Category: Philippine Star

Now a two-time world titlist, Pinay cue wizard Chezka Centeno considers her record-tying feat in the 2025 WPA Women’s 10-Ball World Championship in Bali more of a ‘triumph of the spirit.’

‘This victory is one of the miracles of my life,’ Centeno posted on Facebook hours after adding a second to her first jewel in 2023 with a thrilling 3-2 win over Rubilen Amit in Sunday night’s finale.

The 26-year-old pride of Zamboanga mustered every once of effort and grit in hammering a 4-1, 2-4, 4-2, 3-4, 4-2 title clincher over Amit, the celebrated countrywoman she joined in the record books as the only ones to rule as 10-Ball queens twice.

‘I wasn’t at my best, but God prepared me for this moment. I’m still in awe of how it all unfolded, and I know without a doubt it was all Him,’ she said.

The former child prodigy shared she’s gone through a period of self-doubt after heartbreaking runner-up finishes in the Women’s 8-ball World Championship and the 10-Ball event of the World Games.

‘For the past four months, I’ve been competing non-stop, reaching three finals and falling short in two. I kept telling myself it was okay, that life goes on, but deep inside, the fire started to fade,’ she said.

Her ‘quiet battle within’ raged on even through the Bali worlds, where she sustained a 1-2 loss to Taiwanese Chen Chia Hua in the qualification stage and had to work her way to the top by winning seven straight matches.

‘After losing my second match, I even thought about giving up. But God showed Himself to me and reminded me to keep going and trust Him,’ she said.

‘The next day, I woke up feeling light and at peace, as if God had restored my confidence and spirit.’

Centeno hopes her triumph will help boost not only women’s billiards players but also counterparts from all sports in the country.

‘It is a great honor to bring another title back home to the Philippines,’ said the former child prodigy, who proudly held the Philippine flag during the medal ceremony. ‘I wish for women’s pool to grow bigger and for women athletes to be more recognized.’

The Department of Education (DepEd) denounced yesterday misinformation spreading on social media that face-to-face classes are canceled until December.

In its official Facebook page, the DepEd alerted the public on a number of misleading posts being spread via social media, and showed two examples of false information stating that there would be no face-to-face classes until December.

In one of the fake posts, at the bottom of the image were the words ‘DepEd Advisisore (sic).’

Alleged logos of government agencies and news outlets were also seen on these bogus posts.

A third news post falsely reported online and modular classes will run from Oct. 13 to 17, due to an alleged threat of a magnitude 7.6 earthquake.

‘The DepEd is reminding the public to be careful and discern the information posted online,’ it said.

‘Let us fight fake news, do not follow the pages of those that are spreading false news. immediately report them,’ DepEd added.

Regarding the suspension of face-to-face classes in Metro Manila on Oct. 13 and 14, DepEd yesterday said it was to give way to structural inspections and to ensure the safety and health of students and teachers.

In a statement, DepEd said during the two-day preventive class suspensions, they would be conducting structural inspection of school buildings and assess if they would be able to withstand strong earthquakes.

The two-day break would also be a time to protect students and teachers against sickness.

DepEd advised the public to visit their official social media accounts for official announcements and information.

Laguna classes

In Laguna, face-to-face classes in all levels – both public and private – are suspended starting today up to Oct. 31.

The announcement suspending classes came following an emergency meeting between Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones, DepEd, the Laguna University Board, Task Force Lindol, Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies, over fears that an earthquake may occur in the province.

Although there is no clear way to predict when or where an earthquake will strike, Aragones said her aim is to ensure the safety of not only students, but also her constituents.

‘You can prepare for the typhoon, but the earthquake, we don’t know when it will strike and hit. That’s why I stayed up a little late last night because I was also reading the comments of parents who are worried that their children are in school,’ the governor said.

She said they would use the time to prepare comprehensive contingency plans.

‘Instead of face-to-face classes, we will have alternative delivery mode, including online classes and modular,’ Aragones said.

Based on data, the West Valley Fault line runs across Laguna, particularly in San Pedro, Santa Rosa, Canlubang, Calamba and Biñan City.

Flu-like illness

The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said it expects cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) to further increase in the coming months.

The DOH said since the country is still in the flu season, the numbers will still go up following the reported rise in ILI cases.

