Category: Philippine Star

Last September 23, Converge Studios, a fully owned subsidiary of Converge ICT Solutions, officially launched its health IT solutions at ‘AI in Healthcare: Elevating What’s Possible,’ an exclusive executive reception held at VU’s Sky Bar and Lounge at Marco Polo Ortigas.

The event brought together healthcare leaders, technology executives and key decision-makers from across Metro Manila to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence and digital innovation in healthcare.

Through meaningful discussions and strategic networking, the gathering highlighted the growing role of technology in advancing healthcare delivery, enabling greater efficiency, and unlocking new possibilities for patient care.

More than a product launch, the evening marked a significant step in Converge Studios’ commitment to bringing innovative, technology-driven solutions to the healthcare sector.

By fostering collaboration among industry leaders and decision-makers, the event reinforced Converge Studios’ ambition to be a trusted partner in healthcare’s digital transformation-helping organizations harness technology to build a more connected, efficient and future-ready healthcare ecosystem.

Building a smarter healthcare ecosystem through AI and digital innovation

James Mendoza, chief executive officer of Converge Studios, opened the evening by discussing how healthcare IT is evolving from basic regulatory compliance to true digital confidence. He highlighted how modern technology can address core industry challenges around data privacy, operational efficiency and risk management.

‘Cloud computing in healthcare is evolving from siloed and traditional to security-focused and AI-enhanced,” Mendoza shared. “With new opportunities come new challenges-mitigating risk in regulated environments, ensuring data residency while maximizing AI solutions, and improving productivity in a changing world.”

Mendoza introduced Converge’s secure, AI-ready cloud environment, emphasizing how local cloud infrastructure provides a safe and scalable foundation for modern healthcare operations.

His remarks set the tone for the evening, highlighting the opportunity for technology to move healthcare organizations beyond simply digitizing existing processes and toward creating smarter, more connected and more resilient healthcare ecosystems.

Proven enterprise success in healthcare

Jofrey Marfil, assistant vice president and sector head for GBG Regional Sales (NCR) at Converge ICT Solutions, shared how Converge’s connectivity and infrastructure are actively supporting healthcare providers nationwide.

‘We built a smarter healthcare ecosystem through a solid digital foundation,” Marfil noted. “Whether it is connecting LGU health centers, enabling archipelagic telemedicine in remote communities, or securing hospital data backup in data centers, our mission is empowering your business from fiber to future.”

Marfil highlighted real-world implementations, showing how pure fiber connectivity links health stations, subsea networks power remote telemedicine and secure data center storage protects critical hospital records.

His presentation illustrated how connectivity serves as a critical foundation for digital healthcare, particularly as healthcare providers increasingly rely on digital platforms, remote services and secure access to information.

By combining connectivity with secure infrastructure and cloud capabilities, Converge aims to help healthcare organizations strengthen their digital backbone and deliver services more efficiently, even across geographically dispersed communities.

Solutions showcase: HealthBlocks 360 and Sigla Health app

Grace Agustin-Mendoza, senior vice president for Delivery Excellence at Converge Studios, presented the flagship HealthBlocks 360 product showcase. Building on an established track record in Health IT, she shared how platform updates were designed directly around feedback and day-to-day experiences from doctors, clinic staff and IT teams.

“Every feature you see today came from listening to two things at the same time: the market where AI-assisted decision making is becoming standard, and our partners-the clinic owners, doctors and IT heads who live inside these systems every day,” Agustin-Mendoza explained. “Watch the direction. Listen to the people living it. Build the bridge before the gap gets too wide.”

The showcase highlighted how HealthBlocks 360 continues to evolve around the needs of healthcare organizations and the people who use the platform every day.

Key capabilities presented during the showcase included:

Streamlined experience: Simplified system navigation and an updated interface that allows staff to manage records and appointments with fewer clicks.

Smarter management: Improved appointment reporting tools that give clinic managers clear visibility into scheduling trends and staff productivity.

Patient empowerment: The Sigla Health app, a mobile companion that lets patients access their medical history and schedule visits right from their phones.

Secure AI features: Privacy-first AI insights powered by Google Gemini that help doctors analyze data locally without exposing sensitive patient records.

Agustin-Mendoza also noted the platform’s successful adoption by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to standardize health records across its care facilities.

Supporting the future of digital health in Metro Manila and beyond

The launch of Converge Studios’ Health IT portfolio reinforces its commitment to delivering accessible, enterprise-grade technology tailored to the healthcare sector. By pairing reliable cloud infrastructure with easy-to-use software, Converge Studios empowers healthcare leaders to elevate operational standards and deliver better patient care.

