Category: Philippine Star

Every year stroke affects an estimated half a million Filipinos, claiming the lives of over 87,000, making it the second leading cause of death in the Philippines.

In response to this crisis, Mary Mediatrix Medical Center (MMMC), a tertiary hospital in Lipa, Batangas, has launched its Institute for Clinical Neurosciences to help ease the burden for patients in Southern Luzon.

The institute’s head Dr. Edna Cuasay said the new Center for Excellence provides neurology expertise to treat stroke and other brain diseases.

“At the same time, it is bringing in advanced equipment like MRI machines, CT Scans, neuro-microscope for neurological procedures, EMG-NCV machines, EEGs; and an epilepsy monitoring unit,” Dr. Cuasay added.

The Institute for Clinical Neurosciences is intended to address the shortage of neurologists in Batangas and nearby provinces as well as provide advanced, high-tech diagnostic and treatment services, and research to add to the knowledge resources for brain diseases in the country.

Dr. Cuasay noted that venues for training neurologists were concentrated in Metro Manila, “However, thanks to the efforts of both government and tertiary hospitals, we are expanding these training facilities outside the capital region.”

According to Dr. Cuasay there are two types of stroke: an ischemic stroke where a blood clot blocks a brain blood vessel, and a hemorrhagic stroke where a brain vessel bursts and bleeds.

“Here in MMMC, we have full services to perform procedures that treat both stroke types,” she explained. “Whether that calls for a thrombolysis that can reverse the stroke, or removing the blood clot through thrombectomy or the basket method.”

The doctor said that stroke is the number one cause of disability in the Philippines and in Batangas, underscoring the crucial importance of responding as quickly as possible in cases of disabling, potentially fatal diseases like stroke.

“Time is the most important factor not only in saving a patient’s life but also in helping a patient recover and restore quality of life,” Dr. Cuasay noted. “When responders, whether emergency personnel, doctors, or loved ones, save time in accessing treatment for a patient, they are saving lives.”

Through the new Institute for Clinical Neurosciences of MMMC, patients in Southern Tagalog, and even as far as Quezon or Bicol can now access advanced, effective treatment for stroke and other brain conditions faster.

Those disabled by stroke will have a greater chance to recover mobility and restore physical and mental functions through medical treatment and therapy.

Police arrested a Chinese for illegal possession of firearms during a raid on his rented house in Barangay Talon-Talon here on Sunday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group said.

The CIDG said operatives arrested Wang Xidong, 27, during the enforcement of a search warrant under the OPLAN Paglalansag Omega – a police operation plan against private armed groups and loose firearms.

Police recovered a caliber .45 pistol and a 9mm pistol, both loaded with bullets.

Wang told journalists that the guns were for his security as he oversees the business of his sister.

However, investigators said Wang was among those present during a raid on an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator at a condominium unit in Pasay City.

As value mobile brand TNT continues its year-long Anibersaya 25, a carinderia vendor and mother of three from Siargao emerged as the grand winner of a Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw, proving that small acts like loading your favorite TNT promo can lead to life-changing surprises.

Gloryjean B. Acido, 30, of Daku Island, Siargao, recalled that she simply loaded TNT Saya All 99 and joined the raffle on a whim. Little did she know that her entry would make her one of TNT’s biggest winners this year.

‘Naghahalong saya at kaba,’ she said, describing her emotions upon learning that she had won the brand-new vehicle.

A longtime TNT subscriber of five years, Acido also manages a small loading business on the side. She shared that the Next Generation Toyota Tamaraw will go a long way in supporting their family livelihood.

‘Malaking tulong po ito lalo na sa asawa ko dahil siya po construction worker. Magagamit po ang sasakyan para sa mga materyales,’ she shared.

Throughout its Anibersaya 25 campaign, TNT, the country’s biggest mobile brand, has shown appreciation to its subscribers through exciting prizes such as smartphones, watches, and cash. On the same day as the grand draw, TNT also awarded another major prize-a one-year supply of load to twenty-five lucky subscribers.

‘Our Anibersaya 25 Raffle Promo is our way of celebrating this milestone year with our Ka-Tropas across the country. Their continued loyalty and support inspire us to stay true to our mission of bringing saya to more Filipinos through value-packed offers and a superior mobile experience,’ said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP at Smart, parent company of TNT.

To bring more ‘saya’ to Ka-Tropas nationwide, TNT is ushering the holiday season with its Surepresa Promo, which gives subscribers a chance to win up to P2.5 million cash and other prizes.

With TNT Surepresa, subscribers who load up with select TNT promos can earn raffle entries to win P25,000 weekly for Week 1 to 8, P100,000 in Week 9, P500,000 in Week 10, P1 million in Week 11, and a grand prize of P2.5 million in the final draw.

To join, simply text SUREPRESA to 5858. The bigger the load, the more tokens and raffle entries earned – giving subscribers more chances to win life-changing cash rewards.

In 2016, Adolfo Rosal started his journey as a loan consultant, driven not by comfort but by the hope of giving his family a better life. Back then, he and his loved ones were renting a small home, working hard every day and holding on to their faith in God.

