Category: Business Mirror

BUKIT MERTAJAM, Malaysia-It’s that time of year when the living make room for the dead. Malaysia’s Hungry Ghost Festival is held during the seventh month of the Chinese lunar calendar, which this year began in mid-August.

‘It is centered around the worship of Da Shi Ye, also known as the Guardian God of Ghosts, and has become one of the major traditional Chinese religious celebrations in Bukit Mertajam,’ said Lee Kim Fong, general affairs coordinator for the event.

The city is in Malaysia’s northern state of Penang, about 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Kuala Lumpur.

‘It dates back to 1888, when there was a serious plague in Bukit Mertajam,’ Lee said. ‘After that, our ancestors began worshipping Da Shi Ye.’

For 15 days, devotees pray and make offerings before a towering paper-and-bamboo effigy of Da Shi Ye. The celebration culminates in the ceremonial burning of the effigy, symbolically sending the deity back to the spirit world.

Lee estimated that more than 10,000 people attended the burning ceremony this year, with crowds sometimes reaching 20,000.

‘The main purpose is to look after wandering spirits, especially spirits who have no one to worship or make offerings to them,’ Lee said. ‘Some may have died in accidents or may have no family members to pray for them.’

Similar celebrations are held in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Devotees travel to Bukit Mertajam from across Malaysia as well as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

A towering effigy stands at the center of the celebration

The Da Shi Ye effigy in Bukit Mertajam is traditionally made about five centimeters (two inches) taller each year. In 2026, it reached 8.9 meters (about 29 feet).

Ng Chi Wong, 69, has spent more than four decades crafting the figures. He said completing the towering effigy takes about a month and a half, with a team of seven or eight people working on it.

‘We have the measurements and a general idea of the structure, but there are no formal drawings,’ Ng said. ‘Most of the design and construction details are already in our minds.’

The artisans begin with the head, the part that requires the most work, before building the main frame and shaping the body. The outer layers are then added and painted.

Ng said that the process has undergone some small improvements over time. Yet the craft requires more than technical skill.

‘You also need to understand the tradition and the beliefs behind it,’ he said.

Lim Han Cong, a University of Malaya master’s graduate in Chinese studies, described the Hungry Ghost Festival as a counterpart to another traditional Chinese observance: Qingming, or Tomb-Sweeping Day, when families honor their ancestors at their graves.

While Qingming focuses primarily on one’s own ancestors, the Hungry Ghost Festival extends offerings to wandering spirits and the unclaimed dead.

‘This tradition reflects a synthesis of Buddhist, Taoist and Chinese folk religious beliefs,’ Lim said.

In Taoist ceremonies during the festival, priests recite sacred scriptures and perform rites to help the deceased find peace and salvation. Such practices are intended to provide comfort, nourishment and liberation to those who have no descendants to care for them.

‘At its core, the Ghost Festival expresses the belief that the living and the dead remain connected through enduring moral and emotional bonds,’ Lim said. ‘The living, therefore, have a responsibility to honor, support and help the deceased attain peace.’

An old tradition finds new roles in Malaysia

Offerings and rituals like those held in Bukit Mertajam eventually took on a broader community role. Starting in the 1970s, Malaysian Chinese celebrations incorporated charitable activities, such as auctions of blessed offerings and fundraising campaigns for schools.

‘As a result, the Ghost Festival in Malaysia has evolved beyond a festival devoted solely to honoring the dead,’ Lim said. ‘It has also become an important platform for strengthening community solidarity.’

That broader role is also evident in Bukit Mertajam. Money raised through fundraising efforts helps the organizing committee provide assistance to people with medical needs and support Chinese-language education.

Alongside that community work, organizers are looking for new ways to broaden access to the tradition. Participation is no longer limited to those who can make it to Bukit Mertajam.

‘We introduced online worship for devotees who are overseas or unable to return,’ Lee said. ‘So they can still take part in the prayers and make offerings.’

A professional team documented the celebration from August 14 through August 29. Organizers plan to upload the footage to Facebook so people around the world can see the Da Shi Ye festival in Penang.

