Category: Philippine Star

For many Filipino professionals, accepting a job abroad marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that promises career growth, higher earning potential and the opportunity to build a more secure future.

But while an overseas role can significantly increase one’s income, financial success is not determined by salary alone. It depends on the decisions made long before the first paycheck arrives and what happens after.

Relocating overseas comes with a range of upfront expenses, from airfare and housing deposits to relocation costs and everyday living expenses in an unfamiliar country. Without a clear financial plan, even professionals with competitive salaries may find themselves spending more than expected during their first few months abroad.

“An overseas career is one of the biggest financial milestones a Filipino professional can make,” said Metrobank. “While higher income creates new opportunities, long-term financial success depends on having a clear financial plan before you leave and the discipline to stay committed to it while you’re abroad.”

For Filipino professionals preparing for an international career, Metrobank shares seven practical financial moves to help maximize every opportunity from Day 1:

1. Look beyond your salary and understand your true cost of relocation

A higher salary can be attractive, but it should always be evaluated alongside the cost of living in your destination country.

Housing lease, taxes, transportation, insurance, healthcare, utilities and everyday expenses all affect how much of your income you’ll be able to save or invest.

Understanding these costs before relocating allows professionals to create realistic budgets and avoid unnecessary financial stress during their first few months abroad.

2. Organize your finances before you leave

Relocating overseas doesn’t mean leaving your financial responsibilities behind.

Before you leave, make sure you can continue to access your accounts, pay bills and manage your finances remotely through secure digital banking services. Automating essential transactions where appropriate also helps minimize disruptions while you settle into your new role abroad.

Taking these steps before relocating minimizes disruptions and gives you one less thing to worry about as you adjust to a new country and workplace.

3. Build a relocation fund alongside your emergency fund

Many professionals prepare for emergencies, but fewer plan for the unexpected costs that come with starting life overseas.

Rental deposits, temporary accommodation costs, furniture purchases, transportation expenses and administrative requirements can quickly add up during your first few weeks abroad.

Aside from maintaining an emergency fund worth at least three to six months of living expenses, consider setting aside a separate relocation fund to cover these transition costs without affecting your long-term savings.

4. Make your first paycheck count

Receiving your first overseas salary can feel rewarding after months of preparation, but it also presents an opportunity to start managing your hard-earned money smartly.

Rather than increasing spending immediately, prioritize essential living expenses, build your emergency savings, continue investing and allocate funds toward your long-term goals before expanding discretionary spending.

“The first paycheck often sets the tone for everything that follows. That is why professionals who establish disciplined financial habits early on are better positioned to maximize the opportunities that working overseas provides,” Metrobank said.

5. Set your family’s expectations early

Supporting loved ones back home remains a priority for many overseas Filipinos. But sustainable remittance planning goes beyond sending money on a fixed date every month.

Agree on a realistic amount with your family, taking into account your living expenses, savings goals and financial commitments abroad. Consider transaction fees, exchange rates, and the convenience of your chosen remittance channel to ensure that more of your hard-earned money reaches its intended purpose.

It can also be helpful to maintain a separate savings account in the Philippines dedicated to long-term goals such as buying a home, funding future investments or preparing for your return.

Choosing a secure and reliable remittance partner is just as important as deciding how much to send. Through MetroRemit, Metrobank’s money remittance app, the Bank enables overseas Filipinos in key markets to send money directly to the Metrobank accounts of their beneficiaries or through its over 11,000 cash pickup partners in the country, making it easier to support loved ones while keeping remittances aligned with long-term financial goals.

6. Continue building your savings fund while you’re abroad

Working overseas shouldn’t put long-term financial goals on hold.

Whether you’re investing regularly, saving for your first property, building retirement funds or setting aside capital for a future business, consistency matters more than timing.

The earlier you begin, the more time your money has to grow alongside your overseas career.

7. Define what success looks like before you leave

Every overseas assignment should support a larger life goal.

For some, that means buying a home. For others, it is funding a child’s education, building an investment portfolio, or returning to the Philippines with greater financial security.

“Many Filipino professionals relocate abroad to create better opportunities, not only for their families, but also for themselves and having a clear financial plan ensures that every paycheck moves them closer to the future they envision,” Metrobank said.

Working overseas is about more than earning a bigger paycheck. It’s about turning years of sacrifice into lasting financial security through intentional decisions and consistent financial habits.

Whether it is sending money home, managing day-to-day finances, growing savings, or investing for the future, Metrobank supports Filipinos abroad through MetroRemit, digital banking, savings and investment solutions, and its international and domestic presence.

