Category: Philippine Star

ACEN Corp. of the Zobel family has completed the sale of a portion of its stake in a large-scale solar project in India to Netherlands-based Diamond India Renewables One B.V. (DIRO).

In a stock exchange filing yesterday, ACEN said the deal closed on Sept. 23, giving DIRO an initial 10-percent voting interest in Tejorupa Renewables India Project Pte. Ltd.

The transaction follows ACEN’s earlier disclosure of plans to divest up to a 49-percent stake in Tejorupa. Financial details were not immediately disclosed.

To facilitate the deal, ACEN units Unlimited Renewables Holdings B.V. and Amsa Solar Holdco Pte. Ltd. entered into a securities subscription and purchase agreement, as well as a shareholders’ agreement, with DIRO.

Unlimited Renewables is a subsidiary of ACEN, while Amsa Solar is an entity under ACEN’s joint venture with Singapore-based UPC Renewables for power projects in India.

Through the investment, DIRO gains an interest in Tejorupa, which is developing a 250-megawatt (MW) alternating-current solar farm in Rajasthan, India.

As of June, India projects accounted for around 20 percent of ACEN’s total attributable renewables capacity, latest company data showed.

In recent months, the Ayala Group’s listed energy platform has moved to reduce its equity interests in select renewable power projects under construction in India.

Earlier this year, ACEN also disclosed plans to sell up to 49-percent interests in two India wind projects totaling 120 MW to DIRO.

These include the 100-MW Diyos Renewables project and the 20-MW Avana Renewables facility. Both projects will rise in Karnataka, India.

The budget for public schools has doubled in five years, from P30 billion in 2022 to P61.02 billion in the proposed 2027 budget, the Department of Education said yesterday.

Included in the DepEd’s P975.96-billion budget for 2027 is the increase in school-level maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

Per-learner MOOE allocations for elementary schools will reach P2,982; junior high school, P2,744 and senior high school, P3,558. This year’s school operating funds are at P60.89 billion.

‘By simplifying funding formulas and steadily expanding per-learner operational support, we are removing unnecessary bottlenecks so school administrators and teachers can focus on teaching rather than worrying about basic school upkeep,’ Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

Critics have slammed the lower budget for education in the 2027 national outlay compared to this year.

The Carmen behind Carmen’s Best is now in the United States, and the brand’s founder is no longer part of its management team.

Yet the homegrown ice cream brand continues to enjoy sweet success, thanks to a solid foundation and owners who have a sweet tooth.

‘It has grown a lot more than when I was handling it,’ Carmen’s Best founder Francisco ‘Paco’ Magsaysay told The STAR in an interview.

‘Because with a group like Metro Pacific, their network is quite vast and when it comes to negotiations, their leverage is on a different level and they’re working with bigger companies,’ he added.

Carmen’s Best, which started in 2007 from a small farm in Laguna, was named after Paco’s only daughter.

Paco said the ‘Carmen of Carmen’s Best’ studied abroad and is now based in the US.

Through Paco’s resilience and passion to make the best-tasting ice cream, Carmen’s Best developed into a formidable ice cream brand in the Philippines.

In 2022, Metro Pacific Agro Ventures, the agricultural arm of Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Group, acquired a controlling 51 percent stake of Carmen’s Best ice cream and the rest of its dairy group.

Paco said Pangilinan’s sweet tooth and liking for ice cream were perhaps one of the reasons why the business titan decided to pursue Carmen’s Best.

‘I remember there was one time I visited him (Pangilinan) and I brought him a new flavor, it was my Kakigori flavor. And I thought he was just going to eat one or two spoons, but when our meeting ended, he finished the whole thing,’ he said.

Since the entry of the Metro Pacific Group, Paco said Carmen’s Best sales have increased by more than 100 percent.

‘So it’s a different company now. It’s not the same company I started. Even like our kids, they all evolve. They become teens, then they reach their 20s, 30s. Things evolve. Companies evolve. People evolve,’ said Paco, the son of former senator Ramon ‘Jun’ Magsaysay

Beyond the Scoop

Paco decided to share lessons in his journey in building up the business in his new book titled ‘Beyond the Scoop: The Carmen’s Best Story.’ He said the book is targeted for aspiring entrepreneurs, people in business and people thinking of getting into business.

In the book, he described selling Carmen’s Best to the MVP Group as both a blessing and a challenge.

‘On one hand, it was an opportunity to grow even further, to reach heights that would have been difficult to achieve on our own. It validated everything we had worked so hard to build,’ he said.

On the other hand, he also acknowledged that it wasn’t easy to let go, comparing it to watching one’s child leave home for college.

‘You’re proud. You’re excited for what’s ahead. But at the same time, you know things will never quite be the same again,’ he said.

