Category: Philippine Star

Filipinos are more familiar with Pork Adobo, Chicken Adobo, and mixed Chicken and Pork Adobo, although in the Visayas, including Iloilo, our kababayans have been cooking Duck Adobo.

Perhaps one reason why we do not cook duck as much as we cook chicken, pork, beef, fish, and seafood is the availability of quality duck meat in the market. But now things are bound to change.

With the ready availability of duck in the market today, with great effort coming from the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) to make high-quality U.S. Poultry available in the Philippines, we can now easily buy duck meat from major supermarkets and deli stores.

This means we will be cooking more duck dishes – and enjoying them, too, in dishes where they can be surprisingly good. How about starting with Chef Ging Santos’ U.S. Duck Adobo sa Gata?

‘Duck may not be your first thought when making Adobo, but you guys have to try this!’ she said, sharing a recipe she uses.

She added: ‘Duck is classified as white meat, but from a culinary perspective, it is sometimes grouped with red meats. If you’re looking for poultry with stronger and denser flavors, then duck meat is for you!’

She then shares a practical tip that will help turn out awesome U.S. Duck Adobo sa Gata or any duck recipes, for that matter.

‘When cooking duck, use a tenderizer (in this case, lemon lime soda). So glad I made this recipe because it turned out super yum, and will surely be on rotation in our household,’ the chef said.

US Duck Adobo sa Gata

Ingredients:

2 pcs. U.S. Duck Legs

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

10 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsps. black peppercorns

1 tsp. red chili flakes

2 tsps. muscovado sugar

1/3 cup coconut aminos

1/3 cup distilled white vinegar

1/3 cup lemon lime soda

4 pcs. bay leaves

1/3 cup coconut milk

Procedure:

1. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a pan.

2. Sauté garlic until fragrant. Add peppercorns, chili flakes, and muscovado sugar. Remove from pan and set aside.

3. In the same pan, sear duck legs skin side down. Cook over medium to high heat until golden brown.

4. Add back the garlic mix.

5. Pour in coconut aminos, white vinegar, and lemon lime soda. Add bay leaves. Do not stir. Wait until boiling and reduced for about 1 hour.

6. Add coconut milk and boil a little bit more.

7. Broil the legs in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes to make the skin crisp.

8. Serve with rice.

Policemen foiled on Friday, September 25, an attempt by seafaring smugglers to deliver P2.8 million worth of cigarettes from Indonesia to retailers in a beachfront area in Barangay Timan in Liloy town in Zamboanga del Norte in Region 9.

Brig. Gen. Elmer Ragay, director of the Police Regional Office 9, told reporters on Sunday that the anti-smuggling operation that led to the confiscation of 45 large boxes containing imported cigarettes, costing P2.8 million, was carried out by combined personnel of the Liloy Municipal Police Station and operatives from different units of the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office.

The operation was premised on tips by local executives in the province and legitimate dealers of Philippine-made cigarettes about the supposed delivery of the contraband to traders in Liloy.

Ragay said they are to turn over the confiscated imported cigarettes to the Bureau of Customs for its disposition.

The small wooden seacraft used in the transport of the illegal merchandise from Indonesia, via the territorial seas in Tawi-Tawi and Sulu provinces, was also impounded by the police teams involved in the anti-smuggling operation, now berthed at a seaside area in Liloy, guarded by barangay officials and volunteer community watchmen.

From processing fish and squid to producing salt, women in Daram, Samar are turning the island municipality’s abundant seawater into an additional source of livelihood, with support from the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Through the Development of the Salt Industry Project (DSIP), BFAR Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) provided the Daram Association of Fish and Squid Processors and the Brgy. Ubo Dried Fish Vendors Association with materials and inputs to establish solar salt production facilities, complementing their existing fish-processing activities.

The two associations, composed of 16 and 25 fisherfolk members, respectively, each received P100,000.00 worth of Solar Salt Production in Low Linear Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) with Frame modules, along with a generator, submersible pump, and HDPE drums.

