Category: Philippine Star

Ukraine and the Philippines are moving to revive a dormant agreement between their parliament and the Philippine Congress following the first major Ukrainian delegation visit to Manila, Ukraine’s ambassador said.

The Ukrainian parliamentary delegation, which includes lawmakers, members of Ukrainian media and think tanks, was on a three-day visit to the Philippines from September 22 to 24 to strengthen bilateral relations.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines Yuliia Fediv told Philstar.com in an interview on Monday, September 29, that the ‘most valuable’ part of the delegation’s visit was the talks between both countries’ lawmakers for trade ties.

‘We had several meetings, but I think the most valuable one was the meeting between the MPs and the House of Representatives of the Congress,’ Fediv said.

‘We were pretty lucky to join the session at the House and also to have a meeting with the Speaker before his first speech at the House,’ the ambassador said.

Members of Ukraine’s Parliament also met with the House Inter-Parliamentary and Foreign Policy Committee on September 23 to discuss renewing a memorandum of understanding signed in the 1990s between the Ukrainian Parliament and the House.

The panel is chaired by Rep. Georgina de Venecia (Pangasinan, 4th District).

‘We talked about renewing the text of this memorandum and making it more active now, and to sign maybe the new MOU or the action plan with deliverables for the next years,’ the Ukrainian ambassador told Philstar.com.

Lawmakers from both countries spoke of potential cooperation in trade and investment, with Ukrainian officials saying they see room to strengthen export-import ties.

Other areas discussed include science and technology, people-to-people exchanges, and coordination at international forums on maintaining rules-based international order.

The ambassador said the next steps include renewing the MOU and encouraging more exchanges between Ukrainian and Philippine legislators in the coming years.

Broader diplomatic push

Ukraine is finalizing several agreements with the Philippines, including memoranda on a joint commission for trade and investment, agriculture, security and cybersecurity, the Ukrainian ambassador said.

The embassy is also working with Ateneo de Manila University and other schools to establish Ukrainian studies programs, with Ukrainian universities planning reciprocal courses on Filipino history and ASEAN issues.

The ambassador said Ukraine wants direct communication between the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Ukraine’s Ministry on culture and information policy.

A cybersecurity memorandum focused on countering disinformation is also in the works.

Manila is expected to open an embassy in Kyiv, though no timeline was given.

For now, Ukraine coordinates with the Philippine ambassador to Warsaw, Poland, who also covers Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Manila in June, where he met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and vowed to strengthen both nations’ diplomatic ties, which have spanned over three decades.

Following the sold-out success of her 2023 concert at the Music Museum, Clara Benin returns to the big stage with a heartfelt celebration of the records that shaped her artistic journey.

“Born On A Rainy Night: Celebrating 10 Years of Human Eyes and Riverchild” is a two-night concert happening on October 3 and 4, 2025, at the Manila Metropolitan Theater.

Presented by Minsan Studio, the special show reimagines Clara’s early work with a 30-piece orchestra, under the musical direction and arrangement of Ria Villena-Osorio.

Drawing from her debut album “Human Eyes” and extended play “Riverchild,” both from 2015, the upcoming performance offers a fresh, cinematic take on the music that helped define Clara’s voice in the Philippine indie music scene.

“I’ll be performing songs from those records, but reimagined with an orchestra,” Clara said in a statement. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of doing, and getting to do it for this show makes it even more meaningful.”

The concert is envisioned as both cinematic and intimate, a moment to reflect on where the songs began, and how they’ve grown through the years.

Clara did not fully assure a new release would follow after the concert, “But it definitely feels like a bridge between the past and the future. Working on these arrangements has been grounding, and it’s given me a clearer sense of where I want to go next.”

Jason Conan, head of Minsan Studio which is aiding Clara stage the concert, shared more about the show’s creative direction.

“Clara and the team started by going back to the songs, the feelings, the time and place where they were first written,” he said. “It was important to stay true to those emotions, while allowing the music to grow with who Clara is now.”

A low pressure area east of Philippine waters could develop into a tropical cyclone within the next two days, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Tuesday, September 30.

In its 5 p.m. forecast, PAGASA said the system has a medium chance of strengthening into a tropical depression and is likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday evening.

The low pressure area was last spotted 1,070 kilometers east-northeast of Eastern Visayas at 3 p.m.

PAGASA’s tropical cyclone-threat potential report also indicated a high chance of a storm crossing Luzon this week, from September 29 to October 5.

Weather specialist Charmagne Varilla said Northern Luzon, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Legazpi City can expect overcast skies and rain from Thursday, October 2, lasting until Saturday, October 4, before conditions improve.

A second tropical cyclone-like vortex (TCLV) may form by the second week of October. By October 6 to 12, the first storm is expected to exit PAR toward the Vietnam-Hainan area, while the second storm may enter the northeastern boundary of PAR.

The report further forecasts that tropical cyclones forming in October could make landfall in provinces across Northern, Central and Southern Luzon, as well as Visayas.

Some systems developing in the western Pacific may enter PAR but are expected to recurve northward, moving toward Japan or Korea.

More rain

Although the low pressure area has not yet directly impacted the Philippines, warm easterly winds are expected to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, October 1, in the following areas:

Metro Manila

CALABARZON

MIMAROPA

Bicol Region

Aurora

Pampanga

Bulacan

Zambales

Bataan

Northern Samar

The rest of the country is forecast to experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms.

The Philippines is still reeling from the aftermath of severe flooding caused by the combined effects of tropical cyclones ‘Mirasol,’ ‘Nando’ and ‘Opong,’ along with the southwest monsoon.

Several provinces and cities have declared a state of calamity to prioritize rehabilitation efforts as thousands remain displaced.

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.