Category: Philippine Star

Hallyu fans were over the moon after learning that “Crash Landing on You” and “The Negotiation” co-stars Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin officially tied the knot in 2022.

Despite being one of Korea’s biggest celebrity couples, Ye-jin has a habit of covering her husband’s face with stickers whenever posting photos of him on social media, much to the amusement of followers.

The actress finally revealed the origin of the habit during a promotional interview with Netflix Korea ahead of the release of upcoming show “The Scandal” with Ji Chang-wook and Nana.

Ye-jin recounted a recent family vacation in Japan and United States with Hyun Bin and their three-year-old son after wrapping up shooting on “The Scandal.”

“We had a pretty packed schedule centered around my kid,” Ye-jin said in Korean. “It was tiring, but traveling together as a family is truly so gladdening.” She also shared having to wake up her son when taking him places to enjoy, acknowledging that she also covered his face with a sticker.

Asked if covering Hyun Bin’s face all the time was her choice or just her being considerate, Ye-jin revealed it was actually his idea.

“I said, ‘Can’t I just post it?’ and he said, ‘Please cover me,’ that’s why I always cover it,” the actress admitted.

“The Scandal” marks Ye-jin’s return to series since her marriage to Hyun Bin and giving birth to their son. Her only other project since then was her comeback movie “No Other Choice” last year.

Authorities have arrested Kim Chiu’s sister, Lakambini ‘Lakam’ Chiu, in connection with a qualified theft case filed by the actress and TV host.

According to reports, Lakam was arrested on Sunday, September 20, in Barangay Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City, by operatives of the Quezon City Police District. The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 issued a warrant for her arrest in connection with 124 counts of qualified theft filed by Kim.

The case stemmed from the alleged taking of corporate funds from House of Little Bunny Philippines, Inc. (HOLB), a company owned by Kim and Lakam. The court set Lakam’s bail at P5.838 million for her temporary liberty.

Based on the court’s resolution, there was sufficient basis to charge Lakam with 124 counts of qualified theft involving a total of P44,396,331.65. Kim filed the case against Lakam in December 2025 after allegedly discovering financial discrepancies in their business.

Kim’s lawyer previously said that Lakam was involved in the company’s management and was the one who knew and ran the business. Lakam is currently being held at the Police Station 10 custodial facility while awaiting a commitment order from the court.

In a previous statement, Kim said filing the case against her sister was a difficult decision. ‘The decision did not come easily. It is one of the most painful steps I have ever taken in my life,’ she said.

This week, the Cebu media community marks Cebu Press Freedom Week, now in its 34th year. The observance always coincides with the anniversary of the declaration of martial law on September 21.

This enduring celebration is uniquely Cebu, and I would like to congratulate the convenors of Cebu Press Freedom Week, the organizers of the various forums, media organization meetings, and other events, including a pickleball tournament, as well as supporters from the private sector and civil society for making this week-long celebration something to look forward to every year in September.

As we celebrate Press Freedom Week and observe the anniversary of the declaration of martial law, we also, with sober realization, take note of the passing of giants in Cebu history and literary circles this year. I am referring to National Artist Resil Mojares, who passed away on September 5; Paul Rodriguez of Bayan, who passed away on September 16; and, prior to them, retired Judge Meinrado ‘Menmen’ Paredes, who died on July 11.

I have always believed that creative literature and the struggles for human rights and national progress are intertwined. Remember, our struggle for independence from Spanish colonial rule traces its origins to the writings of literary genius Dr. Jose Rizal and the journalists of the reformist movement at the time.

The works of Mojares, as demonstrated in ‘Brains of the Nation’ and ‘The War Against the Americans,’ taught us that nation-building requires looking beyond simplified narratives –studying both our intellectual triumphs and our local compromises– so we can build a future guided by an honest understanding of our past.

Before he died, Judge Menmen had started to work with us his fellow members of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) to write the history of FLAG in Central Visayas, especially its struggles during the martial law period. We are tasked to continue with that initiative.

This tradition of literature as an instrument of truth and civic memory should continue to be encouraged and supported, especially in Cebu and other communities outside the national capital, where written narratives are often sparse.

Recently, I became involved in drafting a project proposal for an NGO’s book project. The inspiration for this initiative actually goes back to 2014 and 2015, when the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB), established under R.A. 10368, or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, faced a deadline to receive applications.

Back then, our law office assisted human rights victim-claimants pro bono in executing sworn affidavits. These documents recounted specific, detailed human rights violations that occurred in Cebu during the dictatorship, such as illegal arrest, detention, and torture.

