Category: Philippine Star

A driver and security escort of Department of Transportation undersecretary Ricky Alfonso were accused of physically assaulting a motorist during a traffic altercation in Quezon City on Wednesday.

A video that went viral on social media platforms showed Alfonso pacifying an argument between a driver of an Isuzu multicab and his driver and security escort along Katipunan Avenue.

In the video, one of Alfonso’s companions was overheard threatening the multicab driver, warning the victim that his driver’s license will be compromised. The companion claimed that the multicab driver was weaving through traffic, putting at risk the VIP in their vehicle, referring to Alfonso.

The driver stood his ground in the presence of two Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic enforcers, saying he was punched by one of Alfonso’s companions.

‘Bakit niyo ako sinaktan? Sinaktan niyo ako (Why did you hurt me? You hurt me),’ the multicab driver said.

Also catching the attention of netizens was the protocol license plate 10 used in Alfonso’s Lexus sport utility vehicle.

Under DOTr guidelines, only the presiding justices of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, Sandiganbayan and the solicitor general are allowed to use protocol plate 10.

An investigation report from Anonas Police Station 9 showed that Alfonso’s vehicle is registered to a holding company in Barangay Dasmariñas in Makati City. Police are coordinating with the company to find how the vehicle ended up with Alfonso.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said he talked with Alfonso about the incident.

‘He fired his driver and asked for forgiveness. He said he alighted from his vehicle basically to pacify the incident,’ Lopez said.

Lopez ordered the DOTr legal department to reach out to the victim and provide assistance.

A UK-based firm has launched a new rice straw biogas hub in Laguna, establishing a two-hectare facility designed to process 10,000 metric tons (MT) of the plant material annually into methane, biochar and fertilizer.

Straw Innovations Ltd. built the P235 million facility in the municipality of Pila in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Ashton University in Birmingham and the UK government’s innovation agency Innovate UK.

‘The rice straw biogas hub is a testament to what we can achieve when science and community come together,’ Straw Innovations founder Craig Jamieson said in his speech during the launch ceremony.

In an interview on the sidelines of the event, Jamieson said the Philippine market presents an annual revenue potential of about half a million pounds for their business model.

He added that with few players in the sector, their business model is among the first to show how rice straw can be profitably and sustainably collected and reused rather than burned or left to decay in the fields.

‘We’re breaking new ground here,’ Jamieson said, adding that there are plans to further scale up operations in the future.

Jamieson said the company is in talks with banks and investors to expand to other rice-producing provinces such as Nueva Ecija and Isabela.

Despite this, he acknowledged the challenges of operating in a typhoon-prone area and navigating local regulations.

For her part, SEARCA program specialist Lichelle Carlos emphasized the importance of collecting rice straw from farms instead of burning it, noting that proper management can reduce emissions and create value-added products for farmers.

Based on the center’s studies, around 24 to 38 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation can be reduced if farmers adopt technologies that collect and repurpose rice straw into bioenergy or organic fertilizer instead of setting it on fire after harvest.

‘Rice straw is also hard to collect for farmers because it is scattered across the fields and produced in large volumes,’ Carlos said, illustrating the logistical and cost challenges that make many farmers resort to burning the residue after harvest.

According to data from SEARCA, the Philippines produces 14 million to 28 million MT of rice straw annually, presenting both a waste management challenge and an opportunity to develop cleaner, more sustainable uses for agricultural by-products.

Rico Hoey delivered his strongest performance of the 2025 PGA Tour season, capping off a resilient campaign with a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 in the final round of the Baycurrent Classic on Sunday. His sizzling effort secured him a tie for fourth at the Yokohama Country Club in Japan – a timely breakthrough as the season winds down.

The 30-year-old, backed by ICTSI, fired four birdies on each nine of the par-71 layout, compiling a brilliant 32-31 round to finish at 14-under 270 over four days (68-68-71-63). His final score placed him in a tie for fourth with three others, five strokes behind American Xander Schauffele, who clinched victory with a 64 for a 265 total.

