Category: Philippine Star

In a dogfight with unblemished NLEX, Terrafirma got an ace in Maverick Ahanmisi.

Ahanmisi provided not only firepower but also a stabilizing presence as the Dyip took down the Road Warriors, 114-109, in a PBA Governors’ Cup stunner last week.

The Dyip dropped a 9-0 bomb in the last 2:07 en route to taking down NLEX, which was unstoppable in its first six games, and more importantly reviving their playoffs bid by moving to a share of fourth with Converge in Group A at 3-4.

And serving as the anchor of this endgame blitz was Ahanmisi.

The 35-year-old guard issued back-to-back assists to Geo Chiu sandwiching a steal off Schonny Winston to enable Terrafirma to catch the Road Warriors at 109-all, then followed it up with a clutch defensive rebound that led to Brent Paraiso’s go-ahead shot with 1:09 left.

With a big offensive board and two charities from Paraiso and a split from Ahanmisi from there, Terrafirma closed it out and finally pulled through after some close calls that included a 100-101 loss to NLEX in Round 1.

‘I think it’s a learning process,’ said Ahanmisi. ‘Credit to the team for showing character and to the coaches, they made us do a lot of situational stuff in practice and I think that helped us (in the down-to-the-wire finish against NLEX).’

Ahanmisi’s brilliant performance highlighted by 16 points on a 63% field goal shooting, 10 assists, three rebounds and three steals against NLEX earned him the honor as the PBA Press Corps’ Player of the Week for the period August 4-8.

He beat the likes of Magnolia’s Jerom Lastimosa, Blackwater’s Sedrick Barefield, fellow Dyip Paraiso, and San Miguel’s Don Trollano for the weekly citation handed by the men and women covering the PBA

The second half of 2026 is packed with blockbuster releases that deserve to be experienced on the big screen.

From Disney’s live-action “Moana” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” to the highly anticipated “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” among many others, moviegoers have plenty of reasons to head back to the cinema.

But not all movie theaters offer the same experience. Whether you’re after larger-than-life visuals, immersive sound, or premium comfort, there’s a cinema format designed for you. Before booking your tickets for this season’s biggest releases, here’s a guide to finding the perfect way to watch based on your preferences.

IMAX

For moviegoers who want the biggest, boldest cinematic experience, IMAX delivers. Featuring an expansive screen, breathtaking visuals, and crystal-clear sound, IMAX puts you at the heart of every scene, making every moment feel larger than life.

Available at: SM Aura, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM City Clark, SM Lanang, and SM City Cebu.

SCREENXSCREENX takes immersion to the next level. Using synchronized side-wall projections, the action extends beyond the main screen and surrounds audiences across three walls, creating a cinematic experience that draws you deeper into the story.

Available at: SM Mall of Asia

Directors ClubFor those who prefer a more exclusive movie experience, Directors Club delivers premium comfort. Sink into plush leather recliner seats while Dolby Atmos fills the auditorium with rich, immersive sound, complemented by sharp laser projection for exceptional picture quality.

Available at: Select SM Cinema branches nationwide

Event ScreenvSM Cinema’s Regular Cinemas provide a great movie experience featuring comfortable seating, crisp digital projection, and immersive sound, delivering quality entertainment for moviegoers.

Available at: All SM Cinema branches nationwide

The only way to experience movies from the undisputed leader of the big screen

Whether you’re looking for the spectacle of IMAX, the immersive world of SCREENX, the premium exclusivity of Directors Club, the flexibility of the Event Screen, or the dependable quality of a Regular Cinema, SM Cinema, the country’s undisputed leader of the big screen, offers a format to match every moviegoer.

SM Cinema operates more than 389 screens across over 79 branches nationwide, bringing world-class movie experiences closer to Filipinos wherever they are.

The Philippine economy lost further momentum in the second quarter as a sharp pullback in investment and increasingly cautious households exposed deeper weaknesses in domestic demand, according to BPI Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri Jr.

Gross domestic product grew 2.3 percent from a year earlier, slowing from 2.8 percent in the first quarter and falling well short of the 5.4 percent expansion recorded in the same period last year.

The result points to a broadening slowdown as elevated inflation, softer consumption and weak capital spending weigh on activity.

Investment was the biggest drag. Gross fixed capital formation contracted 13.7 percent in the second quarter, compared with a 2.5 percent decline in the previous quarter.

Construction spending fell 14.8 percent, with government construction plunging 32.4 percent. The decline reflects continuing governance issues surrounding public infrastructure, Neri said.

The sharp drop in infrastructure spending came even as government consumption rose 8.3 percent, suggesting that fiscal resources were increasingly directed toward social support and measures designed to cushion households from the impact of higher oil prices.

Private construction offered little relief. Developers remained cautious amid excess real estate inventories and weak sentiment, limiting expansion plans and further restraining investment.

