Category: Business Mirror

TWO appointees of the late President Benigno Aquino Jr. and three appointees of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte in the Supreme Court (SC) are now considered as ‘preferred candidates’ for the Chief Justice post that will be left vacant on November 6.

SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said the five senior associate justices which include Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting. Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda have been invited by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to apply for the Chief Justice position.

Leonen and Caguiao were both Aquino Jr.’s appointees while Hernando, Inting and Zalameda were all appointed by Duterte, a political rival of the Marcos Jr. administration.

‘To be accurate the JBC referred to them as preferred candidates and invited them to apply,’ Ting explained when asked if the five senior associate justices are automatically nominated for the country’s top post in the judiciary.

The JBC is a constitutional body that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman and the Legal Education Board.

The Constitution also mandates the JBC to and submit to the Office of the President a shortlist of nominees for appointment to fill in vacancies in the judiciary.

Ting, however, said she has no information if all of the five senior justices have already applied for the position.

Last August 29, the JBC opened the application or nomination to the position that will be left vacant with the compulsory retirement of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on November 6, 2026, at age 70.

The JBC sets the deadline for the submission of the application or nomination on October 13, 4:30 p.m.

Earlier, the JBC opened the nomination or application for the associate justice post that will vacated by Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, who is set to compulsorily retire on November 16, 2026.

Under Section 7, Article VII of the Constitution, a member of the SC – including the Chief Justice – must be a natural-born citizen, at least 40 years of age, and has served as a lower court judge or practiced law in the Philippines for 15 years or more.

He or she must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.

Among the documents being required by the JBC for submission include the Income Tax Returns or Certificates of Compensation Payment/Tax Withheld for the past five years; Sworn Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) accompanied by an explanation in case of unusual, appreciable, or sudden increase or decrease of net worth; and certification issued by banks or other financial institutions within the application period regarding the amounts of local or foreign deposits and other investments under the applicant’s name or held jointly with applicant’s spouse, children, and other persons or entities.

Gesmundo was appointed by Duterte as Associate Justice of the SC on August 14, 2017 and as Chief Justice on April 5, 2021.

PRESIDENT Marcos has ordered government agencies and local officials to tighten disaster preparedness and enforce laws, including ‘no-build zones,’ as the country grapples with increasingly intense rainfall and flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon or habagat.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Tuesday said Marcos issued the directives during a meeting with Cabinet officials on the Central Luzon flooding and Metro Manila health response on Monday.

Castro said the President stressed that climate change must be factored into government planning, noting that intense monsoon rains and severe flooding are being experienced not only in the Philippines but in several other countries.

Marcos also called for stricter enforcement of existing laws, including restrictions on building in flood-prone areas.

She said the President noted that Metro Manila and Cebu had master plans dating back to 1941 and 1936, respectively, that were not fully implemented.

Had these plans been followed, she said, some areas now occupied by infrastructure could have remained open spaces that could absorb excess rainwater.

‘Dapat ipatupad ang batas pati ang ‘no build zone’. Huwag nang mamulitika, ipatupad ang batas [Laws, including ‘no-build zones,’ must be enforced. Let us stop politicizing and just enforce the law],’ Castro quoted Marcos as saying during a Palace briefing on Tuesday.

Castro said Marcos wants climate change preparedness incorporated into education, with schools teaching children at an early age how to respond to climate-related risks.

At the community level, residents were urged to properly dispose of waste, clear waterways, and help prevent flooding caused by clogged drainage systems.

Local governments (LGUs), meanwhile, were directed to enforce no-build zones, maintain waterways, ensure regular garbage collection, and coordinate with national agencies on disaster preparedness.

Aid, health response

DURING the same meeting, Marcos received updates on the government’s response to flooding in Central Luzon and other affected areas.

