Category: Business Mirror

EVERY car launch is a momentous event as it resembles the coming of a new-born baby. The recent unveiling of the eighth generation Lexus ES was no exception.

Brilliantly emceed by the famed Issa Litton, the occasion immediately became the talk of the town as avid car enthusiasts packed the Lexus Gallery Manila for a look-see of the iconic Lexus flagship. And to give you a ringside view of the spectacle, it is my honor to print here the speech of Alfred V. Ty, the always dapper chairman of both Lexus Philippines and Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP). Here:

‘The Lexus ES has been in the Philippines since Lexus arrived 17 years ago, and today, we are bringing to you the 8th generation of this iconic model.

‘Your new ES delivers the most evocative and expansive change ever. It combines a redesigned exterior, a more spacious cabin and a renewed platform and powertrain.

‘An extended wheelbase, along with improvements to the body and chassis, elevates ride comfort, handling stability and interior space, ensuring that ES transforms itself while staying true to its heritage.

‘The all-new ES is the ultimate executive sedan that provides an unparalleled passenger experience, quiet, comfort, big leg room while also offering thrilling driving moments when you are behind the wheel.

‘Most of all, the all-new ES will now come with both the hybrid electric power train and, yes, a full battery electric variant.

DOWNTREND

‘LAST year, the Philippine economy experienced a downtrend as an off-shoot of the infrastructure irregularities and extraordinary natural disasters in the second half of the year. This slowing of economic activity carried forward to 2026.

‘Matters took a turn for the worse when the war started between the USA and Iran and a fuel crisis was declared. The local-and global-economy went into a tailspin.

‘While the deceleration of GDP reflected the general decline in economic sentiment, the negative impact was more immediately felt by banks, malls, restaurants and hotels even on the first month of the war.

‘Fuel pump prices rose to record highs. The automotive market dropped in March then experienced an even more significant decline in April.

RECOVERY

‘HOWEVER, the market has started to show signs of an early recovery in May, June and July. It might be too soon to claim a recovery, but it appears that the market is hopefully heading in the right direction.

‘In light of the economic challenges, a surge in demand for new energy vehicles has been a silver lining. It is clear that electrified mobility is real. Toyota/Lexus prides itself in pioneering the transition to EVs going back to 1997 with the global launch of the Toyota Prius.

‘Since then, Toyota and Lexus have sold approximately 27 million electrified vehicles worldwide-far more than any other automaker. (This has resulted in a cumulative reduction of 197 million tons of CO2.)

MOST PREFERRED

‘IN the Philippines, Lexus has been the most preferred luxury brand. In fact, last year, thanks to your most valued support, Lexus Philippines was recognized as having the highest market share in the Asean region.

‘We remain committed to building automobiles that deliver unmatched comfort, durability and driving pleasure. As well, we continue to craft ownership experiences that are based on the highest levels of ‘omotenashi’ in the world.

‘It has been 15 years since Lexus Japan first introduced the technology of the hybrid engine and combining with the renowned quiet comfort and proven durability.

‘Since then, our offering of Lexus HEV models has increased to 9 with a total of 19 variants. Aside from today’s ES, Lexus also offers two full battery electric vehicles.

14,200 UNITS

‘CUMULATIVE sales of Lexus in the Philippines from 17 years ago has reached almost 14,200 units of which almost half are xEVs. In fact, for the first half of this year, 93 percent of our Lexus sales are electrified.

‘The recovery of auto sales was also driven by a return of demand for Internal Combustion Engine vehicles. [In May, sales of ICE vehicles rose by 32 percent from the lows of April. In June, this rose even higher by another 10 percent versus May.]

‘This fuel crisis has proven that there is a continued strong demand for xEV and ICE-driven models. This makes our multi-pathway approach to carbon neutrality more relevant.

38TH YEAR

‘JUST last Monday, August 3, Toyota Motor Philippines celebrated its 38th year of partnership with the Philippines towards nation building.

