Category: Philippine Star

When the Women’s China Open first teed off in 2006, the occasion was quietly significant. At the time, women’s golf in the Middle Kingdom was still taking fledgling steps in the global game. The domestic circuit was modest, the talent pool limited, and the pathway to elite professional circuits like the LPGA Tour seemed distant, if not daunting.

Yet that first swing in Xiamen coincided with the dawn of a new era, one in which the nation’s most talented women would soon find their footing at home before spreading their wings abroad to challenge the best of the best and eventually write Chinese golf into the pages of sporting history.

Nearly two decades after the inaugural event, the transformation has been profound in China. From Feng Shanshan’s trailblazing major victory in 2012, to the steady rise of top players such as Janet Lin Xiyu, Yin Ruoning and Miranda Wang on the LPGA Tour, and milestone Olympic Games moments in Rio de Janeiro and Paris where Feng and Lin earned bronze medals, women’s golf in China has certainly propelled to the forefront with great force.

Such has been the impact and growth in China that golfers from across Southeast Asia, including Mafy Singson of the Philippines, are now looking at the CLPG Tour as the potential springboard for their careers as they dream for the stars.

At the heart of this rise has been the national championship. It is not just another stop on the calendar, it is the flagship event on the CLPG Tour, where every aspiring golfer aspire to join their idols and attain world-class stature.

For Feng, the country’s first major champion and its most iconic player, the Women’s China Open was an early inspiration especially when she saw first hand how Korean superstars Jiyai Shin, Kim Hyo-joo and Park Sung-hyun dominated on Chinese soil by winning the Open five times amongst them. Shin is a former World No. 1, Kim and Park are major champions and the trio holds a staggering 109 professional victories combined.

‘Growing up as a young golfer, the Women’s China Open was a tournament that held special meaning for me. The experiences I gained over the years played a pivotal role in shaping my career,’ said Feng, who has 22 career wins including 10 on the LPGA Tour.

‘In the early days, competing against strong Korean players (in the Open) showed us just how high the standard was, and it motivated me to work harder, stay resilient, and keep striving for success in the game,’ added the 36-year-old, whose best finishes include 2nd/2011, T3/2012, 4th/2016 and 3rd/2019.

Feng’s victory at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2012, one of golf’s majors, broke barriers for Chinese golf, but she has never overlooked the foundation that events like the Women’s China Open and the CLPG Tour provided. ‘I am proud to see Chinese golfers achieving success on the LPGA Tour, and I believe the future of women’s golf in China is exceptionally bright. Today, we have a growing pool of talented amateurs excelling on the CLPG Tour and winning tournaments, which bodes well for the years ahead. I am confident the next decade will be a remarkable era for women’s golf in China.’

For Janet Lin Xiyu, who has taken a temporary leave of absence from the LPGA Tour for the arrival of her first child, the Women’s China Open was both a launching pad and a personal milestone. She became the first Chinese golfer to lift the trophy in 2019, an achievement she cherishes as much as her achievements abroad which include a podium finish at the Paris Olympic Games last summer.

‘That achievement will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth of our country’s golfing history,’ said the 29-year-old Lin, who owns seven CLPG Tour victories. ‘From the time I began competing, the Women’s China Open stood out as one of the most important tournaments on the calendar. It inspired me to push harder and strive for excellence. Like all great national Opens, it has played a pivotal role in developing women’s golf, providing a stage for Chinese players to challenge themselves.’

That sense of higher standards and bigger dreams has carried into the new generation. The 23-year-old Yin Ruoning, who has already captured a major championship and the World No. 1 ranking, treasures her formative experiences at the Women’s China Open where she finished tied fourth in 2018.

‘Competing in the Women’s China Open was always special to me,’ said Yin, who is now ranked World No. 7 and holder of five LPGA victories. ‘The tournament has a different feel about it and there is extra motivation and pressure to perform well. As a junior golfer then, I understood what the event meant to us and looking back, those experiences have been meaningful in my journey as a golfer.’

