Category: Philippine Star

Malaysia has officially launched its Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, a major bid to capture the global tourism market by showcasing the nation’s rich cultural diversity and promising unique experiences.

The campaign, themed “Malaysia Truly Asia’ and ‘Surreal Experiences’ was unveiled with a grand ceremony at Encore Melaka on Saturday, September 27.

Officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the high-profile launch signals the nation’s ambitious tourism goals.

The campaign targets attracting 35.6 million international visitors and generating RM147.1 billion in revenue by 2026.

In his address to thousands of locals and over 150 United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN WTO) delegates, the Prime Minister emphasized the campaign’s role in elevating Malaysia’s global standing as a premier and sustainable tourist destination.

The strategy will focus on elevating Malaysia’s global standing by emphasizing sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, immersive cultural and heritage experiences, sustainable nature and adventure tourism and leveraging digital innovation.

Moreover, Anwar emphasized Malaysia’s diversity as an asset that should be showcased to the world.

“Malaysia is a multiracial and multi-religious country, with Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Ibans and others,” he said. “I, as a Malaysian, am very proud to show that this country is unique; even though Islam is the federal religion, it still celebrates the diversity of other cultures and religions,” he added.

Spotlight on Melaka

The historic city of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was chosen as the key venue for the launch festivities. The selection aligns with Malaysia’s role as the host for the 2025 World Tourism Day and World Tourism Conference, both of which emphasize the theme of ‘sustainable tourism and transformation.’

Historically, Melaka was a major maritime crossroads, shaped by influences from the Malay Sultanate, Chinese traders and later, European colonial powers. This multicultural past is still evident today in the city’s distinct architecture and heritage.

Leveraging this unique identity, the state has set its own ambitious target of drawing 16.5 million tourists with a projected revenue of RM23.48 billion as part of the nationwide VM2026 campaign.

The VM2026 launch in Melaka saw a massive artistic showcase, highlighted by a series of cultural performances and a record-breaking performance where over 3,000 youths in traditional attire performed the Zapin dance, earning a spot in the Malaysia Book of Records.

The celebration’s centerpiece was a spectacular 1,000-drone light show that lit up the Klebang sky over the Straits of Malacca, complemented by an International Kite Festival and a festival celebrating the traditional game of Konda Kondi.

Adding historical depth to the event, an exclusive exhibition on Enrique de Malacca, the local interpreter in Magellan’s fleet, featured rare 16th-century documents that underscore the region’s deep connection to world history.

This focus on a local historical figure directly ang spotlighting Melaka are both aligned with Prime Minister Anwar’s message on the importance of re-examining the nation’s past.

In a post on the social media platform X, he stated that the VM2026 campaign was more than just about tourism.

‘Visit Malaysia Year 2026 is a celebration of tourism attractions, and also an effort to revive the grand pages of history, by re-etching the history of nationhood that was not pointed at and determined through the lens of fierce imperialism. ‘

Alex Eala shoots for her second straight semifinal appearance against Swtizerland’s Viktorija Golubic in the battle between top-10 seeds in the WTA125 Suzhou Open Friday at Sungent International Tennis Center in China.

Eala, the No. 4 seed, and No. 6 Golubic came off contrasting paths from the Round of 16 heading into their gigantic duel for a shot at No. 2 seed Tatjana Maria of Germany in the Final Four. WTA No. 44 Maria, the No. 2 seed, had a walkover over WTA No. 63 and No. 5 seed Yulia Putintseva due to still undisclosed reasons.

But first things first for the WTA No. 58 Eala, who has to recover quickly from a gruelling duel against WTA No. 106 Greet Minnen in three hours and 18 minutes as one of the longest battles in her skyrocketing career.

The 20-year-old Filipina pride hacked out a 7-6(5), (3)6-7, 7-5 win over Minnen to notch her fourth straight quarterfinal stint in the WTA Tour and bagged a guaranteeed $3,450 (over P200,000) purse.

She now has a chance to jack it up to $5,300 or approximately P308,000 with a win against the 32-year-old Golubic in a still-to-be determined game time Friday, pending the completion of other Round-of-16 duels. Her match against Golubic is scheduled third in four quarterfinal pairing at centercourt.

