Category: Philippine Star

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao confirmed he is in talks with the camp of World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion Rolly Romero for a possible fight, the eight-division world champion bared.

Pacquiao revealed the news during the Thrilla in Manila 2 press conference Wednesday in Quezon City.

‘[We are] still negotiating, pero we’re just finalizing it,’ the 46-year-old boxer said.

Questions have been raised regarding the next opponent of the boxer-turned-politician after his comeback fight earlier this year.

MP Promotions chief Sean Gibbons earlier named Romero as one of the possible opponents for Pacquiao after his the Filipino southpaw’s duel with World Boxing Council welterweight champion Mario Barrios.

Pacquiao returned to the boxing ring last July and forced a majority draw against Barrios.

It was an impressive comeback fight, with several boxing fans seeing ‘Pacman’ actually winning over the 30-year-old ‘El Azteca’.

Pacquiao was later installed as the No. 1 contender for the same title.

He retired from boxing back in 2021 after a loss against Yordenis Ugas.

Speaking about the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila, Pacquiao voiced excitement and joy in bringing the celebration to life.

‘I’m so excited and happy. Kasi dati, lumaban na ako dito sa Araneta at ngayon nagpo-promote na tayo ng big fight dito. This is not a small fight but a big fight,’ he said.

‘A world championship fight and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Thrilla in Manila. It’s an honor kaya happy tayo na kahit di pa tayo pinanganak nung time na yun, tayo ang kumbaga nagdala dito ng promotion,’ he added.

On October 1, 1975, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier slugged it out in what was known as ‘Thrilla in Manila.’ There, Ali won over Frazier, who retired from his corner in Round 14.

‘Like Ali’

And if you were to ask Pacquiao which of the two he sees more of as a boxer?

‘Sting like a bee,’ he said, citing Ali’s famous quote.

‘Puncher din ako, marami akong sumuntok at hindi ako flat-footed,’ he said.

The anniversary card will be headlined by a WBC strawweight championship bout between Melvin Jerusalem and Siyakholwa Kuse.

Eumir Marcial, Marlon Tapales and Carl Jammes Martin will also see action, while Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of ‘The Greatest’, will also battle it out in a middleweight bout against Thailand’s Patumpong Saengarun.

The world’s longest Christmas season just got merrier because SM Supermalls is ringing in the holiday spirit as early as September!

The country’s favorite destination has officially kicked off the 100 Days countdown to Christmas with dazzling decorations, festive activities and heartwarming surprises across all 88 malls nationwide. This year, SM is making the holidays extra meaningful as it celebrates ‘100 Days of Kindness’-a nationwide campaign that brings cheer, joy and generosity to millions of Filipinos.

Spread kindness and make everyday moments brighter

Christmas at SM has always been about togetherness, joy, and giving. This 2025, SM Supermalls highlights acts of kindness as the true spirit of the holidays.

From September 16 to December 25, SM will feature daily videos on its digital platforms featuring touching and inspiring acts of kindness through the 100 Days of Kindness campaign, where shoppers may experience random acts of kindness such as surprise treats, warm greetings and delightful gifts.

Each day is a chance to make someone smile, reminding everyone that kindness, no matter how small, makes the season brighter.

Join the grand holiday kickoff

SM Supermalls is ushering in the 100 Days to Christmas with a festive lineup of activities. Mallgoers nationwide will be treated to a joyful Holi-Squad Mall Greeting, a simultaneous meet-and-greet that brings early Christmas magic to every SM mall.

To complete the grand kickoff, shoppers will be delighted by the unveiling of the Happiest Holiday Décor, where malls transform into enchanting holiday destinations adorned with the iconic Holiday Grand Red Ribbon, symbolizing joy, unity and the true spirit of Christmas.

Experience festive activities leading up to Christmas

The holiday festivities continue with a series of exciting events leading up to December.

From October 20 onwards, SM malls will unveil their dazzling mall centerpiece displays, bustling holiday bazaars, Santa’s chair for warm holiday greetings and special appearances from the Holi-Squad.

On November 16, families and friends can lace up their shoes for the Holiday Santa Run, a fun-filled activity that brings together communities at SM Run Hubs. Adding a touch of magic, shoppers on December 6 can witness the enchanting Holiday Snowflakes Surprises, where a simultaneous confetti shower across selected malls will shower 100 lucky guests with special gifts from partner tenants.

The festive spirit will fill the air as chorale groups serenade mallgoers with uplifting performances on World Chorale Day this December 8. To make weekends even more memorable, SM will host the Happiest Holiday Weekends throughout December, with Santa meet-and-greets, lively busking sessions, and heartwarming holiday carols for the whole family to enjoy.

