Category: Philippine Star

About 37 percent of Maya Black credit cardholders now come from Maya Black Express, the deposit-backed credit card of Maya Bank, marking a significant shift in how Filipinos are gaining access to formal credit.

Maya, in a statement, said the trend highlights how new, inclusive financial products are helping first-time borrowers enter the credit market in a country where credit card ownership remains limited.

Credit card penetration in the Philippines stands at only around 15 percent of the adult population. Maya said its deposit-backed product provides an alternative path for underserved customers who have no existing credit history.

‘When given the right entry point, Filipinos are ready to engage with credit on their own terms,’ said Shailesh Baidwan, president of Maya Group and co-founder of Maya Bank. ‘Maya Black Express provides both dignity and discipline – perks from day one, and a clear path to grow responsibly.’

Maya Black Express aims to fill a long-standing structural gap in the local credit market, where consumers are often unable to access credit precisely because they lack credit history.

The card requires users to make an express deposit, which serves as both collateral and an interest-earning account with an annual interest rate of 3.5 percent.

In return, customers receive a credit card with a dynamic CVV, a lifetime waiver of annual fees, and access to airport lounges and select Maya Preferred merchants for rewards boosters.

Unlike traditional entry-level cards that offer limited benefits, Maya said Black Express gives users a ‘fully loaded’ experience from the start. The minimum deposit starts at P12,500, 80 percent of which determines the user’s credit limit.

Consistent payments allow customers to upgrade to a standard unsecured credit line, with their initial deposit fully refunded.

Maya said this model promotes responsible credit growth while maintaining risk discipline, a key challenge for banks in emerging markets.

Malacañang yesterday parried Vice President Sara Duterte’s fresh attacks against the Marcos administration, accusing her of spreading falsehoods against the government and implementing questionable projects during her stint as education secretary.

Duterte hurled several tirades at President Marcos on Wednesday, claiming that he intends to remain in power, does not work and does not give direction to state agencies.

In a text message to reporters, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said: ‘If these are just speculations, we would not get a good response on the issue. Many of our countrymen will be fooled by her falsehood.’

‘Let us learn to read real news so we won’t become a source of fake news, unless it is done deliberately to change what really happened for her own interest,’ Castro said.

In another development, the Supreme Court has ordered the government to comment on a petition seeking the issuance of a writ of kalikasan for a massive environment cleanup as the country grapples with corruption surrounding anomalous flood control projects.

Four Alas Pilipinas pairs fell short at the start of the main draw action to drop to must-win situations in the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge yesterday at the Nuvali Sands Court by Ayala Land in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

First to fall were James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla to a taller Australian duo of D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 21-14, 21-18, in a Pool H morning session.

In the afternoon, Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor lost to Finland’s Anniina Parkkinin and Vilhelmiina Prihti, 11-21, 15-21, in Pool H and Sonny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez bowed to New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 19-21, 14-21, in Pool D.

Then the celebrated pair of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons yielded to world-ranked Thainara Mylena Feitosa de Oliveira and Talita Simonetti of Brazil, 17-21, 16-21, in Pool G play.

All’s not lost for Alas Pilipinas though, but they need to win the second of their main draw matches – and get the better end of possible tiebreaks – to advance further in the tournament.

‘This is a first time for us in the Challenge, and we learned a lot of new things, but we’re not out yet,’ Rondina said. ‘We’re just grateful that we played them – they’ve been playing the sport for the longest time.’

Rondina and Pons are ranked No. 137 in the world while Oliveira and Simonetti are one of seven world-ranked Brazilan pairs at No. 72.

‘We played against a great Brazilian team that can adjust in any situation and they changed the complex of the game and we couldn’t,’ Brazilian coach Joao ‘Kioday’ Luciano Simao Barbosa said. ‘We must learn from this.’

Up next for Rondina and Pons today are Slovenia’s Ziva Javornik and Tajda Lovsin, who are No. 78 in the world.

