Category: Philippine Star

The NCAA’s sleeping giant has awoken.

Defanged in a season-opening defeat, the San Beda Lions came roaring back and devoured the Lyceum Pirates, 83-74, yesterday to get their title-defense back on track in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Center.

The reigning titlist was a team on a mission on this one and just dominated LPU from start to finish as it sealed its first win following that stinging defeat to St. Benilde last Sept. 13 at the MOA Arena.

Lawrence Hawkins, a Tagalog-speaking Fil-Am from Iriga, Camarines Sur, did the heavy lifting and finished with 13 points on top of 12 rebounds, two steals and the same number of blocks.

‘Hindi ko napansin scores ko, nagtulungan lang kami. Hindi ko din magagawa ito kung hindi nasunod sistema,’ said the hardworking 6-3 banger.

It was a dominating performance for the Lions, who led by as much as 17 points, 63-46, late in the third quarter.

The Pirates somehow showed resistance in the final period and continued to chip in at that huge lead but the Lions just always had the answer in shutting the door against the former to preserve the win.

San Beda coach Yuri Escueta was quick to point at their big first quarter as the key.

‘It’s nice to get our first win and I think we played much better in the first quarter,’ said Escueta, referring to that 33-point outburst in the opening canto.

The Pirates, mentored by former San Beda coach Jamike Jarin, dropped to 1-2.

In the other game, Letran downed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 91-80, to seize the Group B lead with a perfect 3-0 slate.

The Generals remained winless in three outings.

Veto the postponement of barangay elections. That will spare Bongbong Marcos from presidential embarrassment.

Forty-two-year-long election lawyer Romy Macalintal wrote BBM twice to uphold suffrage. Frequent arbitrary resetting of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) violates the right to vote and be voted upon.

If granted Malacañang audience, Macalintal will explain to BBM the frivolities of the postponement bill:

The October 2022 BSKE was delayed by a year to October 2023. Still, the Supreme Court ruled that 2023 electees would have served the old three-year term by October 2025.

Congress then ‘set the term’ to four years, delaying the October 2025 election to November 2026.

Now Congress wants to ‘fix the term’ to five years, so is again postponing the November 2026 election to Nov. 2028.

During the Sept. 9 Senate plenary deliberation, Joel Villanueva asked why they said that a four-year term was sufficient but they now want five years. Sponsor Chiz Escudero replied: ‘Wala pong partikular na pag-aaral sa nagdaang batas na pinasa natin, partikular sa four-year term.’

Escudero added: ‘Mula nang tumayo ako para depensahan, i-sponsor ang panukalang ito, wala akong pinapangakong ito na ang huling [postponement].’

During the Sept. 1 House deliberation, Tony Tinio asked why they are extending the terms to five years right after extending it to four. Sponsor Henry Oaminal replied, ‘Laws are continuously evolving and we here in Congress continue to do our work, part of which is to consult different stakeholders.’

Oaminal added: ‘Since the law was passed, several stakeholders, including grassroots leaders such as barangay and SK officials, expressed to us that a four-year term would be insufficient.’ Tinio retorted: ‘E natural, sino mang elective official kapag tinanong mo, ‘Okay ba kayo i-extend ang term natin?’ Siyempre sasabihin nila, yes.’

Oaminal stammered that during committee hearings, Comelec officials endorsed the postponement to November 2028 because of ‘oil crisis and international wars.’ Yet all this time, Comelec Chairman George Garcia has been announcing readiness: ballots are printed, and P8 billion has been spent.

Another Congress alibi to scrap the Nov. 2026 election is that it falls on the 2nd, All Souls Day, when Filipinos traditionally visit their dearly departed at cemeteries. Yet it was Congress that set it for the first Monday of November this year.

Legislators need barangay/SK officials to campaign for them in the May 2028 congressional-local elections. That’s why they’re extending BSKE to November 2028. Quid pro quo. But the nonpartisan rule for BSKE will be violated.

Legislators couldn’t distinguish ‘tenure’ from ‘term,’ Macalintal alerted BBM: ‘I am certain you would not want the Office of the President to give legal life to an erroneous law that is patently unconstitutional, vague, defective, and violative of the right of suffrage. Your veto will save the administration from such legislative missteps.’

The last time government allowed bus and jeepney fare increases was June 2005. Diesel price spiked at that time to P45 per liter. Salaries of bus and jeepney drivers and conductors, and prices of spare parts were much lower then.

