Category: Philippine Star

Blacklist International etched its name in Honor of Kings history on Sunday after surviving a seven-game thriller against Boom Esports to clinch its first Philippines King League (PKL) title at Ayala Malls Trinoma.

The Codebreakers had been the tournament favorites during the inaugural season of the PKL, having mounted a perfect group stage run at 14-0 and only dropping maps against Boom Esports in the upper bracket and grand finals. The heartbreak continued as the team suffered an early exit at the Kings World Cup during the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, placing at the bottom 15th-18th place.

This Fall Season, Blacklist International still had an impressive group stage run, finishing as the second seed with an 11-3 standing. The team suffered losses at the hands of ACT Esports Club and eventual top seed Boom Esports.

In the playoffs, the Codebreakers came prepared, sweeping ACT Esports, 3-0, in the upper bracket semifinals and plowing through Boom Esports, 3-1, to once again book themselves a slot at the PKL Grand Finals.

But its rival Boom Esports was not too far behind. The former quickly survived the lower bracket, sweeping Elevate, 3-0, to set up a rematch of last season’s grand finals.

In the best-of-seven series, Blacklist International quickly took down Boom Esports to take the opening game in under 13 minutes. But Boom Esports had been in the same situation before with their rivals, securing key team fights to stage a comeback and the series lead as they took Games 2 and 3.

A deadly team fight in the final moments of Game 4 gave the momentum back to Blacklist International, which managed to tie the series. But Boom Esports was hungry to defend its title with a quick 15-minute Game 5 to move to match point.

Game 6 seemed to be the turning point for Blacklist International – the longest game so far in the tournament – reaching over 22 minutes and seeing the Tempest Dragon spawn, the Codebreakers dismantled Boom Esports with key objective takes and team fights that sent the series to a deciding Game 7.

As with previous Honor of Kings grand finals decider, both teams were given a time to draft without knowing the heroes of their opponents. Blacklist International’s Yuhuan-Agudo combo proved lethal to Boom Esports’ lineup, giving Blacklist International a swift victory at just nine minutes to take the PKL trophy.

Though the local league has ended, Honor of Kings Esports still has a busy schedule ahead. Blacklist International along with fan voted WeTrnd Esports will compete in the Honor of Kings Nation Clash in Malaysia at the end of the month.

Meanwhile, PKL’s top four teams – Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, Elevate and A.C.T. Esports Club – will hope to win in front of their home crowd as the Philippines hosts the Honor of Kings International Championship (KIC) this November.

One of the most blatant and callous audacities of traditional politicians is to use ongoing calamities and disasters as platforms for their perennial “epal” publicity stunts. They come with a coterie of their PR staff and some alleged “envelopmental reporters” to be photographed and interviewed on air while distributing sardines and rice purchased with public funds.

These are the worst forms of cheap and shameless politicking. They want to earn “pogi” points by using government-funded aid. The Department of Social Welfare and Development and other government agencies should not allow themselves to be used and their agencies to give aid and comfort to these modern-day scribes and Pharisees who are just out to show off their pretended compassion and generosity at the expense of public funds. These trapos already used the AICS, AKAP, TUPAD, 4P’s and other government dole-outs allegedly in the last elections. Now, the same self-righteous and pretentious trapos are using the disasters and calamities as occasions to gain publicity stunts.

Even more reprehensible is the alleged corruption in the acceptance, allocation, and distribution of relief goods. There were reports of some high government officials receiving dollar contributions from other countries given by foreign charity organizations and private individuals but these ended up in the pockets of the said corrupt public officials. These are unforgivable offenses against the poor victims of disasters and calamities and should be considered crimes of economic sabotage to be punished with capital penalties. Others do not really pocket these aid funds but channel them to their favored constituents and local political leaders.

When traditional politicians suddenly appear in disaster-stricken areas and interfere in the distribution of goods and services to the victims, they usually come with their PR staff who coordinate with the local print and broadcast media reporters to give maximum coverage to these trapos. They make sure that these politicians are interviewed so that the whole nation shall know that they “care” for the people in distress. These super-rich trapos often come in their own choppers or in air assets borrowed from rich flood-control contractors. They exert utmost efforts to project an image of concern and care for the people using public funds in their transportation and representation.