For many victims and surviving relatives, executing those affidavits meant revisiting deeply painful trauma from the martial law era simply to meet the legal standards of the point system. The work we did was not only crucial in helping victims secure official state recognition and reparation, but it also gave me an idea that it should serve as a starting point to document their ordeals into a book, with their consent.

Though no book materialized at the time, I remain hopeful that through the many stories uncovered in their sworn statements, the victims will finally be heard and their narratives memorialized as part of our historical literature.

As Mojares taught us, true history is built from the ground up. Our celebration of Press Freedom Week and our efforts to document civil society’s struggles in civic spaces must champion courageous storytelling. It is through these narratives that society preserves its institutional memory, confronts red-tagging, and protects its democratic space.

Malacañang appealed to investors on Tuesday, September 22 not to abuse the government’s trust in them in providing services and products that are intended for public use.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the appeal in a press briefing amid the ongoing investigation of the Office of the Ombudsman on the ‘ghost internet’ scheme, or the alleged irregularities on the government’s connectivity programs.

‘So panawagan naman natin sa mga ating mga kababayan at sa mga investors na ito. Kayo po ay pinagtitiwalaan ang ating pamahalaan. Huwag niyo naman pong abusuhin ang tiwalang ibinigay sa inyo,’ Castro said.

(So, our appeal to our fellow countrymen and to these investors. You are trusted by our government. Please do not abuse the trust that has been given to you.)

Last week, the Ombudsman said that they had discovered an alleged scheme in the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in which the government paid billions of public funds for outdated, overpriced, or undelivered software.

Authorities said the investigation will cover the Free Wi-fi program in which contractors allegedly installed the software without providing internet access.

According to Castro, Malacañang supports the ongoing probe by the Ombudsman, noting that the alleged irregularities will definitely affect government services and transactions.

‘Kung kulang ang mga maibibigay sa ating serbisyo, hindi magiging maganda ang epekto nito. Hindi magiging effective din yung sinasabi natin na dapat lahat konektado kasi kulang-kulang ang bibigay na serbisyo,’ Castro said.

(If the services we are provided are inadequate, their effects will not be good. Our goal of ensuring that everyone is connected will not be effective either because services are not enough.)

In her appeal to the investors, Castro also noted that complete payments have been made, so services must be delivered properly.

‘Ang mga ibinabayad sa inyo ay kumpleto naman. So huwag niyo naman pong kulangan ang dapat na ibigay sa ating mga kababayan,’ Castro said.

(You were given complete payments. So, don’t deprive our fellow countrymen of what they are entitled to.)

The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) has named more than 60 finalists for its 2026 Cebu Tourism and Hospitality Awards, spotlighting workers, educators and industry initiatives shaping the province’s tourism economy.

The awards span eight categories, covering frontline and back-of-house employees, supervisors and managers, as well as hospitality educators, sustainability programs and marketing campaigns.

The annual awards come as Cebu’s tourism industry continues to focus on service quality, workforce development and sustainability amid a more competitive regional tourism market.

Hotel and resort employees account for the largest share of finalists, with properties across Cebu and Mactan represented.

In the ‘Front of the House Employee of the Year’ category, finalists include Trisha Marielle C. Abellana of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Kyle Francis B. Alivio of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Razel C. Bejagan of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Marjorie C. Booc of bai Hotel Cebu; Argen Marie C. Catubig of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa; Shaun Andrei P. Del Socorro of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Marc Jay G. Delos Reyes of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Quimquim Clau P. Dimol of Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu; John Andrew A. Gabales of Club Serena Resort; Ericka Zhane S. Gonzaga of Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan; and Cleford O. Maguate of Radisson Blu Cebu.

The ‘Heart of the House Employee of the Year’ category recognizes workers in operational roles that are largely outside guest-facing areas.

Finalists are Khenjee Alinsenorin and Barbara Caumeran of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Godofredo H. Canene Jr. of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Patricio B. Cuizon Jr. of Montebello Hotel Cebu; Ivy C. Icoy of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Rosalinda L. Manliguez of Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan; Leonard P. Maybituin of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Janna Rae D. Nabua of Mercure Mactan Cebu; Cherelyn M. Reomalos of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa; and Gil I. Sumipo Jr. of Radisson Blu Cebu.

For ‘Supervisor of the Year,’ the finalists are Cecil Odilon H. Arce of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Sheen I. Carmelotes of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Van Clinton A. Carvajal of Seda Central Bloc Cebu; Dave Clark P. Gandionco of Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu; Nikko L. Gasalatan of Marina Seaview Restaurant; Wende Ann D. Gumilao of The Reef Island Resort Mactan; Randy C. Lagas of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel; Roderick D. Manligues of bai Hotel Cebu; John Claudi Nono and Romeo C. Tura Jr. of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Jessica Jean A. Quimzon of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; and Ramonita C. Samillano of Radisson Blu Cebu.

