Category: Business Mirror

In fact, my wife, our two children, Noona, our pet dog, and I have been regulars since it opened. I go there almost every day after I drop my wife off at work, just to walk Noona. Then, before I pick her up from work-which is just nearby-I usually find myself back at Parqal, walking the dog again.

I have breakfast there, have coffee there, meet fellow dog walkers and other friends there, shop there regularly, buy groceries there and regularly patronize Animal Movers, where Noona occasionally spends the day. More often than not, we end up having dinner there too. It has become part of our family’s routine.

It isn’t difficult to see why Parqal has earned recognition. It was named one of the World’s Most Beautiful Emporiums for 2024 by the Prix Versailles, announced at UNESCO, and was also recognized as the Best Mixed-Use Development at the 12th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards. Those recognitions didn’t happen by accident. They reflect the quality of what Parqal has built.

Precisely because Parqal has set such a high standard, I hope management takes this article in the spirit in which it is intended.

It would be very easy to complain about a place you never visit. This is different. I genuinely enjoy Parqal and want it to succeed. Which is why I think it’s time to fix what has become, in my view, its weakest link.

Please fix the parking.

Not the parking spaces.

The parking operation.

A few days ago, I found myself behind a large pickup truck on the way to the basement exit. It was moving slowly and taking up enough space that nobody could get around it. I assumed the driver had already paid for his parking because, after all, we were already heading for the exit.

He hadn’t.

For those who haven’t parked at Parqal, the system is actually very simple. When you enter, a machine gives you a ticket with a QR code. Before returning to your vehicle, you are supposed to stop at one of the three cashier stations inside the mall, pay the P50 parking fee, and receive another ticket with a validated QR code. That second ticket is what the exit machine scans before the barrier goes up.

The pickup driver skipped that part entirely. When he reached the barrier, it became obvious he hadn’t paid. He even tried to insert money into the exit scanner, which, of course, had no slot for cash because it wasn’t a payment machine. It simply scans the validated QR code issued by the cashier after payment. Realizing his mistake, one of the men with him got out and hurried back toward the mall to pay the parking ticket.

But the pickup stayed exactly where it was, and so did everyone behind him.

What made the situation even more frustrating was that those of us in line had already paid. Once your ticket has been validated, you only have fifteen minutes to leave the parking building. Every minute we spent waiting for someone else’s mistake was eating into our own time.

I rolled down my window and asked him to move his vehicle. I even told him I would back up if I had to, just so the rest of us could get through.

Instead, three men climbed out of the pickup. Apparently, this had become a committee meeting. I honestly didn’t know what there was left to discuss. The pickup hadn’t paid. It couldn’t leave. The rest of us could. Move the pickup. Pay the ticket. Then come back.

The guard eventually intervened, but only after far too much time had already been wasted and an argument had already broken out.

If this had happened only once, I wouldn’t be writing this. Everybody makes mistakes. The problem is that I’ve seen the same kinds of things happen too many times.

My fellow dog walkers and friends, Dr. Myla Joven Ching and her husband Nick, recently had their own experience. They were about to leave when another motorist stopped and double-parked directly in front of them because he still had to pay his parking ticket. Instead of moving aside, he blocked them-as well as everyone behind them-while someone went to the cashier.

When they asked him to move, he became annoyed.

‘Can’t you just wait?’

No.

They shouldn’t have to wait.

Nobody should.

The instructions are already printed on the parking ticket.

Pay first.

Then return to your vehicle.

Then proceed to the exit.

And if the ticket somehow isn’t enough, the same reminder is posted near the elevators, inside the elevators, and in other parts of the mall.

The system isn’t confusing.

The problem isn’t a lack of instructions.

It’s that too many motorists simply choose not to follow them.

I’ve also seen motorists ignore the one-way signs in the basement and drive against traffic as though they were on a public road instead of inside a parking building. Others speed through the basement where families are walking to and from their cars. I’ve watched drivers stop in the middle of the lane to pay at one of the cashier stations, blocking everyone behind them, even though the ticket clearly instructs motorists to settle the parking fee before returning to their vehicles.

