Category: Philippine Star

Despite sweeping the fourth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas dropped by one level in the FIBA men’s world rankings.

The Philippines slid to 40th in the world, from 39th, in the world rankings dated September 1.

This, despite Gilas defeating Iran and Jordan in the window held in Manila late last month.

The Philippines remained the seventh-best Asian team.

‘Wow, I’m almost lost for words. You know, that’s really unusual for me. I’m not usually lost for words, but I’m extremely happy. Kai [Sotto] just asked me walking in, are you now the happiest guy in the world? Because I said earlier, if we can win these two games, I’ll be the happiest guy in the world. So right now, I’m the happiest guy in the world,’ Gilas head coach Tim Cone said after the window.

‘These are two really, really high-level international teams. Iran especially, I understand. I read something in FIBA that this is only the third win we’ve had against them in the last 13 games. We were able to do it, all Filipino pa. So it just makes it really sweet to come out and win this game. And to do it at home,’ he added.

The Philippines is behind Australia (No. 7) Japan (No. 22) New Zealand (No. 25,) Iran (No. 28) China (No. 30) and Lebanon (No. 33) among Asian countries.

Among the top basketball teams in the world, the USA remains on top, followed by Germany.

France rose to World No. 3 — up one rung — taking that spot from now-World No. 4 Serbia.

Canada, Spain, Australia, Argentina, Turkiye and Lithuania complete the top 10.

Gretch Go and Eldridge Liao came through in the clutch as Xavier School stunned defending champion Grace Christian College, 56-53, for its second straight win in the 45 and above division of the Fil-Chinese Athletic Association Inc. (FCAAI) on Monday, August 31, at the Tanduay Gym in Quiapo, Manila.

After Go put the A Prime Corp-AcroCity-backed Golden Stallions back on top with a gutsy layup, Liao showed steely resolve next, sinking two pressure-packed charities in the last 10 seconds to spoil GCC’s debut in the 14-school tournament.

With the win, Xavier joined Uno High School atop the 7-team-Group A with similar 2-0 records after the Uneans, bankrolled by CW Home Depot and 1118 AutoSpa, scored a 75-71 win over Megacon-Hygon Motors-backed Philippine Cultural College.

Equally impressive was St. Peter The Apostle-MetroAsia, which dumped Mr. Big-Philippine Chen Kuang HS, 78-55.

Liao and Michael Chua led Xavier with 14 points each, while Danny Balanzat added 10 points apart from posting four rebounds and a steal. Go and Joseph Ngo finished with six points each.

Sponsored by Mintex and Fullercon, GCC was paced by Albert Edsel Chua and Allan Anson Tan with 20 and 12 points, respectively.

St. Stephen’s and Chiang Kai Shek College are leading Group B after hurdling their first two matches in the event backed by Smart Sports, Tanduay Athletics, Genius Hardware, Ultraforce Tires, Cellboy, PGFlex Linoleum, Boysen, Lamtex Pipes, Jiang Nan, Hangry Pares, Powerhouse Tools, L.F. Fireworks, BYD Valenzuela, BAIC, Jetour, Yong Kee Roasting House, 1118 Autospa and TCL.

The tournament started last month but several games were rescheduled due to foul weather.

The league earlier held the 35-39 and 50 years above divisions, with Hope Christian High School winning both categories.

Backstopped by former PBA MVP James Yap and ex-UAAP MVP Ken Bono, Iloilo’s Hua Siong College retained its 40-above years crown at the expense of Xavier School. (Pool story)

Sometimes you hear people say to someone, ‘Uy, huwag ka nang magtipid, ang yaman-yaman mo na!’ There’s also a health-related version, ‘Uy huwag ka nang mag-work out, ang sexy-sexy mo na!’

To these, the answers are:

I think I read these quotes many years ago from James Clear of Atomic Habits. Let’s examine these statements. These comments from friends or relatives are usually meant to be compliments. They are acknowledging your financial security or your physical fitness. But underneath, there’s a fundamental misunderstanding of how success, health, and financial freedom actually work.

People often view saving money or exercising as painful chores you endure only when you are in trouble.

If you are struggling financially, you have to save.

If you are facing a health scare, you have to start moving.

