Category: Philippine Star

October is nearing its end but events and activities continue to ring around the country.

Pre-Halloween plans

Halloween is still a week away, but some locations in Metro Manila already have their spook on.

In Araneta City, the aRUNeta Run Club will host a Zombie Run the morning of October 25, encouraging everyone to run in costume.

Elsewhere in the area at MacArthur Activity Area of Ali Mall, fur babies have a chance to get over their fear of needles as th the Quezon City Veterinary Department offers free veterinary services.

Pet products will also be available to pets and their owners until October 25, a day that will also have a pet buffet and pet blessing. As those pre-Halloween activities take place, the Parolan continues to welcome customers at the Expo Centro Parking.

Down in Alabang Town Center on October 24, “Masters of the Elements” Halloween activities will be open for kids as they go trick-or-treating around the mall and other fun planned elemental activities.

Ihaw Fest

Actor Coco Martin celebrates a decade partnering with local fast food chain Mang Inasal with an Ihaw Fest this October 25 at Ayala Malls Feliz.

Joining him are fellow brand ambassadors Maris Racal, Shuvee Entrata, Fyang Smith and Dimples Romana, the latter serving as host.

Fans need only to present official receipts for Ihaw Fest meals purchased this October for a free pass to the event.

“As Coco continues to inspire audiences through his work, Mang Inasal remains committed to bringing – through Ihaw-Sarap food and Unli-Saya dining experience – meaningful moments of togetherness to Filipino families,” said the chain’s president Mike V. Castro in a statement.

Shows continue

Live performances are also filling stages across Metro Manila this weekend.

SB19, Maki and Angela Ken headline the two-day One Zone Fest happening at the Araneta Coliseum this weekend, with each SB19 member getting their dedicated set.

Old souls will have another chance to enjoy Per Sorensen of Fra Lippo Lippi as he brings his “Stitches and Burns” tour to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on October 24.

Also making their return to the Philippines are Australian rock duo Air Supply for its “A Matter of Time” tour, hitting the New Frontier Theater stage on October 26 after the weekend ends.

K-Ballet Tokyo brings to Makati’s Samsung Performing Arts Theater this October 24 a one-of-a-kind performance of “The Flame of Paris.”

On the same day local band I Belong to the Zoo stages its first major concert at the New Frontier Theater while another band Silent Sanctuary kicks off its two-night “Gabi ng Lambing” shows at the Mall of Asia Arena to mark its 24th year.

A final “Sembreak” workshop will be held at the three G-Force Dance Center branches on October 24 before the showcase the following day at Makati’s Proscenium Theater.

“Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration” continues at The Space at Solaire while in the nearby Theatre at Solaire, “Cirque Alice: An Acrobatic Adventure in Wonderland” ends its limited run on October 25.

Gary Valenciano continues his “Back at the Museum” series at the Music Museum in Greenhills on October 24 while “Bongga Ka, ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical” continues its run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Also onstage are Repertory Philippines’ “Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper” at the REP Eastwood Theater in Quezon City on October 24 as Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us” ends its limited comeback run at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

After dropping by Ayala Malls Vermosa earlier this week, the Pokémon Truck heads to Ayala Malls Arca South where fans can try “Pokémon Pokopia” on the Nintendo Switch 2 and hopefully meet a Pikachu mascot.

As organizations accelerate investments in cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital technologies, many discover that adopting technology is only the beginning. When businesses expand across physical and digital channels, fragmented systems and disconnected technologies can increase complexity, slow expansion, and impact customer experience.

Increasingly, organizations are realizing that sustainable growth depends not on adding more technology, but on orchestrating technologies so they work together to create greater business value.

Globe Business convened nationwide business leaders from retail, financial services, healthcare and energy utilities at the recently held G Summit 2026, to discuss how unified digital foundations enable organizations to scale faster, strengthen customer trust and respond more effectively to changing business demands.

Building digital-ready foundations requires organizations to look beyond individual technology investments. It requires the discipline to orchestrate them into a connected ecosystem where every capability works toward a common business goal.