And then there are the payment queues. I have nothing against GCash, Maya or any other electronic payment system. I use them myself.

But I’ve stood behind people trying to pay fifty pesos while the app freezes, the scanner won’t read the QR code, the signal disappears or the transaction takes forever to go through.

We’re talking about fifty pesos. If electronic payment is going to be the preferred option, then it has to be quick and reliable. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with paying cash and keeping the line moving.

After months of watching these things happen, I’ve come to believe that this is no longer just about inconsiderate motorists.

It’s about management.

There will always be drivers who ignore instructions. There will always be people who think the rules apply only to everyone else.

Good parking systems anticipate that.

They should never allow one unpaid vehicle to block a line of motorists who have already done everything correctly. They should never allow counterflow to become routine. They should never allow motorists to block traffic while paying because they ignored the instructions on the ticket.

I’ve mentioned some of these incidents to guards and parking attendants over the past several months. They have always been courteous. They know the problems. But they also seem to have very little authority to prevent them.

That’s why I’m writing this.

Not to criticize Parqal.

To help improve it.

May I respectfully offer a few suggestions?

Create a turnaround lane so motorists who reach the exit without paying can get out of the way instead of blocking everyone behind them.

Station an attendant before the exit to intercept unpaid vehicles or, at the very least, remind them to pay their tickets before they reach the barrier.

Strictly enforce the one-way traffic system in the basement and stop counterflow immediately. An accident is waiting to happen.

Review the location of the cashier stations and the traffic flow around them so motorists cannot block everyone else while paying.

Upgrade the QR scanners and payment system so electronic transactions are consistently faster. And when the system slows down, encourage cash payments for small amounts instead of allowing long queues to build.

None of these suggestions are revolutionary. They are operational improvements-the kind that customers notice every single day.

Parqal has already done the hard part. It has created one of the most pleasant places to spend a morning, an afternoon or an evening in Metro Manila. That is why my family keeps coming back.

I simply hope the experience above ground is eventually matched by the experience below it.

Right now, the basement is the only part of Parqal that doesn’t quite live up to the standard the rest of the development has already set.

I hope that changes.

Buds Wenceslao and his team had the vision to transform this part of Manila Bay into a walkable, people-friendly community. They got almost everything right.

Family getaways are always special. From the equally exciting planning stages to arriving at your target destination and then discovering new places together, memories that last a lifetime document the experience altogether.

But as every seasoned traveler knows, a smooth vacation often comes down to packing the right essentials.

Thankfully, SM Store has more than enough travel companions that will make it a lot easier to organize your luggage, stay comfortable during long flights, and ultimately explore your destination with ease.

Everything you need to bring

For starters, smart packing begins with the Heys Xero Elite 2.0, an ideal travel companion for families who need reliable luggage. Combining ultra-lightweight recycled materials with durability and functionality, this baggage makes airport transfers and hotel check-ins a lot less stressful.

To keep everything organized, use the Heys Ecotex 5pc Packing Cube Set. These packing cubes make it easy to separate outfits, kids’ essentials, accessories, and even laundry. Not only do they save valuable suitcase space, but they also make unpacking at your destination effortless.

For long flights

Even the most excited vacationers can be subjected to unnecessary stress during long travel hours or even days. To ensure rested arrivals, the Travel Sentry Contouring Eye Mask, designed with a contoured shape and 3D nose bridge that blocks out light while remaining comfortable around the eyes. While sleeping, the Travel Sentry Full Comfort Neck Pillow provides ergonomic support with its memory foam construction and 360-degree design.

There’s also the Travel Sentry Carry-On Toiletry Bag that helps streamline airport security checks. Its transparent and reusable design keeps travel-sized liquids neatly organized while reducing reliance on single-use plastic bags.