‘Last year’s 229,000 unit sales contributed 45 billion pesos in taxes to the government and another 19 billion pesos in 2026, so far. This year, Toyota and Lexus will breach the three million mark in cumulative sales from 1989. This is a humbling testament to our commitment to our relentless pursuit of perfection and to our winning the smiles of Filipinos, one Filipino at a time. We sincerely thank you for your past and continuing trust.

‘As we welcome our newest Lexus ES, I invite you all to experience its unmatched performance and comfort.

‘Thank you for joining us this evening. Please enjoy. This is your home.’

PEE STOP The next Toyota Gazoo Racing Philippine Cup is set on August 15 in Rosario, Batangas, before the event goes back to Clark in Angeles, Pampanga, possibly on September 12. As usual, the events are free to the public…Yayee Tobia sends her birthday greetings to MTRCB board members Miray Muhlach (August 8), Atty. Cesar Pareja (August 21) and Gelo Jamias (August 24). Belated birthday greetings also to BM KitaKeats Musngi (July 24). Cheers!

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will challenge a Pasig court order granting a preliminary injunction against the implementation of the new minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

Labor Secretary Francis N. Tolentino said the department would exhaust available legal remedies to overturn the ruling of Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 152, which kept NCR Wage Order No. 27 from being enforced while the main case remains pending.

‘We will use all legal remedies to fight and have this decision nullified, and to defend the rights and welfare of our workers,’ Tolentino said in a statement on Friday.

He warned that the continued suspension of the wage increase would deprive more than one million workers in Metro Manila of additional income at a time when household expenses remain high.

‘This decision does not merely stop the wage increase-it takes food away from the tables of more than one million workers in Metro Manila and their families,’ Tolentino said in Filipino.

The preliminary injunction followed a temporary restraining order issued by the same court on July 30 after Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc. challenged the wage order.

In granting the injunction, the court found ‘serious and urgent questions’ over the wage-setting process that should first be resolved before the order could be implemented.

Among the issues raised was whether the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) sufficiently considered the factors required under Article 124 of the Labor Code, including employers’ capacity to pay.

Court proceedings showed that the wage board did not obtain actual payroll computations, audited financial statements, collective bargaining agreements, operating margins or cash-flow data from employers before determining the adjustment.

Labor groups, however, pushed back against the ruling and joined DOLE in calling for the injunction to be lifted.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) said it would seek the dissolution of the preliminary injunction once the court acts on its motion to intervene in the case.

‘After a temporary restraining order and now a preliminary injunction, workers are once again being forced to shoulder the cost of a judicial intervention that Congress specifically sought to prevent,’ TUCP said.

The group warned that it was prepared to pursue available remedies ‘all the way to the Supreme Court’ if necessary, arguing that the ruling could encourage similar challenges against wage orders in other regions.

TUCP also renewed its call for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a proposed P200 legislated wage increase, saying litigation against the regional wage-setting system has strengthened the case for a nationwide wage hike.

Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), meanwhile, said the court should not stop workers from receiving an increase that had already been granted.

‘The court has no business stopping workers from receiving a wage increase,’ Sentro Secretary General Josua Mata said.

He also added that while the P60 first tranche was already inadequate to recover workers’ lost purchasing power, withholding it would still hurt families struggling with food, transportation and utility costs.

‘For corporations, a bond is an expense. For workers, withholding even P60 is another blow to their dignity,’ Mata said.

Business groups in Cebu are urging the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) to defer the proposed 25-percent increase in domestic cargo-handling tariffs, warning that a significant rise in logistics costs could further burden businesses and consumers amid slowing economic growth and elevated operating expenses.

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) said it supports the modernization, efficiency, safety and financial sustainability of Cebu’s ports, but maintained that the proposed adjustment should not be implemented immediately without sufficient justification, a clear assessment of its impact and meaningful consultation with affected stakeholders.

