Category: Philippine Star

In a span of a week, Filipina pool wizard Chezka Centeno could end up with a second world title.

And it could come from the Banca del Fucino WPA Women’s World 10-Ball Championship in Rome, Italy where, the 27-year-old Zamboanga City native, who just claimed her breakthrough world 8-ball crown in Wisconsin in the United States, earned that golden chance.

Centeno dumped South Korean Seo Seoa – the reigning world 9-ball champion – in an emphatic 4-0, 4-0, 4-3 result Wednesday night to set up a title showdown with US-based Belarusian Magarita Fefilova, a 4-2, 4-3, 4-3 winner over Chinese Taipei’s Chou Chieh-Yu.

If she wins it, it will also be Centeno’s third crown in the event that would give her the distinction as the most titled in 10-ball ahead of countrywoman Rubilen Amit, who has two.

Amit tried herself at attempting at writing history by surviving the loser’s bracket and gatecrashing into the quarterfinals before eventually being denied by Seo in a stinging 4-2, 4-1, 4-3 setback last Tuesday.

Good thing Centeno avenged Amit by eliminating Seo.

‘Just focus only, just inhale and exhale,’ said Centeno.

When Centeno seized the world 8-ball trophy a week ago, she was quick to dedicate the triumph to her late mom, who passed away last May.

Expect her to use that motivation again when she shoots to win another one.

A bettor from Camarines Sur won the jackpot in the 6/49 Super Lotto drawn on Tuesday night, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

The player correctly guessed the six-digit winning combination 11-20-12-36-44-26, which had a total jackpot prize of P25.18 million.

Eleven other players won P118,181.81 each for picking five of the six-digit winning combination.

Lotto winnings above P10,000 are subject to a 20-percent tax deduction as provided under the law.

Robbie Antonio, one of the Philippines’ best-known luxury property developers, expects the country’s next real estate growth cycle to be driven by industrial and digital infrastructure rather than high-end residential projects, prompting him to diversify into data centers, logistics-linked developments, hotels and affordable housing.

Antonio, whose name has become synonymous with luxury branded residential projects in the Philippines, said future investments will span luxury homes, resorts, hotels, retail developments and affordable housing, while expanding into office buildings, industrial parks and data centers-segments expected to benefit from accelerating digitalization, manufacturing investments and government infrastructure spending.

His outlook reflects a shift across the country’s property sector, where developers are diversifying portfolios as the residential market stabilizes and demand strengthens for logistics, commercial and digital infrastructure.

‘The next stage of Philippine real estate will be defined by assets that create lasting economic value,’ Antonio said. ‘Buildings should do more than occupy space. They should shape communities, remain relevant over time and respond to how people and businesses evolve.’

Antonio built his reputation by pioneering branded luxury residences in the Philippines through collaborations with globally recognized architects and fashion houses, including The Centurion in Manhattan with I.M. Pei, Essensa East Forbes in Bonifacio Global City, The Milano Residences with Versace Home, Acqua Private Residences’ Livingston Tower with Missoni Home and Iguazu Tower with YOO by Starck, and Century Spire in Makati designed by Daniel Libeskind with Armani/Casa interiors.

While design remains central to his philosophy, Antonio said the next investment cycle requires a broader focus on sectors that support long-term economic expansion.

‘There are easier ways to build,’ he said. ‘But I’ve seen what happens when you begin with clarity, work with the best people in their fields and create developments that can stand the test of time.’

His strategy comes as the Philippines enters what he sees as a new phase of urban development. The Marcos administration continues to roll out major transport, airport and logistics projects under the ‘Build Better More’ program while expanding opportunities for private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPP), improving connectivity across emerging investment corridors.

Industry indicators point to improving market fundamentals. Residential demand has begun recovering as condominium inventories gradually decline, while office leasing has strengthened on sustained demand from information technology-business process management companies and global capability centers.

At the same time, data centers have emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing real estate segments, fueled by cloud computing, artificial intelligence and rising digital consumption.

Antonio believes these structural trends will redefine investment priorities over the next decade.