For walks around the city

Getting to your destination is only the beginning. Once you get there, comfort and safety naturally become priorities. The Travel Sentry RFID Money Belt offers peace of mind by protecting passports, cards, and personal information with RFID-blocking technology. Worn discreetly under clothing, it adds an extra layer of security while sightseeing.

Built for all-day adventures, rain or shine, is the Merrell Accentor 3 Waterproof shoe. Its Waterproof material helps keep feet dry, while the Air Cushion heel and EVA foam midsole provide lasting comfort whether you’re navigating city streets, nature parks, or scenic walking trails.

Packing the right essentials means less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the moments that matter. Go get these travel must-haves at SM Store and make your next family getaway more comfortable, organized, and memorable.

CENTRAL banks in emerging Asia are increasingly finding ways to support their currencies without dipping into foreign-exchange reserves, as recurring Middle East tensions and the prospect of higher-for-longer US interest rates keep policymakers on edge.

India has lured nearly $40 billion from its diaspora via high-yield dollar deposits, underpinning a recovery in the rupee from a record low in May. South Korea’s push to accelerate corporate dollar repatriation has helped the won to its biggest monthly gain since 2022. Indonesia drew $1.6 billion in bond inflows in the last two months as it offered incentives to foreign funds, and Taiwan has also been instructing exporters to sell US dollars at times of currency weakness.

The measures broaden the toolkit for policymakers, supplementing traditional tools such as interest-rate hikes and foreign-exchange intervention that formed the first line of defense after the Mideast conflict sent oil prices soaring. The spike exposed emerging Asia’s heavy reliance on energy imports, making the region one of the weakest pockets of the currency market. While oil prices have since eased on signs the US and Iran are nearing a deal, several Asian currencies still rank among this year’s worst performers.

Still, EM Asia central banks aren’t abandoning traditional defenses.

Authorities in the Philippines have raised rates by 50 basis points, and the Bank of Korea last month tightened policy for the first time in three years. MUFG Bank Ltd. is forecasting two more increases by Indonesia and the Philippines, and at least one more hike by the BOK this year.

Europe’s sugar output is set to fall to the lowest in more than a decade as hot weather damages an already smaller beet crop, tightening global supplies under pressure from a powerful El Niño.

Production in the European Union and the UK is set to fall to about 15 million tons, the lowest level since the 2015 season, according to data from SandP Global Energy. A series of heat waves this summer have battered yields for the current season after acreage had already declined for a second straight year as producers curbed output after bumper crops depressed prices.

That adds to mounting concerns about a potential worldwide deficit as the El Niño weather pattern looms over cane production in several key Asian producers including India and Thailand. That fear has seen prices surge in recent weeks. On Friday, white sugar futures in London touched the highest level in a year in intraday trade. Raw sugar in New York is on track to gain more than 7 percent this week.

‘The lower crop will contribute to deficits in the first and second quarter of next year and that’s already being priced in the market,’ said Claudiu Covrig, lead analyst at Covrig Analytics. With exports from Europe missing or at least reduced to a minimum, ‘prices will go further north.’

The European Commission’s MARS crop-monitoring unit last week cut its forecast for EU beet yield to 76 tons per hectare, down 7 percent from a year earlier, citing unfavorable weather.

While that’s near the five-year average, the prolonged heat has eroded any cushion for the crop, potentially pushing the EU to turn into a net importer of the sweetener, StoneX analyst Pedro Antiquera said in a note.

The outlook could deteriorate even more as weather forecasts continue to point to above-normal temperatures and limited rainfall, worsening already depleted soil moisture levels, according to Marina Malzoni, principal analyst for soft commodities at SandP Global Energy.

Covrig Analytics has cut its output forecast for the EU and UK to 14.7 million tons, the lowest since 2022 when high temperatures hurt output and sent prices soaring. The European Commission expects output in the EU alone to slip to 14.1 million tons.

‘With acreage continuing to contract, the sugar beet crop has become increasingly vulnerable to yield shocks,’ said Malzoni. ‘Prices are expected to increase in the near term as the supply-demand balance tightens.’

