Category: Philippine Star

Aguilas UMAK FC has taken another major step in its long-term project with South Korean head coach Jang Min Seok assuming the club’s chairmanship role.

Jang, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Pro License holder, came to the Philippines with a clear ambition: turn Aguilas UMAK FC into a competitive and sustainable professional football club capable of challenging for the Philippines Football League title and eventually competing on the AFC stage.

His role will now extend beyond coaching the first team. As chairman and head coach, Jang will take part in shaping the club’s overall football direction, including player development, youth programs, club infrastructure, international partnerships and the long-term professionalization of Aguilas UMAK FC.

‘I did not come to the Philippines simply to coach a team. I came here to build something that can last,’ said Jang. ‘Our goal is to win, but winning alone is not enough. I want to help build a strong club, develop young Filipino players and create opportunities for them to compete internationally.’

Jang is upbeat on the potential of Filipino players, believing he can help Aguilas UMAK FC establish a stronger identity both domestically and internationally.

‘Aguilas UMAK FC is not just a team for one season. We are building for the future,’ he said. ‘My dream is to make this club a champion and take Aguilas UMAK FC onto the Asian stage.’

With Jang now serving as both chairman and head coach, Aguilas UMAK FC is signaling its intention to pursue not only immediate results on the pitch, but also a long-term vision for the club’s growth.

Jang attended Hongik University and was regarded as a top prospect in the class of 1995, being known for his movement on the pitch and clinical finishing. This led to him being selected as the first overall pick in the 1999 K-League draft by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC.

Throughout his playing career, he also represented the South Korean national team at both the youth and senior men’s levels.

Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and has since earned an AFC/KFA P-License.

From a mere one-month training, the Gilas Men’s 3×3 showed up and showed out, scoring an opening-day double over Mongolia and Sri Lanka to jumpstart its campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games here.

Former UAAP Mythical Team member Nic Cabañero, now seeing action for Biñan in the MPBL, spearheaded the charge for coach Patrick Fran’s charges who wasted no time making their presence felt in Group A at the Kinjo Futo Station Square.

Backed by a cheering Filipino gallery led by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and commissioner Fritz Gaston, Cabañero and teammates Koji Buenaflor, Manuel Pablo and David Dungo went to work.

Cabañero unloaded seven points, Buenaflor added six and Pablo and Dungo chipped in three each as Gilas clobbered Mongolia, 19-12, in the high-noon tiff. Two hours later, they were back on the court and at it again, blasting Sri Lanka, 21-12, with Cabañero again at the forefront with eight.

‘We just gave the best we could,’ said Cabañero.

Up next for Gilas is Kazakhstan tomorrow for a shot at a group sweep.

Chemistry was never an issue, said the 6-foot-7 Buenaflor from UST.

‘We trained for one month, pero wala naman problema sa chemistry since we know each other from our collegiate games,’ he said. Pablo and Dungo both hail from La Salle.

Meanwhile, the Gilas Belles launch their own bid today in the Under-23 tournament, facing Mongolia at 12 noon then Macao at 2:05 p.m. in Group C before taking on Malaysia tomorrow.

Comprising the women’s team are Long Beach State’s six-foot standout Ka Kennan, FEU’s Amyah Espanol and Maria Pasilang and Ateneo’s Kacey dela Rosa.

Locally grown Carabao mangoes have now entered the Canadian market, as the Philippines seeks to expand exports of farm products.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced the country’s first commercial shipment of fresh Carabao mangoes to Canada, consisting of 250 cartons with a total weight of one metric ton.

The product was shipped last Sept. 18 through a partnership between Mensch FilAm Corp. and the Department of Trade and Industry’s Export Marketing Bureau.

Vancouver-based distributor Fresh Makers Ltd., which serves supermarkets and institutional buyers, will take in the shipment. Air Canada handled the air transport and Airspeed Cargo provided logistics support.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the initial shipment forms part of the government’s push to open new markets for Philippine agricultural products and raise farmer earnings.

