Category: Philippine Star

You birthed and raised nine children but lost four of them. You have seen and felt how they treated you. In your eyes there were differences, huge and small and many more in between, but in your heart they were all your same children. A mother does not choose one child over the other, but children only have one mother they choose to either leave or live with. You became a widow for almost two decades, but you did not feel his absence in the presence of your children and grandchildren.

You said it was easy for you to give birth to any of your children, but you never said it was hard to raise them, even if it was harder in reality. None of the difficult part was however written on your face, you must have kept them deep inside your heart. You never worried about anything, you just wanted to look fresh and beautiful, even if life turned ugly, and the people around you uglier.

You too were not perfect, but you perfected the art of being funny. How, by not trying to be, by not even knowing it. Although some of your unwitting jokes were mean, you did not mean them. Even if you did, you didn’t know it was cutting. Regardless, you brought laughter to those who sense your accidental humor, you even wondered why. You had the most stinging retorts. When your children complained about their physical imperfections, you told them they can’t blame you for their complexion.

You survived the world war but only had fond memories of it. You did not recall fearing the enemies, you only remember outsmarting them. You survived the crowned virus but did not even know you had it. You saw several presidents but you focused on who was the prettiest first lady. You did not worry about the darkest hours of the country’s democracy, you only compared the ostentatious lady and the woman of simplicity.

You lived long enough, up to 99 years and two months to be exact. But in the last five months, your health suddenly went downhill, you suffered discomfort and pain. You were too weak to even complain, but too strong to last that long. Even when you were about to be pronounced dead, you still held on for a few more minutes. Too short a time to say goodbye, but too long a time to watch you die. Thank you mama, for the joy and privilege of being your son. I was your baby in the beginning, you became mine in the end.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson has brushed off what he described as Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s attempt to deflect brewing investigations against him.

Instead of a probe into questionable projects in his political stronghold of Taguig, Cayetano suggested that Lacson should be the one facing an inquiry for using his position to target critics.

Flagging illegal reclamation activities in portions of Laguna de Bay and infrastructure projects in Taguig, Lacson asserted that the pushback is a result of his efforts to expose corrupt public officials.

Lacson earlier proposed the forfeiture of illegally reclaimed areas.

When you combine prolonged sun exposure, city pollution, late nights and daily stress, the skin can become dull and lose its smooth healthy bounce-regardless of the preferred skincare-and it’s not just the surface.

‘When you’re stressed, your body produces cortisol,’ verifies Dr. Vanika Viardo-Enriquez, who explains how the hormone affects the skin’s internal mechanisms. ‘This leads your skin to have an inflammatory response that strips your skin of natural moisturizing factors, leading to dry skin and collagen breakdown. That’s how your skin is producing more fine lines and visible wrinkles.’

With skincare becoming more intentional, serums have emerged to be essential-delivering targeted results from brightening to repair. For sensitive skin, however, the same high-performance ingredients that promise visible transformation can lead to irritation, discomfort or imbalance.

The next-gen antioxidant serum for sensitive skin

As the no.1 dermatologist-recommended skincare brand for sensitive skin, Cetaphil understands this balance better than anyone. It’s not just about efficacy-it’s about creating solutions that work with the skin, not against it. The new Cetaphil Advance Defense Serum and Cetaphil Repair and Renew Serum are derm-certified formulations with Gallic-AOX PowerS, Cetaphil’s advanced antioxidant complex.

By combining gallic acid and Vitamin E, these serums are designed to help sensitive skin defend against daily stressors while supporting its natural repair process.

What makes this combination of ingredients so effective, says Dr. Bea Chan, is that it compliments other ingredients like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid. ‘If you only had Gallic-AOX by itself, you are just protecting a broken system. These three are the ultimate shields in skin care,’ she adds.

By day, the Cetaphil Advanced Defense Serum acts as an invisible shield-helping skin feel hydrated, resilient and better prepared to face environmental stressors throughout the day.

By night, the Cetaphil Repair and Renew Serum supports recovery by restoring what’s been depleted as-improving texture, enhancing radiance and bringing skin back to a more balanced, healthy state while you rest.