That could be a silver lining for European processors after two consecutive bumper harvests when the region was awash with sugar and a price slump squeezed their margins.

Sugar prices in the region have risen as much as 9 percent since June, lifting the premium that white sugar futures command over raw sugar, according to Arnaud Lorioz, chief executive officer of Paris-based brokerage Deepcore.

Still, a sustained recovery for processors will require a further reduction in supplies because Europe could still produce a small surplus, Stephan Bttner, chief executive at Austrian sugar producer Agrana, said in an earnings call last month.

Impact on the region’s top producers:

Output in France, Europe’s biggest producer, is set to drop by about 13 percent to the lowest in four years, European Commission data showed. The dry weather has caused ‘significant damage’ to sugar beets and accelerated attacks by weevils, according to the farmers’ group, CGB.

Second-largest beet grower Germany faces an additional threat from the rapid spread of the reed glass-winged leafhopper, a pest linked to a disease that cuts sugar content in beets, according to the local industry association WVZ.

Poland, the European Union’s third-largest sugar producer, is headed for an 18-percent drop in output this year after a smaller planted area and a cold, dry spring curbed beet yields, according to the sugar beet growers’ association KZPBC.

THERE’S that familiar squeak of rubber shoes on wood. The thump of balls on the same hardcourt. And there’s the voices. Of players encouraging one another. Of coaches barking commands.

It’s practice of the Ateneo Blue Eagles who are trying to compress in the space of about 50 days what should have been the entire summer in preparation for the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines Men’s Basketball Tournament.

However, the similarities end up to a certain point. It is different. Some of the old familiar faces are gone. Banished if not suspended. There are new coaches as well. RJ Jazul and Kerby Raymundo are now there.

‘Time to start my coaching career,’ quipped RJ who recently called it a day on his 15-year Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) career.

Like everyone, it’s about endings and beginnings.

When Louie Alas was brought into the Ateneo fold three years ago, there was no explicit reason but he as well as many others surmised that they were getting him so they could lure his son, Kieffer, to Loyola Heights.

After Letran, the elder Alas told himself that was his last stop as head coach for a college team. Serving as an assistant or a consultant is fine. But not becoming the head coach. In fact, his family was against it. They know the toll it took on him in Letran. So, he was fine joining the Ateneo coach staff as an assistant.

A prayerful and deeply religious man, he asked God for what the reason was. The answer came three years later as a jarring reminder that all things are revealed in His time.

In the aftermath of the Dipaculao tragedy, he too was prepared to walk away.

One of the Ateneo priests said something that struck a chord in him and made him rethink his position, ‘How can you leave the kids at this difficult time?’

‘I was prepared to walk away,’ Coach Louie related. ‘But the team just lost their head coach, two players and others. I cannot abandon these kids.’

At the same time, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) school came calling and offered him the head coach duties in addition to an attractive offer.

The question he asked God three years ago was finally answered. He declined the NCAA school’s offer.

Dipaculao claimed more than the lives of Divine Adili and Rene Baterbonia. It cost the team its multi-titled head coach, team manager and coaching staff. It also cast a huge pall over the school and a deep division among its constituents, supporters, and alumni that remain as a festering wound to this day.

As for the players, during a time when all one had to concern themselves with was school, basketball, and girls, they were all confronted by loss and a deep grief. Not to mention social media hate.

One player said that he often finds his inbox with hate mail and death threats. Come UAAP time, they will have to deal with that and more. ‘I don’t think we can wish it away. We have to learn how to deal with it and just show that we aren’t bad people.’

If past teams were formed from victory and glory, this edition of the Blue Eagles is forged from the crucible of tragedy.

Teams usually bond over a journey, even a championship. This one is the same but there are mountains to climb.

There is a huge target on their backs. Not as a favorite to win a championship, but because many feel they escaped debilitating sanctions.

The fact that no one on the current squad left says something about their resilience. That word, according to Coach Louie, should sum up this team. ‘Add commitment,’ said the coach.

