Category: Philippine Star

The benefits and concerns of adapting from the page to the screen apply to webtoons, says manhwa illustrator and writer Lee Yun-chang, often for the better.

Yun-chang was in Metro Manila for the 2026 Korean Film Festival hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, with the film adaptation of his webtoon “My Daughter is a Zombie” being in this year’s lineup.

“My Daughter is a Zombie” stars Jo Jung-suk of “Hospital Playlist” fame as a man caring for his daughter infected by a zombie virus. In the cast with him are “Parasite” stars Lee Jung-eun and Cho Yeo-jeong.

The movie, like the original webtoon, was well-received and became the highest-grossing Korean film of 2025. It won one of seven Blue Dragon Film Award nominations and scored a Best New Actress nod for Choi Yu-ri at the Baeksang Arts Awards earlier this year.

Philstar.com spoke to Yun-chang before a screening of the film in a Taguig mall for his thoughts on whether screen projects can be truly faithful adaptations of webtoons or manhwa, given that they are different media.

Yun-chang used “My Daughter is a Zombie” as an example and recalled how director Pil Gam-sung enjoyed the webtoon and tried to reflect the artist’s identity in the movie out of respect.

He acknowledged that some internal details had to be altered, such as how the zombies talked or danced. In the webtoon, it comes off as a gag, but not so much in the movie.

“[Gam-sung] tried to keep the tone of my comic style. Of course, it’s possible in a comic but hard to put it in a video,” Yun-chang continued in Korean. “Nevertheless, it led to good reviews.”

The artist also admitted that there was sadness and disappointment the film didn’t fully look into some themes from his original webtoon.

He noted how the movie highlights Jung-suk’s Lee Jung-hwan role as a father, but the manhwa dives more into Jung-hwan as an individual.

The webtoon sees Jung-hwan giving up his youth, relationships, marriage, and sometimes birthdays to raise his sister’s child Lee Soo-ah, whereas in the film Soo-ah (the young Yu-ri) is Jung-hwan’s actual daughter.

“In my work those things were resolved but in the movie, they were completely erased,” Yun-chang lamented in Korean as webtoon readers actually understood Jung-hwan’s struggles. “I know that it was a choice to be made not to depict it in a two-hour movie.”

The illustrator remains optimistic though as the screen adaptation gave a wider audience for his work, letting him feel like he’s doing well at his craft.

He expressed gratitude that the movie revived his webtoon five years after it was first published, humorously comparing it to zombies coming back to life, and that he profitted from the film’s massive earnings.

“‘My Daughter is a Zombie’ is like my own child that makes me proud for giving me so much,” Yun-chang ended in Korean.

Unemployment went up in June as more Filipinos entered the workforce, but not enough jobs were available to absorb them, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In a press conference, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said results of the PSA’s Labor Force Survey showed the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.9 percent in June from the previous month’s 4.8 percent and 3.7 percent in the same month last year.

This translated to 2.59 million jobless Filipinos in June, up from 2.50 million in May and 1.95 million in June 2025.

He attributed the increase in unemployment to higher labor force participation.

The labor force participation rate was at 65.1 percent in June, up from 63.8 percent in the previous month, but lower than the 65.7 percent posted in June 2025.

This translates to 53.25 million Filipinos aged 15 years and over who were in the labor force in June, up from 52.13 million in the previous month and 52.42 million in June 2025.

While the number of Filipinos in the labor force increased, Mapa said ‘many of them, unfortunately, were unemployed.’

Chinabank Research said the increase in labor force participation was likely driven by rising costs.

‘Higher living costs likely encouraged more Filipinos to seek work. However, job creation has not kept pace, particularly among those aged 15 to 24, resulting in a higher unemployment rate,’ it said.

The employment rate declined to 95.1 percent in June from the previous month’s 95.2 percent and 96.3 percent in June last year.

In terms of magnitude, an estimated 50.66 million Filipinos were employed in June, up from the previous month’s 49.63 million and the 50.47 million employed in June 2025.

The underemployment rate rose to 12.1 percent in June from 11.4 percent in June 2025, but lower than the 12.2 percent rate last May.

There were 6.11 million underemployed, or those who want additional work hours or an additional job, in June. This is higher than the previous month’s 6.04 million and 5.76 million in June last year.

Sectors with the largest month-on-month increase in employment in June were agriculture and forestry (453,000), other service activities (437,000), public administration and defense (393,000), wholesale and retail trade (213,000) and education (150,000).