From the inaugural edition in Xiamen to this year’s groundbreaking move to Shanghai where the tournament, which is promoted by Sportfive, will be played at Enhance Anting Golf Club from October 17-19, all eyes will be on the next wave of Chinese and regional aspiring stars. The local starlets include a group of amateurs such as 18-year-old Wang Zixuan, Xu Ying, 16, and 15-year-old Zhou Shiyuan – all of whom have won on the CLPG Tour this season.

Wang, who has won once and posted three top-10s, said: ‘The leading Chinese players are a tremendous source of inspiration. truly admire their mental strength under pressure and their resilience. Witnessing the success of top players reminds me that behind every achievement lies countless hours of tedious, gruelling practice. This motivates me to devote myself even more wholeheartedly to the sport.’

The China LPG Tour has also provided opportunities for regional and aspiring golfers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to sharpen their professional teeth, with the likes Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (Tha), Onkanok Soisuwan (Tha), Kan Bunnabodee (Tha), Jocelyn Chee (Mas), Ng Jing Xuen (May), Amanda Tan (Sin) and Patricia Sinolungan (Ina) benefitting immensely. With Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul rising to World No. 1 recently, the importance of women’s golf growth across Asia-Pacific is not lost on many.

The upswing in fortunes is certainly testament the Women’s China Open is proving to be just the origin of greatness for women’s golf in the country and regionwide.

As relief efforts for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Opong are ongoing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its operations against fraudulent donation drives on social media.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartateasz Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to monitor suspicious donation requests on social media platforms to ensure that relief operations are protected from exploitation.

Nartatez said the ACG should also check websites and e-wallet transactions to identify and apprehend scammers taking advantage of people who are donating to typhoon victims.

‘We advise the public to verify first before donating. Legitimate donation drives are usually organized by well-known charity groups,’ he said.

Nartatez reminded people to check official announcements, verified social media pages and official bank accounts. Personal accounts soliciting donations, especially if the details are vague or unverifiable, must be avoided, he said.

The PNP is rolling out an awareness campaign to help citizens distinguish between legitimate and fake donation drives.

Nartatez urged those who have been victimized to report to the ACG or to the nearest police stations.

Beware of fake donation drives – PNP

TUPAS

MANILA, Philippines – As relief efforts for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Opong are ongoing, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its operations against fraudulent donation drives on social media.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartateasz Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to monitor suspicious donation requests on social media platforms to ensure that relief operations are protected from exploitation.

Nartatez said the ACG should also check websites and e-wallet transactions to identify and apprehend scammers taking advantage of people who are donating to typhoon victims.

‘We advise the public to verify first before donating. Legitimate donation drives are usually organized by well-known charity groups,’ he said.

Nartatez reminded people to check official announcements, verified social media pages and official bank accounts. Personal accounts soliciting donations, especially if the details are vague or unverifiable, must be avoided, he said.

The PNP is rolling out an awareness campaign to help citizens distinguish between legitimate and fake donation drives.

Nartatez urged those who have been victimized to report to the ACG or to the nearest police stations.

Hollywood celebrity couple Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are ending their relationship after being married for nearly two decades.

A number of sources confirmed the split to several entertainment outlets, including TMZ, People and Variety, with the former being told Nicole and Keith had been living apart for some time now.

The same source told TMZ that Nicole has been looking after the couple’s two children and was “holding the family together through this difficult time since Keith has been gone.”

People’s source, meanwhile, said Nicole’s family, particularly her sister Antonia, have been supportive of the Oscar and Emmy winner.

“She didn’t want this. She has been fighting to save the marriage,” the source added.

Nicole just finished production on a “Practical Magic” sequel with Sandra Bullock, while Keith is in the middle of his “High and Alive” world tour to promote his 11th album “High”.

The Australian-American couple married in June 2006 a year after dating and have two teenage daughters, Sunday Rose and Faith Margaret.

Nicole was previously married to fellow Hollywood star Tom Cruise, with whom she adopted two children, for 11 years.

Keith, a four-time Grammy winner, has gone on record crediting Nicole as being a pivotal part to his rehabilitation for alcohol abuse.

The Dasmariñas Monarchs netted their second straight win to seize league leadership while the reigning champions Quezon Tangerines bounced back against separate foes in Week 2 of the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) over the weekend at the Arellano Gym in Manila.

