Category: Philippine Star

The Philippines is taking the lead in Southeast Asia’s nuclear energy push, driven by its strong policy commitment and growing technical expertise, according to research and analysis firm BMI.

The Fitch Solutions unit said the Philippines, alongside Vietnam, emerged as regional leaders in terms of readiness for a nuclear energy program amid widespread interest among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

‘We believe there could be opportunities for an accelerated deployment given the Philippines’ capabilities and experience,’ BMI said in a report.

The Philippines is home to Southeast Asia’s only existing nuclear facility, the Bataan Nuclear Power, which was never commissioned due to safety and political issues.

In a renewed push to integrate the technology into the power mix, the Philippines aims to have at least 1,200 megawatts of commercially operational nuclear plants by 2032.

‘The Philippines has reaffirmed its policy direction toward nuclear development to meet its rapidly growing energy demand and reduce reliance on fossil fuels,’ BMI said.

‘Critically, we highlight that the Philippines is a signatory to all major safety, security, safeguards and liability instruments, demonstrating its comprehensive engagement with the international nuclear governance framework,’ it said.

President Marcos recently signed into law a measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

The Philippines has also secured a seat at the policy-making Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency for the term 2025 to 2027.

‘This regulatory maturity, combined with concrete policy support and established institutional capacity, positions the Philippines as the frontrunner in ASEAN’s nuclear race,’ BMI said.

Across Asia, the report also emphasized that the growing power demand, grid bottlenecks and rising energy stability needs are turning the region into a global hotspot for nuclear development.

Electricity demand in Asia is forecast to increase at an annual average of 3.8 percent through 2034, driven by economic growth, electrification, building and transport sectors and data centers.

The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) backed the Department of Education (DepEd) after it cautioned local government units against prolonged suspension of face-to-face classes.

The CEAP issued the statement following the controversial decision of Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones ordering the suspension of in-person classes in all levels, both public and private, in the province from Oct. 14 to 31 due to the possibility of a strong earthquake.

‘The CEAP appeals to all local government units to exercise sound judgment and prudence in suspending classes. While the safety of our learners and educators is of utmost importance, we must also safeguard their right to continuous and meaningful learning,’ CEAP said.

Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations legal counsel Joseph Noel Estrada earlier said DepEd must reassert its authority over governance of basic education amid announcements of extended suspension of classes.

Teacher mismatch

In an effort to address teacher mismatch, the DepEd, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Professional Regulation Commission launched the Teacher Education Roadmap at University of Santo Tomas.

A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies revealed that 43 percent of teachers are assigned to subjects for which they lack formal training or credentials.

Based on the study, at least 32 percent are partially matched (handling both specialized and non-specialized subjects) while only 25 percent are teaching in full alignment with their academic background.

Mismatch refers to the practice of assigning teachers to disciplines for which they lack specialized credentials.

Teacher Education Council (TEC) executive director Jene Focson said that the roadmap will include an alternative pathway to meet the needs of the teachers and aims to produce the right teachers who will teach in the early childhood and elementary.

Focson added that one of the priorities is to address the lack of teachers who graduate with values education.

Eight areas in Luzon and Visayas are now under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) slightly intensified while moving closer to Northern Samar on Saturday morning, October 18, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Ramil was spotted over the coastal waters of Palapag, Northern Samar with maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

It was moving west-southwestward at 20 kph.

Strong to gale-force winds extend outward up to 400 kilometers from its center, PAGASA said.

Wind signals

The following areas are under tropical cyclone wind signals:

Signal No. 2

Luzon

northern portion of Aurora (Casiguran, Dilasag, Dinalungan)

Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

Catanduanes

northern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, San Jose, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion)

extreme eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu)

northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz)

Visayas

northeastern portion of Northern Samar (Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Pambujan, San Roque, Mondragon, Gamay)

Residents may experience gale-force winds of 62 to 88 kph, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