The future of Philippine rowing looked even brighter with the addition of three young foreign-based talents to the national team under Belarusian coach Aliaksandra Tsekhanovich.

The rowers, born overseas to Filipino parents, graced Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) media room in Manila.

They are Ross Llaneta from New Zealand, 15; Enzo Santos from the United States, 17; and Jesu Matteo Manalo from Canada, 17. They have been training in the country for three weeks.

‘We have our targets and we’re working hard. They are improving every day, every row. We all dream big together – one dream,’ said the Belarusian coach.

They are being groomed for the Asian Under-19 Championships to be held in India from December 1-7, and underwent rigid training at the La Mesa Dam and were quartered at Philsports in Pasig. They will leave on August 16 and return to their home base.

‘But we will track their performances through GPS,’ said national team coach Maricon Fornea, referring to the satellite-based technology for on-water performance monitoring.

‘We have yet to determine the other members of the team to the Asian Championships,’ added Fornea in the forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, and the country’s 24/7sports app ArenaPlus.

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio aired high hopes on the latest additions to the national team, referring to them as ‘future Olympians and part of the future of Philippine rowing.’

Manalo vowed to ‘give my best’ for the Philippines, a sentiment that was echoed by Santos and Llaneta who promised to ‘make the country proud.’

‘Our search for rowing talents continues,’ added Gregorio, who last June celebrated the country’s impressive showing (three golds and one silver) in the Asian Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in Pattaya, Thailand.

Emman Pillar bagged the gold in the Under-16 Coastal men’s solo and the coastal men’s double skulls with Kyle Olano while Ayonna Huerto and Khayzie Caviltes struck gold in the Under-19 women’s doubles skulls.

Matt Jugadora pocketed the silver in the Under-19 coastal men’s solo.

‘These are stunning, positive developments for Philippine rowing,’ added Gregorio, who was president of the Philippine Rowing Association before he became PSC chairman in July last year.

The Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to investigate possible anomalies in some P60 billion in flood control projects implemented in Cebu over the past six years.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla visited Cebu on Monday, August 10, to inspect flood control projects and assess whether their design, construction or implementation contributed to persistent flooding in the province.

Remulla said about 25% of the P60-billion allocation went to Cebu’s 7th District, while another 25% of the total was awarded to a single contractor.

“That should be a lot of money to control the flooding, but apparently the past month flooding happened again here in Cebu,” Remulla said at a press conference.

“We have to look at what’s happening. Is it the design? Is it the execution? Or is it just corruption?” he added.

Remulla said the Ombudsman also plans to examine the implementation and effectiveness of public works projects in flood-prone areas across the Visayas.

He did not identify individuals suspected of wrongdoing but said the Department of Public Works and Highways Central Visayas regional office would come under scrutiny.

The Ombudsman is also looking at possible lifestyle checks involving several district engineers, Remulla said.

Cebu’s 7th District covers Alcantara, Alegria, Badian, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Malabuyoc, Moalboal and Ronda.

Agricultural damage caused by the recent storms hitting the country has reached more than P100 million, as continuous rains battered the country’s farmlands.

Based on initial reports, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that damage and losses from tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon have amounted to P135.5 million, damaging 4,516 hectares of farmland across five regions.

Among the areas hit were the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas, affecting 6,010 farmers and causing production losses estimated at 4,465 metric tons.

‘This is a minor setback in our production plans. The fisheries sector has also been affected, but we have not quantified that yet,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told ‘Money Talks’ on One News yesterday.

He added that the DA has lined up P106.5 million worth of support for affected farmers, such as the distribution of fertilizers along with rice, corn and vegetable seeds, through its regional field offices.

The livestock farmers are also set to receive medicines and animal feeds, Tiu Laurel said.

He added that farmers may also tap the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC)’s Survival and Recovery Loan Program, which could provide affected producers with up to P25,000.

Farmers will also be provided interest?free working capital, repayable after three years, to support their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Insured producers will also receive indemnification through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., in coordination with the ACPC on credit assistance.

Meanwhile, Tiu Laurel noted that the recent rains will also strengthen the country’s water supply ahead of the drought conditions brought by the El Niño phenomenon.

‘Irrigation management is very critical, the positive side of these rains is that our dams are almost full again. That’s something that is very welcome despite the gloomy weather,’ he added.

Continuous rains over the weekend, driven by tropical cyclones and intensified by the southwest monsoon, pushed several major dams close to spilling levels, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported.

