Category: Philippine Star

Alas Pilipinas has shaken off its underdog tag as it ran wild with a second straight win and preyed on Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, last Saturday (Sunday Manila time) in closing in on a Round-of-16 seat in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship here.

The Filipinas, ranked No. 25 in the world, relied on the old connection of Xyz Rayco and Resty Olaguir in leaping to a share of second with the Peruvians on 2-1 records, or just a shade behind the powerhouse Chinese, the reigning titlists who are currently unbeaten three matches in Pool B.

It came just a day after Alas’ four-set win over No. 8 Mexico, which happened to be the former’s first win in this biennial meet that is now on its second edition after the inaugural event in Lima, Peru.

More importantly, the Nationals, backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, ASICS and the Philippine Olympic Committee, inched a win away from barging into the next phase.

After Sunday’s much needed breather, they collide with the Peruvians today and close out the group round with a duel with the Venezuelans.

‘It feels different when she sets the ball, it feels like I can really kill it,’ said Rayco. ‘Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.’

The 16-year-old Rayco, top offensive threat in the Asian U16 meet in Jordan, finished with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, including two of Alas’ final three points to steal the opening set.

Olaguir, for her part, said she didn’t expect to be fielded with Irish Mahinay running the offense, but the Ateneo setter settled in when Alas hit a shaky stretch in the opening set.

‘I’m happy I got in and contributed. I think I’m slowly getting back to the way I really play’ Olaguir said.

‘There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don’t let my emotions get the better of me.’

Caera Celis continued her stellar play and wound up as Alas top scorer for the third straight match, delivering 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.

Passion – not profit – should be the driving force behind anyone planning to venture into the pet care industry.

A trade marketing officer of a pet care brand highighlighted this reminder to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a pet-related business.

“Start a pet business kapag ‘yung passion mo sa pet ay ‘di mapapantayan. You cannot start a pet business if you don’t love your fur babies. Kasi it will be profit-based,” Nathaniel Ladica, trade marketing officer of United Baarde Inc., told Philstar.com.

The company is behind Pure Choice Pet Care products.

The La Mesa Dam in Quezon City is nearing its spilling level amid rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or “habagat.”

In an advisory on Sunday, August 9, state weather bureau PAGASA said the dam’s water level was at 79.75 meters as of 11 a.m.

This leaves the reservoir just 0.40 meters below its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

According to PAGASA, the Tullahan River, which flows through Quezon City, the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, may be affected if the reservoir reaches its spilling level.

The state weather bureau advised residents living along mountain slopes and in low-lying areas of the mentioned cities to remain alert for possible flash floods.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and other areas may experience occasional rains due to habagat, according to PAGASA’s weather forecast.

As of 11 a.m., Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon were under a red rainfall warning, which means serious flooding is possible in flood-prone areas.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has suspended the Career Service Examination-Pen and Paper Test (CSE-PPT) scheduled for Sunday, August 9, due to inclement weather.

The emergency suspension affects examinations for both the professional and subprofessional levels at testing centers in the National Capital Region (NCR), select provinces in Region IV-A, and parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The suspension was prompted by inclement weather brought by monsoon rains affecting parts of Luzon.

The following areas are affected:

NCR: All testing centers

Region IV-A: Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal

CAR: Baguio, La Trinidad, and Abra

‘Affected examinees are advised to monitor the official Facebook page of the concerned CSC Regional Office and the CSC’s official communication channels for updates on the rescheduled examination and other related announcements,’ the CSC’s statement read.

Substance, Boyet Fajardo’s pioneering label for plus-size women, continues to fascinate the portly fashion forward set with his periodic palette. This holiday season, supermodel Melanie Marquez headlines Fajardo’s new Asian-inspired collection.

Two years shy of his golden anniversary in the garments and apparel industry, the pret-a-porter impresario is still forging ahead in full steam.

The impressive collection, mostly in black and white, with a few splashes of vibrant color, has captured the interest of the ready-to-wear (RTW) market.

‘Japanese designs have always been part of my collections. They are timeless, geometric, linear, and dramatic!’ said the designer of his Asian-inspired creations but with a distinctly Pinoy look.

