Category: Philippine Star

The Philippine government failed to sufficiently protect human trafficking victims in illegal scam hubs, according to the 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report released by the US Department of State.

The report said the Philippines retained its Tier 1 ranking after showing ‘serious efforts’ to combat trafficking, including prosecuting traffickers, sentencing most to significant prison terms, enacting laws to protect fishers, and taking steps to disrupt trafficking in online scam hubs.

It also cited the government’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which were often used as fronts for trafficking foreign workers.

Despite these efforts, the State Department said the Philippines fell short in screening for trafficking victims during POGO raids.

‘The government did not report identifying any foreign victims exploited in these operations,’ the report said, noting that officials may have unjustly penalized individuals who were actually trafficked.

Unlike in 2023, when authorities identified 362 foreign trafficking victims in cooperation with an international organization, no such victims were reported in 2024.

Authorities deported thousands of Chinese and other Asian workers, but the failure to identify victims undermined those efforts, the Department of State said.

‘Officials deported the overwhelming majority of foreign nationals it arrested from these operations without identifying them as trafficking victims-totaling at least 3,000 foreign nationals during the reporting period,’ the department said.

Decline in victim identification

The mass crackdown on POGOs followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to ban offshore gaming.

Authorities, however, lacked reliable statistics on the total number of trafficking victims, including those linked to POGOs.

This, the report said, “contributed to the deportation of some unidentified victims to countries where they may have faced retribution or hardship, and in some cases, prosecution in their country of origin solely for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of being trafficked.”

Some officials also failed to apply ‘trauma-informed practices’ in victim screening, it said.

For over five decades, Pancake House has been part of Filipino life; a place where comfort food, warm smiles and familiar spaces come together to create memories that last.

In 1970, its very first store opened in Magallanes Theater in Makati, planting the roots of what would grow into a well-loved dining destination. Now, in 2025, Pancake House proudly reopens its Paseo de Magallanes branch that is refreshed and ready to welcome both loyal fans and new diners into its cozy embrace.

A familiar favorite, refreshed for today

The return of Pancake House Paseo de Magallanes feels like coming home to something beloved, but with a few delightful surprises.

The newly renovated branch preserves everything guests already cherish, while introducing thoughtful upgrades that fit today’s everyday routines.

Here’s what to expect:

A brand-new coffee nook, created in collaboration with Yardstick Coffee, serving expertly brewed cups that complement Pancake House’s sweet and savory staples.

A dedicated takeout window for quick and easy pick-ups, because comfort food should be within reach, even on your busiest days.

To make the experience even sweeter, Pancake House has teamed up with The Kind Cookie, offering grab-and-go treats that bring comfort into every bite. Same comfort, more ways to share

While the space has evolved, Pancake House’s promise remains the same: to serve the dishes that feel like home. Look forward to the core offerings: Pan Chicken, Golden Brown Waffles, Pancakes, Spaghetti and Best Taco in Town-the classic flavors that carry years of shared stories and happy moments.

Now, with more space to gather, a dedicated window for takeout and a cozy corner for coffee, there are even more ways to enjoy the comfort you know and love.

More than a meal

Dining out today is about more than just food. It’s about connection, experience and savoring familiar moments you’ll always come back to.

Pancake House Paseo de Magallanes embraces this shift by giving guests options that fit every kind of day: the spontaneous brunch with friends, the quick coffee catch-up, the family dinner, or the solo pick-me-up on the way home.

By blending its classic offerings with new touches of convenience, the brand proves that comfort is timeless and always worth coming back to.

As it reopens its doors in 2025, the Paseo de Magallanes branch stands as a symbol of both heritage and renewal. It’s the same Pancake House generations have loved, now made even more welcoming for the years ahead. The comfort spot you’ve been waiting for is finally back.

State-run Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) has been recognized for its best practices in human resources management, particularly in utilizing employee engagement and organizational development in building a future-ready institution.

DBP president and CEO Michael de Jesus said the bank was conferred the Asia Best Employer Brand Award while its Human Resources Management head was named the ‘Chief Human Resources Officer of the Year’ by Mumbai-based research group Employer Branding Institute during rites held in Singapore.