‘Opening new markets means opening new opportunities for our farmers. When we can sell more Philippine agricultural products abroad, we create opportunities to increase farm incomes, encourage more investment in agriculture and bring greater economic activity to the countryside,’ Tiu Laurel added.

He said stronger agricultural exports could open opportunities across the farm-to-market value chain, covering production and consolidation to logistics, processing and distribution.

To further expand markets for mangoes, the DA has been improving the industry’s capacity to meet export requirements and sustain access to international markets.

It noted that more than 40 mango growers’ groups have been consolidated into a single federation to strengthen industry coordination, supply consolidation and market access.

The agency said it has been working to tackle disease concerns affecting mango production while strengthening plant health measures to meet export market requirements.

The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) has also signed an agreement with Mitsui and Co. to support the local mango industry and expand opportunities for growers and exporters.

At the same time, the BPI is pushing to expand the market access of locally produced tropical fruits and farm products to the UK.

It is proposing reciprocal exports of premium Philippine agricultural products to the UK market.

Among the products currently proposed for expanded market access are fresh Cavendish bananas, MD2 pineapples, Carabao mangoes, Solo papaya, Hass avocados, value-added purple yam and specialty coffee.

In exchange, UK-grown fresh apples could be given expanded access in the Philippines, according to the agency.

The proposal follows a meeting with the BPI and a delegation led by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, along with representatives from the British Embassy in the Philippines.

The meeting tackled improvements in plant health protocols, the completion of the pest risk analysis for fresh apples from the UK and new strategies to expand agricultural trade between countries.

Since the UK submitted its technical information last March 2024, experts from both sides have exchanged scientific assessments to address potential pest risks. The meetings aim to secure safe market access and safeguard each country’s agricultural sector.

The BPI noted that the next step would be an audit visit with a proposed date for October 2026, beginning with a kick-off meeting that will include discussions on food safety.

‘Once these important safety steps are completed, the Philippines and the UK will be closer to trading high-quality crops. This means UK apples could soon reach Filipino families and premium Philippine tropical fruits could reach British consumers,’ the agency added.

It said that expanded trade with the UK would help improve Filipino farmers’ earnings, create new jobs in agricultural communities and motivate farmers to continue producing their crops

Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte said city officials were unaware that Vice President Sara Duterte had declared an interest in GenCorp Industries Inc., which had secured 19 contracts with the local government worth more than P33.2 million.

Baste made the statement in a post on his Facebook account late Monday, September 21, a day before he is scheduled to appear as a witness in his sister’s impeachment trial.

‘I, and all other officials and employees of the City Government of Davao, never had any knowledge of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte holding an interest in GENCORP INDUSTRIES INC.,’ he said.

Baste also said the vice president’s name or the surname ‘Duterte’ did not appear in GenCorp’s official documents submitted for the transactions with the city.

‘Neither the name Sara Zimmerman Duterte nor the surname ‘Duterte’ appears in any of the official documents, such as, among others, the Articles of Incorporation,’ he said.

The mayor said GenCorp underwent evaluation for each transaction and was found to have submitted the lowest calculated responsive bid or offer.

He added that all 19 transactions were processed, reported and published through the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System.

Of the 19 contracts, 13 had been completed while six were still ongoing, Baste said.

Four of the contracts were secured through competitive public bidding, while 15 were undertaken through small-value procurement.

The mayor said the transactions were above board. He also challenged anyone making allegations against the city government’s dealings with GenCorp to present verified and reliable evidence.

‘I remain steadfast in my commitment to transparency, fairness and the absolute truth,’ Baste said.

‘This statement is issued ahead of any so-called lawful proceedings as I believe that the people, especially the people of the City of Davao, have the right to know,’ he added.

SEC testimony

Baste’s statement came after the issue of Duterte’s business interests was raised during the 27th day of her impeachment trial on Monday.

Securities and Exchange Commission Company Registration and Monitoring Department Director Gerardo Fernando del Rosario testified that Duterte remained a shareholder and member of the board of directors of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation after she assumed office as vice president in 2022.