‘I feel excited about this collection. I was never excited about my photoshoots before, but now I am! This collection highlights my 48 years in the fashion industry – through all the struggles – as my journey speaks volumes of my acumen throughout all the generations I’ve served; from the baby boomers to the millennials, and now the younger crowd.

‘I always want movement – constant movement – and never remain at a standstill, even during the global pandemic. I’ll do the things I’ve been dreaming to do all my life,’ he added.

Fajardo’s limited-edition pieces are locally made. He toiled over his holiday collection despite eyesight and physical infirmities.

Muse eternal

Leading the campaign Fajardo’s holiday campaign is beauty queen-supermodel Melanie Marquez, who flew in last month for a photoshoot. Marquez has been living in the United States in the past years.

‘My life is an open book, but one that is full of challenges. It may seem that I lead a glamorous life but, honestly, I hate dressing up and wearing makeup. Gusto ko, simple lang!’ shared the supermodel mom.

Fajardo’s holiday collection will be available soon at Robinsons, SM, Landmark, Sta. Lucia malls, KCC mall in Mindanao, G Malls in the Visayas, and in other select department stores all over the Philippines.

‘Compete only with yourself, than with others, to bring out the optimum in you! Fashion is my passion, so the best is yet to come!’ the designer said.

Heavy rains and severe flooding brought by the Southwest Monsoon, locally known as ‘habagat,’ have disrupted electricity service for approximately 98,000 customers across Luzon, power distributor Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said on Sunday, August 9.

In a statement, the utility firm said the figure represents roughly 1% of Meralco’s total customer base.

The utility firm noted that the power interruptions were primarily caused by rising floodwaters and damage to electrical infrastructure.

The majority of affected households and businesses are located in parts of Cavite, alongside affected areas in Bulacan, Metro Manila, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal and Batangas.

‘Our crews are working to restore power service to affected areas as soon as possible and once it is safe to do so. We continue to closely monitor the situation and urge our customers to practice electrical safety,’ Meralco Vice President Joe Zaldarriaga said.

‘We are reminding everyone to stay away from downed power lines, damaged electrical facilities, and electrical equipment that may have been submerged in floodwaters. Kindly report any hazardous electrical situation to Meralco,’ he added.

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, the habagat may bring occasional rains to Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.

Metro Manila was placed under a red rainfall warning at 11 a.m., before the alert level was downgraded to orange as of 2 p.m.

A 25-year-old man has been identified as the person allegedly responsible for spray-painting the word ‘SEEK’ on walls and other structures in several parts of Mandaue City.

The man, identified only as ‘Roger,’ not his real name, is a resident of Purok Ampalaya in Barangay Cambaro.

According to the Mandaue City government, an informant helped authorities identify Roger as the person behind the vandalism.

Roger later voluntarily went to the office of Mandaue Mayor Thadeo ‘Jonkie’ Ouano, where he apologized for his actions and promised to clean the areas he allegedly vandalized.

Mayor Ouano gave him three days to remove the graffiti from the affected areas.

Failure to comply could lead to the filing of a malicious mischief complaint against him, according to the city government.

The mayor also acknowledged the Allied Responders and Communicators of Cebu Inc. (ARCC) for assisting in identifying the alleged vandalism suspect.

Mayor Ouano also followed through on his earlier promise to give a P5,000 reward from his personal funds to anyone who could provide information leading to the identification of those responsible for vandalism in the city.

The city government has been pursuing those responsible for vandalism, saying the graffiti affects its efforts to improve the appearance of public spaces in Mandaue.

Roger is the second person identified in connection with vandalism cases under Ouano’s administration.

In June, another man from Barangay Guizo surrendered and admitted to spray-painting an area near the Cebu International Convention Center.

Two motorcycle riders were killed while two others were injured in separate road accidents in southern Cebu on Friday, August 7.

In Naga City, a 65-year-old rider died after his motorcycle was struck by a cargo truck along the National Highway in Barangay South Poblacion past noon.

Police identified the victim as Daniel Segura Robiato, a resident of Barangay Inoburan. Investigators said Robiato was traveling southbound on a red Honda Click when he shifted to the inner lane to avoid a stalled vehicle.

A white SINO Truck HOWO, driven by Pablo Caayo Catipat, hit the motorcycle, dragging Robiato underneath. He was rushed to Vicente Mendiola Center for Health Infirmary but was declared dead on arrival.