‘DBP is proud to accept these awards that recognize its progressive and people-centered policies for attracting, developing, and retaining talents, and which has enabled it to further pursue its development financing mandate,’ De Jesus said.

DBP is the 10th largest bank in the country in terms of assets and provides credit support to four priority sectors of the economy – infrastructure and logistics; micro, small and medium enterprises; the environment; and social services and community development.

The Best Employer Brand Awards is an international event that recognizes organizations for their outstanding work in employer branding, with a jury composed of senior professionals from across Asia.

De Jesus said DBP was cited for its talent management, development, and recruitment strategies, as well as in strengthening the competencies of its personnel.

Likewise, DBP senior vice president Romeo Carandang was named the top chief human resources officer for the region.

According to De Jesus, the awards bestowed to DBP are also consistent with the Civil Service Commission’s efforts to highlight recognitions bestowed on government employees to acknowledge their contributions towards the improvement of public service delivery.

‘These awards, which come at an opportune time with the forthcoming celebration of the 125th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, also affirm that our people are DBP’s greatest strength and instrumental to DBP delivering sustained value to its stakeholders,’ he said.

From soulful covers to chart-topping original tracks, singer-songwriter Justin Vasquez continues to own his space in the OPM scene.

Known for his signature reverse-cap, boy-next-door charm, and buttery vocals, the Filipino-Australian artist has transformed from an Internet crush into one of the most exciting young artists to watch today.

First discovered by many through his YouTube covers, Justin quickly stood out for his ability to reimagine songs with raw emotion and artistry, never losing the spirit of the originals while making them distinctly his own.

His journey has taken him across stages and competitions, including “The X Factor Australia” and “Himig Handog” – both of which paved the way for his shift from cover artist to full-fledged recording act.

Over the years, Justin’s influence has grown beyond YouTube, with over 1.2 million TikTok followers and streaming milestones that strengthen his place in the local music industry.

His 2024 single “What U Need” earned over three million Spotify streams and landed on the platform’s Viral Charts, while his July 2025 release “Home” has already crossed the million mark.

Now, Justin returns with a song that might just be his most moving release yet.

“Kung Di Mo Alam” is a timeless R and B-inspired serenade, blending English and Tagalog in a way that feels both personal and universal.

With its production and delivery, it’s a piece that listeners will want to play on repeat, if they’re in love, healing, or simply daydreaming.

“This song is very close to me, it’s about the kind of love that grounds you, gives you clarity, and makes everything feel worth it,” Justin said in a statement.

Benjie Magalong is a dangerous man. All relentless people are.

When he starts something, he fully intends to complete it. When he begins investigating, he will not stop until he gets to the bottom of it all. When he finds the truth, he proclaims it with ardor.

When asked to investigate the massacre at Mamasapano, he refused to acquit a bungling administration. When asked to investigate the so-called ‘ninja cops,’ he did not care if he stepped on powerful toes. He did not become chief of the PNP because he cannot be cowed by the powers-that-be.

The House of Representatives did not dare summon him to the hearings on the flood control scam. The congressmen could not handle the truth spoken to their faces.

Magalong was competent, trained and courageous. The entrenched political elite fears such a man – especially one with an Igorot name. He is unlikely to play by the unwritten rules.

Because he had assiduously investigated the ‘kalakaran’ of our pork barrel politics – and was not hesitant to talk about his findings – Magalong had to somehow be coopted into the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI). Involving him somehow as a nebulously defined ‘special adviser’ would add credibility to the proceedings. His credibility was a gift to a beleaguered administration.

Except that he took his role too seriously and worked too hard. That was not supposed to happen. He visited the far-flung ghost projects and invited media attention to them. At the rate he was going, it was only a matter of time before he began looking at the infra projects done in Ilocos Norte and Leyte.

Magalong, the only functioning component of the ICI, cannot be tamed. It was hard to convince the relentless investigator that some political personalities were untouchable. They tried to rein him in. Crudely, as is characteristic of the corrupt bums responsible for this colossal mess.

Soon enough the Palace mouthpiece, the one with an overblown fashion sense, began talking about ‘conflict-of-interest’ issues. She was planting intrigue when there should be none. She was later joined by a chorus of leftist groups who prefer to talk about a parking lot in Baguio City than look closely at a criminal cabal that looted taxpayer money in the hundreds of billions linked the the highest echelons of the political establishment.

