Category: Philippine Star

The Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates were in the Queen City of the South, Cebu City, for one of its pocket events when a deadly earthquake struck at about 9 p.m, Tuesday, September 30.

All 43 candidates, including Philippine bet Anita Rose Gomez, and the current titleholder, Janelis Leyba of the United States, are safe.

The organization released a statement shortly afterwards:

‘Following the 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, we would like to assure everyone that all Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 candidates and the MAPI Organization team are safe and well.

‘We extend our deepest gratitude to Radisson Blu Cebu for their swift and professional response in implementing safety measures during the tremor.

‘Our thoughts and prayers remain with the people of Cebu and all those affected by this incident.’

The evening’s festivity was a charity event of the organization with Operation Smile as beneficiary.

‘It’s a project of [Cebu philanthropist] Dame Mariquita Yeung. There was a presentation of candidates dressed by different Cebuano designers in Terno,’ said Philip Rodriguez, Cebu’s pillar of fashion design.

His creation, worn by Miss Belgium Jana Jansens, was a fuchsia Thai silk gown with oriental yellow chrysanthemums embroidery on the side, highlighted with a peplum that fell into a train in origami style.

It was awarded Best in Terno by haute couturier Cary Santiago.

‘I just gave the award for Best in Terno when the earthquake happened,’ Santiago recalled. ‘People were running scared, bulbs from the chandelier fell and a part of the ballroom ceiling collapsed.’

The activities of the pageant scheduled today, October 1, are canceled.

Based in the Philippines, Miss Asia Pacific International is ‘a pedestal for women who want to be the voice of celebrating beauty and harmony in diversity. May it be in the form of culture, race, belief, or opinion, we believe that all women are distinctly beautiful and one of a kind.’

The preliminary competition will be on October 3 at Lanson Place Mall of Asia Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Philippines. The grand coronation night will be on October 7 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Pasay City.

We need to be familiar with these two concepts that definitely would help us discern what truly was meant when Christ said certain things that would sound very inhuman and unchristian.

One example is when Christ told a certain man who wanted to follow him but wanted to first bury his father to ‘let the dead bury their dead’ and commanded him to go and preach the gospel right away. (cfr. Lk 9,59)

And when another man also expressed his willingness to follow Christ but wanted to first take leave of his household, he was summarily told that ‘no man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (cfr. Lk 9,62)

There are many other examples of this kind, like when Christ also said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14,26) Or when he said that we have to love our enemies.

No wonder then that some people, without the proper ‘sensus fidei’ and without consulting the ‘sensus fidelium’ fall into disbelief and then to unbelief in Christ. They sometimes consider the gospel as a myth or even as a joke.

‘Sensus fidei’, which literally means a sense of faith, is an individual believer’s capacity to discern the truth in matters of faith and morals even amid mysterious and unbelievable doctrines of our faith. It’s like an instinct or an inner sense that can only be an effect of a supernatural gift of faith.

‘Sensus fidelium’, which literally means a sense of the faithful, is the collective sense of faith within the entire Church, covering all of its members or faithful. It is a shared and supernatural understanding of faith that enables the Church to discern the truth and live out the faith authentically. It is not simply the sum of the individual ‘sensus fidei’, but a unique and shared grace of the Holy Spirit operating within the Church.

In other words, both the ‘sensus fidei’ and the ‘sensus fidelium’ are an effect of a grace. They are both a supernatural reality and do not depend solely on our natural and human powers, although these latter have to be used also to the limit.

They enable us to accept the mysterious ways of God and to see the consistency of truth despite the apparently contradicting ways that the truth as taught by Christ and now by the Church is expressed.

We just have to learn to abandon ourselves to the mysterious ways of God who in his wise providence takes care of everything. We are not expected to know and understand everything. What is expected of us is to have faith in God, in Christ and in the Church so we can always be with him no matter how things turn.

This means that we should develop an intimate relationship with God, nourished by prayer, assiduous study of the doctrine of our faith, recourse to the sacraments, and an unrelenting ascetical struggle to fight against our weaknesses and the temptations around, and to grow in the virtues.

In this way, we would be acquiring the very mind of Christ, able to understand what he actually meant when his words, due to the limitations of our human and natural language, would seem to go against reason and common sense.

The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with World Trade Organization (WTO) members in ensuring the effective implementation of the agreement on fisheries subsidies.

The landmark agreement represents a historic step forward in curbing harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing and the depletion of marine resources.

Recalling the deposit of its instrument of acceptance at the sidelines of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 27, 2024, the Philippines recently joined fellow WTO members in celebrating the entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

As an archipelagic nation of more than 115 million people, with millions depending on fisheries for their food and livelihood, the Philippines attaches great importance to this milestone. The agreement strengthens global efforts to safeguard marine biodiversity, ensure food security and protect the livelihoods of fisherfolk, particularly those in small coastal communities.