More than that, Eala could move two steps away from capturing her second WTA title in a month after a breakthrough crown in the WTA125 Guadalajara Open in Mexico.

She also made the quarterfinals of the WTA250 Sao Paulo Open in Brazil and the the semifinals of the WTA125 Jingshan nearby, shoring up her stature as one of the most consistent players in the WTA Tour that will also include stops in the Wuhan Open from October 6-12 and the Hong Kong Open from October 27 to November 2.

That bid, however, will be a tough one against the Golubic, who hardly broke a sweat against WTA No. 140 Linda Fruhvirtova with a 6-2, 6-0 win in 61 minutes in their own Round-of-16 duel.

Maynilad Water Services Inc. is finalizing this week details for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO), with the maximum offer price of the company’s maiden issuance expected to be reduced.

The IPO’s maximum offer price is now seen at P15 per share, lower than the previous P20 per share.

As a result, Maynilad could raise up to P34.3 billion from its IPO eyed next month.

‘The progress is promising and we will file the final prospectus by Friday,’ Maynilad president and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said.

‘The market is bad. But we are putting in a very successful and incredible story,’ he said.

Fernandez also indicated that there may be additional cornerstone investors that could come in to join the IPO.

Maynilad’s latest prospectus as of Sept. 26 showed that multilateral lending institutions International Finance Corp. (IFC) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) are looking to invest up to $245 million in Maynilad as cornerstone investors for its upcoming IPO.

IFC has agreed to participate as a cornerstone investor in the offer for an investment size of up to $100 million in peso equivalent at a subscription price of up to P15 per offer share, subject to certain closing conditions and customary requirements.

ADB, meanwhile, is currently contemplating participating as a cornerstone investor in the offer for a potential investment size of up to $145 million in peso equivalent, also at a subscription price of up to P15 per offer share.

The offer period for the IPO is scheduled from Oct. 23 to 29, with Maynilad targeting a listing date of Nov. 7.

Creamline will open its title defense without the one player it had hoped would play – Jia de Guzman – while PLDT eyes its third straight title in the forthcoming Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.

‘Management has decided Jia is sitting this one out, she’s not playing this conference,’ said Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez during Thursday’s launch at the Discovery Suites.

No reason was given, but there reports that De Guzman has focused on her training for this December’s Southeast Asian Games in Thailand with Alas Pilipinas where she is the team captain.

But De Guzman, who last saw action for the Cool Smashers two years ago, is expected to return to her mother club in next year’s All-Filipino Conference.

For the High Speed Hitters, who have won two titles in a row in the PVL on Tour and Invitational, they are hoping the stars would align anew for a shot at a third crown.

‘She’s a good fit,’ said PLDT manager Bajjie del Rosario, referring to Russian Anastasiia Bavykina.

Opening up hostilities though are ZUS Coffee and Akari, who collide at 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban.

It will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. showdown between Capital1 and Choco Mucho.

Interestingly, another contender, Petro Gazz, has made it a family affair when it appointed husband and wife Gary and Lisa Van Sickle as coach and assistant, respectively, for a franchise spearheaded by their daughter, MVP awardee Brooke.

It came a day after it secured the return of Lindsay Vander Weide, a Best Import awardee who led the Angels to the Reinforced crown three seasons ago.

‘I haven’t seen the whole team yet but I will see them tomorrow,’ said Gary, who played for University of Hawaii in the late 80s.

League president Ricky Palou said its going to be a competitive conference.

“It will be one of the toughest conferences in the league, if not the toughest,” said Palou, who was accompanied by commissioner Sherwin Malonzo and Cignal head of sports Mico Halili.

Bank lending slowed to 11.2% year-on-year in August, easing from 11.8% in July, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported Thursday, October 2.

Despite the marginal slowdown, lending activity remained firm, rising 0.4% month-on-month after seasonal adjustments.

Business loans. Lending for business activities expanded by 9.9% in August, down from 10.8% the previous month.