The Office of Civil Defense reported the continuing distribution of food, rice, potable water, and non-food items, as well as financial assistance to local governments. The military, police, coast guard and fire personnel were also providing transportation and rescue assistance.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian reported that more than P618.3 million worth of humanitarian assistance had been delivered to Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan, while assistance across Central Luzon reached more than P874.8 million.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said affected farmers and fisherfolk were receiving immediate agricultural assistance, crop insurance, and financial aid, including P35,000 loans under the AgriRecover program.

For his part, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said leptospirosis cases were 19 percent lower than the previous year and assured that medicines are available.

The National Kidney and Transplant Institute is operating at full capacity, with the Philippine General Hospital assisting in treating patients, Mercado said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways, meanwhile, reported ongoing repairs to damaged roads, bridges, dikes, and other flood-control infrastructure.

The Department of Budget and Management assured that funding is available through the government’s Quick Response Fund for disaster-related needs.

Castro said Marcos emphasized that preparedness must extend beyond emergency response, as climate-related hazards are expected to become more severe.

‘Ang utos ni Pangulong Marcos, huwag tayong magpakampante [President Marcos’ directive is for us not to be complacent],’ she said. With PNA

TWO Army colonels testified on Tuesday in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, that they were unaware that the certification they issued to the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s term as Education secretary would be used as supporting documents for the liquidation of the agency’s P112.5 million confidential funds for 2023.

Col. Manaros Boransing II said the certification he prepared was only intended to confirm the conduct of the Army’s Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) program and its information, education, and communication activities. The document was issued upon the request of then-Education Undersecretary Nolasco Mempin, a retired military major general.

When Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo asked whether he knew that the certification would be used to support the liquidation of DepEd’s confidential funds, Boransing replied, ‘I did not know that, sir.’

Boransing explained that he prepared the certification based on the instruction of his former commander, retired Maj. Gen. Gabriel Viray. ‘He told me to write the certification, but he did not provide any reason,’ he testified.

Boransing emphasized that the activities covered by the certification were regular programs of the Army and were funded through its annual budget. He added, ‘We checked, and no funds were released to us by other government agencies, particularly DepEd.’

Boransing said he only learned about other military officers issuing similar certifications when he attended a House investigation into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by DepEd and the Office of the Vice President (OVP). He recalled that officers from the 5th, 7th, and 9th Infantry Divisions had also testified that they issued similar documents.

In addition, another Army officer, Col. Magtangol Panopio, testified that he was surprised to discover that a certification he issued merely to confirm the conduct of Youth Leadership Summits had been used by DepEd as supporting documentation for P15.54 million in confidential fund expenditures allegedly spent on rewards.

Panopio said he only learned during a House investigation on October 17, 2024, that his December 5, 2023 certification had been included in DepEd’s response to a Commission on Audit (COA) observation.

‘We were surprised because our certification was only meant to confirm that we conducted the Youth Leadership Summit. We did not certify anything about money or funds,’ Panopio told the Impeachment Court.

He clarified that the certification only confirmed that the Youth Leadership Summit activities were actually conducted within the area of responsibility of the Seventh Infantry ‘Kaugnay’ Division in 2023.

‘As far as I’m concerned, the only thing I confirmed was that the Youth Leadership Summit activities within the 7th Infantry Division’s area of responsibility were conducted during that year,’ he said.

Panopio stated that he had no knowledge of why DepEd used his certification in relation to confidential fund expenditures. ‘I cannot answer on behalf of DepEd. I can only answer for our office,’ he said.

He explained that issuing certifications for activities conducted with partner government agencies was a normal practice within the Armed Forces.

‘Our activities in the Armed Forces [AFP] take collaboration with other agencies. So it is, I think, normal for our agency to issue certifications that such activities happened in collaboration with different agencies of the government, Your Honor,’ he said.

Before Panopio’s testimony, the defense agreed that no confidential funds were transferred from DepEd to the Army or the Armed Forces for the Youth Leadership Summit and information, education, and communication activities covered by the military certifications.

However, the defense did not agree that the military officers were unaware that their certifications would later be used by DepEd in responding to COA audit findings.