Catipat was taken to the City of Naga Police Station for mandatory alcohol and drug testing under Republic Act 10586, the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

Sibonga accident

Earlier that morning in Sibonga, a 38-year-old rider was killed while two others were injured in a collision along Vegetable Highway in Barangay Kaulusan.

Police identified the fatality only as alias Rolando, a resident of Barangay Sayao, who was driving a red RUSI 125. The other motorcycle, a RUSI Bolt 125, was operated by alias Rene with a male minor as back rider.

Investigators said Rolando allegedly turned right into the opposite lane, colliding with Rene’s motorcycle.

All three were rushed to Carcar City District Hospital, but Rolando was declared dead on arrival. Rene and the minor sustained injuries. Police continue to probe the circumstances of the crash.

Authorities in both Naga and Sibonga are conducting follow-up investigations into the two fatal accidents

Motorists can now check the availability and location of their motor vehicle and motorcycle license plates before physically going to any Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 office, as the agency recently launched its online platform.

Led by Regional Director Atty. Wendel C. Dinglasan, LTO-7 officially launched the LTO-7 Plate Spotter Website, which aims to make license plate claiming faster, easier, and more convenient for motorists in Central Visayas.

Starting August 7, 2026, motorists with vehicles registered under LTO Region 7 may access www.lto-r7-platespotter.ph and search for their license plates using either their plate number or MV File Number.

The online service specifically allows motorists whose MV File Numbers begin with 0701 or 0716 to check where their plates are available for claiming.

Through the website, motorists can determine whether their plates are already available and identify the LTO office where they can claim them, potentially preventing unnecessary trips to LTO offices.

‘Public service should be accessible, efficient, and convenient. Through the Plate Spotter Website, we are giving motorists an easier way to locate and claim their license plates while bringing government services closer to the people through digital innovation,’ Dinglasan said.

LTO-7 said the initiative is part of its efforts to use digital technology to improve public service delivery and reduce inconvenience for motorists.

Instead of personally visiting an LTO office to inquire about the status or location of their plates, motorists can now conduct a single online search before proceeding to the appropriate office.

The agency also encouraged motorists to use the Plate Spotter website to check their plate information and ensure that their plates are ready for claiming before making a trip to an LTO office.

LTO-7 has also released a step-by-step video guide to help motorists navigate the Plate Spotter website and determine where their license plates can be claimed.

The Presidential Photojournalists’ Association (PPA) will formally unveil ‘In Focus: Marcos Presidency,’ a photographic exhibit featuring significant moments and milestones of the President on Aug. 13 at Likhang Filipino in Pasay City.

The exhibit brings together photographs taken by PPA members throughout their continuing coverage of the President, presenting a visual chronicle of official engagements, state ceremonies, diplomatic meetings, visits to communities and other defining moments of the administration.

More than a collection of photographs, the exhibit highlights the vital role of photojournalism in documenting governance, preserving public memory and creating a lasting visual record of Philippine history through firsthand coverage of the nation’s highest office.

The exhibit’s public run coincides with the observance of World Photography Day on Aug. 19, celebrating photography not only as an art form but also as a powerful medium for documentation, storytelling and historical preservation.

Founded in 1986 by photojournalists assigned to cover Malacañang, the PPA has documented successive administrations while upholding the principles of professionalism, accuracy, ethics and integrity in visual journalism.

PPA president Noel Pabalate of The STAR said the exhibit recognizes the responsibility entrusted to presidential photojournalists, regardless of who occupies Malacañang.

‘For presidential photojournalists, every administration becomes part of the historical record we are entrusted to document. Our responsibility remains the same – to be present, to observe carefully and to produce photographs that truthfully preserve the events and moments that define a presidency,’ Pabalate said.

The exhibit also pays tribute to the photojournalists who work behind the camera, often traveling with the President across the country and abroad to document events on behalf of the Filipino public.

‘In Focus: Marcos Presidency’ will be open to the public from Aug. 14 to 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Mondays, at Likhang Filipino in Pasay City.

Supported by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and the Office of the President (OP), the two-week exhibit is made possible through the sponsorship of Pagcor, Metro Pacific Investment Corp., Island Photo and Golden Touch.