Almost immediately after the tragedy, opposing teams tried to pry away some of the players. One of the most sought after was Kieffer. But he was dead set on Ateneo for some time. When three UAAP coaches came calling to transfer, he sent back a terse message in capital letters: ‘NO.’

Either he played for the blue and white or would try his luck once more in the United States.

While the Blue Eagles are dedicating the upcoming season to their fallen teammates, it will not be only the other schools, they will go up against. There is that intense public scrutiny as well as haters and trolls who insist there was foul play and that they should have sat out the season if not suspended.

But they are right here and right now. There is no running away. Only confronting their demons on and off the court.

‘No one said basketball or even a season is easy,’ summed up the coach. ‘Kaya nga, laban lang. One Big Fight!’

A greener lifestyle is built through small, intentional choices. From your daily routine to the products you bring home, every decision can support sustainability, craftsmanship, and Filipino pride with Green Finds at Kultura.

Even everyday essentials can make a difference. The Fine Life Market Liquid Castile Hand and Body Soap offers a gentle cleanse made with natural ingredients like olive oil, castor oil, and essential oils. Biodegradable and suitable for sensitive skin, it turns a simple routine into a mindful ritual with calming and refreshing scents.

The items you carry can tell meaningful stories too. The Abaca Handbag with Shells is handwoven from abaca fibers grown in Albay and reflects the artistry of generations of Filipino women artisans. Meanwhile, BidiBidi bags combine function, creativity, and social impact. Crafted in Camarines Sur using sustainable and upcycled materials, each piece showcases intricate embroidery while supporting women artisans and farming communities.

At home, thoughtful choices continue with the Beyond Borders Tea Towel. Woven on antique wooden looms using traditional Abel weaving techniques, it helps preserve a centuries-old Filipino craft.

For gifts and keepsakes, the Brave Story Dugong Plushie offers a heartwarming example of sustainability. Made from repurposed textiles by mothers turned artisans, each plushie is uniquely crafted with care.

Even snacking can align with mindful living. OSH Snacks offers plant-based treats, from light and crunchy OSH Pops to indulgent Choco Mango Dipped snacks, proving that sustainable choices can still be delicious.

With Green Finds at Kultura, every small choice contributes to a lifestyle rooted in care, culture, and conscious living.

SAN FELIPE, Chile-As Alas Pilipinas takes a step closer to the Round of 16 in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship, the coaching staff is taking measures to prepare the squad for bigger battles ahead.

Edwin Leyva and his staff made another calculated gamble, bringing in the second unit as early as the second set and letting them finish it off even after they squandered a huge chunk of the lead built by the starters.

Jello Andrea Mauricio came through with the finishing hit to close the set, and Alas Pilipinas went on to beat Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, for its second straight victory on Sunday at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.

The Philippines-supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Asics-improved to 2-1, climbing to second behind only China as the tournament takes a breather on Sunday.

Equally important, Leyva said, was getting Megan Hernandez, Taj Teves and Jhenica Sadia time on the floor to get their competitive juices flowing.

‘We’ve got players who, once you pull them out, start thinking clearly and get fired up even more,’ Leyva said. ‘And the second unit, meanwhile, tries to prove they belong on the floor and work harder to extend their minutes. In a way, you’re hitting two targets with one stroke.’

Team manager and assistant coach Karl Chan said seeing a big lead get whittled away was indeed stressful, but the second unit needed to learn how to fight its way out of the hole.

‘We could have simply sent back one or two starting wing spikers, but we didn’t doubt that they can get it done. It just took them a little more time,’ Chan said.

Leyva also said the staff is not surprised the Philippines is now closing in on the next round, with matches against Peru and Venezuela still on schedule.

‘We really knew this team can make waves here. We can win matches. The only challenge is adjusting. It’s cold, we’re in a different crowd, and some of our girls are new to international competition.

‘We’ve also reminded them about the fear of underperforming, the self-doubt that creeps in. That’s part of the growth process.’