The slowdown also spread to equipment spending. Durable equipment investment fell 13.6 percent, indicating that companies were not only postponing construction projects but also delaying purchases of machinery and other capital goods.

Road transport equipment spending dropped 28.4 percent, reflecting the likely combination of elevated fuel costs and weaker demand for vehicles. Spending on mining and construction machinery fell 42.7 percent as construction companies cut equipment purchases.

Energy-related investment was a notable exception. Spending on power-generating machinery increased 23.3 percent from a year earlier, following a 103.9 percent surge in the first quarter, pointing to continued capital spending in the power sector despite the broader investment downturn.

The investment contraction poses a risk beyond the immediate impact on GDP. A prolonged period of weak capital formation could reduce the economy’s capacity to expand output, particularly if businesses continue to defer projects amid inflation, policy uncertainty and softer demand.

‘If investment spending remains weak due to elevated inflation, policy uncertainty, and softer demand conditions, the economy could emerge from the current slowdown with a lower growth potential than before,’ Neri said.

Household spending was similarly restrained. Consumer expenditure grew 2.8 percent in the second quarter, suggesting that households were becoming more selective as higher prices squeezed purchasing power.

Consumers appeared to prioritize essential goods and services while reducing discretionary spending, a shift that could further limit the contribution of household demand to economic growth.

Inflation risks remain elevated, Neri said, with oil prices and adverse weather among the key threats. Potential second-round effects could also broaden price pressures if higher transport, food and production costs begin feeding into wages and other goods and services.

The outlook could improve in the second half if economic activity begins to recover. Such a rebound may give the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas greater scope to put more emphasis on anchoring inflation expectations rather than responding primarily to weak growth.

For policymakers, the challenge is becoming more complex. Supporting demand without allowing temporary supply shocks to become entrenched in inflation expectations will be critical, particularly as weak investment threatens to weigh not just on current growth but also on the economy’s longer-term productive capacity.

Telco-to-tech giant Globe Telecom Inc. is confident it would recover to growth mode in the second half, banking on the strength of core products and the expansion of new services.

Globe is eyeing to return to expansion mode in the second semester to flip its 11-percent decline in profit to P11.04 billion in the first half.

Globe chief finance officer Juan Carlo Puno said the telco is optimistic of its prospects in the remainder of the year, as revenues from core services are growing rapidly.

He said Globe plans to leverage its revenue momentum in the first half and expand further in the second. It also aims to be more measured with capital investments to keep cash flow positive.

Globe increased its revenue by six percent to P92.66 billion from January to June. It banked on the six-percent hike in mobile and broadband gains to anchor its revenue base.

In broadband, Globe grew its subscribers by 32 percent to more than two million, of which over half or 1.1 million came from its low-cost product GFiber Prepaid.

Further, Globe booked a 15-percent increase in corporate revenues, capitalizing on businesses in need of enterprise-grade solutions to elevate digital capabilities.

However, expenses also went up by six percent to P47.79 billion.

On top of this, Globe’s depreciation costs spiked by eight percent to P28.67 billion, attributed to ongoing efforts to build new infrastructure. It also started feeling the pang of its reduced stake in GCash, as the e-wallet welcomed new investor Mitsubishi Corp. last year.

GCash’s parent Mynt Inc. is scheduled to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Oct. 19. With GCash about to be public, Puno said Globe is looking to dress up another entity that has the potential to become larger.

For one, Globe’s data center builder ST Telemedia Global Data Centers (STT GDC) Philippines will reach a systemwide capacity of at least 30 megawatts by the end of the year.

Once this scale is attained, STT GDC Philippines will cement its position as one of the country’s biggest data center operators, adding a larger value to Globe’s portfolio.

Earnings of SM Prime Holdings Inc. remained steady in the first half despite challenging market conditions.

SM Prime reported a first half net income of P24.5 billion, steady from a year earlier, as costs and expenses eclipsed revenue growth.

Second quarter consolidated net income improved by one percent year-on-year to P12.9 billion as costs grew in line with revenues.

Revenues for the first semester grew by five percent to P71.7 billion from P68 billion, with rental income from malls, offices, hospitality and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) accounting for 61 percent.

Real estate sales contributed 27 percent, while cinema ticket sales, food and beverage, amusement and related offerings generated the remaining 12 percent.

SM Prime said higher depreciation and amortization charges, fixed overhead costs and construction expenses, however, pushed costs and expenses up by nearly six percent during the period to P35.6 billion.

‘Our focus on tenant relationships, customer experience and cost management supported our performance. Despite challenging market conditions, commercial demand remained resilient across our portfolio,’ SM Prime president Jeffrey Lim said.

From January to June, SM Prime saw mall revenues grow by eight percent to P41.8 billion from P38.6 billion on the combined effect of higher occupancy, stronger tenant sales and improved operational efficiency.