Dr. Gaile Robredo-Vitas adds that it is important to use the products together, and at the time marked specifically for each product type.

‘Your daytime products should be focused on protection, and your nighttime products should be on repair and renewal. If you don’t use them when you should, it won’t do anything for your skin. Focus on what your skin needs at the time of the day,’ she clarifies.

With Gallic-AOX PowerS, Cetaphil ushers in a new era of antioxidant care-where sensitive skin no longer has to choose between performance and comfort, but finally experiences both.

The Social Security System (SSS) has raised its stake in Century Properties Group. Inc. (CPG) of the Antonio family to nearly 10 percent with the acquisition of additional common shares.

Following its initial acquisition of 740.74 million common shares in July 2025, SSS’ ownership interest in CPG has now increased to about 9.9 percent from 6.4 percent.

The latest transaction was completed through a block sale executed via the Philippine Stock Exchange, in compliance with applicable regulatory and disclosure requirements.

CPG said the increased investment of SSS represents a strong vote of confidence in the company’s fundamentals, governance, growth strategy and shareholder return profile.

The company said it also affirms continued conviction in its Twin Engine Strategy, which combines PHirst’s affordable first-home platform with CPG’s premium residential portfolio.

‘We are deeply honored by SSS’s continued confidence in Century Properties Group. This additional investment recognizes the strength of our fundamentals, our long-term strategy and our commitment to deliver sustainable value to shareholders,’ CPG president and CEO Marco Antonio said.

‘We will continue to focus on catering to the end-user market, thereby allowing us to pay a steady and healthy stream of dividends to our shareholders, while keeping our debt profile at moderate levels,’ he said.

From a capital markets perspective, CPG chief financial officer and head of investor relations Rodel Marqueses said SSS’ additional investment is a clear endorsement of CPG’s fundamentals, governance standards, financial discipline and shareholder return profile.

The Cebu provincial government has expanded its medical scholarship program to 72 beneficiaries, extending financial assistance to more students whose previous scholarship grants had been discontinued.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro announced the expansion on Monday during the opening of the month-long celebration of Cebu Province’s 457th Founding Anniversary, where the Capitol formally welcomed the medical scholars from the Cebu Normal University-Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (CNU-VSMMC).

The expanded program now covers 42 first-year students, 22 second-year students and eight third-year students.

The additional beneficiaries include continuing medical students who earlier lost scholarship support.

According to Capitol’s Public Health Consultant Dr. Nikki Catalan, the province initially committed to supporting 40 out of the first 50 medical students admitted under the program.

“So the initial commitment was 40 out of 50 nila ka students. And then pag agi ani na mga months, we found out pud nga naa silay eight ka third year and 22 ka second year nga nawad-an og scholarship,” Catalan said.

She said the provincial government later decided to include the affected students after determining that the arrangement would also benefit the province through an earlier return of service.

“In this conversation we found nga mas beneficial pud sa province kay mas dali man sila mabalik pud as return of service nila. So nikuha nalang pud mi nila so from 40 the total commitment is 72 na medical scholars,” she added.

Addressing the scholars, Baricuatro assured them of the provincial government’s continued support as they pursue their medical education.

“I wish you well in your studies. The Cebu Province has your back,” the governor said.

The scholarship program traces its roots to the tripartite agreement signed in February between the Cebu Provincial Government, Cebu Normal University (CNU) and Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

The agreement was created to provide financial assistance to qualified medical students from Cebu Province who were not covered by the Commission on Higher Education’s Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program.

Under the scholarship, every year of financial assistance corresponds to one year of return service after the scholars obtain their medical degree and physician’s license.

The scholars will eventually serve in the province’s 16 Capitol-run hospitals, helping address the demand for doctors in government health facilities.

Catalan said the provincial government intends to institutionalize the scholarship beginning next year. She added, the scholarship program will be funded this year through the Office of the Governor since no ordinance has yet been enacted for the initiative.

