Category: Business Mirror

THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Friday warned on withdrawing the participation of the Alas Pilipinas Women in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games unless the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) abides by a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that guarantees a potentially strong finish by the women’s national team in the games Thailand is hosting in December.

‘It’s about patriotism . putting flag and country above and before everything else,’ said POC president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino from Bahrain where he’s overseeing the national team in the Asian Youth Games.

‘The goal is to finish strong-and to win the gold-in all of the sports where Filipino athletes are entered in the Thailand SEA Games,’ said Tolentino, stressing that the close to 1,700-strong Team Philippines to Thailand are devoted to fight for the general championship which the country clinched in the 2019 hosting.

‘And we are all aware-after having won three Olympic gold medals-that winning involves an absolute participation and cooperation by an entire community,’ said Tolentino, adding ‘without full cooperation, we won’t accomplish our goals.’

He said: ‘But setting goals and getting everyone involved, we must train hard-and long.’

The Thailand SEA Games open in 46 days and Tolentino sees the limited window as ‘crucial in forming and strengthening chemistry in any team sport.’

The PVL, according to PNVF secretary-general Don Caringal, crafted a MOA where players from the 12 teams in the women’s professional league will form the core-with top collegiate athletes-of the Alas Pilipinas Women.

The Alas Pilipinas Women under Brazilian head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito has made significant strides in the last four years-or since the PNVF was established in 2021-silver in Hanoi 2025 and bronze in Manila 2024 in the Asian Nations Cup and back-to-back bronze medal in the Vietnam SEA V-League in 2024-25.

Had the MOA been bilaterally signed last August, the Alas Pilipinas Women should have had more than three months to prepare for Thailand.

The iconic souvenir shopping center here will be revived soon, three years after it was shelved to give way to a high-rise construction beside it.

The Alcantara-owned Alsons Development and Investment Corp. (Alsons Dev) announced this week it will begin the redevelopment of the Aldevinco Shopping Center site by the end of October.

‘Located at the corner of C.M. Recto and Roxas Avenue, the property has long been an iconic presence in downtown Davao. The redevelopment will usher in a new era for this historic landmark, paving the way for a modern, mixed-use destination that supports the city’s continued growth and revitalization while honoring its history and heritage,’ the company said.

The company was yet to issue the artist’s perspective of a revived shopping center but it said the aging buildings will be cleared ‘to make way for a redevelopment that continues to cultivate Davao’s growth.’

The Aldevinco used to be one-floor arcade located at the heart of downtown Davao where tenant stores display an array of indigenous items, from beads, trinklets and scarves to malong or wrap-around cloth, traditional clothes and household items. There were also imitation or replica of cultural artifacts, from hunting bows and arrows, agongs, miniature boats and hardwood furniture, to wooden arches, handcrafted boxes and cabinets, and brasswares.

Stores also offer money exchange to and from foreign currencies.

The Aldev said ‘transformation will begin with the demolition of the buildings on the premises, a necessary step due to the structure’s age and safety considerations.’

‘The work will be carried out in sections to minimize disruption and ensure the safety of pedestrians, workers, and nearby establishments. The company is also working closely with the Office of the City Building Official (OCBO) and other relevant government agencies to ensure full compliance with local regulations,’ it added.

It said the redeveloped property ‘is envisioned to become a flagship mixed-use development that reflects Alsons Dev’s vision for vibrant, sustainable, and people-centric spaces.’

The former tenants relocated to nearby locations when the old Aldevinco closed shop in 2021, many of them transferring to another Aldev-constructed shopping center The Poblacion, the City Triangle or to a new arcade just across the same Claveria Street.

While long-term plans are being finalized, Alsons Dev will temporarily use the 5,106-square-meter site into a paid parking facility by the second quarter of next year. The interim space will feature designated areas for food trucks and carts, offering convenience and new opportunities for small businesses while keeping the property active and vibrant in the heart of the city.