‘This is a Chinese tradition that has been passed down for more than a hundred years,’ Lee said. ‘As descendants of the Chinese community, we have a responsibility to preserve it.’

The 57th Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) got going at the Makati Coliseum Saturday with University of Makati making its debut as host of the now 18-team league-De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Antipolo and University of the East Ramon Magsaysay are the newest members.

Shown during last week’s press launch at the U-Mak are (from left) Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Executive Director EriKa Dy, University of Makati president Elyxur Ramos and WNCAA chair Marian Vivian Manila.

A Catholic bishop urged religious leaders Thursday to confront the Church’s failures in protecting minors and vulnerable people, saying safeguarding systems alone cannot create truly safe communities.

Bishop Dennis Villarojo of Malolos, chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Office for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable Persons, said that ‘to create safe communities within the Church, we must first acknowledge our failures in this regard.’

Addressing 233 religious superiors at their national convention, he warned Church leaders against complacency as safeguarding systems are strengthened, saying even one abuse case remains unacceptable.

‘The fact that action is being taken to deal with sex abuse cases should not, however, give us a spirit of complacency, because one case is more than what we can tolerate,’ Villarojo said.

The bishop said safety must go beyond policies and procedures and involve the culture and relationships within Church communities.

”Safe’ does not only mean having all the systems in place to prevent any form of abuse,’ he said. ‘That community may be safe, but it may also be antiseptic, and even toxic.’

He said safeguarding is the responsibility of the entire Church community and warned that cover-ups or negligence by those responsible could lead to separate investigations and removal from office.

‘Any form of cover-up or negligence can make the point person liable to a separate investigation which may lead to removal from office,’ he said.

Villarojo said healthy religious communities should foster authentic faith, joy in service, discipline and zeal for mission – qualities that can also attract young people to consecrated life.

‘It is logical to postulate that a safe community is more attractive to young people than those that are perceived not to be,’ he said.

The CBCP protection office assists dioceses in establishing safeguarding structures and measures to prevent, investigate and respond to abuse cases.

Strengthening climate resilience and improving smallholder farm profitability require stronger support for high-value crops-including ube, or purple yam-diversified production systems, and science-based crop improvement, were emphasized during the recent Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) Agriculture and Development Seminar Series.

The seminar, themed ‘Resilient and Profitable Crops under Climate Change: What Works for Smallholder Farmers?’ highlighted practical ways to help farmers respond to stronger typhoons, prolonged droughts, floods, El Niño, pest outbreaks, and rising production uncertainty.

Director Joseph Manicad of the High Value Crops Development Program (HVCDP) of the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA), said high-value crops contribute not only to farm productivity but also to household nutrition, rural employment, enterprise development, and export competitiveness.

Potential of Philippine ‘ube’

The seminar also highlighted the potential of Philippine ube to support farmer income, agro-enterprise development, and export growth.

Dr. Antonio Lalusin, professor at the Institute of Crop Science, College of Agriculture and Food Science at University of the Philippines-Los Baños, presented his team’s research on using genetic diversity and genomics to accelerate the development of superior Philippine ube varieties.

Lalusin said demand for ube remains strong, with exports reaching $3.06 million in 2025. Processed products-such as powder, puree, and halaya-continue to drive export demand.

However, he noted that the industry faces a major supply-demand gap, with domestic production estimated at 13,535 metric tons in 2022 against a demand of 49,000 metric tons.

Low yield, seasonality, dormancy, and limited planting materials continue to constrain production.

To help address these gaps, Lalusin’s team collected 188 greater yam accessions from various locations in the Philippines and conducted morphological and molecular characterization, genetic diversity analysis, field performance evaluation, sensory evaluation, and anthocyanin profiling.

Field trials of 30 selected purple-fleshed greater yam accessions at the International Rice Research Institute Central Experiment Station showed that Villasis 2 was the highest-yielding accession, producing an average yield of 60.32 tons per hectare.

Sensory evaluation of 10 selected purple-fleshed ube genotypes identified Kinampay as the most aromatic and genetically conserved, while Mabitac 2 received consistent ratings across appearance, aroma, taste, texture, and general acceptability.