‘The opportunity is no longer confined to residential developments,’ he said. ‘Industrial facilities, digital infrastructure, hospitality and integrated communities will become increasingly important as the Philippine economy expands.’

His confidence is underpinned by more than three decades in property development. Antonio has participated in 93 projects covering more than 71 million square feet of gross floor area, including 33 high-rise developments and 26 residential communities that delivered over 17,700 condominium units.

Rather than concentrating on a single asset class, Antonio said his investment strategy is anchored on sectors that can benefit from sustained urbanization, industrialization and technological transformation.

‘Real estate is ultimately a long-term business,’ he said. ‘The challenge is to build assets that retain value, respond to genuine demand and contribute to the long-term growth of cities.’

His expansion coincides with the Philippines’ push to establish itself as a regional manufacturing and technology hub, supported by investments in semiconductor production, artificial intelligence infrastructure, logistics networks and industrial corridors-developments expected to generate new demand for industrial, commercial and digital real estate in the years ahead.

A local court has suspended Cagayan Vice Gov. Manuel Mamba for 90 days as he is facing trial for alleged violation of Republic Act (RA) 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

In a five-page ruling dated July 28, Judge Felix Salvador of the Batac Regional Trial Court Branch 17 granted a motion filed by the complainants – Cagayan third district Rep. Joseph Lara, his wife Zarah and their lawyer Victorio Casuay – to suspend Mamba.

The court denied Mamba’s motion to quash the information.

The court said the suspension is allowed under Section 13 of RA 3019 once a valid information is filed and an arrest warrant is issued against the defendant.

The suspension does not necessarily constitute a finding of guilt, but is intended to prevent the defendant from intimidating witnesses, and tampering with records and pieces of evidence.

Records showed that on March 26, the RTC found probable cause to charge Mamba for allegedly violating Section 3(f) of RA 3019, and issued a warrant for his arrest.

Mamba posted bail on March 30 before the 7th Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Piat-Sto. Niño, Cagayan.

The charges stemmed from a complaint filed by the Lara couple, owner of JLL Pulsar Construction, which handled several infrastructure projects when Mamba was governor.

The complainants said that despite repeated demands, the provincial government under the then leadership of Mamba refused to release the payment for the contract.

The camp of Mamba said the contractor refused to personally receive payment in the form of checks, a policy imposed by the provincial government for projects flagged by the capitol’s inspectorate team.

Mamba said the policy requiring contractors to personally claim checks as payment was intended to protect public funds and ensure that projects met government standards.

He said he has yet to receive an official copy of the court order, and would appeal the suspension.

Collegiate and lower courts across the country have suspended their work due to inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Maymay (international name: Kujira) and the southwest monsoon.

As of 10 a.m., state weather bureau PAGASA said that Maymay is estimated to be in the vicinity of Tanudan, Kalinga.

The following courts have suspended their work due to inclement weather:

Supreme Court: Skeleton workforce to be enforced in the Docket Receiving Division-Judicial Records Office and Cashier Division-Fiscal Management and Budget Office

Court of Appeals-Manila and Baguio: Skeleton workforce to be enforced in the Judicial Records Division and Cash Division stationed at the One-Stop Processing Center and E-filing Unit

Sandiganbayan: Skeleton workforce to be enforced at the Judicial Records Division and Cashier Section.

Court of Tax Appeals: Skeleton workforce to be enforced in the Office of the Division Clerk of Court, Judicial Records Division, Cash Division, General Services Division, and Security Services Unit

National Capital Judicial Region

All trial courts in the National Capital Judicial Region

Judicial Region (JR) 1: All trial courts

Regional Trial Court of Branch 5- Family Courts

Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Dingras-Marcos in Ilocos Norte – scheduled power interruption

Judicial Region 3: All trial courts

Judicial Region 4A: All trial courts

Judicial Region 4B: All trial courts

Judicial Region 5:

MCTC Camalig-Jovellar, Albay – scheduled power interruption

Municipal Trial Court of Pilar, Sorsogon

Amid the rising costs of petroleum products, President Marcos has increased the fuel subsidy for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV) from P10 to P12 per liter starting Aug. 15.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said yesterday that the move is in line with Marcos’ directive to increase the fuel discount for the mass transport sector.