Dennis Wong, Globe Business senior advisor said organizations that adopt this mindset are better positioned to turn technology investments into real business outcomes instead of isolated projects.

“First, you need to have very reliable connectivity for access,’ Wong said. ‘Number two, you need to have a scalable cloud platform. Number three, once you have all this, you need to have a very secure infrastructure. Next, it’s all about the collaborative tool. You need to have the right API to link everything together. If the network folks, the cloud folks, and the security folks don’t talk to each other, your transformation is not going to happen.”

Across retail, financial services and healthcare, sector leaders reiterated that true enterprise resilience stems from embedding technology directly into business strategy. In the retail sector,

Walter Yu of AC Retail (ACx) and Anko stressed that cybersecurity must be designed into transformation efforts from Day 1 rather than added as an afterthought during system integration. Dustin Lacap of McDonald’s Philippines echoed this mindset, noting that future-ready cloud infrastructure is a business growth decision, not simply an IT initiative.

As organizations expand, integrating cloud capabilities into their broader technology ecosystem helps simplify operations and support long-term growth.

In financial services, Suzelyn Urbano shared how GCash is using AI to drive innovation across the enterprise-reimagining how teams work, accelerating ideas into impact and unlocking new possibilities for the business, while ensuring AI adoption remains secure, responsible, and guided by human judgment.

Healthcare organizations are undergoing the same transformation. Atty. Gideon Peña noted that customers no longer compare an HMO only with another HMO, but with the best experiences across industries. For iCare, this means using technology to simplify claims processing, reduce friction, and deliver faster, more responsive omnichannel experiences.

What powers physical and digital infrastructure is equally important as regional economies expand. As energy providers modernize to support expanding urban centers, Globe Business works alongside utility leaders to deliver the connectivity, cloud intelligence and security needed to maintain grid resilience.

Mark Anthony Kindica of Visayan Electric Company highlighted how bridging disparate platforms with modern network tools transforms energy distribution for over half a million Cebuanos. He explained that true enterprise value emerges when isolated digital systems work together, enabling utilities to shift from reactive troubleshooting to predictive maintenance.

Similarly, Arvin Padayhag of Davao Light and Power Company Inc. and Aboitiz Power Distribution Utilities emphasized that physical assets and enterprise IT must evolve together. He observed that orchestrating technology, data and teams builds a more resilient infrastructure, adding that robust cybersecurity is an indispensable component of power reliability.

For industry leaders, the real challenge was never choosing the right technologies. It was making them work together seamlessly to deliver meaningful business outcomes. With Globe Business as an end-to-end partner integrating connectivity, cloud and security capabilities, organizations across industries can focus on what matters most.

“You should be focusing on the business. You should be focusing on your customer,’ Wong said. ‘That’s where Globe Business wants to be. We want to be your trusted partner. We want you to be able to focus on the right thing, and we will be able to support you, design and orchestrate all these fundamental things with you.’

Clyde Mondilla weathered a blistering charge from a slew of pursuers and delivered a master class in clutch shot-making under pressure, producing a classy finish to capture the ICTSI South Pacific Classic crown Friday at the South Pacific Golf Club.

With his lead under siege and the leaderboard in constant flux, the Del Monte ace regained control with a near-ace on No. 15 and a clutch birdie putt from long range on the 17th to move two shots clear of Sean Ramos with one hole to play. He could even afford to miss a four-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole, drawing gasps from the gallery, and still emerge with a two-stroke victory.

Mondilla closed with a two-under 70 for an 18-under 270 total, holding off Ramos, who mounted a determined comeback before wavering late with a 69 for 272. Angelo Que and Keanu Jahns, meanwhile, made stirring bids that kept the pressure on the leader until the closing holes.

The final margin, however, hardly reflected the tension and turbulence of the closing stretch, when five players were separated by just two strokes and every shot threatened to change the outcome.

The pressure was mounting after 10 holes as Ramos pulled ahead on a clutch two-shot swing on the 10th. But Mondilla refused to lose his composure. A timely reset helped him regain his rhythm, with his putter finally coming alive as he pulled away in the closing stretch.

