Category: Philippine Star

PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio is aiming for the stands to crack a homerun for Philippine baseball as his campaign to transform the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex into a vibrant hub opens a new chapter in rehabilitating the revered diamond that will be the battleground for the 15th Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) East Asia Cup on Dec. 7-13.

The renovation is expected to be completed on or before Nov. 30 with work on a 24/7 basis. The baseball stadium was inaugurated in 1934 with American legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig belting homeruns in an exhibition game. There are marks on the stadium walls indicating how far their balls sailed. Several refurbishments were made through the years but none as extensive as the effort initiated by Gregorio.

PABA secretary-general Mike Asuncion said once finished, the baseball stadium will deliver a Wimbledon appeal. ‘Eyesore elements have been removed,’ he said. ‘Our countrymen will be proud. We’re laying out an all-weather artificial turf compliant with BFA recommendations. The centerfield homerun fence has been extended to 400 feet. There will be lights to enable night games and an electronic scoreboard, about 12 feet tall, without touching the old, iconic scoreboard which is slated for later crafting. It will be a software-operated standard ballpark electronic digital LED scoreboard and it’s already in Manila, to be mounted soon. Safety wall paddings will be added around the field. And you won’t recognize the lockers once they’re done. The homerun markers will be replaced by a proper Hall of Fame tribute specially re-designed, a better testament to our baseball heroes. Everything will be cleaned up inside and out. Crowd seating will be 5,000.’

Gregorio said PSC isn’t just transforming facilities but also mindsets. The inauguration of the baseball stadium is set on Dec. 6 with the first game of the BFA East Asia Cup scheduled the next day. The championship contest will be on Dec. 12.

The Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs scored a vengeful 76-64 victory over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars to stay atop of the college division standings in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 26 basketball tournament Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Jhon Loufred Diamante bagged 16 points, while Kenneth Babalcon stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists, three blocks and a steal as the Cheetahs stretched their league-best record to 9-1.

Junil Bulan added 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block for the Cheetahs, who avenged their 60-62 overtime loss to the Jaguars in their first-round meeting last September 24.

Alcher Obra produced a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, along with two steals, while El John Lacaya chipped in 12 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals but their efforts proved futile as the Jaguars dropped to 5-4.

In the other collegiate matchup, Ray James Enriquez stole the show with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals as the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors got even with the University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters by the slimmest of margins, 59-58.

Real Einer Aureo tallied 13 points with seven rebounds, two assists and two blocks, while James Tawacal contributed 10 points, six rebounds and three assists as the Warriors improved to 6-4.

Ricofer Sordilla fired 18 points, four rebounds, five assists and a steal, while Maverick Eligoyo posted 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal for their efforts went for naught as the Webmasters fell to 5-5.

In the juniors division, reigning five-peat champions Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles and the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM) kept their undefeated records intact.

Lian Kent Basa delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals, while Jacob Javelosa and Gabriel Gonzales nailed 13 points apiece as the Magis Eagles soared to their sixth straight win with a 67-56 defeat of the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons.

Carl Torreon sizzled with 18 points, while Kyle Francis Bayog churned out 11 points, two rebounds, five assists and two steals as UCLM prevailed over the UC Junior Webmasters, 79-61, in a battle of sister teams to remain unbeaten at 7-0.

In another game, Skeril Miez Basilisco chalked up 14 points and eight rebounds, while Mark Ivan Geraldez had 12 points, four rebounds and five assists as the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Junior Wildcats edged the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 61-59, to claim sole possession of second place with a 7-2 slate.

Everything is in place for the inaugural Kayu Inter-BPO Pickleball Tournament on November 16 at the Portside Courts across Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

‘The event aims to provide a fun and engaging platform for participants to showcase their skills, build meaningful connections, encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, and strengthen relationships within the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) community through friendly competition,’ said Kayu chairman Harrison Go.

‘Ultimately, the tournament seeks to foster unity, collaboration, and a positive work-life balance while creating an enjoyable and memorable sporting experience for everyone involved,’ Go added.