SEC records presented during the proceedings showed Duterte remained on the company’s board from 2022 to 2025. She was also listed as a 20% shareholder.

The prosecution cited Article VII, Section 13 of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits the president, vice president, Cabinet members and their deputies or assistants from holding another office or employment during their tenure. The provision also bars them from directly or indirectly practicing another profession or participating in any business during their term.

Del Rosario, however, said it would be up to the Senate to determine whether Duterte’s continued role in the company constituted a violation of the Constitution. The SEC itself had not made such a determination.

The Metro City Chow Foods testimony is separate from GenCorp.

Duterte declared GenCorp as one of her business interests in her 2024 and 2025 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

During Monday’s hearing, however, Del Rosario said Duterte’s name did not appear as an incorporator, director or stockholder in GenCorp’s corporate records. The company’s records instead identified JTC Group of Companies Philippines Inc. as its largest subscriber.

Del Rosario said a person could potentially have an indirect interest in GenCorp through JTC if that person controlled the latter company, but the corporate records presented to the impeachment court did not list Duterte directly in GenCorp.

Davao transactions

The prosecution is expected to examine the Davao City government’s transactions with GenCorp when Baste takes the witness stand.

Prosecution counsel Benjamin Tolosa Jr. earlier said Baste’s testimony would focus on whether GenCorp, which Duterte identified in her SALN as a business interest, had dealings with the Davao City government. The testimony is also expected to touch on allegations that Duterte failed to divest from business interests while serving as vice president.

Baste is scheduled to testify from September 28 to 30.

The impeachment trial will continue to discuss Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which includes allegations involving Duterte’s wealth, SALN disclosures and alleged continued business interests while in office

Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. is hiking its stake in Ayala Corp. through a P44.5-billion transaction, reinforcing its position as one of the Philippine conglomerate’s largest long-term strategic shareholders.

Ayala said a definitive agreement was signed to significantly expand Mitsubishi’s investment in the country’s oldest conglomerate.

The approximately $700-million transaction is based on the agreed subscription and acquisition price of P650 per common share and will comprise a combination of primary and secondary shares, including a voluntary tender offer.

Mitsubishi’s economic ownership in Ayala is set to increase from 4.7 percent to 15 percent, and its voting stake to 20 percent, upon completion of the transaction.

Ayala said the investment marks a new chapter ‘in a long-standing relationship anchored on shared values, responsible business stewardship and a common commitment to supporting the Philippines’ sustainable development.’

With Mitsubishi’s increased investment, the two groups intend to deepen collaboration in sectors critical to the country’s future development, including infrastructure, energy transition, real estate, digital technologies, mobility, logistics and other emerging growth industries.

Ayala said it is expected to receive approximately P20 billion in proceeds, which will be used to further strengthen its balance sheet through debt reduction, continue its share purchase program covering the shares of the company and its listed subsidiaries, as well as support future growth initiatives.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, chairman of Ayala, said the transaction represents much more than a capital investment as it reflects the strength of a relationship built over many years and a deep alignment in values, long-term thinking and responsible business stewardship.

‘As we enter this new chapter with Mitsubishi, we look forward to deepening our collaboration and creating lasting value for our stakeholders while contributing meaningfully to the country’s continued progress,’ Zobel said.

Ayala plans to conduct a voluntary tender offer for up to approximately 30 million common shares as part of the transaction, on behalf of Mitsubishi.

The company said the tender offer would provide public shareholders with an opportunity to participate in the transaction and realize value at the same P650 per share price agreed with Mitsubishi.

Korean actress Park Shin-hye has given birth to her second child with husband and fellow actor Choi Tae-joon, this time a baby girl.

Shin-hye’s agency Salt Entertainment confirmed that the actress and her newborn daughter were “recovering and stabilizing under the love and care of the family.”

“We deeply appreciate everyone who has generously celebrated with us, and we kindly ask for warm blessings and support for the new life,” the agency added.

The label confirmed Shin-hye that the actress was studying prenatal education, confirming her second pregnancy last April.