And this year, your fave Bears of Joy are getting a makeover! Welcome the SM Besties of Joy. For every bear purchased, another will be donated to a child in need, spreading warmth and comfort to those craving the magic of Christmas.

Shop, dine and celebrate with special holi-deals

Shoppers can also look forward to SM Malls Online Holiday Deals from December 1 to 31, offering exclusive holiday gift specials and dining feasts perfect for gatherings with family and friends. Whether you’re ticking off your gift list or planning a memorable holiday meal, SM makes sure every celebration is filled with joy and convenience.

Celebrate the happiest, kindest Christmas yet at SM!

With all these celebrations and surprises in store, SM Supermalls invites everyone to experience the happiest, kindest Christmas yet. From grand events to simple acts of giving, SM proves that the true magic of the season is found in kindness.

The countdown has begun-because at SM, Christmas starts now!

Through its partnership with GCash, CharityPhilippines.org (CPO)-the first charitable online crowdfunding platform in the country-proudly announces its adoption of QR Ph (QRPH), the national QR code standard of the Philippines, which is duly authorized by the Philippine Payments Management Inc. (PPMI) and operates in compliance with Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular 1055.

With this upgrade, donors can now give directly using their preferred bank or e-wallet app, including GCash, Maya and more than 30 participating financial institutions across the country. This makes giving faster and simpler, enabling more people to support causes they care about. QR Ph allows donors to scan only one QR code to give through almost any major bank or e-wallet app in the Philippines-no need for multiple codes or separate accounts.

A platform built to make giving easy

‘We aim to make giving easy,’ says Dr. Marjs Lavides, executive director of CharityPhilippines.org. ‘Our mission is to connect donors with projects they care about and work with other charities to help those in need. With QR Ph, donations become hassle-free because anyone with a major bank or e-wallet app can contribute instantly and securely.’

Wide range of causes, nationwide reach

Currently, CharityPhilippines.org hosts 130 active campaigns led by 53 nonprofit organizations from across the country. The platform features a diverse array of causes, including animal welfare, children and youth, disability, disaster response, education, internet connectivity, elderly care, environmental protection, health, human rights, support for Indigenous Peoples, poverty alleviation and youth development through sports.

100% of donations go to projects

Unlike many platforms, CPO does not charge platform or transaction fees. All transaction costs are shouldered by CPO, which means that 100% of every donation goes directly to the intended project-a core commitment.

The country’s external financial footprint expanded further in the second quarter, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reporting that stronger inflows of foreign capital drove the Philippines’ net international investment position (IIP) deeper into deficit.

The IIP, which tracks the value of foreign financial assets and liabilities at a given point in time, showed the Philippines holding a net external liability of $68.3 billion as of end-June. This was up by 44.1 percent from $47.4 billion a year earlier and 9.8 percent higher than the $62.2 billion posted in March.

‘The increase was driven by inward foreign investments outpacing the country’s own investments abroad,’ the BSP said in a statement.

As of June, foreign investments in Philippine assets climbed by 2.7 percent quarter-on-quarter to $325.2 billion, while Philippine residents’ investments in overseas assets grew at a slower pace of 0.9 percent to $256.9 billion.

According to the BSP, the IIP is an important gauge of the economy’s financial ties with the rest of the world, serving as a measure of both external vulnerability and resilience.

By sector, general government borrowings accounted for $88.4 billion or 27.2 percent of total foreign investments in Philippine assets, while banks held $42.5 billion (13.1 percent).

Other sectors, including corporations and households, cornered the largest share at $190.4 billion (58.6 percent). The BSP itself carried $3.9 billion, or 1.2 percent.

Meanwhile, Philippine investments abroad were largely driven by the central bank, which held $111.2 billion or 43.3 percent of total foreign assets. This was a 0.2-percent decrease from the end-March level of $111.4 billion.

‘The moderation was driven by a 0.6 percent decline in reserve assets, which constitute the majority of the BSP’s external financial holdings,’ the BSP said.

The slight decrease in reserve assets was due to the government’s drawdowns on its deposits with the BSP to service external debt obligations and central bank’s net foreign exchange operations.

Other sectors followed with $105.5 billion (41.1 percent), while banks accounted for $40.2 billion (15.7 percent).

Two minor eruptions were detected at Taal Volcano in Batangas shortly after midnight yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the eruptions had nothing to do with the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu approximately three hours earlier.

The eruptions generated ash plumes, but did not affect surrounding communities.

State volcanologists said the first eruption, described as phreatic or steam-driven, occurred between 12:57 a.m. and 1:02 a.m. The second, a stronger phreatomagmatic eruption, occurred from 2:02 a.m. to 2:15 a.m.

Phivolcs said the second eruption was recorded by a thermal camera installed at the Taal Volcano Observatory and by an IP camera at the Main Crater Observation Station.

