Category: Philippine Star

There is always this saying in ballgames or in any other sports that the ball is round, or anything can happen.

It did in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship in the Chilean capital, where the Alas Pilipinas Girls pulled the rug from under the Mexicans, 25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, Friday and registered their first win in the second edition of the biennial event.

It was also a triumph that bolstered the Filipinas’ hope of crashing into the round-of-16 as it jumped from last to a share of second with Venezuela and Peru on 1-1 records in the six-nation Pool B.

For it to happen, the Nationals would need to finish in the top four in their group.

Leading the bracket was defending champion China, which dealt Alas a straight-set spanking the day before.

Caera Celis spearheaded the attack with 24 points on 22 attacks, a block and an ace, while Xyz Rayco scattered 15 hits, including 12 off kills, and Jhaynna Bulandres chipped in 10 for Alas Girls, who are being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and ASICS.

But it was the master switch by Alas coach Edwin Leyva of Nadeth Harbon from wing spiker to libero that spelled the biggest difference as it helped solidify the squad’s floor defense after a lethargic effort in the stinging loss to the Chinese.

‘I’m happy because I think I did what was needed on the court. I’m happy my teammates are pleased with the result. I’ll embrace this role all the way to the end,’ said Harbon.

The Philippines was battling Tunisia as of this writing before the 11-day, 24-country meet takes a break Sunday.

Games resume Monday, with Alas tackling Peru and plunging back into action the next day versus Venezuela in its final pool assignment.

Singer Sophia Laforteza, the Filipina leader of global girl group Katseye, will temporarily step away from promotional activities to focus on her mental health.

The music act’s labels Hybe and Geffen Records released a statement on Weverse announcing Sophia’s hiatus, noting the artist’s wellness is of utmost priority.

Both agencies assured fans the singer is being supported and was advised by medical professionals to take time off for extended rest and ongoing care in order to fully recover.

“While Sophia herself is eager to perform alongside her members, the health, safety, and long-term well-being of our artists will always remain our highest priority,” they added.

Hybe and Geffen said they would continue supporting their artist and closely monitor her progress, with plans to reassess Sophia’s condition in a month’s time.

“We sincerely appreciate your understanding and continued support for Sophia, and we look forward to her being back with Katseye,” the labels ended.

Sophia shared a copy of the agencies’ statement while also sharing her own message to fans, or Eyekons, on Instagram.

“It truly breaks my heart to have to miss out on a lot. You know how much I love being on stage, performing, and sharing these moments with you,” the singer began, noting the difficult choice to prioritize her health or else her mind and body might not keep up.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), employers and labor groups have reached a common position supporting the lifting of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 152 in Pasig City against the implementation of the P85 daily wage increase under NCR Wage Order 27.

Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino said the agreement was reached during the meeting of the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) yesterday, which brought together representatives from the government, employers and workers to discuss the wage order dispute and other labor concerns.

Tolentino described the development as a ‘breakthrough,’ noting that all three sectors agreed to call on the court to dissolve the TRO to allow the implementation of the wage increase.

‘Employers and employees agreed. All labor groups are there. Employers, including ECOP (Employers Confederation of the Philippines), are there. DOLE is also part of this call to lift the temporary restraining order,’ he said.

Tolentino said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which represents the government in the case, had already filed a motion for reconsideration seeking the lifting of the TRO.

The RTC Pasig Branch 152 earlier issued a TRO following a petition filed by construction companies questioning the validity of the wage order.

Tolentino said the possible impact of the tripartite agreement on the court’s decision would depend on the judiciary, but emphasized that the consensus provided a concrete mechanism toward resolving the issue.

Workers’ sector representative to the NTIPC Sonny Matula said labor groups supported the OSG motion for reconsideration, arguing that the RTC should have no jurisdiction over the case because employers should have first pursued administrative remedies before the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

We are governed by clowns craving popularity.

This week, all 21 senators present endorsed a wage order raising minimum wages in Metro Manila. The same order was suspended by court order for very good reasons.

First, the order broke the revered tripartite process that, for decades, processed wage adjustments. Representatives for the employers rejected the order. It was issued nonetheless.

