Category: Business Mirror

Emperador Inc. reported resilient financial performance in the first quarter of 2026, posting consolidated revenues of ?13.3 billion and net profit of ?1.9 billion, reflecting single-digit year-on-year growth despite persistent global economic and geopolitical headwinds.

Sales of brandy and whisky rose 6% compared to the same period last year, buoyed by sustained consumer demand, operational efficiencies, and steady contributions from both domestic and international operations. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the parent company grew 4.5% year-on-year, supported by higher sales, improved margins, and disciplined cost management.

The company said its Philippine brandy segment maintained stable growth, while international operations benefited from geographic diversification and expanding market presence. ‘Our first quarter performance demonstrates the resilience of our businesses and the strength of our diversified portfolio,’ Emperador President and CEO Glenn Manlapaz said, citing continued focus on execution, efficiency, and stakeholder value despite supply chain disruptions, fuel price volatility, and inflationary pressures.

Emperador noted that the global operating environment remained challenging due to geopolitical conflicts, elevated energy prices, and uncertainties in trade and consumer markets. Nevertheless, its balanced business structure and prudent strategies enabled sustained momentum and profitability.

Looking ahead, the company expressed cautious optimism for the remainder of 2026, citing strong fundamentals, strategic investments, and ongoing efforts to enhance operational resilience.

Emperador Inc. manufactures in the Philippines, UK, Spain, and Mexico, with distribution across 100 countries. Its portfolio includes Emperador Brandy, Fundador Brandy, and single malt whiskies such as The Dalmore, Fettercairn, Jura, and Tamnavulin. The company is listed on both the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Singapore Exchange.

THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) said on Wednesday it has expanded active transport infrastructure in Angeles City, Pampanga, constructing 11.1 kilometers of cycleways along two major thoroughfares to serve cyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users in the area.

The new bike lanes run along McArthur Highway, from San Jacinto Rotunda to J. Valdez Street, and along FilAm Friendship Highway, from Ponsettia Avenue to Don Juico Avenue.

The facilities are classified as Class 2 cycleways, delineated by pavement markings and protected by flexible bollards and rubber delineators.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said active transport offers a practical mobility option as oil prices remain elevated.

He noted that the DOTr would coordinate with the City Government of Angeles for the deployment of traffic enforcers and the implementation of speed limits along bike lane corridors to improve cyclist safety.

‘We have to coordinate with LTO na talagang may traffic enforcers. Makikipag coordinate kami sa lokal na pamahalaan, sa DPWH if we can impose like a maximum limit sa mga ganitong may bike lane. ‘Yan makakatulong to make our cyclists feel more safe. Talagang habang nagbibisekleta sila hindi nila tinitingnan yung likod nila,’ Lopez said.

The Angeles City expansion is part of a broader national push by the DOTr to build out cycling infrastructure.

As of the first quarter of 2026, the department has completed a total of 1,100 kilometers of bike lanes across the country. It is targeting 2,400 kilometers of bike lane networks nationwide by 2028.

The project was undertaken in partnership with the local government unit of Angeles City.

NEARLY 42,000 residents in three provinces would benefit from healthcare and livelihood projects funded under the Government of India’s Quick Impact Project (QIP) initiative, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.

In a statement, the DILG said the Indian Grant Assistance (IGA) Program would boost the health and economic well-being of thousands of residents from the provinces of Northern Samar, Lanao del Norte, and Ilocos Sur.

The projects include the construction of a Livelihood Training Center in Bobon, Northern Samar, the upgrading of a Primary Care Facility in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, and a Barangay Health Station in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

Established through a 2023 agreement between the DILG and the Embassy of India in Manila, the IGA Program supports small-scale, high-impact infrastructure projects in health, education, sanitation, and community development. Local government units may receive up to US$50,000 or around P2.8 million per project, with only six proposals approved nationwide during the program’s first cycle.

In Bobon, Northern Samar, around 15,000 residents are expected to benefit from the new Livelihood Training Center, which will host skills training and livelihood programs to improve employability and income opportunities.

Local Government Assistant Secretary Frank Cruz said the QIP is not merely a facility for skills development, but a space for building resilience and expanding opportunities for the community.

Meanwhile, nearly 25,000 residents in Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, will benefit from the upgraded Primary Care Facility, now equipped with diagnostic tools including an X-ray machine, helping reduce long-distance travel for medical services.