Schauffele, a two-time major champion, closed strong with three birdies over his last five holes to fend off fellow American Max Greyserman, who surged with a final-round 65 to finish one shot back at 266.

Michael Thorbjornsen, also from the US, placed solo third with a 64 for a 268 total.

Hoey’s resurgence comes just a week after missing the cut at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi, showcasing the mental fortitude and bounce-back ability that define top-caliber professionals.

His flawless Sunday round was a statement of intent – he is ready to compete at the highest level – and win.

This fourth-place finish marks Hoey’s best showing this season, eclipsing his previous top-10 finishes at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic (T7), Barracuda Championship (T8), and Procore Championship (T9). It also underscores the steady development of the Filipino-American as he builds his presence on the world’s most competitive golf tour.

Although 2025 has had its share of ups and downs, Hoey’s top-four finish in Yokohama proves he remains one of the most promising golfers of Filipino descent on the PGA Tour today.

He first made headlines last year with a runner-up finish at the ISCO Championship, where he narrowly lost in a playoff – his first in a PGA Tour event. He also notched a tie for third at the Shriners Children’s Open, establishing himself as a legitimate contender.

Hoey’s recent performance serves as a proud moment for Filipino golf, particularly as the country looks for its next international star in the sport.

While veterans like Frankie Miñoza and Juvic Pagunsan paved the way in Asia and Japan, Hoey is forging a path on the PGA Tour – a far more global and competitive arena.

With greater consistency and the confidence gained from strong showings like this one in Japan, Hoey is fast emerging as the Philippines’ best bet to secure a breakthrough PGA Tour win – a feat that would be historic for the country.

We live in an era where notifications replace love letters and endless online options outnumber traditional ways of communicating and meeting people. Technology greatly influences and introduces changes in work, identity and even relationships and yet, the essence of commitment remains. It has always been about quiet consistency, trust, and choosing the same heart, over and over again.

Casual dating apps promise endless choices for potential matches, where the process of selection begins when two users swipe right on each other’s profiles and start messaging. When interest is further sparked, they may arrange to meet up.

Unfortunately, online commitments often blur the lines between real intimacy and fleeting attention. Swiping left to signify disinterest or right to express interest in someone is a lot simpler than working through challenges with a current partner. This is because staying in a relationship isn’t easy. It takes both intention and practice. Even when love blossoms in this age of digital connections, one question still lingers: how can we remain truly committed?

Define what commitment means to you

Before expecting it from someone else, be clear about what commitment is in your life – whether it’s exclusivity, long-term planning, or simply consistency and respect.

Choose depth over convenience

Online connections can be instant, but real life bonds take time to form. Prioritize shared values, emotional intimacy and experiences instead of chasing after excitement and novelty.

Nurture trust like a garden

Trust doesn’t just happen. It’s cultivated through time, honesty, follow-through and vulnerability. Even in this fast-paced digital culture we live in, steady actions matter more than fleeting words and promises.

Balance independence and togetherness

Strong relationships should not result in the loss of one’s identity. Having your own interests, friends and space helps to bring a fuller and more grounded and happier version of yourself into a partnership.

Resist the ‘grass is greener’ trap

Dating apps and online spaces creates the illusion of endless options. While many lasting and successful relationships are borne from online friendships, commitment grows when two people recognize that love deepens with consistency and effort, not constant searching. It’s about ‘being there,’ not being everywhere.

Communicate early and often

In a world of ghosting and casual relationships, be intentional about how you communicate. Express needs, listen constantly, empathize and check in regularly. The key is to never stop reaching out and connecting.

Remember why you chose each other

Relationships aren’t immune to temptation and distraction. Revisit the qualities that made you fall in love and make these reminders anchors, when disappointment and adversity usher in doubt and restlessness. Engage in frequent heart-to-heart dialogue and activities that enable you both to connect, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually, as well.

Learn to forgive

Forgiveness is a conscious effort to release anger, resentment and hurt from a partner’s action. It promotes emotional healing, strengthens trust and fosters growth within relationships, rather than condoning or forgetting offensive or hurtful behavior. Acknowledge the pain, communicate openly, practice compassion and work towards reconciliation and a stronger future together. There is no perfect partner and while destiny and God can bring two people together, they must want to stay together – in the best and worst of times.