‘A 25-percent increase is significant,’ CCCI said, noting that the proposed hike could raise logistics and distribution costs, with possible consequences for the cost of doing business and, ultimately, consumer prices.

The chamber recommended that implementation be deferred while the CPA conducts a comprehensive review and consultation process.

Should an adjustment eventually be deemed necessary, CCCI said it should be ‘reasonable, proportionate, transparent’ and preferably calibrated or phased to minimize its impact on businesses and consumers.

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), likewise, raised concerns over the timing of the proposed increase, as businesses contend with weaker market demand, higher operating costs, rising wages and fuel prices, as well as risks associated with the expected El Niño.

MCCI said domestic cargo handling is critical to an archipelagic economy such as the Philippines, facilitating the movement of goods between islands through inter-island and roll-on/roll-off shipping.

It warned that higher cargo-handling charges could ripple through the supply chain, affecting manufacturers, traders, distributors and retailers before eventually reaching consumers through higher prices.

The chamber also pointed to the Philippine economy’s weak 2.3-percent growth in the second quarter of 2026, saying the timing of a substantial tariff adjustment warrants closer scrutiny.

MCCI said the CPA and other stakeholders should determine whether the proposed increase is timely and necessary and assess its possible implications for business competitiveness, inflation and the overall cost of doing business in Cebu.

For its part, MCCI said it would first need to review the proposal in detail, including its justification, cost structure and projected effects on businesses and consumers, while continuing discussions with relevant stakeholders.

The CPA, in an advisory, said the proposed adjustment would apply to domestic cargo in all ports of Cebu. However, it clarified that it will not yet implement it.

‘The authority has made no final decision on the proposed increase since CPA will have to consolidate the position papers and feedback from port stakeholders to be evaluated thoroughly before it is presented to the CPA Board,’ CPA said in a separate statement released on Friday afternoon, Aug. 14, 2026.

Interested stakeholders were invited to submit position papers through the CPA’s Port Management Department the latest on Aug. 25, 2026.

‘CPA assures all port stakeholders that the proposed tariff increase will undergo an appropriate and thorough review and deliberation before any decision on its approval or implementation is made,’ CPA added.

The proposed tariff adjustment comes as businesses continue to grapple with logistics costs, making the consultation a key venue for stakeholders to weigh the need for higher port charges against the broader impact on Cebu’s business environment and consumers.

CCCI said it remains committed to working with the CPA toward a sustainable port system that maintains efficient operations while keeping the cost of moving goods competitive.

ONE of the more annoying things to watch in this Impeachment Trial of Sara Duterte is her defense counsel’s propensity to say ‘yeah’ instead of ‘yes.’

Call me old, but I just feel that it’s a very informal manner of speaking, which has no place in a court-at the Senate, no less! The defense counsel isn’t just drinking an overpriced beverage in a popular coffee chain and gossipping with her friends.

Thus, I fully endorse the prosecution lawyer giving her a spanking.

But I suppose this is what’s wrong with most people these days. And I’m not just talking about our youth as there are also older people whom I see almost daily, living a very casual, flip-flop (and I mean the tsinelas) existence.

This was worsened by the 2.5 years we had to lock ourselves at home due to the Covid pandemic. We worked and did our video, online meetings in our pambahay, pajamas, and house slippers.

Many of us seem to have forgotten that the pandemic is now over, and we have to return to our official lives, where a more formal manner of speaking, clothing, and overall demeanor is demanded.

I don’t think I’m being a snob, when I say it bothers me that whether it’s summer or the rainy season, people walk around in thonged rubber slippers everywhere. To the mall, to restaurants, to their doctor’s office, to hotels, hospitals-anywhere except the beach, it seems.

I don’t care that your flip-flops cost over P1,000, pamatay pa din ‘yan ng flying ipis, as my former STC classmate and media colleague Jessica Zafra used to say. Since the early 2000s, when high-priced brands of rubber flip-flops were introduced in the country, these tsinelas keep being used like the official outside-the-house footwear.

