Category: Philippine Star

There’s a free exhibit at the second floor of the Ayala Museum in Makati that people might not be aware of. It occupies a tiny area just before the museum’s dioramas, which is a paid exhibit, and provides a peek into the private life and musings of a Filipino hero.

Curated by his 17-year-old descendant Pax Pineda, ‘Marcelo: The Man Behind the Hero (Reflections on the Legacy of Marcelo H. del Pilar)’ is an attempt to humanize the lawyer and writer credited for establishing La Solidaridad.

Pineda is Del Pilar’s great-great-great-grandson, a high school senior at the ESF Island School in Hong Kong who only knew his forebear as Lolo Marcelo. He is aware that Del Pilar might be seen by many as ‘an intelligent lawyer who used pen and words as weapon… [which is why] I felt a deep responsibility to bridge the gap between the history book and personal heritage,’ Pineda said at the exhibit opening held September 4.

As a descendant, he was granted access to items and memorabilia on display at the museum dedicated to Del Pilar in his hometown of Bulacan. These items displayed at the Ayala Museum are on view until Octeber 17.

Aside from a bronze bust and a miniature bas relief depicting one of Del Pilar’s daughters pining by a capiz window, there are copies of foundational materials, such as ‘Dasalan at Tocsohan’ and La Solidaridad.

Look down at the floor to read snippets from letters that a lonely Del Pilar wrote to his wife Tsanay and daughters Sofia and Anita while he was in exile in Spain.

‘I always dream that I have Anita on my lap and Sofia by her side, that I kiss them by turns and that both tell me: Remain with us Papa, and don’t return to Madrid. I awake soaked in tears,’ one of them reads.

‘If it were not for lack of the money I need for the voyage, I would be there already,’ reads another.

While most Filipinos might imagine their heroes as stony-faced and unyielding, Pineda presents a man who longs to return to his family. ‘This exhibit is not about a distant monument but about a human character,’ he said.

Del Pilar’s journey as a leader of the late 19th-century Philippine anti-friar movement began with ordinary human choices. In 1869, he was imprisoned for 30 days after quarreling with a parish priest over exorbitant baptismal fees. Following his brother’s deportation in 1872, Del Pilar dedicated his life to limiting the friars’ control over Philippine institutions.

Pineda described ‘Dasalan at Tocsohan’ as biting satire Del Pilar authored to expose colonial hypocrisy. ‘In the 19th century, this brilliant satire was the equivalent of a viral internet sensation,’ Pineda said. ‘It was funny, cutting, and incredibly dangerous.’

Writing and distributing these underground pamphlets demanded tremendous bravery and financial sacrifice. ‘Ultimately, it was this very work that forced a turning point in Del Pilar’s life, fleeing to Spain in 1888 to escape persecution, completely separating himself from his homeland and those he cherished most,’ Pineda said.

There is a small table at the exhibit where visitors can write a letter to Del Pilar and pin it to a board. For younger visitors, putting pen to paper is a way for them to connect to this distant hero.

‘If there’s one thing I hope visitors take away with them, it’s how much Lolo Marcelo loved his family… just as much as any other father would. I think we should all remember just how great of a father he managed to be despite the difficulties,’ Pineda said.

The Gilas Pilipinas men are off to the quarterfinal round of the Asian Games’ 3×3 basketball after blasting Kazakhstan, 21-15, in the final game of pool play Wednesday at the Kinjo Futo Station Square Venue in Japan.

The Filipino quartet, made up of Nic Cabanero, Luis Pablo, Koji Buenaflor and Doy Dungo, thus finished the Pool A play undefeated through three games.

Cabanero and Dungo powered the Philippines with seven and six points, respectively. Pablo had five markers while Buenaflor added three.

Gilas trailed by one, 7-8, at the 6:24 mark of the game after a layup by Mansur Seilkhanov.

But four straight points by the Philippines, capped by a deuce by Cabanero, pushed them ahead, 11-8, with 4:47 to go.

This set the tone the rest of the way as Gilas kept their arm’s length against their opponents.

Kazakhstan, though, continued to storm back, slicing the deficit to one multiple times.