Magalong promptly resigned. He was too honorable a man to play the silly games those involved in a monumental cover-up prefer.

This is just the first kink in the huge, richly funded apparatus intended to cut this colossal scandal down to size and spare the most prominent suspects. Forcing Magalong out, however, is likely to backfire. Exclusion will not silence this man.

Immediately after Magalong resigned, the ICI informs us there will be no live coverage of the proceedings. This will only make the commission a sort of black hole where scandals go to die.

The ICI decision to keep the public out throws a shroud over the inquiry. The commissioners will become like gnomes cobbling inside a rabbit hole – or grifting tailors fashioning the emperor’s new clothes. In the end, the plan might be for this underfunded and understaffed ‘commission’ to produce a dense report destined for the archives.

This, after all, has been the way our corrupt political elite dealt with scandals involving the corruption that rots away at the nation’s core: appoint some powerless fact-finding body, buy some time for the public outrage to dissipate, spread the blame so thinly it disappears like melted butter on hot toast, throw up a lot of distractions, jail a few of the most notorious and bury the rest of the thing in the archives.

This is a strategy that, unfortunately, worked time and time again. It works especially well in a country notorious for having a short memory – and an even shorter attention span.

We are witnessing the greatest corruption scandal in our scandal-prone history. Reformists should never let a good scandal go to waste. Today, however, we are in peril of doing that.

Those who have somehow insinuated themselves into leadership roles over the civil society hordes seem perfectly content to let the big fish go. They fear tumult and fear the possible outcome of a political explosion. Their fears – not the possibility of meaningful reform – dictate their strategy.

The regime might find comfort in the thought that Filipinos never revolt before Christmas. The air is simply too thick with cheer. While there is outrage, there is little desire to rebel. There is still time to put this colossal scandal in a box and bury it.

Our two most recent risings happened in February and January, when the weather is agreeable. But the rustlings began long before that.

There is certainly some rustling happening. But there is no rallying point. There is hesitance to direct the rage at the untouchables.

But there is more to be revealed. The revelations will happen when those who hold the secrets find the heroism to speak the truth.

The war between the contending factions will not wait for those still mustering courage. For some major players facing the prospect of becoming scapegoats, this has become an existential question. If they must go down, they will drag their rivals with them.

We know wealth and power are never strangers. In this country, they are cousins.

The Philippines’ largest group of Catholic schools urged the government on Tuesday, September 30, to expand its nationwide private school scholarship program, warning that declining enrollment, rising operational costs and migration of teachers to better-paying schools are putting their survival at risk.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) – whose member schools number about 1,500 nationwide – said many private schools remain financially unstable due to shrinking student numbers. This is even after they weathered the COVID-19 pandemic, when private school enrollment plunged from 4.3 million before 2020 to just 1.4 million by 2022.

In both basic and higher education, CEAP President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ said, private Catholic institutions are facing stiff competition from tuition-free government schools.

“One lung is private, one lung is public, and we need both lungs to survive,” San Juan said at a press conference.

“Because of the difficult economic situation, of course, our students will gravitate towards free tuition in public schools. So that’s a loss of enrollment to us, and as we know, the private schools are just dependent on tuition fees,” he added.

Call for ‘complementarity’

Enrollment in private schools dropped from 4.3 million before the pandemic to just 1.4 million by 2022, according to CEAP data shared during the press conference. This forced the closure of hundreds of schools, especially small diocesan schools in rural areas, and led to retrenchments of faculty and staff.

“The pandemic is an example of how the private school sector is so dependent on tuition fee alone,” San Juan said.

Many private schools are still in the red, according to CEAP. “If you ask the school heads here, our enrollments, especially in basic education, have been going down. We’ve been analyzing this decrease,” the CEAP president said.

The 1,500-member association wants the government to share public funds more equitably with private schools through expanded vouchers and subsidies – formally the Department of Education’s Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE).

The GASTPE currently provides vouchers and subsidies to high school students to allow them to pursue studies in higher education. This assistance is disbursed directly to schools and ranges from P9,000 to P13,000 per student.