On the heels of a big debut win over the Tangerines, the Monarchs swept the Pasay squad, 25-13, 26-24, 25-20, for a 2-0 slate in the eight-team tourney founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, also the man behind the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Vange Alinsug scored 12 points while Alexa Nichole Mata and Myrtle Escanlar had nine points each for the powerhouse Dasma squad backed by two-time UAAP and three-time SSL champion National U Lady Bulldogs.

Dasma needed only 81 minutes to dispatch Pasay after an earlier sweep of Quezon, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, to emerge as the early title favorite in the second staging of the MPVA.

Pasay slid to 1-1, failing to follow up its 25-23, 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-8 win over the Negros ICC Blue Hawks.

In the other game, Camilla Amor Bartolome rifled in 19 points as Quezon poured its wrath on the Caloocan AM Spikers, 25-12, 25-14, 25-21, for a 1-1 slate.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday described the alleged schemes of contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya as a ‘unique experience,’ describing the unprecedented scope of their operations in public works projects nationwide.

Remulla said the couple’s contracting practices stand out because they secured projects across the country, defying the usual ‘territoriality principle’ in government contracting.

‘Walang katulad na contractor itong mga Discaya. They’re a very unique one,’ Remulla told reporters on Sept. 29. (The Discayas are contractors unlike any other. They are very unique.)

Remulla explained that under standard practice, contractors typically operate within designated geographic areas. The Discayas, however, ‘hustled their way’ into projects nationwide, lending out their licenses across multiple territories.

Citing testimony from former Public Works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, Remulla said the couple’s projects often bypassed competitive bidding, in violation of the Philippine Competition Act, the Anti-Graft Law and other statutes.

Because of this, investigators are backtracking records from 2025 down to 2016 – the period when the couple allegedly ‘got big.’

‘They started contracting in 2007, but they were a struggling group at that time. But in 2016, they got big. That’s why we started zeroing in on how they got big,’ Remulla said.

‘Beyond imagination’

Remulla agreed with Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s earlier claim that the couple bagged at least P207 billion worth of projects but suggested the figure could be even higher.

‘I believe that. But probably it’s bigger,’ Remulla said.

Remulla said the scale of alleged corruption linked to the Discayas was ‘beyond imagination.’

The Discayas, who have testified in congressional probes, are currently considered protected witnesses. The DOJ is evaluating whether they qualify as state witnesses, which would grant them immunity from prosecution.

Remulla said lawmakers named by the couple, along with former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials, will soon be invited by the DOJ to validate the information.

Billions in contracts. From 2022 to 2024, companies linked to the Discayas secured around 421 projects worth P31.04 billion, most of them flood-control works.

Their own firms accounted for P25.2 billion across 345 solo and joint projects, with affiliated companies raising the total contract value to more than P31 billion.

Two blockbuster events today:

At 5 p.m., President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos inaugurate the new Philippine International Convention Center.

The renovation makes PICC world class again. Why?

The Discayas were not the PICC contractors, unlike the new NBI building on Taft and the Film Heritage building, both of which have the Discayas as contractor and both of which are delayed and are being constructed badly, per the Discaya standard, which is substandard.

At 6:30 p.m., DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon is guest of honor and speaker of the Manila Overseas Press Club’s ‘Infra Night’ at the Raffles and Fairmont Hotel ballroom. Vince is expected to update a select group of businessmen, professionals and senior journalists on the latest in the P1-trillion flood control scam or flood-gate, who have been charged and who are facing arrest and who are being investigated.

Reservations for Vince’s MOPC appearance have more than doubled in recent days after shocking revelations on how senators helped themselves, making insertion or amendments in the P6.326-trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA).

The insertions were between P103 billion (flood control alone) and P142 billion, the total insertions then SP Chiz Escudero was supposed to have masterminded.

Congressmen also make insertions and commissions. But our senators are held to a higher bar of integrity and performance. Each senator is reckoned as presidential material. Our senators disappoint.

Senate Blue Ribbon committee chair Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson says ‘almost all’ senators made insertions in the 2025 GAA.