Poa as next witness

HOUSE of Representatives leaders, meanwhile, described former DepEd chief of staff Michael Wesley Poa as a key witness in Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying his testimony could help clarify unresolved issues regarding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Poa is expected to take the witness stand on Wednesday on matters related to his time at DepEd, although he may invoke lawyer-client privilege regarding issues connected to his current role as Duterte’s counsel.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said Poa was a central figure in the proceedings because of his previous roles as DepEd undersecretary, chief of staff, and spokesperson during Duterte’s term as Education secretary.

‘He is a central figure. Whether Attorney Poa is considered a hostile witness or not, I believe he is one of the key figures in this impeachment case,’ Ortega, who represents La Union, said.

The House Committee on Human Rights chairperson, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said Poa is being called to testify because of what he knew while serving as a senior DepEd official.

The prosecution is currently presenting evidence under Article I of the impeachment complaint, which involves allegations of misuse, misappropriation, and irregular liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is kicking off its second half launch pipeline with Alto Ranudo, a P2.88-billion premium residential tower in Cebu City.

Alto Ranudo was issued DHSUD Conditional License to Sell (CLTS) No.R7-C005. Rising along the prime V. Ranudo Street in Cebu City, the 20-storey, low-density development will offer 389 studio and one-bedroom units, premium amenities, and commercial spaces.

The development design draws inspiration from Cebu’s hablon weaving heritage, translating its textures, layers, and patterns into breathable façade elements, curved ledges, and patterned panels.

The project rises beside Calle 104, CLI’s sold-out heritage-driven development anchored by the adaptive reuse of the Garcia-Escaño Mansion. Its location provides convenient access to major hospitals, schools, retail centers, and key destinations including Fuente Osmeña Circle, while residents will have direct pedestrian access to Calle 104’s retail strip. The development’s amenities include a fitness gym, adult and children’s pools, yoga area, zen garden, co-working space, lounges, function rooms, children’s play areas, and pet play area. The development will also feature podium parking, four passenger elevators, 100 percent backup power, 24/7 security, and CLI property management services.

‘Alto Ranudo is our take on how Cebu’s heritage can live on in a modern setting,’ Soberano said. ‘ As we design a residence that feels distinctly Cebuano while responding to how people want to live in the city today, we remain focused on developments that cater to local preferences and create lasting value for our customers and shareholders,’ Soberano highlighted.

Alto Ranudo is the first of 11 projects CLI is set to bring to market to replenish CLI’s inventory, following a 95 percent sell-out rate among its residential portfolio.

The 11-project pipeline comprises more than 5,600 units with an estimated P25 billion in total sales value across key VisMin markets, as CLI remains focused on disciplined project execution, regulatory compliance, and converting its pipeline into sales and future revenue growth.

‘Strong take-up across our portfolio gives us confidence to bring fresh inventory into markets where we continue to see genuine housing demand,’ said CLI President and CEO Jose Franco Soberano. ‘Alto Ranudo starts that next wave of launches while staying true to what we know best-creating developments that are grounded in the character and needs of the communities we serve.’

The launch comes after CLI’s recent Best Developer in the Philippines win at the 14th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards on August 20 in Manila. CLI also won Best Housing Developer, Best Developer-Visayas, and Best Developer-Mindanao.

Alto Ranudo is CLI’s first residential project under CLIMAC Ventures, Inc., the company’s joint venture with Martinez Agricultural Corporation (MAC). The Company has 132 projects in different categories across 18 key cities in VisMin.

THE Philippine cooperative movement is preparing to take a more active role in national politics, with the Philippine Chamber of Cooperatives (Co-op Chamber) planning to mobilize millions of cooperative members and explore the fielding of a pro-cooperative candidate in the 2028 senatorial elections.

In a recent press briefing, Co-op Chamber President Noel Raboy said the initiative is part of a broader effort to secure stronger representation for the country’s cooperative sector and push reforms addressing its long-standing policy, regulatory and tax concerns.