We now know the proposed wage adjustment was determined without the benefit of any serious economic study of its repercussions on employment. None of the country’s economic managers were consulted. Some of them oppose the adjustment vehemently.

Going through the tripartite wage board was the due process. That was thoroughly undermined. Investors have lost all confidence that policymaking in this country will be evidence-based rather than politicized.

The Foundation for Economic Freedom issued a strong statement calling for the suspension of the order and warning against its consequences. It was issued while unemployment was rising and small businesses are under great pressure. The order will cause a freeze in hiring, a reduction in paid working hours and possibly business closures.

The same conclusions were reached in separate statements issued by the Congressional Planning and Budget Research Office, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. These are not partisan institutions.

The politically driven wage increase is a foreboding of more policy actions that are not grounded on sound evidence. This is not comforting for investors. The policymaking process has been abused for narrow political ends.

Another instance of such unscientific and ultimately destructive policymaking is the President’s statements regarding systems losses. There is no evidence the matter was thoroughly studied – nor understood by the President himself. Yet it found its way into the SONA.

No energy agency was consulted beforehand. The item was smuggled into the SONA merely as a bait for applause. This is grossly irresponsible.

Immediately after the unenlightened remarks were made, the market capital of a major distribution utility dropped by billions. Electric cooperatives teetering on bankruptcy could not get financing. Horrified investors looking into our energy sector left in fear.

Our energy future just got bleaker because of irresponsible presidential utterance that utterly defied science. We direly need energy investments. We are getting none.

There is a Turkish proverb: When a clown enters a palace, he does not become king. The palace becomes a circus.

Exclusionary

We have become a ghostly country: ghost employees, ghost projects and now ghost electricity.

The ombudsman announced it is looking into the mega franchise awarded Leandro Leviste through the efforts of his influential mother. The son became a billionaire. The investments never materialized. The projected renewable energy was never generated. The damage to the country’s energy future could run into the hundreds of billions.

This mega franchise was questionable from the start. A franchise is normally granted to allocate a scarce resource: bandwidth or road space. Solar energy is free and abundant. A franchise simply gives a business exclusivity over something that is freely available. This, at first glance, defies reason and militates against science.

The franchise that Leviste won at the ripe old age of 21 is an asset many could kill for. It gave him rights and privileges for free. It excludes others from competing on even terms – thereby denying them the opportunity to invest sustainably in supplying the country the energy we need.

A franchise is an asset – especially when it is bundled with accumulated rights, regulatory approvals and undeveloped obligations. It could be used to raise capital from the market to support a business venture. Those excluded from the franchise are denied this asset.

Even as he managed to generate a negligible amount of electricity, Leviste was able to sell a portion of his Solar para sa Bayan franchise for an astonishing P30 billion. This is probably fair market. But the dynamics that led to that deserves the closest scrutiny.

Within the framework of the mega-franchise, Leviste’s companies accumulated numerous solar energy service contracts to such an extent a virtual monopoly over solar energy opportunities was created. He worked quickly to consolidate whatever unreasonable rights the franchise gave.

These contracts gave Leviste’s companies exclusive rights to develop, produce and sell solar energy in designated areas. These contracts shut out other Filipino investors who might have actually built facilities and are trying to supply real electricity to the market.

While he cornered the supply contracts, Leviste failed to deliver the actual power. The Filipino public was left with what Ombudsman Boying Remulla called ‘ghost electricity.’ The ombudsman estimates that financial obligations from the terminated contracts add up to about P10.44 billion.

The franchise handed Leandro Leviste is not a gift. It should not be. It is a solemn obligation to use the privileges granted to produce cheaper and safer electricity for the Filipino people. Apparently, he thought of it as an opportunity to cash in on the privileges.

Today, Filipinos pay the highest cost for power in Southeast Asia. Our energy costs are higher than Singapore’s. This does not only punish the Filipino consumer. It punishes our economy’s ability to attract businesses and build prosperity. The costs are long even as the profits drawn from this questionable franchise is quick.