BFAR VIII also conducted comprehensive salt-making training in Tacloban City and provided capability-building activities to equip the associations with the knowledge and skills needed to properly operate and manage the technology.

The intervention allows the communities to transform locally available seawater into salt through a simple solar evaporation process.

Clean seawater is filtered before being placed in an LLDPE-lined drying area covered with UV film.

Under the heat of the sun, the water gradually evaporates, leaving salt crystals that can be collected after approximately four to five days, depending on weather conditions.

Their initial production has already yielded 180 kilograms of salt, which the associations used for their fish-drying activities. The early results demonstrate how locally produced salt can both provide an additional livelihood and help support the supply requirements of existing fish-processing enterprises.

For Gilda Dosal Añez, president of the Daram Association of Fish and Squid Processors, salt-making presents a practical livelihood opportunity for women in coastal communities.

She said salt-making has great potential as a livelihood because it does not require a large amount of capital and can be easily managed, particularly by women.

Daram is an island municipality composed of 57 coastal communities and one upland community. Fishing remains its primary livelihood, with 98% of residents recorded as municipal fishers by the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist-Fisheries Services (OMA-FS).

With the municipality surrounded by seawater, local officials see salt production as a practical way to make use of an abundant local resource while creating additional economic opportunities for coastal communities.

The local government unit of Daram organized the associations, provided initial seed capital, and facilitated their connections with government agencies and development partners for technical assistance and training.

BFAR’s support through the DSIP is set to expand further. BFAR VIII will distribute P300,000.00 worth of Collapsible Salt Production Setups to associations in Daram, Samar to increase their production capacity and availability of locally produced salt while providing fisherfolk with an additional source of income.

The associations also plan to add more liner setups, move toward mass production, and eventually develop iodized, food-grade salt. They are likewise looking into value-adding opportunities and the possible replication of the technology in other barangays interested in adopting solar salt production.

The locally produced salt currently sells for P20 per kilogram, providing the associations with another product while helping meet the salt requirements of local fish processors.

At the regional level, the DSIP has identified 230 individuals from 13 associations and one cooperative in Eastern Visayas as beneficiaries of salt production interventions.

Target areas include Daram Island in Samar; San Roque in Northern Samar; Maasin and Hinunangan in Southern Leyte; Baybay City in Leyte; Guiuan and Arteche in Eastern Samar; and Naval and Maripipi in Biliran.

From seawater to salt, and from salt production to stronger coastal livelihoods, DSIP is helping turn the country’s salt resources into an industry – one community, one producer, and one livelihood opportunity at a time

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is eyeing Greek maritime investments through a strategic partnership with the Hellenic ASEAN Business Council (HABC), a non-profit serving as an institutional bridge between the economies of Greece and member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Recognizing the trade potential between Subic, a strategic sea port in the midst of the ASEAN, and Greece, which controls about 21 percent of the world’s total merchant fleet, the SBMA and HABC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to promote bilaterial trade and investment focusing on shipbuilding, maritime logistics and port operations, as well as cruise tourism.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose Aliño and HABC Chairman and CEO Nick Stasinopoulos signed the agreement here during the latter’s visit on September 17.

‘The synergy between our countries is undeniable,’ Stasinopoulos noted during the signing. ‘Greece is home to the world’s largest maritime communities, while the Philippines is a key contributor to the global maritime workforce.’

‘We aim to facilitate greater exchanges between Greek and Philippine maritime stakeholders, identify mutual investment opportunities, foster business partnerships, and encourage the sharing of knowledge and expertise,’ Stasinopoulos added.

Aliño, meanwhile, described the signing of the MOU as ‘a promising new chapter’ for Subic, which has pushed for a P28.18-billion program to expand and modernize both its air and sea ports in conjunction with the Luzon Economic Corridor initiative.