‘Peace, economic stability, and shared prosperity are built when everyday citizens have a genuine stake in nation building,’ said Raboy.

He explained the cooperative movement has about 13.6 million members and roughly 20,000 cooperatives nationwide, covering micro, small, medium and large organizations across various sectors.

Edwin Bustillos, secretary general of the Co-op Chamber, said the organization has already conducted consultations in 16 regions as it seeks to consolidate the cooperative sector behind a common political and legislative agenda. ‘We don’t want to be bystanders. We want to join the senatorial elections,’ Bustillos said, stressing that the cooperative sector needs direct representation in the Senate to advance policies affecting its members.

He said the chamber plans to begin reaching out to cooperatives that may be interested in the initiative in the coming months, with the goal of presenting a more concrete plan during National Cooperative Month in October.

Bustillos said the proposed political initiative would initially focus on the Senate rather than fielding candidates for the House of Representatives.

Raboy said a potential senatorial candidate would have to meet criteria established by the cooperative movement and demonstrate a track record and commitment to cooperative principles.

Raboy said the chamber also intends to work with existing party-list groups and legislators who support cooperative concerns, while exploring the creation of a national cooperative political organization that could eventually help unify the sector’s electoral efforts.

Bustillos said the cooperative leaders said the sector’s growing economic footprint has not been matched by adequate political representation.

Cooperatives operate across agriculture, finance, transport, fisheries, housing and other areas, with their membership cutting across farmers, fisherfolk, women, youth, indigenous communities, workers and informal-sector groups.

Bustillos said a senator coming from the cooperative movement could help elevate issues that may not receive sufficient attention in Congress and ensure that proposed legislation is developed in consultation with cooperatives themselves.

Bustillos pointed to the United Kingdom as an example of how cooperative organizations can develop significant political influence, citing the support of cooperatives for lawmakers and leaders who understand and practice cooperative principles.

Raboy said the proposed initiative, however, would not simply be an electoral campaign, the leaders stressed. It would seek to build a more organized ‘co-op vote’ based on the movement’s membership and network.

Raboy said the chamber said its consultations would help orient cooperative members on the sector’s policy, executive and legislative agenda, as well as the principles and values of cooperativism.

Bustillos acknowledged that turning the cooperative sector’s millions of members into a cohesive political force will be challenging. He added that the sector is highly diverse, with cooperatives varying considerably in size, industry and geographic reach. Moreover, he said the immediate task is therefore to consolidate the movement around common policy priorities rather than simply mobilizing members for an election.

Bustillos said the proposed 2028 initiative will involve consultations, political education and discussions with cooperative organizations nationwide.

He said the chamber also plans to identify cooperative leaders who could eventually qualify for political office based on their experience, track record and adherence to cooperative principles.

For the sector, Raboy said the goal is not merely to win an election but to establish a sustained political presence capable of influencing policies affecting cooperatives and their millions of members. ‘We are now starting the journey,’ the chamber said, describing the 2028 senatorial initiative as a first step toward giving the cooperative movement a stronger voice in national policymaking.

With millions of members and thousands of organizations already operating nationwide, Bustillos believes the movement has the numbers and economic reach to become a significant political constituency.

SAN BEDA’s title defense in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 men’s basketball tournament started off rocky in the offseason but that didn’t dampen coach Yuri Escueta’s belief in the Red Lions.

Following the tournament’s press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday, Escueta bared that the Red Lions faced multiple challenges after Season 101, including a hit in the defending champions’ lineup.

Still, Escueta is ‘satisfied’ with how the squad has been responding despite losing all of his starters from last year.

‘As a coach, I’m satisfied with our preparations, we’ve joined FilOil and Asiabasket and those are tournaments where we prepared ourselves,’ he said. ‘The offseason was quite challenging, and we had injuries, like starting point guard Nygel [Gonzales].’