Kickbacks are for those with crude imagination. The franchise Leviste won has the veneer of legality even as it makes our people’s future a bit darker.

Six people have reportedly died as tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon or habagat brought days of heavy rains, flooding and landslides across parts of Luzon, the Office of Civil Defense said.

The reported deaths are still being validated, with two in Rodriguez, Rizal, two in Benguet and two in La Union, OCD Deputy Administrator and Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said in an interview with Dobol B TV on Saturday, August 8.

Seven injuries in Benguet are also being validated, Alejandro said.

The weather systems have affected around 74,800 families or 261,000 people as of Saturday morning, according to the OCD.

Around 2,500 families are staying in 83 evacuation centers, while about 2,200 individuals are being assisted outside evacuation centers.

“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin nating nararanasan ang southwest monsoon lalo na sa norte, sa Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and parts of Region 3, even hanggang Mindoro,” Alejandro said.

(We are still experiencing the southwest monsoon, particularly in the north, including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and parts of Region 3, extending as far south as Mindoro.)

Flooding, landslides

At least 63 areas have been reported flooded, most of them in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and parts of Calabarzon.

Some roads remained impassable due to flooding, while landslides were reported in Ilocos Region and the Cordillera.

Alejandro advised those planning to travel to Baguio and other parts of the Cordillera to postpone their trips for now, particularly in Benguet.

“Hindi pa advisable na umakyat kasi may mga landslide at rockslide sa Benguet, he said.

(It is not advisable to travel up at this time because there are landslides and rockslides in Benguet.)

The recent rains have already caused deadly landslides in parts of Luzon.

The OCD said it would continue monitoring affected areas and providing assistance to communities at risk.

Rains to continue

Rain will continue to affect Luzon and Visayas over the next 24 hours due to habagat, PAGASA said, with monsoon rains expected to persist until next week.

Maymay made landfall in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, before dawn on Thursday, August 6. It exited the Philippine landmass that afternoon before weakening into a low pressure area on Friday.

Despite Maymay’s weakening, the threat of flooding and landslides remains as the southwest monsoon continues to affect parts of the country.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Luis dissipated on August 4.

The Philippines is among the first major landmasses exposed to the Pacific cyclone belt and is hit by an average of 20 tropical cyclones each year, leaving millions of people vulnerable to weather-related disasters.

Scientists have also warned that human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events more frequent, prolonged and intense.

There’s a giant Filipino party in Toronto now.

Local news say Pinoy groups are driving in from outside the city and holding potlucks in the parks. The main idea is to throw support behind Alex Eala.

Not wanting to disappoint them, Eala is bent on extending her hot streak from Washington, going for a Round-of-16 berth in the WTA1000 National Bank Open in a battle of giant-slayers against American Caty McNally at Sobeys Stadium.

They slug it out at 8:10 a.m. today, Manila time – primetime in Toronto as the final match of the four-game Center Court bill.

Eala will bring lessons from a legend – another doubles partnership with Venus Williams yesterday although it ended in a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Ludmilla Samsonova and Miyu Kato,

‘We fell short but I always learn a lot when I’m on court with Venus,’ said Eala.

Now it’s all singles, with Eala’s eyes on a seventh straight win.

First, it’s Round-of-32 business against fellow giant-slayer McNally – WTA No. 70 in singles, No. 38 in doubles, 24, a two-time Grand Slam doubles finalist.

McNally opened with a 4-6, 7-6, 6-1 win over WTA No. 80 Tatjana Maria of Germany, the oldest WTA champion in history, then erased a 1-5 deficit to shock world No. 7 and reigning Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 – blowing up the projected Eala-Noskova third-round clash.

‘It’s incredible, what Eala has been doing for tennis is unreal. She’s been playing some really good tennis so I’m just excited for the great crowd and atmosphere,’ said McNally. ‘My game brings a lot of variety so I hope I can bring that against Eala. I want to play my game on my own terms.’

With a potluck party roaring for Eala in the parks of Toronto, she looks to do it again today.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is tapping local government units (LGUs) and the private sector to invest in Filipino-made electric vehicles (EVs) to scale up production and reach more public utility drivers wanting to save on fuel costs.