‘We must keep in mind that the period from June to November is when cases of our flu-like illnesses increase,’ DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said in a radio interview.

‘It is during this time that ILI cases start to increase. We have not even peaked yet because it is still raining,’ Domingo added.

Latest DOH data showed there were 121,716 ILI cases recorded during the period of Jan. 1 to Sept. 27.

‘Based on our ILI count, nationwide, the numbers are eight percent lower than the number in 2024 as of Sept. 27, which was 132,538 cases,’ Domingo said.

He reminded the public to wear face masks whenever possible, and to have their flu vaccine shots whenever it is made available in their areas.

Flu vaccination urged

Amid reports of increasing cases of ILI, vaccine experts urged the DOH to conduct immediate flu vaccination of senior citizens.

‘The Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) and the Raising Awareness on Influenza to Support Everyone (RAISE) Coalition is respectfully urging the Department of Health to expedite rollout of this year’s influenza vaccination program, with a particular focus on protecting our vulnerable senior citizens,’ the groups said in a letter addressed to Health Secretary Ted Herbosa.

The groups noted, ‘With the anticipated surge in influenza cases toward the end of this year and into the early months of 2026, timely vaccination is not only a preventive measure but also a critical public health intervention.’

According to the PFV, they have already made significant strides in building vaccine confidence among older adults and these communities are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of flu vaccines.

‘Any delay in implementation risks eroding the trust we have collectively worked so hard to establish,’ the group, led by Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding, said.

The frustration at finding the right solution for a “perfect” skin drove actor Christian Bables to create his own skincare brand.

The “Die Beautiful” star admitted that his job’s high demand for that glowing skin was a major consideration that led him to plan his own brand that took four years in the making.

“Ganito pala ‘yung feeling nang nanganganak, ganito palang pakiramdam, ‘di ba?” Christian said at his own skincare brand’s launch.

“Kidding aside, ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi this is four years in the making. And finally, I felt like it was ready to present WildSkyn to the public,” he added.

In a world of glitter and glamor and where beauty is a premium, Christian revealed his own insecurity about his skin.

“Ako din ay may sariling skin struggles. So, ang tagal ko nang gustong ma-solusyunan, e, wala akong mahanap,” he said.

The actor confided about his struggle on embracing his own skin marked with an uneven skintone and acne marks in an Instagram post.

He said that there were brands that almost addressed his skin issues, but those did not help him achieve the glow that he wanted. Thus, he pursued his own skincare brand.

Apart from addressing his skin woes, Christian said that establishing his own brand is his gift for himself.

“I’m in an industry where perfection is a must. And sadly, I’m not perfect. I’m far from being perfect. And, it took me a very long time to finally accept that,” he said.

“So, finally, nung na-accept ko na siya… ako mismo nag-hanap ako ng solusyon doon sa problems ko,” he added.

When asked why he named the brand WildSkyn, Christian said, “Because confidence and healing doesn’t always come pretty. Sometimes, or most of the time, it comes wild. So WildSkyn.”

“And trivia, I came up with WildSkyn while I was eating at Wildflour.”

The Department of Migrant Workers on Tuesday, October 14, confirmed that two Hong Kong-based overseas Filipino workers have gone missing.

In a statement to reporters, the DMW said that 24-year-old Imee Mahilum Pabuaya and 33-year-old Aleli Perez Tibay are currently missing in Hong Kong.

The two of them were last seen on October 4 in the Tsuen Wan District.

‘Kaagad namang nakipag-ugnayan sa Philippine Consulate General, Hong Kong Police Force, at Hong Kong Immigration Department upang simulan ang masusing imbestigasyon at aktibong paghahanap,’ the DMW said in a statement.

(The Philippine Consulate General is coordinating with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Hong Kong Immigration Department to start a deep investigation and an active search.)

The DMW is appealing to anyone who may have information about Pabuaya and Tibay’s whereabouts to inform the Philippine Consulate or the Hong Kong Migrant Workers’ Office

‘Ang bawat tip, larawan, o detalye ay maaaring maging mahalagang susi sa mas mabilis na pagkakatagpo sa kanila,’ the DMW said.

(Every tip, photo, or detail could be an important key to immediately finding them.)

The DMW said that it is already in contact with the missing OFWs’ families, providing them with assistance.

