Category: Philippine Star

Three eruptions of the Taal Volcano in Batangas have been recorded on the morning of Sunday, October 26, state seismologists Phivolcs said.

Phivolcs reported that it recorded one minor phreatic eruption, which occurred at 2:55 a.m., and two minor phreatomagmatic eruptions at 8:13 a.m. and 8:20 a.m.

The eruptions generated plumes that were spewed up to 1,200-2,100 meters above the craters, according to Phivolcs.

It also raised Alert Level 1 for the Taal Volcano.

During Alert Level 1, Phivolcs says that hydrothermal or tectonic activity may be occurring beneath the volcano; steam-driven, gas, or hydrothermal explosions can occur without warning.

On Saturday, October 25, Phivolcs also recorded a minor phreatomagmatic eruption at its main crater.

Television presenter “Kuya” Kim Atienza honored the memory of his youngest daughter Emmanuelle, who passed away earlier this week, aged 19 years old.

The Atienza family confirmed yesterday, October 24, that the content creator – who was better known as Emman – had died. Los Angeles authorities later said that Emman passed away last October 22.

“She brought so much joy, laughter, and love into our lives and into the lives of everyone who knew her,” said the Atienzas. “Emman had a way of making people feel seen and heard, and she wasn’t afraid to share her own journey with mental health. Her authenticity helped so many feel less alone.”

Not long after, Kim reposted on his Facebook account the latter part of the family’s statement the portion indicating the qualities Emman lived by.

“Compassion, courage, and a little extra kindness in your everyday life,” Kim wrote in the post, which has now garnered over a million reacts, nearly 250,000 shares, and almost 23,000 comments.

Later, Kim posted on his Instagram and Facebook accounts a video of Emman inside a recording studio singing Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song.”

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised,” Kim wrote in the caption for both posts.

Among those who left condoling messages beneath the video were Ruffa Gutierrez, Gary Valenciano, Ryan Agoncillo, Alessandra de Rossi, Isabelle Daza, Valeen Montenegro, Jugs Jugueta, Rabiya Mateo and Benjamin Alves.

Emman is survived by Kim, mother Felicia and siblings Jose and Eliana. The family did not publicly disclose the cause of death for the Sparkle artist, who addressed mental health topics and socio-political issues on her platforms.

In 2023, I met and spoke before Too Big To Ignore (TBTI) Philippines, a research and knowledge-sharing network composed of 24 higher education institutions, during their first national symposium on small-scale fisheries held at UP Visayas.

TBTI Philippines serves as the National Consortium for Small-Scale Fisheries Research and Development, bringing together higher education institutions (HEIs) that aim to make small-scale fisheries visible, viable and sustainable.

TBTI Philippines released a book entitled ‘Portrait of Small-Scale Fishers in the Philippines,’ putting together 78 stories that describe the everyday lives of fishers – their contributions, struggles and hopes.

The stories reveal the challenges facing small-scale fishers: low income, limited investment and lack of assistance during the closed fishing season. They also struggle against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing that takes away their rightful catch and threatens their source of living.

The book clearly shows that small-scale fishers (SSF) may be small individually but are large collectively. The country’s 1.6 million small-scale fishers are the largest group in the fishing sector and account for one-fifth of the total fish catch. They employ millions of processors, traders and other workers in the fisheries value chain. Their catch remains the most affordable source of protein for 28.3 million Filipino households.

SSF work close to shore using simple passive gear. They help protect marine life and the coastal ecosystem. Compared to the country’s 4,800 registered commercial fishers, they have a smaller environmental footprint for nearly the same catch. Yet, despite their big contribution to food, livelihood and local economies, small-scale fishers remain among the poorest in the country.

This fact is clear: small-fishers are too big to ignore.

Supporting SSF

Small-scale fishers need our protection and support. Safeguarding the municipal waters, which serve as their main fishing ground, means protecting the fish, the fishers and the millions of Filipinos who rely on them for food and livelihood.

We need to support and protect them because to secure our food, we must first secure our small-scale fishers.

The academe, led by the University of the Philippines, SUCs with strong fisheries programs and the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries, can make a big difference.