Since the Middle East conflict broke, EVs have become an attractive alternative to avoid paying expensive fuel.

The DOST has developed prototypes of EVs such as electric tricycles and converted tricycles that they are pitching to LGUs – a campaign that has begun even before the war to promote sustainable technologies.

‘We’ve been talking to local government leaders and we have various modalities of engagement just to provide a proof of concept to convince our drivers to transition,’ DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said this week during the 2nd Sustainability Expo, the agency’s program in partnership with SM Prime and ARISE Philippines.

Electric vehicle research projects originate from Tuguegarao City, where Cagayan State University (CSU) hosts the country’s sole dedicated hub focusing on green transport innovation – the Electromobility Research and Development Center.

The center’s very first project is developing an electric tricycle capable of carrying seven passengers.

Electric tricycles are now deployed in Tuguegarao City, Cauayan City, Batanes, Iloilo and parts of Metro Manila, according to the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

Solidum said three companies, including an agricultural firm from Isabela, are already lining up to mass-produce electric tricycles.

Elmer Francisco, chairman of Francisco Motors, the 79-year-old homegrown jeepney brand that recently launched the first Filipino-made electric sport utility vehicle, is appealing for more government support for the local EV industry.

‘We haven’t had any support from our government for decades,’ Francisco told ‘The Big Story’ on One News on Thursday. ‘Actually, the last time we had real support from the government was from the father of President Marcos and the former first lady, wherein what we call government support is government procurement.’

Always committed to delivering only the best when it comes to nutrition, Nestlé Philippines Inc. reached out to its community once again at its exclusive media event last July 22, 2026, at the Nestlé Makati Administrative Office.

The event served as the official launch of Tambalang Big Sustansya Sa Barangay-a nutritional education caravan by Cerelac, coming this August to different barangays in Metro Manila and Cagayan de Oro.

The caravan aims to help address the nutritional gap among Filipino babies by empowering parents with nutrition education. It also reinforces Cerelac’s brand commitment to be a trusted partner parents can rely on throughout their babies’ feeding journey. The first 2000 days of a baby’s growth is the most crucial, so guaranteeing they get the right nutritional requirements is a must for their growth and development.

In line with this, the caravan launch featured opening remarks by Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Nestlé Nutrition and Health business executive officer. Tan-Bantoto shares, ‘Parents today have access to more information than ever before. They have Google, social media, and parenting forums. They’re very thoughtful about the decisions they make for their children. But let’s be honest – it can also be a lot to keep up with. That’s why we believe parents deserve trusted guidance and support along the way. Because helping children receive the right nutrition is something we all care about.’

The program also presented a special audio-visual presentation highlighting Cerelac’s heritage. From a response to malnutrition over 160 years ago, Cerelac continues its commitment and promise to be a partner to parents in providing science-backed nutrition to support healthy growth.

Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology Dr. Imelda Agdeppa and Dr. Katrina Florcruz-Dacanay, pediatrician of the Diliman Doctors Hospital and The Medical City then enlightened the audience about micronutrient deficiencies in the Philippines.

Both experts discussed the importance of complementary feeding from 6 months onwards in helping bridge nutrient gaps during babies’ critical stage of development

‘For Cerelac, our role is simple: to be that trusted nutrition partner of parents as their babies start their feeding journey. That’s why, for 160 years, we have continued to develop products designed to help address nutrition gaps. Today, Cerelac is tested and proven for Filipino babies, giving parents science-backed nutrition they can trust. We remain committed to making nutrition education accessible,’ shares Nikki Constantino, vice president for Nestle Baby Food and Mainstream Milk.

Cerelac is going on the road this August with Tambalang Big Sustansya sa Barangay. The interactive caravan will visit four barangays in Metro Manila and Cagayan De Oro to bring nutrition education closer to Filipino families. Follow Cerelac Philippines on Facebook to get the latest updates on when and where you can catch the Tambalang Big Sustansya sa Barangay.

Backed by 160 years of nutrition expertise and as Nestlé’s very first product, Cerelac is the trusted brand when it comes to delicious and nutritious food for babies as they start to explore solid food.