The company’s Health IT portfolio reflects a broader commitment to supporting the digital transformation of healthcare in the Philippines, bringing together connectivity, cloud, AI and purpose-built applications to address the evolving needs of the sector.

The Cebu City Agriculture Department is proposing a P30-million, multi-year program to revive the city’s mango industry by helping farmers rehabilitate aging plantations, improve fruit production and quality, and establish direct links with buyers and processing enterprises.

Under the proposed Cebu City Mango Growers Development Program, the city aims to provide sustained support to one of Cebu’s most iconic agricultural products and the farmers who depend on it for their livelihood.

The program covers the entire mango value chain, from production and pest management to postharvest handling, marketing and agribusiness development.

Under the plan, the city will conduct its first comprehensive inventory of mango growers and plantations, establish a database of farmers, provide technical training, rehabilitate old and unproductive trees, strengthen pest and disease management, and improve farmers’ access to markets, financing and crop insurance.

The program will focus on 28 upland barangays with existing mango farms or areas considered suitable for mango production.

Priority beneficiaries include small-scale growers, organized farmer groups, women engaged in mango-related enterprises, and young people interested in agriculture and agribusiness.

City agriculture officials said the intervention is needed as mango growers continue to face challenges, including aging trees, rising production costs, pest infestations, weather-related risks, and limited access to technical services and reliable markets.

The program also seeks to reduce postharvest losses and address the weak bargaining power of individual farmers.

The initiative comes as Cebu remains closely associated with the country’s mango industry. Cebu mangoes have long been known for their sweetness and quality, helping establish the province as a major source of fresh and processed mango products.

The growth of the dried mango industry has also made the fruit one of Cebu’s most recognizable export products, supporting thousands of jobs in farming, manufacturing and trade.

However, the industry continues to face recurring challenges, including declining productivity in some areas, the effects of extreme weather conditions, disease outbreaks, rising farm input costs, and the need to encourage younger generations to pursue agriculture. These concerns were earlier raised by Councilor Jun Alcover, chairperson of the City Council’s committee on agriculture.

To address these issues, the city plans to establish demonstration farms and conduct regular training on orchard management, soil fertility, pruning, flower induction, harvesting techniques, climate-resilient farming practices and integrated pest management.

Farmers will also be linked with national government programs and technical partners to secure additional assistance.

The proposal also seeks to improve postharvest operations through better harvesting, sorting, grading, packaging and transport practices. Shared equipment for farmer organizations and market-matching activities with buyers and processors are also envisioned.

Beyond fresh fruit production, the program aims to create additional income opportunities through value-added products such as dried mangoes, purees, jams, preserves and mango-based beverages.

The city also plans to coordinate with the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Trade and Industry to develop processing enterprises and help farmer groups gain access to higher-value markets.

Among the program’s indicative targets are training at least 500 growers, rehabilitating at least 100 plantations, establishing or supporting demonstration farms, developing buyer linkages, and strengthening farmer organizations in mango-producing communities.

The city also aims to improve farm productivity and increase growers’ incomes during the implementation period.

If approved, the program will run through 2030, with the Cebu City Agriculture Department serving as the lead implementing agency in partnership with barangays, national government agencies, research institutions, cooperatives and private-sector stakeholders.

Globe Telecom is urging the government to incorporate telecommunications infrastructure requirements into the National Building Code of the Philippines, saying clearer building standards could reduce costly retrofitting and ensure new residential, commercial and mixed-use developments are equipped for digital connectivity from the outset.

The proposal comes as the government reviews the building code, giving policymakers an opportunity to establish connectivity provisions for new developments.

Globe is advocating for the inclusion of fiber-ready faciliti es and in-building connectivity solutions in building standards, positioning telecommunications infrastructure alongside other essential considerations in modern property design.

Integrating these requirements at the planning stage could help developers avoid expensive structural modifications after construction begins, while making buildings better prepared for growing demand for digital services.

Clearer standards could also provide developers, architects and engineering teams with a more consistent framework for incorporating network infrastructure into project designs.

‘The earlier we bring those perspectives together, the better we can plan for what comes next. While the plans are still being shaped, let us sit down together and determine what needs to be built in from the start, with enough flexibility to evolve over time,’ said Carl Cruz, Globe president and chief executive officer.

Globe reiterated its position at Collaboration Forum 2026, which brought together about 150 participants, including more than 100 external partners from the property sector.