Lalusin identified eight promising Dioscorea alata accessions based on agromorphological, sensory, and pigment attributes: Villasis 2, Villasis 1, San Felipe, Carigar (Leyte), LA63, Mabitac 2, Batangas, and Kinampay.

He also showed the profitability potential of ube production. During the regular season, a yield of 30 tons per hectare at P60 per kilogram could generate a net income of approximately P1.432 million over 10 months to 12 months.

During the off-season, a yield of 20 tons per hectare at the same price could generate about P832,000 in net income. Effects of climate-related hazards

Manicad noted that climate-related hazards reduce yields, increase production costs, and threaten rural livelihoods.

To address these challenges, he presented the HVCDP framework anchored on productive, resilient, and profitable agriculture.

Manicad emphasized circular agriculture and diversification as practical strategies for smallholder farmers. Circular agriculture returns agricultural byproducts to the production cycle, reducing waste and environmental impact, while diversification lowers risk by creating multiple sources of food, income, and value within the same farming system.

He also presented DA initiatives that support climate-resilient and profitable farming, including the Gulayan sa Bayan Program, Project SAFE, or Sustainable Agroforestry Farm Enterprise, post-harvest innovations, and processed and value-added agri-products.

These programs promote food security, improved nutrition, climate-smart technologies, environmental conservation, diversified livelihoods, and stronger multisectoral partnerships.

Manicad said farmers can capture greater value by processing crops into higher-value products-such as mung bean noodles, instant munggo mix, jackfruit chips, tomato chewies, ube powder, and bignay juice concentrate.

He discussed the DA’s response to prolonged El Niño conditions, which includes drought-tolerant planting materials, improved water management, climate-smart technologies, access to credit and crop insurance, and stronger extension and climate advisory services.

‘By integrating production support, risk management, financing, and climate information, the DA aims not only to reduce the impacts of El Niño on agricultural production but also to strengthen the long-term resilience of farming communities across the country,’ he said.

While watching the recent Pinoyliga Cup, I felt two things I had not felt in some three years. I haven’t watched any collegiate sports in about three years.

First, there was a knot in my gut from anxiety and wondering if my team could come away with a win. I vacillated between, ‘I can’t do this anymore’ to ‘this is that familiar fire.’ But I came away with a ‘wow, that was great’ even after my team was eliminated.

I have not cheered for my alma mater or even the national team for 16 years now. The last time I cheered was when Ateneo surprised everyone by winning the 2010 UAAP championship when FEU was seeded to win it all. And that same year when the Philippines defeated Vietnam on their home soil during the Suzuki Cup, from high up in the press box in the My Dinh National Stadium, I just yelled, ‘yeah,’ pumped my fist, and gave a high five to a Filipino colleague. Then when I ran down to the pitch, I went bananas and that can be seen in the video that I took.

The funny thing about it is that a friend of mine who is also in the media (and is more senior than I am) reminded me not to cheer since I am there as a journalist. And I have kept that to heart come 2011 up to this day.

The ironic thing is she is the one wearing the colors and cheering for her alma mater. Hahahaha.

I remember during the 2013 Fiba Asia Championships after the Philippines defeated Korea to advance to the Fiba World Championships, everyone around me was going nuts. A colleague of mine, Aldo Avinante, was seated next to me, and he openly admired my restraint.

So, I recounted what my other colleague said to me during a UAAP match. Furthermore, being media officer for nine years for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, it didn’t look good for me to be partial to the Philippines. And the other foreign media officers were also like that.

Even if I have generally left sports coverage, I still remain like that-seated, quiet, observing, and taking down a lot of mental notes. It has become easier over time. I figure if I go there as a fan, then I might just cheer. But if I am writing about it, no.

As a former student-athlete and huge fan of sports, I had trouble taking in a loss. I couldn’t sleep and had a tough time letting go of losses. But now, I am over it in a matter of minutes or a few hours. And yes, I sleep much better.

I have become an expert at letting go.

The second thing that I felt was annoyance at boorish fans. I was annoyed at that person who heckled the coach of one team and that coach called him out to security.

There was a time that I heckled and was rather uncouth. Until an incident also made stop.