What’s worse, in the malls, visitors wearing these flip-flops will sit on benches watching videos on their mobile phones, lift a foot, then finangle their toes with the fingers of their free hand, as if they’re just seated on their living room sofa. Yuck.

I recognize that there are people from lower-income classes, who may only own a pair of flip-flops to wear inside or outside their homes. But I refer here to wealthier mallgoers, lugging shopping bags, putting up their unshod feet for the world to see.

The same is true at church. One sits at the bench and right beside you, a churchgoer will remove her sandals, then rest her bare feet on the kneeler. Similarly, parents will let their children run and shout willy-nilly at Mass, even when the priest has started his Homily. (I wish Church-minders strictly enforce the use of family rooms for parents and their toddlers. These rooms exist so other churchgoers are not disturbed by boisterous children.)

Some shoppers also have the temerity to bring their dogs, who subsequently relieve themselves on the mall floors, like they do in one corner of their furparents’ homes. Not the pet’s fault of course-they do what is natural to them-but far too many furparents are able to get away with not keeping their animal babies in diapers, despite polite requests by malls and other similar establishments through visible signs at their entrances.

At movie theaters, people talk way too much. We’ve all experienced this. One person will keep asking her seatmate what’s happening on the screen, especially if the movie is a sequel. (Think Avengers: Doomsday and the 21 theater releases before that! Mahaba-haba na kwentuhan ‘yan.) I must admit, on a few occasions, I’ve had to call the attention of these noisy people in the audience to STFU. Nicely, of course, unless they continue their rowdy behavior.

At another time, also at the cinema, a woman was seated beside me, and she kept looking at her phone, as if checking her messages, or perhaps waiting for a phone call. Again, as if she was just at home, watching a film on her streaming subscription.

Madam! Kindly hide the phone in your bag if you want to sneak a look at your SMS, so the light on your screen doesn’t bother the rest of us. Or better yet, sit out the movie and go to a cafe instead to read your messages or wait for your so-important phone call.

billboards do the job socmed

Perhaps what I’m really asking for is not old-fashioned etiquette but some amount of consideration.

We share public spaces. And the fact that we are free to dress, speak, eat, scroll, or behave as we please does not mean we shouldn’t care about how our behavior affects everyone around us.

There is nothing wrong with being comfortable. I enjoy my pambahay and tsinelas as much as anyone-when I’m at home. But there is a time and place for everything, as Mama used to say.

A courtroom calls for decorum. A church calls for reverence. A restaurant calls for a little civility. A movie theater calls for silence. And a shopping mall, definitely, isn’t an extension of our sala.

Perhaps we need to remember that how we comport ourselves in public is not about being sosyal, rich, or trying to impress other people. It is about acknowledging that we are not alone. Our comfort should not come at the expense of another person’s peace, concentration, or dignity.

Be sensitive and respectful towards others. That’s all I ask, really.

Thailand is turning the page to a new chapter of cultural exchange as the Thai Trade Center Manila, Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, makes its debut at the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) 2026, bringing the sights, sounds, and stories of Thailand closer to Filipino readers through ‘Melody of Books.’

From September 9 to 13, 2026, at the SMX Convention Center Manila, Level 2, Booth Nos. 2-48, 2-49, 2-54 and 2-55, visitors can step into a world where Thai literature meets culture, creativity, and interactive experiences. In its first-ever participation in MIBF, the Thai Trade Center Manila’s first-ever MIBF participation will showcase significant literary works from Thailand alongside activities that invite Filipino audiences to discover the country beyond its pages.

More than a collection of books, ‘Melody of Books’ celebrates the power of storytelling to connect cultures. Visitors can look forward to engaging experiences inspired by Thailand’s literary and cultural heritage, offering book lovers, families, students, and curious minds a chance to discover new stories and create meaningful connections.