Rayco, Olaguir find groove

ALAS Pilipinas is finding its rhythm just as Xyz Rayco and Resty Olaguir are rediscovering their groove.

Key players in the Alas Pilipinas Girls squad that earned the berth in this world meet through the Asian Women’s U16 Championship last year in Jordan, Rayco and OIaguir revived their old connection and pushed the Philippine team to a 2-1 win-loss record.

After an opening loss to defending champion China, world No. 25 Alas Pilipinas has taken down higher-ranked foes in succession, downing No. 8 Mexico before sweeping No. 20 Tunisia at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.

That put Alas Pilipinas in second spot in Pool B, behind only defending champion China, with two playdates left in the preliminaries. The top four advance to the Round of 16.

With Olaguir running the offense, Rayco found the openings that had eluded her in the first two matches.

‘It feels different when she sets ne the ball, it feels like I can really kill it,’ Rayco said. ‘Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.’

The 16-year-old Rayco, top offensive threat in the Asian U16 meet in Jordan, finished with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, including two of Alas Pilipinas’ final three points to seal the nerve-racking first set.

‘I’m happy because everyone contributed. I’m also happy with my game because I was able to show how I really play. I’m satisfied even though I made mistakes because I was able to bounce back and show who I am as a player,’ Rayco said.

‘The past two days, I didn’t feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn’t satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I’ll keep this going.’

Olaguir said she didn’t expect to be fielded with Irish Mahinay running the offense, but the Ateneo setter settled in when Alas hit a shaky stretch in the opening set.

‘I’m happy I got in and contributed. I think I’m slowly getting back to the way I really play,’ Olaguir said.

‘There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don’t let my emotions get the better of me.’

Caera Celis continued her stellar play and wound up as Alas Pilipinas top scorer for the third straight match, delivering 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

Sharina Rhyza Lleses came up with 10 points, all from attacks, for the Philippines, which returns to action after the tournament break on Sunday as it battles world No. 6 Peru on Monday and end up pool play against No. 12 Venezuela on Tuesday.

Alexandra Eala has been winning matches in different ways this week. That may be the most encouraging part of her Toronto run.

She beat Caty McNally 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 in 2 hours and 39 minutes, despite receiving treatment after rolling her right ankle in the second set. The win extended Eala’s winning streak to seven and sent her into the fourth round, where she will face No. 12 seed Belinda Bencic for a place in the quarterfinals.

It is Eala’s first meeting with Bencic, and it is a serious step up in opponent. Bencic is a former Canadian Open champion and one of the smartest players on the women’s tour. She does not need to blast opponents off the court. She takes the ball early, redirects pace, and makes players uncomfortable by giving them less time to set up.

That will be the main issue for Eala.

Eala’s left-handed forehand has been a major weapon in this run. She can pull opponents wide, especially from the ad court, then use the open space to take control of the point. Against Bencic, though, hitting a few big forehands and waiting for a mistake will not be enough. Bencic is good at getting those balls back early and sending them somewhere different.

The match could come down to whether Eala can keep Bencic moving and reacting. If Bencic gets comfortable near the baseline and starts taking returns early, Eala could spend much of the match under pressure on serve. Eala needs a strong first-serve percentage, especially on the ad side, to open the court and give herself the first look at attack.

The ankle is another factor, even if Eala has indicated it is manageable. Bencic’s game is not built around pure power, but it demands quick movement. She changes direction well, hits early and makes players cover the court. Eala cannot afford to be stuck defending from the corners for long stretches.

The best way for Eala to protect herself is to play on her own terms. She should look for the forehand early, use the wide serve, and mix in changes of pace. She cannot fall into a predictable crosscourt pattern because Bencic will read it quickly. Eala has to keep the Swiss player guessing – heavy forehands crosscourt, an occasional drive down the line and selective trips to the net when the opening is there.