She added that the Capitol is working with Board Member Stanley Caminero, chairman of the Provincial Board’s committee on health, to establish a separate budget line item beginning next year to ensure the program’s continuity.

Each scholar will receive approximately P150,000 worth of assistance annually, including an allowance.

Catalan also described the initiative as the first time the Cebu Provincial Government has directly invested in a medical school scholarship program.

“It’s really planting the seeds, it’s long term atong gitan-aw nga way beyond Gov Pam’s time nga naa jud tay long term nga pipeline nga doctors,” she said.

She noted that the province’s pool of doctors has already increased from 177 to around 382 under the current administration, with the scholarship expected to further strengthen the healthcare workforce in the coming years.

Catalan said scholars who complete their medical education and pass the physician licensure examination will no longer need to apply for positions in provincial hospitals, as they will automatically be given slots under their return service obligation.

“And then while they’re serving with us, they can avail of the practice-based residency programs that we have. That’s about two to three years. So while they’re serving with us, they can potentially also get a residency program out of it,” she said.

The tournament favorites lived up to expectations, turning in commanding performances to book their places in the quarterfinals of the NGAP Match Play Championship Thursday at the demanding Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Stroke play qualifying champion Rolando Bregente and runner-up Shinichi Suzuki led the charge, each posting convincing victories as the championship shifted from medal play to the pressure-packed knockout format.

Bregente, who topped the 36-hole stroke play elims to earn medal honors, disposed of Ronel Taga-an, 3and2, to arrange a quarterfinal showdown with Bobe Salahog, who survived one of the day’s closest contests, edging Mhark Fernando III, 1-up, after a tense back-and-forth duel.

Suzuki, who finished second to Bregente in qualifying, was equally impressive, defeating Geoffrey Tan, 3and1, to advance against Jed Dy, who likewise weathered a tight battle before eliminating Singapore’s Lukeshvarunaa Elangkovan, 2and1, on the softened Luisita layout.

Third seed Jet Hernandez also stayed on track in his bid for a rare sweep of the NGAP’s premier men’s titles. Fresh from his dominant victory in last week’s Stroke Play Championship at Pradera Verde, Hernandez overwhelmed Alexis Nailga, 5and4, to earn a Last-Eight clash with rising talent Ralph Batican.

The young Del Monte standout matched Hernandez’s dominant form, dispatching Jacob Casuga, 5and3, to complete one of the marquee quarterfinal pairings.

The remaining quarterfinal berths went to Emilio Hernandez and Jacob Rolida. Hernandez defeated Edison Tabalin, 3and1, while Rolida turned back Patrick Tambalque, 3and2.

Quarterfinal matches were being played at press time.

In the women’s division, Lisa Sarines emerged victorious in the much-anticipated sibling showdown, defeating twin sister and ICTSI teammate Mona Sarines, 3and2, to advance to the semifinals. Awaiting her is Precious Zaragosa, who turned in one of the day’s most decisive performances with a 4and3 rout of Ally Gaccion.

Tashanah Balangauan also secured a semifinal berth after grinding out a 2and1 victory over Nicole Gan. She will face top seed Grace Quintanilla, who needed 19 holes to finally put away the gritty Brittany Tamayo in the tournament’s lone extra-hole match.

Local executives in Basilan belonging to the Bangsamoro Federalist Party and their vice governor have pledged support to police and military efforts to ensure orderly September 14 Bangsamoro regional polls to disprove notions that their province is an election hotspot.

Basilan is one of the provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, whose territory also encompasses Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Lamitan, Marawi and Cotabato, where its regional capitol is located.

Radio reports on Thursday, August 6, stated the local officials, the mayors Roderick Furigay of Lamitan City, Kaiser Hataman of Maluso, Jaydeefar Lajid of Al-Barka, Moner Manisan of Tabuan Lasa, Arsina Kahing Nano of Hadji Muhtamad, Arcam Istarul of Tipo-Tipo, Talib Pawaki of Mohammad Ajul, Jomar Maturan of Ungkaya Pukan, Nasser Abubakar of Lantawan, Vice Mayor Super Kalang of Tuburan and Vice Gov. Hadjiman Salliman, agreed, during a meeting in Isabela City, Basilan on Tuesday, to cooperate in ensuring safe and clean elections in their province on September 14.

