Category: Philippine Star

A stage adaptation of Antoinette Jadaone’s “Sunshine” is in development, with Maris Racal set to reprise the titular role in what will be her stage debut.

Rather than a straightforward seated play, the planned 2027 production will be an immersive stage adaptation where audiences move through spaces as the story progresses.

“Sunshine: The Immersive Stage Adaptation” will see audiences move around and encounter character up close ala a choose-your-own-adventure experience, allow those who watch to navigate the story differently.

The original “Sunshine” movie follows Maris’ titular character as an ambitious teen gymnast preparing for a national tryout only to find out she is pregnant.

Joining Maris’ in reprising their film roles are Elijah Canlas as Sunshine’s partner Miggy and Xyriel Manabat as Sunshine’s best friend Thea. Like Maris, this will also be Xyriel’s stage debut. “Bar Boys: A New Musical” director Mikko Angeles will helm the production on a script by playwright-actor Mikaela Regis. Theater veteran Phi Palmos will assist in producing, while Joshua Chan serves as production manager.

“Sunshine: The Immersive Stage Adaptation” is part of Jadaone’s new Ilaya Ilaya production outfit, which she is heading with longtime collaborator Reign Anne De Guzman.

Apart from the original “Sunshine,” the two have worked together on the likes of “That Thing Called Tadhana,” “Hintayan ng Langit,” “Never Not Love You,” “Alone/Together,” and “Fan Girl.”

Other projects in development from the outfit are supernatural comedy “Chandra Catacutan And The Curse Of The Fuchsia Moon” by Tim Rone Villanueva starring Eugune Domingo, coming-of-age whodunnit “Crème de la Crème,” and found-footage horror film “Birdsong” by Pam Miras.

Jadaone herself will be directing Angelica Panganiban in dark comedy “Boldstar” and head an untitled romantic-comedy series on Netflix.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is finalizing plans to secure a permanent site and construct a modern campus for the Manuel Luis Quezon High School-Manila, relocating the school from the second floor of a wet market.

According to DepEd, the school has experienced severe infrastructure breakdowns, citing compromised toilet facilities, leaking roofs and chronic sanitation issues, which forced education officials to order a temporary switch to flexible learning modes.

‘We hear the urgent call of our teachers and learners. Our learners cannot focus and our teachers cannot teach effectively when basic needs such as clean and functioning restrooms as well as quiet and safe spaces are compromised,’ Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

The DepEd education facilities division and the Schools Division Office-Manila documented that the school’s location at the wet market fails to meet the minimum performance standards and specifications due to surrounding noise and other environmental constraints.

A site 200 meters away from the existing campus has been identified for a new mid-rise school building, DepEd said as it coordinated with the Manila city government to facilitate the required demolition at the site.

‘While permanent relocation and construction take time, we are exploring every immediate option, including leasing arrangements, so that our learners can learn safely without risking their health and well-being,’ Angara said.

A majority of Filipinos feel helpless about corruption in the government, a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.

The survey, conducted from June 20 to 29, found 52 percent agreeing with the statement: ‘a person like me cannot do anything to reduce corruption in the government.’

Thirty-percent disagreed with the statement while 17 percent were undecided.

SWS said the net score, obtained by subtracting those who disagreed from those who agreed with the statement, remained at a ‘worse-on-record’ -22.

It hardly moved from -23 obtained in a similar survey in March (51 percent agree, 29 percent disagree).

Across areas, respondents who felt helpless about corruption were highest among those in Metro Manila at 64 percent, followed by those in the rest of Luzon at 55 percent, Mindanao at 47 percent and Visayas at 42 percent.

Before this year, the last time a similar survey asked the same question was in December 2009, when 41 percent said they could not do anything to reduce corruption. Another 41 percent disagreed with the statement.

A 2012 survey, meanwhile, found that 60 percent of the respondents agreed to the statement: ‘it is too difficult for someone like me to fight corruption in the government.’ Nineteen percent disagreed with the statement, while 20 percent were undecided.

The latest poll had 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of plus/minus three percent.