‘Sean was gaining strokes on me, so the pressure was really intense. But after No. 10, I settled down, regained my momentum and started sinking my putts,’ said Mondilla in Filipino, who pocketed the top purse of P448,750.

Despite the mounting pressure, Mondilla remained confident in his chances, trusting his game and his ability to deliver when it mattered most.

‘I always believed I had a good chance of winning this week, and thankfully, things worked out in my favor,’ he said.

Still, it was not until he drained a lengthy putt on the 17th that Mondilla felt the victory was finally within reach. He celebrated the clutch shot with a triumphant roar and a fist pump, a fitting release after a tense battle down the stretch.

His confidence had already received a boost on No. 15, where he narrowly missed an ace. The near-hole-in-one fueled his momentum heading into the decisive penultimate hole.

‘I was already pumped up after my birdie on No. 15, which nearly went in for a hole-in-one. Then came the 17th, when I sank that long putt. That was when I told myself, ‘This is it. I have to make sure I birdie before Sean does.’ Fortunately, I made it, giving me a two-shot lead heading into the final hole and a real chance to close out the win,’ said Mondilla.

The two-shot margin may suggest a relatively comfortable finish, but the final-round battle was anything but. Against a field of determined challengers and a leaderboard that remained volatile deep into the round, Mondilla produced the shots that mattered most, turning a chaotic finish into a statement victory.

It was a finish that demanded not just precision but composure, and Mondilla delivered when it mattered most.

After surrendering his three-stroke overnight lead on a costly two-shot swing against Ramos on the 10th, Mondilla found himself one down as his pursuer seized control. But the multi-titled campaigner refused to buckle, capitalizing on Ramos’ miscue on No. 13 to draw level before nearly holing his tee-shot on the par-3 15th to reclaim the lead.

His defining moment came on No. 17, where he sank a long birdie putt to go two up with one hole remaining. The four-footer he missed on the last may have denied him a fitting flourish, but it could not undo the clutch work that had put the title within his grasp.

Ramos, seeking his second Philippine Golf Tour victory, mounted a formidable challenge, rallying from three shots down with a four-under-par round after a birdie on No. 10, which Mondilla’s bogeyed, briefly shifting the momentum in his favor. But the recent Asian Development Tour winner in Egypt failed to sustain his charge, dropping a costly shot on the 13th that allowed Mondilla to regain the upper hand.

And regain control he did, never relinquishing it the rest of the way.

Jahns produced the day’s most explosive charge, firing a nine-under 63 to threaten the leaders despite starting the final round 10 shots off the pace. Playing under preferred lies, he came within inches of another birdie on the 18th, settling for a 32-31 finish and a 273 total that tied Lee Song, who closed with an even-par 72, for third.

Que also mounted a serious challenge, moving within one shot of the lead after an eagle-fueled six-under effort through 17 holes. But a three-putt bogey on the last left him with a 67 and a 274 total for fifth.

The closing holes turned the championship into a nerve-wracking test of shot-making and temperament. With Ramos pressing, Que surging and Jahns charging from deep in the field, the final groups played under mounting pressure, each shot carrying the potential to reshape the leaderboard. Every walk off the course brought another twist, and every putt drew heightened anticipation as the gallery witnessed a finish worthy of a championship.

Yet Mondilla, drawing on years of experience in pressure-packed battles at home and abroad, held firm. His response to each challenge underscored the poise of a proven champion, one who understood that winning such a contest required more than power and precision.

Song, who stood just one stroke behind Mondilla after 54 holes, failed to sustain his challenge after a double bogey on the par-five second. He briefly revived his hopes with a birdie on No. 10, but could not keep pace with the charging pack.

Elee Bisera fired a 68 to share sixth place at 278 with Russell Bautista, who carded a 71. Jeffren Lumbo also shot 68 to tie for eighth at 279 with Ira Alido and Gab Manotoc, who finished with 69 and 73, respectively.