Tiu Laurel said that the DA’s El Niño response will prioritize support for areas less affected by the incoming drought, while also extending assistance to regions hardest hit by the weather event.

‘We are prepared to provide cash assistance and continuously provide more fertilizers and seeds,’ he noted.

A very strong El Niño episode is set to occur in the months of October to December and is expected to last until early next year, PAGASA said.

Emergency loans

At the same time, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is ready to offer up to P40,000 in emergency loans for those residing or working in areas hit by Tropical Storm Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon once their areas are officially declared under a state of calamity.

In a statement, the GSIS said qualified members and pensioners with existing emergency loans may borrow up to P40,000, with the proceeds first used to pay their outstanding emergency loan balance. The remaining amount is released to the borrower.

Those without existing emergency loans may avail themselves of up to P20,000.

Meanwhile, old-age and disability pensioners residing in declared calamity areas may also apply, provided their resulting net monthly pension after loan deduction is at least 25 percent of their basic monthly pension.

The Department of Education (DepEd) activated its emergency learning measures yesterday amid class suspensions in Metro Manila and several provinces due to the impact of the southwest monsoon.

DepEd reminded schools and field offices to implement the education in emergencies framework to protect learners, teachers and school personnel.

The Office of the President issued Memorandum Circular 123, which directed alternative learning modes in affected areas yesterday.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the policy is designed to help schools respond to disruptions in a way that protects learners and teachers, while keeping learning possible when conditions allow.

‘When there is heavy rain, the roads are flooded or there is a risk to the safety of learners and teachers, the decision cannot be one-size-fits-all. The basis needs to be clear: is it safe, is it feasible and what kind of learning support is appropriate? That is the purpose of the 4H framework – to guide schools on when to continue, when to slow down, when to take a breath and when to stop,’ Angara said.

DepEd said the current weather situation highlights the need for schools to use the 4H protocol: Hinto, Hinga, Hinay and Hayo, to guide decisions on learning delivery based on safety, learner readiness, available resources and local conditions.

Under the framework, Hinto is applied when conditions are unsafe or when learners’ safety, protection or basic needs are at risk. At this level, academic activities are temporarily stopped so schools and communities can prioritize safety, emergency response and essential support.

Hinga is used when learners, teachers and school personnel need time to recover from stress, disruption or displacement. Schools may conduct well-being checks, psychosocial support and light asynchronous activities, but submissions and regular academic requirements should not be required.

Hinay, or the yellow level, applies when there is disruption, but learning can continue in an adjusted and teacher-supervised manner, either through synchronous or asynchronous modalities depending on available resources, connectivity and local conditions.

Lastly, Hayo is activated once conditions have returned to normal and regular learning can safely resume.

DepEd emphasized that in areas where local governments or schools have shifted to asynchronous or alternative learning modes due to the current rains, these arrangements may be treated as Hinay, provided that learners and teachers are safe and learning requirements are adjusted to the situation.

DepEd said learning continuity during emergencies does not mean forcing regular academic work during unsafe or highly stressful conditions, adding that schools must calibrate learning based on actual risk, available access and the well-being of learners and personnel.

It directed schools to coordinate with local government units, disaster risk reduction and management offices and field offices in determining the appropriate learning continuity level.

DepEd also tasked schools to update their learning and service continuity plans, maintain emergency communication channels with learners and parents and ensure that academic requirements remain reasonable during weather-related disruptions.

10,678 schools suspend classes

DepEd said at least 6.8 million learners in 10,678 public schools in eight regions were affected by class suspensions.

In its report yesterday, DepEd said at least 387 class rooms in 10 schools are being used as evacuation centers, providing temporary shelter to 2,065 families.

The DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) said the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Maymay destroyed 917 class rooms; 1,003 classrooms suffered major damage and 2,872 classrooms had minor damage.

At least 858 schools in Metro Manila, Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 8, Cordillera Administrative Region and Negros Island Region incurred damage.

The DepEd DRRMS added that also damaged were 6,970 chairs, 404 equipment units and 7,465 learning materials.

It said the department has initiated the processing of P24.5 million for clean-up and clearing operation of the affected schools.

DepEd added that at least P140.7 million was allocated for the repair of classrooms with minor damage.

Meanwhile, in Abra, classes in all levels in public and private schools are suspended today as a precautionary measure amid prevailing weather conditions, the provincial government announced.

Work in all government offices across the province will likewise be suspended.

Private establishments in the province may decide whether to suspend work, with the decision left to their respective employers.