Local Government Assistant Secretary Lilian de Leon also said that for the people of Bacolod, Lanao del Norte, the Project is life-saving and life-sustaining.

Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kumar Jain said the initiative reflects the deepening partnership between the two countries.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the Philippines, driven largely by atherosclerosis and delayed treatment. Health experts are now urging earlier and more aggressive intervention to prevent thousands of avoidable heart attacks and strokes.

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque, composed of cholesterol, fat, and cellular waste, inside artery walls due to high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. This common condition narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow, often remaining asymptomatic until it triggers a life-threatening complication. Complications arising from plaque buildup, including heart attacks and strokes, remain the leading cause of death worldwide.

The current challenge, experts say, is not the lack of medicine but delays in treatment. Many patients receive aggressive intervention only after a cardiovascular event has already occurred. Specialists argue that a more proactive and patient-centered approach, focused on early risk detection and sustained prevention, is essential to slowing disease progression.

‘In the Philippine setting, ischemic heart disease, which includes heart attacks, remains the leading cause of mortality. One of the major risk factors contributing to heart attacks is poor control of cholesterol levels, particularly LDL or bad cholesterol,’ said Dr. Lourdes Ella Gonzales-Santos, President of the Asian-Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases (APSAVD).

Dr. Santos noted that Filipinos’ fondness for meat products increases the risk of elevated LDL cholesterol. She added that lifestyle changes following the pandemic-including more sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol intake, stress, and poor sleep-all contribute to cholesterol buildup in the arteries.

‘Unless we identify all of these risk factors together and address them, ischemic heart disease will continue to be the leading cause of mortality in the Philippines,’ she said.

Early intervention in dyslipidemia

A primary strategy highlighted by experts is the early use of combination therapy involving statins and ezetimibe.

To reduce the burden of CVD in the Philippines, clinical practice must move beyond standard monotherapy and embrace early combination treatment with statins and ezetimibe to save lives and prevent thousands of avoidable cardiac events. ‘When we look at data in the Philippines, we are not doing such a great job getting patients to the LDL targets we want. Whether it’s physicians not prescribing aggressively enough or patients not complying with their medications, there is clearly a treatment gap. We have the tools, but they are not being fully utilized,’ said Dr. Santos.

Globally, growing attention toward dyslipidemia-elevated total or LDL cholesterol levels, or low HDL cholesterol-is driving record rates of diagnosis. However, experts stressed that diagnosis alone is not enough. Clinical evidence shows that reducing heart attacks and strokes depends on prompt and intensive treatment.

‘Clinical trial evidence shows that when you treat dyslipidemia early and sustain low LDL levels over time, it translates into a reduction in heart attacks and strokes. The longer you keep patients on therapy and maintain low LDL cholesterol, the greater the cumulative benefit,’ Dr. Santos explained.

Dr. Brian Tomlinson, a globally recognized expert in lipid management and Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at Macau University of Science and Technology, said treatment traditionally followed a stepwise approach.

Under the older model, doctors would first recommend dietary changes and wait six months to assess progress before prescribing a statin. Another six months would then pass before adjusting the dosage if needed.

‘But now we realize that this delay is dangerous. Especially for patients who have already had a cardiovascular event, we need to reduce cholesterol as quickly as possible. Guidelines now recommend starting combination therapy straight away. No more waiting six months because in that time, a patient could already have another event,’ said Dr. Tomlinson. ‘Real-world registries like SwedeHeart show that patients who receive treatment earlier have better outcomes compared to those who receive delayed or no treatment. That lag in treatment translates into more events,’ added Dr. Santos.

The power of combination therapy

Dr. Santos explained that ezetimibe is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor that works in the small intestine to block cholesterol absorption, reducing LDL cholesterol by around 18 to 20 percent.

‘If you double the dose of a statin, you only get about six percent additional reduction. So adding ezetimibe is like tripling the effect of the statin without increasing the dose,’ she said.

While statins reduce cholesterol production, they do not remove cholesterol from the body. Adding ezetimibe to statin therapy safely mimics the effect of tripling the statin dose. Meta-analyses have shown that this combination achieves greater LDL reduction with lower rates of liver and muscle enzyme elevation, new-onset diabetes, and treatment discontinuation compared to high-dose statin monotherapy.