The tournament will feature men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles categories.

Eight teams have so far confirmed their participation: Xignex Digital Solutions, JustPressOne International, ContactPoint360 Stallions, Stark BPO Services, Sentria, Evo Tech, Fusion CX, and Emata.

Players from four other companies have also expressed their intent to see action.

Go said they are targeting a total of 20 competing teams.

The deadline for registration is November 10. Those interested to join may contact tournament commissioner Jano Macahasa at 0998-2046014.

The champions in each category will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will take home P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.

Green, as they say, is the color of money and nature.

That is why for SM Investments Corp., the parent company of the SM Group, going green makes business sense.

SM Investments believes that the most meaningful sustainability investments are those that make a company stronger. It is simply part of how the group, led by the Sy family, runs its businesses, which span retail, banking, property and other high-growth sectors.

SM Investments is a perfect example of what happens when a company treats sustainability spending as an investment rather than an expense. It proves that going green is about more than meeting environmental goals; it is about making business stronger and more resilient.

So, where does sustainability actually improve the business?

In SM’s case, the benefits are felt across the board – from reducing costs and enhancing reliability to improving operational efficiency. Through investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable financing, the company is demonstrating how sustainability can be integrated into business operations and investment decisions.

‘We see sustainability as part of good governance, guiding our decisions, strengthening accountability and supporting our long-term growth while creating value for our stakeholders,’ Frederic DyBuncio, SM Investments president and CEO said.

Built on years of investment in efficiency and renewable energy across the group, SM Investments is targeting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2040, and is on track to do so.

In 2025, the group raised its renewable energy sourcing to 31 percent of total electricity consumption from 27 percent in the previous year, with the expansion of cleaner energy use pursued across its businesses.

As part of its broader energy efficiency initiatives, the group has installed more than 200,000 solar panels across its properties, helping generate electricity and reduce dependence on grid power.

SM Supermalls, which operates the largest network of shopping centers in the Philippines, has been ramping up its sustainability initiatives with rooftop solar photovoltaic systems and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations being installed in more malls nationwide. A total of 76 out of SM’s 90 malls across the country have been equipped with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Alfamart likewise recently installed solar panels at its Saraiya Distribution Center in Quezon Province with a solar peak capacity of 120.28 kilowatt-peak, helping improve operational efficiency within its supply chain network.

SM Investments has also expanded its renewable energy investments through wholly owned subsidiary Philippine Geothermal Production Co. (PGPC), which operates the Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in the Provinces of Batangas, Laguna and Albay. PGPC supplies geothermal steam that can generate up to 400 megawatts of clean renewable energy to power households, offices and industrial facilities around the clock. The Mak-Ban and Tiwi steam fields in Laguna and Albay alone can generate enough geothermal steam to power up to hundreds of thousands of households annually.

New geothermal steam fields in five areas in Luzon have the potential to provide up to 400 additional megawatts of clean, renewable geothermal power for the country are also currently being developed by PGPC.

Beyond its own operations, the group is helping support the country’s energy transition through BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest bank. BDO has deployed around P1.2 trillion in sustainable financing, including support for 71 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 6,165 MW. China Banking Corp., for its part, provided P72 billion in financing for energy access, renewables and energy efficiency projects in 2025.

The group, from its retail business to banks and logistics companies, has likewise been reducing its plastic footprints in its packaging and influencing consumer behavior to use less plastic. Integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc., for its part, has teamed up with Japanese waste processing firm GUUN CO., LTD to convert waste back into new materials at their first waste processing factory in Consolacion, Cebu. SM has likewise installed RDC-labeled (recyclable, disposable, compostable) bins across various properties nationwide to further enhance the development of waste conversion.

SM Markets, the group’s umbrella brand for SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket and Savemore, has ushered in greener retail practices in encouraging the use of eco-bags over single-use plastics since 2007.

With the SM Group continuing to thrive amid evolving market conditions and economic cycles, its decision to treat sustainability spending as an investment rather than an expense demonstrates that going green, indeed, makes business sense.