The event, themed ‘Design Today. Connect Tomorrow,’ gathered property developers, architects, designers and technical teams to discuss how telecommunications infrastructure can be incorporated into residential communities, commercial buildings and estates before construction plans are finalized.

The company said early coordination between property developers and connectivity providers can help identify infrastructure requirements and potential design constraints before they become more difficult and costly to address.

Planning for connectivity in advance can also give buildings greater flexibility to accommodate future technologies and rising demand for digital services.

The building code review is a key policy dimension of the initiative. While individual developers can work with telecommunications providers to incorporate connectivity into their projects, Globe’s proposed approach would seek to make such considerations part of a broader framework for building design and construction.

The company said recognizing telecommunications infrastructure in building standards could help ensure that new properties are equipped to support residents, tenants and businesses from the time they move in, rather than requiring network upgrades or retrofits later.

The push reflects the growing role of connectivity in residential and commercial property, as households and businesses increasingly rely on digital services for communication, work and daily operations.

For developers, integrating network requirements into project master plans could help manage construction costs while preparing properties for changing tenant needs.

Through its engagement with the property sector, Globe is seeking to advance both industry collaboration and policy recognition of connectivity as a fundamental component of modern developments.

The outcome of the government’s building code review could help determine how telecommunications infrastructure is addressed in future construction standards across the Philippines.

Riot Games has unveiled the eight organizations that will make up the VCT Pacific partnered league beginning in 2027, a move that also signals the departure of several current organizations. These include Global Esports, home to Filipino players Xavier ‘xavi8k’ Juan and Patrick ‘PatMen’ Mendoza, as well as assistant coach Derren ‘Aimix’ dela Cruz.

The new long-term lineup features Japan’s Crazy Raccoon and Zeta Division, South Korea’s Gen.G and T1, Singapore’s Paper Rex, Indonesia’s Rex Regum Qeon (RRQ), Thailand’s Full Sense, and Vietnam’s GAM Esports.

According to Riot Games, the organizations were selected following a months-long evaluation process that considered fan engagement, organizational values, support for players, sustainability, and their ability to grow local communities across the Pacific region.

The announcement ushers in a new era for VCT Pacific while bringing an end to Global Esports’ run in the league despite one of the organization’s most successful seasons in Valorant.

Global Esports captured the VCT Pacific Stage 2 championship in 2026 and qualified for Valorant Champions Shanghai, with Juan, Mendoza and Dela Cruz playing key roles in the team’s campaign.

The organization’s exclusion from the new partnership program also coincides with its decision to step away from competitive esports altogether. Global Esports founder and chief executive officer Rushindra Sinha announced that the organization would cease esports operations and transition into GE Studios, shifting its focus toward content creation and artificial intelligence-driven projects. According to Sinha, 2026 had long been planned as the organization’s final year in esports despite its championship-winning season.

For Juan, the announcement marked the end of an unforgettable first season at the Tier 1 level.

In a social media post, the Filipino player looked back on his rookie campaign and thanked the teammates and staff who helped shape his first year on the international stage.

“This was my rookie year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. The memories we made and the experiences we shared are things I’ll never forget.” wrote Juan.

He also paid tribute to the roster and coaching staff behind the team’s championship run, saying the season’s experiences would stay with him regardless of what comes next in his career.

“I’m not sure what the future holds or where I’ll be next year, but I’ll always be grateful for everything this year has taught me. This chapter may be over, but the memories and lessons will stay with me.” said Juan.

The former Valorant UAAP champion with De La Salle University likewise gave a special mention to fellow Filipino Mendoza, expressing hope that the pair could one day represent a Philippine organization together.

“To my Pinoy duo @patmenVLR, hopefully we get to represent a PH org together in the future,” said Juan.

Dela Cruz shared a similar sentiment in his own farewell message, describing his stint with Global Esports as a “life-changing journey” after years of pursuing a place in Tier 1 competition.

The Filipino assistant coach said joining the organization was already a major achievement, but helping the team win Pacific Stage 2 and qualify for Champions Shanghai made the experience even more meaningful.

“Joining the team was already a huge blessing on its own, but it became an even bigger one with the Pacific Stage 2 Championship, and actually qualifying and making it to Champions Shanghai,’ said Dela Cruz.

He also praised the players, staff and management he worked with during the season and thanked fans who supported the team throughout its run.

“Thank you for this life-changing journey, GE. I will forever be grateful, and these memories will stay with me always,’ said Dela Cruz.

The announcement of partner teams comes as the Philippines prepares to host one of the region’s newest Valorant events.