In the end, Paco shared that even if he is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of the ice cream brand, the way he used to be, he will always be connected to Carmen’s Best.

E-wallet giant GCash is expected to book an immediate P36.5 billion in proceeds prior to listing, as large-scale funders take position, buying in as cornerstone investors. Based on its preliminary red herring prospectus, GCash’s parent Mynt Inc. said it has secured commitments from local and global investors to take part in its initial public offering (IPO).

Mynt’s cornerstone investors will purchase up to 59.8 percent of the shares, assuming the overallotment option is exercised, that the company would be selling in the IPO. These investors would inject around P36.5 billion, or $581.3 million, into the company, which would cover 40 percent of Mynt’s P92.3-billion target proceeds in the IPO.

One of the cornerstone investors is multinational investor and New York Stock Exchange-listed BlackRock Inc., which manages a $15.3-trillion portfolio composed of holdings in some of the world’s biggest tech brands such as Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia.

Los Angeles-based investor Capital Research and Management Co. is also buying into Mynt, as well as the World Bank’s private sector financing arm International Finance Corp.

Locally, the investment units of the country’s largest banks committed to Mynt’s IPO, including BPI Asset Management and Trust Co., China Bank Capital Corp. and Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.’s Trust Banking Group.

Mynt said cornerstone investors have agreed to participate in the offer at a price of no more than P6.60 per share, lower than the indicative range of P7 to P10.

Next to watch out for in the IPO is the setting of the final offer price on Oct. 1. The IPO will be held from Oct. 6 to 12, and listing of the shares on the main board of the Philippine Stock Exchange set on Oct. 20.

Mynt president and CEO Martha Sazon said the commitments from large-scale investors such as BlackRock shows the strength of GCash in financial technology. She also views the interest as a vote of confidence in GCash’s long-term viability.

‘We believe this reflects confidence in our position as the nation’s number one finance superapp, our track record of profitable growth and a significant market opportunity that lies ahead of us,’ Sazon said.

GCash is aiming to raise from its IPO as much as P92.3 billion, set to become the largest listing in Philippine history.

No additional medal for Carlos Yulo this time.

Yulo finished fourth in the parallel bars event of the Asian Games Friday afternoon at the Nagoya General Gymnasium in Japan.

After back-to-back gold medals in the floor exercise and vault events, Yulo could not replicate his finishes in his final competition in the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Yulo scored 5.6 in the difficulty and 8.7 in execution, good for 14.300.

China’s Jingyuan Zou, who came first in the start list, set the tone early with an excellent routine, as judges gave him 9.400 points for execution and 6.000 for difficulty, to go with 0.1 bonus, for a total of 15.500.

Zou would get the gold.

Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka finished second with a score of 14.500, while Uzbekistan’s Rasuljon Abdurakhimov ended up with the bronze medal.

As it stands, the Philippines has two gold medals, one silver medal and four bronze medals thus far in the Asiad. Both golds came from Yulo.

Yulo’s brother, Eldrew, will see action in the men’s horizontal bar final.

The Sandiganbayan has ordered the arrest of a former city mayor in Camarines Sur in connection with a malversation case involving P30 million in public funds.

Former Iriga City mayor Madelaine Alfelor surrendered to authorities after learning that the anti-graft court had issued a warrant for her arrest.

Alfelor has been charged with malversation of public funds through falsification of public documents and violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

No bail was recommended for Alfelor’s temporary liberty.

Aside from Alfelor, the Sandiganbayan also ordered the arrest of former city officials Ruben delos Santos and Jean Bongon.

Alfelor has been committed to the Quezon City Jail female dormitory at Camp Karingal, while Delos Santos is being held at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, the Sandiganbayan Security and Sheriff Services Division said.

Bongon has yet to be arrested.

In a complaint filed by the Office of the Ombudsman, Alfelor and her co-defendants were accused of defrauding the city government by allegedly mishandling the funds intended for beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or AICS program.

Investigation showed the list of the AICS beneficiaries included dead people and fake names.

From jeepneys and long commutes to students balancing school and work, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) looked to the everyday experiences of its Southeast Asian players in celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Titled ‘From Tales to Legends’, the10th Anniversary Animated Trailer celebrates a decade of MLBB by bringing the game’s heroes into settings familiar to the communities that have grown alongside it.

Rather than simply looking back at milestones from the game’s first 10 years, Moonton Games sought to reflect the players behind them.

‘Looking back on MLBB’s 10-year journey, many players have grown from students into working adults, while their friendships, communities, and connection to the game have evolved alongside them,’ Xueying Yang, Live Operation Specialist for Hero and Mode Media Content at Moonton Games, told Philstar.com in an email interview.