Nearly a decade later, Adolfo’s story stands as a powerful reminder that anything is possible when you stay dedicated and believe in what you do. Through his partnership with Global Dominion, and by living with the same values that guided him from the start ‘sipag, tiyaga at pananalig sa Diyos,’ he turned his once simple dreams into remarkable milestones.

From being a renter, Adolfo is now a proud homeowner of three houses, owns more than two vehicles, and has provided his family with a life of comfort and security. He has also fulfilled another dream, sending his child to one of the top private schools in their area. Beyond his personal achievements, Adolfo has already helped more than 500 clients throughout his journey as a loan consultant, fulfilling their dreams of owning cars and homes while also assisting many of them in expanding their businesses through Global Dominion’s financing solutions. His dedication and consistency have made him one of the most trusted loan consultants in his area and a proud member of Global Dominion’s growing community of successful Ka-Partners.

Of course, Adolfo’s success didn’t come easily. He faced financial challenges, long days of client visits and moments of doubt, but he never gave up. Each obstacle became a stepping stone that strengthened his determination to move forward.

Today, Adolfo continues to serve as a bridge between clients and Global Dominion, connecting people to opportunities that can change their lives. What makes his story even more inspiring is that his child now walks the same path, proudly joining him as a fellow Loan Consultant, a true symbol of legacy, faith and shared success.

Proof that great things happen with hard work, courage and faith, Adolfo Rosal’s journey is a story of transformation and hope. He turned struggles into success and perseverance into progress. With determination and the right partner, #PwedePala. Adolfo and Global Dominion continue to inspire others to believe that growth is always possible. Together, we rise. #KaPartnerMoSaPagAngat.

Kapuso actress Rita Daniela dedicated her win against Archie Alemania to all the victims of abuse like her.

In a decision penned last October 24, the Bacoor Municipal Trial Court convicted Archie of acts of lasciviousness in a complaint filed by Rita last year.

The court sentenced Archie to an indeterminate prison term of one month and one day to one year and one day, and was also ordered to pay Rita a total of P40,000 in civil indemnity and moral damages for the psychological harm caused, with 6% annual interest until fully paid.

On her Instagram account, Rita expressed elation for the legal win by posting an art card thanking the Lord.

“The justice I received today is not just for me. This is also for all the women and men who were abused, harassed, and molested that didn’t have the voice and platform to fight for their own rights,” Rita wrote on the card’s text.

“So, I am celebrating with justice with you. Today, we all won. We won. God loves us,” Rita ended.

The case stems from allegations by Rita that an intoxicated Archie inappropriately touched her, hugged her, and forced a kiss without consent during a car ride home.

The court cited messages submitted by Rita, where Archie apologized for the incident, constituted an admission of guilt and showed that the actor had voluntarily acknowledged his inappropriate conduct.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, is pushing for more public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop large-scale infrastructure projects such as water supply.

PPPs, which involve collaboration between government and private entities to finance, design, construct, operate and maintain infrastructure, are seen as key to addressing the water needs of rapidly growing regions like Cebu.

‘Solving Cebu’s water challenges cannot be done overnight. This requires a multi-pronged approach involving both medium- and long-term solutions,’ said AIC vice president and head of water Eduardo Aboitiz in his speech during the recent Cebu Water Summit held at bai Hotel, Mandaue City, Cebu.

As Cebu’s economy continues to grow, AIC emphasized the importance of enhancing water availability and reliability through sustainable infrastructure solutions.

AIC Water explained that PPPs combine the innovation and investment from the private sector, and accountability and oversight from the government.

The company also expressed its openness to explore potential partnerships with local governments in Cebu to address the water situation.

‘We Cebuanos, in the government, academe and private sector, have one clear choice: work together to secure our water future. Because when we do, we have a greater chance of succeeding,’ Aboitiz said.

According to AIC Water, an example of its successful PPP is Apo Agua – a partnership between AIC Water and the Davao City Water District (DCWD). Since starting commercial operations in February 2024, Apo Agua now supplies 70 percent of DCWD’s water requirements, resulting in 24/7 water availability for 96 percent of customers, and improving the quality of life for Davaoeños.

AIC Water said it envisions replicating the success of Apo Agua in Cebu in the future.

Apart from substandard and non-existent flood control projects, of which some of the ghost projects are even funded year after year, another dimension in this continually growing scandal has emerged.

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources told the Senate finance committee yesterday that a flood control project in Laguna de Bay is actually a reclamation project, which is supposed to be prohibited in the lake and could actually be exacerbating flooding in the lakeside communities.

DENR Undersecretary for integrated environmental science Carlos Primo David also said that in other parts of the country, dikes were built in areas where the structures either did not serve their intended purpose of flood mitigation, or even aggravated flooding.

Through satellite imagery and other methods, the DENR has been monitoring flood control projects for compliance with environmental rules. David was a resource person at the Senate hearing for the 2026 budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

‘This is a flood control project within Laguna de Bay, but if you look at the satellite images, they are actually reclamation projects within the lake, right along C6,’ David said, referring to Circumferential Road 6 that girds the lake from Taguig to Taytay, Rizal.

