Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

All four members of the Philippines’ first delegation to the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) won medals in Astana, Kazakhstan, this August, bringing home one silver and three bronze medals.

Theo Lorenzo T. Bustamante of Philippine Science High School-Calabarzon Region Campus won silver, while Ellison Matthew S. Ang of Philippine Science High School-Main Campus, Juan Mateo J. Desuasido of Brent International School Manila and Jhareign S. Solidum of University of Mindanao Ilang High School each won bronze.

The four-member team competed against 466 high school students from 108 countries and territories, giving the Philippines a 100 percent medal rate in its IOAI debut.

Bustamante ranked 80th overall, placing among the top 17 percent of competitors. The Philippines was also among 11 of 18 countries making their IOAI debut in 2026 that won at least one silver medal.

Overall, the competition awarded 37 gold, 73 silver and 110 bronze medals.

Now in its third year, the IOAI tests students in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing and multimodal processing.

The weeklong competition was officially opened by Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and featured international artificial intelligence experts and technology leaders, including Kai-Fu Lee. It was the first event held at the newly constructed facilities of the Kazakhstan National University of Sports.

The Philippine delegation was selected, trained and managed by International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence Philippines (IOAI PH), hosted by the Ateneo Business Insights Laboratory for Development (BUILD) under the John Gokongwei School of Management of Ateneo de Manila University.

Students qualified through a merit-based national screening process, with participation offered free of charge.

RELATED STORY: CIT-U students bring home inaugural ASEAN AI Hackathon championship to Cebu

Over 10 months, Ateneo BUILD provided the team with cloud testing infrastructure and proctoring environments and conducted expert-led boot camps on machine learning theory, computer vision, natural language processing, audio processing and VRAM constraint optimization.

‘A 100% medal rate on our global debut proves that Philippine talent can immediately compete at the highest level of international AI,’ IOAI PH executive director and team leader Martin Gomez said.

‘Outranking competitors from traditional global STEM powerhouses in our very first year establishes a baseline for what our students can accomplish with structured training, corporate backing, and national support,’ Gomez added.

Held under the patronage of UNESCO, the IOAI was hosted by the Kazakhstan Competitive Programming Federation with support from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development and Ministry of Education.

Singapore will host the fourth IOAI in 2027.

Kevin Quiambao found his rhythm when Gilas Pilipinas needed it most on Friday.

Quiambao buried a crucial three-pointer with 11.7 seconds left in overtime as Gilas Pilipinas survived Jordan, 82-81, in the Fiba World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

‘Tinira ko lang. I practice those shots,’ said an exhausted but ecstatic Quiambao.

‘That was just a rhythm shot. I was already in my rhythm when I took that shot. Luckily, it went in and I’m thankful for Kuya CJ (Perez) for giving that pass.’

KING KQ ????

Kevin Quiambao talks about his heroics for Gilas Pilipinas in their overtime win over Jordan. | @MeloFuertesINQ

Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/UxbZM5DE3E pic.twitter.com/HAcYUx6hT1

– INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) August 28, 2026

Gilas had possession in the dying seconds of overtime, with the game tied at 79-all, when CJ Perez found a wide-open Quiambao, who promptly sank the dagger for an 82-79 lead.

Perez, who also delivered key baskets for the Philippines late in regulation and overtime, said he was just trying to make the right play when the defense collapsed on him.

‘I’ve been shooting my layups and the defenders were collapsing. Luckily, KQ was there, I saw him and he made the shot,’ said the San Miguel Beer star, who finished with 16 points.

‘He has so much confidence and I’m proud of him,’ he added.

Quiambao’s heroics set up a thrilling finish where Kai Sotto also rose to the occasion with a massive block on Jordan’s Abdullah Olajuwon.

The former La Salle star ended with 14 points and five rebounds in the win that sent Gilas Pilipinas to a 3-4 record in Group E.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Friday over 200 personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), including all its regional directors, are being investigated for an alleged scheme in which applicants are asked to pay for available ‘slots’ or positions in the agency.

At a press briefing at Camp Crame, Remulla vowed to ‘clean up’ the BFP, an agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). ‘This will be a massive purge,’ he said.

‘We’re now investigating more than 200 personnel regarding the slots-for-sale [scheme],’ he said, adding that ‘as of now, all regional directors are being investigated.’

But the BFP and the Philippine National Police have yet to finalize how many ‘slot-selling’ cases are being investigated, he said.