‘Statins reduce cholesterol production, but they don’t remove cholesterol from the body. Ezetimibe helps eliminate cholesterol by blocking reabsorption in the intestine. That’s why the combination is so effective,’ said Dr. Tomlinson.

Due to increased cholesterol absorption and lower excretion at the intestinal level, individuals with diabetes are biologically more responsive to ezetimibe. Multiple studies, including IMPROVE-IT and MRS ROSE, confirm that ezetimibe reduces cardiovascular events more significantly in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients.

Benefits for high-risk patients

The statin-ezetimibe combination offers distinct clinical advantages for high-risk populations. Patients with diabetes, obesity, or insulin resistance often have higher levels of harmful fats in the blood that accelerate plaque buildup in the arteries. While statins target cholesterol production, ezetimibe helps address these dangerous particles, creating a complementary effect that stabilizes the patient’s metabolic profile.

Experts also emphasized the urgency of aggressive lipid management following a heart attack or acute coronary syndrome. In the critical days and weeks after an event, the heart remains highly vulnerable to arrhythmias or recurrent attacks. Early intensive combination therapy can help stabilize the cardiovascular system and prevent further damage.

‘The chance of dying or having another heart attack is highest within the first 30 days. That’s why this period is a critical opportunity for intervention,’ said Dr. Tomlinson.

18th APSAVD Congress

Dr. Santos and Dr. Tomlinson were among the speakers during the 18th Asian-Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases (APSAVD) Congress held recently in Manila. The symposium gathered experts to discuss evolving strategies in cardiovascular prevention and management.

Discussions underscored a shared concern: while effective treatments are widely available, they are often not applied early enough, aggressively enough, or consistently enough to prevent disease progression and complications. Across sessions, experts called for a more proactive, patient-centered, and evidence-based approach that emphasizes early risk recognition, tailored therapies, and sustained prevention.

‘The key takeaway from the symposium is aggressive, early, intensive, and sustained lowering of LDL cholesterol,’ said Dr. Santos. ‘We need stronger awareness campaigns, better implementation of local guidelines, and more proactive community interventions-such as promoting physical activity, reducing sugar intake, and discouraging smoking. It’s not just about the healthcare system-it’s about both physicians and patients working together.’

Over 800 private schools nationwide have applied for Tuition and Other School Fees (TOSF) increase for School Year (SY) 2026-2027, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

Data obtained by the BusinessMirror gathered by the DepEd from the regional offices (collected by the Private Education Office) as of May 19, showed that a total of 842 schools have applied for increases in their TOSF.

The DepEd has yet to approve these applications as they are still evaluating the requests.

Out of 17 regions, 14 have signified their interest to implement TOSF increase.

The most number of applications came from Region III with 249 schools, followed by Region IV-A (243), National Capital Region (108), Region VI (61), Negros Island Region (50), Region VII (41), Region IV-B (25), Region I (17), Region XIII (16), nine schools from Regions II and XII, Region XI (8), Region IX (6).

Meanwhile, Regions V, VIII, X, and Cordillera Administrative Region have not requested for TOSF hike for this SY.

DepEd noted that private schools are allowed to increase tuition, provided they strictly comply with DepEd guidelines. These regulations ensure that all hikes are justified, transparent, and fair to parents.

Likewise, the DepEd said that revenue from the fee increase, the school must allocate: 70 percent strictly for the salaries, wages, allowances, and other benefits of faculty and staff; 30 percent maximum for institutional development, student assistance, and return of investment.

LAWMAKERS on Wednesday said the Supreme Court’s denial of the temporary restraining order (TRO) sought by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa effectively removes a key legal obstacle to the enforcement of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro said the Court’s action should prompt authorities to move decisively in coordinating efforts to serve the international warrant.

‘The denial of the TRO petition should now compel law enforcement agencies to coordinate for the enforcement of the international warrant against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, consistent with the position of the Solicitor General,’ Ridon said.

In a 9-5-1 vote in GR 278747, Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Ronald B. dela Rosa v Hon. Lucas Bersamin, et al., the Court denied the petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) and status quo ante order that would have blocked the implementation of arrest processes linked to the ICC warrant.

Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan echoed this view, describing the Court’s decision as a ‘go-signal’ for authorities to begin operations against the former National Police chief, a central figure in the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.