UP’s role in advancing small-scale fisheries

As the national university, UP must take the lead by establishing a Center for Small-Scale Fisheries, ideally hosted at UP Visayas, which already leads TBTI Philippines.

This center can focus on research and innovation to co-create solutions with fishers, propose better policies, develop low-cost technologies and test climate-resilient fishing models. UP Visayas can also integrate small-scale fisheries into its academic curriculum, helping students understand the human and ecological dimensions of the sector.

Unfortunately, while UP Visayas was established as the flagship campus of the UP system for fisheries, it has given more attention to other degree programs over the past decade. It is time to correct this anomaly.

UP Visayas must expand its public service programs to offer training on sustainable fishing, marine protected areas, fish handling and safety and cooperative management. As required in the UP Charter, it should provide policy advice to local and national governments, advocate for fishers’ rights and promote co-management of fishing grounds with fishers’ associations.

But UP Visayas cannot do it alone. It must provide leadership in bringing together state universities and colleges (SUCs) with strong marine and inland fisheries programs like MSU Tawi-Tawi, MSU Naawan, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, CLSU, Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology, Palawan State University, Western Philippines State University and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University.

Collectively, these SUCs can empower local communities by helping organize fisher cooperatives and strengthening local leadership in fisheries management. They can share expertise, resources and network locally and internationally to develop knowledge products and strategically focus their extension programs for small-scale fishers.

DA-BFAR’s role

The Department of Agriculture, through BFAR, should be the main protector and partner of small-scale fishers. It must ensure that policies and programs follow the FAO Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF Guidelines), which promote the rights, livelihood and participation of small-scale fishers.

BFAR must defend the rights of small-scale fishers to municipal waters and act against illegal and commercial encroachment. The Fisheries Code already grants SSF preferential access to municipal waters and requires support in technology, research and livelihood.

BFAR should continue to implement social protection programs such as disaster assistance, alternative livelihood, insurance and access to credit and markets. The National Plan of Action for the SSF Guidelines (2024) must be fully implemented with support from national and local governments.

Ironically, DA Secretary Tiu Laurel’s background is in fisheries development, yet his department has not given SSF the proper support.

Feeding those who feed us

Fishers rise before dawn and face rough seas so that we have fish to eat. Yet, they are among the poorest, most food-insecure and least appreciated.

Every fish on our plate carries the story of a small-scale fisher’s labor, a family’s hope and a community’s resilience. Without the small-scale fishers, our coasts will be silent and our 967 coastal communities will lose their heart.

Investing in small-scale fishers means investing in the country’s food security. When fishers thrive, the whole nation benefits. There is no greater honor than ensuring the well-being of those who feed us.

ABS-CBN’s newest suspense thriller ‘What Lies Beneath’ made a strong debut, rising to the top of Netflix Philippines’ most-watched TV titles and recording 517,436 peak concurrent views online via Kapamilya Online Live last Monday, October 20.

The pilot episode immediately drew viewers into the intertwined lives of four women – Alice (Janella Salvador), Mel (Sue Ramirez), Erica (Kaila Estrada), and Beth (Charlie Dizon) – whose once-unbreakable friendship was fractured by a traumatic event 14 years ago. Back then, they witnessed the brutal murder of their best friend Louisa and faced pressure from the whole community of Amurao to accuse Edong (Jake Cuenca) of the crime.

Years later, the women have tried to move on: Alice, Mel, and Beth continue to pursue their shared dream of building a retirement home, while Erica distances herself to start anew. But the past comes knocking once more when Edong resurfaces, vowing to make them pay for the injustice they inflicted upon him.

As early as its debut episode, ‘What Lies Beneath’ has sparked online discussions and fan theories, with viewers praising how the series keeps them analyzing and guessing after every turn. Many also highlighted how the show explores the strength and fragility of female friendship amid pain, betrayal, and the search for healing.

‘It’s so good to see a series that talks about friendship that goes beyond struggles, trauma, and how to overcome it. Sobrang galing talaga ng @RCDNarratives sa mga ganitong mystery series – more of this please!’ wrote @dellnario.

Netizens also commended the show’s direction, pacing, and casting choices, noting the seamless transitions between the characters’ younger and present-day portrayals.