Meanwhile, those which saw the biggest month-on-month job cuts were fishing and aquaculture, manufacturing, mining and quarrying, human health and social work activities and accommodation and food service activities.

Chinabank Research said that employment growth remains concentrated in hotels and restaurants, the public sector and the business process outsourcing industry.

‘Meanwhile, agriculture and construction continue to face headwinds from El Niño and possibly higher minimum wages,’ it said.

The Mix Hoopers led the opening day winners of the D’Generals Basketball Club Season 4: Camaraderie Cup at the Aulga City Sports in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City.

Ruben Laraga tallied 12 points with four rebounds and five assists to power the Mix Hoopers to a 72-49 thrashing of Rise Up.

Laraga, who was named Jackermz Best Player of the Game, was backed up by Junrey Nebres with eight points, 10 rebounds, and three assists.

On the other hand, Michael Nicole Tabas fired 19 points on top of five rebounds and three assists while Andrei Reyes added 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists as the Gunners gunned down StillandMotion, 81-70.

In the other results, Lightsout whipped the Iron Bull, 84-73, while Go Hard escaped Blitz with a 76-73 win.

Gene Bayonita paced Lightsout with 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists to become the Shoe-Ice Best Player of the Game. Hurvy Pegarido also made his presence felt with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists.

Feljun Cebes showed the way for Go Hard with 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists followed by John Mark Cañeda with 11 points, three rebounds, and six assists.

The chief of the first district engineering office in Camarines Sur has been relieved from his post in connection with a recent road accident in the town of Del Gallego.

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon announced the relief of the official during an inspection of local flood control projects in Naga City.

Dizon was accompanied by Mayor Leni Robredo during the inspection.

He said the Department of Public Works and Highways would enforce strict accountability on field officials and private contractors who compromise public safety.

The accident at a construction site in Barangay Magais was blamed on the absence of warning signages, hazard devices and safety barriers.

Dizon warned that private contractors involved in the project would face administrative sanctions and potential criminal charges as it is their responsibility to put up correct safety signages.

Inflation is expected to remain elevated in the coming months despite easing for a third straight month in July, keeping pressure on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to further raise interest rates, economists said.

Nomura economists Euben Paracuelles and Nabila Amani said the latest inflation reading is unlikely to change the BSP’s tightening stance, although it supports a gradual approach to further rate increases.

‘We reiterate our forecast for BSP to hike by another 50 basis points this year, delivered in 25-basis-point clips over each of the next two meetings, August and October,’ they said in a report.

Nomura said the central bank would likely remain concerned about underlying price pressures and upside risks arising from volatile crude oil prices, higher-than-expected wage increases and the prospect of a strong El Niño.

Headline inflation eased to 6.2 percent in July from 6.4 percent in June, marking the third consecutive month of slower price increases after inflation peaked at 7.2 percent in April.

The July print brought the seven-month average to five percent, still above the BSP’s two to four percent target range.

While Nomura believes headline inflation has already peaked, it said underlying price pressures could continue to rise as the effects of earlier energy price increases spread to other goods and services.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items, slowed to 4.2 percent in July from 4.4 percent in June. However, Nomura said the decline was largely driven by lower education fees, which could prove temporary.

Other components sensitive to energy costs, including food services, recreation and accommodation, continued to record faster price increases.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri said inflation would likely stay elevated for the rest of 2026, with a gradual moderation possible only in the first half of next year.

The outlook remains vulnerable to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which could keep global energy prices high, as well as adverse weather conditions that could disrupt agricultural production and food supply chains.

Rice prices are particularly exposed to El Niño, while recent wage increases could generate second-round effects if companies pass higher labor costs on to consumers.

External developments could also prolong the BSP’s tightening cycle, according to Neri. He said a potential rate increase by the US Federal Reserve could weaken the peso and add to imported inflation, prompting the BSP to respond with another rate hike.

Chinabank Research, meanwhile, offered a less hawkish view, saying the BSP could end its rate-hiking cycle after another adjustment this month.

Chinabank chief economist Domini Velasquez said it was still premature to conclude that inflation was on a sustained downward trend, with price growth expected to accelerate again in the fourth quarter due partly to base effects.

‘Despite this extended rebound, we believe the BSP is likely to end its rate-hiking cycle this month, as second-round inflation effects appear to have largely run their course,’ she said.

However, Velasquez warned that higher-than-expected minimum wage adjustments and increases in public transport fares could prolong inflationary pressures.