Aliño said five Greek companies have already expressed interest in investing in Subic following the agreement with HABC.

These include ERMA Tech Group, a global leader in sustainable maritime technologies headquartered in Perama, Greece, and D.K. Fotinakis Ltd., a prominent general ship repair and marine engineering firm based in Piraeus.

Erma Tech specializes in decarbonization, water and wastewater treatment, and marine equipment solutions, while D.K. Fotinakis focuses on ship repair, dry-docking, engineering studies, and yacht building and restoration.

Aliño also said the SBMA is eyeing a collaboration program with the Hellenic Port Association (HPA) to exchange best practices with the Greek port sector.

The HPA represents 13 major Greek port authorities, including state-controlled and privatized entities like Piraeus, Thessaloniki, and Patras; and 13 prominent regional port funds that operate local ports like Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes.

Prior to the SBMA-HABC agreement, Stasinopoulos had also signed an MOU with Joey Concepcion, chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) to strengthen business engagement between Greece, the Philippines, and the wider ASEAN region.

The HABC-ASEAN BAC deal established a framework for cooperation in trade and investment promotion, business linkages, MSME and entrepreneurship development, innovation and digital transformation, and knowledge exchange.

Leaders, some say, are born, not made. This, however, is not entirely true. A person may be born with a leadership pedigree but will not turn out to be a good leader without learning how to treat people right? And how can a seemingly ‘un-pedigreed’ person not be hailed as a good leader if he displays all the right reasons to be one?

Although leadership may appear natural in some people and not in others, studies show that leaders are mostly made, not born. Research estimates that leadership is about one-third innate (due to genetic factors) and two-thirds shaped by experience and learning. This is particularly expressed in an article in Psychology Today by Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D., a professor of leadership and organizational psychology at Claremont McKenna College.

So, how does one who wants to be an effective leader prepare himself to become one? The easiest – and most effective – way to do is to learn from the experts, develop broader perspectives, and stay informed about emerging trends. Since you cannot be following the experts around to take note of what they are doing, the best way to keep abreast with them and learn from their achievements and mistakes is to read leadership books, where they share their experiences as well as tips for those who want to follow in their footsteps.

There are many books that deal with the subject, and Fully Booked has gathered eight leadership books that can help ‘potential leaders’ develop skills and the right mindset to lead others effectively – be it in school or at work.

1. “Kiku: The Japanese Art of Good Listening” by Haru Yamada

The key to being a good manager is being a good listener, said author Haru Yamada. In this book, he guides readers in unlocking that skill through Kiku, which is a Japanese concept that goes beyond hearing to describe a more engaged, empathetic way of listening. She further describes Kiku as listening with the ‘energy of fourteen hearts,’ a quality that strengthens leadership by helping leaders build trust, understand others deeply, and respond with greater empathy.

After an accident left her with a permanent hearing disability while recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Yamada rediscovered the powerful benefits of listening. These helped shape her unique take on listening, which allows you to sustain and deepen your personal connections and improve how you relate to others in more meaningful and intentional ways.

2. “Dare to Lead: Brave Work, Tough Conversations” by Brené Brown

Brené Brown argues that effective leadership begins with vulnerability. This means having the courage to admit that you do not always have the answers. Leadership is not about accumulating power or making everything about yourself; it is about empowering others to grow, succeed, and reach their full potential.

Drawing on two decades of research with leaders and change-makers, Brown outlines four skill sets for daring leadership: vulnerability, clarity of values, trust, and rising skills. These skills come together in this book, which is perfect for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy and create a healthier team culture.

3. “Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working” by Dan Heath

Have you ever encountered a roadblock in the middle of a project, and gotten stuck there? If so, then this book is for you.