Then, after a brief photo shoot, they would immediately leave and most probably go to the nearest resort to relax, eat, drink, and be merry with their local leaders and perhaps some naughty girls or very young boylets. These standard operating procedures are being repeated whether in the typhoon-stricken province of Masbate or the earthquake-hit northern Cebu. Many LGU officials are always in a hurry to declare their provinces, cities or municipalities under a state of calamity so that they can get hold of the huge calamity funds. Well, nothing wrong with that if they will really use the money for the intended purpose. But, we all know what usually happens.

There should be a law explicitly prohibiting politicians from interfering in acceptance, allocation, and distribution of relief funds. Also, any interference by a politician in the management and coordination, distribution, and safekeeping of relief goods and relief funds. The current practices by trapos in using calamities as platforms for political gimmickry should be criminalized. Trapos should be jailed for taking advantage of calamities and disasters as a platform for their traditional politics. They should be exposed and shamed for their audacious abuse of powers and public funds.

We, the “hoi polloi” should resist the abuses of dirty politicos and stand up against the shameless antics of trapos. We should start objecting to any attempt to make fools out of victims of disasters and calamities. It is high time that good men and good women stop evil deeds to proliferate in our times and milieu. They cannot fool all the people all the time. When politicians take advantage of calamities, we, the people, should stand up to denounce it.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P3 billion to boost internet connectivity across the country, with half earmarked for public schools in remote areas.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DBM said P1.5 billion will go to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Connectivity Enhancement Program for E-Learning, aimed at providing free Wi-Fi access in last-mile and far-flung schools.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will assist in carrying out the program.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the initiative will reduce the burden on students and teachers who often travel or spend extra just to access Wi-Fi.

‘Once free internet access is fully implemented in last-mile schools and far-flung areas, our students and teachers will no longer have to spend much or travel far just to get Wi-Fi access. We want every young Filipino-whether in the city or in the farthest island-to have equal access to quality education,” Pangandaman said.

The DBM said 8,253 public schools are expected to benefit from the P1.5 billion allocation to the DepEd.

DICT to expand public Wi-Fi program. Another P1.5 billion will go to the DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program to broaden free internet availability in public places.

Both the DICT and DepEd are expected to sign a memorandum of agreement to coordinate implementation of the two initiatives.

The Philippines continues to face some of the slowest and costliest internet service in Southeast Asia. A 2024 World Bank study found the country had the most expensive internet in the region while lagging behind Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Brunei in speed.

The Konektadong Pinoy Act, which lapsed into law in August, aims to address the country’s connectivity issues by encouraging new companies to enter the market.

The trust ratings of both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Vice President fell amid the most controversial corruption scandal of the administration, according to a new survey from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released on Wednesday, October 15.

The survey, commissioned by Stratbase Consultancy and confirmed by the SWS, was conducted from September 24 to 30, interviewing 1,500 adults.

A total of 300 people were interviewed in Metro Manila, 600 in Balance Luzon, 300 in the Visayas and 300 in Mindanao. The survey has a sampling error margin of ±3% for national percentages.

In the SWS survey, Marcos had a trust rating of 43% in September, down from 48% in June. Combined with those who do not trust him and those who are undecided, Marcos’ net trust rating stands at +7 – an 11-point decrease from +18 in June.

Marcos’ highest net trust ratings remain in his bailiwick of Luzon. He retained a +22 trust rating in Balance Luzon, yet this still represented a strong decline. The president used to enjoy high trust ratings in Balance Luzon at +40, an 18-point drop from July to September.

Marcos’ next highest trust rating is +11 in Metro Manila. This is also a significant drop from his net trust rating of +19 in June.

Meanwhile, Marcos’ net trust ratings in the Visayas and Mindanao have fallen into negative territory. In September, the president scored -1 net trust in the Visayas and -21 in Mindanao.

For the vice president, she has a net rating of +25 among those who still trust her (53% who trust her, 28% who do not, and 18% who are undecided).

