Category: Philippine Star

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.

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.

The Archdiocese of Cebu welcomed Archbishop Alberto Uy as its new head during a Solemn Canonical Possession and Installation Mass at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral yesterday.

Addressing the congregation, Uy said: ‘My good people in Cebu, I am here, reporting for duty. The Archdiocese of Cebu is so big and my capacity is so little. Please be good to me. I promise to give you my best, so we can walk closer to Christ, our true shepherd.’

Uy thanked his family, the clergy and devotees as well as all those who joined the ceremony personally and online.

The prelate honored the members of his family, whom he described as his ‘first home, first teachers, first good friends and constant source of support.’

He pledged to remain humble and serve the people of Cebu well.

‘I come to you as your unworthy servant, fully aware that I cannot complete this mission alone. I will always need God’s unfailing help and yours as well,’ he said.

Acknowledging the longing of Filipinos for authentic leadership, Uy vowed to be transparent, accountable and faithful to his mission.

He urged the faithful to remain connected with the church through the archdiocese’s and his official Facebook pages.

Uy is the 25th bishop and fifth metropolitan archbishop of Cebu, replacing Cebu Archbishop-Emeritus Jose Palma who retired after nearly 15 years of serving the archdiocese.

Kapuso actress Shuvee Etrata made a public call for medical volunteers in Cebu after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the province last night.

On her Instagram broadcast channel, the “Pinoy Big Brother” alum shared an art card calling for help.

“Cebu Province is in need of MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS to augment manpower especially in the north. If you want to volunteer now and in the next days please call 0915-330-3293,” the art card read.

Shuvee said that help is on the way for quake victims. She also reminded fellow Cebuanos to take care as aftershocks are expected.

Meanwhile fellow Cebuano “Pinoy Big Brother” housemate Slater Young shared that his family is safe following the earthquake.

“Thank you for the messages and well-wishes. The family is all okay from the quake last night,” the Cebu-based Slater said via his Instagram Stories. “Praying for our fellow Cebuanos and everyone else affected from the quake.”

Other Cebuano celebrities that expressed concern were Ellen Adarna, Manilyn Reynes, Kaye Abad, and beauty queens Bea Luigi Gomez and Gazini Ganados.

Businessman Maynard Ngu, tagged during a Senate hearing on flood control anomalies as the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero, has resigned as independent director of listed Altus Property Ventures Inc.

In a stock exchange filing, Altus said that its board has accepted the resignation of Ngu as independent member of the company’s board of directors effective Monday. Altus said Ngu’s resignation was ‘due to personal reasons.’

At a Senate hearing last Sept. 25, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that he had facilitated 20 percent kickbacks or P160 million from Escudero’s P800 million worth of flood control and road network projects in Valenzuela City and in Marinduque through Ngu.

Bernardo said the ‘deliveries of cash were personally made by me to Maynard Ngu at his office in Manila.’

Ngu, regarded as the brain behind the success of the Philippine mobile phone brand Cherry Mobile, had been an independent director of Altus since Sept. 2, 2019.

He is the chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies Inc., the company behind Cherry Mobile, which was established in 2009.

Aside from leading several firms, Ngu serves as a director in companies such as Cosmic Digital Universe Inc., Quantum Mobile Gears Inc., Accucom System Solutions Inc., MSN Foundation Inc., Intertext and Chat Communications Inc., Xionz Technology Inc. and Casa Nuova Inc.

Ngu is also the president of Pure Living Wellness International Inc., a company which imports and locally distributes beauty care products and general merchandise, based on its general information sheet filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Escudero’s wife, Love Marie Escudero, more popularly known as actress Heart Evangelista, is listed as a stockholder in Pure Living Wellness.

Ngu is also reportedly one of the owners of the Cork Wine Bar, where Escudero and Evangelista held their renewal of vows in February last year.

In 2023, President Marcos appointed Ngu as special envoy to China for trade, investments and tourism.

American basketball pros Sam Vincent and Taj McWilliams-Franklin are visiting the Philippines to participate in a series of engagements that will showcase American excellence in basketball and empower young Filipino athletes and leaders as part of the US Department of State’s Sports Envoy Program.

The initiative strengthens people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Americans through their shared love for sports, while inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Vincent is an NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 1986 while McWilliams-Franklin is a two-time WNBA champion with the Detroit Shock in 2008 and the Minnesota Lynx in 2011. Both players transitioned to coaching following their successful professional careers as players.

During their visit, Vincent and McWilliams-Franklin will lead basketball clinics and leadership seminars in Alaminos City in Pangasinan, organized in partnership with the local government.

The visiting US sports envoys bring their professional and collegiate coaching experiences to train young athletes in basketball fundamentals while fostering the values of leadership, dedication, and teamwork that will help participants succeed in their professional lives.

