Category: Philippine Star

National junior team standout Eve Bejasa advanced to the Round of 16 of the girls’ under-19 singles after sweeping compatriot Nica Gulpany, 21-11, 21-11, on the second day of the inaugural Philippine Junior International Series, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, yesterday at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong.

Fresh off her strong showing in the Philippine National Badminton Open, the 17-year-old from Cebu City dominated from the opening rally, needing just 21 minutes to secure her place in the next round of the tournament backed by Yonex, Sunrise, Smart, Gameville Central Park, Cignal, mWell, MVP Sports Foundation, Maynilad, Jollibee, Milksha, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., PLDT, TELESCOOP, and Uratex.

Bejasa will next face Canada’s Althia Bedi for a place in the quarterfinals. Bedi outlasted the Philippines’ Imari Dawn Jimenez in three games, 21-16, 17-21, 21-19.

Joining Bejasa in the quarterfinal hunt are Christel Fuentespina and Ma. Nicole Notorio, who both registered impressive victories.

Fuentespina, another national junior team standout, overwhelmed compatriot Zoe Driz, 21-5, 21-4, while Notorio defeated Thailand’s Montra Sae Jiew, 21-14, 21-17.

In the girls’ under-15 division, Alexzandria Gail Noceja also booked her place in the Round of 16 after a commanding 21-7, 21-11 victory over compatriot Alyzha Marabulas.

Noceja will face India’s Kyra Raina, who defeated the Philippines’ Kathlyn Ocampo, 21-4, 21-11.

My boss and compadre, Manny V. Pangilinan, has railed against the plan of the Marcos Jr. administration to totally do away with system loss charges in a bid to lower the cost of electricity delivered to consumers – homes, offices and industries.

MVP warns that electricity companies will not survive if they are made to absorb system losses instead of being allowed to pass them on as regular business costs to consumers.

Indeed, MVP’s Meralco, the biggest electricity retailer, will incur losses the moment system loss charges in bills are disallowed by government.

The need to reduce electricity cost has become more urgent after the Philippines achieved an upper-middle income country (UMIC) status this year with a per capita income of $4,850.

‘Electricity will be central to the Philippines’ next phase of growth,’ says the World Bank in a recent paper.

‘As the economy becomes more urban, digital and industrial, reliable and affordable power will increasingly shape productivity, investment, jobs and household welfare. Rising demand from households, firms, transport and data centers creates both a challenge and an opportunity,’ the lender points out.

Says the bank: ‘If the power system expands efficiently and sustainably, electricity can become a driver of competitiveness and resilience rather than a constraint.’

‘High electricity costs reflect more than just underlying fuel and capital costs. They also stem from structural features of the power system, including long-term procurement arrangements, generation concentration, grid constraints and limited market depth. Regional peers also offer broad consumer subsidies to help lower prices, but these come at high fiscal costs and are regressive,’ notes the World Bank.

System loss is the electricity lost as it is delivered from the source to the end user. It ranges from five percent (in the case of Meralco) to as high as 20 percent in the case of electric cooperatives, many of which have decrepit equipment and are in hand-to-mouth profitability mode.

There are two causes: one, technical, due to factors like such distance, wiring and inadequate equipment, and two, theft.

Electricity being a business, system loss is passed on by the electricity producer and retailer to the consumer of course. The government thinks it’s okay. It makes money on the system loss by adding value added tax, usually 12 percent of the system loss amount charged by the electricity utility.

The best solution is a burden sharing – divide system loss by three – among the electricity utilities, the government and the consumer. This will immediately reduce system loss charges by at least 66 percent, probably more if the VAT is also removed.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) supports the President’s call to reduce electricity costs for Filipino consumers and businesses through meaningful reforms in the electric power sector.

‘Affordable, reliable and competitively priced electricity is indispensable to strengthening Philippine manufacturing, attracting investments, expanding exports, creating quality employment and enhancing the country’s overall economic competitiveness,’ says the country’s largest industrial association. FPI is headed by Elizabeth H. Lee.