We have 24 senators, so P103 billion divided by 24 is P4.29 billion (some senators, Ping says, got P10 billion). The standard senatorial ‘cut’ or commission is 25 percent. So 25 percent of P4.25 billion is P1.0725 billion. Our good hardworking senators ran away with over one billion pesos of taxpayers’ money, a single deal, in a single year. That is from flood control alone. They also made insertions in the budget of other Cabinet departments.

If stealing or malversing P8.8 million is a non-bailable crime and subject to life imprisonment and if, indeed, nearly all our senators are corrupt, then we don’t have a Senate to speak of. ‘Almost all’ of the senators should resign. Forthwith.

With ‘almost all’ senators gone, the Senate will effectively be abolished. Without a Senate, the Philippines will be left with just one legislative house, the House of Representatives. Of course, not all our 315 congressmen are thieves; only some, not ‘almost all.’ That leaves a fully functioning House.

The House has always dreamed of making constitutional amendments, without the Senate. That time has come. The House can amend the Charter forthwith.

The 1987 Constitution offers three modes:

Constituent assembly (con-ass)

Congress, the Senate and House of Representatives, not necessarily in joint session, act as a constituent assembly.

Congress can propose amendments or revisions by a vote of three-fourths of all its members.

People’s Initiative

Section 2, Article XVII, the Constitution allows amendments through a People’s Initiative.

The people can directly propose amendments to the Constitution. It requires a petition signed by at least 12 percent of the total number of registered voters, with each legislative district represented by at least three percent of its registered voters. Last year, then speaker Martin Romualdez got this done, legally, until the public got cold feet with it.

People’s Initiative can only be used for amendments, not for revisions. I suggest two: define what is a dynasty (up to fourth degree of consanguinity) in the anti-dynasty provision of the Constitution. And second, abolish the party-list system. These two amendments will be a sea change and will wash the nation into the fine earth of good governance.

Constitutional convention (con-con)

Congress may call for a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing amendments or revisions.

A constitutional convention will consist of delegates elected by the people and tasked solely to amend the Constitution.

Congress can either call for a con-con by a two-thirds vote of all its members or submit the question of whether or not to call a con-con to the electorate for a majority vote.

While the House is doing reforms, President Marcos Jr. can cash in on the climate of reform by declaring a state of emergency.

With his commander-in-chief and emergency powers, Marcos Jr. can order the arrest of the ‘nearly all senators’ who made GAA insertions and freeze their assets and deposits. He can order the arrest of all other people involved in the P1-trillion flood-gate and freeze or seize their assets and cash.

On Sept. 25, Orly Regala Guteza, a so-called ‘Marines’ intelligence, was brought to the Senate by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta as a witness against former speaker Romualdez. He was a polluted source, to say the least.

Guteza claimed to be among a group of 90 ‘Marines’ (wow, that many?) assigned to Congressman Zaldy Co, our premier and the most corrupt contractor-politician (he got P86 billion worth of DPWH contracts). Guteza’s job as a ‘security consultant’ was to be a ‘garbage’ collector for suitcases of cash. Each Rimowa suitcase contained P48 million. One million cash is one kilo. So 48 million is 48 kilos. There is no Rimowa that can carry 48 kilos; 32 kilos is max.

Guteza claimed to have brought 46 suitcases of cash (P48 million in each Rimowa) to the 56th floor penthouse of Co in Taguig. That’s 2,288 kilos or 2.4 tons – the weight of a truck. Of the 46, 35 Rimowas were brought to the house of Romualdez on 42 McKinley, Taguig (wrong city). Having 35 suitcases with 48 kilos each is like carrying 1.85 tons – the weight of a small truck. Guteza alone carried it. Not even Tom Cruise can claim such lifting powers.

Authorities have pegged the damage caused by the recent typhoons and floods in the agriculture sector in Central Luzon and Negros Occidental at more than P87 million.

In a report, the Central Luzon Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported more than P30 million worth of rice crops destroyed in Nueva Ecija and nearly P21 million in Bulacan.