‘RCD Narratives never disappoints! Ang ganda ng pilot episode considering di pa ganun katagal since it was shot. Maganda pacing ng flashbacks, di baduy! And perfect match ‘yung mga gumanap at younger versions, pero stand out sina Mutya, Krystal, and Allyson,’ shared @forkoffubiatch.

The series’ stellar cast – Janella Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Kaila Estrada, and Charlie Dizon, together with their younger counterparts Eliza Borromeo, Reich Alim, Krystal Mejes, and Allyson McBride – earned widespread praise for their nuanced performances that balance strength, vulnerability, and emotional truth. Each portrayal deepens the story’s exploration of guilt, survival, and the weight of buried secrets.

As ‘What Lies Beneath’ continues, viewers can expect how Edong will disrupt the lives of the Mabels and how he will seek justice. ‘What Lies Beneath’ airs weeknights at 8:45 pm on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5. It can be streamed in advance on iWant and Netflix.

The Securities and Exchange Commission is planning to roll out its own blockchain-based platform that enables a more secure digital authentication of reports and other documents filed by corporations.

The commission has issued for public comment a draft memorandum circular on blockchain-based digital signing and authentication of SEC documents using its verification of electronic records and information trust and authentication system.

VERITAS is a digital signature platform that will enable the transacting public to securely sign and authenticate SEC-related documents with the use of public-key cryptography.

The SEC said the system is designed to record digital signing events on a decentralized ledger, ensuring immutability, timestamping and cryptographic verification.

‘By integrating blockchain-based digital signing and authentication into our processes, we aim to strengthen the integrity and reliability of reports and documents submitted by corporations to the commission by making them immutable, permanent and indestructible,’ SEC chairperson Francis Lim said.

‘VERITAS also reaffirms our commitment to digital transformation not only by making transactions more secure and efficient, but also by reducing paperwork and cutting processing time to further improve how we do business,’ he said.

The SEC intends to immediately deploy VERITAS for public use once the guidelines are finalized.

The commission said its deployment would allow other government agencies to assess the benefits and advantages of blockchain technology and see how it could be applied within their own operations.

The draft rules seek to integrate VERITAS into the existing digital identity and credentialing system of the SEC under the electronic SEC universal registration environment (eSECURE) as well as the digital authentication platform under the electronic submission authentication portal (eSAP).

The SEC’s current authentication systems allow the public to register their corporations with the commission through a fully online process, without the need for wet signatures and notarized documents.

With VERITAS, the SEC will shift from the use of one-time passwords currently needed to authenticate documents under eSAP, to end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication and cryptographic signing mechanisms using the user’s private key.

The SEC said that one must first create an eSECURE account before gaining access to VERITAS under the draft circular.

Registration under eSECURE involves a mandatory credentialing process, which serves as an electronic know- your-customer procedure, to ensure that the person using the account is the one in charge of authenticating documents himself.

Submission of verified government-issued identification documents and a liveness detection protocol are required for credentialing process to establish a reliable and verifiable link between the digital signature and the legal identity of the signatory.

‘The use of end-to-end encryption, multi-factor authentication and cryptographic signing mechanisms through VERITAS will ensure that only authorized individuals can sign documents, thereby preventing unauthorized access, tampering or forgery,’ Lim said.

To ensure safe and convenient travel for thousands of Filipinos heading to the provinces for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has approved special permits for 847 passenger buses covering 124 routes across Metro Manila and Luzon.

Of the 847, 491 buses will ply the Metro Manila-Northern Luzon routes, 189 are for Calabarzon and Mimaropa and 67 for the Bicol Region.

Eighteen buses were approved for the Metro Manila- Eastern Visayas route, 21 for Western Visayas and five for Mindanao-bound trips. Another 56 units will serve routes in other parts of Luzon.

‘These additional buses will accommodate more passengers heading to the provinces to visit their dead,’ LTFRB chief Vigor Mendoza said.

Mendoza reminded bus operators that the approval of special permits comes with the responsibility of ensuring the roadworthiness of their vehicles and the readiness of drivers and conductors.

The LTFRB expects the Undas exodus to begin this weekend, with some schools declaring ‘wellness breaks’ starting Oct. 27.