Tycoon Ramon Ang, chairman and CEO of diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp., has officially joined the Lopez empire, ending months of speculation surrounding the Lopezes’ white knight.

In his personal capacity through his wholly owned holding company, Illumina Investment Holdings Inc., Ang acquired a 25.7-percent stake in Lopez Inc., the holding company of the Lopez Group.

Illumina Investment executed a deed of assignment with the members of the family of Eugenio ‘Gabby’ Lopez III for the purchase of the outstanding and issued shares of stock of Lopez Inc. registered in the name of Crème Investment Corp.

Crème Investment is the holding company of Gabby’s branch of the Lopez empire, owning a 25.7-percent stake in Lopez Inc.

‘I came in because I believe in these businesses, and because a steady partner at the table can be good for everyone around it,’ Ang said in a statement.

Ang said the family branches that continue to hold the controlling majority of Lopez Inc. will continue to lead the company.

‘My interest is that the group comes out of this stronger,’ he said.

Ang’s entry into the Lopez empire comes amid an ongoing dispute between the Lopez cousins, with Federico ‘Piki’ Lopez on one side and the Gabby Lopez-led majority on the other.

‘I have known the Lopez family for decades – not one branch of it, but all of them. I am a friend to each, and I intend to stay that way,’ Ang said.

Gabby, for his part, said his family has known Ang for a long time.

‘I am confident he will be a good partner to Lopez Inc.,’ he said.

Gabby, the son of Eugenio ‘Geny’ Lopez Jr., said he sold for two reasons: ‘The first is my family. This dispute has not been good for any of us, or for the people who work in our companies. This allows us to take a step towards the restoration of family peace.’

‘The second is that it allows me to channel our family’s resources into businesses aligned with our personal mission. We will announce more on this in due time,’ he added.

Piki, president of Lopez Inc., welcomed Ang’s entry into the company ‘with deep appreciation.’

‘We have been friends for a long time and so I do look forward to working together with him,’ Piki said.

‘We recognize the value that Ramon brings to Lopez Inc. with his proven expertise and extensive experience. The Lopez family’s entry into this partnership with him is truly a welcome development and in line with our history of partnering with recognized individuals and institutions to promote the growth of our businesses,’ he added.

Piki further called Ang’s investment a great step toward resolving issues that have affected their family as well as their businesses, saying that it ‘can only be good for everyone.’

Lopez Inc., which is owned by the four branches of the Lopez heirs through each branch’s respective private holding companies, serves as the principal holding company of the Lopez Group of Companies.

Due to the sale by Creme Investment of its shares in Lopez Inc., First Philippine Holdings announced the resignation of Roberta Lopez Feliciano as a director of the company’s board of directors effective Aug. 9.

ABS-CBN, for its part, said the company does not foresee any impact on its business, financial condition, operations or ownership structure given that the transaction is at the Lopez Inc. level.

Share price of listed holding firm Lopez Holdings Corp. climbed by 1.17 percent to P6.07 per share yesterday, while that of First Philippine Holdings increased by 0.61 percent to P90.60 apiece.

ABS-CBN shares surged by 5.76 percent to P3.67 while First Gen Corp. saw a 1.55-percent jump to P19.60.

Property developer Rockwell Land Corp. likewise recorded a 0.69-percent increase to P2.92 per share.

Globalinks Securities and Stocks Inc. head of sales trading Toby Allan Arce said Ang’s acquisition is significant because it gives one of the country’s most prominent businessmen substantial exposure to an established portfolio spanning power, property and media without giving him control of the Lopez Group.

For the Lopez companies themselves, he said Ang’s entry could strengthen financial and strategic flexibility.

Arce said Ang’s financial resources, commercial relationships and deal-making experience could eventually help facilitate partnerships, recapitalization or strategic restructuring for ABS-CBN.

‘But it would be premature to interpret his entry as a solution to ABS-CBN’s financial or franchise-related challenges. There has been no announced transaction that directly injects capital into ABS-CBN, and the company still needs to demonstrate that its evolving content and distribution model can produce sustainable profitability,’ he said.

Arce, meanwhile, sees the power portfolio as arguably the most strategically interesting component, with Ang’s position at the parent-company level giving him indirect exposure to assets that would be difficult and expensive to replicate.

‘Overall, Ang’s entry is important less because it represents an immediate change in control and more because it introduces a financially powerful strategic investor into the Lopez Group at the parent level,’ Arce said.

‘For Ang, it provides diversified exposure to valuable Philippine businesses and substantial future deal-making optionality. For the Lopez Group, it potentially brings additional capital, strategic expertise and flexibility while allowing the remaining family branches to retain control,’ he said.