Kapamilya star Coco Martin revealed he was approached to do local adaptations of Korean dramas, but turned such opportunities down.

During the announcement of his recent partnership with filmmaker Erik Matti and film producer Dondon Monteverde, Coco shared he wasn’t a fan of K-dramas and rather take on projects with Filipino themes.

“Ang nasa isip namin ay buhayin ang pelikulang Pilipino. alam niyo po ba merong projects na ino-offer sa’kin na bakit hindi ka mag-remake ng Korean [drama], sabi ko, hindi ko sinasabi na [ayaw ko], hindi lang ako fan. Nanghihinayang kasi ako sa talento ng mga Pilipino,” Coco said.

The actor-director pointed out there were many Filipino stories to tell and share with the world.

“Kung gagawa akong proyekto, dapat gawang akin, ‘yung orihinal, ‘yung ipagmamalaki. Kasi kung sakaling sumikat ang teleserye, alam nating gawang atin ‘yun,” he added.

Several Philippine K-drama adaptations have found success like “Descendants of the Sun,” “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” and most recently “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.”

Coco, who will play Andres Bonifacio in an upcoming 2027 movie, shared his happiness for the success of “Quezon.”

“Dapat natin ginugunita ito. Dapat lahat ng mga bata, pinag-aaralan ang history at kultura natin. Minsan nakakaligtaan na ito, kung paano na tayo bilang Pilipino,” Coco said.

“Kailangan natin malaman ang ating history at kung paano tayo nagsimula, sino ang mga bayani natin, lalo na sa nangyayari ngayon, sa politics natin ngayon,” he ended.

Mrs. Universe Philippines contestant Jenny Mercado Ortega believes women can pursue their goals regardless of their age.

In an interview with the media including Philstar.com ahead of the competition, Jenny advised her fellow women to focus on their goals.

“It is never too late. I never imagined I could do this. I was always a mom. I did my best to care for my children. Now, I look forward to doing things for myself,” Ortega said.

‘You simply have to go for it, no matter what. If it fills your soul and makes you joyful, go for it,” she added. “Age is simply a number. Women can do anything at any age. Nobody should tell us that we are past our prime.”

Despite not winning the pageant, Jenny turned heads with a gown she hand-painted herself.

“René Salud designed this Filipiniana terno, which represents the dignity and might of the Filipina. The gown incorporates the sarimanok, a Philippine symbol of color and force that represents my advocacy for women’s empowerment. It is both a respect to tradition and a declaration of optimism for empowered women,” she explained.

Jenny was given special awards such as Mrs. Social Cause and a certificate of global honor during the pre-pageant segments.

The police are now in custody of a municipal councilor implicated in the bombing in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, that left two barangay leaders dead and injured eight villagers earlier this year.

The 44-year-old suspect, Allan Tahir Ganoy, is a member of the municipal council in Datu Salibo town, which is close to Shariff Saydona Mustapha.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, told reporters on Friday, October 17, that Ganoy was arrested by policemen near the Cotabato Airport in Barangay Awang in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on last Saturday, October 11.

‘He will soon be prosecuted properly in court,’ De Guzman said on Friday.

Ganoy yielded peacefully to agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and policemen from the Highway Patrol Group, the Aviation Security Group and operatives of different PRO-BAR units who flagged down his vehicle near the Cotabato Airport and showed him a warrant for his arrest from a local court.

Ganoy was tagged in the roadside bombing in Barangay Ganta in Shariff Saydona Mustapha, Maguindanao del Sur, early this year, that left his known political adversaries, Manaot Silongan, then chairman of Barangay Pendeten in Datu Salibo, and his constituent-councilor, Salik Katua, dead and injured eight other villagers

Silongan, Katua and their companions were walking along a highway in Barangay Ganta when an improvised explosive device planted along the route exploded, set off from a distance using a mobile phone.

Silongan died instantly from the blast while Katua succumbed to shrapnel wounds in a hospital several hours later.