Miguel A. Dominguez, president and chief executive officer of Alsons Dev, said ‘our vision is to build developments that balance heritage and progress, ensuring that every project we undertake supports the city’s growth. As a homegrown developer, we take pride in helping shape Davao’s evolving environment,’

The Aldevinco Shopping Center was launched in 1965 to become the city’s earliest commercial hubs. ‘In over five decades, it transitioned from a vibrant marketplace for local traders to a cultural icon showcasing Mindanao’s rich heritage through textiles, antiques, and handicrafts. Though it ceased operations in December 2021, its legacy continues through Poblacion Market Central, where many original tenants still carry forward the spirit of culture, creativity, and commerce.’

Eggdrop, Korea’s original premium gourmet egg sandwich brand, has arrived in Bonifacio Global City with the opening of its second store in the Philippines. Building on the success of its Mall of Asia debut, Eggdrop continues to share its beloved menu, crafted with premium ingredients and inspired by Korea’s dynamic food culture, with even more Filipino food lovers.

A trailblazer in Korea’s food and beverage scene, Eggdrop first made waves in 2017 when it introduced the country’s very first premium gourmet egg sandwich. Since then, it has grown to over 290 locations across South Korea, becoming a household name thanks to its innovative recipes, exclusive brioche bread, and appearances in K-Dramas, K-Pop culture, and global food media.

‘We’re thrilled to continue Eggdrop’s Philippine journey here in BGC,’ says Stewart Lee Ong, President of Butter and Salt Group Inc., the franchise partner of Eggdrop in Manila. ‘This location allows us to connect with a diverse mix of residents, professionals, and cultural tastemakers, all while staying true to what makes Eggdrop special-authentic Korean flavors, premium quality, and a dining experience worth sharing.’

A Perfect Fit for BGC’s Energy and Lifestyle

Much like the district itself, Eggdrop blends modern style with cultural depth, offering food that’s not just a passing trend but a lifestyle staple for those who crave comfort, taste, and quality in every bite.

From Korea’s Favorite to the Filipino Lifestyle

Eggdrop’s popularity is built on its commitment to quality-using A+ grade eggs, fresh ingredients, and its signature brioche bread developed exclusively for the brand. The BGC store will feature its most iconic sandwiches straight from Korea, including:

Mr. Egg – Fluffy scrambled eggs, cheese, and Eggdrop’s signature sauce for a creamy, satisfying finish.

Bacon Double Cheese – Crispy bacon, double the melted cheese, and scrambled eggs layered on signature brioche bread.

Garlic Bacon Cheese – Garlic butter, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and scrambled eggs for a bold, savory favorite.

Korea meets BGC! Content creator Jessica Lee digs into her favorite Eggdrop sandwich at the brand’s newest store in Bonifacio Global City.

Each sandwich is designed to be both delicious and visually appealing-perfect for enjoying in-store or sharing online.

Expanding the Eggdrop Experience

The BGC opening marks a key milestone in Eggdrop’s Philippine expansion, with plans to bring the authentic Korean gourmet egg sandwich experience to more Filipino communities in the coming years.

‘Eggdrop’s success has always been rooted in authenticity and quality,’ adds Ong. ‘We’re committed to delivering the same experience that made Eggdrop a household name in Korea, while making it a part of the Filipino everyday.’

Jobin-SQM, Inc. (JSI), a subsidiary of Nickel Asia Corporation’s (NAC) clean energy arm Emerging Power, Inc. (EPI) highlighted the crucial role of the Ayta Ambala community in promoting sustainability during its celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) Month in Sitio Pastolan, Barangay Tipo, Hermosa, Bataan.

As part of the commemoration, JSI held its 7th Ayta MasterChef, where members of the Ambala tribe showcased their ‘Ayta-style’ dishes using traditional cooking skills and ingredients sourced from the forest such as wild chicken (labuyo), bilwa, and bilukaw.

Catalina Soriano, a member of the Ambala community, believes that the event is more than a competition – it highlights IPs can support modern development while preserving traditional cultural knowledge, biodiversity, and natural resources for the sustained use of future generations.

‘Lahat po ng ginamit sa pagluluto galing sa gubat kaya ang aral ng MasterChef, sa pag-unlad kailangan may matitira para sa kinabukasan ng katutubo na magagamit sa panghabangbuhay,’ says Soriano.

National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Provincial Officer Ronie Caanawan underscored the importance of celebrating IP Month in empowering indigenous communities as stewards of their environment and promoting sustainable practices to ensure well-being.