From a mere escape in preliminary round, Junmilardo Ogayre came back hungry, angry, and precise, picking apart Nepal’s Magar Roka, 5-0, to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals of the 20th Asian Games at the Nishio Gymnasium.

It was redemption with gloves on.

On Monday, against Mongolia’s Gantumur Lundaa, Ogayre took the first two rounds on four cards, barely enough to survive a final-round scare – a standing eight-count as his legs went heavy and Lundaa hunted for the knockout.

That was Ogayre in his first bout.

Against Roka, Ogayre was a different animal, with the former Asian Championships bronze medalist completely on target from the opening bell – cutting the ring, doubling the jab, and ripping clean counters down the middle.

There was no doubt for any of the five judges from Germany, Mauritius, Serbia, Canada, Saudi Arabia. All of them scored a clean sweep for the Pinoy.

And it was exactly the morale-lifter Team Philippines needed, coming moments after a heartbreak.

In the women’s 54kg, Riza Pasuit could never find her rhythm against Thailand’s Natnicha Chongprongklang, dropping a unanimous decision and trimming the Philippine boxing team down to three.

‘Mixed results. Riza was not able to set up her attack against the Thai. Meanwhile, Junmilardo did what he’s supposed to do to dominate the Nepalese,’ said boxing chief Marcus Manalo.

Now, the hard part.

Waiting in the quarterfinals in the 60kg division is the monster in the bracket – Uzbekistan’s Abdulmalik Khalokov, Olympic champion, world-beater, the man everyone is trying to avoid.

Ogayre knows, but he doesn’t care anymore.

‘We look forward to the bouts of Olympians Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam to add more boxers into the quarterfinals,’ said Manalo.

For Ogayre, the message is simpler: his close escape is over. The hunt is on.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos has postponed the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, signing Republic Act No. 12326 into law, which extends officials’ terms to five years and resets the polls from November 2, 2026 to November 13, 2028.

RA 12326, published in the Official Gazette on September 25, 2026, imposes new limits; barangay officials may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms in the same position, while SK officials are restricted to one term.

Incumbents covered by the two year extension are deemed to have completed a full five year term, while those already on their final term are barred from seeking reelection in the same post.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) then confirmed that the filing of Certificates of Candidacy, originally scheduled for September 28 to October 5, 2026, will no longer proceed.

The election period set to begin on October 3, 2026, has also been cancelled, along with prohibitions on disbursement of public funds, appointments, promotions, and suspensions.

Voter registration will resume in the second week of November 2026 for the 2028 national and local elections.

Minutes of COMELEC’s executive session on September 25, 2026 show how the Commission formally ordered the cessation of all BSKE related activities.

Chairman George Erwin Garcia and the commissioners approved the recommendations of Deputy Executive Director Rafael Olaño.

‘With the enactment and effectivity of R.A. No. 12326, the preparations must come to a halt, and the paraphernalia, forms and supplies procured in relation thereto be properly handled, stored and preserved,’ part of the minutes of the COMELEC’s executive session reads.

The resolution directed that all activities relating to the November 2, 2026 BSKE, including the filing of COCs supposedly starting this Monday, September 28 to October 5, 2026, and the campaign period be discontinued.

Prohibitions on election conduct were lifted, while the ongoing printing of ballots and accountable forms was allowed to continue until the allocated numbers were reached, with all materials to be secured for future use.

In Cebu City, before its postponement, City Councilor Nyza ‘Nice’ Archival had filed a resolution authorizing Mayor Nestor Archival to request exemptions from COMELEC’s prohibition on releasing public funds for social welfare and housing related projects.

The request covered programs such as Aid to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), Self Employment Assistance Program (SEAP), financial aid for fire and calamity victims, relief distribution, assistance for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), senior citizens’ pensions, rice subsidies, hospitalization aid, and youth development initiatives.

City Legal Office endorsements attached to the resolution argued that these programs were non partisan, continuous government services that should not be disrupted by election prohibitions.

But with COMELEC lifting the ban, Councilor Dave Tumulak told THE FREEMAN that the council will no longer deliberate on the exemption request.