For the animation, the team gathered stories and insights from gaming and esports communities, looking beyond competition to experiences with school, work and friendships that have unfolded alongside the game.

Philippine elements are among those featured in the trailer, with jeepneys appearing alongside other familiar Southeast Asian settings such as neighborhood football fields and beaches in Indonesia.

‘With support from our user operations team, we listened to player stories from the Philippines and Indonesia, including students balancing study, part-time work, and long commutes. These insights helped inspire scenes such as students traveling to school and working at a takoyaki stand. The film does not recreate any one player’s story exactly. Instead, it brings together shared emotions and familiar moments from across the community, reimagined through the world of MLBB,’ said Yang.

The real-world scenes were also paired with heroes that reflected similar traits. Bruno is shown alongside athletes to represent competitive spirit and sportsmanship, while Masha’s scenes draw inspiration from students and working professionals.

For Filipino players, Paquito is featured alongside esports players and jeepney drivers, with their shared connection rooted in the determination to pursue their respective goals.

According to Yang, the parallels were not intended to define what each hero represents but to explore how players could see their own ambitions, challenges and strengths in the characters they play.

Creating the film also meant finding a balance between celebrating the game’s history for longtime players without leaving those who had only recently entered the Land of Dawn out of the anniversary.

‘The biggest challenge was finding a story that could honour 10 years of memories without making newer players feel like they were outside the celebration,’ said Yang.

The script underwent several rounds of refinement over six weeks, with the team also working with an illustrator experienced in depicting everyday Southeast Asian life.

While the settings were deliberately specific to the region, Yang said the team focused on experiences that could resonate beyond them, including friendship, perseverance, ambition and teamwork.

‘We did not want the film to rely only on familiar heroes or past milestones. Instead, we focused on emotions and experiences that can resonate with anyone, such as finding your squad, overcoming setbacks, pursuing a goal, or seeing part of yourself in a hero. Long-time players may recognise their own journey with MLBB, while newer players can still connect with the film through the everyday moments and values it portrays,’ she said.

The approach culminates in the animation’s final sequence, which brings its different players, heroes and everyday moments together. Player IDs written in different languages also appear toward the end, reflecting the different communities that have become part of MLBB over the past decade.

With MLBB marking 10 years, Yang hopes the anniversary gives players an opportunity to look back not only on the game, but also on their own journeys during that time.

‘We hope players remember who they are and everything they have experienced over the past 10 years. A decade can pass in the blink of an eye. Our cultures and languages may differ, but we share the same passion. Remember every moment spent with MLBB, whether it brought sadness or joy, inspiration or disappointment. Like life, every game has its wins and losses. But never forget the person who kept going,’ said Yang.

Four Filipino creators will share what they saw, ate and filmed in Taiwan when the Taiwan Tourism Administration hosts ‘Taiwan Talks: Travel Taiwan, Film Your Way’ in Manila on Oct. 3. The afternoon will bring together travel stories, short-video tips and local travel partners offering practical information for a Taiwan trip.

The Poor Traveler will take on culture, Eat Well Pinas will focus on food, while Jen Barangan-David and Asia Yoona will explore the transit stopover. All four traveled to Taiwan this year as part of ‘Taiwan 100 Ways: Find Your Wave, Discover Your Way,’ the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s annual campaign in the Philippine market.

The event follows ‘Taiwan Day 2026,’ held in Manila in August around four official travel themes: Waves of Flavor, Waves of Culture, Waves of Vitality and Waves of Stopover. The two-day event drew more than 1,000 Filipino visitors and launched the nearly yearlong ‘Taiwan 100 Ways – Film Your Way’ short-video contest. Taiwan Talks builds on that momentum with a more focused, creator-led format shaped by what the creators experienced and filmed on the road.

Culture, food and the transit stopover

The Poor Traveler will share Taiwan through a culture-focused lens, while Eat Well Pinas will approach the trip through food, showing how culture and cuisine naturally come together along the way.

Jen Barangan-David and Asia Yoona will focus on Waves of Stopover, sharing how travelers can make the most of a long layover or short stay by heading into the city, trying local food and experiencing everyday life in Taiwan. A live ‘Kahoot! Taiwan Challenge’ will test what the audience picks up along the way.

The talks also connect directly with ‘Taiwan 100 Ways – Film Your Way,’ the short-video contest organized by the Taiwan Tourism Administration in partnership with the Creator and Influencer Council of the Philippines (CICP), with support from China Airlines and STARLUX Airlines.

Rather than run through a list of places to visit, the four creators will draw on their filming trips to explain how they spot a moment worth shooting, frame it and turn a real travel experience into a short video worth sharing.