Today, 21 years later, diesel rates are more than double at P105 per liter. Wages have increased several times in all regions; it rose another P60 a day just this month in Metro Manila. Inflation has tripled the price of spare parts.

Jeepney drivers and cooperatives are griping. Earnings from a whole day’s ‘pasada’ goes to fuel alone. Nothing left to take home. They can no longer amortize the ‘modern jeepneys’ that government forced them to purchase in lieu of the dirty, noisy traditional ones that ran on reconditioned engines.

Banks that lent money for modern jeepney purchases – especially government-owned DBP and Landbank – are in danger. They will be forced to repossess units that jeepney men can no longer pay for. Those repossessed units will rot from unuse. Nobody will ply routes. Commuters will suffer.

Bus operators are also groaning. To save on fuel, payroll, and spare parts, they alternately field buses only every other day. Micro and small entrepreneurs are most inconvenienced. They cannot simply switch to motorcycles due to rutty and flooded roads.

‘Fare hikes are a last resort,’ Transport officials said on Tuesday. Yet they have no more funds to subsidize bus and jeepney fuel.

It’s just a matter of time. When fares are hiked, all else will follow: food, water, medicines, clothing, toiletries, school and office supplies, rent, kitchenware, hardware.

Bridesmaid finish for Gilas Pilipinas women in the 3×3 basketball court of the Nagoya Asian Games.

The Philippines settled for silver in the women’s 3×3 action, falling against hometown bet Japan, 21-11, Friday evening at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue.

Japan rained 2-pointers on the Filipina dribblers en route to the championship.

Kacey dela Rosa carried the load for Gilas with six points and three rebounds. Amyah Espanol and Kennan Ka had three and two points, respectively.

Yuki Hirashita finished with nine points and five rebounds. Sakura Horiuchi produced eight markers and seven boards, while Haruka Yamamoto and Fatoumanana Nishi had two apiece.

After the two teams traded baskets early on, Horiuchi went on a scoring rampage, scoring five points herself to give Japan a 7-3 edge.

Dela Rosa tried to rally the troops both offensively and defensively, but Japan’s hot shooting lingered.

While an Espanol basket inched the Philippines closer, 9-14, with 2:24 remaining, consecutive 2-pointers by Yamamoto and Horiuchi kept Japan’s distance, 18-9.

Ka and dela Rosa hit back-to-back shots to try and pump blood back into Gilas’ dying hopes, but a Hirashita drive, followed by the game-winning Hirashita 2-pointer, slammed the door shut.

Japan sank seven of their 16 2-pointers. Gilas, in contrast, was unable to connect on their attempts.

Nevertheless, this is still a historic run for the Philippines.

Among the basketball teams that competed in the Aichi-Nagoya Games, including the five-a-side basketball squads, only the Gilas 3×3 women brought home a medal.

The Philippines, as of posting time, has two gold medals, two silver medals and four bronze medals in the Asiad.

Olympic and world champion Carlos Yulo now owns the Asian Games throne.

Eight years after a forgettable seventh-place finish in Jakarta, the 26-year-old returned to the Asiad a different gymnast – seasoned, surgical, a star – and wowed the Nagoya City General Gymnasium to deliver Team Philippines’ first gold in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games last night.

It is also the first ever for a Filipino gymnast in the history of the quadrennial continental meet.

Yulo ruled the floor exercise with a safe-but-clean 14.666, built on a 5.7 difficulty and huge execution. In Paris, where he won gold, he posted 6.6 + 8.4 for 15.000.

‘I’m happy we got the result we wanted and we got the Asiad gold,’ said Yulo, who remains in the hunt in vault and parallel bars. And he’s bent on chasing more.

‘It’s like Tokyo then Paris,’ Yulo said, likening his Asiad arc to his Olympic run – barely warming up in Japan in 2021 before soaring as a double-gold champion in the French capital in 2024.

But it wasn’t easy here.

Yulo admitted his first pass wasn’t good, and he had to spend the rest of the routine making up for it. When he stuck the final landing, the scoreboard told him it was enough.

The last three heavyweights could not catch him.

Silver went to Kazakhstan’s Milad Karimi with 14.600, bronze to Japan’s Shoma Tsukiyama with 14.566. Just outside the podium was South Korea’s Ryu Sunghyun with 14.366, while home hero Daiki Hashimoto was held to 13.5 and Korea’s Kim Jaeho to 13.6. China’s Sun Wei faltered with 10.5.

Chloe: God Is Good

Keen spectator in the gallery was Carlos’ partner Chloe.

