Category: Philippine Star

Several former ‘Pinoy Big Brother’ housemates stole the spotlight at this year’s StarMagicalProm, showcasing futuristic looks as they walked the infinity runway on Friday night, June 26.

Among those who attended were reigning Prom Queen Alexa Ilacad, Reign Parani, Kolette Madelo, Ralph de Leon, River Joseph, Emilio Daez, Carmelle Collado, Reich Alim, Fred Moser, Iñigo Jose and Rave Victoria.

‘PBB’ love teams also dominated last Friday’s red carpet held in Alabang.

‘PBB Gen 11’ housemates Fyang Smith and JM Ibarra were crowned Prom Queen and Prom King and also won Best Promposal.

“PBB: Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0” housemates Lella Ford, Joaquin Arce, Eliza Borromeo and Miguel Vergara also brought kilig to fans as they walked the Infinity Runway with their respective love teams, LelQuin and LizGuel.

Apart from former ‘PBB’ housemates, the event also saw several Star Magic talents, led by Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, collectively known as FranSeth, as they attended their third Star Magical Prom.

The Pride March in the Philippines lives on after 30 years with the LGBTQIA+ community calling for the legislation of equality measures and the end of discrimination in the country.

Pride PH convenor Rhodina Singh stressed the yearly renewal of commitment to fight for equal rights at the ‘Love Laban Pride PH Festival’ in Quezon City yesterday.

‘Yearly at Pride, we renew our commitment and so long as we do not achieve our rights, we will continue to multiply, go out to the streets and protest,’ she told The STAR.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte is glad that more people are supporting the cause towards equality.

‘The fight continues. While it is a celebration of diversity, at the end of the day, the community has not achieved equal rights in the eyes of the law and until that happens, we have a fight to (win),’ the mayor said.

Meanwhile, after their two-year hiatus, Metro Manila Pride returned to the streets of Malate in Manila.

Metro Manila Pride deputy executive director Macjo Catequista is glad that the Pride March has returned and even expanded in Quezon City and other regions in the country.

‘We’ve been here since the 90s and if we trace back in history, we’ve been hosting our Pride Marches in Manila, although our dream is to plant seeds to hold Pride Marches beyond Metro Manila,’ he told The STAR.

While President Marcos has made a statement in support of the LGBTQIA+ community this June, Catequista said the month is ending without any concrete action from the country’s leader.

‘Although we see it as a good surprise, as long as there is no protection given to the community, that will all be lip service,’ the queer advocate said.

Catequista challenged the President to be proactive in enacting equality measures such as the SOGIE Equality Bill, Marriage Equality Bill and the Right To Care Bill, among others.

‘Bongbong, people are dying, literally, people are dying just because they have identities that are not conventional to them,’ Catequista said, addressing the President. ‘Act swiftly. The community has been asking this and we should not be begging for this, it should be provided to us.”

Simulated voting activities were held yesterday in several areas in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in preparation for the conduct of the first BARMM parliamentary election this coming September.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the mock election intends to test the automated election system that will be used for the BARMM electoral exercise on Sept. 14.

The simulation exercise involved actual voters casting ballots and members of the Board of Election Inspectors administering the use of voting machines.

The Comelec’s ‘End-Monitoring Report’ showed successful voting and transmission activities in 10 clustered precincts in the towns of Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao del Norte and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi as well as in Cotabato City.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the exercise aims to test the transmission time of election results from poll precincts to Comelec servers.

Garcia said the mock election is not required under the law, but poll officials just wanted to make sure that the voting machines, which had been used in previous elections, will function properly on election day.

He said that aside from information dissemination, the Comelec will also conduct an intensified voter education campaign from July to August.

Garcia assured voters that they will get to know more about the candidates during the campaign period.

He said the Comelec is currently preparing the layout of the official ballots and finalizing the list of candidates.

Those who have access to the Comelec website may check the candidates and their complete names.

‘Apart from the names, the ballots will bear the photos of the candidates and the logos of political parties.

Three larger, brand-new dump trucks were added to the Mandaue City government’s fleet on June 24, to strengthen the city’s garbage collection and waste management operations.