FPI supports a comprehensive review of the recovery of system loss charges, including its VAT. Any amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), however, should be supported by a comprehensive technical, regulatory and economic assessment by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to ensure that any policy reform is transparent, equitable and sustainable.

FPI points out that system losses, both technical losses inherent in the transmission and distribution of electricity and non-technical losses arising from electricity theft, illegal connections, meter tampering and other unauthorized consumption, are recognized realities of electric power systems worldwide.

FPI likewise recognizes that consumers should not bear the cost of operational inefficiencies. The current regulatory framework already incorporates accountability measures through ERC-prescribed caps on recoverable losses, with losses beyond allowable thresholds being absorbed by distribution utilities and electric cooperatives.

This provides a continuing incentive for utilities to improve operational efficiency and reduce avoidable losses. Going forward, reforms should continue to encourage investments that reduce technical losses while simultaneously strengthening measures to eliminate non-technical losses through more effective anti-electricity theft enforcement and improved governance.

Also, says FPI, any reform should preserve the long-term financial viability and stability of the electric power sector.

Reliable electricity infrastructure requires sustained investments in the maintenance, modernization, expansion and resilience of the country’s transmission and distribution networks. Policy reforms should therefore be implemented through a carefully designed transition framework that provides meaningful relief to consumers without discouraging continued investments that are essential to ensuring energy security, business continuity and economic growth.

FPI encourages the government to intensify efforts to address the root causes of non-technical system losses, particularly electricity theft, illegal connections and meter tampering.

Stronger enforcement of existing laws, together with more effective anti-pilferage measures and public-private cooperation, will help reduce avoidable losses, promote fairness among consumers and improve the overall efficiency of the power sector.

FPI encourages policymakers to adopt a comprehensive approach to electricity affordability. While the review of system loss charges is an important step, other significant cost drivers – including generation costs, taxes, transmission charges, universal charges and other policy-driven components of electricity bills – should likewise be examined to ensure that reforms collectively improve the competitiveness of Philippine industry while maintaining a secure, reliable and financially sustainable power sector.

FPI stands ready to work with Congress, the DOE, the ERC and all stakeholders in developing balanced, evidence-based and forward-looking reforms that will strengthen the country’s energy sector, enhance Philippine industrial competitiveness and promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

Says Beth Lee: ‘Affordable and reliable electricity is indispensable to Philippine manufacturing and economic competitiveness. We need to strike a deliberate balance – providing relief while at the same time preserving the sector’s financial viability to ensure long-term energy security, modern infrastructure and sustainable industrial growth.’

Actress Janella Salvador is set to fulfill a lifelong dream as she makes her theater debut in “The Art of Breaking Up,” an upcoming stage adaptation of George de Jesus III’s bestselling book “Kung Paano Maghihiwalay.”

Speaking during the production’s media conference, Janella admitted she is both excited and grateful for the opportunity, describing it as a childhood dream.

The actress will portray Lou in the play, which will run from November 6 to December 6, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center.

The role carries special significance for Janella, whose mother, actress-singer Jenine Desiderio, built an acclaimed career on the stage. Jenine portrayed Yvette and later Kim during the original West End run of “Miss Saigon,” giving Janella an early appreciation for theater.

‘Honestly, I’m so excited to begin the process because this has been a dream of mine for more than a… since I was born! I was exposed to my mother doing theater so I really have been waiting for this. It’s a dream come true and hopefully after this I can do more,’ Janella said.

With the play revolving around love and heartbreak, Janella was also asked whether she believes there is a way to make breakups less painful.

The actress offered an honest perspective, saying heartbreak is something people have to experience instead of avoid.

‘That’s possible? Who knows? Honestly. I feel like breakups are meant to be painful. You’re meant to go through it, you’re meant to feel every emotion, and the more you avoid the pain, I think you’re gonna feel it in the end. That’s my take on it,’ she said.

Aside from its emotionally driven story, “The Art of Breaking Up” promises a unique theatrical experience through its theater-in-the-round staging, allowing audiences to watch the performance from every angle.