‘This is the most emotional win since Paris,’ she said. ‘We’ve gone through a lot. We prayed together, and this is a testament to God’s goodness.’

‘Nag-ingat ng kaunti, baka ma-injure pa,’ said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, who led the Filipino crowd that witnessed Yulo’s breakthrough.

‘He broke the ice, at magtutuloy-tuloy na yan,’ Tolentino added, firm in his belief that the Philippines will surpass its four-gold hauls in both 2018 and 2023.

There was family pride, too. Karl Eldrew Yulo, 18, a world juniors bronze medalist, made the final in his first Asiad and wound up seventh with 12.333.

The future looks bright.

‘Aangat pa yan,’ said Tolentino.

With Yulo’s golden feat, the Philippines cracked the Top 20 of the medal tally with a 1-1-4 gold-silver-bronze haul. China continued to dominate the Games with 75 golds as of 7 p.m. last night. Japan was a far second with 20.

Gilas 3×3 into medal round

It was the finest day so far for Team Philippines in the Games – golden and with the Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 teams rolling to the medal round.

The Gilas men pulled off a pulsating 21-19 triumph over Chinese Taipei while the women whipped Singapore, 22-12.

Nic Cabañero continued to endure an injured right shooting hand, top-scoring with eight points. Manuel Pablo chipped in six markers and the same number of rebounds, David Dungo added five and three, while Koji Buenaflor grabbed 10 boards on top of two markers. Ka Kennan and Amyah Espanol led the women’s charge with seven points each.

Sad tales

But there were sad tales to tell, including Norlan Petecio’s unanimous decision loss to home bet Sewonrets Okazawa, leaving the Philippine boxing team with four remaining bets in Carlo Paalam, Junmilardo Ogayre, Nesthy Petecio and Risa Pasuit.

The Gilas Women 5×5 couldn’t match the feat of their 3×3 counterparts, ending their campaign with a 71-83 loss to Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals.

Sanchez rips national mark

Over in Tokyo, swimmer Kayla Sanchez narrowly missed a podium finish once again, winding up fourth in the 50m freestyle.

Consolation was Sanchez clocking a solid 24.75 seconds that shattered her own national record for the women’s 50m freestyle.

Sanchez previously set the national standard at 25.15 seconds while winning a silver medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand last year.

China’s Wu Qingfeng captured the gold and established a new Games Record with a blistering finish of 23.98 seconds. Hong Kong’s Siobhan Haughey claimed the silver medal at 24.32 seconds, while China’s Cheng Yujie secured the bronze at 24.46 seconds.

Team Philippines sent final qualifiers in the skateboarding park finals at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall B – 12-year-old Mazel Paris in women and Jericho Francisco in men. Failing to make the grade was another young bet, Elizabeth Amador.

In squash mixed doubles, the Philippines scored a split with the Jemyca Aribado-David Pelino pair advancing to the quarterfinals with an 11-7, 11-7 win over South Korea’s Hwayeong Eum and Minwoo Lee, and the Yvonne Dalida-Jonathan Reyes tandem falling by the wayside on a 1-11, 6-11 rout by Heo Mingyeong and Oh Seojin, another Korean pair.

In rowing at the Nagaragawa International Regatta Course, Paris Olympian Joanie Delgaco made a big improvement from an 8:25.47 clocking in the prelims to 8:01.63 in the women’s singles sculls final, to no avail. She was overwhelmed by the five other finalists who all breached the eight-minute mark.

Elsewhere, Tokyo Olympian Cris Nievarez didn’t start in the men’s singles sculls Final B, Van Adrian Maxilom and Rynjie Peñaredondo finished eighth overall in men’s pair, while mountain bikers Shayne Paula Yaoyao and Adel Pina Sendrijas were overlapped and eliminated in women’s cross country at Obata Ryokuchi Park.

Sean Ramos defied the odds in spectacular fashion, firing an eagle-fueled six-under 64 to storm from joint 17th into a share of the lead with England’s Sam Rook halfway through the Egypt Golf Series 13 at Madinaty Golf Club on Thursday.

Ramos produced the kind of finishing burst that can change the complexion of a tournament, recovering from a birdie-bogey exchange at No. 11 and a stretch of five straight pars before igniting his round with a pitch-in eagle on the par-4 18th.

He carried that momentum into the front nine, birdieing four of his last five holes, including three in a row from No. 5, to close with a pair of 32s and a 36-hole total of nine-under 131.