Each dump truck has a capacity of 25 cubic meters, significantly improving the city’s ability to efficiently collect and transport waste from the barangays.

The three newly purchased dump trucks replaced the two 2017-model dump trucks that were procured by the previous administration in June 2025 at a cost of nearly P11 million each and with a capacity of only 20 cubic meters.

Mayor Thadeo ‘Jonkie’ Ouano revealed that the city ideally needs eight dump trucks, including the three older units currently being used for waste collection. The city also plans to acquire additional dump trucks next year.

During the blessing ceremony, Mayor Ouano reminded Mandaue residents of the importance of proper waste segregation in their homes and urged them not to dispose of their garbage indiscriminately.

Amid rising violence involving minors, President Marcos has called for a whole-of-community approach to ensure the safety of the Filipino youth.

In his latest vlog posted on YouTube yesterday, Marcos said the country has witnessed heartbreaking and horrifying tragedies involving Filipino children in recent weeks.

‘Today, I speak not only as President but also as a father, as a fellow Filipino and as someone who is deeply concerned about the safety of our children,’ Marcos said.

He cited the fatal shooting inside a classroom in Tacloban and two incidents of stabbing in schools in Cavite, all of which involved minors.

He also mentioned the death of two student-athletes due to drowning during a team-building activity.

‘The school should be a place of learning, dreams and growth. Not a place where parents fear for the safety of their children,’ the President said.

‘And so, I have directed our education and health agencies, the police and local government units to further strengthen measures for the safety of students across the country,’ he said.

Marcos said schools must strictly enforce measures to prevent violence, whether inside the classroom, on field trips, training camps or other school activities.

‘Although these were different circumstances, the message they show us is the same. We need to protect our young people. Protect them against violence. Protect them against neglect. Protect them against danger. And protect them against silent battles and burdens that many of them carry,’ he said.

The Chief Executive, meanwhile, urged the youth to seek help when in need, saying asking for support is not an indication of weakness.

He also reminded parents to maintain an open communication with their children.

‘To every student watching today, your life matters. Your struggles matter. And asking for help is never a sign of weakness,’ Marcos said.

‘To parents, don’t underestimate the value of a simple conversation with your child. Sometimes, the most important protection we can give our children is our time, attention and understanding,’ he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) believes there is a ‘strong indication’ that Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa is still in the country, as authorities continue to pursue leads on his whereabouts following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday investigators are tracking information indicating that Dela Rosa has not left the country.

Matibag said it would be difficult for Dela Rosa to flee abroad because ICC member-states, as well as countries cooperating through Interpol, have obligations to notify authorities, arrest him and turn him over to the international tribunal if he enters their jurisdictions.

The ICC earlier issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa for his alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity in connection with the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Authorities attempted to serve the warrant on May 11 inside the Senate building, but Dela Rosa was placed under the ‘protective custody’ of the Senate. He left the compound on May 14 after a lockdown triggered by a shooting incident. He has not been seen publicly since.

Matibag said the NBI has submitted its fact-finding report on the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate to the Department of Justice.

He said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued subpoenas to former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca as well as Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robinhood Padilla to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, Matibag said the NBI has not received any ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bong Go.

‘None. We have not received any additional warrant. The only warrant we have is the one for Senator Bato,’ he said.

A month-long break has given the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour stars ample time to reset, recharge and sharpen every aspect of their games.

But as the circuit resumes with the ICTSI Pinewoods Challenge on Tuesday, June 30 in Baguio, no player appears to carry more momentum – or confidence – than Harmie Constantino.

Fresh off a commanding six-shot victory at Caliraya Springs, Constantino heads into the P1-million championship looking every bit like the dominant player who ruled the circuit in 2024.

Yet reclaiming that status won’t come easy.

Awaiting Constantino is arguably the strongest field assembled on the LPGT this season, with overseas campaigners and former champions converging at the Pinewoods Golf and Country Club for what promises to be one of the most fiercely contested tournaments of the year.