Mendoza ordered the inspection of bus terminals and transport stations to ensure passenger safety.

‘Oplan Undas’

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority will activate ‘Oplan Undas’ today as commuters and motorists start visiting cemeteries, MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said.

The MMDA held a meeting with representatives from Metro Manila’s 17 local government units, the police Highway Patrol Group, Department of Transportation, North Luzon Expressway and South Luzon Expressway to address traffic gridlocks during Undas.

Inspections and random drug testing of drivers will be implemented at bus terminals, the MMDA said.

In Manila, Mayor Isko Moreno said police officers in civilian clothes would be deployed in cemeteries.

Queen of All Media Kris Aquino was out in public to celebrate the birthday of her friend, celebrated designer Michael Leyva.

Photos by host-actor Justin Dizon and makeup artist Patrick Rosas show Aquino looking healthy while at Leyva’s birthday lunch.

Aquino has been in isolation as she continues to suffer from multiple autoimmune diseases. Her most recent health update was a doctor lives with her now and is currently on the look for a physical therapist, two male nurses, two male night duty caregivers and a chef.

Seated beside Aquino at Leyva’s birthday lunch was First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, another friend of the designer.

The two women are related through the First Lady’s aunt Demetria Sumulong, who married Kris’ maternal grandfather Don Jose “Pepe” Cojuangco, according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Sumulong is the sister-in-law of the First Lady’s brother Manuel Araneta. Additionally, Araneta-Marcos’ aunt Rosario Cacho married Kris’ uncle Pedro Cojuangco.

Both Aquino and Araneta-Marcos have frequently supported Leyva’s milestones, with the latter wearing a piece by the designer to the latest State of the Nation Address and attending the opening of Leyva’s new Makati atelier.

Pope Leo XIV reiterated his stance of zero tolerance for any form of abuse within the Church as Catholic leaders in the Philippines gathered to address clerical sexual abuse.

In his message for the first National Safeguarding Conference in the Philippines, the pope emphasized the need for effective safeguarding measures and transparency in Church institutions.

Pope Leo described the Church as ‘our spiritual home,’ where every parish and pastoral activity should be a place ‘to glorify God and care for others, especially children and the vulnerable.’

‘In this regard, I renew my appeal that there can be no tolerance for any form of abuse in the Church,’ he said.

The pope also urged participants to adopt essential policies and practices that ensure transparency in handling cases, foster a culture of prevention and safeguard ‘these little ones of the Lord.’

‘In doing so, the Church in the Philippines and beyond will be a more authentic witness of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who always loves and cares for his flock,’ Pope Leo said.

The pope’s message was transmitted by Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles Brown to San Fernando Archbishop Florentino Lavarias, who chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines office on the protection of minors and vulnerable people.

The four-day gathering in Clark, Pampanga brought together more than 370 bishops, diocesan and religious safeguarding officers, as well as pastoral workers from the Philippines and neighboring countries.

Two conversations with two elderlies helped me appreciate and redefine a role I consider both challenging and rewarding.

Like the X, Y or Z generation, the sandwich generation (SG) is a cohort of adults like me who assume the dual responsibility of overseeing the needs of aging parents while ensuring that the necessities of our own family are attended to.

One of these dialogues happened at the airport, as multi-sized and multi-colored pieces of luggage went around the carousel area. The other took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral days after the unveiling of the peculiarly titled mural, ‘What’s so Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding.’

A towering Caucasian gentleman, who I reckon was in his 70’s, asked how long we have been waiting for our luggage. Isn’t it good to be home, he asked. I replied with a smile not wanting to explain that New York is a temporary home, while the Philippines is and will always be my home. It was a long and tiring flight, he said, but as a veteran he always enjoys going home to the Philippines where his wife comes from. They visit his wife’s aging mother and family regularly.

We are a small family of four, he added, but when it’s time to dine out, everyone in my wife’s family comes along. It’s usually three to four cars, he laughed, and traffic is always bad, he complained.

Back there, he continued, everyone is caring, everyone is willing to help and everyone in my wife’s family picks us up from the airport (a convoy, I imagined). In that sense, I miss the Philippines, he said, sounding appreciative. You see I have another son and I asked him to pick us up tonight but he said he can’t, he’s busy. On a Sunday night when he’s not working? So now I must pay $250 for a car pick up. With my wife’s family, there is always someone to look after the needs of older people, he lamented.