Growth was supported by financing for the electricity, gas and steam supply sector, which surged 28.1%, and real estate activities, which grew 11.0%.

Consumer loans. Loans to residents for household use-including credit cards, motor vehicles and general-purpose salary loans-accelerated by 23.9%, up from 23.6% in July.

Resident vs. non-resident lending. Total loans to Philippine residents rose 11.6% in August, slower than July’s 12.4%.

Outstanding loans to non-residents contracted 5.9%, an improvement from the 8.1% decline a month earlier.

The BSP said consumer lending remained a key driver of growth, even as lending for business activity expanded at a slower pace.

Mapua delivered a fitting tribute to the golden anniversary of the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ via a 90-89 double-overtime cliffhanger over Lyceum of the Philippines University yesterday at the start of the 101st NCAA basketball season at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was a victory that set in motion the Cardinals’ title defense, on the very same day and venue where one of the best, if not the best, sporting moments in history – the heavyweight world title fight between greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier – was staged exactly 50 years ago.

JC Recto paced his team with 16 points on top of nine rebounds, three assists and a game-high five steals while Marc Cuenco scattered 14 points including one FT with 12 seconds remaining that eventually turned out the dagger.

It launched Mapua’s campaign for back-to-back crowns – a year after ending a long championship wait that spanned 33 years.

Yam Concepcion likewise came through with a double-double effort of 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Clint Escamis, the 2023 MVP who decided to skip turning pro to suit up one final time for his alma mater, had an opening-day mishap where he missed all his five three-point attempts and finished with only eight points after fouling out late in regulation.

Despite the dangers posed by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, some BPO companies in Cebu allegedly forced employees to return to work, even threatening them with dismissal if they refused.

The BPO Industry Employees’ Network (BIEN) in Cebu said on Thursday, October 2, that hundreds of agents from at least 10 business process outsourcing (BPO) companies in Cebu reported labor rights and occupational safety and health violations.

‘Agents were also being forced to report to work, despite their pleas to focus on their safety and their families during this crisis,’ the organization said in a statement.

Other cases reported to BIEN Cebu include BPO agents receiving notices to explain (NTEs) or unpaid days after prioritizing urgent personal needs in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Workers also raised concerns over retaliatory actions, including the removal of attendance incentives, loss of benefits, and other punitive measures such as sanctions and suspensions.

With no regard for employees safety, some BPO firms allegedly blocked their offices’ emergency exits when their agents returned to the production floor after the earthquake, despite warnings of aftershocks.

When they were required to evacuate, a pregnant woman was reportedly not even given any assistance going down flights of stairs.

No safety clearance

Some BPOs also purportedly failed to provide any memorandum or clearance ensuring the safety of its employees when ordered back to work.

While some reportedly offered double pay to agents who returned to work, BIEN Cebu stressed that such incentives failed to address critical safety concerns.

Workers also pointed to the absence of support measures such as transportation assistance, psychological debriefing, or medical aid for those affected by the quake.

In some cases, BPO agents were required to sign memos prohibiting them from discussing their working conditions on social media.

Criticism of government oversight

BIEN Cebu said the mounting complaints and labor violations reflects the government’s lack of oversight over BPO companies and issues of deregulation.

‘The government as well showed its prioritization of corporate interest over employee well-being in their decision to not declare imminent danger, instead passing the decision of how to handle the emergency situation to private companies,’ the organization said.

The group added that if the government can suspend classes to keep students safe after possible school damage, private companies like BPOs should also be required to get building inspections before workers return.

‘The only recourse of BPO workers is to engage in ‘BPO Hopping’ jumping from one company to another in search of ‘better compensated’ and ‘less toxic work cultures,’ only to find out that these issues are industry-wide,’ BIEN Cebu said.

Planned complaints. BIEN Cebu plans to file labor violation complaints before the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) in Central Visayas.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Tommy Osmeña also offered personal assistance by sharing his contact number, encouraging people to send in detailed complaints.

He said the city would not only file formal reports but also inform BPO clients about the conduct of the companies they’ve hired.