CEAP and other voices in the private education sector have been seeking GASTPE’s expansion to include elementary students – the other half of the whole K to 12 system.

“The government should give importance to both public and private. [It already] does that, but our advocacy, there should be more,” San Juan said.

The CEAP president said they have been informed by lawmakers, including Sen. Bam Aquino, chairperson of the Senate basic education panel, of their openness to making elementary students eligible for GASTPE subsidies.

Amid the current uproar over anomalous public works projects, San Juan said there is also an opportunity to push for an increase in the subsidy amounts given.

“Because now, the amount ranges from P9,000 to P13,000. And that is not adequate to fully support the cost of education,” the CEAP president said.

“They’re open to it. Especially now, with this controversy of flood control budget, which the government will shut down,” San Juan said. “Our congressmen, who are very supportive of all this, are pushing for the transfer of funds to education.”

Beyond expanding GASTPE, however, Br. Edmundo Fernandez, CEAP treasurer and president of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, believes the government should also improve the efficiency of the program itself.

“Issues within these subsidy programs place a heavy burden on the resources of Catholic schools, private schools, especially the mission schools,” Fernandez said. “CEAP recommends increased funding, more timely disbursements, and simplified processes.”

He noted that Catholic and private schools aren’t just institutions like DE La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University. “There are hundreds of schools in the provinces, in the hinterlands that need a lot of support.”

Private school autonomy on suspensions, tuition

Br. Kenneth Martinez, CEAP corporate secretary and president of University of St. La Salle Bacolod, said private schools are being constrained by tuition caps pegged to regional inflation rates.

“In truth, it does not reflect the real cost of running private schools,” Martinez said, citing mandated salary increases, rising operational costs, and schools’ investments in evolving technology and facilities.

“Private higher education institutions must be allowed to determine reasonable tuition rates based on actual school needs and consultation with stakeholders,” he said. “If tuition is capped only by inflation, schools will be forced to cut corners, or worse, shut down.”

Catholic schools also want more discretion on weather-related class suspensions. San Juan said blanket provincial suspensions by local government units don’t account for varying conditions across different areas.

“Can private schools and school heads be given more autonomy to decide whether in my area, my barangay, my province, my town, my city, dito hindi masyadong umuulan, itutuloy ko ang klase?” he said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government is open to changes and plans to meet with CEAP soon to discuss the matter, San Juan said.

The country’s luxury property landscape continues to gain prominence, and in this niche market stands The Velaris Residences-a residential masterpiece in Bridgetowne, which has proven itself worthy to be called the best in this category.

The recent PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards proudly announced The Velaris Residences North Tower as Best Condo Development (Philippines), Best Luxury Condo Development (Metro Manila) and Best Condo Interior Design-distinctions that affirm that it’s more than real estate, but a new standard of elevated living.

Is it because of the global expertise, partnerships, intentional design or a commitment to a lifestyle that goes beyond walls and ceilings? What exactly does it take to earn such recognition?

1. Born from a visionary partnership

Behind The Velaris Residences is RHK Land Corporation, the joint venture between Philippine real estate giant Robinsons Land and Hongkong Land. The collab merges local knowledge of the market with a legacy of world-class developments across Asia.

The global-local synergy in this debut project let RHK Land make its mark in the industry, collecting prestigious awards along the way and cementing its credibility among Philippine luxury residences.

2. Intentional design

In real estate, a strong design philosophy is the recipe not just for great awards, but for generations of happy clients.

The Velaris Residences believes that every space must be purpose-driven and enhance the lives of its residents.

The 40-story North Tower-an addition to the three-tower enclave-showcases this philosophy by offering one- to four-bedroom layouts that maximize natural light and provide seamless flow between spaces.

There are spacious indoor patios in the one- and one-and-a-half-bedroom units, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors. Then there are double-volume living spaces in four-bedroom, townhouse and penthouse suites, creating a sense of grandeur and openness not often seen even in this market.

Every unit is equipped with smart home technology, from biometric digital door locks to app-controlled lighting and air conditioning, as well as smart mirrors in larger units.