The council also reported P5.7 million worth of rice crops destroyed in Bataan, P16 million in Tarlac and P8.5 million in Zambales. Pampanga registered a loss of P652,863 in rice crops.

In Negros Occidental, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist reported an initial P2,530,481 in losses to agricultural crops and fisheries due to heavy rains and flooding brought by the southwest monsoon and enhanced by Tropical Storms Mirasol, Nando and Opong.

Provincial agriculturist Dina Genzola said in her report to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson that 116.4 hectares of agricultural crops in 18 barangays of San Carlos City and the towns of Moises Padilla, Isabela and Don Salvador Benedicto were damaged by flooding.

Genzola said at least 159 farmers were affected, as of yesterday’s count.

Sen. Francis Escudero took to the Senate floor yesterday to accuse former speaker Martin Romualdez of orchestrating a ‘scripted farce’ to divert to the Senate public outrage over the multibillion-peso flood control scandal.

‘Lalabanan ko siya (I will fight him),’ Escudero said.

His diatribe was hurled days after the Department of Justice (DOJ) recommended the filing of charges against him and several senators, based on a sworn affidavit presented at a Blue Ribbon committee hearing.

Escudero said senators were being used as ‘fall guys’ while members of the House of Representatives linked to anomalous projects were being shielded.

Reacting to Escudero’s speech, Romualdez said it was a ‘script’ prepared by the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte, specifically by the so-called DDS or Duterte diehard supporters of their family.

Earlier, the DOJ listed Escudero, Senators Joel Villanueva, Jinggoy Estrada and former senator Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla as among those facing criminal complaints in relation to the flood control scandal.

While former Rep. Zaldy Co was also recommended by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for indictment and prosecution, Romualdez was not among those facing charges.

‘In the past weeks, it’s been very clear that public outrage over ghost and substandard projects is being diverted from those guilty to the Senate and to some of its members,’ Escudero said in Filipino. ‘Senators are being made fall guys.’

‘There’s only one person behind this script and zarzuela – Martin Romualdez,’ he said.

He cited testimonies from former marine M/Sgt. Jay Guteza, who told senators that he had personally delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s residence, as well as earlier disclosures by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.

Escudero recalled Guteza’s testimony about having delivered 35 suitcases containing cash to Romualdez’s residence.

‘Despite this, isn’t it perplexing that Romualdez has never been included in any investigation by the DOJ, NBI or AMLC,’ referring to the Department of Justice and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

The senator alleged Romualdez had also weaponized the release of ‘for later release’ (FLR) funds and even used the impeachment complaint against the Vice President to pressure lawmakers.

The Vice President, who attended a budget hearing and conducted a press conference with reporters at the Senate in the morning, was present during the session after visiting allies in the chamber in the afternoon.

Escudero, who insisted he has ‘never been accused nor charged with corruption’ in his 27 years in public service, vowed to defend himself and the institution.

‘I will not allow justice to be weaponized against the innocent to protect the guilty. Let’s not follow the script of Martin Romualdez. Let everyone be held accountable and investigated – and this should include Martin Romualdez,’ he said.

Disbarment case

Escurdero, meanwhile, filed a disbarment case against lawyer Jesus Nicardo Madarang Falcis III over his ‘demeaning’ and ‘hateful’ social media posts.

In seeking Falcis disbarment, Escudero cited the lawyer’s several Facebook posts allegedly containing accusatory, defamatory, demeaning, speculative, hateful and/or malicious statements and remarks against him.

These, he said, are ‘all unbecoming of a member of the Philippine Bar and quite unfortunately, against a fellow member of the Philippine Bar.’

He also said Falcis’ ‘unwarranted and professionally irresponsible statements and remarks’ were made in connection with the issue on the government flood control programs, including the 2025 national budget deliberations.

‘Unfortunately, marked by ill-tempered and hateful language, respondent’s tirades in social media betray not only a lack of restraint and virtue expected of a lawyer, but also an inexplicable contempt for complainant,’ Escudero’s complaint read.

‘Clearly at stake is not only the complainant’s good name and reputation, but also the integrity and honor of the legal profession,’ Escudero said.