Mindanao remains Duterte’s stronghold. Interviewees from the region gave her a +75 net trust rating last September. However, this is a decline from her +86 trust rating in June.

Duterte’s second-highest net trust rating is in the Visayas at +29 in September, but this is a 13-point decline from her +42 rating in June.

The vice president’s trust rating in Balance Luzon is her lowest at +4, followed by Metro Manila at +6.

This latest round of trust surveys comes amid the massive corruption scandal at the Department of Public Works and Highways. Billions of pesos are suspected to have been stolen in kickback schemes wherein lawmakers allegedly inserted money into the national budget for a cut later on.

The Palace took note of the survey results but maintained that Marcos cared little about numbers and would continue to work for the people.

A leader of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and his son were killed in an ambush by unidentified gunmen in Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday.

Abusama Agao and his son, Norodin, were in a tricycle with another family member, Jahara, when the gunmen waylaid them in Barangay Kapinpilan.

Agao and Norodin, kagawad and watchman in the nearby Barangay Matagabong, respectively, died instantly from gunshot wounds in the body.

Jahara was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The assailants fled on separate motorcycles. Probers have yet to determine the motive for the attack.

The recently announced reshuffle at the Department of Transportation, specifically at the Land Transportation Office, gives hope as well as some misgiving.

Hope because the transfer of former LTO chief Atty. Vigor Mendoza to head the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is a better match for a lawyer. In the meantime, the posting of Markus Lacanilao as new LTO chairman places a very knowledgeable man on the job.

My misgivings about the reshuffle has to do with the why. Under many administrations, appointments and reshuffles done during the mid-term has always been met with doubt and suspicion.

Time and again, the move is suspected as intended for ‘fund raising’ for the next election or to generate ‘retirement funds’ for outgoing administration officials. It has happened in the past and under the current tsunami of corruption, suspicions are justified.

We should nonetheless give the appointees the benefit of the doubt and the chance to implement real changes and improve the services, particularly of the DOTr and its agencies. From recent new reports, acting DOTr Secretary Giovanni ‘Banoy’ Z. Lopez is trying to do exactly that.

Believing that the wheel that squeaks the most gets the oil, I humbly request Lopez, Lacanilao and Mendoza to consider the following observations in public roads for the sake of public safety, peace and order.

If you drive late afternoon or evening, there is a possibility that you have been misled into thinking there is a traffic light several cars ahead because of ‘Green Lanterns.’

Drivers would see a ‘green’ light ahead but wonder why the cars were not moving. Once in a while the lights would be red, but Waze or experience tells you there is no traffic light.

Drivers get disoriented while others are triggered to honk their horns so the cars ahead would go through the green light. The green lanterns are actually accessory lights on the top rear of trucks.

I don’t know if this is an actual requirement of the LTO or DOTr, but if it is, might I suggest that the lights be clear or white. This way people don’t confuse them for traffic lights.

While on the subject of trucks, the LTO and DOTr really need to outlaw or ban steel brackets for side view mirrors. Many commercial vans feature these side view mirrors and they are deadly because they extend further out.

Drivers usually tighten them in place so when it hits a rider or a pedestrian, it is certain to do serious damage if not kill someone.

I personally had to assist a young woman pre-Covid time who was hit by such and landed in the hospital with a serious head injury and was bedridden for months! All it takes is a memo to save lives.

Asec. Lacanilao might be able to do a better job with LTO law enforcement regarding Smog Man and Sonic Boom, which describe the state of old jeepneys passing Shaw Blvd., Henry Javier Rd., etc.

Jeepneys seem to have been allowed to get away with violating the law on air pollution and noise pollution. Many such vehicles now create ‘unusual levels of noise,’ enough to trigger Apple watches to warn you of risk to your hearing.

Sadly, the once vigilant LTO was tough on these as well as motorcycles and scooters installed with non-standard exhaust mufflers and head lights. Meanwhile, I regularly see riders not wearing helmets in inner roads of Metro Manila and provincial cities in Batangas.

I hope that the new LTO chief and his staff will not rely on social media videos and reports on motoring websites such as Visor to monitor traffic violations in the comfort of their offices.

