Category: Philippine Star

The Commission on Higher Education will draw P56 million from the Higher Education Development Fund to keep hundreds of medical technology and pharmacy scholars on financial aid through the first semester of the next school year.

The commission announced Thursday, August 13, it will use the funding to cover the schooling of 238 scholars for the second semester of Academic Year 2025-2026, and 300 for the first semester of AY 2026-2027. This is under CHED’s “Scholarship Program for Future Medical Technologists and Pharmacists.”

CHED said in its news release that it turned to the HEDF after it “maximized available program funds” to prioritize 71 scholars from the poorest households. The rest, with financial requirements totaling P56.66 million, will be paid out of the HEDF.

This scholarship program by CHED gives financial assistance to qualified Filipino students taking BS Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science and BS Pharmacy at participating colleges and universities.

Under the program, scholars owe one year of government service for every year of scholarship they received, to be served after they pass their licensure exams and in line with Department of Health guidelines.

CHED said the arrangement helps augment the supply of licensed medical technologists and pharmacists in the public health sector.

Thirteen MTP-SP scholars are expected to graduate this academic year, specifically four from medical technology or medical laboratory science, nine from pharmacy.

A 2020 study by the i-Price Group found that medical technologists in the Philippines have the lowest compensation among ASEAN countries, earning around P29,444 monthly or P170 per hour.

The court order temporarily suspending the implementation of the daily minimum wage hike in Metro Manila is set to expire on Thursday, August 13.

Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it is waiting to see if the Pasig City Regional Trial Court will grant the writ of preliminary injunction sought by construction companies Readycon Trading and Construction Corp. and R-II Builders Inc.

TUCP spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate told dzMM on Thursday that if the local court grants the injunction, the implementation of the wage hike will remain suspended indefinitely.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Francis Tolentino explained on Wednesday, August 12, that only the court has the power to issue a clarificatory order, dismiss the case, or let the suspension lapse.

‘May mga clarificatory order siyang dapat gawin…’yung hakbangin kung ano ‘yung susunod ay magmumula sa Branch 152,’ Tolentino said.

(She has a clarificatory order to do…the next steps would come from Branch 152)

Tolentino said the labor agency does not have the power to simply order the implementation of the wage hike after the suspension expires.

‘Nakadepende sa kanya, pwede niyang i-dismiss ‘yon kung sasabihin niyang wala siyang jurisdiction,’ the labor secretary said.

This week, several labor groups have already filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the lower court’s suspension order.

TUCP said it is also considering taking the same action, depending on the Pasig court’s decision.

‘Hindi po ma-a-afford ng ating mga manggagawa na ma-indefinitely suspended po ‘yung kanilang P60 na wage increase,’ Oñate said.

(Our workers cannot afford to have their P60 wage increase suspended indefinitely.)

The property arm of Megawide Construction Corp. boosted its sales to P3.15 billion in the first half, backed by strong take-up for recently launched projects to overcome a challenging period.

PH1 World Developers Inc. said its sales have doubled in the six months to June, from P1.38 billion a year ago, due to higher demand for its residential projects outside central business districts.

PH1 said 63 percent of the sales are bookings in One Lancaster Place, My Enso Lofts and Lykke Kondo.

One Lancaster Place is the first and only condominium in Lancaster New City in Imus, Cavite. My Enso Lofts, on the other hand, is located in Timog Avenue in Quezon City, while Lykke sits at Amang Rodriguez Avenue in Pasig City.

PH1 president Gigi Alcantara said the developer has also increased its unbooked revenues to P11 billion as of June. These revenues are expected to be recognized over the next few months.

‘The strong take-up of our recently-launched projects reinforces our view that end-user demand outside key business centers remains buoyant and resilient,’ Alcantara said.

Likewise, PH1 is working with the government in a mass housing program Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH), the first of which Avesta Residences would be completed by October.

‘As we roll out our expanded 4PH pipeline, starting with our maiden offering Avesta Residences in Imus, Cavite, we are confident of sustaining an even stronger performance for the long term,’ Alcantara said.

Recently, PH1 has topped the first tower of the five-tower Avesta Residences. The developer will complete the project in about 12 months since it has started construction.

The project employs Megawide’s engineering expertise and precast technology, allowing PH1 to construct the towers quickly. Other 4PH projects to be launched this year are located in Caloocan City and new sites in Dasmariñas and Imus, Cavite.

PH1 has committed to build an initial portfolio of 25,000 units for 4PH in Luzon, with the homes to be delivered over the next two to three years.

Given its growing portfolio, PH1 was supposed to file an initial public offering this year, but had to hold off to consider selling some stake to private investors.

The Visayas Grid was placed under red alert status for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, August 12, amid tight power supply caused by the unavailability of several large power plants and reduced power imports from the Mindanao Grid.

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), in its 1:30 p.m. update, said the red alert was extended from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., while yellow alert was declared from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Available capacity stood at 2,191 megawatts (MW) against a peak demand forecast of 2,420 MW.