Signal No. 1

Luzon

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

rest of Aurora

Nueva Ecija

eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Angat)

eastern portion of Tarlac (Camiling, San Clemente, Santa Ignacia, Paniqui, Moncada, San Manuel, Anao, Ramos, Pura, Victoria, City of Tarlac, La Paz, Concepcion, Gerona)

eastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba)

northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Unisan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Agdangan, Pagbilao, Mauban, Calauag, Guinayangan, Lopez, Pitogo, Macalelon, General Luna, Catanauan, San Narciso, Buenavista, San Francisco, San Andres, Mulanay, General Nakar, Infanta, Real, Sampaloc)

rest of Camarines Sur

rest of Albay

rest of Sorsogon

Burias Island

Ticao Island

Visayas

Northern Samar,

northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Jipapad, Taft, Can-Avid)

northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan, Calbayog City, Gandara, Santa Margarita, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño, Tarangnan, Paranas, City of Catbalogan, Jiabong, Motiong)

Storm surge, strong winds

PAGASA warned that storm surges up to 2 meters may occur within 48 hours along low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and parts of Ilocos provinces.

The trough and outer rainbands of Ramil and the easterlies are also expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Marinduque, Mindoro provinces, Masbate and Samar on Saturday, extending to Central Luzon and nearby regions by Sunday, October 19.

Sea conditions

A gale warning remains in effect over the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, where seas could reach up to 5 meters off Isabela and 4.5 meters off the coasts of Camarines Norte and Catanduanes.

PAGASA said that sea travel is risky for all types of vessels, advising small boats and motorbancas to remain in port or seek shelter until sea conditions improve.

Track and intensity outlook

Ramil is expected to move generally west-northwestward or northwestward toward Central and Southern Luzon.

On its forecast track, the storm’s center may make landfall or pass close to Northern Samar at noon or early afternoon, then near Catanduanes by Saturday evening. The possibility of landfall over Albay or Sorsogon has also increased, PAGASA said.

By Sunday morning or afternoon, Ramil may make another landfall over Aurora, before crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern and Central Luzon and emerging over the West Philippine Sea by Sunday evening.

It is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning, October 20.

Ramil may still intensify into a severe tropical storm before landfall, slightly weaken over land and re-intensify once over open waters.

PAGASA warned that heavy rains, strong winds, and storm surges may still be felt outside the storm’s direct path, and that a northward or southward shift in its track could alter its potential landfall area.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla says his office is now looking into the possible links of contractor spouses Curlee and Sarah Discaya with Sen. Mark Villar and his mother, former senator Cynthia Villar.

In an interview aired on GMA News’ 24 Oras on Thursday night, Remulla said that while his office has yet to gather evidence, he believes that the Discaya spouses could be protecting not just Sen. Bong Go but also the Villars.

‘That’s just a possibility,’ Remulla said.

He pointed out that the construction business of the Discayas grew exponentially during the previous administration when the younger Villar was the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) from 2016 to 2021.

‘When Mark was the secretary, that was the time that their business grew, that was the time that they bagged so many project contracts.They really raked it in when Mark was the secretary,’ Remulla said in Filipino.

Asked about Cynthia Villar’s possible links with the Discayas, Remulla said his office does not have direct evidence yet, but it could be possible that the Discayas rubbed elbows or made ‘extra effort’ to seek favor in connection with their construction business.

‘I don’t have direct evidence there yet, but because of Mark’s stay (in the DPWH) and knowing that the Discayas became very big during that time, they sought favor with these people. They really wanted to be ‘in.’ They wouldn’t be ‘in’ if they didn’t make an extra effort,’ he said.

Remulla said the Ombudsman is also looking into several infrastructure projects in Cavite bagged by Princess Revilla, sister of former senator Bong Revilla.

‘Because his sibling is their contractor. His sister, Princess Revilla, a.k.a. Rebecca B. Ocampo, Rebecca Bautista Ocampo, that’s Princess Revilla. She is the contractor for all of their projects,’ he said.

‘You’re talking about Bong, Lani and the children. They are all included. This is serious, this is serious,’ Remulla said, referring to Revilla’s wife, Cavite 2nd District Rep. Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Remulla had earlier said his office will investigate the alleged links of the Discayas with Davao-based contractor CLTG Builders owned by the father of Sen. Bong Go.

Remulla said the Discayas were evasive when asked by investigators of the Department of Justice (DOJ) about their firm St. Gerrard Construction’s previous joint venture dealings with CLTG, supposedly to protect the senator.