For Mondilla, the triumph marked a welcome return to the PGT throne after a two-year title drought dating to his victory over Que at Caliraya Springs in 2024.

‘This win means a lot because I’m back in the winner’s circle. My confidence is back, too, especially when it comes to handling pressure. I also want to thank my wife, May, and my two daughters, who continue to inspire me,’ he said.

For Mondilla, the victory meant more than another title. It marked his return to the winner’s circle and a timely boost to his confidence, particularly in handling pressure during crucial moments.

With his confidence restored and his competitive edge sharpened, Mondilla is eager to carry the momentum into his next assignment.

‘I’m more than ready for the next tournament,’ he added.

That next challenge comes at the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic, which gets under way Tuesday at the nearby Apo Golf and Country Club. Fresh from his confidence-boosting victory, Mondilla will arrive not only as a player to watch but also as a formidable contender for another crown.

Singlife Philippines and Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), setting the stage for a partnership that goes far beyond traditional insurance.

Through this partnership, the two organizations are committing to an integrated health ecosystem built on the dual pillars of Prevention and Protection.

The collaboration bridges the gap between financial security and physical wellness. By combining Singlife’s digital-first protection with CSMC’s clinical excellence, the duo introduces a unique healthcare journey for Singlife policyholders, transforming a normally stressful hospital visit into a streamlined, priority experience.

Singlife Philippines has built its reputation on making insurance simple, accessible and meaningful for Filipinos. Through digital solutions, Singlife is committed to going beyond traditional coverage, creating real value for policyholders through seamless experiences and trusted partner networks.

“We are committed to turning insurance from a backup plan for tomorrow into guaranteed world-class care today,” Allen Reyes, CEO of Singlife Philippines, said.

“This partnership is about making healthcare feel effortless for our policyholders. By removing long queues and unnecessary delays, we ensure that when a Filipino covered by Singlife walks into Cardinal Santos Medical Center, they get the priority access and quality care they deserve,” Reyes added.

For over 50 years, Cardinal Santos Medical Center (CSMC) has been a cornerstone of trust and excellence in Philippine healthcare. While its legacy is anchored in world-class specialty treatments, CSMC has evolved into a premier wellness destination.

The hospital has consistently pushed the boundaries of medical technology, with recent innovations such as sophisticated robotic-assisted surgical systems, a dedicated facility for advanced medical research and more.

“Cardinal Santos has always stayed at the forefront of medical advancement to better serve our patients. Partnering with Singlife Philippines allows us to bridge the gap between our clinical innovations and the evolving financial needs of the modern Filipino. It is a partnership rooted in a shared goal: to ensure that quality healthcare is never a burden, but a reliable and accessible service for all,” Raul Pagdanganan, president and CEO of Cardinal Santos Medical Center, expressed.

While full details are yet to be disclosed, the partnership is expected to explore how both organizations can work together across the entire patient journey, streamlining experiences that have traditionally been fragmented, long and frustrating.

Gunmen armed with assault rifles killed three people and seriously wounded two others in an attack near Timako Hill in Barangay Kalanganan 2, western Cotabato City, early Friday, October 23.

The incident came a day after two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel, Seaman 2nd Class Reniel Agpalo and Apprentice Seaman Louther John Vitor, were killed in an ambush in Cotabato City on Thurdsday afternoon, October 22.

Captain Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters Friday noon that the attack in Barangay Kalangangan 2 killed Datu Maceda Taup Yusop, Mokamad Tabunaway Lanta and Reni Hamsa.

Their companions, Daryl Bagundang Oliveros and June Tabunaway Lanta, were seriously wounded and taken by barangay officials to the Cotabato Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Initial reports receied by Cotabato City police director Col. Jibin Bongcayao from investigators and intelligence operatives who responded to the incident said the victims were gathered near a fishpond close to Timako Hill in Barangay Kalanganan 2 when armed men attacked them with combat rifles.

Yusop, Lanta and Hamsa died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.

Barangay officials and Moro community leaders in the area said the attackers fled in a white Toyota Hilux pickup truck.