But when you do these things before a crisis hits, the entire dynamic changes.

The paradox of discipline

The core paradox is simple: Maintenance is always cheaper and easier than restoration.

In finance, saving money when your income is strong isn’t about deprivation; it’s about buying future options. You don’t save because you’re broke-you avoid being broke because you save. The moment you wait until you “need” to save is when it actually becomes a chore, a big sacrifice, or even a punishment.

In health, working out when you already feel great isn’t about losing weight; it’s about preserving mobility, strength, and vitality for the next decade. You don’t exercise just to fix a problem-you stay healthy because you exercise.

Shifting from fear to freedom

When you save or exercise out of necessity, your motivation comes from fear or desperation. That is mentally exhausting. But when you do it out of habit, your motivation comes from self-respect and freedom.

“I don’t need to” is not a permission slip to stop. It is the ultimate reward for staying consistent. True High FQ (Financial Quotient) isn’t just about having a large bank account-it’s about cultivating the habits that keep you free, confident, and in control of your life.

So the next time someone tells you, ‘Uy, hindi mo na kailangang magtipid, ang yaman-yaman mo na!’ or ‘Uy hindi mo na kailangang mag-work out, ang sexy-sexy mo na!’ just smile and say, ‘Kaya nga hindi ko na kailangan, kasi ginagawa ko kahit hindi ko kailangang gawin. Oh, and the secret to a lasting High FQ (Financial Quotient) and High HQ (Health Quotient) is actually protecting the very habits that got you there in the first place!’

Filipino-American filmmaker Mike Talplacido’s queer drama “In This Moment” is set to screen at two more film festivals in the United States this September following a world premiere last month.

The North Carolina-set movie follows a Filipino-American writer and his husband as they navigate infidelity, caregiving, loss, and the possibility of redemption.

It premiered at the historic Roxie Theater as part of the 6th San Francisco Queer Film Festival and will next screen at Palm Springs’ Cinema Diverse on September 18.

“I’ve never been to Palm Springs before,” said the Philippine-born Talplacido, expressing excitement about meeting the Filipino-American community there as well as fellow queer filmmakers and creatives. A week later on September 25, the film will head to the OUT at the Movies International Film Festival in Winston-Salem, where it has been selected as the North Carolina festival’s opening film.

Talplacido considers the latter festival screening a “homecoming premiere” given “In This Moment” is his love letter to North Carolina, where he lived for almost 17 years with his husband, a native of the state.

“The majority of our cast and crew are also from North Carolina, so I’m excited to finally screen the film with them and our local community,” the director also said about his feature directorial debut.

“In This Moment” was previously named a finalist in the 2026 AAPI Renaissance Rally, received a 2025 Filmed in NC Grant from the Cucalorus Foundation and the North Carolina Film Office, and had its screenplay workshopped through Lambda Literary where Talplacido served as a 2025 Writing Fellow.

A consumer advocacy group has called on authorities to launch an immediate, sustained and resolute crackdown on the proliferation of fake goods in e-commerce platforms.

In a letter addressed to Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Teodoro Pascua, Malayang Konsyumer stressed that while e-commerce platforms have reported high takedown rates of online shops selling counterfeit products, the digital marketplace remains heavily flooded with dangerous, unregulated imitations.

Earlier, Lazada reported a proactive takedown rate of 85.5% against counterfeit listings from June 2024 and May 2025, while Shopee posted a 93.6% proactive removal rate on its platform. The Department of Trade and Industry’s E-Commerce Bureau, meanwhile, earlier reported that it issued 171 Takedown Orders and 67 Compliance Orders from June to December 2025. And in the first half of 2026, the bureau issued 268 more Takedown Orders and 105 Compliance Orders.

Despite such regulatory action, the National Committee on Intellectual Property Rights’ (NCIPR) still seized a staggering Php18.64 billion in counterfeit goods from June 2024 to May 2025.

‘The glaring truth could no longer be denied nor glossed over: the digital marketplace has become a 24/7 open market for dangerous, unregulated imitations. Our members experience this regularly when shopping online, encountering pirated or trademark-infringing goods that carry both intellectual property and consumer safety implications,’ said Mark Jansen Magsano, convenor of Malayang Konsyumer.