‘This should be taken as a go-signal by our law enforcement authorities to undertake a full-on nationwide manhunt for International Fugitive dela Rosa,’ Cendaña said.

‘There should be no safe quarters for those with blood of thousands on their hands. Even those who harbor fugitives must be held accountable,’ he added.

For its part, the Makabayan bloc called on the Marcos administration to immediately enforce the ICC warrant and related Interpol mechanisms against dela Rosa, following the Supreme Court’s decision denying his request for interim relief.

The bloc, composed of Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Sarah Jane Elago of Gabriela, and Renee Louise Co Kabataan said the ruling effectively rejected attempts to halt enforcement through what they described as last-minute legal remedies. ‘The Supreme Court has spoken clearly in denying interim relief. This should prevent further attempts to delay or obstruct accountability through procedural tactics,’ the bloc said in a statement.

They also argued that claims requiring a local Philippine court warrant before any arrest linked to the ICC process were being used as a delaying strategy, saying such arguments ‘only serve to frustrate justice.’

They urged the Executive branch, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Department of Justice; Department of Foreign Affairs; Philippine National Police; National Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Immigration; Armed Forces; and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, to carry out their mandates ‘without delay or selective enforcement.’ Former Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate also weighed in, saying the Supreme Court’s move underscores the limits of invoking constitutional protections in cases involving international obligations and alleged human rights violations.

‘The Supreme Court’s refusal to grant a TRO is certainly a major setback for the Duterte-era architects of the drug war,’ Zarate said.

He added that the decision affirms that the 1987 Constitution’s Bill of Rights cannot be used as a ‘jurisdictional shelter’ when domestic laws-such as Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law-and international commitments intersect. ‘The enforcement of international justice, for now, faces no constitutional roadblock from the highest court,’ Zarate said.

THE Office of the Vice President has been ‘duly served’ the summons of the Senate sitting as the impeachment court for VP Sara Duterte, according to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who said they expect her reply to be submitted by June 1, counting the non-extendible 10 calendar days given her by the court.

At Wednesday’s Senate session, Cayetano announced to his peers that he got word of the serving of summons on May 20, and the 10-calendar-day deadline from receipt of summons falls on May 30. However, since it is a Saturday and there is no work at the Senate, the deadline is on June 1, a Monday, the Senate chief explained.

The prosecution panel from the House of Representatives will then have five calendar days from receipt of the VP’s reply, also non-extendible, to respond to it.

The Senate convened last May 18 as an impeachment court for the vice president, who was impeached by 257 members of the House, way above the required number under the law. The HOR impeached her on four main charges, and has formed a prosecution team for each of the four articles of impeachment: misuse of confidential funds; unexplained wealth; bribery; and grave threats in relation to her revelation that she had contacted an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in case something happens to her.

At least 16 senators must vote to convict a subject of an impeachment trial.

The Philippine Independent Power Producers Association Inc. (PIPPA) said the proposals on VAT exemptions on electricity sales must be implemented in a way that is ‘revenue-neutral, executable, and seamless’ for power producers and their existing contracts.

Lawmakers have filed multiple legislative measures to eliminate or reduce the 12-percent VAT on electricity. These bills seek to provide immediate economic relief to Filipino households and businesses facing some of the highest power costs in the region.

PIPA, which has 28 member companies, said that while it supports measures that reduce electricity costs for consumers, these should be carried out in a way that is ‘tax-neutral, administratively workable, and non-disruptive’ to generation companies and existing power supply arrangements.

It strongly urged lawmakers to preserve existing power supply contracts and cost recovery mechanisms approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). ‘VAT changes should not reopen generation rates or impair PSAs [power supply agreements], WESM [Wholesale Electricity Spot Market] settlement arrangements, or supply contracts.’

PIPPA said input VAT recovery must be protected as these measures may threaten to increase embedded costs and create ‘stranded tax costs,’ which could affect capital-intensive projects and plants with high fuel, maintenance, and capital expenditures (capex).

‘Making generation sales VAT-exempt, may prevent generators from crediting input VAT. This may increase embedded costs and create stranded tax costs, especially for capital-intensive generation projects and plants with major fuel, operation and management, or capex inputs.’

Should the bills on partial or full VAT exemption be passed into law, PIPPA said it should include a mechanism allowing generators to recover, credit, refund, or otherwise neutralize input VAT attributable to electricity supply.