In a separate incident on Thursday, gunmen killed with 9 millimeter pistols killed PCG personnel Reniel Agpala and Louther John Vitor in an ambush along Roman Vilo Street in Cotabato City, near the riverside station where they were assigned.

Agpalo and Vitor were riding in a maroon Toyota Innova with their immediate superior, Coast Guard Commander John Paul Cabarrubias, when armed men opened fire on the vehicle. The attackers fled on a motorcycle amid the commotion cased by the gunshots.

Both Coast Guard personnel sustained fatal gunshot wounds to different parts of their bodies.

The country’s miners have raised concerns over a new government system for evaluating and granting natural resource contracts, warning that the new framework could compromise investments into the sector.

In a joint statement, the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (COMP) and the Philippine Nickel Industry Association (PNIA) criticized the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Joint Administrative Order (JAO) 2026-01.

They stated that the order could create regulatory uncertainty and increase investment risks.

The groups highlighted the existence of certain ‘questionable provisions’ under the JAO, including the required turnover of operational assets upon contract expiry and bidding rules that could disadvantage incumbent operators.

COMP and PNIA have also raised concern over new evaluation criteria that they said are biased against proven technical expertise, operational track records and environmental performance.

The groups also stressed that policy stability and adherence to the rule of law are the bedrock for business and investment growth.

‘If new and questionable provisions create uncertainty and fear and make investing costlier in terms of involving project financing and asset valuations, among other things, then the government’s efforts to attract investors and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ease of doing business agenda and his push to make the minerals industry as a stronger pillar of economic development would be for naught,’ it added.

The two groups have urged the government to ensure that the new framework remains consistent with existing laws and contractual rights, promotes fair and transparent competition and supports the country’s efforts to attract long-term investments.

COMP and PNIA said the implications of the JAO extend beyond the mining sector, warning that it could weaken the country’s investment opportunities, especially those interested in Pax Silica.

It added that the country should not let ‘this golden opportunity pass for questionable and even illusory gains.’

‘Attracting foreign direct investments is a priority and the JAO is not helping toward this end,’ the groups said.

COMP and PNIA noted that it remains committed to conduct further constructive engagement with the DOE and the DENR to help achieve the government’s policy objectives.

For the Safdieh family, pediatric home nursing means Saulie can enjoy more of childhood while his mother has support in caring for his complex medical needs.

At preschool, Saulie Safdieh gets to do what children his age do: play, learn, and spend time with his classmates. Supporting him are Cherryl Bordonado and Catherine Macarandang, two Filipino nurses from Towne Kids who alternate shifts to help manage his medical needs and support his participation in everyday childhood experiences.

Saulie’s congenital heart condition was diagnosed when his mother, Abagael Safdieh, was 20 weeks pregnant. Days after his birth in 2022, he underwent his first open-heart surgery and spent time in the cardiac intensive care unit. Coming home was an important milestone, but his medical needs continued. Even everyday routines, from meals and medication to playtime, required extra care.

Abagael wanted her son to have the opportunity to learn and enjoy being a child. Finding people she could trust to help manage his care became an important part of making that possible.

That search led the Safdieh family to Towne Kids, which provides pediatric home nursing support to families in the United States. Initially, the family received eight hours of nursing support a day. As Saulie’s needs evolved, that increased to 20 hours daily, with nurses covering morning and overnight shifts.

As part of his care team, Cherryl and Catherine take turns providing nursing support, helping monitor Saulie’s oxygen levels, observe how he responds to physical activity, and attend to his needs, including medication and feeding. Their familiarity with his condition and daily routines helps support his participation in preschool activities and time with his classmates.

‘My son absolutely loves them,’ Abagael said.

Over time, Cherryl and Catherine have also become familiar faces in the Safdieh family’s daily life, sharing in everyday routines and special moments involving Saulie and his sisters.

For Abagael, having trusted nursing support has helped her continue working while giving Saulie more opportunities to attend preschool, spend time with his sisters, and enjoy the experiences that are part of growing up.