Caanawan recognized the support of JSI in honoring the traditions of the Ayta Ambala community, reflecting its commitment to UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 – Partnership for the Goals, by supporting programs that strengthen cultural pride, unity, and inclusivity. He added that the celebration honors the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) which safeguards IP cultural heritage and land.

JSI’s commemoration of IP Month aligns with NAC’s wider sustainability goals which include indigenous peoples’ partnerships, the promotion of cultural heritage, and advancement of environmental stewardship. Through initiatives like this, NAC and its subsidiaries demonstrate how corporate social responsibility can go hand in hand with community development and ecological preservation.

This year’s celebration was done in collaboration with the Tribong Ayta Ambala ng Pastolan (TAAPI) with support from the Local Government Unit of Tipo in Zambales, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the NCIP.

JSI operates a 172 MW solar power plant in Mt. Sta Rita, Subic Bay Freeport Zone – one of the largest single solar power generation plants connected to the national power grid in the country.

In line with Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is promoting early detection and reminding members of their financial coverage for breast cancer treatment, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s priority on improving healthcare in the country.

The Philippines has extremely low breast cancer screening rates, which is linked to the country having one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in Asia. According to a 2023 study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, only 1% of Filipino women were screened for cancer, translating to only 540,000 women out of an estimated 54 million getting screened. Compounding the issue is that a significant majority-as high as 65%-of breast cancer cases are diagnosed in the advanced stage, greatly reducing the 5-year relative survival rate.

To address the financial barrier that often delays diagnosis and treatment, the PhilHealth Z Benefit Package for Breast Cancer has been substantially enhanced. The package has increased by 1300%, reaching up to P1.4 million from the previous P100,000. The benefit now covers patients with breast cancer across Stages 0 to 4, including those who are already undergoing treatment. As of September 2025, the amount paid for Z Benefit Package for Breast Cancer has reached a total of P72.03M.

PhilHealth YAKAP (Yaman ng Kalusugan Program) further reinforces this as it covers selected outpatient cancer screening tests for breast cancer including financial coverage for a mammogram (P2,610) and breast ultrasound (P1,350). By providing extensive financial protection from initial diagnostic tests to complex targeted therapy, PhilHealth aims to remove the cost as a barrier and encourage patients to seek care early, improving outcomes for a disease that is curable when detected in its initial stages.

‘Sa pamamagitan ng PhilHealth YAKAP, ginagawa naming mas madali at mas abot-kaya ang serbisyong pangkalusugan. Hinihikayat ko ang bawat babae na huwag ipagpaliban ang inyong kalusugan. Magpa-check-up, follow-up, at sundan ang tamang gamutan. Ito ang karapatan ninyo, at narito kami para suportahan kayo,’ said PhilHealth President and CEO Dr. Edwin M. Mercado.

LEADING mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has introduced the All-New Toyota ATIV, its latest offering in the subcompact sedan category. This latest subcompact sedan line includes TMP’s most affordable electrified model to date.

TMP complements the brand’s long-time player in the segment – the Toyota Vios. According to the company, the All-New Toyota Ativ is positioned to provide an ‘elevATIVe’ passenger car experience, especially with the inclusion of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) variant, TMP’s lowest priced electrified model to date.

TMP further claims that the All-New ATIV is designed to meet the evolving needs of Filipinos, catering to practical professionals and young families seeking their first or additional vehicle. The ATIV delivers elevated comfort, modern technology, and everyday practicality, reinforced with Toyota’s signature quality, durability, and reliability. The All-New Toyota ATIV is packed with features that truly matter for daily drivers: fuel efficiency, ease of maneuverability, modern safety features, and intelligent technology.

‘The All-New Toyota ATIV is another statement of Toyota’s continued mission to bring electrified mobility within reach of more Filipinos,’ shared Elijah Sue Marcial, Toyota Motor Philippines’ first vice president for Vehicle Sales Operations. ‘We know choosing your first car, and an electrified model at that, can be a bold decision, so the ATIV makes it simple and easy by delivering modern HEV features, while providing peace of mind with reliability, safety, ease of ownership, and joy of use,’ she added.