Constantino snapped a year-long title drought with a wire-to-wire masterclass at Caliraya, a performance that not only ended a frustrating slump but also rekindled memories of her brilliant 2024 campaign when she won four legs on her way to capturing the Order of Merit crown.

For Constantino, however, the biggest victory came long before lifting the trophy.

“I think this year will be a lot better, especially since I changed a lot with how I play and how I think mentally,” said Constantino. “It has been a lot different.”

That renewed mindset has restored not only her confidence but also the consistency that once made her the player to beat on the local circuit.

“I’ve been working on it a lot and my game has gone so much further from where it was in 2024. That’s the biggest bonus I could ever ask for,” she added.

Still, Pinewoods presents an entirely different examination. Unlike the more forgiving layouts on tour, the par-72 mountain course rewards precision over power. Narrow fairways and punishing rough penalize errant drives, while the undulating terrain demands stamina, patience and smart course management over three demanding rounds.

Constantino’s improved confidence may prove invaluable, but she’ll need every bit of it against a field loaded with talent in the upcoming P1-million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

Leading the challengers are China LPGA Tour campaigners Chanelle Avaricio and Daniella Uy, both taking a break from their overseas schedules, while Princess Superal returns after her stint in Japan.

Adding even more depth are Lakewood leg winner Yvon Bisera, Mafy Singson, reigning OOM winner Sarah Ababa, Tiffany Lee, Seoyun Kim, Chihiro Ikeda, Marvi Monsalve, Seoyun Kim, Martina Miñoza and Pamela Mariano, all capable of mounting serious title bids.

With proven champions, rising stars and seasoned international campaigners all in the mix, the 54-hole championship shapes up as one of the LPGT’s deepest and most unpredictable battles in recent memory.

For Constantino, though, the equation remains simple.

Her game is back. Her confidence has returned. Now comes the toughest test yet – proving that her resurgence is real against the strongest field she’ll likely face all season. (Pool story)

The Philippines, in time for next months’ 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, has called on members of the United Nations and the international community to reaffirm the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as the constitution that governs the oceans of the world.

Actively participating in the 36th Meeting of States Parties to the Law of the Sea (SPLOS 36) held on June 15 to 19 at the UN headquarters in New York, Manila urged the international community to reaffirm the central role of UNCLOS as the legal framework for all activities in the oceans and seas.

The Philippine delegation was led by Enrique Manalo, ambassador and permanent representative to the UN, and Assistant Secretary Emmanuel Donato Guzman of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who were joined by the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

In a National Statement delivered under Agenda Item No. 12 of SPLOS 36, the Philippines cited the 10th anniversary of the issuance of the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, crediting it as a guidepost for states on essential maritime matters and concerns, such as the invalidity of excessive or historical claims, the proper assessment of the status of maritime features, the activities at sea deemed prejudicial to the rights of the relevant coastal state and the obligations of states parties for the protection and conservation of the marine environment.

In several interventions throughout SPLOS36, the DFA said the Philippines also called for compliance with decisions and rulings duly rendered through the compulsory dispute settlement mechanisms under UNCLOS, such as the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, and respect for decisions as well as respect for the advisory opinions that provide authoritative clarity to its provisions, such as the 2024 ITLOS Advisory Opinion on Case No. 31 on Climate Change and International Law.

ITLOS is the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

The Philippines emphasized that these judicial decisions and arbitral awards rendered under UNCLOS benefit all states.

‘By clarifying the content of international law, they provide guidance, strengthen legal certainty and support the peaceful and predictable governance of the oceans.’

The Philippines expressed its continuing support for the implementing bodies of the UNCLOS: ITLOS, the International Seabed Authority and the Commission on the Outer Limits of the Continental Shelf.

‘These institutions play indispensable and complementary roles in maintaining the integrity of the legal order of the sea and ensuring the effective implementation of the Convention.’

‘Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.’ – Martin Luther King

There has been so much noise surrounding the preventable deaths of Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili. Much of it is hatred towards Ateneo de Manila as an institution, its officials, and even the players who’ve been traumatized by witnessing their teammates’ and friends’ deaths. While we understand the outrage, for our part, we can confine the discussion to where it should be.