The deadly earthquake already claimed 72 lives and left hundreds injured as multiple buildings collapsed. According to Phivolcs, more than 2,000 aftershocks have been recorded, with additional tremors expected in the coming weeks.

After plunging to its lowest since he assumed office earlier this year, public satisfaction with President Marcos rebounded in the second quarter of 2025, according to a survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Results of the June 25 to 29 survey released on Tuesday showed that 46 percent of Filipinos were satisfied with the performance of Marcos, up from 38 percent obtained in a similar survey in April.

Some 36 percent said they were dissatisfied, down from 48 percent, while those who were undecided increased from 14 percent to 19 percent.

SWS said the survey results resulted in a net satisfaction rating of ‘moderate’ +10, a 20-point rise from the ‘poor’ -10 he obtained in April.

The net satisfaction rating is the percentage differential between those who said they were satisfied and those who were dissatisfied with the performance of the government official.

SWS classifies net satisfaction ratings of at least +70 as ‘excellent;’ +50 to +69 as ‘very ‘good;’ +30 to +49 as ‘good;’ +10 to +29 as ‘moderate;’ +9 to -9 as ‘neutral;’ -10 to -29 as ‘poor;’ -30 to -49 as ‘bad;’ -50 to -69 as ‘very bad’ and -70 and below as ‘execrable.’

Based on SWS survey results, Marcos’ satisfaction rating had been in a steady decline since September 2024, when it was at ‘good’ +32.

It went down to +19 in December 2024, +9 in January 2025 and +1 in February 2025.

Marcos had a ‘very good’ +63 satisfaction rating in October 2022, the first quarterly survey conducted by SWS during his administration. It went up to as high as +68 in December that year.

According to SWS, the latest net satisfaction rating of the President rose across all areas in the June 2025 survey.

It was highest among those in balance Luzon at +28 (from +7), followed by those in Metro Manila at +1 (from -6), the Visayas at -2 (from -11) and Mindanao at -9 (from -44).

It rose among men and women respondents, among all educational groups and across age groups, except among 18 to 24-year-olds, SWS said.

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

Marcos Jr.: Keep working

President Marcos said yesterday the significant improvement in his performance rating in the latest SWS survey was ‘nice’ but stressed the government must continue working to serve the people.

‘It’s, of course, nice to note. I didn’t know about that. But now that you tell me, of course I’m glad that it’s that way,’ Marcos told reporters after visiting typhoon victims in Masbate.

‘I guess we just have to keep working. Whatever happens, whether there is a storm, there is a scandal, there is chaos, the people expect the government to continue providing services, to continue the work of the government at every level,’ he said.

‘As public servants, who are elected by the people, we should not be seen playing around, doing whatever, politicking,’ Marcos said.

This time 35 years ago, on Oct. 3, 1990, the former German Democratic Republic (GDR), often referred to as ‘East Germany,’ and the Federal Republic of Germany were reunited after more than 40 years of division. This very important date in recent German history not only marks the end of the Cold War and the fall of the iron curtain. It also ended the separation of millions of people and families and had far-reaching implications for politics and economics worldwide.

German reunification was brought about by mass demonstrations of people living in the former German Democratic Republic. They went out to the streets asking for freedom, democratic rights and the right to travel freely also beyond the area of the former communist bloc. It was their fearless commitment and desire for freedom and unity that led to the collapse of the communist regime in East Germany.

Both the Philippines and Germany share a longstanding spirit of people-led movements that have shaped our dynamic histories. In 1986, the Filipino people led the People Power Revolution, exemplifying the significance and their capacity to exact systemic change. The People Power Revolution was a series of nonviolent mass demonstrations which toppled Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship, changing the course of Philippine history by way of civil resistance. Democracy was thus restored in the country, and has since been remembered by the world as an example of civic action and heroism.

The Berlin wall, separating East and West Berlin, was the cruelest symbol of the division of Europe and of the permanent threat of the Cold War. Its fall on Nov. 9, 1989 was a decisive moment on the road to reunification.