To support implementation, the WTO has established a Fisheries Subsidies Fund to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to developing members such as the Philippines. This includes Category 1 Grant Projects of up to $50,000 and Category 2 Grant Projects of up to $300,000. Through this mechanism, the Philippines will be better equipped to implement the agreement effectively, enhance sustainable coastal management, and deliver tangible benefits to rural fishing communities across the archipelago.

The Philippines said the effective implementation of the Agreement will strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its ocean resources sustainably, secure the future of coastal communities, and uphold its responsibility as steward of one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems.

Ambassador Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO, welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement.

‘The entry into force of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies marks a collective victory for global sustainability and for millions of fisherfolk whose lives and livelihoods depend on healthy oceans,’ Teehankee said.

As the WTO’s first sustainability-focused agreement, it demonstrates that trade rules can serve as powerful tools for environmental protection and development.

‘For the Philippines, this Agreement is not only about protecting our marine biodiversity, but also about ensuring food security and building resilient coastal communities,’ he added.

The Philippines also welcomed the establishment of the Fisheries Fund, which will help developing countries translate commitments into concrete action.

‘The Philippines stands ready to work with WTO members and partners to ensure that this Agreement delivers real and lasting benefits for our people and our planet,’ he said.

Argentina stands ready to provide critical expertise and technology to ensure the Philippines safely launches its first operational nuclear power plant, according to its embassy.

In a statement to The STAR, the Argentine embassy reaffirmed Buenos Aires’ commitment to supporting Manila’s nuclear energy program, including the potential revival of the long-dormant Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).

‘By working together, our countries can lay the groundwork for a Philippine nuclear program that is not only technically sound but also socially beneficial, economically inclusive and aligned with the highest international safety standards,’ it said.

Argentina, one of the leading nuclear players in Latin America, is set to take center stage – alongside eight other countries – at the second Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) this week.

Through this participation, the embassy said, Argentina is expected to offer over five decades of nuclear expertise, providing a practical roadmap to help the Philippines advance its nuclear energy goals.

Currently, Argentina has three operating nuclear plants: the 340-megawatt Atucha 1, the 693-MW Atucha 2 and the 608-MW Embalse facility, latest data from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) showed.

According to the Argentine embassy, the completion of the Atucha 2 facility, whose construction was halted for over 12 years, presents a compelling parallel to the issues the Philippines faces in the possible BNPP rehabilitation.

‘The Philippine case with Bataan is comparable: it involves the challenge of assessing a long-stalled nuclear project, updating it to current international safety standards and rebuilding confidence in its viability,’ it said.

Last year, Argentina’s engineering and technology development firm INVAP was said to have presented a number of initiatives to the Department of Energy to support the Philippines’ nuclear push.

This included support in reviewing proposals for the BNPP revival, technical cooperation for required licensing activities and assistance in establishing a dedicated nuclear regulatory body.

‘Looking ahead, Argentina’s participation in the PINSCF signals a new chapter in bilateral nuclear dialogue, one rooted in trust, mutual learning and shared vision,’ the embassy said.

‘Ultimately, this partnership demonstrates the power of international collaboration in shaping emerging nuclear energy landscapes and ensuring that nuclear power contributes to development in the 21st century,’ it said.

Apart from Argentina, nuclear experts from China, Finland, France, Hungary, Japan, Russia, United Arab Emirates and United States are also set to participate in this year’s PINSCF.

Recently, the Philippines’ nuclear ambitions gained further momentum after President Marcos signed a landmark measure establishing the country’s first independent nuclear regulatory body.

This bodes well for the country’s target of unlocking at least 1,200 MW of nuclear power into the energy mix by 2032 and scaling this up to 4,800 MW by 2040.

The Philippines has also returned to the 35-member Board of Governors, one of the IAEA’s two policy-making bodies, after being elected for the term 2025 to 2027. Its previous stint was from 2015 to 2017.

Actress Nadine Lustre described taking part in the protest last September 21 against corruption as her responsibility as a Filipino.

In an interview with ABS-CBN during partnership of her and partner Christophe Bariou’s coconut milk brand Dehusk with local beverage brand Pickup Coffee, Nadine shared she had a wonderful experience attending the rally.

“I think it’s my responsibility being Filipino to be one with everyone else,” Nadine said, adding she went not as a celebrity or a public figure but as one of the people.

“Parang na-feel ko lahat nang nandoon sa Ortigas, ‘yung nandoon sa EDSA, I felt like I was part of everyone,” the actress also said.

She even shared being impressed with her “Call Me Mother” co-star Vice Ganda, who gave an impassioned speech during the rally, as well as other public figures who showed up.

“This time, we really have to fight, fight for our rights, fight for our country and for our fellow Filipinos,” Nadine continued. “It’s just so nice to see everyone to be out and fighting for the same thing, for the same cause.”