NGCP earlier announced a red alert from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a yellow alert from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., based on its 7 a.m. update. At that time, available capacity was 2,153 MW against a peak demand of 2,394 MW.

NGCP said seven plants were on forced outage as of August, while 14 other plants were operating at derated capacities. These resulted in a total of 932.4 MW of unavailable capacity.

The grid operator identified the unavailability of Visayas’ large coal plants TVI 1, TVI 2 and CEDC 1 as among the factors behind the alerts.

It also cited limited power imports from Mindanao due to the maintenance outage of GNPK 2, the emergency shutdown of GNPK 1 because of a boiler tube leak, and high forecasted system demand.

The extension of the red alert was also attributed to an increase in the demand forecast and the unavailability of PDPP3-C and PDPP3-G.

NGCP said a red alert is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. A yellow alert, meanwhile, is declared when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

NGCP also warned that Manual Load Dropping (MLD) may be implemented in parts of the Visayas from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., including areas served by Visayan Electric, Mactan Electric Company (MECO), and Cebu Electric Cooperative I, II and III.

The possible MLD is due to the non-availability of imported power from the Mindanao Grid. NGCP said the schedule may be cancelled if system conditions improve, such as when actual demand falls below projections.

Meanwhile, Visayan Electric said limited generation across the Visayas Grid continues because of the non-availability of imported power from Mindanao.

The distribution utility said a scheduled one-hour rotational brownout was being implemented to balance available power supply with current demand and maintain grid stability.

Among the Cebu areas included in the rotational brownout schedules released by Visayan Electric were portions of Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan and Naga City.

The scheduled outages cover different areas on a one-hour rotation from 1 p.m. through 8 p.m., with affected areas varying by schedule.

Visayan Electric said it continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with NGCP, adding that any changes to the rotational brownout schedule will be announced through its official communication channels.

NGCP urged consumers to exercise prudence in using electricity as the Visayas Grid remains under tight supply conditions.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered the immediate initiation of dismissal proceedings against a police officer implicated in a deadly shootout at a resort in Maragondon, Cavite, which left a fellow police officer and a civilian dead.

In a statement on Thursday, August 24, the PNP said the confrontation unfolded at approximately 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 12, following a birthday celebration for the newly installed Maragondon police chief.

‘Law enforcers carry the heavy burden of public trust, and throwing caution to the wind through reckless behavior and alcohol abuse is completely unacceptable. Those sworn to protect lives chose instead to endanger them in a senseless, drunken altercation,’ Nartatez said.

An off-duty altercation involving alcohol escalated into gunfire between officers. According to the PNP, the chaotic exchange resulted in two fatalities, while another officer sustained injuries and remains in stable condition.

Responding authorities arrested an officer assigned to the Trece Martires Component City Police Station at the scene.

In addition to ordering dismissal proceedings, General Nartatez instructed the Cavite Police Provincial Office to conduct an impartial investigation and preserve all physical evidence to determine full criminal liability.

The Maragondon police chief was immediately relieved of his command and reassigned to the Cavite Police Holding and Administrative Support pending the outcome of the probe.

‘I remind all our personnel to exercise discipline, responsibility, and restraint at all times. We will not tolerate misconduct, regardless of rank or status. Being off duty does not exempt any police officer from following the law and PNP rules,’ Nartatez said.

Some acts of love are loud and obvious. Others happen quietly through everyday sacrifices, late-night worries, and the little things we do for the people who matter most.

SB Finance’s latest #AlagangSBF video tells the story of an older sister doing everything she can to support her younger brother’s dreams while also caring for their ailing mother.

It’s a simple, familiar story that many Filipino families will recognize-one of sacrifice, resilience, and putting loved ones first.

A part of the #AlagangSBF campaign series, the video highlights the importance of protecting not only our financial goals but also the people we love.

To help provide greater peace of mind, all SB Finance loan products come bundled with loan protection insurance through its accredited insurance partners, helping ease the financial burden on families should the unexpected happen.

Watch the full video and discover why it is one of SB Finance’s most moving stories yet.

She may be one of the biggest names in Philippine showbiz, but newly-wed Bea Alonzo fully intends to continue keeping her relationship with Vincent Co private.

The actress and the Puregold executive tied the knot last month in a civil wedding officiated by Makati Mayor Nancy Binay.

Now going as Bea Alonzo-Co, Bea made her first public appearance since the intimate ceremony for the launch of a beauty milk she endorses in Bonifacio Global City.

Bea later spoke to members of the media to briefly explain why she and Vincent opted to have a quick and quiet wedding.

“At that point I felt like I wanted [the event] to be mine, that’s it. I wanted it to be about us and no one else,” she said, adding that the ceremony wasn’t supposed to be a surprise. “It felt like… the moment was ours.”