Riot Games previously confirmed that Manila will host the inaugural VCT Pacific Cup from April 29 to May 23, 2027, with teams competing for qualification spots to Masters Valencia. The tournament forms part of the revamped VCT calendar and will bring the newly selected Pacific partner organizations to the Philippines for one of the first major events under the new competitive structure.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has rebuked the Chinese Embassy in Manila over a string of “escalatory and undiplomatic” social media posts targeting Filipino officials since the Chinese ambassador remarked last week that China could ‘easily win’ if it used force.

In a statement on Thursday, October 22, the department called out the embassy for what it says are statements that “erode mutual trust and confidence” and severely undermine efforts to stabilize and improve bilateral relations.

It reminded all diplomats accredited to the Philippines to exercise restraint and responsibility in public, “especially on social media,” and said it reserved the right to take further diplomatic action. It did not say what that action could be.

“The recent public statements of the Embassy do not reflect the longstanding spirit of constructive engagement between the two countries and the two foreign ministries. Such statements are not conducive to good relations nor to the effective discharge of diplomatic functions,” the DFA said.

Even so, the Philippines “values its relations” with China, the statement read.

Calls from lawmakers to declare Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan persona non grata have not stopped the embassy from churning out sharply worded posts, many of them aimed at the legislators seeking his expulsion.

The embassy has dialed up the provocative tone of its public statements since Jing arrived in December 2025, often assailing Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela and other elected officials who criticize China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea.

Two resolutions in the Senate and one filed by 10 House members have asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel Jing or ask Beijing to recall him. In turn, the embassy, in several posts, has dared lawmakers to go ahead with his expulsion and warned more Filipino officials would be barred from China if Jing were expelled.

On Tuesday, the embassy reposted a joint statement by House members calling for his removal with the caption, ‘Put on record. You are now on the list.’

The word war between the embassy and Philippine officials ramped up after Jing said in a chance interview with reporters on October 15: ‘If we want to use force, we may easily win. But no, we will not use force. You know, we love peace, and in this region, we enjoy the peace.’

This remark prompted the DFA to summon Jing on Monday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the words of the ambassador were ‘provocative and unacceptable’ and detrimental to the already sensitive relationship between the two countries.

The DFA has said declaring a diplomat persona non grata was an option of last resort.

In its statement Thursday, the DFA also reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to its One China Policy, after a post by the embassy asked the department to clarify Manila’s position on Taiwan.

“In response to recent postings on social media, the DFA reaffirms the Philippines’ continued adherence to its One China Policy, anchored on the 1975 Philippines-China Joint Communique,” the DFA said.

“It underscores our consistent position that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government of China, and that we fully understand and respect the position of the Chinese Government that there is but one China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory,” it added.

Kevin Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group , Inc. recently bared developments in the Megaworld Corporation.

In a press lunch at Ogawa restaurant in McKinley West Shoppes, Tan introduced Javier Hernandez who takes over as head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, property developer Megaworld is stepping up its retail expansion, targeting 1 million square meters of gross leasable area (GLA) by 2030.

Over the next five years, the company plans to open new lifestyle malls, expand existing developments, and explore new retail and commercial formats within its townships nationwide.

New malls in Cavite, Rizal, Pampanga, and Bacolod City are set to break ground between this year and next.

Hernandez succeeds Graham Coates, who led Megaworld’s lifestyle mall business for eight years. His appointment comes as the company enters its next phase of expansion, building on its existing portfolio while seeking new ways to serve customers and create opportunities for retail partners.

‘We are very pleased to welcome Javi to the team. He already has a number of exciting ideas and plans in the pipeline, and we look forward to seeing those take shape as he leads Megaworld Lifestyle Malls into its next chapter,’ says Tan, president and CEO of Alliance Global Group Inc., Megaworld’s parent company.

‘We will continue to bring in global brands and new concepts, while creating more opportunities for Filipino brands and experiences that make each of our destinations distinct. There is still a lot we can do, and we are excited about what comes next,’ Tan adds.

Hernandez brings more than three decades of experience in property development, retail, hospitality, and tourism, including around 20 years in the mall business. His background spans mall operations, commercial development, sales and marketing, hotels and resorts, and tourism estates.

‘As we work toward our target, our focus will be on growing the business responsibly while continuing to strengthen our existing destinations. We will keep improving the customer experience, bringing relevant and innovative concepts into our malls, creating more opportunities for our mall partners, and exploring new retail formats that complement the continued growth of Megaworld’s townships,’ Hernandez says.