Reileved SFO

Police in Pampanga recently arrested a BFP official from Metro Manila with the rank of senior fire officer (SFO) 1, who allegedly asked an applicant at the bureau’s Central Luzon office to hand her an initial P500,000.

Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu, BFP officer in charge, said at the briefing the SFO concerned had been relieved from her post and is now facing dismissal proceedings.

According to police, this SFO had also allegedly claimed to have successfully orchestrated the hiring of four other applicants in the past year.

Remulla said these four applicants have been subpoenaed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the PNP.

‘They can either testify…or we will charge them because they paid,’ the interior chief said. ‘If they testify, we will give them clemency because they are as much … victim[s]. But they have to come out with all the deeds.’

Remulla said earlier the arrested SFO had named a ‘senior fire commissioned officer’ as an accomplice-further identifying that official as a deputy director for administration in BFP Calabarzon.

P100,000 to P800,000

Kwan Tiu also said the BFP and police had arrested another SFO 1 in the Ilocos Region who had recently been dismissed, but he did not provide further details.

The alleged scheme offered slots in the bureau ranging from P100,000 to P800,000, according to Remulla.

He said before his appointment to the DILG, BFP personnel involved in this scheme made at least P15 billion a year, including kickbacks in the purchase of equipment and additional fees for inspections.

Remulla and Kwan Tiu also cited recent reforms in the BFP, particularly the adoption of an electronic hiring system in the recruitment of applicants for next year.

‘As long as people are involved in the selection, that’s where corruption happens. Now, the lists are systems-generated,’ Remulla said.

Kwan Tiu said he will explore options with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to protect the identities of BFP applicants. The bureau, similar to the PNP, publishes its lists of applicants in a bid for transparency.

Earlier this year, Remulla launched an anticorruption drive in the BFP, starting with criminal and administrative cases against more than 40 personnel and the relief of over 900 fire safety inspectors in Metro Manila for alleged questionable practices.

The campaign included the suspension of then BFP chief Fire Director Jesus Fernandez, whom Remulla had accused of facilitating a kickback scheme on the procurement of fire trucks and ambulances.

Remulla had vowed to ‘clean the BFP and remove all its syndicates.

‘My goal is to strengthen the institution of the DILG. It used to be very weak. It used to be very porous,’ he said. ‘I will not leave as [Secretary] until I clean this up.’

A college student was found dead by campus security at the University of Makati (UMak) on Friday morning.

According to a spot report by Taguig City police, the student was a 17-year-old male from Taguig City.

Initial investigation said a security guard saw the student ‘lying motionless’ and ‘apparently lifeless’ beside the university’s generator set around 8:30 a.m.

Campus security then reported this to Taguig police, who are investigating if the student’s cause of death ‘was indeed suicide or [if there was] any indication of foul play or other circumstances.’

In a statement, UMak said it extends ‘our heartfelt sympathies to the student’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.’

It added: ‘We kindly ask the community to respect the family’s privacy by refraining from spreading speculative details and by upholding compassion across all platforms.’

The country’s target of having offshore wind assets is gaining more ground as the Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to accelerate the acquisition of land properties to support its rollout.

In pursuit of that goal, the DOE and the Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) inked a memorandum of agreement signed by Energy Secretary Sharon Garin and PNOC president and CEO Franz Josef George Alvarez.

The state-run company would serve as DOE’s designated agency tasked to speed up the processing of leases or permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The government hopes its goal of scaling up the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to 35 percent by 2030 will receive a boost from the firing up of offshore wind developments by 2028.

Currently, the share for clean power assets is 25 percent.

But the country’s first auction for wind technology has faced a delay. The DOE in July cited logistical issues, infrastructure readiness and supply chain risks tied to the Middle East conflict.

Projects for auction

The DOE, however, intends to pursue the green energy auction round for offshore wind projects by December. The bidding covers 3,300 megawatts of fixed-bottom offshore wind capacity, expected for delivery between 2028 and 2030.

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) earlier said the Philippines needs at least $500 million to upgrade ports to support the launch of offshore wind parks.

Ann Margret Francisco, GWEC director for the Asia-Pacific, said in June the group has initiated talks with financial institutions to raise funds for the modernization of ports.

‘Particularly because it will be constructed at sea, you will need vessels. And for equipment of that size, you will definitely need adequate space. And that’s the reason why you would need ports as a starting point for the business,’ Francisco said

Continuous southwest monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding and soil erosion in several parts of Olongapo City since Friday, Aug. 28, leaving major roads impassable and forcing residents in a riverside barangay to evacuate.