Our talk ended when his younger looking wife and son, lugging their suitcases, approached him. We said hi, had a chit chat then said our goodbyes. I thought of how they must have savored their time back home and how they were pampered and taken care of. The thought of the son who didn’t bother to pick them up irked me.

It was a different story with Pamela; the elderly lady I spent a little time talking with at St. Patrick’s. We exchanged opinions while reading the narrative about the sprawling artwork commissioned by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Painted in oil on canvas by self-taught American artist Adam Cvijanovic, the immersive oeuvre is described as both ‘a tribute to the Catholic tradition and a meditation on American pluralism.’

She asked what brought me to New York, so I shared some tidbits of our life. I asked if she’s a native New Yorker. She is but no longer. Pamela thinks the city is now too busy for retirees like her and her husband. They moved to a new state to be near their daughter and her family. It’s a convenient set up and works both ways. Her daughter and husband get to check on them as often and they get to spend time with their grandchildren. She went on to regale me with their life in the suburb then gave me a list of theaters where I could watch off Broadway shows to support promising talents.

I wished it could be that easy for my parents. Or for my siblings and I to uproot our families to be with our parents. But we’re nomads and my parents are no longer as agile as they were a few years back. These days they prefer the comforts of home and the company of good old friends (literally!).

Once termed as the ‘peculiar position’ by American social work scholar Dorothy A. Miller, the sandwich generation, while more prevalent in societies like America where costs of caregiving and day care can be prohibitive especially for average or single income families, is also a growing cohort in countries like ours. A Pew Research Center study reveals that as life expectancy improves, ‘being in the sandwich generation can be a difficult predicament.’ The study added that the type of help needed by aging parents vary widely – from mundane home tasks to financial assistance. When matched with the needs of a growing family, plus the demands of one’s career, assuming this dual role can result in fatigue from trying to fulfill various responsibilities.

I know of friends – immigrants and overseas workers – whose annual vacations revolve around the medical checkups of their elderly parents. Or siblings who take turns to take care or visit elderly family members, albeit briefly. And I admire someone who gave up a promising career to be with a sickly and aging mother. No compromises.

So that’s how it feels to be sandwiched, to be in the middle: palaman as we call that filling, we slather in between a piece of hot pandesal or the slice of greasy ham or the thin wedge of cheese we insert in between two faces of tasty bread. Metaphorically, to be a palaman is also a feeling that could be disconcerting if we dwell on what we can’t do. On the flipside it could be very gratifying when we devise ways on how to take time off and spend precious moments with elderly loved ones.

The delight comes in relishing the reversal of roles, in pondering on those years when our parents took care of us, raised us, brought us to the doctor or scolded us (now I sometimes scold them out of concern, which I often regret). The gratification also comes from simply listening to their stories of yesteryears (I journaled most of my conversations with them) because God forbid, someday, memory might just leave them.

San Beda sent Arellano U back to earth with a trouble-free 76-53 victory yesterday and stayed unflappable at the Group B helm in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Rookie sensation Aganti Miller sizzled with a team-high 20 points while Jomel Puno chipped in 10 points but it was the bench that stepped up when it mattered and energized the starters.

Most notable of them was Zedjay Etulle, who did almost everything in finishing with eight points, a game-best 13 rebounds, three assists, the same number of steals and a block.

‘I like to commend our second group, they were very big today,’ said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta. ‘They were a huge positive in the first half that it helped challenge the first group to come into the third quarter with a lot of energy.’

The Lions also took away the Chiefs’ vaunted running game with the former’s unrelenting transition defense.

‘This is a team that we lost in the summer twice actually, they’re really very capable,’ said Escueta. ‘We took better shots and also showed effort in speeding back down especially against this team.’

AU dropped to 3-4 in Group A.

In the other game, Jose Rizal U stunned defending champion Mapua, 66-63, to improve to 4-4 in Group B.

A freak accident fall struck JRU’s top player Justin Lozano, who was unconscious when he was sent to the nearest hospital where he eventually regained consciousness hours later.