The announcement came after Recto met with fellow government officials at Malacañang on Tuesday.

Present at the meeting were Secretaries Kim de Leon of budget, Vince Dizon of public works, Rex Gatchalian of social welfare, Giovanni Lopez of transportation, Sonny Angara of education and Jose Pujalte Jr. of health as well as Agriculture Undersecretary Roger Navarro.

‘Once implemented, drivers will benefit from an additional P1,800 per week,’ Recto said.

The government launched the P10-per-liter fuel subsidy last April, which has already helped over 93,000 PUV drivers.

The officials also discussed further strengthening of government initiatives to curb price increases and ensure support for sectors directly affected by the tensions in the Middle East.

Recto directed the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure that UPLIFT assistance reaches sectors in need, including farmers, fisherfolk, transport and construction workers and other low-income workers.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board earlier submitted its recommendation to Malacañang for a proposed P20-per-liter fuel subsidy.

Transport groups were also pushing for an interim fare increase for PUVs.

Marcos announced in his fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27 that the government has allotted over P60 billion until the end of the year for various programs that would help sectors severely affected by rising fuel prices.

The transport sector is severely affected by the crisis, according to the President.

To ease treatment costs and improve access to affordable health care, the government has expanded the list of medicines exempt from value-added tax (VAT) to 2,277 drugs.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) published the updated roster of VAT-free medicines under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law and the CREATE Act, following endorsement by the Food and Drug Administration.

The updated list includes 14 medicines aimed at cutting out-of-pocket medical expenses, particularly for those undergoing long-term treatment for chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Broken down, cancer medicines topped the list at 708, followed by 537 for hypertension and 331 for diabetes.

The BIR circular also identified 300 medicines for mental illness, 172 for high cholesterol, 152 for kidney disease and 77 for tuberculosis.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that ischemic heart disease, neoplasms and cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia as well as diabetes mellitus were the top causes of death from January to September 2025.

‘The bureau remains steadfast in implementing tax policies that directly benefit our people. By expanding the list of VAT-exempt medicines, we are helping make essential health care more affordable,’ BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said.

The BIR said every peso saved through the VAT exemption helps families continue treatment, purchase essential medicines and better manage their everyday needs.

Writers and illustrators from acclaimed comic companies highlight the first batch of guests for the SuperManila Comic Con 2026 this September.

The fourth edition of the event will take place from September 4 to 6 across two venues in its now-regular home, One Ayala in Makati, The Space on Level 5 and Concourse on Level 2.

SuperManila has already unveiled in full its first batch of special guests composed of artists who have made a name for themselves globally:

Mike Zeck – Spider-Man, Captain America, and more for Marvel

Greg LaRocque – The Flash for DC, Avengers for Marvel

Derrick Chew – Harley Quinn, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Catwoman for DC, Spider-Man for Marvel

C.B. Cebulski – Thor, X-Men, for Marvel

Kendrick Lim – Batman, Wonder Woman for DC, Carnage for Marvel

Eric Canete – Batman, Justice League, Teen Titans, for DC, Iron Man for Marvel

Rudy Ao – Superman and Batman for DC

Danny Kim – Batman for DC, Ghost Rider for Marvel

Ejikure – Batman for DC, Spider-Man, X-Men for Marvel

Jeon In-pyo – Batman for DC

Stanley “Artgerm” Lau – Wonder Woman for DC

Thomas Healy – Spawn for Image

David Tran – Youngblood for Image, Ben 10 for Dynamite

Lee Jee-hyung – Gumaa

Ian Sta. Maria – Salamangka and Skyworld

Peach Momoko – X-Men, Spider-Man for Marvel

Zeck – who is now based in Metro Manila since 2022 – is famous for drawing the art for “The Punisher: Circle of Blood,” “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” and “Secret Wars,” which is the inspiration for next year’s “Avengers” movie. LaRocque is another veteran artist who drew the Marvel heroes Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Moon Knight, Iron Fist, and Power Man. He is best known for the Wally West era of The Flash for DC.