DOJ: Martin not eyed as state witness

The justice department has denied speculations that former House speaker, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is currently being considered as a state witness in the probe into the flood control project anomalies.

‘There is no factual or legal basis to this misinformation,’ the DOJ said in a press statement yesterday.

The DOJ explained that to be considered as a state witness, an application must be formally filed through the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program, after which, the application will undergo evaluation ‘to ascertain whether or not the applicant qualifies as state witness.’

‘As of date, former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not filed an application for state witness with the DOJ,’ the agency said.

‘The DOJ cautions everyone to not fall for false, misleading facts or political propaganda that twists or misuses legal terms to confuse the public,’ it added.

The DOJ, nonetheless, assured the public that ‘all investigations will be done swiftly and fairly.’

‘No one will be spared if the evidence so warrants. The Department will go where the evidence leads us,’ the DOJ said.

‘The Department of Justice remains firm and steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rule of law, guided by facts – not politics,’ it added.

Tiangco at ICI anew

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco appeared anew before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to answer more questions about the corruption ‘modus operandi’ in public works.

‘It’s mostly about the process so they can understand what the possible gaps are, where corruption is possible, how to cover it all up,’ Tiangco said on Friday.

The Navotas lawmaker, who has been outspoken on anomalies surrounding budget insertions, said that he received an invitation from the ICI two days ago.

Amid criticisms that the commission is toothless and secretive in prosecuting culprits of the flood control mess, Tiangco commended the fact-finding body for its integrity.

‘I don’t know how they conduct it with other resource persons, but they are very professional,’ he said. ‘My impression is they’re building the evidence to make it strong when it’s presented to the court.’

Tiangco warned, however, that public anger would erupt if the government fails to bring home resigned Ako Bicol party-list lawmaker Zaldy Co, the former chair of the appropriations panel at the center of questionable budget insertions.

‘The people’s sentiment is that they will not accept that Zaldy Co will not be returned; it should be understood by those who have the power to do so,’ he said.

‘Let’s not try the patience of the people. In my opinion, that’s where the people will really get angry, and maybe that’s where they will doubt the sincerity of the investigation,’ he added.

Tiangco is puzzled why the Department of Foreign Affairs has not yet canceled Co’s passport. He noted that under the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, the DFA secretary or consular officers can cancel a passport ‘in the interest of national security, public safety and public health.’

‘People are very angry. There are mass movements. These mass movements can be taken advantage of by bad elements to destabilize the government. Isn’t that a national security issue?’ Tiangco said.

Speaker Faustino Dy III had disclosed that he had already coordinated with the DOJ to swiftly cancel the passport of Co, whose whereabouts remain a mystery.

A municipal councilor tagged in a bomb attack that killed two barangay officials and injured eight others in Shariff Saydona Mustapha in Maguindanao del Sur early this year has been arrested.

Allan Ganoy, 44, of the Datu Salibo municipal council was arrested near the Cotabato Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Oct. 11.

Ganoy did not resist when agents of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the local police collared him.

The suspect was tagged in a bomb attack that killed Manaot Silongan, then chairman of Barangay Pendeten in Datu Salibo, and former kagawad Salik Katua.

The victims were walking in Barangay Ganta when an improvised explosive device exploded.

There are many reasons for a person to travel, and it can be as simple as the eagerness to improve one’s well-being.

Wellness tourism was among the topics discussed at the recent 2025 TravMedia Summit Asia in Singapore last October 13 attended by select international media outlets, including Philstar.com.

Singaporean host-actor Paul Foster moderated the discussion after overseeing a brief breathwork exercise for over a hundred attendees.

Participating in the talk were Flex Studio founder-director Heather Thomas, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas wellness vice president Mark Sands, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Regional Vice President Peter Draminsky, and Oster Group co-founder and chief medical officer Dr. Tsin Uin Foong.

The four exchanged words on redefining wellness tourism or travelling for one’s well-being, a global industry that is estimated to be worth $1.3 trillion (P75 trillion) by 2028 – a 100% increase from 2022 data.

Dr. Foong, from a healthcare perspective, believes the growth is attributed to a shift from sick to preventive as a result of the pandemic.

“People’s sense of time have changed [and are] choosing to live,” said Thomas, adding that people are more fully present and want to achieve more present daily living.

