Category: Philippine Star

The Gilas women stamped their ticket to the quarterfinal round of the Asian Games women’s basketball division after blasting Hong Kong, 90-73, Sunday morning at the Aichi International Arena in Japan.

Gilas remained unscathed through two games after back-to-back huge wins. The squad first defeated Kazakhstan, 86-58, before the huge win over Hong Kong.

Stefanie Berberabe paced the Filipina dribblers with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists. Afril Bernardino added 17 markers, 11 boards and four dimes, while Jhaz Joson had 15 points.

The two teams were kept in a close game through the midway point of the third quarter, with a triple by Tsz Kwan Li making it a 59-57 lead by the Philippines.

But Gilas stepped on the gas and left Hong Kong on the rear-view mirror with a backbreaking 16-3 run capped by a deuce by Afril Bernardino to push the Philippines ahead, 76-60, with 7:37 remaining.

Li and Tong tried to rally Hong Kong back into the game, but Bernardino, Joson, Camille Malagar and Berberabe put the finishing touches in the dominant win.

Malagar tallied 14 points for the winning team, while Elizabeth Means chipped in 11.

Li carried the offense for Hong Kong with 30 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Tan Fung Ma had 15 markers.

The Philippines will take on Japan in their final Group B play on Tuesday. The home team is also holding a 1-0 record thus far, before facing Kazakhstan Sunday afternoon.

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has appealed to various information and communications technology (ICT) and hacking communities to collaborate with the government in protecting Filipino youth from the dangers of the dark web and preventing further tragic incidents.

In a DZBB interview on Sunday, September 20, CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Renato Paraiso acknowledged that the government has limitations in its current capabilities and urged tech-savvy individuals to step forward and help bridge these gaps.

“Sa ating mga kapatid, sa ating mga kasamahan, sa ating mga kaibigan sa mga iba’t-ibang mga ICT communities, hacking communities, computer forums, kung may alam kayo or may access dito, mag-come forward kayo,” Paraiso said.

(To our brothers and sisters, to our colleagues, to our friends in various ICT communities, hacking communities, and computer forums, if you know anything or have access to this, please come forward.)

“Magtulong-tulong tayo para sa ating mga kabataan. Please come forward. We don’t need another incident like this, not at the expense of another child’s life,’ he added.

(Let’s help each other for the youth. Please come forward. We don’t need another incident like this, not at the expense of another child’s life.)

The appeal comes amid rising concerns over the “dark web,” a hidden layer of the internet that is inaccessible through standard web browsers and requires specialized applications, skills and knowledge to access.

According to Paraiso, these underground forums serve as platforms where hacking communities, illegal firearms sellers and anonymous groups interact

Penetrating these exclusive online spaces to monitor potential threats is highly difficult. Paraiso explained that while surface-level monitoring tools are available, deeper intelligence work is necessary because gaining the credentials and trust required to enter these forums can take years.

‘More importantly, the intelligence work that needs to go behind it kasi it takes years before you get credentials para pagkatiwalaan ka to be let inside these forums or communities, Paraiso said.

(More importantly, the intelligence work that needs to go behind it, because it takes years before you get credentials to be trusted enough to be let inside these forums or communities.)

On September 19, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the 14-year-old student who opened fire at a school in South Cotabato was heavily involved in activities on the ‘deep dark web.’ The shooting incident left three people dead, including the shooter.

‘Upon investigation, he was heavily into the deep dark web. He was into the deep dark web, which influenced him,’ Remulla said in a press briefing on Saturday, September 19.

‘According to his phone, he left several notes detailing his depression at tuloy-tuloy ito,’ he added.

DreamWorks Animation is marking a notable shift in its animation design and characterization, and Filipino influences are playing a part in that progress.

The studio first entered the market with early releases “Antz,” “The Prince of Egypt,” and “The Road to El Dorado,” but arguably its pop culture-defining hit was the “Shrek” franchise that began at the turn of the millenium.

Since then, the company has released franchises for “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “Trolls,” each to varying degress of success alongside one-part features.

Next on the theatrical line is “Forgotten Island” helmed by longtime DreamWorks artists and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.

What makes the upcoming film so special is that it is inspired by Filipino culture, mythology, and folklore. It is also borrows from the real-life friendship between the Filipino-American Mercado and Crawford, whose wife is Filipina.

It’s a daunting task to follow the footsteps of well-received and award-winning predecessors. However, recent releases like “The Wild Robot” and even “The Last Wish” can serve as indication to the direction DreamWorks is heading. Philstar.com exclusively spoke with Crawford and Mercado to discuss how Filipino creativity factored in the pioneering animation studio’s improvement.

Mercado began by stating his belief that DreamWork’s progress is elevated by Filipino artistry, not just by the community sharing its stories and making their voices heard but also to inspire other cultures to step up.

“I want to hear everybody’s story, we always talk about how ‘rising tides raise all ships,'” he said. “I think together we can tell very beautiful, personal stories and amazing filmmaking.”

Crawford elaborated on the special opportunity “Forgotten Island” had to play with different animation styles, including 2D animation, which was contributed by the Quezon City-based Snipple Animation.