Gonzales suffered an ACL injury during the offseason, Janti Miller switched ships from Mendiola to Taft with De La Salle and Bryan Sajonia, Joe Celzo and Yukien Andrada are all in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

On paper, San Beda is looking at a tough path toward back-to-back titles this season which opens on September 13 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Aside from their own roster woes, the NCAA’s landscape has changed dramatically over the past couple of months.

Lyceum of the Philippines University and Mapua University got some shots in their arms following the appointments of former PBA coaches Jamike Jarin and Chito Victolero.

There’s also the rejuvenated Letran Knights who will be bolstered by Titing Manalili, last year’s Rookie and Freshman of the Year awardee.

There will also be no shortage of dark horses for Season 102 with Jose Rizal University leading the pack under coach Nani Epondulan-the Heavy Bombers barely missed last year’s Final Four with a 6-7 card.

The NCAA Season 102 basketball games will air live and free on Cignal platforms via the ONE Sports Youtube Channel and the CignalPlay app.

Select games will also air on Mondays and Thursdays on the RPTV Channel. A dedicated channel to NCAA Content will also be launched in NCAA NXT channel 264 HD on Cignal prior to the opening.

IN the era of automation and artificial intelligence, tech leaders face what are arguably some of the most demanding roles in the world today. While technology can transform the world and enhance lives, leading in this competitive space is both deeply rewarding and intensely stressful.

Leading communications super app Rakuten Viber vows to invest in people-centric leadership to stay true to its mission of empowering human connections. The company underscores the importance of keeping the human touch at the workplace and the heart of its technology. Specifically, the APAC team has enlisted the help of seven-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Coach of the Year and esteemed corporate leadership trainer Chot Reyes for its annual management training. He is also known for his various leadership positions in the corporate world, most notably as the former CEO of media network TV5.

Reyes, the founder of executive and team coaching company CoachCom Inc., is known for his program that focuses on a leader’s puso, cultivating the HEART of a Future Fit Leader-Health, Emotional Intelligence, Agility, Resilience, and Teamship-through a blend of evidence-based coaching with elite sports insights. After all, running a boardroom demands the same disciplines that are required of an elite coach on the court. And the goal is the same: empowering teams, whether they’re in suits or jerseys, to keep their A-game no matter what.

Below are three ways Rakuten Viber is humanizing tech leadership with the help of the Filipinos’ favorite sport, as Reyes shared in conversation with David Tse, Senior Director APAC at Rakuten Viber.

n Assembling a lineup based on ‘fit,’ not on star players. Everybody loves an all-star roster, but Reyes insists that putting together the best of the best will most likely produce unfavorable results. ‘We know at the highest levels, a team of superstars cannot win. The team USA of 2004, with the best players in the world-LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony-they barely won bronze medal,’ Reyes shares, adding that teams attain success better and synergy if they have collaborative members with different roles and different strengths. Tse further notes that in his experience, superstars often create more conflict in a team.

‘That’s why choosing your players is very important,’ explains Reyes. ‘I always call it a question of ‘fit.’ Do they fit my system, and do they fit each other’s personalities? If you do that, then you’ve already solved perhaps 50 percent to 70 percent of the conflict issue. Then you don’t have to manage conflict. And the best coaches, they don’t hire the best players but they know how to create synergy.’

n Encouraging ‘bad’ shots can be a gamechanger. In both sports and the corporate world, there are no wins without losses. ‘If you don’t take risks, you don’t understand the users. We need to understand the process to get there,’ Tse explains. He also notes that failure is an integral part of the learning process, driving both growth and innovation.

Reyes adds that companies often fail to realize that creativity requires trial and error: ‘Organizations that aren’t offering anything new, where there’s no innovation, people there are afraid to make mistakes. Mistakes are part of innovation, creativity, breakthrough. You cannot tell your people, okay, be innovative, go out there, but don’t make mistakes.’ However, Reyes emphasizes the importance of understanding that not all mistakes are the same, and good leaders know which ones to tolerate and which ones to encourage.