To be honest, I’m in a dilemma over this. I very much want to trust that the ICI – the Independent Commission for Infrastructure – will really investigate anomalies in infrastructure projects, dig deep and get to the bottom of this monumental national thievery, expose and bring to justice the ones responsible, especially the Big Fishes, the puppet masters, even if – especially if – these include He Who Must Not Be Named.

At a recent event, I asked some of those at my table whether they trusted the ICI to do its job, and I got quite insightful answers. So I thought of doing an informal – and by no means scientific – survey and posted a message in several chat groups I’m part of asking two questions: (1) do you trust the ICI to really get to the bottom of this anomaly and charge the ones responsible? and (2) should the ICI hearings be made public (deliberations can be closed)? In two days I got 30-plus responses from what I can say is a pretty good sampling in terms of age (bagets, seniors and those in between) and occupation/profession (students, working folks, retirees).

To the first question of trusting the ICI, the response was overwhelmingly No – 23 against four yeses. One answer left no room for doubt: ‘Not at all.’ There were three who half trusted – one said he’s giving them the benefit of the doubt, hoping something will come out of this. Another said ‘hope springs eternal but the cynical part of me does not trust that the real top corrupt culprits will be brought to justice.’ The third gave a grudging yes, but was not enthusiastic about the chairman.

That last sentiment was shared by three others, who did not think retired Justice Andres Reyes Jr. was a good choice for chairman (one described him as ‘weak,’ another said ‘who he?’). One respondent said, ‘Magalong is gone, trust is gone, with apologies to Singson,’ referring to former ICI special adviser and investigator (yes, the first announcement of his appointment included this designation) Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong and former DPWH secretary Babes Singson. The third member of the ICI is SGV’s Rosanna Fajardo, a CPA who holds a professional certification as a Fraud Examiner.

One suggested including someone from civil society as a member of the commission. Another voiced frustration over the seemingly slow pace – much like our justice system, di ba? – of the ICI since its establishment a month ago by Executive Order 94, saying, ‘They have to do better; (DPWH Secretary Vince) Dizon and Magalong gave enough bullets, what more do they want?’

‘Hirap to get to the bottom of it kasi corruption in DPWH is a practice in every town in the country. In each town Vince D visits, merong discovery,’ said another.

With all the reports from investigations by various bodies – Senate and House committees, COA and AMLC, DPWH itself – turned over to them, as well as physical evidence from on-site inspections – including by the President – and supposed ‘tell-all’ testimonies of the stellar cast of miscreants (contractors and DWPH officials), so far the ICI has filed one complaint: against the missing Zaldy Co and his Sunwest Inc. over a P289.5-million flood control project in Oriental Mindoro that was found to have used substandard materials, and some DPWH officials for certifying the project as completed and making full payment to the contractors.

On the question of making the hearings public, it was Yes for 25 and No for four. One didn’t give an answer because it ‘didn’t matter whether the hearings were made public or not.’ However, she added, ‘the annotated records for reference must be complete. So far, their communications to the public are weak and feeble.’

One said definitely public because she tunes in ‘the entire day every time there is a hearing.’ Other comments include public hearings ‘must be void of expensive food and huge allowances’ and ‘a foreign committee from a prestigious country should investigate.’

Opening the hearings to the public fosters transparency, which is most important in convincing people that nothing is being hidden: ‘The only way to restore trust is to show transparency; what do they have to hide?’ But, another says ‘witnesses might hold back when the hearing is made public’ or, as another says, ‘baka less intimidating if not open to the public.’ One person warns, ‘Even if the process appears transparent, there will still be back room deals.’

Three members of one family had different votes on the two questions: Yes/No, No/Yes, Yes/Yes. I would have loved to hear their discussions, but only the mother posted a comment: ‘In the Philippines, influence and money often determine outcomes. A person may be jailed but could still be released within a year.’ Sounds familiar?

Holding hearings behind closed doors ‘only adds fuel to the fire of coverup conspiracies,’ one said, adding, ‘Produce a required weekly report, with two times a week live on TV hearings. Just enough to not let the amnesiac population forget or want to move on to the next scandal.’ While admittedly such investigations take time as they have to be thorough and accurate, the public demands action – immediately if not sooner. So issuing comprehensive weekly reports might be a workable compromise.