Author Dan Heath calls such roadblocks ‘boulders.’ They occur when leaders are either stifled by the gravity of the way people usually do things or when they spend too much time ‘fighting fires.’ This book will teach you to recognize these boulders and reset the process. Heath offers a two-part framework to achieve this: identify leverage points, then strategically restack resources, such as reallocating time, energy, and attention.

Heath provides fascinating real-world examples, ranging from a freakishly effective fast-food drive-through to a simple trick from couples’ therapy to an inspirational campaign that saved a million cats. Be the kind of leader who gets to pivot when things are not working, he emphasizes.

4. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott

What sets great leaders apart from the rest? According to Kim Scott, it’s ‘radical candor.’ She defines “radical candor” as a management approach that pairs genuine care for employees with direct, respectful feedback. By building strong relationships, leaders create environments where people can love their work and colleagues.

The book’s core prescription is simple: Care personally while you challenge directly. That approach helps leaders give praise and criticism, build cohesive teams, and produce results everyone can be proud of. If you want to give feedback without eroding trust or confidence, this one should be on your to-read list.

5. “Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better” by David Epstein

According to author David Epstein, in a world filled with infinite choices, we can benefit from narrowing our options rather than finding more. The irony, he said, is that total freedom can paralyze, and unlimited resources don’t necessarily lead to breakthroughs.

Through gripping storytelling and cognitive science, Epstein shows that the secret to expanding human potential is choosing the right limits. So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many options, this book gives you practical advice on identifying which limitations could lead to progress.

6. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth

You may know Angela Duckworth from her widely viewed TED Talk on ‘grit,’ which describes the idea that success depends less on talent and more on a powerful combination of passion and perseverance. According to Duckworth, grit is the ability to stay committed to a long-term goal and pursue it with sustained effort and purpose over time.

Drawing on years of research, Duckworth explores why some people achieve extraordinary success while others fall short despite having equal talent. If you are working toward a promotion, developing new skills, or pursuing a personal goal, Duckworth can give you valuable insights on cultivating resilience, staying motivated, and achieving meaningful success.

7. “Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment” by Daniel Coyle

Flourishing is something many of us aspire to achieve, both in our personal lives and in our work. But what does it really take to thrive or flourish? In this book, Daniel Coyle examines some of the world’s most successful and connected groups to uncover the principles behind their success. He finds that exceptional groups excel at two things: 1) creating meaning through deep connections, and 2) building a strong sense of shared purpose.

Drawing on compelling real-world stories, scientific research, and first-hand observations, Coyle reveals what sets high-performing groups apart. More importantly, he offers practical insights and strategies that can help you foster stronger relationships, build community, and flourish wherever you are.

8. “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things” by Adam Grant

Adam Grant believes that everyone has hidden potential, but a culture ‘obsessed’ with talent often prevents us from realizing it. So, in this book, he offers a framework – grounded in research, insights, and stories from classrooms to the Olympics – that shows progress depends less on sheer effort than on how well we learn.

Grant explains how anyone can achieve great things by developing the skills and the mindset to persist. True potential, he believes, is measured not by the peak you reach but by how far you’ve climbed to get there. Leaders looking for a clearer path forward and those curious about how constraints can spark better ideas will find this a valuable read.

Thrust into an interim head coaching position two games in, University of the East head coach Paulo Hubalde said he aims to give the Red Warriors a confidence boost in the UAAP Season 89.

Hubalde stepped in for Chris Gavina ahead of UE’s matchup with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Saturday.

The coaching change, though, could not snap the Red Warriors’ UAAP losing streak, which reached 23 following a 93-70 defeat against the Tamaraws.

After the game, Hubalde said he wanted to fix his players’ confidence.

‘Well, unang-una, lumaban naman yung mga bata. For me, gusto ko lang ayusin yung confidence nila na they have to know that they can compete in this league,’ Hubalde, who himself was a former Red Warrior, told reporters.

‘For me, to bring out the best tsaka potential nila, yun yung primary objective ko sa mga bata.’

He said the team has to have pride whenever they step on the floor.