Cerelac’s infant cereals come in a variety of flavors, including Mixed Fruits and Soya, Mixed Veggies, Rice and Soya, and Wheat Banana and Milk for babies aged 6 months and above. Their Homestyle Meals for babies 8 months and up include Rice and Chicken and Rice and Veggies options. Cerelac also offers variants with No Added Table Sugar. For on-the-go snacking, Cerelac brings you Nutripuffs in Banana and Orange and Banana and Strawberry.

Cerelac is now tested and proven to support age-appropriate growth and provide higher energy and micronutrient intake for Filipino babies. Packed with BIG Sustansya, Cerelac delivers 20 vitamins and minerals, DHA, and B. lactis Probiotic in every serving.

Tambalang Cerelac + Homemade for BIG SUSTANSYA combines the goodness of homemade meals with science-backed nutrition to help bridge nutritional gaps among Filipino babies.

Philippine weightlifting continues to produce potential Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo successors, and Althea Bacaro could be one of them.

This, after Bacaro scooped up a couple of gold medals in the 2026 Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Saturday.

The 15-year-old University of Cebu ninth-grader seized the clean and jerk gold with a 183-kilogram lift and then added another one in total where she had a 146kg, making up for a fourth-place finish in snatch where she tallied 63kg in the youth women’s 45kg class.

It came just a month after Bacaro raked in a silver and a bronze in the World Youth Championships in Cali, Colombia, and a year after she copped a silver and a bronze also in the worlds in Lima, Peru.

Interestingly, Bacaro has trained under the guidance of Christopher Bureros – coach of two-time Olympian and Southeast Asian Games gold winner Elreen Ando, who is preparing for next month’s Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

Jay-R Colonia, who comes from the same Zamboanga City stable where Diaz-Naranjo is from, chipped in two silvers in the clean and jerk (135kg) and total (243kg) and a bronze in snatch (108kg) in the youth men’s 55kg division.

More medals are expected to come in for the lean but mean 13-strong national squad as Aleksandra Ann Diaz (Youth and Junior W45kg), Angeline Colonia (Junior W49kg), Jhodie Peralta (Youth and Junior W53kg), Rosalinda Faustino (Junior W57kg), Kirby Kent Alas-as (Youth M60kg) and Prince Keil delos Santos (Junior M60kg) are among those scheduled to see action.

Also seeking medals are Mango Prince David Tarro (Junior M65kg), Jea Mae Palagtiw (Youth W69kg), Rhianne Cabalida (Youth W77kg) and Jerick Icon Castro (Youth M60kg).

Ricofer Sordilla and Maverick Eligoyo combined for 64 points during an explosive performance that powered the University of the Cebu (UC) Webmasters to a stunning 89-85 upset of the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors in the Cebu City Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament 2026 on Thursday night, August 6, at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay Sawang Calero.

Sordilla exploded for 35 points laced with four rebounds, six assists, and a steal while Eligoyo fired 29 points on top of six boards, one assist, one steal, and two blocks to help the Webmasters get off to a flying start in the six-day cage wars that offers P130,000 to the champion.

The Webmasters of coach Kernn Sesante actually trailed by 13 points, 14-27, after the first period but flipped the script against the visiting UAAP squad with a scintillating second-half show.

Still down 41-50 at halftime, the Webmasters dropped 27 points in the third quarter while limiting the Red Warriors to only 13 to seize command of the match, 68-63, going into the last 10 minutes.

The Webmasters padded their lead to seven, 70-63, early in the final stretch and then hung tough when the game was on the line to eke out the win.

The Webmasters shoot for a second straight victory as they take on the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers at 4 p.m. today (Saturday, August 8).

The Heavy Bombers opened their campaign with a 78-65 thrashing of the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs.

Cebuano guard Lawrence Mangubat paced JRU with 19 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal.

Christopher Hubilla added 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal while Allan Laurenaria chipped in 12 points, five rebounds and one block in the wire-to-triumph that saw the Heavy Bombers leading by as many as 20 points, 52-32, early in the third frame.