The vice president of the Basilan chapter of the Philippine Councilors League, Alfarouck Alfad, a town councilor in Tabuan Lasa, and Suraija Reina Hataman, a candidate of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party for one of the parliamentary seats in the province, were also present in the peace dialogue.

They reportedly agreed then to fuse ranks and help push forward the election security missions in their province of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, the Basilan Provincial Police Office and the Commission on Elections.

Bangsamoro Parliament Member Naguib Sinarimbo, regional spokesperson of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, told reporters on Thursday that their party mates in other BARMM provinces and in its three cities shall also assure, via public statements, of their commitment to abide by election laws during the September 14 first-ever regional polls in the autonomous region.

The Bangsamoro Federalist Party, which has chapters in all of the provinces and cities in BARMM, is one of the political parties that the Comelec has allowed to field candidates for the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament.

“We in our party want the September 14 regional elections to be peaceful and clean,” the lawyer Sinarimbo, Cotabato City chapter president of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, said.

Officials of two other equally well-organized parties, the Bangsamoro Party of the Moro National Liberation Front, most known as the Bapa Party, and the Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo, separately told reporters on Thursday that their candidates for the region’s lawmaking body are ready to sign peace covenants, along with rivals in other partisan blocs, manifesting their desire for safe and credible September 14 elections in BARMM.

‘All of our members and supporters across the autonomous region want the first-ever parliamentary elections in the Bangsamoro region to be written in history as one held peacefully and cleanly,’ said the president of the Bapa Party, Regional Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF.

The MNLF forged a final peace pact with the government on September 2, 1996, brokered by the influential Organization of Islamic Cooperation, a bloc of more than 50 Muslim countries, including wealthy petroleum-exporting states in the Middle East and North Africa.

Presently, the MNLF has appointed representatives to the 80-member BARMM parliament and is also helping oversee the public service thrusts of several ministries and support agencies under the autonomous regional government, whose operations center is in Cotabato City.

Almost, indeed, is not enough.

Chezka Centeno rallied back from two sets down but fell short against Margarita Fefilova, 1-4, 0-4, 4-1, 4-0, 0-4, in the Banca del Fucino WPA Women’s 10-ball world championship final Thursday evening (Manila time) at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Rome, Italy.

The defending champion Centeno tried to push for a reverse sweep after dropping the first two sets, but could not complete the come-from-behind rally in a heartbreaking finish.

After the Filipina cue artist erased the Belarusian’s lead, 2-all, Fefilova displayed remarkable steadiness in the first game of the fifth set to take a 1-0 lead.

The two players then had a hard time in the second game, especially with the 2-ball.

Centeno eventually connected, and she sank consecutive balls. However, she missed on the bank, which turned the tide as Fefilova was able to finish off the rack and take a massive 2-0 lead.

In the third game, the Filipina had costly errors – first, a shot that resulted in a foul on the 4-ball, then getting the safety wrong on the 5-ball – which ultimately led to Fefilova reaching the hill.

While Centeno showed signs of life in the fourth game, Fefilova cleared the rack late to grab the victory.

Still, it was a run to remember for Centeno, who would have won her third crown in the event.

The 27-year-old pride of Zamboanga won the 8-ball trophy just a week ago.

With the upcoming rocket test launch in Cagayan, the Philippines is leveraging its location near the equator to attract global satellite providers and space launch companies.

‘When you are near the equator, you save on rocket fuel,’ Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda said at yesterday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum.

‘Cagayan is strategic because of its existing infrastructure and proximity to big bodies of water. This launch puts us on the map for other satellite providers to consider us as a partner,’ he added.

While full economic returns may take several years to materialize, establishing a sovereign launch capability is vital to supporting the government’s digital connectivity agenda, Aguda said.

He said satellite communications are crucial during disasters, citing Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology that provided emergency connectivity to 700,000 residents in Mindanao after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake knocked down cellular towers.