Bencic is coming off a three-hour, 24-minute win over Taylor Townsend, so Eala also has a reason to make this physical. The more long rallies and tight service games, the more Bencic will have to draw on after a demanding previous round.

But Eala should not expect the Swiss veteran to fade. Bencic has won big matches for years and knows how to manage pressure when a match gets tight.

Eala’s win over McNally showed the maturity behind this run. After losing the second set, she broke early in the decider and protected the advantage to close out the match. That kind of resilience will matter against Bencic.

Eala can expect strong Filipino support again in Toronto, particularly if the match becomes tight. But her biggest task is to keep the match simple. She does not need to make a statement on every ball. She needs to serve well, use her forehand intelligently and stay patient when Bencic sends back shots that would finish points against most players.

Bencic will try to take away time, test Eala’s serve and force the Filipina to hit one more ball. If Eala can stay patient through those exchanges and stop Bencic from dictating inside the baseline, she has a real chance to add another important win to a breakthrough summer.

Toronto’s draw has already been shaken by major exits, with top seed Aryna Sabalenka falling to Ekaterina Alexandrova in three sets and No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula losing 6-3, 6-3 to Diana Shnaider, who snapped an 0-4 record against the American. Iga Swiatek avoided a similar fate after dropping the opening set to Marta Kostyuk before rallying emphatically, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, while Elina Svitolina beat Amanda Anisimova 6-2, 6-4. The results underline the volatility of the Toronto draw and add context to Eala’s night-session meeting with Belinda Bencic: the path remains difficult, but the departures of Sabalenka and Pegula show that seedings have offered little protection this week.

This is not just another match in a winning streak. It is the kind of matchup that shows whether a run has legs.

THE Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (PHI-NADO) conducted the inaugural rollout of its Regional Anti-Doping Education Program (ADEP) in Cebu City, marking a significant milestone in expanding anti-doping education across the country and reinforcing the Philippines’s commitment to promoting clean sport at the grassroots level.

As a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code 2021, PHI-NADO continues to strengthen its nationwide anti-doping education initiatives by bringing World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-compliant education closer to athletes and sporting communities beyond Metro Manila.

The Regional ADEP aims to to equip athletes, athlete support personnel and key stakeholders with the knowledge, values and practical tools needed to make informed and ethical decisions in sport.

Recognizing Cebu as one of the country’s premier sporting hubs, the program supports PHI-NADO’s goal of establishing a sustainable and culturally grounded anti-doping education system at the local government unit (LGU) level.

Through the collective efforts of athletes, coaches, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, and local officials, the initiative seeks to cultivate a shared responsibility in protecting the integrity of sport and building clean sport communities across the region.

The two-day program-held July 31 to August 1-brought together 200 participants each day, representing athletes, coaches, athlete support personnel, medical professionals, teachers, school administrators, parents and LGU officials under the theme’Building Clean Sport Communities.’

Participants engaged in comprehensive discussions on the fundamentals of anti-doping, athletes’ rights and responsibilities, the doping control process, the Prohibited List, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), supplement risks, food-first approach and the importance of values-based education in fostering ethical decision-making.

Cebu City Sports Commission (CPSC) chair Dr. Rhoel Dejaño underscored the importance of strengthening anti-doping education at the local level to safeguard the future of Philippine sports.

Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Edward Hayco, meanwhile, highlighted the profound influence of sports in shaping the character and values of children and young athletes.

Hayco emphasized that because sport serves as a powerful platform for developing discipline, integrity, and respect, it is the shared responsibility of families, educators, coaches, sports organizations and local communities ‘to protect young athletes from threats that undermine the spirit of sport and to foster environments where they can thrive with honesty and fair play.’

The participants actively took part in interactive learning sessions, discussions and practical activities designed to reinforce the core values of clean sport.

The Cebu ADEP marked the beginning of PHI-NADO’s efforts to institutionalize regional anti-doping education throughout the Philippines.