Nadine and Christophe’s Dehusk is a plant-based coconut milk brand, and its partnership with Pickup Coffee sees two proud local brands working hand in hand.

The collaboration introduces an exciting line of four new beverages that combine Dehusk’s plant-based coconut milk with Pickup’s bold and trendy flavors: Nadine’s Coco Mango Matcha, Ube Coconut Milk, Pickup Coco Latte, and Strawberry Coconut Milk.

CCTV footage captured the shaking at the Minglanilla Sports Complex in Cebu after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake with its epicenter in Bogo City struck Tuesday night, September 30.

The strong quake toppled buildings, killed several, and injured dozens across northern Cebu and Metro Cebu. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities assess the extent of damage.

Gunmen beheaded a Teduray chieftain in another attack in a state-recognized non-Moro tribal domain in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur, on Tuesday afternoon, September 30.

Teduray representatives to the 80-seat Bangsamoro parliament and officials of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region told reporters on Wednesday, October 1, that Ramon Lupos, a timuay, or chieftain, was to harvest bananas in his farm in Sitio Kulab in Barangay Limpongo when gunmen flagged him down, hit him with pieces of wood on the head and then one of them cut his neck with a machete.

Citing reports by his subordinate officers in Maguindanao del Sur, Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said the armed men behind the atrocity immediately escaped, now the subject of an extensive manhunt.

Lupos was the 87th Teduray tribal leader killed brutally in Maguindanao del Sur since 2019, all unsolved.

A Teduray member of the Bangsamoro parliament, Froilyn Mendoza, and tribal leaders in two towns where they have bastions, Upi in Maguindanao del Norte and South Upi in Maguindanao del Sur, have urged the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office and PRO-BAR to exhaust all means of identifying the assailants of Lupos for prosecution.

He was the second tribal leader in Datu Hoffer, killed and decapitated by gunmen within just 11 months. Three others were killed in gun attacks in different areas in the municipality in the past three years.

Police shot dead a known longtime member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group during a buy-bust operation that went awry on Monday, September 29, in Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. The suspect was the target of an entrapment operation involving the sale of shabu.

Local officials told reporters on Tuesday, September 30, that the target of the anti-narcotics operation, Moner Usman, pulled out a 9 millimeter Uzi machine pistol when he realized he was selling shabu to a police team in Barangay Sapakan in Radjah Buayan, provoking a gunfight that resulted in his death.

Capt. Joel Lebrilla, chief of the Radjah Buayan Municipal Police Station, said the incident left a member of the 44th Special Action Company of the Special Action Force, Cpl. Jeric Dela Cruz, wounded.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Tuesday that the entrapment operation that went awry was laid with the help of barangay leaders and municipal officials aware of Usman’s drug trafficking activities in Radjah Buayan and in nearby towns.

Senior officials from police and Army intelligence units under the 6th Infantry Division confirmed to reporters that Usman was on their list of members of the now-weakened Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, both wanted for high-profile criminal cases pending in various courts across Central Mindanao.

The Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF, both fomenting hatred for non-Muslims, are known for providing sanctuary to wanted persons and shabu and marijuana peddlers in exchange for money.

Local executives and traditional Moro leaders openly supporting PRO-BAR’s anti-narcotics operations had confirmed that Usman faced nine cases in local courts, including six counts of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and extortion.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Cebu citizens to remain alert as rescue and relief efforts continue following the killer quake.

A 6.9 quake last Tuesday night killed at least 26 people in the province, injuring dozens more and destroying vital infrastructure.

‘Hinihikayat ko ang lahat na manatiling alerto at makinig sa abiso ng inyong lokal na pamahalaan. Sama-sama nating itatawid ang ating mga kababayan at muling itatayo ang mga komunidad na naapektuhan,’ Marcos said.

(I urge all to remain alert and to listen to the local government. Together, we will get through this and uplift the affected communities.)

Marcos said the Department of Public Works and Highways has been tasked with inspecting road and bridge quality, while the Department of Energy is working to restore power to affected regions.

The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and Development are also on the ground providing aid, Marcos said.

Both the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police are assisting in rescue and recovery efforts, the president said.

The death toll from the earthquake is still rising, with reports on the ground saying at least 50 have been reported dead.

The provincial government of Cebu has declared a state of calamity following a devastating 6.9 earthquake that killed at least 20 people.

Vice Governor Glenn Soco announced that after meeting with provincial leaders, they ‘officially declared the entire province under a State of Calamity.’

‘This declaration is necessary to give our provincial government the ability to respond quickly and effectively. It allows us to mobilize resources, extend immediate assistance to affected families, and implement rehabilitation measures as we begin our recovery,’ Soco said in a Facebook post.

Soco urged Cebuanos to remain cooperative and vigilant as disaster response continues.

Several other municipalities in Cebu have also declared a state of calamity, including San Remigio and Bogo City.

The earthquake struck the province on Monday night, destroying infrastructure and leaving dozens of casualties.