Residential revenues, covering core, leisure and premium offerings, meanwhile, dipped by one percent to P20.6 billion on lower revenue recognition from prior-year sales.

Revenues from hotels and convention centers climbed by eight percent to P4.4 billion from P4.1 billion as a result of higher bookings and average daily room rate.

Office and warehouse revenues rose by nine percent to P5 billion from P4.6 billion, driven by higher space take-up.

A man wanted for the rape of a three-year-old girl in Naic, Cavite in 2008 was arrested at his residence in San Marcelino, Zambales on Sunday, police said.

Lt. Col. Louie Gonzaga, Naic police chief, said the 51-year-old suspect, a glass installer, was listed as the seventh most wanted in Cavite.

Gonzaga said the suspect sexually abused his live-in partner’s daughter at their house in Barangay Palanggue 3 in Naic.

Brig. Gen. Dominic Baccay, Calabarzon police director, said the suspect is the eighth sex offender to be arrested under Oplan Bantay-Dangal.

Meanwhile, the Regional Trial Court Branch 125 in Imus City sentenced Joshua Miguel Gamos to six years and eight months of imprisonment for qualified theft.

The court also ordered Gamos to return the P300,000 to the Legasynch Group of Companies.

Broadcaster Gretchen Ho addressed criticisms over her past professional interactions with the Israeli Embassy.

Gretchen issued the clarification after human rights advocate Caloy Conde raised questions about her Israel trip upon the invitation of its Ministry of Tourism and professional engagements with then-Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss in 2022 and 2023.

Conde’s post came amid criticisms surrounding a recent state-sponsored media visit to Israel involving Filipino journalists.

In a Facebook post, Gretchen confirmed that she traveled to Israel in July 2022 after being invited by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism, more than a year before the war in Gaza began in October 2023.

At that time, Gretchen said she was developing her travel documentary program ‘Woman In Action’ and considered producing an episode about the Holy Land.

‘While the itinerary and venues were arranged by our hosts, there were no restrictions on whom we could speak to, what questions we could ask, or what we could observe and say about the experience,’ she said.

According to Getchen, she was not asked to produce a particular narrative or portray Israel in a prescribed way. However, she acknowledged that she remained conscious that the trip was sponsored by the Israeli government.

‘I went there with an open mind, yet also very much aware that since this was a trip sponsored by their government, what we were NOT shown was as important as what we were shown,’ she said.

Gretchen said the trip gave her a better understanding of the complexities surrounding the history and realities of Israel and Palestine. She ultimately decided not to pursue an episode for ‘Woman In Action’ because she believed the subject required a more sensitive approach.

She also clarified that part of the arrangement for the trip was for her to attend an Israeli travel expo.

In May 2023, several months before the war began, Ho said she accepted a professional engagement to host an event organized by the Israeli Embassy.

‘I also interacted cordially with then-Ambassador Ilan Fluss, including an encounter at UP (University of the Philippines) that has resurfaced online,’ she said.

Gretchen said her professional interactions with Israeli officials did not prevent her from taking critical positions on issues involving the Israeli government.

After the war erupted in October 2023, she had the opportunity to interview Fluss in 2025 for her news-interview program ‘Morning Matters.’

During the interview, Gretchen said she questioned the ambassador about human rights violations in Gaza, the right of Palestinians to exist, and Israel’s status as a non-signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty compared with Iran.

‘My interactions with the Embassy never determined my editorial positions, nor did they prevent me from questioning an Israeli official critically,’ she said.

At the same time, Gretchen acknowledged the concerns surrounding her past interactions with the embassy, particularly when they are viewed in the context of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

‘I take questions about journalistic independence seriously,’ she said.

‘Looking back, I recognize more clearly the importance of maintaining not only editorial independence, but sufficient distance to avoid reasonable perceptions of conflict. There are choices I would approach with greater circumspection today.’

Gretchen also clarified her position on the conflict, saying she does not support genocide or the dehumanization of any people.

‘To be clear: I do not support genocide or the dehumanization of any people. I believe in the dignity and right to life of Palestinians and Israelis alike,’ she said.

She added that journalists must sometimes interact with individuals, institutions and perspectives that they may later need to scrutinize, while also examining their own professional boundaries and judgment.

‘Journalism requires us to encounter people, institutions and perspectives we may eventually have to scrutinize. It also requires us to continually examine our own boundaries and judgment,’ she said.

Gretchen ended her statement by saying she is listening to the concerns raised and will use the experience to reassess the standards she applies to her work moving forward.

The Office of the Special Assistant to the President has brought the Marcos administration’s healthcare and food assistance programs to Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday, August 10, with the turnover of medical assistance funding and the rollout of rice aid for beneficiaries in the province.

Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. visited the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center, where he announced the release of P10 million in Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Patients (MAIFIP) funding to support the hospital’s zero-billing program.

The funding forms part of Malacañang’s continuing efforts to improve access to healthcare services and ease the financial burden on indigent patients seeking treatment in government hospitals.

Lagdameo also inspected key facilities and ongoing expansion projects at the Dr. George T. Hofer Medical Center to assess the hospital’s capacity to deliver quality healthcare services.

In the same visit, Lagdameo led the rollout of the ‘Bawat Bayan Makikinabang’ (BBM) Rice Distribution Program, during which rice assistance funded through the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) was distributed to beneficiaries from identified barangays in the province.

He likewise met with provincial officials to discuss the implementation of the administration’s priority programs and initiatives in Zamboanga Sibugay.

The healthcare and rice assistance initiatives form part of the national government’s continuing efforts to expand access to essential public services, strengthen support for vulnerable communities, and bring government assistance closer to Filipinos across the country.

The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) paid a visit to the Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin Jr. and discussed market opportunities to further advance the growing bilateral trade in areas such as agriculture, technology and services.

As of July 31, 2026, the UK-Philippine trade remained growing at £3.1 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2026, an increase of 0.8% from the previous year.

Despite global market uncertainties, leading to a slower GDP growth of the Philippines at 2.3 percent in the second quarter of 2026, BCCP Executive Vice Chairman Chris Nelson remains positive that factors such as the country’s partnership with the UK, the Philippine chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), preparatory talks on Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), remain key in achieving economic rebound in the remaining quarters.

Nelson also welcomed the decline in the inflation rate to 6.2% in July, brought about by the slower annual increase in the transport index and a steady rate in food inflation at 5.3%.

The Philippine government also echoed the same sentiment, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stating that, “This slowdown is only temporary…As the government continues to speed up spending and release budgets more quickly, we hope the economy can start to pick up in the second half of the year as well.”

Additionally, the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan noted that, ‘We are now seeing some positive developments moving us out of the situation of low growth…I think a key factor here is our ability to move public investments because we see and we notice that private investment is also very sensitive to public investment. So as we are able to get public investments, you would expect the private sector response also to improve and further boost the confidence that the private sector has on the government.’

Nelson welcomed these statements as British investors continue to explore market opportunities in the country. He urged the importance of having a sound legislative agenda, prioritizing measures such as the Cybersecurity Act, Digital Payments Act, Open Finance Act, and the Blue Economy Act.

He said: ‘These are the areas where the UK already works together with the Philippines through its expertise. And we are only going to see more interest coming from British investors if those industries remain empowered and ready for business despite market uncertainties worldwide.’

Antel Land marked a milestone in its vision of building complete communities with the blessing and official opening of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Anyana in Tanza, Cavite.

Presided over by Most Reverend Reynaldo Evangelista, D.D., Bishop of Imus, the inauguration coincided with the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, making the occasion both a spiritual celebration and a significant milestone in the township’s growth.

Designed as a place of worship and community, the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola welcomes families and residents into a sacred space dedicated to prayer, reflection and fellowship.

At the heart of the church is a wired crucifix that serves as a powerful symbol of faith, anchoring the sanctuary as a lasting place of worship.

Its modern architectural design reflects elegance and purpose, led by Architect Juan Seriña Jr. of H1 Architecture, an award-winning architecture and design firm recognized for its work in master planning, architecture and interior design.

The inauguration was attended by local government officials, members of the clergy, Antel Land executives, shareholders, partner brokers, employees, and guests. The celebration began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by the blessing of the church, marking the official opening of one of Anyana’s most meaningful community landmarks.

More than its physical presence, the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola strengthens the spiritual and social life of the community. It reflects Antel Land’s long-term commitment to building not only homes, but also thriving communities where faith and fellowship are integral to everyday life.

The church serves as a lasting place of worship and gathering, welcoming residents of Anyana to share in devotion, unity and a stronger sense of community.

Located at the heart of Anyana, the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola is more than a place of worship-it is a defining feature of a township envisioned to blend modern living with timeless values.

‘When we began developing Anyana, we envisioned more than a place where people would simply live,’ Kendrick Lao, marketing director of Antel Land, said.

‘We dreamed of building a community where families could grow, thrive, and build their future together. From the very beginning, we knew that a church would always be an essential part of that vision,” he added.

The addition of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola reinforces Anyana’s vision of creating a community where spiritual life is woven into everyday living.

Beyond its spiritual anchor, Anyana continues to flourish as a premier family destination that balances modern lifestyle and convenience.

Strategically positioned with easy access through major thoroughfares such as Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), the township continues to grow with The Shopgrounds, its commercial and retail hub featuring a curated selection of dining and retail establishments.

Together with the newly blessed Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola, these developments reinforce Anyana’s vision of a holistic master-planned community that will continue to serve families for generations to come