‘Our debut at the Manila International Book Fair marks an exciting opportunity to bring Thailand and the Philippines closer through the universal language of stories. We hope ‘Melody of Books’ inspires Filipinos to discover Thailand from a new perspective and strengthens the cultural connections shared by our two countries.’ – Sutinee Vathana, Director of Thai Trade Center Manila.

As Thailand opens its books to Manila, ‘Melody of Books’ invites everyone to experience the stories, culture, and traditions of Thailand in a way that goes beyond the written word.

Discover the ‘Melody of Books’ at the Thai Trade Center Manila Pavilion at MIBF 2026, happening September 9 to 13 at SMX Convention Center Manila.

THE government is poised to collect P644.433 billion in excise taxes next year, as it seeks to generate more revenue while deterring the consumption of ‘sin’ products.

Combined excise tax collection of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is projected to grow by 8.69 percent in 2027 from this year’s P592.896 billion target, the Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Financing for 2027 revealed.

BIR collections from selective excises on goods is seen to reach P380.861 billion, higher by 8.94 percent year-on-year from P349.578 billion.

Nearly half of the BIR’s target will come from excise taxes on tobacco products, pegged at P182.209 billion, up by 10.84 percent from P164.386 billion this year.

Collection of excise tax on alcohol products is estimated at P136.713 billion, a 7.21-percent increase from this year’s P127.508-billion program.

Other sources of excise tax collections next year include sweetened beverages at P39.669 billion, mining at P15.612 billion and automobiles at P6.241 billion.

The BIR is also expected to collect P41 million from excise taxes on cosmetic procedures, P13 million from tobacco inspection fees and P364 million from other miscellaneous excise taxes.

Meanwhile, the BOC’s excise tax collection is seen to rise by 8.32 percent to P263.572 billion in 2027 from this year’s P243.318-billion target.

The BOC collects excise taxes on specific imported goods at the port of entry before release from customs custody. These include petroleum products, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and vapor products, automobiles and other goods.

In the first half of 2026, the BOC has collected P113.344 billion in excise taxes, or 46.58 percent of its full-year target.

The BIR, on the other hand, amassed P127.691 billion from January to May this year, latest available data showed. This accounts for 33.52 percent of its entire goal for the year.

Aside from raising additional revenues for the government, excise taxes are imposed on certain products to discourage consumption of products considered harmful to health or the environment.

In the Philippines, a portion of ‘sin’ tax collections is earmarked for implementing the Universal Health Care program, increasing budgets for health insurance coverage and medical assistance, among other areas.

Recently, the Department of Finance (DOF) has proposed to expand excise taxes on sweetened beverages, distilled spirits, e-cigarettes and novel tobacco, plastic products and automobiles.

Doing so would yield an average of P107.3 billion in revenues for the government, the DOF estimated.

The recommendation is part of the DOF’s proposed ‘Progress Bill,’ a comprehensive tax reform package that seeks to provide tax relief for the middle class and small businesses while expanding sin taxes.

UNTIL the horrific shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, Leyte, last June 22, when three students were killed and 20 injured from gunfire allegedly inflicted by two students aged 14 and 15, few people had heard of the name GoreBox.

Described as a ‘chaotic, physics-driven sandbox game where creativity meets unrestrained destruction,’ the online game was said to be a favorite pastime of the 14-year-old perpetrator.

As the investigation continues, the 14-year-old has been placed under a mandatory intervention program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and his 15-year-old companion has been criminally charged. As for GoreBox? It was temporarily banned by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center.

Does taking away GoreBox and other similar online games mean the end of gaming-related violence? Not quite, says Paul Lawrence Filomeno, MD, a board-certified Pediatrician from the Philippines’ top hospital Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed, www.makatimed.net.ph) and a Specialist in Addiction and Recovery Medicine with a focus on screen gaming and digital behavioral addictions in children and adolescents.