Firstly, it is a basketball issue, and if we stop placing blame and instead ascertain responsibility, then we know who did it, which seems to be clear. The buck stops with the head coach. He was in charge; he designed or at least approved the program. Even team manager Epok Quimpo was merely a conduit for the resources the head coach required. He did not have the seniority or stature to overrule his coach. He could not overrule his coach. Quimpo, who was overseas when the tragedy happened, manned up and stepped down, for which he has this writer’s respect. And the players were merely following orders to keep their spots out of need for scholarships and so on.

Secondly, it would be silly to blame Ateneo for hiring Tab Baldwin 10 years ago. In any organization, you choose the best possible people for the job, and set goals for them. How they achieve those goals is usually their prerogative, and, for the last decade, with four UAAP championships, the Blue Eagles have been successful on the basketball court. But it is another matter to put your players in an uncontrolled environment and expose them to life-threatening risk. That shifts the matter to a possible criminal one involving authorities and society at large. As of this writing, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has recommended the filing of charges against Baldwin and 10 others connected with the team, under Republic Act 11053 or the Anti-Hazing Act. This conclusion was made because, apparently, the training was in aid of determining the final composition of the team.

Also, why punish the school’s entire sports program? If a father commits a crime, does the whole family tree go to jail? What do the hundreds of other athletes, coaches, trainers and support personnel have to do with what happened? The crux of the matter is the rule of the UAAP which prescribes men’s basketball as a mandatory sport. If a member school cannot field a team in the said event, then the school’s entire participation is scrapped for the season. The same applies to having a women’s volleyball team. Therefore, it is ultimately in the hands of the UAAP to decide how this goes.

Ateneo has been handling the consequences of the deaths mostly outside public awareness, though public perception demands that they should have named a representative sooner. Absent a direct channel, a face to speak to, the outrage sprayed all over the place. Then again, this is not something that you can prepare for. Besides, no one outside the basketball team knew what was going on.

Now here comes the fork in the road. Will the UAAP bring the hammer down on Ateneo, which is already hurting, and inflict damage upon an even bigger community of innocent athletes, or will they embrace Ateneo as a member of long and good standing, and say ‘You are one of us; we’ve got you’? Will they show indifference, or compassion? We understand that other schools have been sanctioned in the past, but this is an extraordinary circumstance essentially created by one person. And should we continue to do things the old way just to even some invisible score? ‘If it was done to me, it should be done to you, too.’ Somehow, that way of doing things no longer seems apt. As the saying goes, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind. This goes beyond trying to outdo each other. This is an opportunity to show humanity for those who are blameless.

The Philippines was cited among the world’s worst human rights performers after receiving poor marks in both quality of life and protection from state abuses, the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI) 2026 said on Thursday.

According to the New Zealand-based rights tracker, the country’s economic and social rights situation may have deteriorated significantly due to the effects of the economic crisis, war, political violence and natural disasters.

The HRMI gave the Philippines a score of 74.9 percent on quality of life based on its income-adjusted benchmark, which measures access to food, education, health care, housing and work.

Under the global best benchmark, the country received a score of 72.5 percent.

‘Compared with the other countries in Southeast Asia, the Philippines is performing worse than average on Quality of Life rights,’ it said.

The report also flagged the country’s performance in civil and political rights.

With an overall score of 4.6 out of 10, HRMI said Filipinos have not been safe from arbitrary arrest, forced disappearance, extrajudicial execution, torture and ill-treatment.

Meanwhile, the country scored 5.4 out of 10 on empowerment, indicating that many Filipinos are not fully enjoying civil liberties and political freedoms.

Among specific rights, freedom of assembly and association received the lowest score at 4.3, followed by freedom of speech at 5.4, democratic rights at 7.0 and freedom of religion and belief at 7.9.

The Philippines was among more than 50 countries included in HRMI’s inaugural dataset, alongside Argentina, Burkina Faso, North Korea, the Republic of the Congo, South Africa and Zambia.

The HRMI 2026 used a multilingual expert survey to assess countries’ civil and political rights, while the Social and Economic Rights Fulfillment Index methodology was used to measure economic and social rights outcomes.