We’ve had corruption scandals before, far too many, that’s for sure. And because the whole truth has never really been uncovered and the Big Fishes were never caught in the net of justice and fried in the hot oil of retribution, corruption in government not only continued but flourished.

So now we have what has been dubbed Flood-gate – and not just flood control but practically all government projects – roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, medicines, textbooks, computers, etc.

The breadth and magnitude of corruption is mind-boggling. Will this time, this scandal, be different? Is this the Big One that will shake the system to its core and finally, truly, bring significant and meaningful change for the better?

Perhaps there is hope. Singson said in a television interview yesterday they already have a ‘smoking gun’ against perpetrators, although he understandably did not give details as ‘we just don’t want to spook those we want to pursue.’

And the Big Fish? ‘As far as we’re concerned, we start from the top; we will let the agencies go after the small fries,’ Singson added. Here’s hoping they catch some barracudas and great white sharks.

Sacked Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineers currently detained at the Senate have asked to be placed under house arrest instead, Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed yesterday.

Sotto said former district engineer Henry Alcantara and former assistant district engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza have written to the Senate regarding the request.

‘The (Blue Ribbon) committee has not decided. We’ll wait for (acting Blue Ribbon chair Sen. Erwin Tulfo),’ Sotto told reporters.

Tulfo is currently overseas on official business.

The Senate President noted that contractor Curlee Discaya, who is detained alongside the former DPWH officials, has not made a similar request.

Discaya, however, has filed a petition for habeas corpus before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.

Hernandez was cited in contempt by the Senate on Sept. 8 for supposedly lying during a Blue Ribbon committee hearing, while Alcantara, Mendoza and Discaya were cited and ordered detained on Sept. 18.

Deadline

Discaya’s camp has until tomorrow to file a memoranda in its habeas corpus petition.

Discaya’s lawyer, Cornelio Samaniego III, gave few details about his client’s appearance before the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 298 yesterday.

‘We were given time to submit our respective memoranda until Wednesday, Oct. 15, so hopefully, our petition will be granted,’ Samaniego told reporters.

The lawyer said he is ‘confident’ that the court will side with his client.

Once the memoranda is submitted, Presiding Judge Melvin Cydrick Bughao can decide on the matter.

Southern backdoor under close watch

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the southern Philippines to prevent personalities implicated in anomalous flood control projects from escaping through the country’s backdoor, an official of the police Maritime Group said yesterday.

MG deputy director for operations Col. Pedro Martinez Jr. said their units are coordinating with the local police in the southernmost parts of the country to be on the lookout for people implicated in the flood control scandal who might flee the country illegally.

Among these areas are Bongao in Tawi-Tawi wherein maritime police units are regularly coordinating with local authorities.

The Department of Justice has placed Sen. Francis Escudero, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and 31 others linked to corruption in flood control projects under an immigration lookout bulletin order.

The ILBO requires the Bureau of Immigration to closely monitor the travel movements of the persons in the list. However, the order does not prevent them from leaving the country unless a court issues hold departure orders against them.

No untoward incident occurred during a protest against corruption in Forbes Park, Makati led by Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga, the Philippine National Police said yesterday.

PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the rally, which started on Sunday night ended peacefully at 4:20 a.m. yesterday.

Around 300 people joined the rally, according to police.

Barzaga and the other protesters rallied outside Forbes Park where ambassadors, government officials and affluent people reside.

‘Our targets are only the thieves. No one else,’ Barzaga told reporters. ‘We just want our money back and the corrupt imprisoned.’

Barzaga said similar rallies would be held daily in front of exclusive villages.

Tuaño said police are ready to provide protection whether demonstrations happen in public or gated areas, such as in Forbes Park or Dasmariñas Village.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has instructed police to allow public assemblies as long as these remain orderly.

As part of disaster preparedness, the Pasig City government has procured go bags for less than P1,000 each, cheaper than the online estimates of P1,200 to P2,000 per bag, Mayor Vico Sotto said yesterday.

Sotto said the city government acquired the emergency kits at P992 each through a competitive bidding.

‘If we bought these outside, it would probably cost more than P2,000 to replicate the contents. Some estimates online say around P1,200 to P1,800 per bag because of bulk orders,’ Sotto said in a social media post.

The local government distributed one go bag per household, with additional bags allocated for schools, public utility vehicles and transport groups.