Transport inflation eased to 11.9 percent from 12.8 percent, but renewed tensions between the United States and Iran increased oil price volatility. Pending petitions from transport groups seeking jeepney fare increases of P2 to P10 also pose upside risks.

Electricity inflation accelerated to a three-year high of 16.9 percent. Chinabank said power bills could face additional pressure from a higher feed-in tariff allowance, possible supply constraints during a prolonged El Niño and the recent increase in liquefied petroleum gas prices.

Food inflation was steady at 5.3 percent. Rice inflation climbed to a two-year high of 17.1 percent due to unfavorable base effects, even as rice prices declined on a month-on-month basis.

The increase was offset by a sharper decline in meat prices and slower inflation for vegetables. Still, Chinabank said rice would remain a key risk because of its large weight in the consumer price basket and its vulnerability to weather-related supply disruptions.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) on Thursday reopened the Foodland flyover to motorcycles following mounting complaints from motorists and commuters over heavy traffic during the first day of strict enforcement of the Banilad-Talamban (Ban-Tal) Discipline Zone.

The decision came a day after the city fully implemented the new traffic scheme, which drew criticism from motorists who blamed it for worsening congestion along Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue.

CCTO chief Raquel Arce said reopening the flyover for motorcycles is part of the agency’s continuing adjustments as it evaluates the implementation of Oplan Ban-Tal.

‘Nadungog nato ang clamor sa publiko. Ikaduha, we are on the process nga mu-succeed ning Oplan Discipline Zone, so naa tay mga pwedeng usbon, naa tay pwedeng dili usbon, i-strict na siya until we finalize everything,’ Arce said.

Arce said that motorcycles must still use the outermost lane. While riders are now allowed to pass through the flyover, they are required to return to the rightmost lane immediately after descending, and overtaking on the flyover remains strictly prohibited.

The CCTO also reminded motorists to stay within their designated lanes, obey traffic signs, follow the instructions of traffic enforcers, and observe safe driving speeds.

Arce emphasized that reopening the flyover should not be viewed as a failure of the new traffic scheme but as a necessary adjustment to improve its implementation.

‘Mobasa ug mo-execute lang kon unsa’y naa sa signage. Kun ‘No Entry,’ ‘No Entry.’ Kun walay ‘No Entry,’ pwede ra kasulod. I-observe ug i-respeto lang nato kon unsa ang naa nga traffic laws ug enforcers,’ she said.

On the first day of full enforcement on August 5, CCTO personnel issued 115 citation tickets within the Discipline Zone, which covers the stretch from Mambaling to Talamban.

Among the recorded violations were motorcycles crossing solid lane markings, public utility vehicles (PUVs) loading and unloading outside designated lay-bys, and pedestrians jaywalking despite the presence of skywalks and marked crosswalks.

Arce said she did not have the exact number of violations committed on the Foodland flyover but noted that traffic enforcers had apprehended and warned several motorists there.

The Ban-Tal Discipline Zone is Cebu City’s second major traffic management initiative following the pilot implementation of motorcycle lanes at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Mayor Nestor Archival has described the program as part of the city’s broader traffic modernization efforts, which include the installation of artificial intelligence-enabled traffic cameras, stricter enforcement of anti-drunk driving laws, and intensified traffic education campaigns at the community level.

The Gov. M. Cuenco Avenue corridor has long been one of Cebu City’s most congested and accident-prone roads, particularly for motorcycle riders, who account for a significant share of daily traffic violations.

City officials said they will continue monitoring the Ban-Tal Discipline Zone and make further adjustments as needed in an effort to improve traffic flow and road safety along one of Cebu City’s busiest corridors

The battle for the women’s professional crown at the IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu presented by Megaworld on Sunday in Cebu City is shaping up to be every bit as compelling as the stellar men’s race, with Olympian Natalie Van Coevorden spearheading a formidable Australian challenge in what promises to be one of the deepest elite fields in the event’s history.

From decorated Olympians and established IRONMAN campaigners to rising young stars eager for a breakthrough, the women’s competition features an impressive blend of experience, speed and endurance. But with every contender eyeing the coveted title over the grueling 1.9-km swim, 90-km bike and 21-km run, only the athlete capable of mastering Lapu-Lapu’s demanding championship course will emerge victorious.

Van Coevorden headlines the stellar cast. Ranked No. 1 in Oceania and No. 24 in the World Triathlon Series, the 33-year-old from Campbelltown, New South Wales brings elite credentials that include a stint at the Paris Olympic Games. And she is no stranger to Philippine racing either.