Cherryl and Catherine are among the 303 nurses Towne Kids has placed across New Jersey and Massachusetts since 2021, connecting Filipino nurses with professional opportunities in the United States.

Their work with Saulie illustrates the role pediatric nurses play in helping children with complex medical needs participate in everyday life. Alongside their clinical responsibilities, they work with families to provide care that takes into account each child’s needs, routines, and development.

For Towne Kids CEO Mindy Tyner, trust is central to that relationship.

‘Caring for a child at home takes more than clinical skills. It takes patience, trust, and an understanding of what a family goes through every day. We want families to feel that their child is in capable hands, and we want nurses to be treated as professionals whose work makes a real difference in people’s lives,’ Tyner said.

That commitment begins with clear communication about a nursing role, its responsibilities, and the terms of employment. Giving nurses a clear understanding of these arrangements helps them make informed decisions about their careers and establishes a sound foundation for the working relationships that support families.

Saulie’s medical journey remains uncertain, but he continues to have opportunities to attend preschool, spend time with his classmates, and make memories with his sisters, with nursing support helping his family manage his daily care.

For the Safdieh family, pediatric home nursing means more than meeting Saulie’s medical needs. It means helping him experience more of childhood while giving his mother greater peace of mind.

And sometimes, as Abagael’s words make clear, the difference is reflected in something simple: a little boy who loves the nurses who help care for him.

The Mandaluyong City Fencing Club continues its commitment to grassroots sports development as it stages ‘Tuloy ang PagSulong: Developmental Fencers Tournament’ on Sunday, October 25, at the SM Center Shaw in Mandaluyong City.

Founded on the principle of nurturing young athletes, the tournament puts the spotlight on developmental fencers, providing young athletes with valuable opportunities to experience competition, develop their skills, and build confidence in the sport of fencing.

Ariel Montinola, head coach and founder of the Mandaluyong City Fencing Club, said the event was originally envisioned as a collaborative undertaking. Despite the changes in its organizing arrangements, the club has decided to proceed independently to ensure that the tournament pushes forward.

‘What matters most is that we continue to create opportunities for our young fencers. Tuloy ang PagSulong. Our focus is on the kids – their development, their confidence, and their journey in fencing. We hope to welcome not only the participating fencers but also their families this Sunday,’ Montinola said.

The club expressed its gratitude to SM Center Shaw and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for their support of previous fencing events. It also extended its appreciation to the coaches and fencing clubs that submitted entries and helped bring the tournament to life.

Registration remains open until Friday, October 23, specifically for the Under 10 Mixed Épée event. All other events have reached their minimum participant requirements. The tournament will be conducted in a single-day meet to maximize efficiency and provide a focused competition experience for the participating athletes.

The club continues to establish a tradition of making tournaments more memorable for young athletes. Since the Mandaleño Fencing Cup 2025 at SM Center Shaw, followed by events held at Greenfield District, the club has consistently provided participant event T-shirts and other complimentary items.

This year’s Tuloy ang PagSulong tournament continues that commitment, with event T-shirts and commemorative keychains prepared for participants.

For Montinola, these initiatives reflect the club’s belief that grassroots tournaments should offer more than competition – they should create meaningful experiences for children and their families.

Beyond the tournament, Mandaluyong Fencing is preparing for a new chapter in its development, with European fencing brands expressing support for the club founder’s vision.

Mandaluyong Fencing is the exclusive Philippine dealer of PBT Fencing, the Hungarian fencing equipment brand. Coinciding with the PagSulong event, the club is also moving forward with the signing of its dealership agreement with OCTAV, a fencing shoe brand based in the United Kingdom.

These partnerships are expected to strengthen the club’s initiatives in athlete development, equipment accessibility, and the growth of fencing in the Philippines. The club invites the fencing community to watch for further announcements in the coming year.

Montinola also acknowledged the continuing support of club parents, fellow coaches, participating fencing clubs, and the leadership of the Philippine Fencing Association, whose contributions help sustain the sport’s development.