Now comes the HEV powertrain

The new Toyota ATIV lineup features both hybrid and gasoline engine options. Leading the pack is the top-spec 1.5-liter HEV CVT variant, equipped with a four-cylinder, in-line hybrid electric engine, delivering a combined system output of 109 hp. Available drive modes are Eco, Normal, Power, and EV.

On the other hand, the non-HEV G and E variants are equipped with 1.5-liter and 1.3-liter gasoline engines, producing 104 hp/138 Nm of torque and 97 hp/122 Nm of torque, respectively. Both variants are available with either CVT or manual transmission options.

Latest sedan looks with modern cabin features

Exterior-wise, the Ativ features the latest Toyota sedan fascia look, particularly the Camry-like pronounced grill and sleek LED headlamps. It complements the vehicle’s bold fastback silhouette design. Other exterior elements are rear sequential turn signals (HEV variant), exclusive design 16-inch alloys with 195/60 R16 series tires (HEV), 17-inch alloys with 205/50 R17 tires (G CVT), and 16-inch alloys with 195/60 R16 (E CVT/MT). The newest five-seater subcompact sedan measures 4,425 mm in length, 1,740 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 2,620 mm wheelbase.

Inside, the cabin boasts elevated touches, including leather seats (HEV) / Fabric Seats (G CVT, E CVT, and E M/T). The vehicle features a seven-inch digital multi-information display, as well as a 10.1-inch Display Audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (available on the HEV variant). Other cabin features include an electronic parking brake with brake hold (HEV variant), push-start, smart entry, wireless charger (HEV variant), and a camera with a panoramic view monitor (HEV and G CVT Variants).

Safety features

With Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), the Toyota ATIV offers a range of safety features, including the Pre-Collision System, Automatic High Beam, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert, and Adaptive Cruise Control (available on the HEV variant only). All models include multiple airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control, Blind Spot Monitor, and ISOFIX child restraint systems.

Pricing and color

The All-new ATIV 1.5 HEV CVT variant retails at P1,198 million and is available in Gray Metallic, Attitude Black Mica (plus a P10,000 premium), Scarlet SE (plus a P10,000 premium), Attitude Black Mica (plus a P10,000 premium), and Platinum White Pearl (plus a P10,000 premium).

Meanwhile, the All-new ATIV 1.5 G CVT variant is priced at P1.069 million, available in Gray Metallic, Scarlet SE (with a P15,000 premium), and Platinum White Pearl (with a P15,000 premium) color options. The All-new ATIV 1.3 E CVT retails at P980,000 with Gray Metallic, Scarlet SE (plus P15,000 premium), and Metal Stream Metallic color options. The base ATIV 1.3 E M/T is priced at P916,000 with Gray Metallic, Scarlet SE (plus P15,000 premium), and Metal Stream Metallic color options.

The Edison Ballroom in Midtown Manhattan was alive with familiar energy, the kind that only people who work in radio understand. The National Association of Broadcasters’ 2025 Marconi Radio Awards turned the eve of NAB Show New York into a night that felt part reunion, part celebration of the enduring voices that continue to inform, comfort, and entertain communities across the country.

Danielle Monaro and Medha Gandhi, co-hosts of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, guided the evening with their natural rhythm, keeping the crowd engaged between tributes and award announcements. The night reached its musical peak when DJ Scratch, a Grammy-winning producer and New York radio legend, took the stage for a short performance that reminded everyone how radio still moves people.

Since their founding in 1989, the Marconi Awards have represented what makes radio special: connection. A veteran producer in the audience described radio as a space where people still hear themselves reflected in the voices they’ve trusted for years, a bond that digital algorithms cannot replace.

This year’s honorees reflected that wide reach. Philadelphia’s WMMR-FM took home both Legendary Station of the Year and Major Market Station of the Year, while its morning hosts, Preston Elliot and Steve Morrison, earned Major Market Personality of the Year. Detroit’s Mitch Albom, who balances novels, journalism, and talk radio, received Large Market Personality of the Year, underscoring how thoughtful, story-driven programs still resonate deeply with listeners.