‘Kailangan talaga nila magkaroon ng pride. Pride on defense. Pride on scoring. Pride on wearing that uniform. Like I said, yung panahon namin, hindi ko kino-compare ah, yung panahon namin, we’re very proud to wear that. So, doon pa lang, put everything on the floor,’ he said.

Hubalde said he wants to pass on to the current UE players the winning DNA that he experienced during his playing years.

‘Well, panahon ni Coach Allan [Caidic, UE consultant], they won the championship. Noong panahon din namin, we were there but we never won, but we were really competing,’ he said.

‘So, yun ang gusto kong ipa-feel sa kanila na we’re all in this together. Sabi ko nga sa kanila kanina, you have to have that pride of wearing the red and white,’ he added.

And while the team’s morale, for now, is low, Hubalde underscored that he wants to push for positivity inside the court.

‘Like what I said kanina, I want to bring the best out of them. So, ang sabi ko sa kanila, maniwala sila sa kaya nilang gawin,’ he said.

‘And I’ve been with these kids for the last tw years. I know all their strengths. So, ano naman ako for the last 2 years, so alam ko kung kaano kaya nilang gawin. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, you just have to believe that you can.’

UE will return to action on Wednesday as they take on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.

Twelve people including a municipal mayor have been ordered arrested for alleged involvement in the ambush of the mayor of Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao del Sur in January.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) 10th Judicial Region Branch 1 based in Iligan City issued a warrant for the arrest of Mayor Andal Ampatuan V of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur and his alleged accomplices – Datuben Gayon, Johari Guiapal, Saudi Guiapal, Aboher Guimbangan, Soy Kali, Toraipie Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Samsudin Mokamad, Edad Pendatun, Ababang Salik, and Mohammad Shamron Sapalon.

Andal and his co-defendants were charged for violating Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, and multiple frustrated murder.

RTC Judge Alberto Pantonial Quinto did not recommend bail for the temporary liberty of the suspects, who allegedly plotted the ambush on the convoy of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. on Jan. 25.

Video footage of a closed-circuit television camera installed in an establishment near the scene of the attack showed a man firing a rocket-propelled grenade, hitting the bullet-proof vehicle of Akmad.

Akmad was not harmed in the attack, but his two security escorts suffered injuries.

Three suspected gunmen were killed in a pursuit operation launched by police.

Andal is a son of Andal Ampatuan Jr., who was convicted for the Maguindanao massacre in November 2009, which left 58 people dead including journalists.

What began as a family’s passion for sharing home-cooked treats has evolved into a beacon of community-driven agricultural enterprise in the highlands of Bukidnon.

Atugan Nature Farm, a Department of Tourism-certified site in Impasug-ong, is built on a foundation of collaboration, natural farming and local heritage.

Founded in 2018 by the parents of Rezia Lyndee “Izzy” Roque-Fabros, the farm initially served as a space to teach local residents, support the community and promote indigenous crafts such as hinabol, a traditional Higaonon handwoven fabric.

The farm’s signature offering, premium binaki-a traditional steamed sweet corn tamale-grew out of a shared family recipe.

“At first, my parents would just bring them to family gatherings or gift them to their friends,” Roque-Fabros said. “Eventually, people started asking to be able to buy them until it became what it is today. So, I guess I would say it started out as being happy to share something we liked and we followed the demand as years went by.”

The enterprise took a turning point when leadership transitioned to Roque-Fabros and her husband, James Michael Fabros. Neither brought a traditional business or agricultural background to the two-hectare property. Roque-Fabros trained as a medical technologist, while Fabros studied psychology.

Entering farm management meant starting from scratch. Roque-Fabros completed the Kapatid Mentor ME program to build core business skills, while Fabros leveraged his background to handle marketing, event management and tourist engagement.

“Be willing to learn,” Roque-Fabros said. “Things will always be changing. It is easier to find solutions to move forward.”