Shin-hye and Tae-joon began as child stars and crossed paths in Seoul’s Chung-Ang University. They began dating in 2017 and tied the knot in January 2022. In May of the same year, they welcomed their son. Among Shin-hye’s earliest projects were “Stairway to Heaven,” “Tree of Heaven,” “Evil Twin,” and the “Princess Hours” spin-off “Prince Hours.”

Prominent roles later came in “Miracle in Cell No. 7,” “The Heirs,” “Memories of the Alhambra,” “#Alive,” “Doctor Slump,” “Pinocchio,” and most recently, “Undercover Miss Hong.”

Shin-hye will focus first on her newborn daughter before returning for the second season of “The Judge from Hell” with Kim Jae-young.

Tae-joon, meanwhile, is known for starring in “Suspicious Partner,” “So I Married An Anti-Fan,” “Exit,” “Iron Family,” “Flowers of the Prison,” and had cameos in “Twenty-Five Twenty-One” and “Flex x Cop.”

The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday served a subpoena on Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao director Juby Blancaver Cordon as the NBI widens its probe into the region’s flood control and infrastructure projects flagged for possible irregularities.

Cordon was ordered to appear before NBI Director Melvin Matibag in Pasay on Sept. 24 and produce records covering 37 contracts, most of them in Davao City and Davao del Sur.

The subpoena, issued on Sept. 17 and received by the DPWH-Davao records section yesterday, seeks documents and testimony on the 47 flagged projects, which were found to involve possible violations of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code on malversation, Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Republic Act 9160 or the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Matibag initially described six of the 47 as clearly questionable based on the documents reviewed.

The NBI said the flagged projects include those suspected to be ghost or substandard as well as projects that appeared to have different titles and funding despite having the same coordinates.

Cordon’s office was directed to submit certified records covering the bidding, implementation, inspection, completion and acceptance of the projects.

It was also directed to submit the construction schedules, manpower and equipment utilization, safety programs, inspection reports, certificates of completion and documents identifying the DPWH personnel who signed engineering assessments.

Also sought were records of the bids and awards committee, including the designation of its members and related resolutions.

The listed projects involve flood mitigation and river revetment works along the Talomo, Matina, Bunawan, Panacan, Bago Gallera, Libby, Agdao and Mamay rivers and creeks, as well as road and drainage projects.

The company Genesis88 Construction appears prominently in the contracts, either as the main contractor or as part of joint ventures with Gemma Construction Supply, Vicente T. Lao Construction and Agong Builders and Construction Supply.

Earlier, the NBI had identified about P1.9 billion in projects in Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte’s district that were awarded to Genesis88, whose owner was described by Matibag as being ‘close to the lawmaker.’

Duterte himself is not among those being summoned at this stage, with the NBI saying it is initially focusing on contractors and DPWH personnel.

A review of the listed projects by online news website MindaNews found that 26 of the 47 projects are in the first district, while others are in Davao City’s second and third districts and one in Matanao, Davao del Sur.

The same review found Genesis88 named in all 47 projects, either as sole contractor or as part of a joint venture.

It also identified 37 flood control and drainage contracts and 10 road projects among those listed.

The NBI Task Force ‘Flood Control’ is handling the investigation.

Pickleball, the nation’s fastest-growing sport, gets an official platform for more exposure and development with the launch of the inaugural Maharlika Pilipinas Pickleball Tour (MPPT) in partnership with Solar Sports starting in October in five different cities.

The MPPT serves as the newest league on Solar Sports, one of the country’s longest sports networks, aside from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Season 8 as sports patron and founder Manny Pacquiao, also the newly appointed secretary of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) continues to champion the growth of the Philippine sports as a whole more than just boxing.

The MPPT, set for broadcast on Solar Sports during weekends, will start with 12 teams, made up of eight to 10 players, including a requirement of two homegrown bets, for the Invitationals before an expected participation of 16 to 24 teams in Season 1 in March 2027.