The remarkable comeback put Ramos alongside Rook at the top of the leaderboard after the Englishman carded a 65 built around seven birdies, more than making up for a costly double bogey on the opening hole.

Ramos and Rook held a one-stroke advantage over American Nathan Han and Korean Jaeil Kim, who posted matching 132s. Han moved into contention with a 63, while Kim followed up with a 68.

Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto and Thailand’s Weerawish Narkprachar are tied for fifth at 133 after matching 64s, alongside Brent Ito and August Thor Host, who shot 66 and 68, respectively.

For Ramos, the turnaround was particularly impressive given where he started the day. Coming off the course in one of the later flights and sitting in joint 17th after the opening round, the Filipino had to navigate difficult conditions while keeping himself within striking distance.

Instead, he transformed the deficit into a share of the lead, putting himself in position for what could become a significant milestone in his young career.

Ramos already owns a Philippine Golf Tour victory at Lakewood, but a triumph in the $125,000 Asian Development Tour event would carry another level of significance, giving him a potential breakthrough on the region’s developmental circuit and further underscoring his ability to compete against an international field.

With 36 holes still to play, Ramos knows there is plenty of work ahead. But after producing one of the biggest moves of the day – and doing so with an eagle and a blistering closing stretch – he has given himself a genuine opportunity to turn an extraordinary comeback into an ADT breakthrough.

The challenge now is to sustain the charge over the final two rounds.

In Taiwan, Miguel Tabuena slowed down with a one-under 71 on Friday but remained within striking distance of the leaders midway through the Taiwan Masters at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Tabuena, who opened with a 70, stayed in contention despite continued struggles off the tee. He hit just five of 14 fairways but kept his iron play sharp, reaching 13 greens in regulation. His putting, however, remained indifferent as he needed 30 putts to negotiate the par-72 layout.

Still, the Filipino ace, priming up for next week’s Asian Games battle, moved from a share of 13th to joint eighth at three-under 141, three strokes behind local ace Chang Wei Lun, who seized the lead with a 68.

Chang carded five birdies against a lone bogey to reach 138, overcoming his own driving woes after finding only six fairways. He more than compensated on the greens, needing just 26 putts while hitting 12 greens in regulation.

Chang holds a one-stroke lead over a four-way group at 139 that includes erstwhile leader Gavin Green of Malaysia, who followed his opening 68 with a 71, and Hung Chien Yao, who charged into contention with a 67 built on six birdies against a bogey on the first hole.

Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai also moved into the mix with a 69 to join Green and Hung at second.

Chan Shih Chang matched Hung’s 67 to climb into a tie for fifth at 140 with Kevin Yuan, who shot 73, and Shen Wei Chang, who carded 71.

The crowded leaderboard sets up a wide-open weekend, with 12 players separated by just three shots heading into the final 36 holes.

Tabuena shares eighth with Shotaro Ban (68), Santiago dela Fuente (69), Hsieh Ting Wei (69) and Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (73), keeping the Filipino firmly in the hunt for the championship.

The other Filipinos, however, missed the cut at 147.

Lloyd Go followed his opening 77 with a 74 for a 151 total, while Justin Quiban fought back with a 73 after a 79 but finished at 152.

Actress-host Kim Chiu broke her silence over new developments regarding the qualified theft case she filed against her older sister Lakambini or Lakam.

It can be recalled that last December, Kim filed the case in Quezon City after finding “serious financial discrepancies discovered” in their business, House of Little Bunny (HOLB) Philippines Inc.

The Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City formally charged Lakam for 124 counts of qualified theft.

Investigations found Lakam withdrew funds without Kim’s knowledge and used the money for “casino junkets and other personal business ventures” not involving HOLB Philippines.

“The evidence on record establishes that respondent Lakambini unlawfully took and appropriated corporate funds in the aggregate amount of P44,396,331.65, fully aware that the same did not belong to her,” said the resolution.

Lakam was arrested last September 20, Sunday, by operatives of the Quezon City Police District and the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 set bail at P5.838 million for her temporary liberty, lowered to P5.million following an appeal from her lawyers.

Arraignment, aftermath

Lakam was officially arraigned on September 24, Thursday, at the Quezon City Hall of Justice where Kim was present alongside Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi.

The older Chiu only attended the arraignment via videoconference and pleaded not guilty to the 124 charges against her. She reportedly underwent a medical procedure the previous day while in custody and was visited by the sisters’ father William.

Lakam then posted bail and was released from custody that afternoon. Kim issued a statement that evening on social media to address what had transpired so far, admitting she was hurt and confused.