MULTISYSTEMIC, COMPLEX ISSUE

‘GAMING violence is a violent behavior that can be triggered by some factors,’ explains Filomeno. ‘That is partly because the game has different dynamics and dimensions that push the child toward violence. But violence can only be done or committed by an accumulation of multiple risk factors. We look at their environment at home, at school, social pressures, history of bullying, and cultural and familiar norms about violence. If they live in an environment where violence is also normalized, then it is easier for them to be influenced, to be violent as well in real life.’

‘To blame the game itself would be lacking,’ he declares. ‘It is multisystemic, and a very complex issue.’

Indeed. While it is easy to assume a child has a gaming addiction and violent tendencies because he spends most of his waking hours immersed in combat and hack-and-slash games, it is not always the case. ‘There are those who game for five hours, but can bounce back to real life,’ says the MakatiMed doctor. ‘Then there are gamers who only play for two hours, but the stimulating game has a huge effect on their behavior. They cannot stop thinking about the game, and there are sacrifices involved in terms of their academic and social relationships.’

RED FLAGS

WHAT then are the signs of a child with a gaming disorder? Filomeno, the first Filipino pediatrician to complete a formal Subspecialty in Addiction Medicine from the University of the Philippines’ Philippine General Hospital, enumerates three red flags:

Loss of control. They attempt to play for one hour. Five hours later, they are still at it. And it is not only that they can’t stop, but they also prioritize playing over real-world commitments like doing their homework, turning in a project, or keeping their room clean.

Functional impairment. This is when gaming reaches a point where it interferes with eating, sleeping, school, hygiene, hobbies, and relationships with family and friends.

Difficulty in stopping. Failing grades, cutting class, and giving up their allowance and personal belongings just so they can play is truly troubling behavior.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

GAMING disorder is treated through a multidisciplinary approach that involves the expertise of Guidance Counselors, Pediatricians, Child Psychologists, and Addiction Specialists. Still, Filomeno believes that family is the first component of the healthcare team. ‘Ninety percent of the effort is delegated to the family,’ he highlights.

In fact, it is family that can help steer a youngster with a gaming disorder back on track. ‘No intervention is effective if the parents aren’t modeling [good behavior],’ Filomeno says. ‘So, if you want your child to sleep early, they need to see an adult who sleeps early as well.’ The same rule applies to gadgets. Do you want your child to stop gaming? Put down your phone or tablet.

6S

FOR parents to observe how gaming is impacting their kids, Filomeno cites the six S: ‘The first S that they need to monitor is ‘sleep’. Sleep is a marker of a possibility that you need to protect the child if his gaming is affecting his sleep. Second, as a parent, you need to protect their ‘safety’. Do you have measures to verify that your child is not talking to strangers when he games? The third S is ‘self-regulation’. Does my child turn to gaming when he is sad? What behavior does he manifest when I ask him to reduce his screen time?’

In the fourth S or ‘school’, academic performance can be a gauge of gaming’s influence. Have their grades dropped or improved since your intervention? The fifth S is ‘social connection’. ‘A very important milestone in childhood,’ reminds Filomeno. ‘Does your child know how to interact with people?’ The sixth and most important S is ‘security’.

Are you on top of things when your child is online?

Remember, change does not happen overnight. It will occur in increments and may even fall back to old patterns. But with your patience, participation and love, you can regulate your youngster’s gaming habits to a safe and satisfying level.

‘The outcomes of gaming disorder are measured by small steps,’ avers Filomeno. ‘If he reduces his gaming from 8 hours to 7 hours, that’s already a big win. Small steps are still better than setting impossible expectations.’

FITNESS competitions are often judged by what is immediately visible-the physique, the discipline, the stage presence.

But as the Century Tuna Superbods competition moves toward its final night, the people behind the bodies are being asked to show something harder to measure: what they stand for.

That was the focus of the Century Tuna Superbods VIP Night in Makati City on August 6, where the Top 40 finalists took the spotlight ahead of the competition’s grand finale.

