Category: Philippine Star

GMA Playlist artist Henri Gimena or Henri G., a trans singer, officially launched her professional recording career with her debut single, ‘Di Para Sa Isa’t Isa.’ The ballad is a raw and courageous reflection on enduring love that ultimately finds its inevitable end.

‘Di Para sa Isa’t Isa’ speaks to couples who navigate the ups and downs of a relationship. It addresses the painful realization that even the deepest love can’t conquer incompatibility, reaching a point where separating becomes the only courageous path.

The song was composed by Natasha L. Correos, with additional arrangements by Joe Edrei L. Cruz, mixed by Harry A. Bernardino, and produced by Rocky Gacho and Natasha Correos.

Says Henri G., ‘The song is for those who are in love but experience the ups and downs in their relationship. It gets to a point where no matter how much you love each other, you are simply not meant to be. That’s why you need to find the courage to face a love that is not for you.’

The singer relates to the song through her own experiences of seeking meaningful relationships that didn’t lead to a happy ending, realizing that they were not meant for each other.

She hopes that the song, available on major streaming platforms worldwide, will empower listeners. ‘I want them to get courage in their hearts when it comes to love. The lyrics alone will surely be relatable if they have gone through this. I hope they can release their true emotions while listening.’

Henri G. is immensely grateful to be part of GMA Playlist. Asked for advice for aspiring trans artists, she says, ‘It’s very important for them to be true to themselves and be passionate enough to reach for their dreams. Most importantly, they should always sing from the heart.’

Kapuso star Marian Rivera headlined a major fashion event in Vietnam for luxury fashion house Hacchic Couture.

The brand known for bridal and evening gowns recently launched its “Lunar Fracture” Collection.

Marian previously worn pieces from Hacchic Couture for the her 10th wedding anniversary and renewal of ties with husband Dingdong Dantes, the recent Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards where she won Best Actress, and the GMA 75th Anniversary Special.

On her Instagram account, Marian posted a video of her arriving in Ho Chi Minh City where she was welcomed by fans at the airport, taking selfies with them and signing autographs.

Another post showed Marian at the “Lunar Fracture” launch for which the actress thanked Hacchic Couture for inviting her to be a part of.

“I’m truly touched by your love. All the gowns are so beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated. Grateful to be part of such a special event,” she wrote in the latter post’s caption.

Marian posted more videos on her official Facebook account, including clips inside the VIP area and of her wearing one of the new bridal gowns from the colleciton.

“Vietnam, you were unforgettable. Thank you, Hacchic Couture, for a night of beauty and love,” she wrote on one of the Facebook posts.

Justin Quiban put up a resilient finish to card a three-under 67 in the opening round of the Macau Open on Thursday, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with red-hot leaders Wenyi Ding and Charoenkul Gunn, who torched the par-70 Macau Golf and Country Club with eagle-spiked 63s.

Quiban, starting on the back nine, opened with three birdies against a lone bogey before stumbling with another dropped shot on the fifth. But he bounced back with birdies on Nos. 6 and 8 for a 33-34 round, good for a share of 15th place alongside Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, South Africa’s Jaco Ahlers, and Micah Shin.

Meanwhile, fellow Filipino Sean Ramos scrambled to save par 70 despite hitting only six fairways and 12 greens in regulation. Four bogeys were offset by four birdies, keeping him just within the projected cutline in a tie for 61st.

However, it was a tougher day for Miguel Tabuena, who struggled with a 72 after a wobbly start. He mixed three birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey on his opening nine, and failed to regain momentum coming home with one bogey and no birdies.

He fell to joint 90th and in danger of missing the cut in the $1-million Asian Tour event.

China’s Ding surged into early contention with a 32-31 card highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 18th and six birdies against a lone bogey, while Thai Charoenkul matched that with a bogey-free round featuring five birdies and an eagle on No. 13.

The duo grabbed a one-shot lead over Germany’s Dominic Foos and Australia’s Jack Thompson, who matched 64s.

Former world No. 1 Lee Westwood, making his return to the event he won 26 years ago, struggled mightily. The Englishman managed just one birdie while stumbling with three bogeys and a double en route to a 74, dropping to a share of 117th in the 144-player field.

Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, the third player in the Tabuena-Westwood group, remained in the mix with a 68, settling in a tie for 29th.

At the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac, Italy’s Michele Ortolani and Thailand’s Waris Manthorn grabbed the early lead in the ADT Players Championship, each firing a five-under 65 in Thursday’s opening round.