A friend of mine told me that over dinner after one game, his son uttered something unprintable here. Yes, it was a cuss and choice words. When asked where he heard that, he said, ‘from Tito Ricky.’

My friend told me about it and had quite a laugh. Me? I was mollified! I apologized profusely and stopped. I haven’t said anything untoward during a game since then.

And there was a time when I used to bash the fans of another school and someone wrote me a letter saying that people looked up to me, read me, and were heavily influenced by what I said. ‘Leave the bashing to the younger folk,’ he urged.

That was like getting punched in the gut-twice, if you add that incident concerning my friend’s son.

During the recent Pinoyliga games, I sat next to the crowd of another school, and they were loud, boisterous, crude, and well, funny at times. Art not time did I want to respond. I just sat that and later on during the halftime break, chatted up the supporters of that school. And it was a great chat if I am being honest about it.

I like the restraint and self-control. It has tremendously improved my emotional quotient while allowing me to take in more aspects of the games. But then again, it is also possible because I am getting old. Hahahaha.

You know that saying how sports is a great teacher that not only teaches fitness and sportsmanship, but also shapes character and teaches life skills? I can attest to that.

I am so looking forward to this upcoming collegiate sports season.

A Catholic bishop challenged religious superiors Wednesday to put defending marginalized communities ahead of maintaining church institutions, urging them to become ‘prophets’ willing to confront poverty, violence and injustice.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo of Taytay, Palawan, said religious life must be measured not only by how it proclaims the faith but by how it stands with people whose dignity and livelihoods are threatened.

‘The Philippine Church does not need religious who merely manage institutions or maintain the status quo. The Church needs prophets,’ Pabillo told 233 religious superiors at the second national convention of the Conference of Major Superiors in the Philippines.

‘You are called to be the conscience of the Church-to prick its complacency, disrupt its comfort, and keep it ready for mission,’ he said.

He urged religious communities to stay close to the poor, Indigenous peoples, migrants, elderly people and other marginalized sectors rather than retreating into institutional security.

‘Where marginalization exists, religious must be found – remaining with the vulnerable, defending their dignity, and empowering their voice,’ said Pabillo, who also chairs the CBCP Office on Stewardship.

The bishop also called on religious leaders to confront conflicts over land and natural resources without resorting to violence, saying justice must be at the heart of any lasting peace.

‘Arms cannot manufacture justice. As religious, we must proclaim that peace is the fruit of justice,’ he said.

He cited destructive mining and large-scale reclamation projects as issues requiring the Church to defend affected communities and creation.

Pabillo also recognized religious communities that sheltered whistleblowers, victims of the previous administration’s drug war and their families. Their support helped preserve testimonies used in cases involving alleged abuses, he said.

He challenged religious superiors to ask where their communities are most needed, whom they should help reconcile and which threatened communities and parts of creation require their prophetic voice.

CARL CORPUS will be gunning for more than a second Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) victory-third professional career title-in the ICTSI Summit Point Championship that starts Tuesday at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa City.

The 25-year-old rising star also sees the 72-hole, P2.5-million championship as a crucial tuneup for his national team duty at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games later this month.

Corpus will help lead the Philippine charge in the Asiad alongside LIV Golf mainstay Miguel Tabuena and Japan Golf Tour campaigner Justin delos Santos.

His return to the Asian Games comes three years after a debut in Hangzhou that fell short of his expectations-he and cousin and PGT regular Aidric Chan finished 33rd in the individual competition and helped the Philippines tie for ninth in the team event.

Three years later, however, Corpus heads back to the Asiad as a vastly different player-older, battle-tested and armed with a professional resume that continues to grow.

Since Hangzhou, he has steadily established himself on both the international and domestic circuits-he broke through on the Asian Development Tour with a victory in the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech last year before claiming his first PGT championship at Valley Golf in Antipolo at the close of the 2025 local season.

Those victories gave Corpus something he did not have during his Asiad debut: proven success at the professional level.

But first things first as Corpus is keen to make the most of the PGT’s return after a two-month break with Summit Point providing exactly the kind of competitive test he needs before heading to Japan.