PIPPA also raised concern about amending the Electric Power Industry Reform Act to mandate that the cost of subsidies, such as lifeline rate subsidy program, be funded equally by the national government and distribution utilities (DUs), prohibiting these costs from being passed on to consumers.

‘Mandating DUs to absorb 50 percent of the subsidy costs out of their own pockets could strain their financial liquidity. If DUs face financial shortfalls, they may default on or delay their payments to generation companies,’ it said. ‘Greater government appropriations for lifeline subsidies is a positive step towards more sustainable funding mechanisms.’

It recommended the conduct of a comprehensive financial impact study prior to implementation to assess long-term implications for DUs to ensure they remain capable of meeting their PSAs with generation firms.

Under the lifeline rate subsidy program, qualified 4Ps beneficiaries and low-income consumers using 50 kilowatt hour (kWh) and less of electricity per month will receive a 100-percent discount. To fund this, the ERC implemented a universal subsidy rate of P0.01 per kWh charged to non-subsidizing consumers. ‘PIPPA supports any measure aimed at reducing electricity costs for consumers. We hope however, that these are tax-neutral, administratively feasible, and non-disruptive to the energy sector. Proposed laws should protect the delicate balance of consumers and investors, allowing an efficient mechanism for recovery, credit, or refund.

On the proposed reforms to electricity subsidy, transferring the funding of social subsidies from electricity bills to the national budget would more accurately reflect the true cost of power generation and would reduce the direct rates borne by consumers. There should be a comprehensive financial impact study to assess the implications of the proposed reform,’ said PIPPA President Anne Estorco Montelibano.

THE National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP CIDG) on Wednesday announced that it has recommended the filing of charges against suspended acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA), retired police Maj. Gen. Ma. Oronado Ranada Aplasca, and two of his men, in the wake of the May 13 gun discharge incident at the Senate premises in Pasay City.

In a media briefing, the PNP CIDG chief, Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II, said investigators recommended the filing of charges as the three were found to have fired their weapons last week.

He added this action is a clear violation under the implementing rules (IRR) of the Republic Act 11917, or the Private Security Services Industry Act.

Under the IRR of Republic Act 11917, Morico said that there are ‘six stages that need to be observed before the use of lethal force. And it does not include the use of a warning shot.’

‘We will transmit our findings to the DOJ [Department of Justice]. It is up to the DOJ to assess,’ he said.

Under the IRR, there are six levels of the ‘force continuum’ used by private security personnel: alert presence (Level 1); verbal communication (Level 2); physical restraints (Level 3); use of chemical agents (Level 4); temporary incapacitation (Level 5); and use of force or use of firearms (Level 6).

‘Firearms shall be used only when there is imminent danger and in self defense or defense of strangers,’ the IRR further states.

Investigation revealed that there was not even a threat in the Senate when the incident happened and the succeeding actions of the OSAA clearly goes against the basic rules of common sense in securing an area that was supposed to have been under attack.

Morico also said the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent had fallen back, firing back at Aplasca and the Senate personnel, with at least five shots toward the direction away from the Senate.

Afterward, the NBI agent had met up with his companion and they regrouped with their team, the CIDG chief further detailed.

Morico said they are now conducting an investigation to identify the person or persons who may have misled Aplasca that NBI agents were about to storm the Senate to arrest Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, Aplasca’s original Philippine Military Academy classmate and provincemate.

Morico noted that Aplasca had surrendered a 9mm firearm, but investigators have yet to establish whether it was the same firearm the latter was holding as seen on security footage. Aplasca snubbed the summon sent by the CIDG, but based on the PNP findings, there were 44 spent cartridges recovered at the Senate and all of them were fired from four different firearms.

Morico also said the three other alleged shooters already surrendered the weapons.

Sources said Aplasca fired his gun after he became excited by the presence of NBI agents at the Government Service Insurance System building next to the Senate premises.

The NBI agents were sent to secure the GSIS building upon the request of the government insurer’s management who felt threatened by the rowdy pro-Duterte crowd near the premises.

The GSIS and the Senate share the same building

Meanwhile, the investigation into the May 13 Senate gunfire incident was guided by strict reliance on physical and digital evidence, including CCTV footage and ballistic analysis, the PNP said.