Sands said people want to continue their good behaviors from home when travelling, whether it’s activities or intentional meals, while Draminsky jumped on Dr. Foong’s statement by saying “indulgence is turning into a lifestyle post-pandemic.”

On the subject of trends in the wellness tourism landscape, Dr. Foong said tourists are now more sophisticated and discerning by looking for science-based and personalized experiences.

Draminsky brought up the Chi Longevity Clinic at the Four Seasons as an example, where someone is there to help an individual outside of regular appointments.

The guest speakers were asked their opinions on how business travellers differ from wellness tourists.

Thomas raised the term flow-state, the heightened state of concentration that results in productivity.

She believes business travellers want an uninterrupted flow-state by sleeping better and eating the same food as the body wants consistency.

Another factor Thomas brought up between the two tourist kinds are their attitude to money, or rather whoever pays the bill.

Sands noted that programming can when in urban destinations, adding that business travellers want to optimize performance.

Draminsky ended by sharing that sleep, nutrition, and recovery is huge for both kinds of tourists, and the overlap almost makes it difficult to differentiate.

A Bukidnon-based roaster claimed the top prize at the 2025 Philippine Coffee Roasting Competition, held from October 5 to 9 at the Sultan Kudarat Convention Center in Tacurong City.

Representing Coffee Wagon Café and Roastery, Bruce Bryan Rubio bested 14 other top-tier roasters from across the country in a showcase of precision, creativity and passion for the craft.

Organized by the Filipino Coffee Institute (FCI), the annual competition brings together the nation’s finest roasters to highlight innovation and excellence in Philippine coffee.

This year’s event was held alongside the Southeast Asian (SEA) Green Coffee Competition and the Philippine Coffee Innovation Summit, drawing participants and stakeholders from across Asia-including Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines.

‘This win isn’t just mine. It belongs to the entire coffee community,’ said Rubio. ‘It’s a validation of the craft we practice every day at Coffee Wagon-from sourcing and profiling to roasting. It represents the hard work, passion, and perseverance of my team.’

Rubio shared that his preparation began immediately after last year’s competition. Each roast session became a learning opportunity-testing profiles, evaluating flavors, and refining techniques to bring out the best in every origin. He also reflected on past missteps, using them as fuel for growth.

‘This wasn’t my first competition, but it was the most demanding,’ he added. ‘The level of detail, precision, and consistency required pushed every roaster to elevate their craft. It’s not just about skill.

It’s about how we interpret coffee through roasting.’

Rubio is now setting his sights on the upcoming international roasting competition in Taiwan this November, while continuing to develop new roast profiles and techniques.

Other winners

1st Runner-Up: Rosario Jeric Gumpic Jr. (Baguio City)

2nd Runner-Up: Arnel Banuag (Cagayan de Oro City)

3rd Runner-Up: Kelvin Lim (Panabo City, Davao del Norte)

4th Place: Joey Maravillas (Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat)

The event was made possible through the collaboration of FCI with the Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat, Specialty Coffee Depot, Sultan Kudarat State University, the Department of Agriculture Region 12 and the Department of Trade and Industry Region 12.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick Gregorio took the floor during the 8th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Hanoi last Thursday and quickly made his presence felt.

Gregorio, only in his fourth month as PSC chairman, reiterated before his counterparts, including those from Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Brunei, Timor Leste, Laos and host Vietnam, the importance of boosting sports tourism in the region by hosting high-caliber, world-class events.

‘I personally and wholeheartedly support the inclusion of sports tourism as a key priority area – especially in the Southeast Asian region, which is now emerging as a sports hub globally,’ said Gregorio.

‘There is potential and power for all of us to tap,’ he added.

The former basketball, boxing and rowing official said sky’s the limit for Southeast Asian countries as far as sports tourism is concerned.

‘In fact, I imagine, to further showcase our collective strength in sports tourism, the time will come for us to join forces for a future bid to host world sporting events together: whether that’s the FIFA World Cup, the World Games, or one day, the Olympic Games,’ he said.

While Japan (1964 and 2020) South Korea (1988) and China (2008) have hosted the Summer Games, no Southeast Asian country has enjoyed the great privilege.