The group warned that these online ‘leakages’ pose severe, immediate health and safety risks to Filipino families, highlighting several high-risk product categories flagged by their members.

These include medicines, vitamins, health supplements, and beauty products that may contain toxic chemicals. The group also cited substandard electronics and gadgets that may lead to fire and electrocution hazards, along with household adhesives, sealants and other building materials that may cause both structural failure and toxic inhalation.

Malayang Konsyumer also cited knock-offs of popular retail goods such as clothing, footwear, toys and perfume, which may expose consumers to hidden health hazards.

‘It is clear that while e-commerce platforms and government agencies have already taken action, these efforts are not enough. The IPOPHL is uniquely positioned to bridge safety gaps by fully deploying its statutory powers under the Intellectual Property Code,’ said Magsano.

The group appealed to the IPOPHL to undertake stricter enforcement, including motu proprio investigations targeting online channels, issuance of compliance and takedown orders, coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission to enforce site-blocking, and pushing for the cancellation of business permits for repeat violators.

IPOPHL’s Bureau of Legal Affairs should also issue cease-and-desist orders, execute the seizure and condemnation of infringing goods, forfeit manufacturing paraphernalia, and impose maximum administrative fines, while also fully utilizing provisions against unfair competition, trademark infringement, and digital piracy.

‘Filipino consumers deserve a digital marketplace that is safe -one where sellers comply with intellectual property regulations and violators are held accountable. Allowing the status quo to fester exposes consumers to health and safety hazards. Let us not wait for the worst case to happen before taking drastic action,’ said Magsano.

Up to 178 cities and municipalities in Luzon including the entire province of Pangasinan have been placed under a state of calamity due to severe flooding spawned by the southwest monsoon and typhoons.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the number of fatalities due to the combined effects of typhoons Luis, Maymay and Neneng as well as the monsoon remains at 34.

As of yesterday, at least three people remained missing in Quezon City, Manila and Batangas City, all feared to be victims of drowning.

Of the areas placed under a state of calamity, 47 are in Pangasinan, 14 in Benguet, 12 in Bataan, 24 in Bulacan, 21 in Pampanga, 13 in Zambales, 18 in Tarlac, 23 in Cavite, three in Occidental Mindoro and one each in Batangas, Dagupan and Rizal.

The NDRRMC said up to 9.1 million people have been affected by the heavy rains and flooding, with 135,905 of them staying in 1,255 evacuation centers.

Authorities estimated the amount of damage to infrastructure at P6.27 billion, and to agriculture at P2.32 billion.

The NDRRMC said it has monitored 678 flooded areas in various parts of Luzon including Metro Manila, although floodwaters in some areas have subsided.

In Bulacan, 145 barangays remain flooded, according to Manuel Lukban Jr., provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer.

Malolos reported the highest number of flooded villages with 32 followed by Calumpit with 26, Hagonoy with 24, San Ildefonso with 15 and Baliwag with 10.

In Pampanga, up to 1.05 million people in 330 barangay have been displaced by floodwaters, according to the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council.

The town of Guagua recorded the highest number of affected families with 29,300 followed by Macabebe with 27,229, Apalit with 26,809, Masantol with 24,737, Candaba with 24,617 and San Simon with 24,447.

The provincial government said up to 18,756 flood victims are taking shelter in evacuation centers.

No-build zone

Meanwhile, President Marcos has ordered local government units to strictly enforce the ‘no-build zone’ policy and urged them to strengthen the implementation of climate change measures.

Marcos issued the directive during a meeting at Malacañang on Monday with various agencies regarding the flooding in Metro Manila and Central Luzon, according to Palace Communications Officer Claire Castro.

Marcos urged people residing in disaster-prone areas to avail themselves of the socialized housing program being offered by the government. – Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Cesar Ramirez, Helen Flores

Tropical Storm Pilandok (international name: Krovanh) is moving northwestward over the Philippine Sea while the southwest monsoon or habagat continues to bring heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon and the Visayas, PAGASA said Wednesday.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, September 2, the state weather bureau said Pilandok was located 1,350 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon.

