT.

This article is brought to you by Ayala Land.

It seems that all is now well between Nawat Itsaragrisil and newly crowned Miss Universe 2025 Fatima Bosch, as they were seen shaking hands and smiling at each other after the coronation show.

In the video shared by global pageant platform Missosology on its Facebook page on Friday, Nov. 21, Itsaragrisil, Miss Universe Organization president Raul Rocha and Bosch were standing next to each other on stage while the press members took photos of them.

Rocha later left the two alone, hence Itsaragrisil stood nearer the beauty queen. Both of them extended their arms for a handshake while conversing. Their conversation, however, was not heard in the video.

Itsaragrisil and Bosch also did the wai greeting, then turned to face the press members for photos. The two even flashed a finger heart sign.

It can be recalled that Itsaragrisil and Bosch, who represents Mexico, made headlines earlier this month after a confrontation during what should have been the sashing ceremony.

The confrontation, which prompted several other delegates to walk out, reportedly stemmed from a sponsored shoot that Bosch supposedly did not take part in. Itsaragrisil’s actions were condemned by Rocha, who then restricted the Thai host organizer’s pageant involvement.

Bosch was crowned during the final show held in Thailand. Her win, however, was hounded by controversies amid resigned judge Omar Harfouch’s allegation that the Miss Universe 2025 results had already been predetermined. /ra