For a change, San Miguel Beer sits on a good spot at this stage of the preliminaries of an import-flavored conference.

No problem in reinforcement, no cramming for late wins in order to join the march to the playoffs like in the last two Commissioner’s Cup campaigns.

With George King proving a royal fit, the Beermen picked up their seventh victory in nine matches in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup with a 144-113 demolition of Titan Ultra last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Now on an extended three-game streak, SMB virtually assured itself of one of the four seats to the quarterfinals up for grabs in Group A with still three matches to spare.

‘The players are enjoying playing with one another and it seems to me nagkakaroon na sila ng chemistry,’ said coach Leo Austria after meeting their objective before the league takes a break next week to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup Qualifiers and Asian Games stints.

Austria took notice of the bench’s performance and ‘almost balanced scoring’ in their last three outings and lauded his charges for their 34 assists and 69 rebounds against the Giant Risers (2-7).

‘I think it’s a great sign na the players really want to win, especially going to the break. Alam namin makakuha kami ng seven wins before the break, at least 90 percent siguro we’ll be in the quarterfinals with three games remaining (in the October resumption),’ he said.

Their current 7-2 card shows a stark contrast to the Beermen’s situations in the previous reinforced tournaments.

In the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, they fielded four imports and couldn’t save their campaign after a 3-4 start, ending at 5-7 and missing the Last-8 altogether. The next edition saw them go through two reinforcements before Bennie Boatwright made his long-awaited comeback, climbing out of a 4-5 opening to make the quarters at 7-5 and sixth seed. They eventually bowed to twice-to-beat No. 2 Rain or Shine.

King delivered 39 points.

Financial milestones come in many forms. A first paycheck deposited into a savings account. The keys to a family’s first home. A small business finally opening. A child’s college fund slowly growing. A retirement nest egg built over decades.

For 50 years, BDO has been a part of many of these stories.

Growing with Filipino dreams

Over five decades, BDO has grown alongside generations of Filipinos and the financial goals that matter to them. The young saver who opened a first account is now the parent saving for his child’s education. The entrepreneur who started with a small business went on to employ others. Families built homes, prepared for emergencies, planned for retirement and passed on money lessons to the next generation.

Through all these milestones, one thing has remained constant: BDO’s commitment to find ways to help clients move closer to their goals.

A golden Thank You

As BDO marks its golden year, it is choosing to celebrate the people who helped shape its journey: its clients. It is also saying thank you in a way that gives customers even more reason to celebrate.

BDO is launching its 50th Anniversary Raffle, giving more than 250 customers the chance to win exciting prizes, including brand-new hybrid cars that help reduce fuel costs and emissions, along with SM Gift Passes for shopping.

To join, new clients can open a qualified account, register online once, and maintain the required balance for BDO Unibank or BDO Network Bank to earn raffle entries. Existing clients can also earn raffle entries by adding to their deposits and completing the one-time online registration.

The promo runs from August to December 2026 and features five raffle draws, with the fifth and final draw serving as the Grand Draw in January 2027 for eligible August to December participants.

The next 50 years

50 years is a long time, and much has changed in the way Filipinos manage money.

Transactions that once required a trip to the branch can now be completed online or through a mobile phone. Payments have become faster. Access to financial products has expanded. Customers today expect banking to keep pace with the way they live, work and manage their money.

Financial dreams have changed, too. For one generation, success may have meant owning a home and securing a pension. Younger Filipinos today may be saving for travel, building an emergency fund, launching a side business or investing to gain more financial freedom.

Tomorrow’s dreams may look different. And, while the goals may change, the need for a trusted financial partner remains.

That is why BDO continues to evolve alongside its clients, finding ways to make banking simpler, more accessible and more responsive to what they need today and what they hope to achieve tomorrow.

Because after 50 years, Filipinos are still dreaming. And BDO is still finding ways

More than 300,000 children in Cagayan Valley are expected to benefit from an intensified measles and rubella immunization campaign launched by the Department of Health.

The DOH said the campaign, dubbed Ligtas Tigdas, formally began on Aug. 10 in Tuguegarao City, with health authorities urging parents to have their children vaccinated against the diseases.

The Cagayan Valley center for health development – through the health promotion unit, the national immunization program and communications management unit – conducted the activity in partnership with the provincial health office of Cagayan.

The campaign seeks to increase the protection of children against measles and rubella, which can cause serious complications and death, particularly among unvaccinated minors.

During the launch, Health Undersecretary Glenn Mathew Baggao emphasized the safety, effectiveness and accessibility of the measles-rubella vaccine.

‘The measles-rubella vaccine has been used worldwide for decades and continues to save billions of lives. It is safe, effective and most importantly, it is provided free of charge to our fellow Filipinos,’ Baggao said.

Select children aged six to 59 months received the vaccine during the launch of the campaign.

Parents and guardians have been urged to bring their children to the nearest health center or coordinate with barangay nurses and midwives.