As Timur Tangiyev hit a shot to make it a 14-15 ballgame with 2:23 to go, Dungo waxed hot, hitting a 2-pointer sandwiched by close shots to push Gilas 19-14.

A Pablo layup towed the Philippines to 20-14 with 1:24 to go.

Ydydyshzan then tried to rally the Kazakhs back, but Dungo was fouled on the drive. He hit the free throw to put the cherry on top of Gilas’ win.

Tangiyev produced eight points while Seilkhanov had four for the 1-2 Kazakhstan.

The quarterfinals will be held on Thursday.

Typhoon Dujuan veered away from Aichi Prefecture and shifted eastward, and Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3×3 whipped up a storm of its own.

The Phl belles matched the men’s Day 1 double, warding off Mongolia, 17-12, then blasting Macau-China, 21-4, for a 2-0 start in Pool C of the 20th Asian Games.

It was a strong statement in tough conditions.

Winds blew all day at the open-air court at the Kinjo Futo Station Square, making it hard for everybody to go for long bombs – the same conditions that tested the men on opening day.

Quinn dela Rosa, Amyah Espanol, Maria Pasilang and Ka Kennan adjusted, leaning on their passing game and post maneuvers to get it done against a team from a federation long feared for its 3×3 program.

They had to work for Win No. 1.

The Filipinas sized up the Mongolians in the early going, then pulled away from an 11-11 deadlock to close it out. Burly Nyamtsetseg Batjargal was a handful early and finished with a match-high 11 points and four rebounds, but Gilas contained her down the stretch.

Dela Rosa powered the win with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and one block. Kennan added three markers and four boards, Espanol chipped in two points, three rebounds, three blocks and two assists, and Pasilang had two points, three rebounds and two assists.

The second game was a runaway.

It was a walk in the park against Macau-China, with Pasilang leading the charge with eight points and Kennan adding seven. Dela Rosa chipped in four and Espanol had two to complete the 21-4 rout.

Gilas goes for a Pool C sweep versus Malaysia today.

In 5×5, Gilas Women settled for the second seed in Group B after their two-game run was snapped by Japan, 67-89, at the Aichi International Arena. They still advanced to the next round.

Meanwhile, the men’s 3×3 team of Nic Cabañero, Koji Buenaflor, Luis Pablo and Doy Dungo goes for a sweep of its own group versus Kazakhstan at 12:15 p.m. today.

A win would give the Philippines a sweep of the elimination round and an outright ticket to the quarterfinals.

Kazakhstan is 1-1 after losing to Mongolia and beating Sri Lanka.

Cyber patrols will be enhanced to detect online ‘grooming,’ recruitment and other activities exposing minors to violence or criminal behavior, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.

The NCRPO has directed the regional anti-cybercrime unit to monitor online communities, threats, recruitments, calls for violence, games and other digital platforms that may expose minors to excessive violence or encourage dangerous activities.

Police operations will not target legitimate online gaming or the youth’s usage of technology, but the misuse of digital platforms to manipulate or recruit minors.

School shootings have occurred in Tacloban, Zamboanga and South Cotabato in the last three months.

The NCRPO urged parents, guardians and teachers to monitor children’s online activities, including their private chats, gaming communities and social media groups.

‘Know what your children are watching, who they are communicating with and what online

communities they are joining,’ NCRPO officer-in-charge Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano said yesterday.

‘Our objective is prevention. We want to detect threats before they become real-world violence,’ he added.

People should not circulate videos, photos, threats or other sensitive material related to violent incidents, the NCRPO stressed.

Police will coordinate with the Department of Education, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), schools, parents and other agencies to prevent online exploitation and other cyber-enabled threats.

Reddit, Discord reps

The CICC has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to online forum Reddit and messaging platform Discord to designate representatives and establish a physical presence in the Philippines.

Threatening a nationwide ban for noncompliance, the CICC clarified: ‘We are not asking platforms to police the internet for the government, but to be reachable, accountable and responsive when activities on their platforms put Filipino children and communities at risk.’

Reddit and Discord should join an integrated inter-agency framework to dismantle networks creating, soliciting, distributing and monetizing online child abuse and its materials, the CICC said.