Among those set to challenge Corpus for the crown are reigning Order of Merit champion Angelo Que and multi-titled campaigners Keanu Jahns, Tony Lascuña, Reymon Jaraula, Guido van der Valk and Zanieboy Gialon.

Young guns Sean Ramos, Jeffren Lumbo and Russell Bautista will also be in the mix, along with Chan and Fil-Am Ivan Yabut.

Focus will also be on Justin Quiban, who returns to the Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.-organized circuit after making a dramatic statement by winning the season-opening Lakewood Championship.

A strong foreign contingent led by Koreans Taewon Ha, Kim Tae Soo, Jisung Cheon and Lee Song and Japanese Sena Shiraishi and Kashihara Hirotaka are also in the field.

Marine conservation group Oceana Philippines, local governments and island communities have marked the first anniversary of Republic Act (RA) 12238 on International Whale Sharks Day on August 30.

RA 12238 created the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS), which safeguards over 60,000 hectares of some of the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs and critical feeding grounds for the iconic whale shark, locally known as ‘tiki-tiki.’

‘One year down, a lifetime to go! The [PIPS] law has come to life, through the incredible teamwork of local governments, national agencies and stakeholders. Their passion and stewardship are the tide that will lift our fisheries, biodiversity and the coastal livelihoods for generations,’ Von Hernandez, Oceana vice president, said in a statement.

Management board, plan

Within a year of the PIPS declaration, the seascape’s governance and management structures have been put in place.

The multi-stakeholder Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) has been established, and its executive committee has already approved the Protected Area Management Plan (PAMP), a science-based, community-grounded blueprint for coordinated enforcement, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable ecotourism.

The PAMP was developed through the collaboration of Oceana, Southern Leyte State University-Bontoc Campus, the Environment department, the local governments of Liloan, San Francisco, Pintuyan, and San Ricardo on Panaon Island, and the provincial government of Southern Leyte.

The planning process involved consultations with local communities and stakeholders and gathered the commitment of national government agencies and nongovernment organizations to ensure the plan’s grounding in both science and real situations.

Resilient reefs, whale shark haven

The PIPS is part of the world’s 50 priority reefs-classified as likely to withstand the impacts of climate change.

According to Oceana, its surrounding waters are rich feeding grounds not only for tiki-tiki but also for other large marine vertebrates-such as green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles.

The rare and endangered blue whale has also been sighted inside the seascape, a testimony to its health.

The surrounding waters of Panaon Island are basically a known interaction site of whale sharks.

Pintuyan Mayor Ricarte Estrella, whose municipality is known to have a large concentration of whale sharks, affirms the commitment of the LGU to ethical tourism and marine conservation.

‘As Pintuyan is known for its whale shark interactions, having Panaon Island as a protected seascape has helped protect and maintain our marine ecosystem. A healthier ecosystem supports more plankton, which is the primary food source of whale sharks. When the marine environment thrives, whale sharks are more likely to stay in our municipal waters, which in turn supports our community livelihoods,’ Estrella explained.

All hands on deck

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is set to establish a Protected Area Management Office on the island to support the daily management of the seascape.

The Department of Science and Technology and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, through its Fisheries and Coastal Resiliency Project, have begun supporting initiatives on sustainable livelihoods and coastal resource management, while opportunities for support from the Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Labor and Employment are being explored.

A landmark provision of RA 12238 mandates speed limits for vessels traversing PIPS waters-designed to protect whale sharks and other marine megafauna from injury, disturbance and death, particularly along migratory pathways and critical feeding zones.

Section 8 of the law directs the DENR, Philippine Coast Guard and other enforcement agencies to adopt appropriate speed regulation policies.

‘The implementation of the Panaon Seascape plan is a testament to what happens when national agencies, local leaders and island communities paddle in the same direction to turn our vision of a living and breathing sanctuary into reality. Together, we are building a legacy of abundance and coastal resilience,’ Hernandez said.

Financing biodiversity

Interviewed via Zoom, Atty. Liza Eisma-Osorio, senior director for Campaigns, Legal and Policy at Oceana Philippines, said that with PIPS being a protected area under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act of 2018, protectors of Panaon Island are assured of funding for its sustainable management.