The ‘Manager of the Year’ category includes Maria Carriessa Anne D. Banting of Radisson Blu Cebu; Robert Conrad M. Bañez of Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort; Ariel C. Caintic of Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort; Kayla Marie M. Catipay of Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan; Venus D. Ferrolino of bai Hotel Cebu; Edmar L. Malaca of Seda Ayala Center Cebu; Ofelia O. Paras and Eric Christopher Villamor of One Tectona Hotel; Grethel Carmel M. Polloso of Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown; Arnel G. Potot of Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu; Ronnie Martin A. Rebolledo Jr. of NUSTAR Resort Cebu; Raymart Jerico R. Revillas of Mercure Mactan Cebu; and Michel Angelo C. Tablon of Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa.

Education, sustainability and marketing

The awards also recognize the role of education in building Cebu’s tourism workforce.

Finalists for ‘Hospitality and Tourism Educator of the Year,’ are Nemesia W. Devero of the University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue; Russel D. Tadena of Consolatrix College of Toledo City Inc.; and Lilibeth C. Ygonia of the University of Cebu-Main Campus.

The ‘Sustainability Champion of the Year,’ finalists are ‘Dusit Tree of Life’ by Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu; ‘Growing with Purpose’ by La Joya Farm Resort and Spa; ‘Skills Behind Walls’ by Radisson Blu Cebu; and ‘A Perfect Circle: Transforming Hospitality Waste Into Community Happiness’ by Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.

Finalists for ‘Best Marketing Campaign of the Year include ‘Pink Power’ by bai Hotel Cebu; ‘LIKHA: A Journey Beyond Wine, Culinary, and Arts’ by Mercure Mactan Cebu; ‘NUSTAR Dragon Boat Regatta: Advancing Cebu’s Sports Tourism Story’ and ‘WOVEN: 4 Years of Elevated Moments’ by NUSTAR Resort Cebu; ‘The Bloc Collective: A Lokal Pop-up’ by Seda Central Bloc Cebu; and ‘#BookDirect’ by Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa.

The awards emphasize an industry increasingly measuring competitiveness not only through visitor arrivals and hotel occupancy, but also through service standards, workforce capability, sustainability and the ability of hospitality businesses to create distinctive experiences As commercial fleet demand grows: Michelin expands Phl distribution network

The Philippines succumbed to 19th seed Spain, 1-3, in the women’s division and host Uzbekistan 2, 1.5-2.5, in the men’s side as it failed to barge into the top 10 after five rounds of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan Sunday night.

Woman International Master Jan Jodilyn Fronda-Grafil was the lone shining light for the Filipinas as she stunned IM Ann Matnadze on board three to avert a shutout after Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna, WIM Ruelle Canino and Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza all suffered crushing defeats on boards one, two and four.

Fronda-Grafil remained the highest scorer for the team with 4.5 points out of the possible five and, if she can sustain it, she will get an opportunity to contend for an individual medal at board four.

The Filipinos had the chance to escape with a 2-2 draw after IM Pau Bersamina, GM Daniel Quizon and IM Jem Garcia drew on boards two to four and IM Michael Concio Jr. looked headed into a split versus GM Abdimalik Abdisalimov on top board.

But Concio blundered away his chances in a rook versus bishop-and-knight endgame and fell in 73 moves in their English encounter.

The stinging defeats sent the men’s squad into a tie for 46th and the women’s side into a logjam at 36th, both with six match points each.

For several years now, the Second Congressional Commission on Education or EDCOM 2 has been raising the need for more guidance counselors in public schools.

As of August 2024, public elementary and secondary schools lacked some 5,000 guidance counselors, according to EDCOM 2.

At the time, bullying in schools was already recognized as a key problem in the dismal performance of Filipino 15-year-old students in the Program for International Student Assessment or PISA.

Guidance counselors must pass a professional licensure exam and have a master’s degree in guidance counseling.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara wanted the requirement for a master’s degree removed. First of all because only a handful of higher education institutions offer this course, and second because the additional costs of obtaining a master’s degree compared to the starting salaries and challenges of the job may deter youths from pursuing such a career.

But in July this year, the Civil Service Commission reaffirmed the requirement for a master’s degree for guidance counselors, and a bachelor’s degree for school counselor associates. Both need civil service eligibility.