Councilor Harold Go had earlier questioned the necessity of the move, especially on some of the items covered in the request, saying such measures could wait until COMELEC formally lifted restrictions.

The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, including its Cebu City chapter, welcomed the new law.

‘We are thankful to President Marcos for the trust given to barangays. This extension is a chance to prove that grassroots governance can deliver real impact. Every barangay official must make each day

count,’ LnB-Cebu City chapter President Franklyn Ong said.

However, Ong also stressed the responsibility that comes with the extension.

‘Mas dugay nga serbisyo, mas dakong responsibilidad.

The five year term is not just additional time in office-it is a mandate to deepen accountability, strengthen programs, and ensure every day in office translates into meaningful service for our kabarangay.’ Ong added.

This is not the first time Marcos Jr. has reset the grassroots polls.

In 2022, he signed RA 11935, which moved the December 2022 BSKE to October 2023.

PBBM later enacted legislation moving the next BSKE from November 2025 to November 2, 2026, before RA 12326 institutionalized the five year cycle and pushed the elections to 2028.

Escudero, Martinez

Senator Chiz Escudero and Cebu Provincial Board Member Celestino ‘Tining’ Martinez welcomed the newly signed bill.

Ezcudero, the principal author of the measure in the Senate, said the law is intended to bring greater certainty and stability to barangay governance, noting that barangays serve as the government’s frontliners in delivering public services.

‘Clearly, the purpose of this law is to fix the system and ensure that there is a clear cycle of governance in the barangay. When the term is organized, the delivery of services is also organized,’ Escudero said in a statement.

He thanked President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for immediately signing RA 12326 into law, as well as his colleagues in the Senate and members of the House of Representatives for supporting the measure.

Escudero said the law would help establish ‘more stable, more efficient, and fairer governance’ in the country’s barangays.

Martinez, meanwhile, said the Liga ng mga Barangay-Cebu Province welcomed the passage of the law but reminded barangay officials that the additional years in office should come with greater responsibility.

‘We in the Liga ng mga Barangay welcome the passage of Republic Act No. 12326, which establishes a five-year term for barangay officials and provides for the rescheduling of the barangay elections,’ the liga president said.

He stressed that the additional years should not simply be viewed as an extension of the officials’ terms.

Martinez said the additional time in office should be used by barangay officials to demonstrate that they

are worthy of the public’s trust through sincere, competent, responsive, and accountable governance.

He also urged barangay officials to use the extended period to improve governance in their communities, strengthen institutions and systems serving residents, and pursue reforms that would remain beneficial even after their terms end.

‘Make every day count,’ Martinez said, encouraging barangay officials to maximize the additional time entrusted to them by the people.

A court in Iligan City had issued a warrant for the arrest of a mayor and 11 others for their alleged involvement in the ambush in January of the mayor of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao del Sur that injured four individuals and caused panic among residents in the municipality.

Copies of the warrant of arrest from the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Iligan City for Mayor Datu Andal Ampatuan V of Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, and his alleged accomplices, Ababang Salik, Edad Pendatun, Aboher Guimbangan, Toraipie Lusod, Gapor Magaluyan, Mohammad Shamron Uday Sapalon, Samsudin Mokamad, Saudi Guiapal, Johari Guiapal, Soy Kali and Datuben Gayon, were forwarded on Friday, September 25, to reporters by officials of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

They were charged with plotting the ambush in January of the convoy of Shariff Aguak Mayor Akmad Ampatuan Sr. in one of the barangays under his jurisdiction, where attackers were recorded in security cameras in establishments around targeting his black bullet-proof sports utility vehicle with a B40 anti-tank rocket.

The mayor of Datu Unsay is most known in Maguindanao del Sur by his nickname, Xyril.

The RTC Branch 1 in Iligan City in Region 10, is one of several courts in Mindanao exclusively litigating violations of state anti-terror law.

Four of the Akmad’s companions sustained contusions and superficial wounds in the rocket blast, which also damaged their vehicle.