‘There’s already a PAMB. There will be funding, for sure, because this is in the National Expenditure Program,’ Eisma Osorio said.

‘Right after the law was [signed] last year, we worked on finalizing the management plan. The next step is to identify measures that can be implemented,’ she said.

The executive committee has already approved the plan that manages PIPS and is now awaiting for DENR’s approval.

‘We are looking at the mega-fauna. The importance is to manage it. There are many whale sharks in those areas,’ she said, referring to the seasonal visits of whale sharks in the seascape from October to end of June.

‘Go-Slow Zones’

As part of the management plan, protectors of Panaon Island are recommending to declare a ‘Go-Slow Zones’ measure for vessels in areas where whale sharks congregate to feed and play.

‘We are looking at limiting the speed to 10 knots or 18 km/h during this period,’ Eisma-Osorio said.

Since whale sharks are sure to attract tourists, she said they are also planning to create whale shark sighting protocols, together with stakeholders, including the Philippine Coast Guard and the DENR.

They will be enforced in the waters of Pintuyan and San Francisco towns, two of the four municipalities where whale shark congregations are high. There are also sightings in Liluan and San Ricardo, but since they are facing the Dinagat Island, they have high vessel traffic, she explained.

Mining threat

Like other protected areas, PIPS is not oblivious to threats, particularly from mining.

‘There were reports of gold mining on Panaon Island,’ she said. ‘Even though its only small-scale mining, the use of mercury, of course, is a threat to the environment,’ she said.

Moreover, she said that Oceana Philippines also learned that Panaon is being promoted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau as a potential mining exploration site.

‘This is something we need to look into,’ she said.

Responsible tourism

According to Eisma-Osorio, Oceana Philippines and its partners will push for responsible tourism practices on Panaon, nixing the idea of whale shark feeding being practiced in other sites.

‘We are doing capacity-building, training, risk assessment, and would soon be pushing to have deputized park rangers to protect the island and its surrounding waters,’ she said, making the community co-owners of the tourism industry.

She said they are partnering with educational institutions to craft policies, like the University of Michigan.

Protecting important habitats

International biodiversity expert Theresa Mundita S. Lim, executive director of the Environment Science Institute at Miriam College, said a year after its declaration, Panaon Island Protected Seascape continues to be a reminder why protecting important habitats matters.

‘It is encouraging to see that the governance mechanisms for the protected area are already taking shape, with the establishment of the [PAMB] and the approval of the [PAMP]. These are important early steps toward translating the protection provided by law into meaningful and sustained action on the ground,’ Lim told the BusinessMirror via Messenger on September 2.

‘With the progress is already being made in PIPS-including efforts to regulate vessel speeds, protect critical habitats, and promote responsible tourism, I am hopeful that its charismatic and threatened marine species-foremost among them, the whale shark or tiki-tiki, as well as sea turtles and even the endangered blue whale-will continue to thrive in this rich marine ecosystem,’ Lim added.

Sustaining healthy, productive fisheries

According to Lim, protecting these species and their habitats means sustaining healthy and productive fisheries, supporting the livelihoods of coastal communities and contributing to the country’s food security.

‘The first anniversary of PIPS is therefore worth celebrating. But the honor of being entrusted with such an extraordinary natural heritage carries with it substantial responsibility,’ she said.

‘The challenge now is to ensure that the protection provided by law is sustained through effective governance, adequate resources, sound science, community stewardship, and the continuing commitment of all stakeholders,’ Lim pointed out.

According to Lim, a former DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau director, and executive director of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity, that at a time when many protected areas face increasing pressures from competing development interests and changing priorities, continued vigilance is essential.

‘Panaon should demonstrate that conservation and development need not at the expense of one another, and that decisions recognize the true ecological, social, and economic value of healthy ecosystems,’ she said.

She added that the goal is for PIPS to remain protected well beyond its first birthday and to become a model of a sustainably and effectively managed protected area-one that can endure through leadership changes and withstand the many pressures and threats confronting our natural ecosystems today.

