Category: Philippine Star

Four coaches face their baptism of fire when hostilities in the PBA’s 50th season get going Sunday.

Pampanga Vice Gov. Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda serves as the new shots-caller for Converge as he joins fellow debutants LA Tenorio (Magnolia), Willy Wilson (Phoenix) and Ronald Tubid (Terrafirma) in pitting coaching skills against the likes of TNT’s Chot Reyes and Barangay Ginebra’s Tim Cone in the league’s golden season.

‘Malaking challenge po,’ said Pineda, who previously led the Pampanga Giant Lanterns to back-to-back MPBL titles en route to winning a pair of Coach of the Year awards.

‘Masaya, siyempre ito ‘yung best league sa atin dito sa Pilipinas, isa sa pinakamalaking liga sa buong Asya. Talagang mixed emotion po. Medyo mabigat na challenge po sa mga babanggain naming mga teams plus ‘yung mga coaches na makakabangga namin talagang nakaka-nerbyos pa rin po,’ he added.

Tenorio, Wilson and Tubid rose from the players’ ranks before taking their head coaching jobs.

‘It’s still something that I’m growing into, I’m adjusting to. As far as how long before I become comfortable (with the position), I really don’t know. I’m not really looking down the road. I’m just looking at the next step right in front of me and trying to be the best at taking that step,’ said Wilson.

The prospect of battling his coaches during his playing years is ‘quite overwhelming’ for Wilson.

‘The daunting task of coaching across the court from those guys (veteran mentors), it’s very, very humbling and at times, I start asking myself kung para sa akin ba ito. So it’s a mixture of that, but obviously thankful and anxious to go out and take this challenge,’ he said.

Tenorio, who may assume the dual role of player-coach during the campaign, said it’s been a pleasant learning experience.

‘As much as the team is learning now the new system, the new culture, mas natututo ako sa kanila. I have a lot of learning every day,’ said the former Ginebra stalwart.

‘I’m just enjoying my time right now. I don’t want to think about what’s going to happen next, what’s going to happen this coming opening or this season. I just like what I’m seeing sa team namin, how they work hard every day, both vets and young players,’ he added.

From team manager, Tubid takes over the helm for the Dyip.

‘We’re building the team right now. Can’t promise (anything) but we need to compete. Sabi ko sa kanila, basta makapag-compete kami, more chances of winning,’ he said.

Notes: The TNT Tropang 5G dropped a 74-93 loss to reigning UAE titlist Al Sharjah at the start of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship early yesterday (Manila time). The imports-laden Emirati club unleashed a 26-18 closing barrage to take the opening win against all-Filipino TNT. Rey Nambatac led the Tropang 5G with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. The reigning PBA Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup kingpins seek a bounceback against another home club, Al Dhafra, at 1 a.m. Wednesday (Manila time).

The Department of Migrant Workers is working to confirm whether a Filipino seafarer was among crew members injured after a suspected Houthi attack on the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden.

Several crew members were hurt and evacuated following the attack, and a Filipino sailor may be among them, the DMW said in a statement Tuesday, September 30.

The agency is coordinating with the ship operator, employer, manning agencies, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Philippine consulates, to verify whether Filipinos were aboard the affected vessel.

If confirmed, the DMW says it will provide medical assistance and repatriation, if needed. It will also provide counseling and psychological support, and legal aid for the seafarer and family.

‘Para sa ating mga tripulante at kanilang pamilya: hindi po kayo nag-iisa (To our sailors and their families: you are not alone),’ the DMW statement said. ‘Kasama ninyo ang pamahalaan, kasama ninyo ang DMW (The government and DMW is with you.)

The DMW said it is strengthening protection for seafarers in high-risk areas like the Gulf of Aden

The department will release updates once details are confirmed.

Dangerous route. The Gulf of Aden connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea and sits between Yemen and Somalia, regions that have seen armed conflict and piracy for years.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have been launching missile and drone attacks on Israel and on ships in the Red Sea in retaliation for its assault on Gaza, saying these actions are in solidarity with Palestinians.

Filipinos make up over a quarter of seafarers globally. In 2024, at least half a million Filipino seafarers were deployed overseas.

There’s officially a new PBA team.

The Titan Ultra Giant Risers will be debuting in the PBA Season 50, after the league’s board of governors approved Pureblends Corporation’s purchase of the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise.