Director Dudz Teraña said the intimate set-up, combined with George de Jesus III’s dialogue and storytelling, presents both an exciting and demanding challenge for the cast.

Tickets for “The Art of Breaking Up” are now available through TicketWorld.

The national government has expanded the delivery of government services in Davao del Norte through Thursday’s distribution of assistance under the Local Government Support Fund (LFSF) Rice Assistance and the Socio-Civic Projects Fund (SCPF).

Malacanang said the initiative reinforces its commitment to bring public services closer to communities and ensure that no Filipino is left behind.

Speaking on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo said the national government continues to implement programs that directly benefit ordinary Filipinos, in line with the president’s directive to deliver services to the people instead of waiting for them to seek government assistance.

“Dalhin ninyo ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa tao. Huwag hintayin na ang tao pa ang lumapit sa gobyerno,” Lagdameo has quoted the President.

Lagdameo said the distribution of assistance under the LGSF and the SCPF forms part of the administration’s broader effort to provide support to families and local communities across the country.

He stressed that the initiative is not limited to Davao del Norte but is being implemented in provinces nationwide, reflecting the President’s directive that “walang Pilipinong dapat maiwan.”

According to Lagdameo, the president has consistently underscored that the success of government programs should be measured by their impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos rather than how they appear on paper.

The rice assistance aims to help ease household food expenses, while support extended to local governments is expected to strengthen livelihood opportunities and public services at the community level.

Lagdameo assured beneficiaries that the administration will continue expanding government programs to communities that need them most as part of its efforts to build a “Bagong Pilipinas’.

The distribution program was attended by Gov. Edwin Jubahib, Vice Governor Clarice Jubahib, Representatives JM Lagdameo and Oyo Uy, Mindanao Development Authority Chairperson and Secretary Leo Tereso Magno, local officials, and beneficiaries from across Davao del Norte.

For Sedrick Barefield, Blackwater’s first-round loss to Phoenix, where he was virtually a non-factor, left an unpalatable feeling.

So when he got a quick shot at washing it away and helping the Bossing exact revenge eight days later, the Fil-Am sniper jumped at the opportunity.

Barefield rifled in 11 points in the fourth quarter as he anchored the Bossing’s 29-14 closing barrage that resulted in a 106-100 payback win in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The sophomore guard finished with 26 in his ‘redemption game’ from his meager 10-point, 5-of-19 shooting performance in his team’s 93-102 loss to the Fuel Masters at the end of Round 1 last July 28.

‘I feel like I had some of my best games against Phoenix so not having a great game against them last time kind of put a bad taste in the mouth,” said Barefield, who shot 11-of-24 this time.

‘But honestly, as a team that was the vibe – we knew we’re better than how we performed last game so we kind of want to be more aggressive and not settle as much. I think we did a better job of that today.’

The vengeful victory put Blackwater (3-3) back in business after going on a three-game spiral to end the initial salvo of action in Group B.

‘We knew today was important, if we lost, it would become tough for us going forward. It was do or die for us so that set the tone,’ said Barefield.

‘We know what kind of team we are when we’re getting stops and executing offensively. When we do that, things go well for us,’ he added.

Kentrell Barkley produced 34 points and 16 rebounds for Blackwater, which also drew heroics from RK Ilagan in scoring (15) and quality minutes from Jed Mendoza and Troy Mallilin.

The Bossing laid to waste BJ Johnson’s 45-point explosion for the Fuel Masters, who slipped to 4-2. Blackwater’s defenders held the Phoenix import to only five in the last 12 minutes.

The match featured a seesaw battle.

Phoenix seized a 42-32 lead in the second quarter only for Blackwater to make a furious counter assault, 30-17, to wrest a 62-59 edge at the turn.

The Fuel Masters retook control with a 27-15 exchange in the third before the Bossing unleashed their finishing kick to take command for good.

Like Japan where he coached for a decade and won multiple pro titles, new head coach BT Toews dreams of transforming Gilas Pilipinas women to a powerhouse in Asia. But like every skyscraper in the world, building it will not be an overnight project.