Gregorio said it can be done the way Japan and South Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup; and the way the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia co-hosted the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

‘We must aspire to inspire. It’s about time. And why not? One Asean. One Olympic dream. One Olympic flame,’ said Gregorio, adding that his fellow delegates were ‘pleasantly surprised’ with his pitch.

‘You made us all realize,’ he quoted one sports minister as saying.

The Philippines, he stressed, is enjoying the gains and benefits of sports tourism by hosting international events, featuring world-class competition.

Last month, the Philippines hosted the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships, to be followed by the World Surf League Qualifying Series 6000 and 4000 in Siargao on October 24-31 and in Baler, Quezon on November 17-23; Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships on November 20-24 with 80 countries competing; and the maiden FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup on November 21 to December 7 drawing 16 federations.

‘I strongly agree with Brunei Minister on Culture, Youth and Sports Nazmi Mohamad that we as a region must establish Asean-branded sports events,’ said Gregorio.

‘Sports inspires solidarity and awakens collective purpose. We must continue to harness it as a transformative instrument for socio-cultural development and peace,’ he said.

Gregorio closed out his speech by calling for an Asean Summit on Tourism and Sports, which the Philippines would gladly host next year.

‘Let me end by encouraging continued dialogue and stronger cooperation among us. I would like to extend an invitation to everyone here. I would like to bring together the region’s Sports and Tourism Ministers to explore more areas of cooperation and develop joint hosting plans for world events,’ he said.

‘Please come visit us. Let’s plan exciting things together. Let sports unite, uplift, and transform the Southeast Asian region as a new sports tourism powerhouse in the years to come. I hope to see you all in the Philippines soon.’

The Philippines and the European Union (EU) are set to hold the next round of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations next week.

Speaking at the European-Philippine Business Dialogue, EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro said the next round of talks for the Philippines-EU FTA will be held in Cebu next week.

‘I am very confident that it will be a successful round of discussion, following already three successful rounds of discussions,’ he said.

Since the announcement of the resumption of FTA talks in March 2024, the Philippines and the EU have conducted FTA negotiations in October last year, as well as in February and June.

Negotiations for the Philippines-EU FTA first took place in 2016, followed by a second round in 2017, but the talks were put on hold amid the EU’s concerns about the Philippines’ war on drugs under the previous administration.

Board of Investments Promotion Services executive director Evariste Cagatan said in the same event that the Philippines and the EU aim to conclude the FTA talks ahead of the expiration of the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus, which currently provides duty-free access to more than 6,000 Philippine products to the bloc.

‘The Philippines and the EU are actively pursuing negotiations for a comprehensive FTA that is expected to strengthen economic and investment linkages between both parties,’ she said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Chile are looking to hold the next round of FTA negotiations in December, aiming to conclude talks within the year.

‘We are considering another negotiation round in December,’ Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty told The STAR.

He said the Philippines and Chile conducted a successful round of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement earlier this week.

Queen of All Media Kris Aquino called out a post wishing for her demise as she continues being in isolation to recover from several autoimmune diseases.

Last October 17, Kris posted a rare update on Instagram where she shared being showed for the nth time a “wishing KRIS dead post” by an “a**hole playing with her life.”

“FROM THE PERSO[N] in that sick post YOU ARE A LIAR!,” Kris said, explaining the post involved an AI-generated photo of her laughing at family gathering, then collapsing and fighting for her life.

The host-actress said she’s been seeing her Cojuangco cousins individually but her very low immunity requires her staying in isolation.

Her sons Josh and Bimb keep her company only if they haven’t been out and about, have showered, and taken a series of tests including for COVID, RSV and the flu.

Kris clarified she isn’t complaining about isolation as she’s able to read more, explaining further the benefits of Rituxan, a drug for autoimmune diseases.

“My doctors (a team of 7 for this infusion) kept asking me if I was sure because while doing my test dose, my body reacted weird to the steroid I needed to take with Rituxan,” Kris shared.

Four of Kris’s autoimmune issues affect her lungs while six affect her heart, but two specialists gave Kris the go-signal for the doses, much to Kris’ gratitude.

“I’m not yet in full remission but the red flares that felt like my face was BURNING and my all night dry cough have lessened. Let’s keep praying. God is listening,” Kris ended.