Staying faithful to love means resisting that someone better may just be around the corner or a click away, as well as nurturing trust the way you’d water a plant – slowly, regularly and with care. It’s also about speaking honestly, listening deeply and balancing independence with togetherness.

Most of all, it means standing by each other, come what may. In a world that constantly rushes towards the next new or big thing, commitment is a quiet act of rebellion – a decision to stay, grow old, laugh, cry and learn together with that one special person. Because real love isn’t found – it’s chosen, every single day.

Shabu with an estimated street value of P163.2 million was seized in an anti-narcotics operation that also resulted in the arrest of three drug suspects in Candelaria, Quezon on Friday night.

The suspects – identified only as Jack, 42; Nor, 31, and Anor, 43 – were collared after they sold an undetermined amount of shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Masin Norte.

Probers said police seized from the suspects a package containing 25 kilos of shabu, a Toyota Fortuner, three phones believed used in drug transactions, identification cards and the marked money.

Authorities expressed belief that the illegal substance came from Mindanao and was intended for distribution in several areas in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The illegal substance was turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for laboratory examinations.

Charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the suspect, the PDEA said.

Yvonne Lexie M. Valencerina is an 11-year-old Grade 7 student from Notre Dame of Greater Manila, proudly representing Caloocan City, the Motorcycle Capital of the Philippines.

Despite her young age, Yvonne has already proven herself to be a multi-talented achiever – excelling in both modeling and swimming. She has proudly represented the Philippines in international pageants and modeling competitions, where she was crowned Little Miss Ambassadress and Most Outstanding Model in Vietnam (2023), awarded Best Model in Thailand (2023), and received Star of the Night and Scene Stealer of the Night in Japan (2023).

In the field of swimming, Yvonne continues to make waves as she was awarded Most Outstanding Swimmer at Vermoza Sports Hub Cavite in 2022. She has also competed in Division Meet and NCR, as well as international swimming competitions in Thailand and Hong Kong, proudly carrying the flag of the Philippines.

Recently, Yvonne was hailed as the 1st Runner-Up in the Miss Homeland Philippines 2025, representing Caloocan City. This October 12, she will be one of the awardees and highlights of a prestigious fashion show in Cebu, where she will also appear on a billboard feature. Yvonne is also set to be one of the highlights of the Universal Philippines Runway, continuing to showcase her talent, confidence, and grace on the stage.

Beyond her achievements, Yvonne is a proud member of G-Force, showing her love for dance and performance. She is deeply rooted in her faith, loves going to church every Sunday with her family, and enjoys traveling with them. Yvonne believes that even at a young age, anyone can achieve big dreams through passion, perseverance, and faith – because with God, nothing is impossible.

As the NBA returned to China for the first time in six years, it was a spectacle to behold.

Thousands of fans from across the world flocked into the Venetian Arena here to watch the NBA China Games, the league’s first in the country since 2019.

As the excitement brewed for the basketball-crazed nation, where an estimated 125 million people play basketball, it spilled from out the court to across the town.

Aside from inflated basketballs and signages about the NBA Macau Games, thousands of fans clad in various NBA jerseys – from Devin Booker to Cam Thomas to Michael Jordan – and NBA apparel also made their way across streets.

It cultivated on Friday, where 11,317 roaring fans watched the Brooklyn Nets and Phoenix Suns trade haymakers in a preseason game, where the Suns grabbed the 132-127 overtime victory.

There, celebrities such as Jackie Chan and David Beckham, as well as basketball icons Jeremy Lin, Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming, Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter, among others, were in attendance.

On Saturday afternoon, fans were treated to a fun spectacle during the NBA Fan Day.

The fan event kicked off with dazzling performances, followed by a skills challenge, won by Dillon Brooks-led Team Phoenix, as well as a 3-point challenge that was won by Team Suns, led by Grayson Allen and Isaiah Livers.