‘A steam-driven eruption occurs when water came into contact with hot rocks, generating an explosion,’ Paolo Reniva, resident volcanologist at the Taal Volcano Observatory in Barangay Buco, Talisay town, said.

Meanwhile, a phreatomagmatic eruption occurs when magma comes into contact with water, causing explosions that eject steam, ash and volcanic debris. Such activity may produce plumes higher than the ones generated by a phreatic or steam-driven event.

Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest remained hoisted over Taal Volcano.

Entry into the Taal Volcano Island is strictly prohibited and residents in nearby areas have been advised to prepare and heed authorities during emergencies.

The University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons barged into the win column with a 73-69 upset of the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 basketball tournament on Tuesday, September 30, at the Cebu Coliseum.

Andrew Padilla shined the brightest with 21 points, seven rebounds and three assists while Brandon Sainz and Wenraye Sarol combined for 22 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists to help the Fighting Maroons of coach Rommel Rasmo snap a three-game jinx.

UP Cebu squandered a nine-point lead late in the third quarter as the Webmasters staged a spirited endgame fightback to seize a 65-60 edge at the last three-minute mark of the contest.

But the Fighting Maroons countered with a decisive 10-1 blitz to regain the upper hand, 70-66, in the final 64 seconds.

The Webmasters threatened one last time at 69-71 on a 3-pointer by Ricofer Sordilla as Sarol scored on a crucial layup with only five ticks left in the game clock to seal the deal for the Fighting Maroons.

Ray Charles Libatog bagged 20 points, six rebounds and one assist while Sordilla had 13 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a steal but their efforts went to waste as the Webmasters faltered for the first time after a rousing 2-0 start.

In high school division, Mart Justine Padilla fired 23 points with five rebounds, one assist and a spectacular six steals as the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Blue Dragons nailed their first victory with a 67-56 scorching of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) Baby Webmasters.

Kenneth Robert Fuller delivered a double-double of 16 and 12 rebounds with four assists and three steals for the Dragons, who sprinted to a 14-point advantage, 35-21, midway in the second quarter.

UCLM pulled within just two points, 49-51, in the final five minutes but the Dragons closed the match with a searing 16-7 run to secure a double-digit triumph.

Dan Mitchell Ferraren scattered 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists but to no avail as UCLM tasted its first defeat.

The Commission on Elections will start from scratch in preparing for the first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections after the Supreme Court struck down two laws that redrew the region’s parliamentary districts.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Thursday, October 2, the body must reprint ballots and reconfigure its automated election system following the high court’s decision declaring two Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) laws unconstitutional.

In a September 30 ruling, the Supreme Court nullified Bangsamoro Autonomy Act (BAA) 77 and 58, which redistributed the elective posts originally assigned to Sulu and created the parliamentary districts in the region. This means that there is now no actual law to enforce for the Bangsamoro polls, which had been initially set for October 13.

“The truth is the Comelec is now back to zero,” Garcia said in an interview on Radyo DZBB. “Bakit po back to zero? We will surely reprint ballots and have to redo our other activities.”

Garcia said, however, the ruling validated the Comelec’s decision to suspend election preparations when the court earlier issued a temporary restraining order.

The Supreme Court ruling means the Bangsamoro parliament must pass a new districting law. The Comelec also has until March 31, 2026, to hold the elections.

What Comelec had prepared

Comelec had based its preparations on BAA 58, the original districting law that included Sulu. The Supreme Court previously ruled Sulu was not part of BARMM, reducing the parliament from 80 to 73 members. The latest ruling says the parliament should have 80 members, not 73.

Before the suspension of preparations, Garcia said, the Comelec still needed to conduct voter education campaigns to explain which districts people would vote in and train electoral board members – the teachers who will staff polling places on election day. The poll body also had yet to deploy election equipment and train technical staff for the automated elections.

Garcia said voter registration will resume in the third week of October nationwide for the May 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

But those who registered from August 1 to 10 and those who register starting in October will not be able to vote in the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections if held before March 31, 2026.

“Why? Because the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections are a continuation of our national and local elections last May,” Garcia said.

The Bangsamoro parliamentary elections were supposed to be the region’s first since BARMM replaced the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in 2019.

The Bangsamoro Organic Law set the first elections in 2022, but this was postponed to May 2025, and then to October 2025, and is now put off again pending a new law.

If it were up to PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, the 4-point line would stay in the league ‘forever.’

Marcial said that the 4-point line will be staying in the league for the PBA Season 50, and possibly for more seasons moving forward.

‘Siguro forever na yan, as ako [ang] commissioner,’ Marcial told reporters during the PBA preseason press conference Wednesday at the Shangri-La The Fort Manila in Taguig City.