Charismatic keystone species

‘The presence of both the world’s largest fish and the world’s largest living animals-the whale shark and the blue whale-is no fluke. It is the total validation for the importance of the [PIPS],’ said Gregg Yan, a fellow of The Explorers Club, a society whose ranks include Buzz Aldrin, Jane Goodall and James Cameron.

‘Charismatic keystone species don’t just camp out in ecological deserts. They’re patrons of the ‘Samgyupsal Centers’ of our oceans- areas with almost unlimited amounts of food,’ Yan said.

According to Yan, the presence of whale sharks, blue whales, and other amazing creatures of the sea in the waters of Panaon Island is living proof that the area is healthy and productive.

‘Places like Pintuyan are fully embracing sustainable wildlife ecotourism, advocating for low-impact whale shark tourism, driven by local community members,’ Yan said.

Collective leadership, stewardship

‘The success of Panaon Island’s first year as a protected seascape is a testament to the collective leadership and stewardship of its local governments, communities and fisherfolk, Oceana Philippines, national government agencies, academic institutions, and other partners working together to turn protection into meaningful action,’ said Kristine Kate Lim, country director of Wildlife Conservation Society Philippines Program.

She said that as populations of sharks and other threatened marine species continue to decline globally, protected areas, such as Panaon, provide critical refuges that not only conserve wildlife and their habitats, but also support healthy fisheries, sustainable livelihoods, responsible tourism, and resilient coastal communities.

‘Beyond its local significance, Panaon contributes to the Philippines’ and the global community’s shared commitment to expand and strengthen the effective protection and conservation of biodiversity by 2030,’ she said.

No matter how many concerts I am assigned to cover-whether featuring an artist I religiously tune into or an act completely off my radar-I never tire of showing up. Every stage offers a unique musical experience, a distinct depth of artistry, and the occasional surprise performance that catches me completely off guard.

This rings especially true for this year’s Acer Day Concert.

Marking its 10th anniversary on August 30, Acer Day gathered over 8,500 fans at the Araneta Coliseum, a celebration that coincided with the tech giant’s 50th year in the industry.

Over the years, the event has evolved into a shared platform for OPM artists to connect with fans through interactive shows, all while highlighting the brand’s lifestyle technology.

For its decade milestone, the celebration adopted the theme #ShiftTheGame, encouraging the youth to step beyond their comfort zones and take ownership of their lives through work, play, and culture.

With a lineup spanning multiple generations and genres, I expected a night of remarkable Pinoy music, but the actual experience exceeded my expectations.

Bridging generations of OPM rock

The concert kicked off with a burst of high-octane energy courtesy of OPM rock veterans 6cyclemind. Taking the stage, vocalist Tutti Caringal immediately set the tone, reminding the audience that they were at a rock show, not a ‘movie theater,’ before prompting the crowd to stand up and jam along.

The band opened with ‘Biglaan’ before launching into crowd-favorite anthems ‘Prinsesa’ and ‘Sige.’ A standout moment occurred during ‘Kasalanan,’ when Caringal pulled a fan from the audience to share the stage with the band.

The mood transitioned from high-energy rock to nostalgic, ‘senti’ vibes with the arrival of rising alternative pop-rock band HEY JUNE! The group delivered soulful renditions of songs like ‘Panahon’ alongside a cover of ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World.’ After teasing their upcoming September album release, they capped off their set with their viral hit, ‘Lasik.’

Maintaining the indie momentum, fitterkarma tore up the stage with a hard-hitting performance of ‘Purgatoryo,’ followed by the intense screamo vocals of ‘Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo I.’ They rounded out their set with ‘maryclaire,’ alongside fan favorites ‘Kalapastangan’ and ‘Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II.’

Surprise appearances and collaborations

From the raw power of the opening bands, host Luis Manzano ushered in to introduce the night’s unannounced highlights. The first surprise guest, singer-songwriter Janine Berdin, elicited deafening screams from the audience. She opened with ‘Gusto Ko Sakin Ka Lang,’ followed by ‘Mahika,’ her hit collaboration with Adie, and ‘SITWASYONSHIP.’

Berdin then invited Earl Agustin to the stage for their first-ever live duet, performing The Juans’ ‘Ano Ba Talaga Tayo?’ She concluded her set with her globally recognized track, ‘What if I miss you for the rest of my life?’, treating the crowd to a live rendition of the viral bridge from the song.