Pilandok was carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, with gustiness of up to 80 kph and a central pressure of 998 hPa.

It was moving northwestward at 10 kph.

Pilandok is not directly affecting the country’s land areas, while the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rainfall and strong to gale-force winds over parts of the country.

Strong winds

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon will bring strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental until Friday, September 4.

PAGASA said strong to gale-force gusts are particularly possible in coastal and upland areas exposed to the winds.

Heavy rainfall

The state weather bureau said the southwest monsoon or habagat will continue to bring heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon and the Visayas through Saturday, September 5.

Wednesday, September 2 to Thursday noon, September 3

50-100 mm: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Benguet and Zambales

Thursday noon to Friday noon, September 4

50-100 mm: Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro

Friday noon to Saturday noon, September 5

100-200 mm: Occidental Mindoro

50-100 mm: Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro and Antique

PAGASA said forecast rainfall may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas. The impacts in some areas may also be worsened by significant antecedent rainfall.

Sea conditions

A gale warning is in effect over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Very rough seas with waves reaching up to 5 meters are expected over the seaboards of Batanes, Ilocos Norte and northern Ilocos Sur, as well as the northern and western seaboards of the Babuyan Islands.

Waves of up to 4.5 meters are also forecast over the seaboard of La Union, the western seaboard of Pangasinan, and the remaining seaboards of the Babuyan Islands and Ilocos Sur.

PAGASA warned that sea travel is risky for all types and tonnage of vessels under these conditions.

Small seacraft operators, including those using motorbancas, are also advised not to venture out to sea in affected waters, especially if inexperienced or operating ill-equipped vessels.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said Pilandok is forecast to remain a tropical storm as it moves northwestward throughout the forecast period.

The tropical cyclone is expected to remain far from the Philippine landmass and is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tonight, September 2, or early Thursday morning, September 3.

Pilandok has maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center, with gustiness of up to 80 kph. Strong to gale-force winds extend outward up to 580 kilometers from its center.

PAGASA emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and forecast confidence cone.

The state weather bureau also said Pilandok’s track may still shift within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.

SM Supermalls, the country’s largest mall developer, expects to sustain its strong business performance as the so-called ‘ber’ months begin and is slated to open a new flagship mall in the latter part of the year.

With the opening of SM Nuvali on Nov. 27, SM Supermalls will end the year with 91 shopping centers in the Philippines.

‘With the upcoming opening of our 91st mall, SM Nuvali, we are expanding our business footprint in the emerging growth corridor of South Luzon and Calabarzon with an innovative upscale mall concept never experienced in the Philippine market before,’ SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said.

Tan said SM Nuvali would feature a one-hectare indoor garden that uses the same technology as Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

‘SM Nuvali is something I myself have never seen anywhere in the world. It will have a one-hectare indoor garden. Surrounding it are all the restaurants, casual dining restaurants, that have a view of the indoor garden. The indoor garden is air-conditioned, and we will use technology to make sure that the sunlight comes in, but the heat does not come in,’ he said.

Tan said SM Supermalls’ growth plan for the rest of 2026 and beyond is to continue evolving for its customers.

He said SM would keep building business momentum by introducing exciting new brands, cinema and entertainment acts and leisure offerings that would sustain market interest.

‘We’re very optimistic about (the remainder of 2026). As with what happened in the first six, seven months of the year, it has always been very positive,’ Tan said.

Despite recent heavy rains and flooding, Tan said foot traffic at SM malls has remained steady.

‘It’s September already, and we all know that the longest celebration of Christmas is here in the Philippines. So despite all the challenges we’re encountering, with all the floods and all these things in our country, you cannot take away merrymaking or the spirit of Christmas. We really try to make our centers more festive, so that everybody can come,’ Tan said.

‘That is really our objective this Christmas or this holiday season, to put a smile on everyone’s face upon entering our shopping center,’ he added.

Higher leasable space and tenant sign-ups, along with steady foot traffic, enabled SM Supermalls to deliver record revenues, reaching nearly P42 billion in the first half, up by eight percent from P38.6 billion in the same period in 2025.

Average daily foot traffic was steady at 3.7 million. Total gross leasable area grew by three percent year-on-year to 5.1 million square meters, while the number of tenants improved by four percent to 23,174.