The contest is open to Filipinos whether or not they have visited Taiwan. An entry can come from a real trip, a creative concept or simply how the entrant imagines Taiwan. Videos must be 30 to 60 seconds long and shot vertically, with submissions open through Jan. 15, 2027.

The idea is to make filming a trip something anyone can do. The Taiwan Tourism Administration hopes more Filipinos will move from audience to creator: visiting Taiwan, filming the experience and showing Taiwan as they see it.

Travel partners on site

Local travel partners will have booths at the venue offering Taiwan itineraries, tour packages and travel information, giving attendees a chance to ask questions directly and learn more about planning a visit.

Through ‘Taiwan Talks,” the Taiwan Tourism Administration aims to connect the Taiwan stories people see online with real travel opportunities, helping more Filipino travelers discover the side of Taiwan that fits them, turn inspiration into actual journeys, and record and share their experiences through images, further expanding the appeal of Taiwan tourism in the Philippine market.

The Taiwan Talks: Travel Taiwan, Film Your Way event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, from 1 to 6 p.m. at Ruby A and B, 4F of Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. Pre-registration is required for attendees.

The Gospel of Friday of the 25th Week in Ordinary Times (cfr. Lk 9,18-22) delivers a turning point. Jesus asks a question that cuts through every distraction: ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Peter answers with inspired clarity: ‘The Christ of God.’ But almost immediately, Jesus overturns every expectation. He begins to speak of rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection.

The Messiah is not coming to conquer by force. He comes to conquer through the Cross. Christ does not hide the cost of redemption. From the beginning, he wants his disciples to understand that love always involves sacrifice. The Cross is not an accident. It is not a defeat. It is the fullest expression of divine love.

That lesson remains difficult today. We naturally seek comfort, success, recognition, and security. We instinctively avoid pain, inconvenience, and humiliation. Yet Christ points in the opposite direction. He teaches that suffering, when united with his own, becomes a path to life instead of despair.

This changes everything. For the Christian, suffering is no longer meaningless. It becomes redemptive. It becomes an opportunity to love more deeply, forgive more generously, and trust God more completely. What the world sees as failure, Christ transforms into victory.

We need to realize that every aspect of Christ’s earthly life was directed toward accomplishing the Father’s saving will. Even opposition, betrayal, injustice, and death became instruments of salvation because Jesus freely embraced them out of love. Nothing was wasted. Everything served God’s plan.

That same perspective is offered to us. Our own crosses may not be dramatic. They often come disguised as ordinary frustrations: a difficult family member, an illness that lingers, disappointments at work, financial worries, misunderstandings, or the hidden sacrifices required by daily responsibilities. These are not interruptions to our Christian life. They are precisely where our Christian life is lived.

The temptation is to complain, become bitter, or run away. Christ invites another response. Unite every hardship with his sacrifice. Offer it for others. Transform pain into prayer. Turn trials into occasions for greater charity.

This is not passive resignation. It is active love. The Cross never encourages defeatism. Rather, it calls for courage. Jesus walked toward Jerusalem fully aware of what awaited him. He did not retreat because love compelled him forward. Christians are called to possess that same supernatural courage, convinced that God’s grace is stronger than any suffering.

Notice also that Christ never ends with suffering alone. His prediction includes the resurrection. The Cross always points beyond itself. Good Friday is inseparable from Easter Sunday. Every sacrifice made in union with Christ carries within it the promise of new life.

That hope gives meaning to perseverance. In a culture that often treats suffering as something to eliminate at all costs, Christ presents a deeper wisdom. While we rightly relieve suffering whenever possible, we should also recognize that unavoidable suffering can become holy. It can purify the heart, deepen faith, strengthen character, and draw souls closer to God.

Luke’s Gospel therefore presents more than a prophecy. It presents the pattern of Christian living.

To confess that Jesus is the Christ also means accepting the kind of Messiah he truly is –the suffering servant who saves through self-giving love. Discipleship cannot be separated from that mystery. We follow not only the glorious Christ but also the crucified Christ.

And precisely because we follow the crucified Christ, we can walk with confidence. Beyond every cross stands the empty tomb. Beyond every sacrifice waits resurrection. Beyond every act of faithful love shines the victory of God.

Cyclone Queenie (international name Surigae) is now a tropical storm after entering the Philippine area of responsibility, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Queenie was located 1,225 kilometers east of northern Luzon, packing winds of 75 kms per hour and gusts of 90 kph.

Queenie is expected to upgrade into a severe tropical storm by tomorrow afternoon and intensify into a typhoon over the weekend.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms will be felt in Mindanao, Negros Island Region, Aklan, Iloilo, Guimaras and Siquijor.

Bicol Region and the rest of the Visayas will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.