Ortolani caught fire on the back nine, shooting a sizzling 29 highlighted by five straight birdies from No. 10. Manthorn eagled the par-5 ninth and added seven birdies to negate a pair of bogeys.

Filipinos Carl Corpus and amateur Rolando Bregente stayed within striking distance with two-under 70s, trailing the leaders by five shots.

Amateurs Charles Serdeña, Shinichi Suzuki and Perry Bucay each turned in 71s for a share of 28th alongside Enrico Gallaro and several others.

Close behind the leaders are Nirun Sae-ueng, Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Pep Angles, and Niklas Regner, all carding 66s, while Tawit Polthai and Sam Broadhurst posted 67s to remain in contention on a tightly bunched leaderboard.

Former Philippine National Police chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III will testify next week in the cases filed against detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy.

‘I am set to testify, (but) I don’t know if it will push through because I’m still on leave at that time and there’s actually a conflict in my schedule that day. Maybe the prosecution team will ask for leave of court. We’ll see what they decide,’ Torre told ABS-CBN yesterday.

Torre has been on leave since he was relieved as police chief on Aug. 26.

‘I am still here and I continue to support the government’s projects, especially the Bagong Pilipinas program of President Marcos. Amid all this turmoil, we should not stray from the Constitution or the chain of command,’ Torre said.

He added that he has yet to decide on his next steps after his leave ends on Oct. 31.

When asked about reports that he was being offered a new government post, Torre said there were no updates yet.

I truly feel that the youth of today are restless. In one way or another, and in varying degrees, our youth are faced with the serious choices ahead of them as they move toward adulthood. When we look back on our childhood, we often romanticize it with being young, wild, naive and free. Sometimes even stupid. It’s a chaotic mix of total dependence and total independence, rebellion and obedience, or feeling like we knew it all and totally confused at the same time. With the pandemic interrupting our young people, I believe it is safe to say they mourn the loss of their limited youth. Which brings me to Gen Z.

These young men and women are considered to be the digital natives – the leaders of tomorrow who are on one hand politically progressive but also said to be with the worst mental health issues. That’s what they say, to a point where they are described as entitled kids who think the world revolves around them.

But as I continue to talk to and understand our young people, the one question I asked them was if they felt a sense of restlessness and what they thought was the reason behind their behavior. It seems to me that some young people feel that they want to change so many things about the world, considering they are said to be on the most idealistic side of the spectrum and, while they want to make good changes, they are given too little power to do so. Hence, the ball of such energy has nowhere to go, with little outlets to make them work towards their goals.

In the end and out of frustration, the youth tend to be so critical of things because it’s the only way they know in terms of maintaining hope. For them, criticism becomes the only technique they can use to cope with their anger or hope, unsure of where to channel any of these outwardly and productively. So what else can young people do? Especially when they say they feel directionless and drifting?

In a moment of deep thought and reflection, I have come to realize that we need to help young people find Christ. When I think of the young people of today, I think of Charlie Kirk and how he tried to influence our youth to fearlessly make Jesus Christ an integral part of their lives. I think that young people can learn from the way Charlie Kirk viewed the world and how he actually lived his life. His faith was central both to his life and to his political views and at a very young age, he made the decision to offer it to Christ and follow Jesus. Through Charlie’s example, I believe the young people of today will have the opportunity to see what their future holds and find themselves with direction and purpose.

In an age when many people delay adulthood and treat responsibility as optional, Charlie Kirk called many young people into permanence. Charlie Kirk did not succumb to pressure nor did he soften his position in order to get more appeal – Charlie Kirk clearly emphasized the purpose. To the press, many thought Charlie was a combative personality but clearly, more and more people today are realizing, especially the youth, that he is a figure to be reckoned with and as a Christian, he became an example of what it looks like to hold unpopular views with dignity and conviction and to speak boldly about the saving faith in Jesus Christ.

I personally think our youth today are looking for a role model – someone they can look up to and be able to participate in changing our society. There is no better role model than Jesus and whether or not you previously knew of Charlie Kirk, it would be impossible not to know of him today. Charlie’s faith and courage made a difference – the kind that helps us give a clear testimony of what our purpose in this world is. I’ve been seeing so many young and anxious people and while we may have our generational differences, I see the one binding solution that can carry us through life together – and that is made possible when we follow Christ. Like Charlie, it is our faith that will motivate us to make a difference. While I think America is headed for revival, I do believe, as my pastor says, that God is doing something good for the Philippines.