Privacy is so important that private lifts are included in two-bedroom units and above, with a 2:1 unit-to-elevator ratio for smaller residences.

Elegance is not only the finishing touch but the foundation. Natural stone, engineered wood and other premium materials are carefully applied, all while keeping the units versatile enough for discerning residents.

3. Top-notch amenities

The awards have also recognized The Velaris Residences for its unrivaled lifestyle offerings. Specially curated for leisure, wellness, productivity and community, the North Tower’s amenities rival those of five-star resorts.

Upon arrival, residents are greeted by a grand plaza and five exclusive lobbies-each promising privacy and calm.

For relaxation, there’s an indoor Japanese sento with wet and dry sauna on the fifth floor podium. Outside, residents can marvel at an outdoor sento and sculpture garden.

For those with active pursuits, The Velaris Residences has a badminton and pickleball court, a lifestyle gym with dance and cycling studios, an Olympic-length infinity pool and, of course, a golf simulator studio.

Enjoy the garden lounge with floating daybeds, or let the children play at the Kids Club. A treetop playground, camping grounds and a dedicated children’s pool, pool bar and family deck, banquet hall and a party pool with underwater seating complete the family-centric lineup of amenities.

The North Tower also responds to modern needs with a business lounge with meeting room and a creative studio, encouraging residents to embrace hybrid work in style.

Meanwhile, smart lockers, secure mailrooms and a residents’ portal app ensure seamless contactless living, from booking amenities to managing deliveries.

Crowning it all is the North Tower Velaris SkyClub on the 40th floor. This sanctuary in the clouds comes with a wine gallery, cigar room, private theater, casual and gourmet dining areas, SkyLounge, SkyBar and SkyDeck.

It’s up to the residents to enjoy it either as an escape or a stage for life’s grandest celebrations, right at home.

4. Location with lasting value

Awards also take into account the location. The Velaris Residences rises within Bridgetowne, an emerging 30-hectare township along the C5 corridor that links Quezon City, Pasig City and Taguig City.

The property stands beside two majestic landmarks-The Victor, a 200-foot art installation by world-renowned artist JEFRË, and the scenic Bridgetowne Bridge, designed by Mañosa and Co.

These icons contribute to the project’s long-term value, alongside the township’s master-planned mix of business and leisure spaces.

Investors and residents can be confident that the C5 growth corridor is poised to become a new megalopolis, with Bridgetowne as the centerpiece-ensuring that owning a unit at The Velaris Residences is not just a lifestyle statement, but also a sound, future-proof investment.

Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos revealed she is fed up with corrupt practices in the government, lauding Filipinos for demanding accountability.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Rhian shared that she hated corruption in government since childhood.

“I feel like I’ve had a very big angst about corruption in the government ever since I was a toddler. I grew up, bata pa lang ako, naririnig ko na ‘yung, ‘so corrupt,'” Rhian said.

“Naaalala ko pa even my sister – when we were little kids – she said, ‘corrupt’ (in a sassy way). Ganoon ka-ingrain sa utak namin ‘yung corruption,” she added.

Rhian said that it was high time that people spoke up, and for her part never said anything on corruption as people never asked..

“I don’t mind telling you how I feel. The whole country is very angry. Tama lang. Dapat lang,” the actress said, though lamenting it might have come too late as billions have already been stolen.

“Ang dami nang nag-suffer. And how many generations already. Ang laki na nang problema. I don’t know if it’s solvable in a few years lang,” Rhian continued.

The actress ended in agreement with people on the Internet airing their frustrations about corruption.

“Honestly, I’m glad that it’s out. I’m glad that everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s finally angry enough to do something about it. And I just hope na may totoong change na mangyari,” Rhian finished.

The Philippine Sportswriters Association is alarmed by the way access to coverage was used recently as a backhanded form of censorship, and is concerned about its impact on members of the free press.

The decision taken by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and its president, Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, on September 23, 2025, revoking the credentials of Spin.ph, a digital site of 13 years’ standing, has spurred the PSA into strengthening the protection of its members from all forms of pressure and harassment while in the performance of their duties.