‘They will be entering the 50th season of the PBA, and their team will now be known as ‘Titan Ultra’ team,’ PBA board treasurer Raymond Zorrilla said during the pre-season press conference Wednesday at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig.

Giant Risers team governor Emilio Tiu said they have a roster that can compete against stronger teams.

‘We waited for this event at mga taon, tinaymingan namin yung 50 years because ibang klase itong 50 years sa PBA. And we expected na when we join, we will learn so many things and we can also expand together with PBA,’ Tiu said.

‘For the composition of the team, I have to admit that we are still young, but we have a complete lineup. We will give the strong teams fight without saying ‘kuya.’ Kami, lalaban din kami,’ he added.

The Titan Ultra squad will be coached by Jhonedel Cardel. Former NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan is a consultant, while Rensy Bajar, Raymund Tiongco, Lester Alvarez, Maverick Chua and Raymond Valenzona are the assistant coaches.

Veterans Calvin Abueva and Joshua Munzon will spearhead the Giant Risers, along with young guns Cade Flores, Fran Yu, Mario Barasi and Chris Koon.

Meanwhile, the PBA announced that former NorthPort team manager Pido Jarencio is the new governor of the Terrafirma Dyip.

Beyond its massive aquariums and immersive tunnels, the newly opened Singapore Oceanarium carries a deeper purpose: to amplify the often-drowned-out voice of the ocean.

Located on Sentosa Island, this marine destination – formerly known as the S.E.A. Aquarium – opened to the public on July 24, 2025.

It now spans 22 immersive zones, making it three times larger than its predecessor, and takes visitors through the ocean’s past, present and future.

Highlights include digitally magnified plankton and sea jellies representing the ocean’s ancient past, as well as sharks, manta rays, and other marine life showcasing its present.

The journey ends with an interactive pledge, inviting guests to take part in protecting the ocean and shaping its future.

Sparkle Artist Management defended one of its talents, Heart Evangelista, by calling out as fake a news article circulating online involving the socialite-artist.

On its social media accounts, the talent agency posted a screenshot of a Bilyonaro article with the headline “FitFlop, Tiger Balm quietly drop Heart Evangelista amid Chiz Escudero probe.”

The two brands have Heart as an endorser, and the probe being alluded to about the former Senate president allegedly being involved in kickbacks of flood control projects.

Sparkle called attention to the article and labelled it as “fake news.”

“Fake news alert! this is not true!” the agency wrote. “Don’t be fooled by fake news! Always be vigilant when reading articles online.”

As for Heart, the socialite-artist recently shared in an Instagram Live she would be skipping the Spring/Summer 2026 collection unveilings in the Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks, noting it currently is not a good idea for Filipinos to be abroad with luxury brands.

Heart first announced that she will not joining Fashion Week in Milan and Paris.

“I know that you guys say ‘laban, laban,’ ganyan-ganyan. I really appreciate you,” Heart said. “But honestly, I don’t think it’s the right time for anyone to, especially from our country, to be going to Fashion Week because I think we need to be here.”

She explained that Filipinos had to “open their eyes” and “become one, empathize, really see what’s going on, and see what they can do,” adding she may return to fashion week events next year.

When you walk into Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH), you will feel like you’re stepping into a mall lobby or a hotel.

It’s this transformation that MDH medical director Dr. Alberto Roxas has been constantly pushing-a facility that blends cutting-edge medicine with hotel-like comfort.

‘It is an integration of hospital care with the comfort, aesthetics and service quality of a hotel. It improves patient experience, gives MDH a competitive edge, enhances brand reputation, and influences the recovery and healing of patients,’ he shares to Philstar.com.

Roxas’ combined background as a surgeon and former dean of the UP College of Medicine gives him a unique vantage point.

For him, it has given different but complementary strengths. This unique lens combines the ‘precision and decisiveness of a surgeon with the vision and foundation of an academe.’

‘I was able to apply the learning from experiences of having been in clinical practice and the academe, to navigate the turbulent waters of crisis management, risk benefit analysis, strategic planning and interdisciplinary collaborations.’

Meanwhile, his academic experience has shaped his leadership style as a servant leader.

‘I listen to patients and doctors alike and together we shape MDH to address their needs,’ he adds.

From surgery to strategy

For Roxas, the transition from clinical practice to administration was a natural progression.