During Coates’ eight-year tenure, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls navigated expansion, pandemic-related disruption, recovery, and renewed growth. Its portfolio grew with the addition of developments such as the Imperial Wing at Lucky Chinatown and The Shoppes at McKinley West, as well as the redevelopment of Eastwood Mall.

The group also welcomed Tesla into the Philippine market through the Tesla Experience Center at Uptown Bonifacio and expanded the presence of global retail brands KKV and Nitori across its townships. Its entertainment and cultural offerings grew with the introduction of Uptown Tempur Cinema and the REP Eastwood Theater, the permanent home of Repertory Philippines at Eastwood City.

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls currently operates 27 lifestyle malls nationwide, bringing together retail, dining, entertainment, culture, and community experiences across the company’s townships and developments.

San Miguel Beer titan June Mar Fajardo got his career milestone.

And the Beermen made sure Kraken’s big night ended in victory – in epic come-from-behind fashion at that.

As Fajardo joined the PBA’s elite 10,000-point scorers’ club, the Beermen battled back from 20 down to secure a 135-133 steal over NLEX in their marque Group A duel in the Governors’ Cup last night at Ynares Center Antipolo.

The victory gave SMB a 9-3 win-loss record at the end of group play – level with the Road Warriors. But after the tiebreak, it was NLEX that wound up with the No. 1 seeding going to the crossover quarterfinals, thanks to its superior quotient on account of its 14-point romp (110-96) versus Fajardo and Co. back in the first round.

JMF breached the 10K point barrier at the 2:21 mark of the opening period on his way to 26 that went with 10 rebounds and three blocks.

But there’s one problem: the Road Warriors were threatening to blow them out, holding a 116-96 tear early in the fourth.

Then the proud Beermen went to work. They went on a furious rampage to turn the game around, with George King putting the finishing touches with an inside stab with 5.2 seconds left.

‘Isang karangalan na mapabilang ako sa 10k club. Credit ‘yun sa teammates ko at coaching staff, hindi ko makukuha ‘yun kung hindi dahil sa kanila,’ said Fajardo, who became only the 19th player in history to achieve the feat.

More important for him, though, was the W that gave SMB positive vibes heading into the best-of-five quarters against the No. 3 seeds of Group B.

‘Masaya ako nakuha namin goal namin sa elims, ‘yung top 2,’ he said.

King dropped 10 of his team-high 27 in the fourth, where he joined forces with Don Trollano in fuelling San Miguel’s telling 39-21 closing barrage. Trollano hit 17 of his 23 in the windup.

The victorious Beermen fell short of the required 15-point winning margin to wrest the top seed from the Road Warriors via tiebreak. But coach Leo Austria isn’t complaining.

‘Going to the game we didn’t care kung No. 1 or No. 2 kame. We’re here to play to win,’ he said.

SMB spoiled the 43-point, six-block outing of NLEX import Deonte Burton.

Malacañang won’t stop lawmakers from issuing resolutions against China’s ambassador even as it cited the need to avoid reckless decisions in the face of the tense exchanges between the Chinese embassy and some Philippine officials.

‘If you are angry, you cannot think properly although our feelings are valid. We have countrymen in China we have to protect. Our President does not back out and does not abandon our rights. As to how it can be implemented to protect our country, this will be discussed. We should not be reckless in any decision,’ Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said yesterday.

‘The DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) has spoken and (it) did not like the response of the ambassador of China. So whatever appeal will be made, whatever action will be undertaken by the Senate and (the House), the President will not stop it.’

Castro said some people have adopted ‘extreme’ views about the issue, but they cannot be blamed because the ‘visitor’ is not treating the residents of the country well.

She said President Marcos has not met with Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan, who has earned the ire of some lawmakers because of what they described as his rude and threatening statements.

Castro added that the exchanges between the ambassador and some Philippine officials should not divert attention away from the claim that businesses linked to Vice President Sara Duterte have received Chinese money.

In an interview yesterday with ‘Storycon’ on One News, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro accused the Chinese embassy of interfering in local affairs, including politics.

‘We can say that this is already interference in our country’s internal affairs, because they are turning this into a political issue and capitalizing on it,’ Teodoro said.

‘This is what our people need to understand. They are interfering in our politics because they are handling the matter in a way that has made it political. Their language is no longer diplomatic,’ he added.

The defense chief did not discount the possible impact of China’s actions in the upcoming 2028 election, noting how the embassy ‘transformed’ its messaging to something that is more aggressive.