Outside of DC and Marvel, Canete has also worked on comics for “Transformers,” “Ben 10,” and “Tron,” while Ao has drawn covers for “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Crow.”

Momoko is making her third consecutive appearance at SuperManila, and the event will soon announce guest Filipino comic artists and illustrators like Manix Abrera and Stephen Segovia.

Attendees can bring comics, graphic novels, posters, prints, toys, trading cars, collectibles, and other items related to an artist’s work to be signed.

Any items to be autographed and photos will be at the artist’s discretion, especially during busy periods. Some artists may charge fees or set limitations for their autographs, and lucky attendees may even get commissions or quick sketches.

Two farmers and two grade school children died from accidental electrocution in separate incidents in Kiamba and in Malapatan towns in Sarangani province within just six days.

Two pupils of the Cabading Elementary School in Kiamba, Alex Jay Palmes and Clyde Glenn Tercio, both 11 years-old, got electrocuted on Wednesday last week, July 29, while harvesting Santol fruits from a tree in Barangay Luma in the municipality that they were supposed to bring to their school for a Nutrition Month celebration program.

Palmes had unconsciously touched a power cable hanging close to the Santol fruits he was trying to pick, then causing his electrocution. Tercio, his classmate and close friend, tried to help pull him away but got electrocuted too.

Radio reports on Thursday stated that Palmes and Tercio, known in their campus and in Barangay Luma for being close friends and treated each other like real siblings, were both declared dead on arrival by doctors at a hospital where emergency responders brought them for treatment.

Officials of the Police Regional Office 12 told reporters on Thursday that local executives, among them two mayors, George Falgui and James Reganit of the adjoining Kiamba and Maitum towns in Sarangani, respectively, had extended financial assistance to the families of the two children.

On Tuesday, two farmers, whose names were withheld by local officials while efforts to notify their relatives in other provinces are still underway, also both died instantly when they reportedly tried to move away an electrical cable dangling across a farm trail in Barangay Kihan in Malapatan.

Local officials said on Thursday that the two men were on their way to their adjoining farm lots in an interior area in Barangay Kihan when they both got electrocuted, according to ranking personnel of the Sarangani Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and local government officials in Malapatan.

Nearly a year after Washington’s bid to extradite Apollo Quiboloy first became public, the United States has formally transmitted its request to the Philippine government, Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez confirmed Thursday.

“The formal request was transmitted to the Department of Justice,” Romualdez told Philstar.com in a message.

The development advances an extradition effort first disclosed in August 2025, when Romualdez said Washington had asked the Philippines to turn over the Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder and sent supporting documents to the DOJ.

The Department of Justice, however, said Thursday that it had not officially received any document indicating that the United States had formally requested Quiboloy’s extradition.

“Under the Philippine-US Extradition Treaty and applicable law, the DFA would be the first point of contact for such a request. Initial inquiries may therefore be directed to the DFA,” the DOJ said.

The development marks the formal step needed for Philippine authorities to begin evaluating Washington’s request under the countries’ extradition treaty.

US charges. Quiboloy was indicted by a US federal grand jury in 2021 on charges that include conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children.

He also faces substantive sex trafficking, conspiracy and bulk cash smuggling charges, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US prosecutors accused Quiboloy and other Kingdom of Jesus Christ officials of recruiting women and girls to serve as his personal assistants and coercing them into sex.

Quiboloy has denied the allegations.

Philippine cases

Quiboloy remains detained while facing child and sexual abuse charges before a Quezon City court.

He and several co-accused are also facing non-bailable qualified human trafficking charges before a Pasig court.

The pending Philippine cases may affect the timing of any extradition. The DOJ said in 2025 that local jurisdiction generally takes priority, although the courts ultimately act on extradition proceedings.

Under Philippine law, the DOJ evaluates a formal extradition request and, if it finds the documents sufficient, assigns a government lawyer to file a petition before a trial court.

Quiboloy was taken into custody on Sept. 8, 2024, following a prolonged police operation at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City.