‘Clinical practice allows you to help colleagues in the same profession and to mentor residents in training, providing the opportunity to help individuals. On the other hand, being in administration lets you shape systems that improve care for entire populations,’ he shared.

After years of honing surgical skills to young doctors, he now applies the same decisiveness to hospital management.

‘Admin roles give you a seat at the table to influence hospital strategy, patient safety, training and best practices in healthcare delivery,’ he says, adding that it is not unusual that senior practicing surgeons become administrators in the latter part of their professional career.

‘Their experience makes them leaders and administrators.’

Investing in innovation and people

MDH has poured resources into world-class equipment and facilities, including the expansion of its Operating Room Complex, enhancement of its flagship Cardiovascular Center and Cancer Institute, and the introduction of the COMPASS Program.

‘MDH aims for excellent patient experience, all the time!’ Roxas says enthusiastically, adding that technology should not replace but rather enhance compassionate care.

MDH’s technological investments are for improving processes, delivering care faster and ensuring better clinical outcomes.

Beyond machines, the medical director is also keen on investing in doctors themselves.

From international affiliations and partnerships, to doctor engagement programs locally and abroad, MDH makes it a point to attract, retain and nurture top medical talent.

‘We want our doctors to grow not just technically, but also in compassionate care and interpersonal skills,’ he emphasized.

‘These programs foster collegiality and collaboration; to provide developmental programs to improve interpersonal skills, compassionate care aside from continuing medical education.’

Roxas is candid about the challenges and gaps in Philippine healthcare, such as a declining workforce, outdated infrastructure, overcrowded government hospitals, and disparities between urban and rural systems.

MDH, he notes, is committed to being part of the solution, as it works with the Manila City Health Department in the move toward universal healthcare.

A stronger MDH

Roxas is most excited about the further development of MDH’s flagship centers as well as strengthening international affiliations and continuously building MDH’s reputation as a hospital that blends innovation with compassion.

With Roxas at the helm, MDH continues to be a premier hospital in Manila-not just through cutting-edge facilities, but a leadership that places people at the center of progress.

Under Roxas’ guidance, he hopes that MDH become a model of holistic leadership in medicine. His legacy would be an institutionalized ‘Patient First, Always’ philosophy and future-proofed healthcare.

And like the ‘hotelization’ of hospitals, Roxas’ leadership integrates care and service quality in management.

Asked what he hopes will be his lasting legacy, Roxas reflects: ‘A legacy of healing hands focused on patient care, of shaping minds through research and teaching, and of reforms that institutionalize a culture of Compassion + Excellence.’

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is expecting to have former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former Rep. Elizaldy Co and Sen. Mark Villar in its next hearings.

In an ambush interview on Wednesday, October 1, ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said that Romualdez, Co and Villar will be receiving subpoenas to shed light on the controversy surrounding the budget insertions and kickback scheme in infrastructure deals.

‘Yes, I believe he will be invited, or in fact, I think according to our secretariat, he was invited already. I just have to find out if the summons or the subpoena was actually received,’ Hosaka said, referring to Romualdez.

He later confirmed to reporters that Co and Villar will also be invited.

Villar, an ex-DPWH secretary

He explained that Villar will be invited simply because he served as the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) secretary during the Duterte administration, which is well within the ICI’s 10-year scope.

Both the House and Senate hearings into the anomalous flood control projects have mentioned Villar’s name, especially as he was the one who appointed the dismissed Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara in 2019.

In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also said that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into Villar and his family over a potential conflict of interest case due to the reported P18 billion worth of government infrastructure contracts awarded to Villar’s cousin.

Remulla said that the DOJ is scrutinizing Villar’s actions in two capacities: as a current lawmaker and, significantly, as the former DPWH secretary.

‘First cousin niya ang contractor sa lugar nila, that’s a prohibited interest,’ Remulla said. (His first cousin is a contractor in their province, that’s a prohibited interest.)

When asked if Sen. Camille Villar, who is a former member of the House of Representatives, will be included, he said: ‘Siyempre kasama iyan, kasama rin iyan, it really has to stop, isa lang iyan, pero ano iyan it’s all over the Philippines, people know it.’

(Of course she’s included, she’s included. It really has to stop, and that’s just one, what more if you look all over the Philippines? People know it.)