While the practice of sending show-cause letters and suspending licenses were OK, people got the impression that it was because the LTO head then was a lawyer more than a law man.

Speaking of law enforcement operations, yesterday morning, Tuesday, I drove alongside two bigger than dump trucks along C-5. I assumed that such heavy laden, often overloaded trucks would stay at ground level.

But as I got closer and closer to the C-5-Ortigas flyover, I was honestly worried and scared for my safety and those around me. One regular dump truck and the two bigger than dump trucks made a beeline for the flyover.

I seriously would have avoided driving alongside them up the flyover because I was reminded of the two bridges in Isabela and Cagayan that collapsed, involving the same type of overloaded trucks.

Imagine my fright as I observed the bigger trucks crawling up the flyover, which meant that they were hauling very heavy materials or, as I said, were overloaded.

Even more frightening was the trucks lurching at the top of the flyover after using so much torque to get to the top. Imagine that on your rear-view mirror along with surround sound! What if the brakes failed?

People have long been asking, even demanding, the DPWH and the DOTr to set up weigh bridges at the entrance of EDSA and C-5. There was even a policy or rule that banned dump trucks going over flyovers.

Shall we wait for an entire family or more people to die before something is done? Probably.

Filipina drag queen Brigiding was crowned the winner of “Slaysian Royale,” the special edition of “Drag Race Philippines.”

Brigiding defeated her Divine Diva sister and fellow “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 contestant, Viñas Deluxe, during a final lip sync performance of “Born to Do Drag” by Marina Summers, another “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1 alum.

Marina was back for the finale, having also been in the show’s penultimate episode, alongside fellow special guest judge and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 16 winner Nymphia Wind, the franchise’s first East Asian winner. Wind is part-Taiwanese.

“Drag Race Philippines” Season 2 runner-up Arizona Brandy and Suki Doll of “Drag Race Canada” Season 2, who won the “Slaysian Royale” Miss Congee-niality title, rounded up the Top 4.

Brigiding entered the finale as the favorite to win with three Ru Badges – the most of the season – marked by a lip sync after dressing up an overseas Filipino worker. She won the Lip Sync LaLaPaRuZa Slaysian Smackdown and the DragCon challenge showcasing her brand.

The latter badge win plus the “Slaysian Royale” crown culminated a two-season arc for Brigiding who discovered her branding as a drag queen on the show. The drag artist spent a couple years learning more about herself and reinvented herself as the “brightest star.”

Similar to the most recent edition of “Drag Race Philippines,” the finale consisted of a talent show combined with three different runway looks, packaged as the “Slaysian Grand T.I.T.E! (Totally Impressive Talent Extravaganza!)”.

The three runway looks were as follows: Defying Gravity (high-flying couture while suspended in the air), Yellow Yellow Yellow! (joy, empowerment, and Asian cultural pride through the color yellow), and Come in Your Best Drag (the queens’ best looks).

Brigiding took inspiration from “Divine Intervention” for her Defying Gravity look, ribbons of the EDSA Revolution for Yellow Yellow Yellow!, and went as the “brightest star phenomenon” for her best drag.

“We are all made of stars but tonight, I shine brighter than the rest,” Brigiding said in the voiceover of her final runway.

Her talent was an energetic performance of an original song, “Brighters Day,” which detailed her drag journey.

Among Brigiding’s highlights on “Slaysian Royale” was the lead role in the “Crazy Bitch Slaysians” musical, impersonating Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, and a church statue-inspired drag runway look.

Other than a crown and scepter, Brigiding won P2 million – double the “Drag Race Philippines” cash prize – and a one-year supply of cosmetics from Anastasia Beverly Hills.

As the inaugural “Slaysian Royale” winner, she joins “Drag Race Philippines” winners Precious Paula Nicole (another Divine Diva), Captivating Katkat, and Maxie Andreison.

Mirroring several episodes in this special season, host Paolo Ballesteros dedicated the finale to drag queen Jiggly Caliente, who passed away earlier this year.

For many Filipinos, the word ‘debt’ is often avoided because it comes with fear and anxiety. Many stories of being buried in debt or struggling to pay it off have caused a negative perception. But the truth is, if used correctly and responsibly, loans are not something to fear-they can actually be a tool for growth and progress.