“People may have different opinions with my decision, and I understand that,” the actress-host said. “There are things I cannot talk about because there is an ongoing legal process. This was never about my personal money.”

Kim explained that everything pointed to HOLB Philippines which was “built with years of hard work, sacrifices, and dreams,” a business she poured her heart into hoping it would sustain her should she decide to leave the entertainment industry. The “It’s Showtime” host clarified that the case only covers the period from January to July 2025 though there was more to the story she was choosing to disclose to the public just yet.

“This is a business I worked so hard to build, and I believe that going through this legal process should never take away the company’s right to stand up for what is right, protect what the company have worked for, and seek accountability through the proper legal process,” she said.

Kim reiterated choosing to share too much at the moment given there is “a proper time and place for the truth,” ending her statement putting faith in the legal process.

Paulo Avelino, Kim’s current onscreen partner, also lightly addressed the issue on X by pointing out that there are those who don’t understand the value of the “amount” stolen.

“Think about what you would do with that money. Bibili ka ng bahay? Medical Bills? School? Magsisimula ka ng bagong buhay? That amount can build the life you’ve always dreamed of,” Avelino asked.

The actor ended by positing, “Now imagine someone took the life you’re supposed to be living in. Sa company pa lang yan. Paano pa kaya sa…” He ended his post with the shrugging emoji.

A 72-year-old mother who lost all four of her teenage sons in separate killings in Davao City will testify today during the third hearing of the independent civilian Truth Commission.

Clarita Alia, a vegetable vendor, is expected to recount how her sons were allegedly killed ‘one by one’ after refusing to allow a police officer to arrest her eldest son without a warrant in 2001, the commission said.

Richard, 18, was killed on July 17, 2001. His brother Christopher, 16, was killed three months later.

Bobby, 14, was killed on Nov. 3, 2002, followed by 15-year-old Fernando on April 13, 2007. All perpetrators were unidentified.

Alia said her sons had run-ins with the police, but being merely suspects, she said they should have been arrested and not killed.

After two decades, Human Rights Watch said the killings of the Alia siblings had not reached the courts and the ‘killers remain free.’

The truth body said the alleged killings in Davao City served as the template for former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war when he assumed office in 2016.

Justine Gumbao and Julius Otoc stamped their class in the Palawan Pawnshop’s Kidapawan City Juniors Age-Group Tennis Championships, powering to a combined six titles and emerging as the standout performers of the week-long Group 2 tournament at the Kidapawan courts.

Gumbao was particularly dominant, sweeping the girls’ 14-and-under and 16-and-U singles crowns before adding two doubles titles for a rare four-title haul.

The top seed in the girls’ division overwhelmed Chandra Felecio, 6-1, 6-3, in the 14-and-U final, then returned to the court to dispatch Marxian Sira, 6-1, 6-0, for the 16-and-U championship.

She dropped just 11 games in six singles matches across the two age groups, underlining the gap she created over the field with her aggressive shot-making and relentless pressure.

Gumbao completed her four-title sweep in doubles, teaming up with Kathryina Makabangit to whip Sabrina Esiderio and Maurin, 8-1, for the 14-and-U crown. She later paired with Clar to rout Gorre and Sira, 8-2, in the 18-and-U final.

Otoc matched Gumbao’s dominance in the boys’ division, collecting the 16- and 18-and-U singles titles to share MVP honors with his female counterpart.

He first overwhelmed recent Isulan, Sultan Kudarat leg winner Kresthan Belacas, 6-1, 6-1, in the 16-and-U final before turning back Kyle Ramos, 6-4, 6-2, for the 18-and-U championship.

Otoc and Belacas later joined forces in the boys’ 18-and-U doubles, where they swept aside Kurt Alcantara and Krisnel Batilo, 8-1.

Other singles winners included Kirsten Mae Gorre, who beat Camille Clar, 6-2, 6-2, for the girls’ 18-and-U title; Belacas, who subdued AJ Rabino, 6-3, 6-2, in the boys’ 14-and-U final; Christine Ann Teposo, who blanked Aleushia Maurin, 6-0, 6-0, for the girls’ 12-and-U plum; and Andrei Domasing, who survived Peter Cabaña, 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-3, in a thrilling boys’ 12-and-U championship duel.

In the boys’ 14-and-U doubles, Rafael Pascua and Rabino defeated Yuki Menoza and Philmanuel Palmones, 8-1, to claim the title.