‘It has become a political fight, not a diplomatic one. Their statements are now about our internal politics,’ he said.

‘The threat there is the continuing attempt to expand sa West Philippine Sea,’ he said. ‘The major issue here is their attempt to seize our territory. We should not allow ourselves to be distracted from that.’

Playing tit-for-tat, the Chinese embassy said Filipinos – especially politicians and lawmakers – who want Jing out are not welcome in China either.

‘Since you don’t welcome us, we don’t welcome you, either. Fair enough,’ the Chinese embassy said in a post on Facebook.

This developed as 10 more members of both the administration and minority blocs in the House of Representatives joined senators in urging President Marcos to declare Jing persona non grata.

The lawmakers crossed party lines in filing House Resolution 1562 persuading the Chief Executive to expel Jing or seek his recall by the Chinese government.

‘The President, being vested with executive power, holds primary authority to conduct foreign relations and to represent the nation in its dealings with other states and must therefore take decisive action in response to statements and conduct that undermine national sovereignty and threaten the country’s security,’ a portion of the three-page resolution read.

The House members who signed the resolution were Reps. Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong (Lanao del Sur), Adrian Michael Amatong (Zamboanga del Norte), Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands), Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal), Akbayan party-list Reps. Chel Diokno, Percival Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula; Cielo Krisel Lagman (Albay), Karl Fernandez Legazpi (Pinoy Workers) and Mark Anthony Santos (Las Piñas).

Vice President Sara Duterte’s spokesman Paolo Panelo, meanwhile, insisted she is not siding with China in its ambassador’s verbal spat with Philippine officials.

Duterte’s position is ‘to bring the temperature down, to de-escalate the tension’ and let the DFA resolve the issues with China, Panelo said.

Miss Universe Thailand 2026 Tharina Botes shared an uplifting message about perseverance and pursuing one’s dreams after Thailand announced it would not participate in the 75th Miss Universe competition next month in Puerto Rico.

In a social media post, Tharina thanked those who supported her throughout her journey, saying that an unexpected turn of events would not stop her from pursuing her dreams.

“Sometimes, life doesn’t unfold the way we imagined. But I’ve learned that not every pause is a step backward, and not every detour takes us further from our dreams,” she wrote.

“Sometimes, the right things happen at the right time, in ways we may only understand later,” she added. While Tharina did not explicitly mention Thailand’s reported withdrawal in her statement, she emphasized that a person’s dreams should not be defined by a single achievement, title, or opportunity.

“A dream is never defined by a single moment, a title, or a stage. It is defined by the courage to keep believing, the strength to keep growing, and the grace to keep moving forward, even when life takes an unexpected turn,” she said.

The beauty queen also assured her supporters that she would continue working toward her aspirations despite the circumstances.

“I will never stop dreaming, growing, or believing in the woman I am becoming,” Tharina said.

“To everyone who continues to believe in me, I hope my journey reminds you to never give up on your own dreams, either,” she added.

Tharina further stressed that her journey was far from over, describing the situation as another chapter in her life rather than an ending.

“This is not the end of my story. It’s simply another chapter. There are still dreams to chase, beautiful moments to embrace, and so much more waiting to unfold,” she wrote.

She ended her message with an optimistic note, telling her followers that better things could still lie ahead.

“The sky is not the limit, and the best is yet to come. With all my love, always,” she said.

Thailand’s reported decision not to participate comes ahead of the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in Puerto Rico next month.

Two members of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were killed in an ambush along a busy thoroughfare in Cotabato City on Thursday afternoon, October 22.

The fatalities were identified as PCG Ensign Reniel Agpalo and Ensign Louther Vitor.

They were riding in a maroon Toyota Innova with their superior, Lt. Commander John Paul Cabarrubias, when gunman attacked them along a stretch of the Roman Vilo Street.

The ambush site is located not far from the Cotabato City PCG Station.

The victims were on their way to their station when armed men opened fire on their vehicle, hitting Agpalo and Vitor in their upper torsos.

Officials of the Cotabato City Police Station 1 and local executives who responded to the incident told reporters that the assailants managed to flee amid the commotion triggered by the gunshots.

Agpalo and Vitor were both declared dead on arrival at the hospital where emergency responders brought them for treatment.

Cabarrubias, chief of the Cotabato City PCG Station, survived the attack without injury.

Police investigators and local officials are working to identify the perpetrators, who fled on motorcycles after the ambush.

Local executives said initial indications suggest the attack may have stemmed from a work-related involving one of the three PCG personnel targeted while traveling to their station.