For a medium often called traditional, the Marconis showed just how adaptive and alive radio remains. Hubbard Broadcasting’s Behind the Song, based in Chicago, won Best Radio Podcast of the Year for its creative blend of music history and storytelling. Hofstra University’s WRHU-FM earned College Radio Station of the Year, signaling that the next generation still believes in the power of a microphone and a well-told story.

Other major winners included WDRV-FM Chicago for Rock Station of the Year, WBAL-AM Baltimore for News/Talk Station of the Year, and KMJQ-FM Houston for Urban Station of the Year, proving that local stations continue to capture the personality and rhythm of their communities.

A panel of industry veterans selected this year’s winners, looking beyond ratings or market size to measure influence – the kind that keeps people company through a power outage, raises funds for families in crisis, or delivers the right song at the right time.

NAB leaders emphasized that while technology keeps evolving, the purpose of radio remains the same: to serve, to inform, and to connect. The organization continues to advocate for broadcasters at every level, ensuring that the medium keeps its reach and resilience even in an age of on-demand everything.

As guests stepped into the cool October air, the feeling wasn’t nostalgic but proud. Radio, in all its forms, has endured by adapting without losing its humanity. Whether through a podcast feed, a car stereo, or a college studio, the voice on the other end still matters.

THE Japan Mobility Show (JMS) is set to blast off on October 30, lasting up to November 10 at the famed Big Sight in Ariake/Koto-ku area.

First held on April 20, 1954, at Hibiya Park, Tokyo, it was first known as the All-Japan Motor Show.

Organized by the Japan Motor Industrial Federation, the predecessor of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), its objective was to promote Japan’s auto industry recovery efforts after World War II.

OK, you want more history?

The 1954 inaugurals had 267 vehicles during the 10-day event, attracting 547,000 visitors to watch displays of trucks, buses and motorcycles. Only 17 passenger cars were exhibited as Japan prioritized commercial vehicles.

The car show moved to a bigger venue in Harumi, Tokyo, in 1960, before being renamed the Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) in 1973.

Top 3

IT grew by leaps and bounds that from 1980 to 1990s, the event became one of the world’s Top 3 auto shows alongside Detroit in the USA and in Frankfurt, Germany.

In 2007, with a much bigger field of participants, the TMS relocated to Makuhari Messe (Chiba Prefecture).

Before that, I had my baptism of fire as, 14 years earlier, I covered my first Tokyo Motor Show-in 1993 to be exact.

It was the late, eminent Mel Dizon, who gave me my first break in the biennial show. Mel then was one of the top guns at Mitsubishi Motors Philippines. I was then the motoring editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Super host

MEL was a super host. He was with his doctor-wife in the trip, but he never missed a beat as he took care of me like I was his own little brother. We became dear friends after that, spending time together drinking whiskey in swanky bars when our schedules aligned. May his soul rest in peace.

Nissan would be my next inviter in 1995, courtesy of Teresa Guanzon. Teresa was more than a gracious host, too, ensuring I’d keep tab on our itinerary every step of the way, ringing me up in my hotel room way in advance for reminders.

What I won’t forget long after the event’s conclusion was when she suddenly appeared at the burial of my mother-months after the 1995 Show. Touching. Last I heard, she was based in Singapore. Prayers for you, Teresa, wherever you are.

It was Honda’s turn to play host, with the amiable Arnel Doria as the lead man in the 1997 TMS.

Egg at Mt. Fuji

I will never forget our side trip with Arnel at the foot of scenic Mt. Fuji, a virtual twin of our very own Mayon Volcano.

There’s a place there where you could boil an egg just by placing the egg on a patch of a smoking surface.

I spoke with a Japanese tourist in Tagalog as he was eating his boiled egg, offering him salt while we were both seated. Although he couldn’t understand a word, he just kept nodding and smiling-while the celebrated broadcaster Ron delos Reyes kept laughing.

Up to this day, Ron and I would burst to laughter each time we reminisce on it.

First Toyota stint

IT was in the next edition in 1999 that I first joined Toyota to the TMS, thanks to Vince Socco, the inimitable bigwig of Toyota Motors Philippines (TMP). Amazingly from that year on, I’d be in every Toyota delegation in the next 12 shows ending 2023. (There was no TMS in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Thus, on my next stint with Toyota to the JMS this year, Jing Atienza extended the invitation as early as last year-during the first Weekend Race of the TGR Philippine Cup at Clark. Actually, Jing also invited Vernon Sarne of Visor that night while the three of us were having dinner.