The bay reclamation projects have ruined what was originally touted to be a scenic lakeside drive. Last year, the Laguna Lake Development Authority said the reclamation projects, carried out by both the local government units and private companies, lacked permits.

Laguna de Bay plays a critical role in flood management in Metro Manila, Laguna and Rizal. Over the years reclamation and unregulated development in the surrounding floodplains have been blamed for worsening flooding in the surrounding communities. In some of these low-lying areas, floods have taken up to three months to completely recede.

This year, the Philippine Reclamation Authority reiterated that reclamation is prohibited in the lake, which augments water supply in Metro Manila and is a major source of freshwater fish.

Yet the reclamation activities continue, and if the DENR is correct, in the guise of flood control. How can the government be helpless in stopping this? Will the public have to wait until irreparable damage has been done to the lake?

Until the government acts decisively, the inevitable suspicion is that there are millions – probably billions – of reasons for this inability or unwillingness to save Laguna de Bay.

Bloomberry Resorts Corp. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. has found a buyer for its losing company in South Korea, putting it on track to end a 10-year investment that hardly turned in profit.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, Bloomberry said its indirect unit Golden and Luxury Co. Ltd. has signed a share purchase agreement with Gangwon Blue Mountain Co. Ltd.

Gangwon Blue Mountain has placed a downpayment of 500 million Korean won, or roughly P20 million, to kick off the transaction.

Under the deal with Gangwon Blue Mountain, Golden and Luxury will spin off its casino business to create a separate new company. The resulting entity from the spinoff will be sold afterward to Gangwon Blue Mountain.

Golden and Luxury operates Jeju Sun Hotel and Casino in holiday island Jeju.

Bloomberry bought Golden and Luxury through a series of transactions in 2015, leading to its 9.6-percent stake in the company, while Solaire Korea, also a Bloomberry unit, holds 86.6 percent.

‘The completion of the transaction and payment of the purchase price shall be conditioned upon completion of the demerger, due diligence and regulatory approvals,’ Bloomberry said.

Jeju Sun is a 202-room hotel and resort in Jeju Island, equipped with casino tables, slot machines and dining outlets.

Jeju Sun is within a five-minute drive from the Jeju International Airport and half an hour away from the most visited attractions in the island.

However, Jeju Sun has failed to turn its advantages into revenue, compelling Razon to put it on the chopping block. Jeju Sun recorded an 88-percent drop in gross gaming revenue to P6 million in the first half.

Bloomberry took a P101-million loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization from Jeju Sun. All in all, Bloomberry’s loss from Jeju Sun reached P145 million between January and June.

Razon has tried to free Bloomberry from the clutches of Jeju Sun since 2016, noting that the unit has struggled to grow as Seoul prohibits its locals from casinos.

Bloomberry almost sold the property in 2016 to Iao Kun Group Holding Co., but the buyer opted out of the deal for failing to raise the needed funds for a buyout.

The landmark triumph at the International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus has only made Pinoy ace Miguel Tabuena hungry for more.

And the newly minted IS champion has set his eyes on the big league – LIV Golf.

“That’s the goal. We want to be in there,’ said Tabuena, who is now in a strong position in the chase for the golden ticket to LIV Golf via the IS pathway.

The topnotcher of the IS rankings at the end of 2025 will make the LIV circuit outright and thanks to his three-shot victory at Sta. Elena Golf Club, Tabuena zoomed to No. 2 with 210.89 points from 48th.

He has three IS tournaments left – Link Hong Kong Open (October 30 to November 2), Moutai Singapore Open (November 6-9) and PIF Saudi International (November 19-22) – to scoop up ranking points and eventually overtake current leader Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe (318.99).

‘I didn’t have that (LIV stint) in mind (initially). But to be able to get it done (at the IS Philippines) brings me so much confidence, belief in myself that I can actually win in these events. And I hope to be able to do it next year,’ he said.

‘We have three more IS events and I’m in a pretty good position to set myself up next year.’

After ruling the biggest golf event on Philippine soil, both field-wise and purse-wise, there was little time to celebrate for Tabuena. He was off to Hong Kong yesterday to take the next part of his journey.

‘There are still many big tournaments to come so I’ll just keep doing the same things – just stay patient, stick to my process and try to win again. That’s the most important goal,’ he said.

An official of the Northern Police District has been sacked from his post after he allegedly allowed a detainee to escape from the NPD jail over the weekend.

The 54-year-old officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel was arrested by intelligence operatives of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) at the NPD’s district special operations unit (DSOU) in Barangay 14, Caloocan City on Sunday night.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said they received information that a detainee of the DSOU escaped on Saturday.

The 43-year-old detainee was apprehended on Aug. 3 on charges of homicide.

During a headcount, police found out that the detainee was missing.

The police official admitted that he allowed the homicide suspect to leave the detention facility.

‘The suspect is being used for DSOU’s case buildup,’ NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo told reporters.

Aberin said the police official was arrested for consenting to the escape of a prisoner in his custody, in violation of Article 223 of the Revised Penal Code.

The NPD official will face criminal and administrative cases.