That these credentials were eventually restored is not enough. We acknowledge the effort made to restore Spin.ph’s accreditation, but we call attention to the fact that revoking the website’s access should never have occurred to begin with. Let us be clear: the very fact that the press is barred, however briefly and inconsequentially – and for no justifiable reason – is unacceptable.

Standing by the belief that the issuance and revocation of media credentials must never be used against reporting that is honest, hard-nosed, and executed without fear or favor, the PSA is adopting the following measure:

Henceforth, any official or organization responding to critical reporting by withholding or forfeiting a PSA member’s standard access to any coverage without due process and prior notice will be declared persona non grata.

Censorship does not always arrive as a law or as an organizational rule. Sometimes it comes as a locked gate, a revoked pass, or an inquiring voice admonished, with the hint of repercussions, that it cannot ask the question.

This is clearly prior restraint and strikes at the very heart of a free press.

To ensure that the measure is not subject to misuse, the PSA will:

Police its ranks and provide continuing guidance to its members on fair and impartial reporting.

Create a committee to handle dialogue between officials/athletes/organizations and PSA members to ensure due process in any case where the revocation of credentials is at issue.

Even if the PNVF’s September 23 attack against one media group has been undone, a chilling effect lingers: a whispered warning to journalists that their next critical piece – be it a short or longform article, in video form, as interview transcript – can result in non-access.

In this republic, unless the 1987 Constitution has been upended, freedom of the press is not an optional adjunct – it is a constitutional pillar. Article III, Section 4, is in fact so unequivocal about this that it constructs the point with an admonition: ‘No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.’

The section is so framed that even the combined legislative force of both chambers of Congress and the vast executive powers of the President are not enough to legislate censorship in any form.

It stands to reason that no sports official or organization can.

We pass this measure with a singular conviction: That the PSA, as a member of the country’s free press, cannot, and will not, accept being silenced, not even temporarily. That a single act of suppression, left unchallenged, risks becoming the standard practice of the future. And that today’s exception can become tomorrow’s rule, while today’s silence can become tomorrow’s permanent mistake.

We don’t ask for favors; we ask for fairness.

We don’t seek permission to speak; we seek protection for our speech.

We don’t demand that people we write about meet us with a warm welcome; we demand that they do not thwart us in our work.

We end with this vow: We move forward ready to cover the games with the same vigor and fairness, respect and responsibility, commitment and passion we have always brought to our profession as journalists.

To fulfill this vow, we shall not stand idle when press freedom is threatened – not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

ABS-CBN executive Lauren Dyogi revealed how the members of Nation’s Girl Group BINI were selected.

In an interview with Karmina Constantino on the latter’s “KC After Hours” YouTube channel, Dyogi said he began by looking at their heights which he was particular about.

“Director nga ako eh, so gusto ko rin visually, ‘yung symmetry at the same time, ‘yung hulma na halos magkakasing-katawan kasi if you see them dancing together synchronize, parang ang gandang tingnan di ba?,” the director explained.

Dyogi noted each member were only teenagers when the group was formed so there was need to measure their parents to see their literal potential for growth.

“There is a science to it. There is also science to the whole thing… Inaral namin ‘yun,” he added.

Dyogi continued by saying each member needed to have a core talent.

“The talent, dapat may basic ka man lang kasi we will train you eh. If you are going to follow the Korean template na sila nga di ba you don’t have to sing and dance, matuturuan ka nila, naniwala ako dun,” Dyogi went on.

“Kasi dati paniniwala ko dapat inborn ‘yung talent, ngayon hindi. ‘Pag inukulan mo ng panahon, inukulan mo ng pagtatiyaga, matutunan mo ‘yan.”

The ABS-CBN executive also said there was a need to form their chemistry.

“It doesn’t stop there kasi magkakasundo ba sila? ‘Yun ang hindi ko mapre-predict,” Dyogi explained, which was why members underwent a bootcamp and for a time were forced to live together because of the pandemic.

That situation led to the girls bonding, learning to care for one another and unite in a story.

“They came from the pandemic, and they came from a shutdown na talagang kinukwestiyon nila if matutuloy ba ‘to or hindi ba ‘to matutuloy? Paninidigan ko ba ‘to or hindi ko ito paninindigan? Because at that point nobody knew if it could be a success,” Dyogi ended.