Frankie Miñoza, one of Philippine golf’s most iconic figures, has expressed deep admiration for the vibrant display of talent and determination by 48 young golfers at the ongoing ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior Philippine Golf Tour (JPGT) Championship at The Country Club here.

Watching the spirited competition unfold, Miñoza couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride and hope.

‘This is the best program we’ve had for our junior players,’ he said. ‘It serves as a stepping stone where they not only learn the sport, but more importantly, they develop proper golf etiquette.’

A man known for letting his performance speak louder than words, Miñoza did not hold back in lauding the initiatives of ICTSI, a staunch supporter of Philippine golf.

‘What ICTSI is doing by organizing this kind of tournament is truly commendable. It’s a big boost to the junior golf program – this is where our future champions will come from,’ said the Bukidnon-born legend.

Although Miñoza declined the captaincy of Team South for the tournament, he was present to offer his full support to the Visayas-Mindanao players as they went head-to-head with their Luzon counterparts in a Ryder Cup-style team competition – an innovative and exciting format that promotes both team spirit and individual excellence.

The two-time Philippine Open champion and former Japan Golf Tour mainstay reminisced about a similar era of promise in junior golf – back when the legendary Amalia Montecillo led Jungolf, the country’s premier grassroots golf organization.

‘There was a strong junior golf program before under Mrs. Montecillo. Many players rose to prominence through it,’ Miñoza recalled, referring to accomplished players like Jennifer Rosales, Gerald Rosales, Jayvie Agojo, Carito Villaroman, Mary Grace Estuesta, Ruby Chico, Ramon Brobio, Juami Rocha, Tom Concon and Artemio Murakami.

‘But after Mrs. Montecillo passed away, the program also faded,’ he added, referring to Montecillo’s passing in 2008, which marked a decline in the national junior golf scene she had passionately built since 1976.

Fortunately, ICTSI has stepped up to fill that void – and much more. ‘These kids are lucky,’ Miñoza noted. ‘Because now, they have ICTSI, which created this kind of program.’

The JPGT established in 2023, represents a major milestone in grassroots golf development. What began as a simple skills competition has since evolved into a comprehensive tournament circuit, showcasing young golfers from as early as seven years old up to 18.

More than just a series of competitions, the JPGT is a structured development platform designed to identify and nurture raw talent from across the country, instill discipline, competitiveness and sportsmanship in young players, and offer continuity and clear pathways for young golfers with aspirations of going pro or earning collegiate scholarships.

The JPGT isn’t operating in a vacuum. It is part of ICTSI’s broader commitment to elevate Philippine golf across all levels. The company is also at the helm of the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) and the Ladies PGT, both of which have become cornerstones of professional golf in the country.

Last June, ICTSI further reinforced this pathway by launching the Intercollegiate Golf Tour, a first-of-its-kind platform that connects junior golf to higher-level amateur and professional play. This tour not only provides high-level competition for college players but also opens doors to scholarship opportunities, varsity recognition, and international exposure – key ingredients for building a professional golf career.

Miñoza’s presence and endorsement of the JPGT carries significant weight. With a career spanning multiple decades, highlighted by victories on the Asia Golf Circuit and a strong run on the Japan Golf Tour, he understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

‘It’s inspiring to see these kids compete,’ he said. ‘This is where champions are born.’

Indeed, the likes of Rosales, Agojo and Murakami once stood where today’s juniors now stand – eager, determined and dreaming big.

Security Bank Corp. has named seasoned Singaporean banker Victor Lee Meng Teck as its next president and CEO, marking a key leadership transition for the 74-year-old lender.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange yesterday, the bank said Lee would formally assume the top post in early January 2026, pending completion of his work permit, visa and other regulatory requirements.

He will succeed Sanjiv Vohra, who will continue to lead Security Bank until the transition and will thereafter serve as senior advisor to the board.

‘I’m honored to be entrusted with this responsibility,’ Lee said. ‘Security Bank has built a strong reputation for customer-centricity, innovation and its distinct BetterBanking experience.’

‘I look forward to working with Sanjiv, the Board and all employees to continue building on this foundation and delivering sustainable growth for our stakeholders,’ he added.

Lee brings over three decades of banking leadership across Asia. He previously served as CEO of CIMB Singapore and CEO of Growth Markets for CIMB Bank Berhad.

At CIMB Singapore, he ‘spearheaded a period of strong growth, doubling revenue and raising return on equity to nearly 20 percent,’ the bank said.

Vohra, who took the helm in 2019, just months before the onset of the global pandemic, steered the listed bank through a period of transformation that strengthened its digital capabilities and customer-first strategies.

‘Our journey over the past six years has been one of total transformation – reimagining Security Bank from front to back,’ Vohra said.

Security Bank chairman Cirilo Noel thanked Vohra for his ‘steady leadership during one of the most challenging periods in recent history,’ saying his vision has left the bank ‘stronger, more resilient and well-prepared for the future.’