Toning down expectations, the multi-titled Canadian mentor will begin the journey for that ultimate goal in his first-ever tournament at the helm, when the Nationals take on the fancied squads led by host Mexico in the FIBA Women’s Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in Guadalajara from August 17-23.

“I’ve had some other offers in Asia to coach national teams but I thought that the Philippines had a really high ceiling,” said Toews, who boasts a decorated 30-year coaching career marked by two titles and three Coach of the Year awards for the Fujitsu Red Waves in the Women’s Japan Basketball League, in a media roundtable Thursday.

‘I thought that the Philippines could really get to the top tier and be perennial contender.”

Doing it will be a long process comprised of little steps and for Toews, that begins with a comprehensive training camp, like the Japanese national team, where everyone invited should be available at all times for familiarity and continuity of the program.

Toews, 60, will bring a 17-woman pool, led by newly crowned Japan league champion Jack Animam, US NCAA Division I standout Vanessa de Jesus and two-time UAAP MVP Kacey dela Rosa, in a five-day camp in Las Vegas, Nevada starting on August 9 before departing for Mexico for the qualifiers.

And Gilas will just go from there with sights also locked on revving up for Asian Games in Achi and Nagoya next month and the country’s hosting of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup next year in Cebu.

“We are building towards that. There’ll be some steps forward and some steps backwards. It happens in basketball. But the long-range plan is to be the best team we can be in the Asia Cup in Cebu,” vowed Toews, appointed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in lieu of now Blackwater head coach in the PBA, Pat Aquino.

As he plots on that journey though, Toews also took time to tip the hat to his predecessor and longtime Gilas mentor Aquino, who turned Gilas into one of the best teams in Asia through decades with his last act featuring the country’s first win ever against a non-Asian team in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers last summer against Colombia, 74-59.

“Coach Pat is Coach Pat. He did a lot for the program to get it this far. And I’m trying to build on what he’s done,” he smiled, vowing to bring a lot of Japanese basketball philosophies on to the Pinoy brand of hoops.

All of these plans by Toews will be laid out in a full calendar and roadmap in consultation with SBP Executive Director Aquino and Gilas women program head Bacon Austria after the Asian Games leading up to the Asia Cup next year.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It jumpstarts your day and gives you energy to last you the whole day. There’s no overeating here, since you get to burn the calories for one full day.

Chef Jill Sandique, easily one of the most talented Filipino chefs in the country today, really takes a completely satisfying breakfast whenever she can. She cooks, no, not fried eggs or scrambled eggs, but a leveled-up egg dish, which she simply calls Breakfast Eggs.

‘This humble breakfast dish does not look beautiful, but it is downright delicious!’ the chef said.

The dish is inspired by Turkish Menemen, to which she added some Oligold Cream Cheese and the ‘controversial’ onions (the debate on whether or not onions should be added to the dish never ends). Yes, she decided to add onions!

Then she goes, ‘Feel free to add mushrooms, cured meats, olives and capers to this scrambled egg concoction. I like to eat mine with some yogurt topped with black cherry jam.’

Enjoy!

Innobake Breakfast Eggs

Ingredients:

3- 4 large eggs, beaten

2- 3 tbsps. Beaoliva Olive Oil

1 pc. medium onion, minced

2-3 tbsps. minced green pepper (any type of green pepper will do)

1 cup Dolce e Italia Crushed Tomatoes, or more

A few sprigs of dill, as desired

1/2 to 1 tsp. sweet paprika

Cumin, oregano, thyme and chili flakes, as desired

Salt to taste

2-3 bsps. Oligold Cream Cheese, cubed

For serving:

2-4 slices bread, toasted

Tomato, sliced

Fresh dill

Procedure:

1. Heat the Beaoliva olive oil in a sauté pan. Add onion and cook until translucent. Stir in green bell pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add Dolce e Italia crushed tomatoes, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes or just until the oil rises to the surface. Add dill, paprika, cumin, oregano, thyme and chili flakes. Mix well and then add the beaten eggs. Season with salt.