Malaysia and the Philippines continue to enjoy strong and expanding economic relations. Last year, according to the Embassy of Malaysia, total bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately $8.32 billion, reaffirming the Philippines as one of Malaysia’s important trading partners in ASEAN.

Malaysia’s major exports to the Philippines are electrical and electronic products, petroleum and palm-oil and palm-oil based products. The Philippines, in turn, exports to Malaysia semiconductors, electrical and electronic products, as well as agricultural and machinery products.

The 2025 bilateral trade figure was about the same level recorded in 2024 at $8.325 billion. Malaysia is the Philippines ninth largest trading partner and its eight largest source of approved foreign investments.

Malaysia has been consistent in promoting trade with us, and just this Wednesday, the Embassy of Malaysia hosted an investment briefing for the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp. (MDEC) in conjunction with DEX Connex 2026, bringing together senior representatives from the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Malaysian technology companies, government agencies and industry stakeholders to explore strategic investment opportunities within the Philippines’ rapidly growing digital economy.

The program highlighted the investment potential of the Luzon Economic Corridor and BCDA’s flagship economic zones, particularly Clark and New Clark City, while showcasing opportunities for Malaysian technology companies to establish a long-term presence in the Philippines through innovation, digital transformation and strategic partnerships.

The event featured presentations by BCDA and BDB Law on the Philippine investment landscape, available fiscal incentives and business establishment opportunities, followed by a networking session and a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Safe Truck and IoT Philippines.

The event was graced by Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, ambassador of Malaysia, and Attorney Gisela Kalalo, executive vice president of BCDA, underscoring the shared commitment of both countries to deepen cooperation in digital innovation and investment.

In her remarks, Attorney Kalalo welcomed the Malaysian delegation and reaffirmed BCDA’s commitment to fostering partnerships with innovative Malaysian companies seeking to establish a presence in the Philippines.

Ambassador Abdul Malik, in response, emphasized that the digital economy has become one of the defining pillars of ASEAN’s future growth and competitiveness which offers unprecedented opportunities for Malaysia and the Philippines to strengthen collaboration in emerging technologies, innovation and digital investment.

According to the Malaysian envoy, ‘Malaysia does not view the Philippines simply as another export market. We see the Philippines as a strategic partner in building ASEAN’s digital future. By combining Malaysia’s technological capabilities with the Philippines’ dynamic market, highly skilled workforce and ambitious digital transformation agenda, we can create partnerships that generate lasting economic value, strengthen regional competitiveness and contribute toward a more resilient and digitally connected ASEAN.’

He noted that the Philippines has emerged as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising digital economies, driven by a young and digitally connected population, a globally competitive English-speaking workforce and strong government support for digitalization. He also highlighted that initiatives such as the LEC represent a new generation of economic development that integrates world-class logistics, smart infrastructure, innovation districts and digital connectivity, creating attractive platforms for technology-driven investments.

The Malaysian delegation, spearheaded by MDEC, included representatives from leading Malaysian technology companies IDmeta Sdn. Bhd., WAHDAH Technologies Sdn. Bhd., Snappymob Sdn. Bhd., Theta Service Partner Sdn. Bhd., Eco Community Sdn. Bhd. and Safe Truck.

The companies represent a diverse range of expertise, including digital identity, software engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise digitalization, smart mobility, sustainability technologies and digital platforms, reflecting Malaysia’s growing capabilities as one of ASEAN’s leading digital economies.

Malaysia remains committed to supporting the internationalization of Malaysian companies and strengthening economic diplomacy with the Philippines.

Through close collaboration with MDEC, Malaysia External Trade Development Corp. and Philippine partners, Malaysia continues to facilitate business engagements that lead to deeper bilateral economic ties, increased digital investment and enhanced cooperation in emerging technology sectors.

The investment briefing is part of Malaysia’s continuing effort to strengthen Malaysia-Philippines economic relations and reinforces both countries’ shared aspiration to build a more innovative, digitally connected and resilient ASEAN. By fostering closer collaboration between governments, industry and technology innovators, the initiative is expected to create new opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange and sustainable economic growth in both countries.

Last year, the Philippines and Malaysia signed an MOU between the Philippine Guarantee Corp. (PHILGUARANTEE) and the Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industries that laid the groundwork for more small and medium Malaysian businesses to do business in the Philippines in the export sector, housing and real estate, infrastructure and even in the financial and renewable energy sectors.