The Department of Education is hiring more school counselor associates, but this requires funding. It’s unclear if DepEd, whose budget proposal for 2027 is lower by over P39 billion from its 2026 outlay, will get the necessary funds for mental wellness.

PISA administrators had previously described the Philippines as the ‘bullying capital’ of the world. Based on the results of the PISA in 2025, the Philippines improved to third place, ranking behind Rwanda and Kenya, which participated for the first time in the PISA.

But the Philippines could regain the dubious distinction as the bullying capital following the killings of students by their schoolmates mostly inside schools using guns and knives in separate incidents since 2025.

While the killers in some of these incidents appeared to have been the bullies rather than the bullied, their impact on the mental health of the students in the schools could affect academic performance.

At the same time, the suspects obviously had serious mental health problems, with the shooters in the two most recent cases killing themselves.

The shooting rampages have emphasized the importance of timely psychological intervention that might have helped prevent the tragedies. But where are the mental health professionals who can provide such interventions?

In many public schools, teachers double as counselors, but mental health professionals obviously have specialized training that teachers lack.

Addressing extreme violence among youths requires multiple approaches, but one of the key elements is mental health intervention. Officials need to do more to address this lack of mental health professionals in schools.

Yuen Verbruggen saved his biggest burst of speed for last, surging past Jerald Federiso in a frenetic closing run to capture the overall Sunrise Sprint crown in the Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon in Davao del Norte.

Verbruggen stayed within striking distance of Federiso through the 750-meter open-water swim and 20-km bike leg before unleashing a powerful finishing kick over the 5-km run to clock 1:11:31.

Federiso had the early advantage, posting faster splits of 13:46 and 33:48 in the first two legs. But Verbruggen proved too quick in the run, where his 20:15 was more than a minute better than Federiso’s 21:18, allowing him to secure the overall victory by 40 seconds.

Federiso settled for second in 1:12:11, while John Carl Lim completed the podium in 1:12:49.

In the women’s division, Alessandra Aquino dominated the field to claim the overall and 18-24 titles in 1:26:01. She posted splits of 14:42 in the swim, 42:18 on the bike and 25:17 in the run, finishing well ahead of Andrea Cui (1:29:38) and Keena Clarke (1:46:58).

VST ECS Phils., Inc., the country’s leading ICT distributor, is expanding its enterprise technology portfolio through a new partnership with Akamai Technologies, the cloud and security company that powers and protects businesses online.

The appointment strengthens VST ECS’s portfolio with advanced cybersecurity and cloud capabilities, giving its channel partners and customers broader access to enterprise-grade digital protection solutions.

As organizations across the Philippines become increasingly dependent on cloud environments, digital platforms, APIs and connected applications, cybersecurity has become a critical business priority.

Through this partnership, VST ECS now offers Akamai’s security solutions-including application and API security, DDoS protection, Zero Trust security, microsegmentation, bot protection, DNS security and cloud security-as part of its expanded enterprise solutions portfolio.

This addition allows VST ECS to support a wider range of industries: helping banks and financial institutions protect digital banking platforms and APIs, enabling retail and e-commerce businesses to safeguard online transactions and manage malicious bot activity, and strengthening the resilience of citizen-facing digital services for government and public-sector organizations.

For enterprises operating hybrid and multicloud environments-including BPOs, telecommunications companies, and healthcare organizations-VST ECS can now also offer Zero Trust and microsegmentation capabilities that help strengthen access controls and limit the movement of threats across critical systems.

“Cybersecurity has become a fundamental business priority as organizations become increasingly dependent on digital platforms, cloud environments, and connected applications,” said Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Phils. Inc.

“Our partnership with Akamai gives our customers and partners access to technologies that can help protect critical digital assets, strengthen cyber resilience, and support the secure growth of their businesses,’ Go added.

Through this appointment, Akamai’s portfolio of cybersecurity solutions becomes more accessible to organizations across the country, leveraging VST ECS’s expansive and highly diversified channel ecosystem.

“Strengthening our partnership with VST ECS in the Philippines as we continue to expand Akamai’s reach and support for customers and partners is important,” said Gordon Woo, regional sales director, Akamai Technologies.

“With organizations facing an increasingly complex security landscape, our channel ecosystem plays an important role in helping customers protect their applications, APIs, infrastructure, and digital experiences. Together with VST ECS, we look forward to enabling our partners with the technology, expertise and support they need to address these evolving customer requirements and create new opportunities for growth.”

The partnership reflects VST ECS’s continued expansion of its enterprise portfolio to help organizations secure, build, and scale their digital operations, while reinforcing Akamai’s commitment to supporting the resilience and performance today’s connected environments require.