To bolster compliance, the CICC has requested the Department of Foreign Affairs to facilitate high-level diplomatic and coordination meetings with Reddit, Discord, Meta and other social media networks operating in the country.

Palace open to Big Tech congressional franchise

Malacañang is open to a bill requiring social media firms to obtain a congressional franchise and subject them to Philippine laws.

Rep. David Suarez has filed a bill classifying online social networks as public services that must secure a franchise from legislature.

‘That (bill) is being discussed and that is what the Department of Information and Communications Technology proposes, so that as much as possible, we can have jurisdiction and authority over these social media platforms. So that is a good proposal,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said yesterday.

Under House Bill 4786, the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission will have regulatory and oversight functions over social media entities, which will be required to have a local presence in the country.

Castro refuted Vice President Sara Duterte’s statement blaming the Marcos administration for the school shootings.

‘It is not true that the government is not doing anything… We cannot force someone to understand the situation if he or she is unwilling to understand or just can’t understand,’ Castro said.

The five proposed rainwater impounding facilities in Metro Manila can store up to 107,600 cubic meters of rainwater and would require more than P4 billion in funding, according to Executive Secretary Ralph Recto.

The facilities to be administered by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) form part of ongoing measures to enhance flood mitigation and boost the capital region’s capacity to manage heavy rainfall.

‘These impounding facilities will give Metro Manila additional capacity to catch and temporarily store large volumes of rainwater instead of allowing them to immediately overwhelm our drainage systems and flood our communities,’ Recto said in a statement.

‘When completed, these projects will help protect homes, schools, businesses and public infrastructure, especially during heavy rainfall and high tide,’ he added.

The projects will be situated at Camp Aguinaldo, Miriam College, Remedios Circle, Rajah Sulayman Park and the ASEAN Garden at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex along Vito Cruz.

‘Combined, the five facilities are designed to store up to 107,600 cubic meters of rainwater, providing additional flood water retention capacity in densely populated and flood-prone sections of Metro Manila,’ Recto’s office said.

‘The five projects have a combined indicative cost of about P4.05 billion, subject to the applicable government review, approval, budgeting and procurement processes,’ it added.

The funding for the facilities is proposed under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Assistance Program. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes has submitted documents covering four of the proposed projects to Marcos through Recto’s office and the budget department.

The Camp Aguinaldo facility can cover a 172-hectare catchment area and store up to 50,000 cubic meters of water, while the proposed project at Miriam College will have a 30,000-cubic-meter capacity and serve a 170-hectare catchment area.

The Remedios Circle and Rajah Sulayman Park facilities will have storage capacities of 10,000 cubic meters and 8,000 cubic meters, respectively. Each will serve a 94-hectare catchment area. The flood mitigation project at the ASEAN Garden has a planned capacity of 9,600 cubic meters and can cover a 60-hectare catchment area.

The five projects are among the 39 priority sites for rainwater catchment structures designed to ease the flooding problem in Metro Manila.

The government has approved a P2.48-billion public-private partnership project to further develop and enhance the national identification system, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said yesterday.

The Philippine Digital National Identity (PDNI) project secured clearance from the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Department of Finance and co-chaired by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development.

With the approval, the project will move to the procurement stage, where a competitive challenge will be conducted to allow other firms to submit offers for the project.

The competitive challenge is required because the PDNI is an unsolicited proposal from Unisys Public Sector Services Corp., the project’s original proponent. The government will invite competing offers until the fourth quarter of this year, with Unisys retaining the right to match the best offer.

The project will be implemented through a build-transfer-operate arrangement and will cover the upgrade, operation and maintenance of the national ID system.

It will include registration, card production, authentication services, technical onboarding and integration of private-sector relying parties, as well as the operation of the national ID system’s key information and communications technology infrastructure.

The project will have a 20-year concession following a six-month transition period.

Established in 2018 under the Philippine Identification System Act, the national ID aims to provide a single national identification system for all citizens and residents of the country.

Its implementation, however, has faced challenges, including delays in the rollout of physical ID cards.