Rather than simply presenting the finalists as polished fitness figures, the evening gave them a platform to talk about their personal journeys and the health and wellness advocacies they have developed along the way.

The stories ranged from accessible nutrition and physical training to mental wellness, reflecting the different circumstances that shaped each finalist’s approach to health.

Century Pacific Food Inc. Vice President and Group Business Unit Head Carlo Endaya said the broader goal was to make health feel less like an exclusive ideal and more like something people can work toward in their everyday lives.

‘So what do I mean when I say health? So that means everyone needs to have access to proper nutrition. Right level of activity. Useful information. And last but not least, motivation,’ Endaya said during the event.

‘Imagine a world where you, your loved ones, the people you work with, your family, your friends, everyone. Imagine a world where everyone is the strongest, healthiest, most vibrant version of themselves. So that’s not just a dream,’ he added.

The journey

BY the time they reached the VIP Night, the finalists had already gone through more than the usual rounds of posing and competition.

Since the callback stage, they have taken part in a series of activities, workshops and wellness challenges intended to prepare them for the responsibilities attached to the Superbod title.

The process has also pushed them to look beyond physical fitness and consider how their own experiences could translate into something meaningful for others.

During the event, the finalists presented their personal health and wellness advocacies, turning the stage into a platform for stories about the realities behind their fitness journeys.

For some, that meant making nutrition more accessible. For others, it meant encouraging physical activity, addressing mental wellness or sharing lessons from their own struggles.

The emphasis on individual purpose also reflects how the competition has evolved since its launch two decades ago.aya said the response to the original concept eventually showed that the competition could become more than a search for the next fit face of the brand.

‘And 20 years on, Superbod has become the defining asset of the brand, a symbol of fitness, health, and self-improvement,’ he said.

Real people, real stories

THAT distinction was also underscored by Century Tuna brand ambassador Anne Curtis, who has been associated with the competition for years.

Curtis said she has seen the platform develop from a fitness-focused competition into one where participants are increasingly given space to tell their own stories.

‘Having been with Century Tuna for so many years, I’ve had a front-row seat to how this brand and this platform have grown,’ Curtis said.

‘What makes Superbods so special is how it brings real human stories to the center stage. Seeing these finalists step up with heart and genuine passion for their health advocacies is truly inspiring for everyone,’ she added.

What makes a Superbod?

WITH the grand finals approaching, the competition’s judging criteria also offer a glimpse into what the organizers are looking for beyond physical appearance.aya said the finalists will be assessed according to two broad categories: presence and essence.

‘So presence, let’s call it aura. Let’s call it aura. So can the person make people turn their heads? Can that person stop you from scrolling? Can the person captivate and grab your attention? So that is presence,’ he said.

But presence alone will not determine the winners. ‘Second, essence. So what does that mean? Can they inspire people to be healthier? Can they inspire people to eat better?’ Endaya said.

He added that the finalists should also reflect the values of continuous improvement, respect for the individual, and kindness.

Final stretch

NOW, with Finals Night nearing, the competition enters its most consequential stage.

The Male and Female Grand Winners will each receive ?1 million, while the runners-up will take home ?250,000 each.

But before the final announcement, the remaining finalists still have to make the case that they represent more than a particular physical ideal.

THE Kampihan ng Maralita at Manggagawa (Kamanggagawa) Party-list group and several other labor groups on Wednesday filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking to nullify the orders issued by the Regional Trial Court in Pasig City enjoining the implementation of the P85 minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

The petition, likewise, sought to stop the RTC in Navotas City from hearing another application for issuance of a status quo ante order filed by the Alliance of Philippine Fishing Federations Inc. (APFF)

Likewise, the petitioners asked the SC to issue an order guiding the lower courts to outrightly reject and dismiss petitions against wage orders to prevent the proliferation of similar cases.