The Alas Pilipinas Girls aim to write more history, eyeing a Round of 16 entry in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship in San Felipe, Chile.

The Filipinas have already achieved several firsts, pulling off a pair of victories over Mexico and Tunisia in their first three matches to climb to second in Pool B.

Their lone defeat came at the hands of defending champion China, which remains unbeaten at 3-0.

To advance, the Nationals need at least one more win in their last two group-stage outings – against Peru late yesterday or Venezuela today.

Meanwhile, the Alas Pilipinas Women made a big leap in the world rankings after their best finish in the annual SEA V Cup.

The Philippines jumped 12 spots from No. 65 to No. 53 after bagging the silver medal in Leg 2 in Chiang Mai, Thailand last Sunday – its best finish in the tournament.

The Alas Women finished with a 2-1 record in Chiang Mai, scoring wins over Vietnam and Indonesia.

A grave threats complaint has been filed against Vice President Sara Duterte before a Quezon City court, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, August 11, DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the complaint was filed before the Office of the Clerk of Court of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court at 1:30 p.m.

‘We confirm that the grave threats case filed today is the same matter referred by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the DOJ,’ Martinez said.

The NBI filed the complaint against Duterte before the DOJ in February 2025 over press conferences held by the vice president in October and December 2024.

During a December 2024 Zoom press conference, Duterte threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The same matter is the subject of Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which was first heard by the Senate impeachment court.

Lawyer Lawrence Lim, Duterte’s counsel in the grave threats case, said she would exhaust all legal remedies available.

‘Under prevailing circumstances, we have anticipated and prepared for such an outcome. Under our laws, the Vice President continues to be presumed innocent and is confident that the charges against her will ultimately be dismissed,’ Lim said.

‘Equally important, as a sitting impeachable officer, the Vice President may not be prosecuted for an alleged offense that is also the subject of an impeachment case,’ he added.

Homegrown fast-food giant Jollibee is ramping up its expansion in Canada, targeting to nearly double its footprint over the next five years.

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) said its North American Jollibee franchisor has signed a multi-unit development agreement for British Columbia that would accelerate the brand’s franchise-led expansion in Canada.

The agreement, signed in July with an experienced multi-brand food retail operator, provides for the development of 16 restaurants over the next five years.

JFC said the franchisee brings extensive experience in restaurant operations and multi-unit development, supporting the brand’s long-term growth ambitions in one of Canada’s key markets.

The agreement follows the 10-store multi-unit development agreement for the Edmonton market which was signed last June.

Together, JFC said these agreements represent 26 committed franchise restaurants, complementing Jollibee’s existing network of 28 company-operated restaurants in Canada.

Jollibee’s Canadian footprint is expected to grow to 54 restaurants over the next five years, providing a strong foundation for continued expansion across Canada.

Richard Shin, Jollibee Group chief financial and risk officer and Jollibee Group International chief executive officer, said Canada continues to be an attractive growth market for Jollibee, supported by strong consumer demand, strong brand relevance and increasing interest from experienced franchise operators.

‘This latest agreement reflects the growing appeal of the Jollibee brand and our confidence in the long-term opportunity in Canada,’ Shin said.

‘As we continue to expand through disciplined franchising, we remain focused on partnering with operators who share our commitment to operational excellence, sustainable growth and building scale in priority markets,’ he said.

JFC said it continues to see strong franchise interest across Canada and remains engaged with prospective partners across multiple provinces.

Heart Evangelista revealed that she gave away a heart-shaped diamond ring from an ex-boyfriend to charity after their relationship ended.

Heart shared the story on a recent episode of her GMA game show, ‘The People Have Spoken,’ while responding to the question: ‘Hindi maayos ang breakup niyo ng jowa mong nag-taksil sa’yo. Ano ang gagawin mo sa mga regalo niya?’

She recalled receiving the diamond ring from a former boyfriend who had proposed to her. She said she decided to give it away after their painful breakup.

‘Merong nag-propose sa akin dati. Binigyan niya ako ng heart na diamond. Sobrang heartbroken ko, pinamigay ko siya sa charity,’ Heart said.

She also revealed that she sold another piece of jewelry given to her by the same former boyfriend.

”Yung isang necklace na binigay niya sa akin, binenta ko,’ she added.

Before marrying Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero in 2015, Heart had been in several high-profile relationships, including actor Jericho Rosales and Brazilian-Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga. However, she did not specify which past relationship she was referring to during the episode.