Vernon and I have this policy of accepting an invitation to attend the JMS from the first car company that does it.

And how can we say no to the executive vice president-Jing being the second highest official of TMP?

2025 JMS theme

THIS year’s JMS theme is, ‘Exploring mobility’s future.’ It’s a continuation from 2019’s thrust of highlighting electric vehicles (EVs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics.

Our Toyota entourage, very large as usual as TMP always endeavors to gather the country’s cream of the crop from the motoring beat, will have the first crack at this year’s event on October 29-30 even as the JMS actually opens officially on October 30 at 8:30 a.m.

Toyota has a dedicated section at Big Sight called ‘NEW PROJECT/Toyota Group,’ indicating its exhibit will be more than just a display. It’s a ‘path forward’ narrative, showing the evolution from past inventions to future mobility.

Toyota will unveil a Corolla concept meant to feature its 13th-generation Corolla and a hint of a more electrified future.

Sashimi and sushi

LEXUS will introduce an LS concept that departs from traditional sedan format, described as a six-wheeled luxury van or space vehicle, positioning the LS as more of a lounge interior experience than a conventional sedan.

Exhibitors this year will focus on EVs, concept vehicles, infrastructure, parts, mobility services and technologies (software, autonomy, connectivity).

Tokyo, here I come. I can’t wait to munch on authentic sushi and sashimi again. Burp!

PEE STOP Jade Sison-Mendoza reports that the inauguration of the Lexus Manila Gallery will be held on November 6 at 8th Ave., cor. Col. Santos St, Grand Central Park, North BGC, Taguig. Cheers!

Carmen Camacho is gone. She passed away on October 19, 2025.

To the Bikolanos who were around in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Carmen Camacho was the voice over the radio behind the Bikol songs that were being played over and over. By this time, the so-called Tagalog songs were being overrun by the more commercial and popular songs in English. The golden age of kundiman was practically gone. The age of Ruben Tagalog, Cenon Lagman, Sylvia la Torre and many other excellent singers were on the wane. The concert halls were the ones that kept the kundiman, danza, balitaw and other forms.

It would take another decade, a miraculous upswing of musical tradition that would bring back what felt like a renaissance of Tagalog and other songs in the vernacular.

It was around this time, when Carmen Camacho’s voice began to dominate the airlane in Naga radio stations-DZRB, DZDR, DZEB-that reached across the six provinces of the Bikol region. For many years in the late ’40s and ’50s, several generations of Bikolanos and Filipino listeners grew up with the themes of love lost and love regained and, yes, lost again to the ether of sorrow and forgetfulness.

Carmen Camacho was there with the Tres Rosas by themselves-the dulcet trio forever sweet in despair and in love; at times, they were paired with the Lovers Trio in a splendid combination out to produce love songs that teased, seduced, and celebrated harmonies as melodious, languid, and variably rhythmic. Singly, they were all great and able soloists; altogether, they need not look at each other to be able to sing as one. It was as if they knew in their veins a timing and phrasing that was impeccable.

Back in the region, we were rediscovering our old songs. Already embedded in books and school programs, the songs that were being sung for the first time over the radio were like treasures burnished, polished remarkably and inspected for the first time. It was as if we were legitimizing music that was forgotten.

It did not matter if Carmen Camacho had a piquant accent, after all she was from Catanduanes and sometimes her vowels grated, creating a glottal stop where the mainland Bikol perhaps softened them. She was singing our song and her vibrant, warm, velvet contralto had enough tears in the phrasing. She was singing all of them-from old warhorse of a love anthem by Potenciano Gregorio of Santo Domingo, Albay to the morbid cautionary lines of ‘Si Nanay, Si Tatay,’ For in Carmen Camacho’s version, who can endure these lines;

‘Ay Nanay, ay Tatay, kun ako maraot

My Mother, My Father, if I am not ideal

Pugutan nin payo, ibuntug sa lawud

Feel free to cut my head and leave it deep in the sea

Kun maheling mo man na nag anud-anod

And if ever you see it floating by

Ay Nanay, Ay Tatay, sapuda man tulos

Take it with your hands gently.