Last year, SM announced that it is investing over P150 billion in 16 major redevelopments and 12 new lifestyle malls to ensure that its entire portfolio evolves into greener, smarter and more people-centered destinations by 2030.

An Army officer who helped oversee the military’s Youth Leadership Summit (YLS) said he had no idea the certifications he issued for the activity would be used by the Department of Education (DepEd) – then headed by Vice President Sara Duterte – to liquidate millions in her confidential funds.

Testifying before the impeachment court yesterday, Col. Manaros Boransing, who served as assistant chief of staff for civil-military operations of the 1st Infantry ‘Tabak’ Division, maintained that while he personally drafted and signed the certification attesting to zero reported communist terrorist group (CTG) incidents, he was completely in the dark about its intended financial use.

‘I didn’t know it would be used as liquidating instrument for confidential fund,’ Boransing said under questioning by Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Boransing’s testimony was part of the examination of evidence concerning the Commission on Audit (COA)’s disallowance of P15.54 million from DepEd’s P112.5-million confidential fund expenditure in 2023.

DepEd had submitted military certification letters covering YLS activities to justify the flagged spending before state auditors.

During interjection by Sen. Bam Aquino, Boransing revealed that the military’s actual operational spending for each of the eight YLS events was ‘around P30,000.’

Boransing noted that local government units generally covered the primary logistics – including meals, shirts and team-building funds – for groups with 30 to over 100 participants.

DepEd’s involvement, he said, was limited to coordination, occasional facility use and providing subject-matter experts.

Disparity

Aquino cited the disparity between the modest community-level costs and the tens of millions of pesos in DepEd confidential funds declared for surveillance and information-gathering to secure the summits.

‘You didn’t find it puzzling that P15 million had been spent for information for events that don’t cost more than maybe 200k, 150-200k per event?’ Aquino asked.

‘I did not know the amount or that there was any funds by the DepEd po, sir,’ Boransing said, explaining that he only learned about the figures during previous legislative inquiries in October 2024.

Asked by Aquino for his reaction to the discrepancy, Boransing declined to comment saying, ‘I think it is not appropriate for an active member of the armed forces to give his opinion on such a political issue.’

The issue first surfaced during a hearing by the House good government committee, where then-DepEd undersecretary Michael Poa testified that retired Maj. Gen. Nolasco Mempin – then a fellow DepEd undersecretary – was asked to secure military certifications after COA flagged the P15.54 million for lack of documentation.

Upon questioning from Sen. Risa Hontiveros, Boransing confirmed that the Philippine Army had undertaken similar educational activities against communist recruitment using its appropriated budget without need for confidential funds from DepEd.

‘There was no mention of any funds in the certification that we issued,’ Boransing said.

Former finance secretary Carlos ‘Sonny’ Dominguez is bringing his extensive experience in business, finance, corporate leadership and economic policy to the board of Megaworld Corp.

Dominguez has been appointed as lead independent director of the listed property giant.

Megaworld said Dominguez has more than four decades of experience across public and private sectors, having held leadership positions in various industries, including banking, power, aviation, agriculture, mining, hospitality, real estate and investments.

Megaworld chairman Andrew Tan welcomed Dominguez’s entry into the company’s board of directors, acknowledging his depth of experience.

‘Throughout his distinguished career, he has helped shape the country’s economic landscape through principled leadership in government, finance and business. His depth of experience and strategic perspective will be invaluable as the company enters its next chapter of growth,’ Tan said.

Megaworld said adding Dominguez to its board reinforces the company’s commitment to strong corporate governance, board diversity and independent oversight as it continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy.

Further, his appointment reflects Megaworld’s commitment to ensuring a strong, experienced and forward-looking board capable of providing strategic guidance, the company said.

Dominguez’s appointment comes as Megaworld continues to expand its presence across key economic and tourism destinations in the country, with its integrated urban townships serving as platforms for business growth, tourism, employment and community development.

Dominguez served as secretary of the Department of Finance during the Duterte administration. He also previously served as secretary of the Department of Agriculture and the minister of Environment and Natural Resources during the Corazon Aquino administration.