Officials of the Datu Salibo Municipal Police Station and relatives of the slain barangay officials cooperated in filing double murder and multiple frustrated murder cases against Ganoy for allegedly masterminding the deadly bombing.

Saying it endangers national security, Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez urged President Marcos yesterday to stop the plan of the Philippine embassy in Beijing to issue electronic visas for Chinese tourists.

‘I am strongly opposed to this plan of our ambassador, Jaime FlorCruz. The President should tell Mr. FlorCruz to scrap it,’ Rodriguez said in a statement. ‘The presence of Chinese nationals in our country endangers our communities and our national security. Many of them are spies and criminals engaged in kidnapping-for-ransom, illegal gambling and other illicit activities.’

Rodriguez said Chinese spies were caught red-handed surveilling critical establishments and agencies in the country, including military camps and the Commission on Elections.

According to Rodriguez, the country needs a ‘stringent process that will require personal appearance and thorough vetting of visa applicants and their records and papers to prevent the entry of Chinese spies and criminals in our country.’

‘The President is fighting tooth and nail for national sovereignty, denouncing in the strongest terms every act of aggression by China. Mr. FlorCruz’s plan undermines such stance and can be seen as weakness on the part of the President and our country,’ Rodriguez said.

He urged the ambassador to ‘promote and speak more forcefully for our national interest instead of devising plans for convenience for the Chinese.’

‘He is often silent on instances of Chinese bullying of our fishermen in the West Philippine Sea,’ Rodriguez said.

In one of the most gripping finales of the season, Sarah Ababa clawed back from five strokes down with a fearless charge on the closing holes, then outlasted Chanelle Avaricio in a pressure-packed second playoff hole to capture the ICTSI Del Monte Championship yesterday.

Trailing for most of the day and facing what looked like an insurmountable deficit, Ababa summoned the composure and tenacity of a seasoned warrior, canning birdies in three of the last five holes for a final-round 70 that put her at 211 in a tie with Avaricio, who stumbled home with a 72 after a sizzling start.

‘I didn’t expect to win – I was 2-down with two holes to go,’ admitted Ababa.

With steely resolve and near-flawless execution, Ababa mounted a stunning comeback that forced a sudden-death.

The two players matched par on their return trip to the par-5 18th. But on the second playoff hole, Ababa unleashed a crisp drive and second shot then followed it up with a precise approach from 75 yards to set up a winning birdie.

In men’s play, Reymon Jaraula carded a clutch four-under 68, seizing a one-shot lead over Rupert Zaragosa heading into the final round.

With a three-day total of 14-under 202, the Bukidnon native catapulted himself from second to first, bringing him within 18 holes of a storybook redemption – and his fourth career victory on the Philippine Golf Tour.

‘Ang advantage ko dito ay home course ko ‘to at very familiar ako,’ said Jaraula, who turned adversity into opportunity after a bogey start and a costly double on the par-4 13th.

He clawed back with a steady front nine capped by an eagle on the par-5 No. 9, then scorched the closing stretch with three straight birdies from No. 14 to seal a resilient 34-34 round.

Now standing on the brink of another triumph, Jaraula is determined not just to win, but to rewrite the ending of last year’s heartbreak at Del Monte, where he fell just one shot short of Clyde Mondilla. This time, he has the crowd behind him, course familiarity on his side, and a steely focus to match.

Several areas remain under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Ramil continues westward, according to state meteorologists on Friday, October 17.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that Ramil has maintained its strength, with the eye of the cyclone last recorded 640 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon.

Ramil is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

PAGASA has raised Signal No. 1 (winds of up to 61 kph in the next 36 hours) warning over the following areas:

Luzon

Southeastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue)

Eastern and southern portions of Quirino (Maddela, Nagtipunan)

Southeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda)

Aurora

Eastern portion of Nueva Ecija (Pantabangan, Bongabon, Laur, Gabaldon, General Tinio, Rizal, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, San Jose City, Llanera, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, Peñaranda, City of Gapan)

Eastern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso)

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) including Pollilo Islands

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Albay

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)

Strong waves as high as 4 meters are also anticipated in the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes, as well as the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur.