Xyril, now a second term mayor of Datu Unsay, whose town center is only about a kilometer away from Shariff Aguak, and his co-accused were separately charged with violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, also known as the Republic Act 11479, and multiple frustrated murder for their having allegedly plotted the attempt to kill Akmad in an ambush in January that left his companions injured slightly.

The 26-year-old Xyril is son of Datu Andal Ampatuan, Jr., who was convicted for his direct involvement in the politically-motivated murder on November 23, 2009 of 58 individuals, more than 20 of them journalists, in Ampatuan town in the then still undivided Maguindanao province. The carnage, which became most known as the ‘Maguindanao massacre,’ shook the nation to its core and caught worldwide attention.

Akmad, the incumbent mayor of Shariff Aguak, who is so closely related by blood to the Ampatuans in Datu Unsay and their relatives in Mamasapano and Shariff Saydona Mustapha and in Datu Hoffer towns in Maguindanao del Sur, are locked in intense political differences.

Alex Eala will have a first round bye in the Asian Games, as the tournament’s draw has been released.

As the tournament’s top-seed, the pride of the Philippines is headed straight to the second round.

There, the World No. 18 tennister will be taking on either Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej or Pakistan’s Mahin Aftab Qureshi.

Eala is anchoring op half of the bracket along with other seeds Xiyu Wang of China (No. 4), Moyuka Uchijima (No. 6) and Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei (No. 8).

For her part, fellow Filipina Tennielle Madis is set to have a tough start to her Asian Games campaign, facing off against seventh-seeded Himeno Sakatsume of Japan.

Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan, (No. 3) Mananchaya Sawangkaew of Thailand (No. 5) and second-seeded Shuai Zhang also received a first-round bye.

In women’s doubles, Eala and partner Shaira Hope Rivera will face the duo of Lai Ching Laam and Kallista Liu of Hong Kong in the first round.

Whoever wins will take on the Chinese pair of Xinyu Jiang and Zhaoxuan Yang.

Madis and Stefi Aludo will open against Anjali Kirana Junarto and Meydiana Laviola Reinnamah of Indonesia.

In mixed doubles, the pairing of Rivera and national team stalwart Francis Casey Alcantara will go up against Kasra Rahmani and Meshkatolzahra Safi of Iran in the first round.

The Asiad’s tennis tournament will kick off on Sunday.

A box of amberjack fish allegedly caught through dynamite fishing was confiscated during a Market Denial Operation led by the Cebu City’s Department of Veterinary Medicine and Fisheries (DVMF) the other day.

The confiscation was documented in an official Confiscation Certificate issued by the DVMF, which noted the commodity’s origin from Zamboanga City.

The operation was jointly conducted with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission (CCBDC), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

The certificate, signed by deputized inspectors and noted by DVMF officials, formalized the seizure.

The DVMF and BFAR reiterated their warning to fisherfolk and vendors that strict enforcement of laws will continue, with violators facing confiscation and sanctions.

Earlier this month, a joint operation led by DVMF, BFAR, and CCBDC targeted fish caught through cyanide, fine-mesh nets, and other banned methods, as well as seafood deemed unsafe due to contamination or poor handling.

Last August, enforcement teams had also intercepted multiple boxes of fish suspected of being sourced through dynamite fishing, barring them from sale in local markets.

The city government is urging the public to buy only from legitimate vendors and to report suspicious products.

Regular price monitoring in major markets such as Carbon and Pasil has also been conducted to ensure transparency and protect consumers.

Beyond fisheries enforcement, the DVMF has expanded its food safety initiatives.

On September 22, 2026, the City Meat Inspection Service (CMIS) held an information campaign in Barangay Tabunan on hygienic meat handling and African Swine Fever (ASF) prevention.

The seminar gathered meat vendors, hog raisers, and barangay officials to strengthen biosecurity practices and safeguard the local swine industry.

The government, through its partner agencies, continues to emphasize that the fish and meat sold in city markets must be legal, safe, and responsibly sourced. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol

Over 15,000 runners have embraced the spirit of adventure at the One Piece Run 2026 on Saturday, turning the SM Mall of Asia Complex into a colorful battleground for running enthusiasts and One Piece fans.