It is in this regard that I hope our young people can see that they too have a voice and a role in building our nation and while politics and politicians come and go and political moments rise and fall, only Christ can change a life from inside out. Being close to truth and reason helps us engage with courage and clarity and this to me is exactly what the youth of today need, so that they no longer find themselves drifting in anxiety but rather in strength and confidence that is found in Jesus Christ alone.

Our lives are testimonies of all the things we have been able to achieve through the years and while this would be a great milestone, it would be an even greater one if we go through this journey with Jesus Christ, knowing that God’s word and promises are unchanging truths that provide us with a stable foundation in a world filled with uncertainty and change.

National University and University Santo Tomas want no let-up against separate counterparts to cross the second round as still the joint leaders in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament.

Sharing the summit at 5-1, the Bulldogs take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles (4-2) at 2 p.m. followed by the Growling Tigers’ tussle against the Adamson Soaring Falcons (2-4) at 4:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to end their first-round campaign.

The twin bills sets the stage for an explosive first-round finale Sunday at the same venue featuring reigning champion UP and runner-up La Salle, without Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan due to MCL injuries. Cellar dwellers Far Eastern University (1-5) and University of the East (0-6) figure in the other game.

But all eyes are on NU and UST for now in the middle of their revelation seasons to steal the thunder from the usual top contenders.

‘We have to keep this momentum going into the second round. To do that, we have to play Adamson with a 100% focus. Hindi madaling kalaban ang Adamson dahil anytime, kaya nilang manalo,’ said Santo Tomas assistant coach CJ Balingit.

UST’s lone defeat actually came against its co-leader NU, toppling the fancied UP, La Salle and Ateneo in a giant-killing spree for its best start in head coach Pido Jarencio’s return.

The Tamaraws served as the Growling Tigers’ latest victim, with UST running away with a 10-0 closeout in the waning minutes for a 92-80 win on Wednesday behind the efforts of Collins Akowe, Forstky Padrigao, Nic Cabañero, Gelo Crisostomo Kyle Paranada.

NU, on the other hand, faces a tougher outing against Ateneo out to end a two-game skid after a torrid 4-0 start to lose hold of the driver’s seat.

‘Ateneo is really doing good so we will be prepared for them with necessary adjustments. We will have plans A, B and C,’ warned deputy Vic Ycasiano, who stepped in for Jeff Napa due to PBA commitments after the game last weekend.

The Bulldogs are coming off a gutsy 82-78 win against the Green Archers in a duel marred by the MCL injury of Mason Amos. La Salle then lost Kean Baclaan to the same injury three days later in a 111-110 overtime win over UE.

That same injury bug hounded NU’s chances last season to settle for a seventh-place finish before a full reversal of roles this time around atop of the standings entering the second round.

‘Mas magiging intense pa kami sa second round. Mas magiging maayos pa ang laro namin,’ vowed Ycasiano, counting on skipper Jake Figueroa and returning reinforcement Omar John to lead the way anew amid his MVP campaign with all-around numbers in the first six games.

Reality competition show “Drag Race Philippines” has been greenlit for a fourth season arriving in 2026.

The season renewal by World of Wonder comes on the heels of the show hosting the special edition “Slaysian Royale” featuring an all-Asian cast, including five Filipinas.

Three Filipina drag queens ultimately made the final, with “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 alum Brigiding defeating her Divine Diva sister Viñas Deluxe for the “Slaysian Royale” crown.

The first episode of “Slaysian Royale” is reportedly the most watched global premiere on WOW Presents Plus, which streams all “Drag Race” franchises, and the series saw a 50% viewership increase compared to “Drag Race Philippines” Season 3.

Past winners of “Drag Race Philippines” include Precious Paula Nicole (the third Divine Diva), trans queen Captivating Katkat, and “Queen of the Universe” alum Maxie Andreison.

The success of “Slaysian Royale” also saw World of Wonder greenlight a Latina version to be hosted by “Drag Race Mexico”, also arriving next year.

“Drag Race Mexico: Latina Royale” will feature a cast of all-Latin drag queens from different “Drag Race” franchises.

No hosts have been announced yet although Lolita Banana and Taiga Brava currently co-host “Drag Race Mexico”.

“Drag Race” has had several versions where international queens compete against each other, most recently “Drag Race Down Under vs. the World”, which will reportedly feature “Drag Race Philippines” Season 2 finalist M1ss Jade So.

“Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 finalist Eva Le Queen competed on “RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars”, while Season 1 runner-up Marina Summers was a finalist on “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs. the World” Season 2.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revisited the victims of the deadly earthquake that struck Cebu on Friday, October 17, this time inspecting the ‘modular housing units’ that were set up for them.