In a statement, Falcis said Escudero should be the one disbarred for violating Rule 139-B, Section 18 of the Rules of Court, which provides for the confidentiality of proceedings against a lawyer.

DDS script

Romualdez, meanwhile, shrugged off Escudero’s accusations. ‘With respect, what we heard was not an exposé but a DDS script – the same recycled accusations we have long seen on troll pages and social media posts. Nothing new, no iota of truth as well,’ the former speaker said.

‘It was a performance designed to profess loyalty and service to VP Duterte, and to position himself as her ally for 2028. The only service he is trying to render is not the truth, but of self-interest and political plans in the future,’ Romualdez, a first cousin of President Marcos, added.

‘Instead of answering the serious questions he himself must face, Escudero chose to deflect. He did not deny the allegations against him. He did not explain his own role in flood-control kickbacks. Instead of explaining himself, he took the blame game route,’ he said.

‘The truth is staring at us very clearly: the speech of Escudero is not about accountability, but only in the pursuance of his personal ambition,’ the congressman from the first district of Leyte province said.

‘For my part, I will continue to cooperate with every impartial investigation. My record can withstand scrutiny. I have nothing to hide. As for Sen. Escudero, kung tunay na pananagutan ang hanap, sa presinto na siya magpaliwanag,’ Romualdez said.

For its 2025 edition, The Miss Globe organization shared the pageant’s new process of elimination.

The delegates will all appear in three different segments during the final show.

They will first appear wearing Albanian traditional outfits, with a modern twist, custom-made for the delegates by Lilo Fashion Design.

Next, they’ll reappear wearing custom-made swimwear, still by Lilo Fashion Design, during the Bikini Segment.

Finally, the girls will wear gowns of their choice, made by designers from all over the world.

The field will be narrowed down to a Top 21, with one spot allotted for the People’s Choice awardee – the winner of the online poll. In this round, all semifinalists will be wearing gowns designed by Louis Pangilinan.

The Top 21 will be further trimmed down to a Top 11. The eleven lucky ladies will be wearing another set of designs by Louis Pangilinan.

From the Top 11, only five delegates will advance to the final round, where the winner and her court will be formed. Outgoing queen Diana Moreno of Colombia will crown her successor.

The 2025 Miss Globe coronation night will be hosted by Miss Globe 2021 Maureen Montagne and Miss Earth 2023 Drita Ziri.

It can be recalled that Drita hosted the show when Maureen competed for the Philippines, before winning as Miss Earth the following year.

The final show will unfold on Oct 15 (Oct 16, Manila time) and will be beamed live to a global audience from Deliart Association’s channel on YouTube.

The Philippines will be represented by Annabelle Mae McDonnell, who represented Iligan at Binibining Pilipinas this year. Stay tuned!

A potential low pressure area (LPA) east of the country may intensify into a tropical cyclone by Thursday, the state weather bureau warned.

In its advisory yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that if the LPA develops into a tropical depression, it will be named Paolo and could traverse Luzon.

Despite the forecast, PAGASA clarified that as of now, there are no existing LPAs or southwest monsoon systems directly affecting the country.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, easterly winds are forecast to remain the prevailing weather system.

PAGASA said the entire country may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the easterlies.

Easterly winds will be light to moderate and may bring hot and humid conditions during the day and could result in localized thunderstorms by late afternoon or evening.

Coastal waters, meanwhile, will have slight to moderate conditions, with wave heights reaching up to 2.1 meters. ?Based on PAGASA’s extended weather outlook, generally fair weather with isolated thunderstorms is expected in most parts of the country until Oct. 3.

Areas such as Metro Manila, Laoag City, Baguio City, the Clark Zone, Olongapo, Tagaytay City, Lipa City, Legazpi City, Puerto Princesa City, the Kalayaan Group of Islands, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Metro Cebu, Tacloban City, Cagayan de Oro City, Valencia City, Metro Davao and Zamboanga City may experience this pattern.

Tuguegarao City, on the other hand, is forecast to see cloudy skies with rainshowers and/or thunderstorms on Oct. 2 and 3, possibly influenced by the developing weather disturbance off the country’s eastern seaboard.