These were followed by a halfcourt challenge, where both teams tried to make more shots from the halfcourt line.

The main event of the night was a slam dunk competition, where local dunkers faced off against professional slammers.

Judges Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion, O’Neal, Lin and MC Jin said before the contest started that ‘perfect 10’ dunks were about ‘creativity,’ ‘power,’ ‘if they can make it in the first attempt,’ ‘something that we have not seen before’ and ‘if it can make me run around like crazy.’

Dunkers Chen Dengxing, Wan Lei, Jonathan Edwards and Tyler Currie surely brought these with them, as they garnered oohs and aahs from the crowd with their gravity-defying, thunderous and powerful jams.

At the end of the night, Currie, who jumped over Marion and finished emphatically, garnering a perfect 50 from the judges.

The crowd was then treated to a performance by Chinese boy band Mirror, much to the delight of the fans.

Seeing thousands of people cheer for a sport was indeed a sight to behold, as collective applause united the fans, regardless of nationality, speaking language and political inclinations, even for a few hours.

An ‘NBA House’ was also launched in time for the Macau Games, where fans could enter free of charge and experience several basketball-related activities.

Here, fans could get a ‘passport’ and get stamps from every activity they take part in, including booths from NBA 2K, the Replay Center and an LED court.

The new NBA Store was also launched at the Londoner, where fans could not only buy apparel but also customize jerseys and shirts. There is also a half-court in the store where fans could do skills challenges.

This year’s China Games will be capped off on Sunday evening, where the Suns and Nets take on each other once again.

Of course, the trip was made easier with finance super app Gcash.

GCash, an all-in-one app for shopping, paying bills and sending money operated by Globe, could be used even abroad. It could be used to buy food, from outside restaurants to arena concession stands, as well as NBA Store merchandise.

However, there were some stores that could not read the QR code that was generated from the GCash app, so make sure to look for Alipay and GCash logos posted outside shops.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) backed Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairperson Francis Lim’s remarks on the adverse effects of corruption on investor confidence, noting its drag on market performance in recent weeks.

Lim on Thursday expressed ‘deep regret’ for the confusion caused by his recent statement, which claimed that corruption issues had wiped out approximately P1.7 trillion in market value of publicly listed companies in just three weeks.

PSE president and CEO Ramon Monzon said that data from the exchange indicated that only P185 billion in market capitalization was lost during the three weeks in question.

He said that the P1.7-trillion number attributed to S and P Global Market Intelligence has since been disowned by the latter.

‘That being said, SEC chairman Francis Lim is correct in assailing the level of corruption in the country and its adverse effects on the economy and financial markets,’ Monzon said.

‘The PSE is one with the administration and our regulator in implementing key reforms meant to enhance and deepen our capital markets further,’ he said.

A stock market analyst, who requested anonymity, said that while there may be ‘inaccuracies’ in the numbers cited by Lim, this does not detract from the fact that the ongoing flood control scandal in the country has indeed impacted the local stock market’s performance.

As of Friday’s closing, the Philippine Stock Exchange index has lost 341.96 points since ending at 6,379.75 on July 28, when President Marcos ordered an audit of flood control projects during his 2025 State of the Nation Address.

In a speech during the 57th annual FINEX conference on Oct.7, Lim said that the flood control project scandal ‘has shaken public confidence. Investors aren’t fleeing because of weak fundamentals; they’re fleeing because of weak integrity. It’s a stark reminder that corruption is a weapon of mass wealth destruction.’

Lim assured the public that the SEC remains firmly committed to promoting transparency, good governance and investor protection.

‘Corruption is indeed a weapon of mass wealth destruction, and it is in this spirit that I appeal to all sectors to unite behind the Marcos administration’s strong campaign against corruption,’ he said.

Manila Water Co., which supplies water to the eastern part of Metro Manila and nearby provinces, has transitioned 56 additional facilities to the Energy Regulatory Commission’s enhanced Retail Aggregation Program (RAP), further expanding its use of renewable energy.

