Category: Philippine Star

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.

The Philippines’ external debt service burden slipped by 6.2 percent to $6.72 billion in the first half from $7.16 billion in the same period last year, according to the latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Of the total, interest payments dipped by 0.7 percent to $3.95 billion, while principal payments fell by 13.1 percent to $2.77 billion from $3.19 billion a year ago.

The debt service burden (DSB) remained within manageable levels relative to the country’s external receipts. It accounted for 21.1 percent of export shipments and 8.7 percent of exports of goods, services and primary income from January to June.

The DSB refers to the combined principal and interest payments made by the country to settle its foreign loans. These include amortizations on medium- to long-term borrowings as well as interest on short-term credit lines obtained from foreign creditors.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the lower debt service burden was due to the lower share of foreign borrowings to better manage foreign exchange risks.

Ricafort explained that most of the government’s external debt is long-term in nature, with the longest possible tenor.

‘Possible inclusion in J.P. Morgan Emerging Market Global Bond Index would help sentiment or demand for Philippine bonds, which could help lower the government’s borrowing costs,’ he said.

The country’s outstanding external debt climbed to a fresh record high of $148.87 billion as of end-June, but the BSP earlier said that foreign debt remains sustainable with key indicators showing manageable levels.

The latest figure was 1.5 percent higher than the previous quarter’s $146.74 billion, mainly due to the weakening of the dollar, which raised the dollar-equivalent of borrowings in other currencies by $1.49 billion.

The Philippines borrows externally to finance public infrastructure, social services and other development programs, as well as to diversify funding sources and take advantage of favorable terms from foreign lenders. Local banks and companies also tap offshore markets to fund expansion and investment needs.

Dismissing the allegations as part of a smear campaign, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has denied any conflict of interest involving his wife’s role in insurance firms linked to contractors under investigation in the flood control scandal.

Marcoleta clarified that his wife Edna serves only as an independent director and audit committee chair at Stronghold Insurance Co. Inc.

‘They didn’t even bother to research what an independent director means. An independent director cannot qualify if you have relatives who own the company. You must be independent. Your role is only to protect the minority shareholders,’ Marcoleta said in Filipino over radio dzRH.

His remarks came after reports surfaced that Stronghold had provided bonds to companies owned by Curlee and Sarah Discaya, who are under investigation for allegedly cornering ghost and substandard flood-control projects.

The senator, who previously chaired the Senate Blue Ribbon committee leading the probe, has drawn attention for his handling of the Discayas’ testimony.

During a suspended hearing, Sen. Panfilo Lacson questioned Marcoleta’s perceived protectiveness toward the Discayas, which he immediately denied.

According to a Bilyonaryo news report, a notarized acknowledgment in 2022 showed that Sarah, through Alpha and Omega Contractor, personally transacted with Stronghold for a bond obligation.

Records further revealed that Marcoleta’s wife also sat on the 2023 board of Milestone Guaranty and Assurance, which issued a P19.29-million bond for Elite General Contractor, another Discaya-owned firm.

The bond covered a P192.9-million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, which Senate investigators later flagged as non-existent.

Despite the links, Marcoleta rejected insinuations that his wife’s affiliations compromised his independence as a legislator.

‘That’s what they want to suggest. All they want is to destroy [my reputation] in any way possible,’ he said.

Stronghold Insurance has also denied any link to the alleged corruption scandal, saying recent reports unfairly malign the company and Marcoleta’s wife.

The firm clarified that Edna was elected to the board only in February 2024 and holds no role in management or bond issuance decisions.

Stronghold explained that surety bonds for DPWH projects are a legal requirement and available to all qualified contractors, noting that ‘the Discaya-owned firms were simply just one of their many clients.’

Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT), the real estate investment trust of the Gotianun family’s Filinvest Land Inc., continues to expand and diversify its tenant portfolio as it is poised to welcome the initial foray of Japan’s leading fertility facility in the Philippines.

FILRT said that Conceive IVF Manila, a Japan-based leader in assisted reproductive technology, is set to open its state-of-the-art facility at the Filinvest One Building.

The company said the new lease reinforces its strategy of partnering with diverse industry leaders who bring specialized and high-value services to its properties.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Kato Fertility Center to Filinvest One. This marks a significant step in further expanding and diversifying our tenant portfolio to include the sphere of health and wellness,’ FILRT president and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio said.

‘This collaboration also reflects our dedication to offering spaces that cater to the evolving needs of various industries. Conceive IVF Manila’s expertise in reproductive health services aligns seamlessly with our vision to create impactful environments that foster growth, enhance quality of life and contribute positively to the communities we serve,’ she said.

Strategically situated along Alabang-Zapote Road, Filinvest One is one of FILRT’s 16 Grade A buildings in Northgate Cyberzone.

Conceive IVF Manila’s decision to establish its first venture in South Luzon at Filinvest One further strengthens the district’s position as a hub for diverse industries, expanding beyond IT-BPM to include health care and wellness.

The opening of Conceive IVF Manila also marks Kato Medical Group Philippines’ commitment to expanding access to world-class reproductive health care services in the country.

‘We are excited to expand in the Philippines and collaborate with Filinvest REIT. Our new facility at Filinvest One will enable us to deliver enhanced fertility care and create a supportive environment for individuals and families in South Metro Manila,’ Conceive IVF Manila managing director Kenki Okumura said.

FILRT is aiming to double its gross leasable area and diversify its assets through asset infusions from Filinvest Land and parent firm Filinvest Development Corp.

The company is also targeting to reach an occupancy of 95 percent before 2026, driven by tenant diversification.