The rest Catanduanes’ seaboards and the northern seaboard of Northern Samar may expect waves as high as 3.5 meters.

Lastly, the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, and Camarines Norte, the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon, the rest of the seaboards of Camarines Sur; the northwestern seaboard of Ilocos Norte; the northeastern seaboard of Eastern Samar, and the eastern seaboard of Northern Samar may expect rough waves as high as 2 meters.

Projected landfall

PAGASA said that Ramis is expected to move westward for the next 24 hours before turning westward towards Central and Southern Luzon. The cyclone is forecast to make landfall in Catanduanes in the afternoon of October 18 before passing through the Bicol Region.

Ramil is expected to make another landfall in Aurora or Quezon by Sunday.

After landfall, Ramis is expected to traverse Northern or Central Luzon and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Monday morning.

State meteorologists said that Rami; may further intensify into a tropical storm within the next 12 hours.

Four years after his escape from the clutches of The Grabber, Finn (Mason Thames) carries the trauma of the ordeal with him. In “Black Phone 2,” Finn, along with his sibling Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) relive the nightmare.

Writer-producer Robert C. Cargill explains how they want to unpack Finn’s burden as a survivor and how it plays into the sequel.

‘Finn went through something horrific, and while he came out of it strong, the weight of what happened has not left him,’ writer-producer C. Robert Cargill says.

‘He is haunted by the Grabber. He sees him everywhere, and he is using drugs to try to numb the fear. He wants nothing to do with the spirits, with the phone, with any of it. He is trying to shut it all out and live in denial. So, as Gwen starts uncovering this new mystery, Finn is doing everything he can to stay out of it. But of course, life does not let you run forever. Eventually, he will have to face what he has been avoiding.”

“Black Phone 2” sees Finn and Gwen revisiting their nightmare as The Grabber vows vengeance from beyond the grave. Gwen starts to see visions of an eerie winter camp, along with three boys being stalked by The Grabber. Determined to end the cycle of pain, the siblings set off to confront a killer who has grown stronger in death.

Thames, returning from his breakout role in the first film, aims to portray a Finn who has grown more experienced and complex.

‘In this film, we see that Finn has changed,’ Thames says. ‘He has been holding all this anger inside, and he is not the same kid we met in the first movie. Back then, he was already complex, but now he is even more layered. Instead of facing his trauma, he smokes weed to cope. The moment he feels any of that PTSD creeping in, he shuts it out. This film becomes a question of whether he is ready to confront the Grabber again or keep running from him.’

Madeleine McGraw also returns to take on the role of Finn’s younger sister. Haunted by chilling visions, she’s left feeling isolated and anxious about a growing sense of danger.

‘In the first film, we hinted that the kids inherited different parts of their mother’s abilities of speaking with the dead and having prophetic dreams,’ writer-producer C. Robert Cargill says.

‘Gwen got the dream side of it. She can glimpse the future and communicate with the dead through her dreams. Finn, meanwhile, has the ability to hear the dead through the phone, but in this film, he is trying to shut it all out. He is numbing himself and refusing to engage with his ability, but Gwen is embracing hers. She is exploring it, evolving and growing stronger. By the end, she is not just receiving messages, she’s communicating back, asking questions, controlling her dreams, even interacting with spirits inside them.’

McGraw also wanted to transform her performance for Black Phone 2, understanding that Gwen has changed after the events of the previous film.

‘One of the most exciting parts of this film was exploring Gwen’s dreams and how much she has changed,’ McGraw says.

‘In the first movie, she was fiery and fearless. Now she feels like an outcast. She is beaten down, getting bullied at school and carrying a lot of pain. It was harder to get into her head this time. In the first film, our personalities were alike. Now, we are kind of opposites. She has become quiet and introverted, and I am more extroverted. But that made it even more interesting to explore who she is becoming.’