In 2024, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas terminated its contract with All Card Inc. for failing to fulfill its commitments to supply national ID cards.

The PSA earlier said the government would deliver the physical cards as required under the law, while the printed electronic Philippine ID and digital national ID remain valid forms of identification.

Taiwan’s latest innovations are taking center stage in Manila as the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion opens during Taiwan Expo 2026, running from September 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Carrying the campaign ‘Empowering a Smarter Future,’ the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion brings together 50 Taiwan Excellence-awarded products from 24 top Taiwanese brands across four key categories: Intelligent Technology, Smart Life, Consumer Electronics and Smart Healthcare. The showcase highlights Taiwan’s strong innovation and RandD capabilities while providing Philippine business leaders and industry professionals with a dedicated platform to discover emerging technologies, build connections, and explore partnership opportunities.

Taiwan Excellence product talks: Redefining ‘smarter’ innovation for everyday life

One of the key highlights of the event is the Taiwan Excellence Product Talks, where six Taiwanese companies are introducing their latest products and sharing how their technologies can help address real-world needs in the Philippine market.

‘Taiwan Excellence reflects Taiwan’s longstanding commitment to innovation, quality and practical solutions. For us, a smarter future is about making everyday life easier, healthier, and better. Through Stay Healthier, Work Smarter, Live Better, and Enjoy Further, the Pavilion showcases solutions from Taiwan across different industries while providing Philippine businesses with an opportunity to better understand the capabilities of these companies and explore potential partnerships,’ Brian Lee, executive director of the strategic marketing department at the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said.

6 Taiwanese companies show how technology can make a difference

During the Product Talks, six companies will showcase solutions designed to meet practical needs in business, healthcare, and everyday life.

Intelligent Technology

Aetina Corporation, represented by Alexey Verkholantsev, Senior Regional Manager, introduces ‘Edge AI Hardware for Running AI Applications On-Premises.’ The solution demonstrates how edge AI hardware can enable organizations to run AI applications closer to where data is generated, giving businesses greater flexibility in deploying AI across different operational environments.

Team Group Inc., represented by George Pascua Velasco, Local Sales Representative, showcases ‘Driving Performance and Sustainability Together.’ The company highlights the growing need for businesses to balance computing performance with sustainability as organizations invest in technology to support long-term operational requirements.

Zyxel Networks, represented by Joseph Aquino, Sales Manager, showcases ‘Building Smarter Businesses with Secure Cloud Networking Solutions.’ The solution addresses the increasing demand for secure and reliable connectivity as businesses expand their cloud-based operations and digital infrastructure.

Smart Healthcare

Jian Ling Technology Co., Ltd., represented by Gary Liu, CEO, showcases ‘Hydrolight High Penetration Detox Capsule.’ The product forms part of the Pavilion’s healthcare showcase, reflecting the growing role of innovation in addressing health and wellness needs.

KUANG YU METAL WORKING CO., LTD, represented by Charise Sabangan, Marketing Assistant of Green E Nano Tech. Phils. Corp., showcases ‘iEnjoy: A Smarter Way to Support Everyday Health.’ The solution highlights opportunities to integrate technology into everyday health and wellness practices.

Smart Life

Sauber Technology Co. Ltd., represented by Gary Yang, Managing Director, showcases ‘The Future of Air Purifiers: Why They Should Disappear.’ The company highlights the evolving role of air purification technology and its potential to become more seamlessly integrated into residential and commercial environments.

Bringing Taiwan’s innovation closer to Filipino consumers

The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion also welcomed Ivana Alawi, a Filipino modern icon who explored the featured technologies and solutions during the event.

‘It’s exciting to see how technology from Taiwan is being developed with real-life needs in mind. The Taiwan Excellence Pavilion gives Filipinos an opportunity to discover innovative products that can support the way we work, live and take care of our health. I hope more people will visit the Pavilion, learn about these solutions and see how innovation can create possibilities for a smarter future,’ Ivana Alawi, Filipino artist.

Her participation added a Filipino perspective to the Pavilion, helping introduce the featured technologies and products to a wider audience while reinforcing the campaign’s focus on how innovation can support the way people work, live and care for their well-being.