‘From the beginning, our goal has been to give Filipino athletes a bigger platform and help bring pickleball to more people across the country. Having Solar Sports as our broadcast partner allows us to bring the MPPT and our athletes to an even bigger audience. This is another important step forward for the MPPT and for the sport in the Philippines,” said Pacquiao.

“We have one shared vision with Solar Sports and that’s to take Philippine pickleball to the next level with the MPPT. We’re excited for this venture with one of the country’s best sports networks,” added MPPL Commissioner Mark Espinosa.

“We strengthen our enduring partner with Secretary Pacquiao. Expanding the success of the MPBL, Solar Sports is thrilled to carry on the momentum into pickleball, the nation’s fastest growing sport as the national broadcaster of the inaugural MPPT season. We hope to propel the sport forward,” said Solar Sports President Wilson Tieng, a longtime friend of Pacquiao back in his boxing glory days.

The Rizal Illustrados, led by former national tennister Bambi Zoleta, along with the Bacoor Strikers, Muntinlupa Smashers, Pampanga Chiefs, Batangas Bangers, Alfonso Siklab, Bangued Miki, GenSan Punchers, Paranaque Titans, Camarines Norte Golden Hawks and Abra River Paddlers make the inaugural tourney.

After the opener at the PCPH Court in Angeles City, the MPPT Invitationals will visit Tagaytay, Abra and Bacoor with the fifth leg for the national finals still to be determined but is likely to be held at a bigger venue in Metro Manila.

Pacquiao and his wife, who are avid pickleball fans and players themselves, are expected to grace the opening ceremony alongside some celebrities and influencers who have fell in love with the new sport like Tacloban team owner Karla Estrada.

Teams will play men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles in a single-round robin format during Saturdays with the top 8 teams figuring in the playoffs during Sundays of each leg. In case of a tie based on point ranking system, a singles match between the teams’ best players will be in play.

A whopping prize pool of P1 million is up for grabs in each leg with an expected bigger purse in the national finals, where the top eight teams will battle it out at the end of October.

The new pro league, licensed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), is open to all Filipinos at least 18 years of age. Consent or waiver will be required for minors, if teams opt to field younger bets.

One win away from history.

MMA fighter Jean Claude Saclag powered into the gold-medal match and ace gymnast Carlos Yulo roared into four finals to headline a day of triumph and grind – and ultimately rewarding – for Team Philippines at the Asian Games here yesterday.

Saclag is now a victory away from delivering the country’s first gold in this Asiad – and the first-ever Asian Games gold in mixed martial arts.

The Filipino standout neutralized Japan’s Daisuke Murayama in the men’s traditional -65kg semifinals at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center, using sharp striking and airtight takedown defense to keep the dangerous grappler at bay for a unanimous decision.

The Baguio warrior faces Tajikistan’s Otabek Rajabov for gold today.

‘Ramdam ko na mas malakas ako. Na-overpower ko siya,’ said Saclag whose game plan was simple: keep distance, punish, and don’t get dragged to the mat.

‘Kailangan keep natin ‘yung distance, saktan natin siya, tapos depensahan natin ‘yung takedowns niya,’ he said. ‘Sanay naman tayo lumaban sa finals, kaya mas lalo akong na-inspire. Iba pa rin ‘to. Asian Games ‘to, eh.’

Saclag’s win assured the Philippines of at least silver and followed Carlos Alvarez’s bronze in the men’s traditional -77kg.

Alvarez, 27, swept Indonesia’s Ananda Wahyu Setyo Prabowo, 3-0, in the quarters before bowing to Kazakhstan’s taller Yerkingali Burkutalin, 0-3, in a tight semifinal. King Carlos delivers again

It was an emotional day for Philippine gymnastics. The morning started with news that Gymnastics Association of the Philippines president Cynthia Carrion had lost her husband back home. She was scheduled to fly out of Nagoya last night.

Her gymnasts responded with a performance that made the nation proud.

Carlos Yulo, Karl Eldrew Yulo, Juancho Miguel Besana, Justine Ace de Leon and Zachary Nunez composed Team Phl that topped the morning qualification round before eventually settling for sixth – after the afternoon subdivision. The Philippines made the team final with China, Japan, South Korea, Kazakhstan, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam and Singapore.