The transition required balancing long-standing community practices with new methods. Introducing modern agricultural techniques and natural farming concepts meant establishing deep trust with local farmers.

“To see is to believe,” Fabros said. “We are able to answer questions because we have already tried it ourselves.”

Today, the couple focuses heavily on sustainable coffee production and operations. Currently in an experimental stage, their goal extends beyond harvesting quality beans to sharing knowledge with neighboring growers.

The farm serves as a collaborative platform, displaying products from local micro, small, and medium enterprises and operating a roadside kapihan (coffee shop) with Adabrew Café.

Plans to fully establish the property as an Agricultural Training Institute learning site and farm tourism destination were paused during the pandemic, but revival efforts are underway. For the couple, growth remains tied to the success of the surrounding community.

“Success is better when you bring other people with you,” Fabros said, reflecting on the African proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. “Partner with someone so that they will also grow with you.”

Looking ahead, Roque-Fabros hopes Atugan Nature Farm will inspire similar sustainable, community-led initiatives across the region.

“It is more fruitful if everyone is growing around you,” she said.

Kids love jiggly gelatin desserts. This is why Cathedral Windows has become an all-time favorite kiddie dessert. It is gelatin heaven times ten because it is made up of ‘magical’ gelatin cubes of various colors with a creamy white gelatin base binding them all together.

It is named Cathedral Windows because it resembles the colorful stained glass windows often found in churches and cathedrals, especially those designed with a medieval Gothic architecture.

Receiving many requests for Cathedral Windows recipe on her Facebook page, Chef Jackie Ang Po is sharing the recipe of her delightfully creamy version of the gelatin dessert.

Creamy Cathedral Windows

Ingredients:

For the creamy white gelatin:

3 tbsps. gelatin (not gulaman)

1 pack Nestlé All Purpose Cream

1 cup Carnation Condensada

2 1/2 cups Nestlé Fresh Milk

2 tsps. vanilla extract

For the green gelatin:

1 1/2 tbsps. gelatin

1 1/2 cups water

1/4 cup sugar

Green coloring

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. (MMPC) reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability and shared its best environmental practices during the Crisis Resilience and Sustainability Forum at the 2026 Environmental Summit held at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

MMPC was selected by the local City Environment and Natural Resources Office to share what works, lessons learned and recommendations in the summit organized by the Laguna Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which served as a platform for government agencies, industries and private sector stakeholders to collaborate and promote environmental responsibility.

‘At present, around 20 percent of our facility’s electricity requirement is powered by our own solar panels. The remaining requirement is sourced entirely from renewable energy, allowing us to operate as a fully renewable energy manufacturing facility,’ said Marfel Ancheta, vice president of MMPC’s Safety, Health and Environment Department.

MMPC continues to implement energy efficiency measures across its operations, including heat recovery systems, equipment and lighting upgrades to more energy-efficient technologies and water recycling and conservation initiatives. These efforts support the company’s goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with an aspirational target of reaching this milestone as early as 2040.

Walking the talk in SiLakBo17

Beyond participation in forums, MMPC also encourages wider public involvement in environmental causes by joining SiLakBo17 (Sikad, Lakad, Takbo) at Nuvali Evoliving Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna as a key partner.

The initiative emphasized the impact of collective action and the importance of improving the condition of the Silang-Santa Rosa river system, highlighting the growing need for responsible water management and ecosystem restoration.

With the theme ‘Our Power, Our Planet,’ employees across MMPC joined the event through cycling, walking and running activities. It also served as a convergence point for private sector partners, local communities and advocacy groups working toward a common goal. Funds generated will support on-the-ground environmental programs, including initiatives that help restore green cover and improve watershed conditions in the area.

Through continued investments and participation in community-oriented programs, MMPC continues to advance sustainable manufacturing practices while fostering meaningful connections with its stakeholders for long-term sustainable development in the Philippines.