‘In sports, if you’re wide open, you’re a shooter, you take a three-point shot and you miss, we say, that’s good. Next time you’re free, shoot it again. For us, that’s an intelligent failure,’ the coach explains. This highlights the connection between corporate team coaching and sports, where leaders must establish psychological safety while the responsibility of team members is to perform at their best.

n Knowing when to sit on the bench. For Tse who oversees Viber’s multicultural APAC team and works closely with the app’s global executives, being a good leader means giving members the space and the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.

‘I don’t see my teams as just people to execute. They will one day become leaders. In fact, I often tell them that I fail at my work if they can’t execute or they can’t manage without me. And if I can’t acknowledge my mistakes, they won’t either,’ Tse adds. ‘My philosophy is that every member has a right to shine. I have to do my part to highlight their talents or give them the opportunity to show.’

One of the key questions that Reyes asks players is if they see themselves sitting at the end of the bench if that’s the gameplay the coach calls. In basketball, playing on the bench takes immense humility. A player must set aside personal ego and cheer for the team from the sidelines. This same approach holds true in business, where a team member’s commitment to performing their designated role for the collective benefit of the group can yield significant results.

‘When you think about leadership, sports leadership, corporate leadership in general, I always remind myself that it’s not about me. It’s not about us as the leaders. I think that puts us in a very good position, a very good perspective to start whatever endeavor we’re going to undertake,’ Reyes stated. ‘That’s the first piece of my philosophy, that it’s not about me.’

West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. (Maynilad) received five awards at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards-three Awards of Excellence and two Awards of Merit-for communication programs supporting water loss reduction, crisis response, public engagement, and the company’s entry into the capital markets.

Three Maynilad programs received Awards of Excellence.

‘Grand Walk-the-Line: Mobilizing Enterprise-Wide Ownership for NRW Reduction’ was recognized for engaging employees across the organization in Maynilad’s efforts to reduce non-revenue water (NRW), or water that is produced but does not generate revenue because of physical and commercial losses.

‘Communicating Through Disruption: Managing the Pritil Leak Repair Incident’ received an Award of Excellence under Issues Management and Crisis Communication for the company’s coordinated communications during a major service disruption that required customers to be kept informed amid limited lead time and evolving operational conditions.

Also receiving an Award of Excellence was ‘Leak Warriors 2025: Turning Citizens into Guardians of Clean Water,’ a social media campaign developed with ID8 Inc. that encouraged customers and communities to help report visible leaks. During the campaign period, reported leaks increased by 142% year-on-year.

Maynilad also received two Awards of Merit for communication initiatives supporting its initial public offering (IPO).

‘The Maynilad IPO: Building Confidence in the Capital Markets’ was recognized under Financial Communication and Investor Relations for communicating the company’s business and long-term growth story to investors ahead of its ?34.3-billion offering.

Meanwhile, ‘Shaping the IPO Narrative: Media Relations for Maynilad’s Public Market Debut’ received an Award of Merit under Media Relations for helping build understanding of Maynilad’s transition to the public markets.

‘These programs addressed very different communication challenges. What ties them together is the need to understand what each audience needs to know and how communication can help them act on that information. These recognitions reinforce our commitment to communication that is clear, timely, responsive, and purposeful,’ said Marie Antonette H. de Ocampo, Maynilad Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication.

The Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, recognize excellence in business communication.

At 21 years old, Alex Eala is already making her mark on the global tennis stage. After reaching a career-high No. 18 in the WTA rankings, the Filipino tennis star now enters a new chapter as the newest ambassador of Panasonic Philippines.

Much of Eala’s growth as an athlete has come from the routines she keeps. Training, competing, recovering, and preparing for her next match have all become part of her daily habit, contributing to how she approaches her game.

This reflects Panasonic’s core belief:’Thoughtful Care, Mastered Through Time.’ Built from over a century of Japanese craftsmanship, the brand continues to evolve alongside changing needs, finding better ways to support how people live.