In the individual all-around, Eldrew placed seventh and Carlos ninth as China’s Zhang Boheng took gold over Japanese stars Shinnosuke Oka and Daiki Hashimoto.

But Yulo, the elder, wasn’t done.

King Carlos – the No. 1 qualifier in floor exercise – booked three apparatus finals: floor (No. 1), vault (No. 7) and parallel bars (No. 6). Eldrew joined him in the floor final at No. 4 and just missed the horizontal bar final at No. 9. Besana will join Carlos in the vault medal round.

The men’s floor final is tomorrow and vault and parallel bars on Friday.

Elsewhere, boxer Norlan Petecio made an impressive Asian Games debut and Gilas Pilipinas Men’s 3×3 scored a two-game sweep.

Filipinas make quarterfinals anew

The Filipinas marched to the quarterfinals for the second straight Asiad after finishing as the best third-placed team in group play.

Despite dropping a 1-5 loss to China in the final match of Group G at the Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium yesterday, the Pinay booters have logged enough – four points on a 1-1-1 win-draw-loss card – to join the group topnotcher Chinese (seven points on two wins and a draw) and No. 2 Uzbekistan (five points on one win and two draws) in the KO rounds.

But it will be tough in the Last-8 with a battle against the Group E winner – most likely defending champion and host Japan – next.

Sanchez sets national mark

In the pool, Kayla Sanchez and Teia Salvino made the women’s 50m backstroke final but finished fifth and 10th, respectively.

Sanchez put up a fierce fight. While backstroke isn’t her forte, the Filipina swimming sensation showcased incredible versatility and broke her newly set national record, clocking 28.19 seconds.

Salvino also gave it her all, clocking 29.02 seconds.

On the sand, Sofiah Shanine Pagara and Khylem Harl Progella overwhelmed Maldives’ Anal Fathimath and Areesha Aminath, 21-6, 21-11, in women’s Pool G, while James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales crushed Mongolia’s Shijir-erdene Bat-enkh and Amar Batmunkh, 21-11, 21-15, in men’s Pool C.

Team Phl missed a sweep after Lerry John Francisco and Alnakran Abdilla bowed to Qatar’s Ahmed Janko and Cherif Samba, 7-21, 10-21.

In triathlon, the mixed relay team of Raven Faith Alcoseba, Andrew Kim Remolino, Kim Mangrobang and Fernando Jose Casares clocked 1:32:56 for ninth out of 14 teams. China – Lin Xinyu, Li Mingyu, Huang Anqi and Zhang Xirui – ruled in 1:25:54.

The Philippines overpowered Angola, 3.5-.5, with Mhage Sebastian leading the way with a smashing Board-1 victory Woman FIDE Master Jemima Paulo and regaining lost footing after the sixth round of the 46th World Chess Olympiad at the Silk Road International Exhibition Centre in Samarkand, Uzbekistan Monday night.

Thrusted into the limelight as the team’s top board player despite being an Olympiad rookie, Sebastian has delivered and, in fact, has scored a solid 3.5 points on three wins, a draw and a single defeat.

Also coming through were Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna and WFM Shania Mae Mendoza on Boards 2 and 4, respectively, while Woman International Master Ruelle Canino drew with WIM Caxita Esperanca on Board 3 to complete the one-sided win.

That propelled the Filipinas, whose trip in Samarkand is being bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission, into a 30-nation tie for 28th spot with eight match points each.

The Filipinos were equally impressive in their 3.5-.5 rout of the Yemenis to zoom to a 30-nation logjam for No. 29 also with eight match points.

They, like everyone else, get a much-deserved respite Tuesday and should come into Wednesday’s seventh round reenergized against Argentina in the men’s and Kyrgyzstan in the women’s where they seek nothing but a victory.

A win, of course, would send them back into the top 20 and closer to a potential top-10 finish, where they would receive a P1-million incentive from delegation head and Misamis Occidental Gov. Henry Oaminal Sr.