3. Stir gently and cook just until barely set. Add Oligold Cream Cheese and flip once.

4. Put toasted bread on a plate. Top with cooked eggs. Garnish with fresh dill and a slice of tomato. Serve immediately.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri rallied his colleagues in support of his resolution seeking the immediate lifting of the temporary restraining order against the P85 Metro Manila wage increase.

Zubiri authored Senate Resolution No. 577, which seeks to express the sense of the Senate in opposing the wage hike TRO.

‘I moved around and gathered signatures for cross-aisle support from all members of the majority and minority so the Senate can state clearly that the wage board’s decision should be final. It should be implemented and respected by the courts,’ Zubiri said.

All senators set aside their political differences to sign the resolution, Zubiri said, adding Sen. Robin Padilla helped gather signatures from the minority.

The resolution, signed by all senators, cited Article 126 of the Labor Code, which prohibits courts, tribunals or other entities from issuing injunctions or TROs against proceedings before the National Wages and Productivity Commission or the regional wage boards.

The resolution was filed following the controversial suspension of Wage Order No. NCR-27 issued by National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) for a P85 increase to the daily minimum wage of private-sector workers in the National Capital Region.

It was stopped by a Pasig Regional Trial Court, which issued a TRO as requested by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s lead over Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has tightened in the latest hypothetical one-on-one presidential matchup released by the OCTA Research group.

The poll, conducted from July 4 to 11, found that 43 percent of the respondents would support Duterte in a hypothetical matchup against Robredo, who received 34 percent.

Support for Duterte went down from 46 percent in OCTA’s first quarter survey, while it went down from 35 percent for Robredo.

This means that the Vice President’s lead narrowed from 11 percentage points to just nine points.

The remaining 22 percent were undecided, up from 19 percent in the first quarter survey.

According to OCTA, the most notable change occurred among respondents in Metro Manila, where preference for Robredo declined from 52 percent to 34 percent.

‘Duterte’s share, by contrast, increased only two points, well within the margin of error,’ the firm said.

‘This transformed Robredo’s previous 20-point NCR advantage into a statistical tie,’ it added.

‘Crucially, this movement was accompanied by a substantial jump in the uncommitted share – from roughly 15 percent to 32 percent. The change therefore reads as a shift away from Robredo toward uncertainty, not a direct transfer of support to Duterte,’ it said.

OCTA said this change may be due to Robredo’s statement that she does not intend to run for president in 2028.

Mindanao support

Mindanao, meanwhile, remained Duterte’s base, although support went down from 88 percent to 76 percent.

‘The decline indicates some genuine softening in the intensity of Duterte’s Mindanao support, though it did not alter her dominance in the region. Subnational comparisons should still be interpreted with appropriate caution given the wider margins of error at that level,’ added OCTA.

The Vice President is facing an impeachment trial for alleged misuse of funds and supposedly hiring an assassin to kill President Marcos in the event of her death, among other charges.

The survey had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.

Filipino-American singer Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, more popularly known as H.E.R., flexed her karaoke skills by performing a Filipino classic while in a New York City restaurant.

New York establishment Kalye shared a video of the award-winning artist singing Rey Valera’s “Maging Sino Ka Man,” particularly Sharon Cuneta’s version, which she covered for her movie of the same name with Robin Padilla.

“Mahal kita pagka’t mahal kita, iniisip nila ay hindi mahalaga, mahal kita maging sino ka man,” H.E.R. sings before inviting everyone in the restaurant to join her finishing the chorus.

Celebrities praised her intimate performance in the comments, including beauty queen Chelsea Manalo, Gian Magdangal, Sharon’s daughter KC Concepcion, and even streaming platform Spotify.

H.E.R. is the recipient of five Grammy Awards and one Oscar, best known for songs “I Can’t Breathe,” “Fight For You,” “Hard Place,” “Come Through,” “Slide,” “Focus,” “Damage,” “Could’ve Been,” and “Best Part” with Daniel Caesar.

The singer is currently making promotional rounds for “Forgotten Island,” Dreamworks Animation’s upcoming movie inspired by Filipino folklore and mythology, which she headlines alongside Liza Soberano and Lea Salonga.