As the tournament approaches, Mandaluyong Fencing remains committed to its guiding spirit: SULONG! – Sportsmanship, Unity, Love for the Sports and Humanity, Optimism, Nurturing, and Gratitude.

The Mandaluyong City Fencing Club, also known as Mandaleño Fencing, is committed to grassroots fencing development, athlete formation, and community engagement. Through training programs, developmental competitions, and strategic partnerships, the club seeks to make fencing more accessible while nurturing the next generation of Filipino athletes.

Jimboy Estrada hit a game-winning jumper off the glass to tow the Letran Knights over the San Sebastian College – Recoletos Stags, 91-89, in their NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball clash Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Struggling in the game, Estrada saved the Knights from the upset axe.

After Niel Castor hit a layup that tied things up at 89-all, Letran had 6.5 seconds to go for the win.

The Knights then went to Estrada, who drove to the basket, stopped on a dime, stepped back, and hoisted up a mid-range jumper off the glass, which sank to the bottom of the net.

A heave from John Ynot missed everything as San Sebastian’s clock melted.

Trailing by as much as 17 points, San Sebastian stormed back, getting the lead in the third quarter.

The two teams then traded leads, as the game swung like a pendulum.

Letran led by five, 84-79, with 2:44 remaining after free throws by Denzil Walker.

An 8-2 run by the Stags, capped by a Christian Ricio transition layup, pushed them ahead, 87-86, with 45 seconds to go.

Aaron Buensalida then connected on a point-blank attempt to give the Knights the lead anew, 88-87.

After a missed floater by Vince Segovia, San Sebastian fouled Nat Montecillo, who split his freebies, 89-87, setting the stage for the clutch shots of Castor and Estrada down the stretch.

With the injured Titing Manalili still out, Chad Gammad powered Letran with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists. Buensalida backstopped with 21 markers and six boards, to go with three steals. Estrada and Froilan Reyes provided the spark off the bench with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Caesley Bacani paced the Stags with 24 points, two rebounds and a steal. Ynot added 16 markers, while Segovia, Castor and Ricio produced 13, 12 and 11, respectively.

Letran rose to 7-3 in Group B play, while the Stags dropped to their 10th straight defeat.

Acting Communications Secretary Lino Cayetano will not accept the courtesy resignation of Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Cayetano confirmed this in an interview with reporters on Friday, October 23, where he also said all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) were asked to file courtesy resignations.

Cayetano gave no timeline for acting on the other resignations. He told reporters that evaluating his team would be an ongoing process rather than a one-time reshuffle, with some decisions coming within days and others months later.

‘Usec. Claire, I don’t want to say we’re a package deal, but Usec. Claire is a treasure in this government,’ Cayetano said in mixed English and Filipino. ‘I haven’t seen someone articulate [that] well what this government is doing.’

Without giving further details, Cayetano said the PCO currently has an “innovation” that he wants Castro to be a part of. “In this age of digitalization, we want an analog office. I think the PCO also needs to focus on being on the ground,” he said.

Cayetano was all praise for Castro’s combative style of responding to issues and affirmed he would like both of them to continue working closely.

“In terms of being combative (sic) and protecting what this administration is doing, to explain [why we do what we do], I admire Usec. Claire,” he added.

“For me, that’s the strength of Usec. Claire. That’s her personality. We will balance that out, that if there is a need to explain a policy, we will invite the relevant department or Cabinet secretary [during briefings],” Cayetano said.

Cayetano became the PCO’s head after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during a press interview in Singapore on October 11 that he was replacing Dave Gomez, whose appointment had been bypassed by the Commission on Appointments.

He took his oath in Malacañang on October 13, becoming the sixth official to lead the PCO under the Marcos administration, after Trixie Cruz-Angeles, Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Cesar Chavez, Jay Ruiz and Gomez.

A former Taguig City mayor and television director, he had been general manager of state-run PTV-4, a PCO-attached corporation, since June.

This is the third leadership transition Castro has been a part of since she entered the PCO.

Asked whose resignations he would accept, Cayetano said: ‘That will be a process as long as I am here.