The firm said the move includes 10 facilities under the non-East Zone operating unit Laguna Water, 45 facilities under Estate Water covering Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Metro Manila, and Manila Water Foundation’s La Mesa Ecopark, the first and largest ecopark fully powered by renewable energy under RAP.

It said the transition represents a total demand of 1,682 kilowatts and marks Manila Water’s fourth RAP switch this year.

‘Manila Water’s participation in RAP demonstrates its commitment to innovation and consumer empowerment. By aggregating demand and leveraging competitive supply options, Manila Water is helping pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient energy sector,’ ERC director Sharon Montaner said.

With the latest switch, Manila Water now sources electricity for over 210 facilities, representing a total demand of 11 megawatts supplied by PrimeRES Energy through Meralco’s distribution network.

‘This is all about the power of choice. We have 214 facilities switched now to RAP and that’s very powerful because at the end of the day we are held as a utility accountable to the costs that we charge our customers,’ Manila Water president and CEO Jocot de Dios said.

‘We’ve tried to rethink our approach toward tariff and our customer base and really be as sufficient as possible,’ De Dios added.

The company said earlier transitions this year include Laguna Aquatech’s 25 facilities in April, Laguna Water’s 67 facilities, and Boracay Water’s 11 facilities in May, making it the first Visayas utility to adopt RAP.

The move to shift more facilities to renewable energy follows Manila Water’s recent quarterly adjustment that reduced water rates for its customers.

The Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office approved a slight decrease of 15 centavos per cubic meter for the East Zone, which includes Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, Pateros, Taguig, San Juan, most of Quezon City and several towns in Rizal.

Message sent With triple-double-making rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño as spearhead, Converge issued a strong warning to the regular contenders with a 129-92 shrinking of Titan Ultra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup last night at Ynares-Montalban.

Flexing their powered-up crew after a massive pre-season buildup, the FiberXers under new coach Delta Pineda stormed to an early 16-5 upperhand.

That sizzling start and dominant play of Converge plus the sidelining of Titan leader Calvin Abueva at the 7:38 mark of the first canto threw off the Giant Risers, who couldn’t get into groove like they did in their previous 100-96 upset of Meralco and fell to 1-1.

Abueva was a big difference in the memorable debut of the league’s newest ball club last Wednesday, firing a career-high 41, but he managed only two in over four minutes before going out with a tight right hamstring versus the FiberXers.

De Liaño, the No. 2 pick overall in the draft, turned in a sparkling 15-point, 10-rebound, 11-assist output to become the first freshman to produce a triple-double in his maiden appearance. It’s also a first for a rookie since Scottie Thompson posted that statline in 2016.

Justin Arana similarly dished out a career milestone, banging in 28 and grabbing a new personal best 22 boards in his first 20-20 game in the league.

They were surrounded by strong performances from Schonny Winston (16), Alec Stockton (13) and Kevin Racal (12 on a 4-of-5 clip from deep) as the FiberXers gifted Pineda the honors of posting the biggest winning margin of 37 for a debuting PBA coach.

”Yung pacing ng game na gusto namin – mabilis – nagawa ng mga bata. And I think they enjoyed the game and ‘yan ang pinakamahalaga doon,’ said Pineda.

De Liaño deflected credit, saying it was a great performance all across the board.

‘It’s a total team effort and I give props and credit to our coaching staff and especially our players. We’re able to execute the game plan and we focused a lot on defense and I think we emphasized that really, really well today,’ he said.

Josh Munzon carried the load for Titan with 31, but caught fire late and dropped 18 of them in the final period.

Notes: Veteran guard Maverick Ahanmisi is set to leave Barangay Ginebra soon. Ahanmisi, who lurked in the bench behind Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarientos, shared he had approached team governor Alfrancis Chua and asked for a trade and received a positive response. ‘As a player, you want the opportunity to showcase your talent, so it’s kind of a fine line between being patient and waiting your turn. But I just turned 34. I’m now at the back half of my career. There’s not much time to waste for me,’ he said in a video posted on social media. It’s not immediately revealed where Ahanmisi is headed next.