Excellence is a shared pursuit for both Panasonic and Alex Eala. While Eala gains historic career momentum, she remains grounded in discipline, humility and commitment to growth. It aligns closely with Panasonic’s brand philosophy of translating its century-long legacy of true Japanese excellence into tangible experiences.

At its heart is the belief that excellence is never finished but always evolving. Reflecting on her recent Mubadala Citi DC Open victory, Eala shared, ‘I think each match I kept improving and kept learning things about myself,’ She also noted that, ‘It’s just really nice to see all the things that I have been working on off court or during training being implemented in matches.’ A reminder that growth is an ongoing journey.

This growth is achieved with a community. Just as Eala is supported by her family, coaches, and fans, Panasonic champions the power of a home designed around the needs of Filipino families. For nearly six decades in the Philippines, Panasonic has brought thoughtful care to generations of Filipino homes through authentic Japanese quality innovations designed to make everyday life easier, helping families spend less time on household tasks and more time enjoying meaningful moments together.

As Eala begins this new chapter with Panasonic, the two look forward to bringing this shared idea of excellence into more everyday stories and experiences, showing how the right support makes the biggest difference.

According to sources, one of the reasons why the actress ditched her former manager is because the latter disclosed information about her private life not just once but twice. The actress is known to be a very private person while the manager is said to be headstrong. It’s actually a surprise that their working relationship has lasted this long. The actress also feels that in the past few years, her manager had just been coasting along in terms of finding new jobs for her. At the end of the day, the actress has told friends that she feels the new phase in her life requires the presence of new people.

INAPPROPRIATE

WHO is the former sexy star who is annoyed at her husband’s former girlfriend because the latter has been sending messages to the guy for comfort? At first, the former sexy star thought the messaging was harmless. The messages were mostly inspirational and she isn’t really the jealous type. She is secure in her husband’s love. Later on, the husband himself complained to the former sexy star that some of the ex’s messages made him uncomfortable as they seemed to allude to their past, which was decades ago. The former sexy star wants to tell the woman off and her husband wants to block his ex on messaging platforms but they don’t want any controversies. So now, they don’t know what to do.

LIFESTYLE CHECK

WHO is the politician who paid celebrities to do video greetings for him on his birthday? None of the celebrities were A-listers so the video greetings did not receive a lot of public attention but it is still in bad taste because the politician has been linked to corruption and even faces allegations of cheating on his wife despite his supposed beliefs. The politician was also recently spotted wearing an item that he cannot afford on his salary. Even his alleged mistress is said to be living a life way beyond her means. The alleged mistress’ social media platforms are set on private right now but if you follow her, you’ll see signs of unexplained wealth. The politician seems fearless in flaunting his lavish lifestyle at a time when people like him are being scrutinized.

PREGNANT?

HOW true is the rumor that the daughter of two politicians is now pregnant? The girl is of age so there’s no scandal there. What is scandalous (sort of) is that her boyfriend, an athlete, has exhibited a lot of red flags in his previous relationship. In fairness to the guy though, it seems that his relationship with the politicians’ daughter has made him more mature and responsible. The girlfriend’s parents seem to like him and welcome him so there should be no problem there. People feel that the boyfriend is beneath the politicians’ daughter in terms of upbringing, family background, and wealth but who are we to judge. She seems like a nice girl who deserves true love and her parents must be happy to have a grandchild soon.

TRUE LOVE?

LONG before she married the man old enough to be her grandfather, the beautiful girl was already on the hunt for a rich benefactor. She failed to succeed in her earlier tries though, but she persisted. The rumor is that the old man fell in love at first sight while the beautiful girl had to look up the guy and his provenance online before even entertaining his suit. But to be fair to the rich man, he still looks good and the girl is not a teenager anymore. Perhaps they really fell in love with each other. It’s a good thing that the guy is well-known so the chances of the beautiful girl being called his daughter in public are relatively slim.