To learn more about VST ECS’s expanded cybersecurity offerings and how the Akamai partnership can support your organization’s digital security needs, contact Ven Mabanglo, Product Manager

Another major oil price hike hits consumers today, a week after we endured a price spike. The forecast for this vital commodity is discouraging.

The sharp rise in global oil prices could be the front act for an even more serious problem. There might not be enough oil supply to meet the needs of the world’s economies.

According to a report by global bank JP Morgan, world oil inventories are projected to hit their operational floor this month if the Strait of Hormuz remains constricted. Below this level, pipelines cannot maintain pressure and refineries could start failing.

Should refineries fail, the ability to refine oil into usable products will be impaired. Even if Hormuz fully opens, refineries may have to be rehabilitated. The disruption could last longer. Everything becomes an engineering problem, not only a geopolitical one.

In the weeks after the US attack on Iran, governments tried to manage the movement of oil prices by drawing on their strategic petroleum reserves. The drawdown has been such that the reserves are now exhausted. Without the reserves, there is no way the price shocks could be cushioned. This is the reason oil prices are spiking everywhere.

The worse news is that the geopolitical factors causing the oil crisis are getting more severe. Oil deliveries are not only restricted at the Strait of Hormuz. Deliveries through the Red Sea could be blocked at the Bab al-Mandab strait. Houthi forces, allied with Iran, have launched a surprise offensive that extended their control over Yemen’s coastal areas adjacent to the vital strait.

The Houthi offensive now gives the group better ability to harass commercial shipping. The group managed to attack Saudi oil pipelines, including the east-west pipeline that provided an alternative to shipping oil out of the Persian Gulf.

US forces in the region have yet to participate in pushing back the Houthi offensive despite urgent request to do so from Saudi Arabia. There is talk of an arrangement between the US and the Houthis for the former to desist from attacking the latter in exchange for guarantees American commercial shipping will not be attacked.

Saudi Arabia is in obvious peril. The ruling family there avoided building a strong military because it feared a coup being mounted. Saudi military units are led by members of the royal family, not necessarily the most competent commanders available.

For fear the situation in the region might deteriorate further, European countries and Japan have offered to help in securing the shipping lanes. But this might be too late. Oil shortages may begin affecting the world’s economies in a couple of weeks, setting the stage for recession.

Money trail

We see from the ombudsman’s complaint filed against former speaker Martin Romualdez the sort of painstaking work required to uncover the money trail originating from the flood control scam. Corruption, even on a grand scale, is hard to document. Cash is fungible and receipts are never issued.

Consider the controversy over the Mahayhay-Tuburan road project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte. The road was reported as completed. The contractor has been fully paid. But on inspection, the road is only partially built.

The ombudsman has taken notice of this particular project and mentioned Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco ‘Lalo’ Matugas and his son, former congressman Francisco ‘Bingo’ Matugas II, in connection with this uncompleted project. Both deny any connection with this project.

Investigators have identified the contractor as Boometrix Development Corporation. Ronald Abejo and his wife Princess are the principal shareholders of the contracting firm. Abejo is a nephew of Lalo and first cousin of Bingo.

Family relations is only part of the story, however. It does not firmly establish the involvement of Matugas father and son to the failed project. Construction of the road was sealed in a contract between the DPWH and Boometrix. There is no documentary record that Matugas father and son actually participated in selecting the contractor, implementing the project and certifying the accomplishment for purposes of full payment.

This particular project has a contract price of P85.9 million and a contract effectivity period from March 6 to Oct. 28, 2022. The last payment on record was made on March 24, 2024.

Corporate documents do not show that either Lalo or Bingo were involved at any point as incorporator, shareholder or officer of Boometrix. Neither of the two signed any contract documents for the road project. As far as the documentary evidence goes, neither the father nor the son is implicated.

The ombudsman suggests the two politicians are involved in this anomaly. This is a tough matter to prove. The anti-graft agency needs to go beyond the family relationships and the documentary evidence. They will have to find something that connects the two politicians to the anomalous project.

Bringing Boometrix to court to account for a fully paid but unfinished project is easy. Establishing that this anomaly was made possible because of some act of political brokerage is what will challenge the investigators.

There are tens of thousands of public works projects akin to this one. They are either unfinished, substandard of completely ghost. In each of them, politicians are suspected of involvement.

But mere suspicion does not produce conviction. The case against Martin Romualdez and whatever possible case might be filed over this incomplete road in Surigao del Norte requires heroic investigative work.