Gunmen killed a barangay councilor and four others in separate attacks across the adjoining provinces of Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, as well as the Bangsamoro region’s Special Geographic Area (SGA) within a span of just 36 hours.

Tricycle driver Hashim Buyogan Hadji Esmael, died instantly from gunshot wounds sustained in an attack on Monday morning, October 26, in Barangay Dicalungan, Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

Officials of the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Police Office separately told reporters that witnesses saw one of two men riding a motorcycle shoot Esmael in the head as they approached his tricycle before speeding away.

Two of the five fatalities in the separate attacks between Saturday and early Monday, Munsari Abpi and Usop Ugod, were riding together on a motorcycle when gunmen ambushed them on a highway in Barangay Iganagampong, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao del Sur, on Sunday night, October 25. Both died instantly.

Capt. Steffie Salanguit, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, separately told reporters on Monday that the assailants fled immediately after the attack, leaving Abpi and Ugod lifeless beside the concrete road.

Two armed men shot dead barangay councilor Saddam Barra on Saturday morning in front of his roadside store in Barangay Macabiso, Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte.

The assailants of Bara, a member of the barangay council in Macabiso, escaped on a getaway motorcycle amid the commotion triggered by the gunshots that reverberated through the scene.

Gunmen aboard a minivan also shot dead motorcycle rider Alex Talungon with pistols on Saturday in Nabalawag, a town in the Bangsamoro SGA. Nabalawag is one of the eight towns in the Bangsamoro SGA, which was created just two years ago. All eight towns are under the autonomous regional government but are located within Cotabato province in Region 12.

Talungon was on his way to the town center of Nabalawag when he was attacked from behind by armed men aboard a minivan along a secluded stretch of highway in Barangay Nabalawag Nabalawag municipality. He died instantly from multiple gunshot wounds, according to local executives and officials of the Nabalawang Municipal Police Station.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being given a growing number of responsibilities in military affairs, and the role of human judgment in military operations is shrinking rapidly, the head of the United Nations’ independent disarmament research institute warned.

United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) Director Robin Geiss said on Tuesday that AI is being widely used on the battlefield and AI was increasingly ‘on track to crowding out human decision-making’ in the sector.

‘Crucially, this comes at the expense of human judgement, including in the nuclear domain,’ Geiss said.

Many of these evolving AI systems are opaque, and the UNIDIR chief warned they are increasing the risk of error, miscalculation and therefore of unintended escalation.

Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. of tycoon Enrique Razon Jr. is targeting the Visayas and Mindanao as new markets for its natural gas business.

Through subsidiary Prime Midstream, Prime Infra is exploring opportunities to extend its reach beyond Luzon and help ensure a reliable power supply amid continued market volatility.

‘We envision this as a supplier and distributor for all types of industries – be it for power generation or industrial uses and the like,’ Prime Midstream president and CEO Donnabel Kuizon Cruz said.

Prime Midstream operates a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Batangas, which complements indigenous gas from the Malampaya field to supply major power plants in the province.

The company took control of the terminal after acquiring a 60-percent stake from Lopez-led First Gen Corp., which retained a 20-percent interest, matching that of Japan’s Tokyo Gas.

Cruz stressed that both indigenous gas and imported LNG play a vital role in ensuring energy security and managing exposure to fuel price volatility spurred by escalating geopolitical tensions abroad.

‘In terms of the volatility of the market, indigenous gas price is usually historically lower than LNG prices, be it spot or term LNG. So it helps to cushion the market price spikes that LNG experiences,’ said Cruz, also president of Prime Energy.

Prime Energy operates the Malampaya deep-water gas-to-power project, the country’s first and only indigenous gas resource that supplies about 13 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs.

With the onset of a Super El Niño, Cruz said gas-fired power plants would help keep the lights on, particularly in the evening when solar generation declines.

‘We see ourselves being asked to deliver more than our capacity now, which means that very reliable and affordable power sources are still much needed,’ she added. ‘Gas-fired power plants must continue to operate in this manner.’