While the movie heavily makes use of 3D animation, flat 2D styles are used in individual storytelling formats and exaggerated moments by characters.

The director credited the local animators in Snipple for inspiring the film’s crew and for much of how the project has been received so far.

He even compared the collaboration to his working relationship and real-life friendship with Mercado.

The filmmakers first worked together as storyboard artists on “Kung Fu Panda 2” 15 years ago and have been quite the dynamic duo ever since.

“That was the experience and joy working with Snipple, it was amazing,” Crawford added.

Mercado ended by recalling how emotional he got upon entering Snipple’s office for the first time last year as – in all his years working in animation. He had never seen a studio full of Filipino animators and artists, and for him it was incredible to witness.

“Forgotten Island” follows best friends Raissa and Jo (Liza Soberano and H.E.R.) stranded on the titular mystical island Nakali filled with aswangs as told by the latter’s grandmother (Dolly de Leon).

Also in the voice cast are Lea Salonga, Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto, Filipino-American actress Amielynn Abellera, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, and Ronny Chieng.

The movie goes wide in Philippine cinemas beginning September 23.

The Philippines bagged its first medal of the 2026 Asian Games after settling for a bronze in the soft tennis event Sunday morning at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center.

The Philippines, already assured of a third place finish, fell against reigning Asian Games champion Japan, 2-0, to bag the bronze medal.

In the first match of the team event, Kiho Miyamae and Rio Maeda drubbed Princess Catindig and Noelle Manalac, 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 4-0 and 4-1, to take the 1-0 lead.

And in the second match, Ayaka Iwakura overpowered Cristy Sanosa, 4-0, 4-1, 4-2 and 4-2, to help Japan reach the final round.

Still, it was a historic medal for the Philippines in soft tennis, being the first-ever Asian Games medal for the country in the sport.

The Philippines finished the group play with a 2-1 win-loss record, after wins over Mongolia and Thailand before falling against Chinese Taipei.

A policeman was sacked from his post after he was caught driving a motorcycle without a license plate in Quezon City.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Olazo, Quezon City Police District director, said he relieved the police corporal from his post and ordered him to explain the traffic violation.

‘Being a police officer does not exempt him from following the law,’ Olazo said in a statement.

He did not reveal the policeman’s identity.

The violation was noticed after a netizen posted a picture of the officer driving a motorcycle without a visible license plate at the corner of P. Tuazon Boulevard and EDSA in Barangay Socorro.

The unnamed policeman was issued a traffic citation ticket and his motorcycle was impounded.

Olazo reminded police officers that they are always mandated to comply with traffic laws, rules and regulations.

University of the Philippines ripped Ateneo, 94-75, to seize the solo lead in the UAAP Season 89 men’s basketball tournament yesterday before more than 12,000 fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons clipped the Blue Eagles to only 10 points in the third quarter to break away from a slim 46-45 cushion and seal the smashing followup to their 92-85 debut win over Santo Tomas.

Former NCAA Finals MVP James Payosing sizzled with 16 points in only 15 minutes of play as UP, finalist in five straight seasons under Goldwin Monteverde, notched its seventh consecutive win over Ateneo in the Katipunan Derby since 2023.

Earlier, National U (1-1) gave coach Jeff Napa a nice birthday present in the form of a 76-56 drubbing of hapless University of the East (0-2), which absorbed its 22nd straight loss over the last three seasons.

The inspired Bulldogs broke the floodgates wide open, 25-8, to set the tone for the strong bounceback to their tough 87-89 defeat to titleholder La Salle in last week’s opener.

Reinhard Jumamoy led the Bulldogs’ offense with 12 points as the triple towers of Mo Diassana (12-12), Kenshin Padrones (11-7) and PJ Palacielo (9-12) feasted inside the paint.

Carlos Alvarez delivered another medal for Team Philippines after scoring a knockout victory over Indonesia’s Ananda Wahyu Setyo in the men’s MMA Traditional -77kg quarterfinals at the 2026 Asian Games.

After a tight opening round, Alvarez knew he had to step up the pressure in the second.

‘No’ng first round kasi medyo parang ganunan lang kami sa points eh. Medyo parang dikit. Tabla oh. Kaya no’ng second round sabi ko kailangan kong tapusin ‘to para manalo.’

With a medal already secured, Alvarez admitted the pressure has eased slightly, but the ultimate target remains an Asian Games gold medal.

‘At least nabawasan konti ‘yong pressure kasi malaki pressure dito. At least ngayon may medal na tayong siguradong maiuuwi at ang goal namin talaga dito sa MMA is makuha ang gold medal.’

Alvarez also drew inspiration from fellow Filipino fighter Jean Claude Saclag, who earlier secured a bronze medal and advanced to the semifinals.

‘Oo na-inspire din ako kay Jean kasi siya ‘yong unang lumaban and siya din ‘yong unang nanalo sa ‘min. Sabi ko sa sarili ko ‘di puwedeng matalo ko dito.’