‘This investigation serves as a testament to the PNP’s commitment to truth and accountability. We do not operate on rumors or political narratives,’ the PNP chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said in a statement, lauding the investigating teams.

‘Our duty is to the facts, and by adhering strictly to the evidence – such as ballistic trajectories and verified CCTV footage – we uphold the integrity of our mandate to protect the public and ensure that justice is grounded in reality, not fear.’

Nartatez praised the investigating units for the speedy completion of the probe, finished in less than a week, underscoring the PNP’s reliance on evidence-based findings over speculation.

‘By prioritizing factual analysis-including ballistics and digital forensics-over speculation, our teams ensured that we provided the Filipino people with clear, objective answers in record time, proving that the PNP remains a highly capable and responsive institution,’ he said.

Nartatez also stressed the importance of promptly releasing the findings to prevent misinformation and public confusion.

‘By acting swiftly and openly, we aim to restore calm, demystify the events of May 13, and hold all involved parties accountable based on the irrefutable evidence we have uncovered,’ he said.

The investigation was conducted in line with the directive of President Marcos and Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in uncovering the truth behind the incident.

The investigation report was formally turned over to acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida during a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.

During the briefing, Remulla said the Senate was not under attack on the night of May 13, citing that evidence gathered so far, including CCTV footage and sworn statements, indicated that the incident was initiated by Aplasca, and not an armed assault against the chamber.

According to Remulla, CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed Aplasca firing the first shots toward National Bureau of Investigation agents who were at the GSIS premises to secure the area.

Despite the evidence gathered and reviewed in recent days, Remulla emphasized that investigators have yet to conclude whether the incident was staged or premeditated.

‘We will let the evidence speak for itself,’ he said. ‘The investigation remains ongoing, and all angles will be examined carefully and fairly.’

Nartatez said Aplasca had been directed to appear before the CIDG to surrender his firearm and undergo ballistic examination, but has so far failed to comply. With PNA

SISI RONDINA and Bernadeth Pons are bound to face Olympians in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge at the Nuvali Sands Courts in the City of Santa Rosa.

Rondina and Pons, who made history for the country after leading Alas Pilipinas to a historic gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok last December, are eager to gain points and experience in the prestigious tournament.

‘Actually, it’s really exciting. Personally, I’m excited about the challenge because there are so many Olympians here,’ Rondina said. ‘You already know that Pons and I are the type of players who always grab opportunities whenever they come. That’s why we’re really preparing and mentally ready because we know this will be a very tough competition.’

‘What we showed in the SEA Games won’t be enough here,’ she said. ‘We’ll need to give double or even triple the effort because the level of players here is completely different. Our goal is to keep up with them and deliver consistent performances.’

The seasoned tandem plunge into the main draw on Thursday against still to be determined opponents in the competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Top-seeded Americans Corinne Quiggle and Chloe Loreen eye their second Beach Pro Tour medal in the fifth Challenge stop of the event, while Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist Taliqua Clancy and Jana Milutinovic and partner Stefanie Fejes from Australia, are also competing.

Paris 2024 Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte of Lithuania, American winners Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, French Olympians Lezana Placette and Alexia Richard, and defending Nuvali Challenge champions Anniina Parkkinen and Valma Prihti of Finland are also seeing action.

Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales will compete in the men’s main draw, where Chase Budinger, a former Natioal Basketball Association player turned beach volleyball player, will see action with his partner Trevor Crabb in the City of Santa Rosa’s hosting, also backed by Medical City South Luzon and Jersey Haven.

Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella, meanwhile, advanced to the final round of the qualifier after surviving Germany’s Mareet Maidhof and Tabea Schwarz, 21-19, 28-26.

Pagara and Progella battle for a main draw entry against Hungary’s Lilla Villam and Stefania Kun, who took down China’s Tong Yu and Jiaying Wang, 21-19, 21-23, 15-10.

Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor weren’t as lucky after falling prey to the Canadian pair of Amy Ozee and Marie-Alex Belanger in the qualifiers, 21-14, 21-14.

Dij Rodriguez and Kly Orillaneda were eliminated as well by France’s Marine Kinna and Anouk Dupin, 21-16, 21-11, while Alex Polidario and Jenny Gaviola yielded to China’s Jiang Kaiyue and Jie Dong, 21-17, 21-11.