”Di ko alam kung ibang commissioner na. Pero as ako commissioner, stay ang 4-point line,’ he added.

The PBA, last season, introduced the 4-point line, which had been set 27 feet away from the ring.

This added a new dimension to the game, as teams could go for the win despite being down three points.

“Pag gumagawa tayo ng bagong innovation, meron talagang di nasisiyahan, may nasisiyahan. Pero kumukuha na ang FIBA ng datos sa atin. So ‘di ko alam kung masisiyahan sila sa datos,’ Marcial said.

Other leagues, including those abroad, have also inquired about the 4-point shot, the executive bared.

‘So, nagtatanong sila, nagi-inquire. Tinatanong ko din sa kanila, ano ba sa palagay niyo? Yung iba okay, yung iba, hindi. Hindi mo masasabi,’ he added.

Before its implementation during last season, the PBA tested out the 4-point line in All-Star games.

Meralco guard Chris Banchero was the first player to sink a 4-pointer in an official game, during the season opener in August last year.

Rule changes

In the same press conference Wednesday, Marcial said that there will be nine rule changes for Season 50.

One of the rule changes is referees will now explain the ruling, live, whether a coach’s challenge is successful or unsuccessful.

During challenges, players can also form huddles with their coaches.

Teams reaching two fouls in the last two minutes of every quarter will also put them in penalty.

The referee may also review a made basket if it is a 2-, 3- or a 4-pointer, but if there will be no immediate review, the shot will no longer be reviewable. The same process will also be applied regarding basket interference in the last two minutes.

Other rule changes to be implemented this season are: throwing the ball at a player’s head with clear vision to save the ball from going out of bounds will lead to a flagrant foul penalty one infraction; a player who air-balled a legitimate shot may pick up the ball without being whistled for a travel violation; an excessive elbow from left to right will result in a technical foul; no extra time out will be allowed; and an offensive foul will count as a team foul.

Halfway through the Spring/Summer 2026 collection launches of Paris Fashion Week, Filipino celebrities relished their moments in the French capital.

Host-actress Anne Curtis and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey are just a few of the Filipino personalities attending Paris Fashion Week, which runs until October 7.

Pia returned to the annual L’Oréal Paris Le Défilé runway, a year after becoming the first Filipina walk its show.

She was joined by fellow L’Oréal Paris ambassadors, including Kendall Jenner, Viola Davis, Jane Fonda, Simone Ashley, Eva Longoria, and Andie MacDowell.

The beauty queen wore a metallic red gown from Tony Ward’s Spring/Summer 2024 couture collection.

Saudi Arabia-born Filipina-Irish model Christina Nadin walked in a “Jackpot Dress” by Clara Daguin, while Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee was in the audience.

Anne was back in Paris two years after her first attendance, appearing at the shows of Lanvin and Courreges. The “It’s Showtime” host later met with Pia and Filipino content creator Bryanboy for the Asia 100 Dinner.

Actress Sarah Lahbati, meanwhile, attended shows for Ganni, Litkovska, and Caroline Hu. She was also spotted with Michelle, actress Max Collins, and former actress Maggie Wilson (who went to a Claudie Pierlot show) for an evening Maje event.

Two rookie policemen are earning praise from various sectors after intercepting P9.5 million worth of undocumented imported cigarettes at an anti-smuggling checkpoint in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, before dawn on Thursday, October 2.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and Datu Odin Sinsuat municipal police chief Lt. Col. Esmael Madin separately told reporters on Thursday morning that the 266 boxes of Indonesian-made cigarettes are now in police custody and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for proper disposition.

Two policemen guarding the anti-smuggling checkpoint along a highway in the town center of Datu Odin Sinsuat, Patrolman Ruel Cañete and Patrolman Michael Laoto, together flagged down the Isuzu van-type truck carrying the contraband only for a routine inspection, but immediately detained its driver and his helper when they found out that the unit was loaded with cigarettes made in Indonesia.

‘To these two rookie policemen, we are thankful,’ said the entrepreneur-lawyer Ronald Hallid Torres, chairman of the Bangsamoro Business Council in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which is actively supporting the campaign of the Bangsamoro regional police against the circulation of smuggled cigarettes in all of BARMM’s five provinces and three cities.

De Guzman and Madin separately lauded both policemen through the radio stations in Cotabato City.

Personnel of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police also immediately impounded the van-type truck, bearing license plates MAZ 7538, that was set to transport its illegal cargo to buyers in different towns in Maguindanao del Norte and nearby provinces.

The driver of the truck and his helper were also detained for procedural interrogation. Both assured municipal police officials that they would identify the suppliers of the seized imported cigarettes for prosecution.