Alvarez now has just one day to recover and prepare for his next challenge. He will face Yerkingali Burkutalin of Kazakhstan in the semifinals on Monday at 9:40 a.m. Manila time, with a place in the gold medal match at stake.

‘Rest lang kami mamaya ng mabuti at ayusin mga masasakit na parts ng katawan tapos ‘yon. Laban na ulit.’

For Alvarez, representing the Philippines provides an added source of motivation as he continues his medal campaign.

‘Ah sobrang motivation ‘yan kasi Pilipinas na ‘yong ni-represent namin dito eh. Hindi na team lang namin sa Baguio or something. Pilipinas na siya talaga. Napakagandang motivation at inspirasyon sa aming mga lumalaban dito.

Jeff Manday of Caloocan Batang Kankaloo displayed his shooting prowess on Sunday’s MPBL 3-Point Shootout, but not after repulsing the challenge of four other solid gunners who posed a big threat to the former PBA player in this exciting showdown used as part of the league’s All-Star spectacle at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.

The athletic, six-foot pride of Bacolod emerged as the new 3-point king, scoring 26 points in both the elimination round and the final shootout to pocket the P25,000 top purse.

Manday bested Rizal XentroMall’s Jolo Mendoza, who tallied 18 points, and Quezon Huskers sniper Judel Fuentes, who carded 17, in the 3-man final.

Also ended up tied for fourth are Migs Pascual of Sarangani and Mark Cruz, both ending up with 18 points.

Pascual was ahead in the early goings of the event, being the first shooter to take a crack of becoming the league’s newest long-distance sensation and for awhile, he was holding on to the lead before Cruz tied him up and other shooters like Fuentes (24) and Mendoza (25) caught up.

Since only three players will advance to the next round, Pascual and Cruz failed to make the cut, but nevertheless, the pride of Cainta was pleased with his performance and hope to do better next time around.

Other 3-point shootout participants who failed to advance in the final were Shawn Argente (10), Alfrancis Tamsi (12), Benedict Benedictos (11), Ino Comboy (11), Mike Ayonayon (14), Robby Darang (16), Pat Buena (14), JP Cauilan (16), Brandon Wilson (11) and former winner Orlan Wamar (16).

Movem Electric Inc., the sustainable mobility arm of Manila Electric Co., has teamed up with the Filinvest Group to set up an electric vehicle (EV) charging facility at Festival Mall in Muntinlupa.

The partnership between Movem and Filinvest Malls brings EV charging closer to motorists while supporting the shift toward cleaner mobility and helping create more EV-ready communities.

Located at the Alabang-Zapote parking area of Festival Mall, the project combines EV charging infrastructure with a digital advertising platform.

The charging station is supported by ChargeM, Movem’s mobile application that allows EV users to conveniently access, monitor and manage their charging sessions.

‘At Movem, we believe EV charging should fit naturally into people’s daily routines. Our partnership with Filinvest at Festival Mall brings reliable and convenient charging closer to where people live, work and spend their time,’ Movem president and CEO Ralph Menchavez said.

‘As a destination where people come together for their everyday activities, Festival Mall provides a natural setting for EV charging to be part of the customer experience,’ he added.

Beyond Festival Mall, Movem also intends to expand its EV charging support across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments.

Earlier, Movem turned over two fully electric shuttles to Barangay Bel-Air in Makati, giving residents a cleaner and more sustainable transportation option within the community.

The shuttles offer longer driving range, faster charging turnaround and improved passenger safety and comfort features. Each unit can accommodate up to 14 passengers and travel up to 150 kilometers on a single charge.

State-run Land Bank of the Philippines has earned international recognition for advancing the Philippines’ energy security and clean energy transition, receiving the Karlsruhe Sustainable Finance Award for Outstanding Sustainable Project Financing.

The award recognized Landbank’s Sustainable Power and Energy Infrastructure Financing Portfolio, which supports large-scale renewable energy and power projects that expand clean energy capacity, strengthen grid reliability, and meet the country’s growing power requirements.

‘This recognition inspires us to further expand financing for projects that will shape a cleaner, more energy-secure future for the Philippines. Landbank will continue to mobilize capital for strategic investments that deliver reliable power to communities, strengthen the economy, and advance sustainable development for generations to come,’ Landbank president and CEO Lynette Ortiz said.

‘Economic growth requires infrastructure, and infrastructure requires capital. Landbank’s participation in major solar and pumped-storage hydropower projects in the Philippines demonstrates the important role that a public financial institution can play in meeting this challenge,’ International Council of Sustainability Standards for Value-Driven Financial Institutions chairman and Arshad Rab said.

Landbank’s Sustainable Power and Energy Infrastructure Financing Portfolio supports key energy infrastructure projects, including the 1,400-megawatt Ahunan Power and 600-megawatt Olympia Violago pumped-storage hydroelectric plants, and the 160-megawatt Labrador Green Energy solar project.

To date, LANDBANK has mobilized more than P300 billion in financing and supported over 2,000 megawatts of renewable and energy-supporting capacity, contributing to the country’s long-term energy security and sustainability goals.