Vincent Avestruz powered his way to the top of the men’s 10K field in 35:22, ahead of Mark Anthony Oximar (36:25), and Jojie Daga-as (38:44).

Jocelyn Elijeran also dominated the women’s field, claiming the top spot in 44:47, with Urie Hondrade (54:22) and Michelle Untalan (54:04) being distant second and third placers to complete the podium.

It was a fun-filled morning with participants even putting on their best One Piece costumes for the run, which was organized by RUNRIO and had SM North EDSA as event partner, SM MOA Complex and Philippine Reclamation Authority as venue partners, and Nature’s Spring as official hydration partner.

Mark Biagtan clocked in at 19:46 to win the men’s 5K race, followed by Gian Carlo Geocado (20:00) and Jason Lyon Caole (20:45); while Maricar Camacho took the top spot among the women in 20:30, ahead of Jo Punay (21:31) and Carleen Chavez (25:38).

Fritz Angelo Operio also won the men’s 3K race in 9:43, followed by Peter Goleta (9:54) and Renz Mirasol (10:07); while Mary Rose Frias led the women’s field in 12:15, with Karla Marie Superiano (14:51) and Wilma Nano (15:15) trailing.

Adrian Bondilles sprinted to the men’s 1K crown in 3:08, with Cameron Nathan Claudio (3:45) taking second and Lucas Sebastian Sarmenta (4:09) third; as Megumi Nakano topped the women in 4:07, followed by Angelica Panambo (4:19) and Tiara Jerisse Medina (4:23).

Across all four categories, the One Piece Run 2026 brought together runners with different levels of experience as this special race was transformed into a celebration of fandom and fitness.

The One Piece Run 2026 also had IKYK Manila, Beita Shoes, Universal Robina Corporation, Lush, Dynamite, Maxx, Mogu Mogu, Careline, Ever Bilena, Veega, REV, Everest, Oishi, Quaker Oats, Fruitas, Tomo Coffee, Monster, Kik’s Tamarind, Salonpas, Toby’s Sports, Rexona, B’Lue, Hey Salad, Hotel Sogo, Vaseline, Magic Flakes, Metro Mart, Wafrets and Slimmer’s World as sponsors.

Veteran hitter Regina Jurado showed the way as University of Santo Tomas got off to a great start with a 25-21, 25-12, 25-18, victory over College of Saint Benilde in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Jurado scored 12 of her game-high 13 points on attacks as the Golden Tigresses asserted their mastery over the Lady Blazers in a rematch of their SSL National Invitationals championship showdown.

‘Very thankful and nakaka-gain talaga ng confidence namin na first win namin ito and sunud-sunod ang mga games and liga. Happy na nakuha namin ang first game na ito,’ said Jurado, who only saw action in two sets.

UST joined Mapua University in sharing the top spot in Pool B of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.

Marga Altea and Erica Guttierez added seven points each while Avril Bron finished with five markers for the Tigresses, whose one-hour, 20-minute triumph was aided by the Lady Blazers’ 25 errors.

UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos also tested his setter rotation and yielded good results. Aneeza Santos and Arlene Waje tallied eight excellent sets each while veteran playmaker Cassie Carballo dished out six.

UST encountered resistance late in the first set after CSB cut a five-point deficit down to two, 23-21.

The Tigresses responded with two straight points capped by a kill by Jurado.

UST’s second stringers held the fort in the second frame, dominating their Lady Blazers counterparts.

The Tigresses cruised the rest of the way to begin their mission to settle unfinished business after a runner-up finish in the previous edition of the tournament, supported by Smart, PusoP.com and Summit Natural Drinking Water, with the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners.

Camila Bartolome was the lone bright spot for CSB, unloading 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Mary Grace Borromeo had six points for the Lady Blazers.

Action continues on Sunday with Emilio Aguinaldo College taking on San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 1 p.m.

Arellano University, which beat University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, on Friday, battles Letran at 3 p.m. followed by the 5 p.m. clash between debuting University of the East and Lyceum of the Philippines University.