Building connections through innovation

Beyond the product showcase, the Pavilion provides a venue for Philippine businesses, industry professionals and other visitors to meet participating companies, understand their technologies and explore potential areas for cooperation.

The diverse solutions presented across the four categories demonstrate the range of industries supported by Taiwan Excellence, while the participating companies provide a closer look at how technology can address specific business and consumer needs.

Through ‘Empowering a Smarter Future,’ the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion highlights the role of innovation in creating new opportunities for businesses while strengthening economic and commercial connections between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Whether it’s pursuing better career opportunities, reuniting with family or giving their children a brighter future, permanent migration is one of the biggest life decisions many Filipinos will make.

But aside from visa applications, airfare and moving logistics, relocating permanently also requires careful financial preparation. Unlike overseas workers who intend to return home, permanent migrants often need to manage financial responsibilities across two countries-from maintaining assets and providing for your family in the Philippines to building long-term financial security in their new home.

According to Metrobank, preparing financially starts with understanding your current financial position and creating a plan that supports your long-term goals, wherever life takes you.

Here are five financial priorities every future permanent migrant should consider before leaving the Philippines.

1. Start with a complete financial checkup

Before making any major financial decisions, look at your overall financial situation.

Review your income, savings, investments, outstanding loans, insurance coverage and retirement plans. Having a clear picture of your finances helps you determine which obligations should be settled before you leave and which assets or accounts you will continue managing from overseas.

Metrobank points out that migration changes not only where you live, but also how you manage your finances. A financial review before departure allows you to make the necessary arrangements with your bank and avoid costly surprises once you have settled abroad.

2. Build a relocation fund without sacrificing your emergency savings

Moving overseas permanently comes with significant upfront expenses, from immigration fees and airfare to rental deposits, furniture, and other settlement costs. At the same time, unexpected expenses may arise during your first few months in a new country.

To prepare, Metrobank reminds future migrants to set aside separate funds for your relocation expenses and your emergency savings. Your relocation fund should cover the costs of moving, while your emergency fund should remain untouched and serve as a financial safety net in case of delayed employment, medical emergencies or other unforeseen situations as you establish yourself abroad.

3. Review and organize your financial obligations

Before leaving the Philippines, take time to review your existing financial commitments and make sure you have a clear plan for managing them while abroad.

List any outstanding financial obligations and check their payment schedules, terms, and due dates. If you have payments that will continue after your move, consider setting up convenient payment arrangements or automatic payments to help keep your accounts up to date.

It is also helpful to review recurring expenses and subscriptions, and determine which ones you still need to maintain once you are overseas. Taking care of these details before your departure can help prevent missed payments, unnecessary fees, or financial stress as you adjust to your new life.

Metrobank recommends understanding and making the necessary arrangements for your financial commitments before migrating, so you can make informed decisions about how to allocate your income and resources as you establish yourself in a new country.

4. Start planning for retirement early

Metrobank emphasizes that for Filipinos permanently settling abroad, retirement planning should begin as soon as you become financially stable. While migration may bring better career opportunities and higher income, it also means taking greater responsibility for securing your financial future.

Take advantage of retirement or pension programs in your new country, particularly if your employer offers matching contributions. Depending on your long-term plans, you may also consider maintaining your SSS membership or keeping investments in the Philippines, especially if you intend to retain assets or spend part of your retirement there.

The earlier you begin saving and investing for retirement, the more time your money has to grow. Planning ahead also gives you greater flexibility, whether you eventually retire in your adopted country, return to the Philippines or divide your retirement between both.

5. Prepare to manage your finances across two countries

Permanent migration does not always mean leaving your financial life in the Philippines behind. Many migrants continue to own property, maintain bank accounts and investments, or support family members long after settling overseas.

Before leaving, update your contact information with your financial institutions, enroll in digital banking services and ensure you can securely access your accounts from abroad. If you will continue managing assets in the Philippines, consider assigning a trusted representative through the appropriate legal documents to help handle transactions when your physical presence is required.

For Filipinos who continue to support loved ones in the Philippines, having a reliable way to send money home can also be part of managing finances across borders.