The petition stemmed from the status quo ante order issued by the Executive Judge of the RTC in Pasig dated July 23, 2026 and the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by Pasig RTC Branch 152 dated July 30, 2026 stopping the implementation of the P85 minimum wage hike approved by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Metro Manila in two tranches.

The first amounting to P60 took effect on July 25 and the remaining P25 will take effect on January 20, 2027.

The SQAO and TRO were issued in response to a petition filed by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

Also assailed in the petition is the order issued by the Navotas RTC on August 3, 2026 setting APFF’s application for SQAO for clarificatory hearing.

The petitioners argued that any order from the lower court enjoining a wage order is prohibited under Article 123 of the Labor Code.

The said provision mandates that any party aggrieved by the wage order by the regional board may file an appeal before the commission within 10 days which will be decided within 60 days

Furthermore, the petitioners said the trial courts are prohibited from issuing TROs or any injunctive relief against wage order under Article 126 of the Labor Code which states: ‘No preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order may be issued by any court, tribunal or other entity against any proceedings before the Commission or the Regional Boards.’

‘The issue of the propriety of the determination of minimum wage is likewise akin to a political question. The lower courts do not have the power to settle questions regarding the ratio and wisdom behind a Wage Order,’ the petitioners said.

‘The respondent lower courts and judges have arrogated upon themselves the settlement of an issue beyond their mandates. They neither have the authority nor the necessary knowledge, expertise and experience to ascertain the propriety and wisdom of Wage Orders,’ they added.

The petitioners added that wage orders are social protection measures mandated by the Constitution.

‘Courts must exercise extreme caution and yield to social justice mandates rather than issuing ex-parte or interlocutory stays against wage increases,’ the petition stated.

The petitioners also pleaded to the SC to decide on the merits of the petition even if the issues they raise become moot and academic.

Joining Kamanggagawa Party-List group as petitioners are the Workers and Peasants Party of the Philippines (WPP), Uni Global Union – Philippine Liaison Council (Uni-PLC), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), National Federation of Labor (NFL), Sentro ng Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro), Unified Filipino Service Workers (UFSW), Partido Manggagawa (PM), and the Council of Teachers and Employees in Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Coescup).

THE death toll of the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis, Maymay and the southwest monsoon has climbed, with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reporting 21 and the National Police (PNP), 26.

As of 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the NDRRMC casualty count included 14 injured and one missing.

Most of the victims were from Benguet province due to a landslide. The latest two fatalities in Atok, Benguet, were confirmed following the retrieval of their bodies. In Baguio City, the death toll also climbed to 10; three in Rizal, and three in Batangas, the agency reported.

Meanwhile, the number of affected persons continued to grow, with the NDRRMC receiving reports of the effects of the inclement weather from various regions in Luzon.

So far, the NDRRMC said 909,133 families or a total of 3.14 million people were affected in Regions I, II, III, V, VI, IX, Calabarzon, CAR, NCR and Mimaropa.

A total of 22,893 families or 80,442 people remain in 881 different evacuation centers.

Floods and landslides induced by days of nonstop rains have also destroyed a total of 972 houses, as well as P2.1 billion worth of public and private infrastructure. Close to P200 million worth of crops were lost.

The NDRRMC said that P342,103,574 worth of assistance was provided to affected families. The weather bureau reported improved weather conditions on Wenesday, with Occidental Mindoro forecast to receive 50 to 100 mm of rain until Thursday.

Post-disaster efforts

THE PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., meanwhile, announced that the force has stepped up post-disaster recovery efforts as communities start to repair the damage caused by tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

In line with this, Nartatez said he has directed police units in affected areas to maintain heightened visibility and work closely with local governments as they begin restoring normal community activities.

‘Our responsibility does not end with search and rescue operations. We will remain engaged in the recovery phase by maintaining security, supporting relief efforts, and helping communities recover from the effects of the disaster,’ Nartatez said.