Marcos initially ordered the creation of a ‘tent city’ for the victims of the quakes due to the instability of Cebu structures after the earthquake.

The tent city, now called the “Bayanihan Village,” is being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). A total of 250 families are currently residing in the village.

‘I’m happy to report na mayroon ng – talaga lahat, everybody, lahat ng nasiraan ng bahay ay mayroon ng tinitirahan kahit na tent lang muna,’ Marcos told reporters in Northern Cebu. (I’m happy to report that everyone, I mean all, everybody whose house was destroyed, they now have somewhere to live.)

Marcos said the tent city that was initially ordered has been replaced by better, more steady housing.

The housing in question are “modular,” meaning that they were built somewhere else and brought to the location.

Aside from the modular houses, a mobile bath station was also set up, as well as a drinking water station at the village.

Assisting with aid distribution was the Philippine Red Cross, with chair and former senator Dick Gordon joining Marcos for the inspection, as well as Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Aid, psychosocial services

The DSWD said it has also been providing children with psychosocial services as well.

The president remarked that he was happy to see children regaining their energy.

‘Malaking bagay ‘yan para sa mental health ng ating mga kabataan,’ Marcos said. (It is a big thing for the mental health of the youth.)

Marcos said the the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will also provide construction materials to the families so that they could rebuild their homes.

In terms of cash aid, the DSWD said that it gave 34 families with totally damaged houses an emergency cash transfer of P10,125, while 126 families with partially damaged houses will get P5,250 each.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu killed 79 people, injuring 559 people. Authorities estimated that a total of 747,979 people were affected by the earthquake.

This is the common question many people ask these days: What happens to the flood control investigation? Apparently, what started with high expectations, that the culprits would be exposed and held accountable, ended up in total disappointment.

But I’d like to give credit to many patriots who endeavored to keep the fire of public outrage burning. Righteous indignation is never a bad thing. If you don’t get angry about corruption, you consent to it.

Although Zaldy Co quickly left the country, the perception is that he is not the most guilty. Whether he left on his own volition or he was commanded to leave remains unclear.

From the beginning, I’ve known that the culprits would fight back. It would be naïve to think that the investigation would proceed smoothly. With all the money they have stolen from the public coffer, easy money amounting to billions of pesos, corrupt politicians, DPWH officials, and contractors believe they can buy justice. They can set into motion their entire public relations machinery to create a narrative favorable to them. They will muddle the issue ad infinitum until the public becomes exhausted.

The most anti-climactic act came from the Senate itself, when it decided to suspend the investigation. Never mind the Lower House –it has always been the rubber stamp of the highest office of the land. Traditionally, between the Lower House and the Senate, the people have trusted the latter more. This time both houses seem to strike no difference. Both bow down to the wishes of Malacañang.

The flood-control investigation will soon become just one of many unresolved scandals, especially now that the Senate plans to shift its focus to the farm-to-market road overpriced anomaly. This is one way to make the people forget the former.

But very frankly, there seems to be no transaction or project in this country that isn’t riddled with corruption. Every department or office, at one time or another, plunges into corruption controversies, which remain unresolved with the passing of time. BIR, Bureau of Customs, Land Transportation Office, LGUs, etcetera –yes, practically all– must be heaving a collective sigh of relief since the day the public’s attention has been heavily focused on the flood control.

Then here came the ICI or the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, created by President Bongbong Marcos, tasked to investigate the flood-control project controversy. I’m not sure if the public trusts this body from the start. What I know is that its reputation has been fractured by the leaving of Mayor Benjie Magalong. It doesn’t help when it decided to keep the investigation away from the public eye. It’s simply difficult to justify. It only reinforces the perception that ICI was only created to cover ease public tension and to protect Malacañang.

But what shocks the public even more is the prospect of former speaker Martin Romualdez turning into a state witness, one of the requisites of which is that the accused doesn’t appear to be the most guilty.

‘It depends on his narrative and what he can present to (the ICI)’, the Presidential Communications Office undersecretary said.

The ber months have already set in. Christmas is in the air. And the public mood will also soon shift from being angry to being forgiving. Corrupt politicians are aware that the Filipino people have short memory.

But on top of all this is a deep pessimism, rooted in repeated disappointments. We ousted a dictator in 1986, hoping that it would herald a new day for Philippine politics. Yet, decades after the People Power Revolution, nothing has substantially changed. We ousted another president in 2000, yet the one who replaced him was much worse.

Now, we are beset with people power fatigue. All our energies have been sapped. I hope I am wrong.

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.