Carmen Camacho will not be forgotten by the Bikolanos because it is her voice that has provided lyrics- piquant and radical images-to the Pantomina, the social dance that appears in various forms all over the region. For a long, long time-even before Sorsogon transformed Pantomina, a dance performed during weddings, into a street dance-it was merely music, a composite of two melodies. There is one for the paso or the long walk and the ‘engano’ or the waltzing movement.

Interestingly, Carmen Camacho was not alone in singing the songs from the region; she was with the other singers. Raye Lucero, Nora Hermosa, later, Cely Bautista. They were singing songs in Ilocano, Hiligaynon, Bikolano. Carmen herself was singing many songs in other languages. We learned about these other songs from other places because these singers went out of their way to sing them. They sang them either as a chorus or as soloists, imbuing them with the soul as if they owned these melodies.

I had the privilege to be with Carmen Camacho and Raye Lucero together with Mike Coroza in their last visit to Naga City. Carmen and Raye proved to be generous individuals with their memories. They regaled me with stories from their long historic career. In the city plaza, they performed that night and they sang like there was no tomorrow.

Carmen is gone now. Cely Bautista passed on way ahead of her. It still remains a mystery for me that they-the Mabuhay Singers-have gone on unheralded. We have learned about the music of the many regions of this archipelago through them. If ever our hearts quicken when we remember a song, it could be because these wonderful beings sang them at one point-translating for us some lines, or embedding them in our consciousness the spirit of the nation.

‘I will give my best. That is my assurance to everyone. I will fight. It doesn’t matter if I’m tired or I haven’t had sleep. I will fight. I will give you the best,’ defiant and fighting words from Miss Universe Philippines 2025 Maria Ahtisa Manalo, who, despite heavy bashing from pageant observers, is confident that she will clinch the country’s fifth Miss Universe crown.

The captivating beauty queen-businesswoman from Candelaria, Quezon Province, will vie for the prestigious title on November 21 in Thailand. The MUPH organization held a heartwarming sendoff for Ahtisa at the Citadines Millennium Ortigas in Pasig City, on October 23.

Present at the event were national director and Miss Universe 2013 Third Runner-up Ariella Arida; Head of Women Empowerment Committee and Charity and Miss Universe Ph 2006 Lia Andrea Ramos; former national director and Miss Universe 2011 Third Runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee; EVP Volatire Tayag; and creative and events director Jonas Gaffud.

Third Time’s The Charm

Ahtisa, 28, hopes to replicate the mythical attempts of Miss Universe 2025 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach before she won the crown on her third try.

She was Binibining Pilipinas International 2018 and Miss International 2018 First Runner-Up), Miss Universe Philippines 2024 Second Runner-Up and later appointed to Miss Cosmo 2024, where she unfairly finished in the Top 10), and won Miss Universe Philippines 2025

Watching from the livestream of the event, hosted by Mister Pilipinas Eco International 2025 Kitt Cortez, here are some glimpses on the beautiful mindset of our ‘Pambasang Manika’:

‘You know, when I was gonna go here, I was thinking, Ano, kamusta kaya yung magiging room? I don’t know how it is. It has been a while since I had a sendoff. And it’s a great reminder that I’m very well-loved and I’m very well-supported.

So, thank you to Miss Universe Philippines for creating this event for me. Really, really good. You know, the preparations, the normal ones that we usually do, the trainings and all that.

‘But I think for me, the most important thing that I really had to prepare on is the responsibility of bringing the Philippines to Miss Universe stage. You know, it’s a whole different ballgame when it’s there. I have been feeling the pressure.

‘But I know that it’s one of those things that will push me to become better and to serve the Philippines better.

‘I want you all to remember that, you know, my Miss Universe Philippines dream, my dream of stepping on the Miss Universe stage, it took 18 years. It took three attempts to get the crown.

‘So, it’s a good reminder. I hope that anyone who hears my story sees that your dreams can be far-fetched to other people. Your dreams can seem big. But as long as you push for your dreams, as long as you work hard and you never give up, it’s possible to live them. I’m a living example of that.’