By tapping PHILGUARANTEE, a government-owned corporation under the Department of Finance that extends credit guarantees to businesses, Malaysian companies were allowed to access local financing and reduce their investment risks. Filipino companies that do business in Malaysia can tap the Credit Guarantee Corp. Malaysia Berhad.

Among the Malaysian companies that have invested and already do business in the Philippines are Malaysia’s biggest conglomerate, Berjaya Corp. BHD and Malaysian banks Maybank and CIMB.

Berjaya has been in the Philippines for more than 20 years with a total investment of more than P10 billion. It has investments in hotels, sanitary landfill and in the lottery business – specifically supplying the technology for lottery operations.

The Berjaya Group, through its hotel chain Berjaya Hotels and Resorts, owns and operates the Berjaya Makati Hotel along Makati Avenue. It also invested more than P1 billion in the Floridablanca Enviro Corp. sanitary landfill in Pampanga, and had indicated that it would invest in putting up sanitary landfills.

Berjaya also has an investment in Pinoy Lotto Technology Corp. which provides technical support to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Corp. or PCSO’s lotto operations.

Bureau of Customs officials and personnel caught stealing confiscated cigarettes will be dealt with under the BOC’s one-strike policy.

Erring personnel will be relieved from service and face administrative, civil and criminal proceedings, BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said.

Seized cigarettes cannot be transferred, relocated or disposed of without his prior written approval.

Nepomuceno received reports of attempts to steal seized goods in the BOC’s custody.

He directed the Internal Administration Group to submit recommendations to safeguard confiscated illicit cigarettes in all ports.

‘Every confiscated cigarette… is part of the evidence in our continuing campaign to protect the government’s revenue and the public. We will not allow anyone to steal these items while these are in the government’s custody,’ Nepomuceno said

When one heaves a long breath to exhale, it relieves all the tension. That is what retirement should be all about. However, in our country, where our social security system is still in dire need of boosting, the prospect of being jobless, insurance-less and aged stares an average Filipino senior citizen in the eye.

We have 11 million Filipinos who have reached 60 and above. I would like to think that that is a positive sign wherein 9.6% of our population are within the senior status. That means that the survival rate of senior citizens after employment or in fact after 60 still ranks high with women noted to have reached 80 to 82 years old and men to live to their late 70s on the average. The outliers reach even to a hundred and more, and if blessed with good health, their comprehension and mobility continues to make them conversant, and productive.

And this is where the tugging begins with the expected escalation in maintenance medicines and other health concerns the country has to really catch up with the demand for health care and social needs of the aged.

In an article, in the Philippine News Today by Jennifer T. Santos, Philippine Statistics Authority Chief Claire Dennis Mapa was quoted to say that ‘with the increasing longevity comes greater demand for health care, social protection, and income security.’

Although this sounds to some like a dark cloud over one’s head, we have to laud the efforts of government to try, in spite of our struggling economy to provide better health care services for most, if not all.

But it is useless to ponder on what we don’t have. It will only add to the stress and in fact lessen the life expectancy of some.

Republic Act No. 9994 or the expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provides for what is enjoyed now by the elderly where they have 20% discounts in selected essentials, travel, and food as well as exemption from the value added tax, that I know most of the senior citizens just trust the restaurant to apply in their consumption, which, sadly is not often the case. Plus, in our culture where we do not want any fuss, only a few really question the bill. But that is a right and a law.

I would like to commend those restaurants and outlets who take pains to give the needed discounts even if their accounting later on will have to do their balancing on record when the store closes. It may seem like added work. But if a system is online, things just go smoothly. It is doable if the conscience to respect that part of the law is done accurately.

Moreso, I also like to think that as citizens, whether young or old, that respect for the humanity prevails.

I like the computation example given in the March 8, 2026 article of Respicio and Co., a law firm in the country that simplifies the computation of VAT exemption as just taking away the VAT amount before deducting the 20% cost on the item purchased that is VAT exempt.

Most point of sales (POS) systems already have this in their registers, but some still have not applied this and if you are not conscious, you end up still paying more with the VAT amount included.

Now, there is this new program of Philhealth called YAKAP short for Yaman at Kalusugan that covers primary health care consultations and health risk assessments. It also carried with it 75 essential outpatient medicines worth P20,000. Now, before your think that this is for life, this assistance is given per beneficiary to a maximum of that amount for one year only. After which you can once again avail of that benefit in the next year.

This is a good start. At least there is a little relief for those who are waiting to exhale.