In Manila, students, city hall employees, barangay officials and health center workers will also receive emergency go bags.

Mayor Isko Moreno said 101,214 go bags would be distributed to benecifiaries.

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) is hiking power rates by P0.2331 per kilowatt-hour this month due to higher generation costs, bringing the overall rate to P13.3182 per kWh.

The adjustment translates to an increase of about P47 in the electricity bills of typical households consuming 200 kWh.

At a press briefing yesterday, Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said the rate hike was due to a P0.19 per kWh rise in generation charges, or the cost of power procured from energy suppliers.

Charges from power supply agreements (PSAs) and independent power producers (IPPs) both increased due to peso depreciation, while those from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) went down amid the improved supply-demand condition.

This month’s generation charge also reflects the impact of the interim extension of Meralco’s 1,000-megawatt power purchase agreement, as approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The IPPs, PSAs and WESM, respectively, accounted for 21 percent, 74 percent and five percent of the company’s total energy requirement for the period.

Transmission charges, or the cost of transporting electricity from power plants to distribution systems, were higher by P0.0114 per kWh due to increased wheeling rates. Similarly, taxes and other charges registered a total increase of P0.0314 per kWh.

Meralco remits taxes and other charges to the government, while it pays pass-through charges for generation and transmission to power suppliers and the grid operator.

The distribution charge, the only portion that goes to Meralco, stood at P0.036 per kWh.

Softening the blow of this month’s rate hike is the ongoing implementation of a refund equivalent to around P0.2024 per kWh for residential customers.

With the recent earthquakes across the country, Meralco has assured its eight million customers that it is actively implementing measures to strengthen the resilience of its distribution network.

‘First and foremost, we are investing heavily in our distribution resiliency program. We have continuously upgraded all our facilities – from poles to wires to substations,’ Zaldarriaga said.

Aboitiz Economic Estates has rebranded The Outlets at Pueblo Verde as The Outlets @MEZ2 Estate, reinforcing the retail complex’s integration within the 63-hectare Mactan Economic Zone 2 (MEZ2) Estate – Cebu’s leading industrial and business hub.

The move intensifies Aboitiz’s broader strategy to position MEZ2 as a fully integrated, sustainable, and future-ready destination that blends industrial, commercial, and lifestyle developments.

Located minutes away from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, MEZ2 Estate continues to evolve into a high-value hub where global industries and modern retail coexist with Cebuano culture and innovation.

The Outlets @MEZ2 Estate, recognized as the first and largest outlet mall in the Visayas-Mindanao region, features more than 70 international and local brands, including Nike, Adidas, Guess, Vans, Casio, and Sperry. The property also hosts the country’s first Adidas ‘Pulse’ concept store-signaling Cebu’s growing importance as a regional retail destination.

Designed as an open-air shopping and leisure environment, the development offers green spaces and pedestrian-friendly walkways. It also serves as a community hub, hosting weekend markets, fitness events, and cultural activities aimed at bringing together residents, professionals, and visitors.

Situated at the heart of the MEZ2 Estate, The Outlets caters to more than 14,000 workers within the zone, alongside surrounding residential and hospitality developments.

The integration highlights Aboitiz’s mixed-use model, combining retail, industrial, and business spaces to create what the group calls ‘live-work-play’ environments.

‘As we strengthen the connection between our estates and the communities they serve, The Outlets @MEZ2 Estate stands as a vital lifestyle destination for Cebu,’ said Clifford Academia, Vice President for Operations of Aboitiz Economic Estates.

‘This rebranding reinforces our commitment to creating integrated environments where industries thrive, and where people can live, work, and play seamlessly, Academia added.

The rebranding forms part of MEZ2 Estate’s broader transformation plan, which includes upgrades in transport infrastructure, utilities, and estate-wide mobility systems to enhance business efficiency and sustainability. Aboitiz Economic Estates-whose portfolio spans industrial and mixed-use developments nationwide-has emphasized its goal of building ‘smart, integrated, and connected’ communities that spur regional economic growth.

By aligning The Outlets more closely with the MEZ2 Estate brand, Aboitiz aims to strengthen its foothold in Cebu’s retail and industrial landscape-positioning the estate not just as a manufacturing base, but as a holistic destination for business and lifestyle.