You can partner with banks like Metrobank, which has a remittance app, MetroRemit, available for overseas Filipinos in key markets. The app enables them to send money directly to Metrobank accounts of their beneficiaries or through more than 11,000 cash pickup partners in the Philippines. This makes it easier for Filipinos abroad to support their loved ones while keeping remittances aligned with their broader financial goals.

With its presence in the Philippines and across key international markets, Metrobank supports Filipinos wherever their financial journey takes them. Whether it is sending money home, managing day-to-day finances, building savings, or planning for the future, having the right financial tools and arrangements in place can help make managing finances across borders more seamless.

Preparing for permanent migration involves more than packing your belongings. With thoughtful planning and sound financial decisions, moving abroad can also be the beginning of a stronger and more secure financial future.

Floods spawned by typhoons and the southwest monsoon have driven up the number of leptospirosis cases, with over 10,000 infections recorded this year, while dengue infections have declined, according to the Department of Health.

DOH data as of Sept. 16 showed 10,936 suspected cases of leptospirosis this year, which is 38 percent higher than the 7,931 infections reported during the same period in 2025.

Meanwhile, the DOH said dengue cases have dropped by 33 percent this year.

Data showed that from Jan. 4 to Sept. 16, there were 155,918 dengue cases reported, which is lower by 75,932 than the 231,850 infections recorded during the same period in 2025.

In the past three to four weeks, the number of leptospirosis cases was 116 percent higher than the five to six weeks before that period, the DOH said.

The National Capital Region, Cagayan Valley and Calabarzon recorded the highest number of infections.

Health officials said the case fatality rate for leptospirosis is 5.1 percent while the CFR last year was 10.55 percent.

To prevent contracting leptospirosis, the DOH said people must immediately seek medical advice following exposure to floods even if they are not manifesting symptoms of the disease.

As of Monday, 1.68 million capsules of doxycycline had been sent to health centers in flood-stricken areas nationwide to prevent the spread of leptospirosis.

The health agency said there are 3.73 million capsules of doxycycline available at DOH national and regional warehouses to support continuing and emerging cases.

Meanwhile, although the number of dengue cases has dropped, health officials noted an increasing trend in the recent three to four weeks with 19,792 infections reported, which is 14 percent higher than the 17,342 recorded during the previous five to six weeks.

Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and the National Capital Region recorded the highest number of dengue cases.

People have been urged to help prevent the spread of dengue by searching and destroying potential breeding sites of mosquitoes.

Those showing symptoms of dengue, which include high fever, headache, body pains nausea or vomiting and rashes, must immediately seek medical attention to prevent complications or death.

Midas Bags, Shoes, Leather Repair and Restoration opened its flagship store at the SM North EDSA Carpark Plaza last month, taking a prime position at the walkway linking the plaza to The Block, the mall’s upscale retail wing.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte led the ribbon cutting as guest of honor, following a blessing rite attended by company executives, mall officials and invited guests.

In remarks before the opening, Belmonte spoke about the city government’s support for small and medium enterprises, citing the sector’s role in local employment and in the city’s post-pandemic commercial recovery.

The flagship is the largest outlet to date for Midas, which restores handbags, footwear and leather goods, work that ranges from sole replacement and hardware repair to full color restoration on luxury pieces. Placing the service beside The Block puts the company within walking distance of the luxury and premium brands whose products it repairs.

Also present were Midas chairman Reynold Yabes, Midas general manager Jullian Anisco, guest business consultant Karlo Benjamin Nisce and SM The Block Mall manager Michael Vincent Uy.

‘Quezon City has been good to small businesses like ours, and this flagship is proof of what that support makes possible. Being steps from The Block puts our craftsmanship right where our customers already shop for the brands we restore. We’re proud to grow here.’ Anisco said.

Repair and restoration have drawn steady demand in the Philippine retail market as consumers extend the life of higher-value goods rather than replace them, a shift retailers across Southeast Asia has reported since 2023. Midas is positioning the flagship as both a service counter and a walk-in consultation point, with assessments done on site.

Midas SM North is now open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., marking the brand’s largest and most visible location yet as it continues growing across the country.