In 2020, a fragment of the Berlin Wall was donated by the city of Berlin to the city of Manila, serving as a reminder that democracy is a permanent challenge and a daily task that is kept alive through partnerships and reinforced through international cooperation in today’s political landscape. This gift – the fragment of the Berlin wall, standing today at Cecilla Munoz street near the Kartilya Ng Katipunan memorial – was given in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of German reunification, and continues to stand as a reminder of shared democratic values and a joint history of people-led movements.

Reunification brought enormous challenges, especially economically. The integration of the different systems is still not fully accomplished. Yet the different historical experiences have also culturally enriched German society.

The end of the division in my home country and the world paved the way for international cooperation on an unprecedented scale. Multilateralism, the commitment to international law and the United Nations became core elements of German foreign policy. In Europe, reunified Germany accelerated regional integration and became a strong advocate of the full integration of Central and Eastern European countries into the European Union and NATO.

For present-day Germany, the historical experiences of the Nazi dictatorship, the Holocaust, the Second World War and the subsequent division of Germany have led to a strong awareness of the key importance of freedom, democracy, peace and human rights. It also showed us that these values cannot be taken for granted but have to be protected and defended daily from internal as well as external threats.

Today, reunified Germany is an important political and economic partner and close friend of the Philippines. It is the Philippines’ biggest trading partner in the EU and a strong ally in safeguarding the rules-based international order, protecting human rights and the rule of law and defending media freedom and democratic values. Both our countries are strong advocates of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In an increasingly complex world where multilateralism and international norms and rules are under threat, and where transactional foreign policy approaches and the use of military power seem to become more broadly accepted, like-minded partners like the Philippines and Germany must work together even more closely on security. We have strengthened our military cooperation on multiple fronts. In September 2024, as part of the Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24), the German Navy task group composed of the frigate Baden-Wrttemberg and the supply ship Frankfurt am Main paid a three-day port visit to Manila following their passage through the Taiwan Strait. In May this year, our defense ministers signed an arrangement on defense cooperation.

In a few days, mid-October, the Philippines will be the guest of honor at the Frankfurt book fair in Germany, the largest and most prominent book fair in the world. This marks another strong signal for the close cooperation between our countries on all fronts.

Two clear messages emerge from the past for the future:

Together with our partners in the European Union, Germany stands firmly committed to the Indo-Pacific and to our ever closer partnership. This commitment signals not only our support for the Philippines but also for other ASEAN partners as they navigate national interests in a challenging and constantly evolving regional environment.

Peaceful, yet massive people-led movements can change the course of history and inspire a dynamic that leads to freedom, democracy and a more prosperous and peaceful society.

Let’s continue to work together – on a government-to-government level, on the level of the private sector, on a people-to-people level – to defend multilateralism, human rights, an open and liberal society and the respect for international law.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has formalized its plan to enforce a mandatory nine-year cap on independent directors, while providing them with security of tenure at the same time.

The SEC has issued a draft memorandum circular, which sets the rules on the duration of term and amends its rules on term limits of independent directors.

The issuance is expected to strengthen the independence of independent directors as well as to align with the international best practices under Republic Act 11232, otherwise known as the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines.

‘Basically, we will be strict on the nine-year limit. We will do away with exemptive reliefs. At the same time, to make the independent directors truly independent, we’re giving them a three-year security of tenure. In other words, once voted, he or she is elected for three years, not one year only,’ SEC chairperson Francis Lim said.

A company’s independent director is currently allowed to serve for a maximum cumulative term of nine years, after which, the independent director shall be perpetually barred from re-election as such in the company, but may continue to qualify as a non-independent director.

However, in the instance that a company wants to retain an independent director who has served for nine years, the firm’s board should provide meritorious justifications and seek shareholders’ approval during the annual shareholders’ meeting.

Under the draft memorandum circular, an independent director shall be elected for a three-year fixed term and subject to the term limit.

An independent director should serve for a maximum cumulative term of nine years, with an independent director who has served the maximum term shall be disqualified to be an independent director in the same company.

Pubcly listed firms and registered issuers are given until Oct. 15 to submit their comments and inputs on the draft memorandum circular on the duration of term and term limit of independent directors.