ICI out for Co

Co, meanwhile, is the former House appropriations chair and a key figure in the flood control investigations, with several resource persons accusing him of allegedly manipulating the 2025 budget and seeking commissions from flood control projects.

Alcantara claimed that Co padded the national budget with P35 billion worth of infrastructure projects for Bulacan’s First District from 2022 to 2025. He said the former lawmaker sought 20% in kickbacks, citing one instance in 2022 where Co was given P519 million.

Meanwhile, dismissed DPWH district engineer Brice Hernandez claimed he delivered P1 billion in 20 suitcases, transported in as many as seven vans by one of Co’s staff, to a hotel in Taguig City.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, on the other hand, said Co asked for a 25% commission from public works deals through Alcantara.

The ICI has already recommended the filing of criminal and administrative charges against Co for his ties to top contractor, Sunwest Inc., which he co-founded in 1997. Sunwest had bagged over P86 billion in government infrastructure deals from 2016 to 2025. It was also the contractor behind the anomalous P289-million Oriental Mindoro flood control project.

Why Romualdez?

While the ICI’s initial report did not name Romualdez or recommend charges against him, testimonies at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee have since referenced him in receiving alleged kickbacks.

One of Co’s former security aides alleged that 35 suitcases of cash were delivered to Romualdez’s Taguig property, with 11 reportedly left with Co – each containing an estimated P48 million. According to Orly Guteza, Co regularly received such luggage.

The Discayas, also known as the super contractor family, also implicated Romualdez in their initial testimony at the Senate hearing.

But during a House hearing, Curlee Discaya said Romualdez’s name was probably being used by others to secure kickbacks from projects they handled. He said he had no direct transaction with him.

Remulla also noted that appointing Co as the appropriations chair of the 19th Congress was the “speaker’s choice,” linking Romualdez in the DOJ’s case build-up.

Repeatedly denying the allegations, Romualdez stepped down as House speaker, while Co resigned as a member of the House of Representatives.

Despite Co’s resignation, he has yet to return to the Philippines to attend the hearings he was invited to, which now also include the Senate.

Popular ice skating concert “Disney On Ice” is coming back to the Philippines with another new show concept featuring characters that will have their debut performance in Manila.

The new show debuting this December is “Magic in the Stars,” a concept that has been touring for three years now and will finally land in the Philippines.

“Disney On Ice” has been staged at the Mall of Asia Arena since 2016, and it will again be staged from December 20 to January 4, 2026 (except Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and December 29).

Matthew Garrick, Asia-Pacific vice president of Feld Entertainment, which produces the show, shared today’s media conference that “Disney On Ice” will likely see its one millionth Philippine attendee since its first show here back in 1990.

Over 55 Disney characters will take on the ice for the upcoming show, including favorites like Aladdin, Cinderella, Moana, Rapunzel from “Tangled,” Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog,” the Madrigals of “Encanto,” and, of course, Mickey Mouse.

“Frozen” characters Elsa, Anna, and Olaf will also appear, but this time following a story taken from the 2018 sequel, meaning it will be the first time that “Into the Unknown” will be professionally performed on the ice here.

Also debuting in the upcoming show are Lightning McQueen and Mater from “Cars,” Asha from “Wish,” and the titular character of “Raya and the Last Dragon.”

The latter is notable for being Disney’s first film to heavily feature traditional Southeast Asian culture.

Garrick later told Philstar.com in an exclusive interview that “Magic in the Stars” will feature more aerial acts compared to past “Disney On Ice” shows, as well as non-traditional skating elements like ramps and jumping.

He also reiterated than having more than 55 characters featured is the most any Philippine “Disney On Ice” show has had in 35 years.

Tickets to “Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars” are now available via SM Tickets outlets nationwide and its website.

In recent weeks, Filipinos have been introduced to Gen Z Rep. Francisco “Kiko” Austria Barzaga of Dasmariñas, Cavite. Formerly part of the majority, he resigned from the ruling Partido Federal Party and established himself as an independent lawmaker. He’s been the subject of many talks and insinuations, from his unusual and eccentric personality to whispers about his mental health. But it does not change the fact that this rather unusual young representative is saying the right things, stuff that ordinary Filipinos want to hear; that the corruption in flood control projects leads to former speaker Martin Romualdez.