Taking his turn on the stage, Earl Agustin performed ‘Dito Sa’Kin,’ ‘Aya,’ and his latest single, ‘Di Na.’ Seeing Earl command the Araneta stage was a full-circle moment, considering his modest beginnings posting online covers of Arthur Nery songs. He closed his set with ‘Pag-ibig ng Ikaw at Ako,’ ‘Dalangin,’ and ‘Tibok.’

Just when it seemed the surprises had peaked, the coliseum erupted as legendary singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan took the stage.

In the Philippines, an appearance by Jose Mari Chan signals one thing: the arrival of the ‘Ber’ months and the start of the Christmas season.

He treated the audience to timeless classics like ‘Tell Me Your Name,’ ‘Beautiful Girl,’ ‘Please Be Careful With My Heart,’ and at the same time, delivered his iconic holiday anthem ‘Christmas in Our Hearts,’ joined by duo El Manu and Jessy Kang.

Taking over the stage next, El Manu and Jessy Kang warmed up the crowd with ‘Basta Tayong Dalawa’ and ‘Bedtime Stories.’ They then captivated the arena with emotional, powerhouse vocal performances of ‘Hindi Ako Mawawala’ and ‘Tahanan,’ which received loud applause from the crowd.ing on a high note

Dionela brought a distinct RandB flavor to the Acer Day stage. His performance opened with ‘Oksihina,’ accompanied by a striking purple visual on the LED screens-creating a strong silhouette of him at the center. He showcased his soulful vocal runs, accompanied by trumpets, with ‘Hoodie’ before leading the crowd in a sing-along to his viral tracks ‘Musika,’ ‘Marilag,’ and ‘sining.’

The night culminated with the headlining performance from Acer ambassadors and P-Pop powerhouse SB19. After Luis Manzano picked a fan from the crowd to formally introduce the group, the arena went wild as soon as their intro VCR played.

SB19 delivered a high-energy set featuring ‘VISA,’ ‘DUNGKA,’ their massive hit ‘GENTO,’ latest single ‘LAWLESS,’ B-side track ‘Memories,’and a soulful song ‘Wakas.’

During their set, the group invited fans (A’TIN) to their upcoming ONE ZONE FEST on October 24-25, teasing that long-awaited ‘dream performances’ might finally come to life.

Acer Day 2026 proved to be both a feast for the ears and a triumph for OPM. Entering the coliseum hoping to catch a few great acts is one thing, but leaving with a full heart after a night of dynamic, cross-generational music is an entirely different experience-one that delivered far more than anyone asked for.

Students and teachers gathered at Palawan State University (PalSU) for the Science Communication Workshop to empower the next generation to translate complex research into accessible narratives using visual media and storytelling.

The initiative, held on August 18, was part of the Department of Sci-ence and Technology-Mimaropa Regional Science, Technology, and In-novation Week.

PalSU President Dr. Venzon L. Limpiada set an encouraging tone for the participants in his welcome remarks.

Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo, an entomologist, spider expert, and Professor 12 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, highlighted on human-centered science storytelling in her lecture.

Barrion-Dupo emphasized the crucial distinction between simply communicating academic data and engaging in science communication, showing how humanizing complex concepts makes them relatable and easier to digest.

An avid science communicator, she is a member of the Science Communicators Philippines Inc. and is its treasurer.

Meanwhile, advocacy filmmaker and communication lecturer Sey-mour Sanchez talked about practical ways for aspiring filmmakers to con-vey scientific topics to broader audiences through documentary filmmak-ing, exploring diverse cinematic styles and narrative structures tailored to their message.

Both resource speakers are members of the 10th Indie-Siyensya Board of Judges.

Following the interactive talks, Juan Antonio Tuazon, DOST-Science Education Institute Supervising Science Research Specialist, presented the details of the Indie-Siyensya Film Festival, the Philippines’ premier science filmmaking competition designed to promote a culture of science among youth and filmmakers through visual media.

The workshop has inspired the youth to become future science communicators through filmmaking and storytelling.