Mostly, it’s because of lack of financial knowledge and the bad experiences of others. If the concept of interest rates, repayment terms and proper budgeting isn’t clear, it’s easy to think of a loan as a burden. And when used for wants and not for needs, that’s when the impact becomes negative.

In fact, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, only two out of 10 Filipino adults have formal loans, while the rest rely on informal lending. Around 77% remain unbanked or underbanked, which explains the hesitation towards borrowing. Yet BSP data also shows that 43% of borrowers use loans for productive purposes such as business, real estate or asset purchases.

This proves that loans, when managed wisely, are not burdens but bridges. Whether for a home, a vehicle or a business, they can turn dreams into reality. With the right financing and discipline, loans don’t hold you back-they push you forward.

As one of the leading financing companies in the Philippines, Global Dominion Financing Inc. offers easy and affordable loan products such as car/truck financing, car refinancing (Sangla OR/CR) and more-all designed to support Filipinos in their journey to success.

At the heart of Global Dominion’s work is the commitment to show that it can be possible (#PwedePala) maabot ang tagumpay kapag may tamang ka-partner sa iyong financial needs. Loans are not enemies of financial freedom; used wisely, they’re bridges to success. With the right partner, you’ll realize that it’s possible to dream big and achieve more-because there will always be a “Ka-Partner Mo sa Pag-Angat.”

Michael Bibat delivered a blistering 65 to grab the first-round lead at the ICTSI Del Monte Championship yesterday, upstaging a fast-starting Elee Bisera and a record-breaking Taewon Ha at the Del Monte Golf Club in Bukidnon.

Bibat, who has been largely off the radar since his last win at Eagle Ridge in 2022, showcased the form that once made him an Asian Games bronze medalist, piecing together a flawless 31-34 round that showcased his precision off the tee, sharp iron play and superb putting.

Starting on No. 10, Bibat picked up two early birdies before catching fire on the front, birdieing No. 1 and then rattling off three straight from No. 4. He capped his round by taming the par-5 ninth with another birdie, edging out Bisera by one.

Meanwhile, Chanelle Avaricio summoned the same brilliance that earned her a dominant Forest Hills triumph, shooting a bogey-free 67 to pace the ladies side.

The former Order of Merit champion carved a two-stroke lead over defending champion Daniella Uy after 18 holes, rekindling a budding rivalry that promises a thrilling climax over the next two rounds.

Navigating Del Monte’s tight, tree-lined fairways for the first time, Avaricio showed no signs of discomfort. After opening with a string of seven steady pars, she ignited her round with a birdie blitz.

There is cause for celebration in the Middle East. The last 20 living hostages taken during the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack against Israel have been released, Israel has also released 1,700 Palestinian prisoners taken during their war against Hamas, and world leaders signed a ceasefire effectively ending the war in Gaza.

We can give credit where credit is due; U.S. President Donald Trump had no small role in negotiating for this development and he should be commended for this.

But the question is and has always been ‘now what?’

What will Hamas do now that they have the time and opportunity to rebuild their forces? Will the Palestinian people still tolerate Hamas leadership after its actions almost led to the eradication of their existence? Who will rebuild Gaza and how?

Will Israel continue to push for the normalization of relations with the rest of the Middle East, which was one reason why Hamas launched their attack in the first place?

Trump dared say that this peace will hold, and while we hope it will, it isn’t something we should readily believe anytime soon. While there is happiness in both Israel and Gaza right now, the seeds have been sown for future conflicts; generations of Gazans will hate Israel for what it did during this war and will think nothing of taking up arms against it, Israel will never stop trying to destroy Hamas.

Will there even be peace? Now that Hamas has lost their best and only bargaining chips –the hostages– what will stop Israel from suddenly finding a reason to resume the war and finish Hamas off? Not that that would be a bad idea, one less terrorist organization to contend with.

What has yet to happen remains to be seen. But for now, let Israel celebrate the return of its hostages, let the people in Gaza celebrate the end of the war, and let the Middle East enjoy this breather in a world that has seen too much conflict recently.