As speaker during the 2023, 2024, and 2025 budget deliberations, Romualdez should at least have been cognizant of these anomalies. As Barzaga puts it, either Romualdez is corrupt and part of the flood control mafia, or at the very least was inept and incompetent for allowing these billions of pesos to be stolen left and right. For many lawmakers, Kiko Bargaza has indeed been a thorn in their side and sycophants of the ruling party have filed ethics complaints against the neophyte congressman.

The family name Barzaga is of Spanish origin, derived from barza (‘bramble’) + -aga (‘place of/abundance of’), meaning ‘place with brambles.’ The name is a relatively uncommon surname and is found in the Catalogo Alfabetico de Apellidos. Because of their thorns, brambles are often associated with wildness, difficulty, or obstacles. A very apt description of Rep. Barzaga, indeed.

The Barzagas are a political dynasty in Dasmariñas, Cavite. The modern Barzaga clan’s began with Elpidio ‘Pidi’ Frani Barzaga Jr., who served as Dasmariñas mayor and as congressman for the old 2nd and the 4th Districts. However, the family’s story goes older than Pidi. In the early 1800s, Domingo was born in Imus, Cavite. Prior to the Claveria surname decree of 1849, his family had been using ‘Bautista’ as a family name. The modern Barzaga family simply adopted the surname in accordance with the Claveria decree. Domingo Bautista would later marry Eusebia de los Reyes, and by 1850 had become Domingo Barsaga Bautista, until his family would later use Barsaga (and much later the more Spanish-sounding Barzaga) exclusively. Domingo and Eusebia had several children, including Hermogenes Barzaga, who married Manuela Enano. One of their children was Francisco Barzaga, the namesake of the current Kiko Barzaga who served as municipal president of Dasmariñas, Cavite in 1900 and then from 1922 to 1924. His son, Elpidio Barzaga, was the father of Elpidio Barzaga Jr.

A Barzaga legacy is converting Dasmariñas from a municipality into a component city, who was sponsored by then-Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. Pidi’s wife Jennifer ‘Jenny’ Austria Barzaga, was mayor (2007-2016; 2019-present) and congresswoman (2016-2019), the first city mayor after cityhood in 2009 and has repeatedly won reelection. Their son Francisco ‘Kiko’ A. Barzaga served as city councilor (2019-2025) and became representative of Cavite’s 4th District in 2025; his brother Elpidio ‘Third’ Barzaga III became vice mayor in 2025.

Centuries ago, the first of Kiko Barzaga’s ancestors settled in what is now modern-day Cavite, first in Imus and then in Dasmariñas. The city’s name itself holds many symbolisms. Dasmariñas refers to ‘of the marinas or coasts.’ In Castilian and Galician contexts, marina didn’t just mean ‘harbor’ –it referred broadly to fertile coastal plains and maritime regions, often wealthy and strategic and connoted a sense of being tied to exploration, conquest, and commerce. In Catholic Spain, the sea was a biblical and spiritual metaphor and represented the vastness of God’s creation and the trials of life’s journey.

Whatever the deal is with Rep. Kiko Barzaga, it cannot be denied that in genealogical terms, he symbolizes defiance, strength and, as his own last name suggests, being a (very welcome) thorn to the powers that be that continue to rule the Philippines like it is their playground.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has taken custody of a suspected underwater drone found by fishermen in the waters off Linapacan town in Palawan on Sunday.

The fishermen brought the drone to the shore and informed local authorities of their find.

The device was transported to the PCG Station Linapacan for verification, technical examination and investigation.

Preliminary inspection showed the drone was equipped with a conductivity-temperature-depth sensor, which is typically used for oceanographic profiling.

The PCG said the sensor bore Chinese characters and the serial number CTD-20090334.

The drone also bore corrosion marks indicating prolonged exposure to saltwater. Its metal frame resembled components commonly found in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV).

The recovery is the latest in a series of similar incidents that have occurred since 2022, with devices recovered in the waters off Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Masbate, Misamis Oriental and Zambales.

Forensic analysis of earlier recoveries linked some units to Chinese defense contractors and state-owned firms, citing components such as China telecom SIM cards, iridium transceivers and battery packs from the China Electronics Technology Group Corp.

Experts noted that such AUVs are capable of conducting advanced seafloor mapping, oceanographic monitoring and underwater surveillance, collecting data on salinity, temperature, depth and acoustic propagation for strategic maritime applications.

PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan commended the fishermen for reporting the find.