By empowering local stakeholders through accessible, values-based and WADA-compliant education, the PHI-NADO-headed by Dr. Alejandro Pineda, continues to strengthen the nation’s commitment to protecting athletes and ensuring that every Filipino athlete has the opportunity to compete on a level playing field.

FOR much of the past two decades, Miguel Mendoza has been more familiar to listeners through other people’s voices than his own.

His songs have been performed by some of the country’s biggest artists-Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos, Jed Madela and Katrina Velarde among them-while Miguel quietly built a career behind the scenes as a songwriter, producer and creative collaborator.

Now, he is stepping back into the spotlight, not with a new composition, but with one that has already become part of Filipino pop culture.

For the first time, Miguel has recorded ‘Isa Pang Araw’ himself, nearly eight years after writing the song for the 2018 film Miss Granny.

Originally recorded by Sarah Geronimo as the movie’s official theme, the ballad went on to win the 2019 Awit Award for Best Song Written and Performed for a Movie, TV or Stage Play and earned a nomination for Best Original Song at the 67th FAMAS Awards.

The new recording is not intended to replace the version audiences already know. Instead, it allows the songwriter to return to words that were born from one of the most difficult chapters of his own life and finally tell the story in his own voice.

The ‘quiet architect’

LONG before he became known as a songwriter, Miguel was always a singer.

He first entered the national spotlight as a finalist in the inaugural season of Philippine Idol, before later becoming the third Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. Yet, despite those early breaks, opportunities as a recording artist became increasingly difficult to find.

‘To answer you honestly, yes,’ Miguel said when asked whether there was a time people struggled to accept him as a singer. ‘That’s why I embraced the back end-songwriting. I thought maybe this was really where God wanted me.’

‘For years, you question yourself. You question your talent. But you just have to fight through it and believe in yourself.’

That willingness to keep going eventually opened doors beyond songwriting.

Away from television, he worked in production, handled teleprompters, directed live events and even took on jobs far removed from the entertainment industry, including working overseas as a seafarer, performing as a singer aboard a cruise ship, and, at one point, as a mascot.

Rather than seeing those experiences as detours, he now considers them part of the education that shaped him.

Returning to ‘Isa Pang Araw’

THE story behind Isa Pang Araw has long been known among music fans.

Miguel wrote the song after his first submission for Miss Granny was rejected. Drawing from grief following his father’s passing, he wrote another piece-one that eventually became the film’s theme song.

But writing the lyrics and singing them turned out to be two very different experiences. ‘When I was writing the song, I acknowledged the feelings, but I wasn’t really allowing myself to feel them,’ he explained.

At the time, he was focused on dealing with practical responsibilities left behind after his father’s death. The emotions existed, but they remained buried beneath everything that needed to be done.

Recording the song years later changed that. Throughout the sessions, Miguel said he finally allowed himself to become vulnerable, guided by his collaborators at FlipMusic.

‘I cried during the recording sessions,’ he recalled. ‘For nine years, I had kept all of that inside. It felt good to finally let it out.’

Even the lyric that resonates with him most has changed over time. When he first wrote the song, the bridge carried the greatest emotional weight. Today, it is the opening verse (Sa libong-libong taong nangangarap, binigyan mo ako ng pagkakataon) that affects him most

‘FlipMusic gave me another chance,’ he said. ‘I don’t even know anymore if this is my third, fourth, or fifth chance.’

A new beginning

MIGUEL has officially signed with FlipMusic Records as a recording artist, while his compositions will now be published under FlipMusic Publishing, making him part of the label’s roster both as a performer and songwriter.

He describes it not as a one-off project, but as the beginning of a new chapter. Plans are already underway for a full-length album next year, one that will allow him to write and record music intended for his own voice.

‘I’m excited because this time I get to write for myself,’ he said.

He also hopes to collaborate with fellow FlipMusic artists and songwriters as he develops new material.

Also, interestingly, after years of becoming known for emotional ballads, Miguel said he is ready to explore a lighter side of songwriting. Among the projects lined up this year is a Christmas song, one he promises will be far more joyful than listeners might expect.