The Kidapawan stop capped another three-leg swing through Mindanao, following earlier tournaments in Davao del Sur and Sultan Kudarat, as the talent-search continues to provide young players with competitive matches and a pathway to higher-level tennis.

The Group 2 tournament was held under the Palawan Pawnshop talent-search initiated by president and CEO Bobby Castro and sanctioned by Philta and Universal Tennis Rating. It was supported by ICON Golf and Sports and the Palawan Group of Companies.

Two Moro merchants were killed while another was wounded in an ambush in Barangay Pembalkan in Mamasapano, Maguindanao del Sur on Thursday afternoon, September 24.

Captain Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and local executives told reporters on Friday that the ambush victims Fahad Sula and Alfaris Dalinding were both declared dead on arrival by doctors in a hospital where emergency responders brought them for treatment.

The incident left the duo’s companion, Asmawi Bantas, wounded.

The victims were riding a tricycle together, loaded with legal merchandise, including portable sound systems and amplifiers, that they sell in villages in Mamasapano and in nearby towns, when they were waylaid by gunmen in a stretch of a highway in Barangay Pembalkan.

Sula and Dalinding died instantly from bullet wounds sustained in the attack.

Their attackers immediately escaped using getaway motorcycles.

Talks and text messages are spreading around hinting that the gunmen behind the atrocity could be remnants of the now defunct Dawlah Islamiya terror group, known for their impunity on traders and market vendors who refuse to give them ‘protection money’ on a periodic basis.

It’s everything Japan, pets and music this weekend.

World Pet Expo 2026

Organized by Worldbex Services International, the World Pet Expo is an all-inclusive event that brings together industry leaders, brands, and pet enthusiasts to showcase the latest trends and foster growth in the global pet industry.

Pet parents will learn about effective pet parenting from leading veterinarians, animal behavior experts and industry pioneers in the four-day summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from September 24 to 27.

Japan Fiesta

Japanophiles can visit SM Mega Fashion Hall in Mandaluyong City for Japan’s Best of Both Worlds, a cultural and lifestyle showcase presented by JCB.

The Japan fiesta event is free to the public and runs from September 25 to 27.

Matchaholics

Lovers of matcha, meanwhile, can drop by Ayala Malls Circuit Activity Center in Makati for the Makati Matcha Fest.

The festival features local matcha brands, apparel, accessories, and photobooths from September 26 to 27.

Manila tourism expo

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) will be joining this year’s My Manila Tourism Expo, a tourism event spearheaded by the City Government of Manila, through the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Manila, from September 25 to 27 2026 at Foro de Intramuros, Manila.

The NHCP will feature the renewed branding of its museums as national shrines under the agency, starting with the Apolinario Mabini Shrine – Manila and the Jose Rizal Shrine Fort Santiago, with an exhibit – “From Nagtahan to Bagumbayan: Rizal and Mabini’s Memories of Manila.”

This special exhibition will highlight the lives, experiences, contributions, and legacies of both Apolinario Mabini and Jose Rizal during their respective periods in Manila.

A book sale including selected Rizal, Mabini, and Manila-related publications will be available at the booth, plus history-themed games with various NHCP merchandise as prizes.

Musical acts

The first-ever Navotas Music Fest is taking place this September 26 at the Navotas Convention Center, headlined by Cup of Joe, Maki, Mayonnaise, KAIA, and Room Session.

Elsewhere on the same day at SM Aura’s Samsung Hall, Josh Cullen of SB19 will hold his “Like Me” solo showcase.

Clara Benin, meanwhile, will have acoustic “Really Got Me Thinking” set the following day in Quezon City’s Sine Pop.

Engelbert Humperdinck is back in the Philippines and will perform his greatest hits at the New Frontier Theater on September 25.

Krystal Mejes will then be in the same venue the next day for her “Becoming” fan meet and advocacy concert.

Shows continue

Live performances are still taking place this weekend around the Philippines.

“Bongga Ka Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical” continues its run at the Newport Performing Arts Theater as does “Harry Potter: A Yule Ball Celebration” at The Space at Solaire.

Also continuing to be staged are Repertory Philippines’ “Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper” at the REP Eastwood Theater in Quezon City and Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Sayaw ng mga Ilaw” – based on Cheeno Marlo Sayuno’s short story – at Pasay’s Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez

Coming to a close, however, this weekend are “Muli: An OPM Musical” at Taguig’s Globe Auditorium, Repertory Philippines’ take on William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, and “The Effect” at the Doreen Black Box in Ateneo de Manila University’s Areté.