Photography enthusiasts can now use professional cameras to take personal and souvenir photos in the historic Walled City of Intramuros without securing a permit, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

The initiative, led by the Intramuros Administration (IA) in partnership with CameraHaus, aims to make heritage photography more accessible and encourage visitors to share stories of the historic district through their lenses.

“Photographers must still observe site guidelines, such as restrictions on flash photography in some areas, to protect historic structures and museum collections,” the DOT said.

The policy follows public discussions over camera restrictions in Intramuros, where visitors had called for clearer guidance on the use of digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.

In February 2026, the IA reiterated that DSLR cameras could be used free of charge for personal and souvenir photography. However, milestone shoots, such as prenuptial, pre-debut and birthday sessions, as well as shoots involving equipment such as reflectors, lighting equipment and backdrops, still required permits. The reminders prompted some visitors to urge the administration to ensure that security personnel were properly informed of the rules, citing instances in which people were reportedly stopped from taking photos with larger cameras.

In April 2024, the IA had also issued separate guidelines for creative professionals and enthusiasts covering commercial, non-commercial, and student photography and video projects.

The latest initiative was highlighted during the inaugural Street Summit organized by CameraHaus in partnership with the DOT and IA on October 24.

The event gathered more than 300 photographers, content creators, and visual artists for a community photowalk under the theme ‘Intramuros Reframed.’

The summit encouraged participants to explore the Walled City from fresh perspectives and capture its lesser-known corners.

The DOT said it continues to support initiatives that promote appreciation of the Philippines’ cultural heritage and historic landmarks.

The entire territorial jurisdiction of Lapu-Lapu City has been declared a no-fly zone as the city prepares to host the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 13th ADMM-Plus from October 26 to 30, 2026.

The city government announced the restriction in a public advisory, citing security protocols for the international meetings and the strict enforcement of City Ordinance No. 16-033-A-2022.

The ordinance regulates the use of laser lights and pointers, laser displays and searchlights, as well as kite-flying, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones, balloons, and other remotely controlled flying objects.

‘For this period, the entire territorial jurisdiction of Lapu-Lapu City is declared a strict No-Fly Zone,’ the city government said in its advisory.

Under Section 4, Paragraph 7 of the ordinance, the city government may designate no-fly zones during specific events in the interest of public safety and security.

The advisory also reiterated the prohibition on kite-flying within city limits under Section 12 of the ordinance, regardless of the activity’s nature or purpose.

Parents and legal guardians were likewise reminded of their responsibility to prevent minors from flying kites. Under Section 13, violations may result in a fine of P3,000 imposed on the parent or guardian.

The city government also warned that the usual exemptions for recreational drones weighing less than seven kilograms would not apply in areas designated as prohibited or restricted airspace.

According to the advisory, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) is equipped with technology to neutralize unauthorized flying objects.

‘Any drone, kite, or balloon found in violation of these security measures will be neutralized and confiscated immediately,’ the advisory stated.

The city government said unauthorized operation of flying objects in prohibited or restricted airspace carries a fine of P5,000, along with the confiscation of the equipment.

The city government called on residents and visitors to comply with the restrictions as Lapu-Lapu City prepares to welcome delegates attending the regional defense meetings.

‘Let us ensure that our commitment to public welfare and national security remains our top priority during this global event,’ the advisory said.

A 36-year-old nurse of the Abra Provincial Hospital was killed while his 10-year-old daughter was wounded in an attack by motorcycle-riding men in this town on Friday night.

Bystanders rushed Mark Kenneth Acedo and his daughter to the Assumpta Family Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

Acedo and his family were in a Hyundai hatchback parked in front of an event’s venue in Barangay Angad when two men on separate motorcycles opened fire at them.

Police arrested Brix Walter Barrera in a follow-up operation in nearby Tayum town and seized from him a .45-caliber pistol.

Barrera reportedly told police that the shooting was due to a traffic dispute.