The demonstration flight will be the first liquid-fueled sounding rocket to be launched from the Philippines.

Choosing Cagayan as the site of the launch was based on geoeconomic strategy, according to Katrina Ponce Enrile, administrator and chief executive officer of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

The CEZA manages the freeport zone where the space port will be established.

Tropical Storm Maymay (international name: Kujira) moved over Bangued, Abra on Thursday morning after making landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur before dawn, PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Thursday, August 6, the state weather bureau said Maymay was carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center, gusts of up to 110 kph and a central pressure of 998 hectopascals.

The tropical storm is moving eastward at 10 kph.

Wind signals

The following areas are under Signal No. 2:

Ilocos Norte

northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santiago, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Sinait, Suyo, Sigay, San Ildefonso, Galimuyod, Quirino, City of Vigan, San Emilio, Cabugao, Caoayan, San Juan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan and Salcedo)

western portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao and Calanasan)

Abra

western and central portions of Kalinga (Pasil, Tinglayan, Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pinukpuk, City of Tabuk and Tanudan)

western and central portions of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Bauko, Sagada, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sadanga, Barlig and Natonin)

Under Signal No. 2, gale-force winds of 62 to 88 kph may be experienced within 24 hours, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, the following areas are under Signal No. 1:

rest of Ilocos Sur

La Union

northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Bolinao, Anda and Bani)

rest of Apayao

rest of Kalinga

rest of Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

southern portion of the Babuyan Islands (Calayan Island, Dalupiri Island, Fuga Island and Camiguin Island)

mainland Cagayan

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan and Dipaculao)

Under Signal No. 1, strong winds of 39 to 61 kph may be experienced within 36 hours, posing minimal to minor threats to life and property.

PAGASA said the southwest monsoon and the outer circulation of Maymay will continue to bring strong to gale-force wind gusts over most parts of the country through Saturday, particularly in coastal and upland areas.

Heavy rainfall

PAGASA said Tropical Storm Maymay and the southwest monsoon (habagat) will continue to bring heavy rainfall over parts of Luzon in the coming days.

Thursday, August 6

Tropical Storm Maymay

100-200 mm: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet and Pangasinan

50-100 mm: Ilocos Norte, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga and Bulacan

Southwest monsoon or habagat

50-100 mm: Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro

Friday, August 7 – Habagat

100-200 mm: Occidental Mindoro

50-100 mm: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas and Antique

Saturday, August 8 – Habagat

100-200 mm: Zambales, Bataan, La Union, Benguet and Occidental Mindoro

50-100 mm: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas and Antique

PAGASA warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides remain possible, particularly in areas highly susceptible to these hazards. The weather bureau also reminded the public that heavy rainfall may still occur outside the forecast track of the tropical cyclone.

Sea conditions

A gale warning remains in effect over the western seaboard of Northern Luzon.

Very rough seas of up to 4.5 meters are forecast over the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, western Ilocos Norte and northern Batanes. Sea travel is risky for all types of vessels, and mariners are advised to remain in port or seek shelter.

Rough seas of up to 4 meters are expected over the remaining seaboards of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands and the northeastern coast of mainland Cagayan. Seas of up to 3 meters are also forecast over the remaining seaboards of Ilocos Norte and mainland Cagayan, the eastern coasts of Isabela and northeastern Aurora, and the western seaboards of Zambales, Bataan and northwestern Occidental Mindoro.

PAGASA advised operators of small vessels and motor bancas not to venture out to sea in areas with rough seas and to take precautionary measures in areas with moderate sea conditions.

Track, intensity

PAGASA said Maymay will continue crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern and Central Luzon before emerging over the eastern coastal waters of Isabela or Cagayan.

The tropical storm is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression later Thursday morning and may further weaken into a remnant low by Thursday afternoon or evening. However, PAGASA said its interaction with the rugged terrain could cause it to weaken earlier than forecast.

The remnant low is expected to move generally southeastward before merging with the larger circulation of Tropical Cyclone Dolphin.