Minor soil erosion was reported in Barangay Kalaklan at around 1:30 p.m., scattering rocks along the major road leading to Zambales, according to former Vice Mayor Rolen Paulino.

Water levels along Rizal Avenue near Apo Torunda began rising at around 2:30 p.m.

By 4:30 p.m., the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) ordered the preemptive evacuation of residents in Barangay Sta. Rita as water levels in the Sta. Rita River continued to rise.

The river eventually overflowed at around 6:30 p.m., spilling over the Del Rosario and Sta. Rita bridges and flooding portions of West Bajac Bajac, East Bajac Bajac, Kalaklan and Sta. Rita.

Traffic in the affected areas came to a standstill by 7 p.m.

Another case of soil erosion was reported along Napalan Street in Barangay Mabayuan. No injuries were reported.

Inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, several roads also became impassable because of flooding, according to Armie Llamas, officer in charge of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Corporate Affairs.

Bravo Fence, San Bernardino Road, Labitan Street and Quezon Avenue were not passable to light vehicles, while the 10-13 Road near the Kalayaan Sentry was closed to all vehicles.

The CDRRMO issued a red rainfall warning at around 8:30 p.m., even as floodwaters began to recede in some parts of the city

The search for three Aetas, including two children, continued on Friday, a day after a boat carrying members of an indigenous community capsized in Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino town, killing six people.

The missing passengers are a 26-year-old pregnant woman and two children, ages 3 and 8. They were among 13 passengers aboard the boat that capsized at about 2 p.m. on Thursday near the Sunken Church in Barangay Buhawen.

The passengers were returning to their community in Sitio (subvillage) Lumibao after attending a government vaccination program and a meeting under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) when the boat encountered strong winds and rough lake conditions. Four passengers survived the incident.

Euphraim Jayson Diciano, head of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Zambales, said personnel from the PCG Special Operations Group were expected to conduct an underwater search for the three missing passengers.

Municipal disaster response personnel, police, the PCG and other responding agencies continued search and recovery operations on Friday despite heavy rains in the province.

The six fatalities were identified as Elvis Tiglao Pabalan, 33; Joanavie Mae Tiglao Pabalan; Sally Serrano Dela Cruz, 29; Prince Lenard Serrano Dela Cruz, 1; Evelyn Yurik Lagman, 45; and Cedric Serrano Liwanag, 2.

The four survivors were identified as Rebecca Paana Sulit, 39; Palit Liwanag, 32; Julian Pabalan Balario; and Marqie Paanan Balario.

The passengers were members of the Aeta community in Sitio Lumibao, located across Mapanuepe Lake from the main part of Barangay Buhawen.

Residents of the sitio rely on boats to cross the lake to reach the barangay proper, where they access government services and other facilities.

Isolated

The tragedy came as continuing rains further isolated other Aeta residents in San Marcelino.

Around 800 residents on the northern side of the river in Barangay Sta. Fe have remained isolated since Aug. 9 after floodwaters damaged a portion of a dike and swept away a bridge.

The damaged dike sustained further damage on Friday as a swollen river pushed floodwaters into nearby communities. A house collapsed after being hit by strong currents, although the family living there was able to evacuate, according to the San Marcelino Public Information Office.

Floodwaters also entered government buildings and a school, while water levels nearly reached a temporary footbridge being built in the area.

The municipal government postponed its scheduled relief operations because strong river currents made it unsafe for vehicles to cross.

Local officials continued to monitor the affected communities as heavy rains persisted, while rescuers pressed on with the search for the three missing Aetas.

The Ironman 70.3 series goes deep in the north for the first time next year when Laoag City hosts a leg on March 14, underscoring the popularity the sport is gaining in the country.

Ilocos Norte’s capital will put its heritage and legendary Ilocano spirit on full display when the 1.9-kilometer swim, 90-kilometer bike and 21.1-kilometer run race is flagged off.

Also known as the Sunshine City, Laoag’s appeal as a race venue extends beyond its roads and coastline as it offers a warm, almost always-summer character that lends itself naturally to a race weekend.

Laoag also brings together heritage and contemporary city life with its historic streets, local markets and long-standing Ilocano traditions coexisting with a growing modernity which will give athletes and their families plenty of reasons to stay longer and explore beyond race day.

Registration is now open. For details, visit www.ironman.com/races/im703-laoag.

For the organizing Sunrise Events, Inc., the race represents an opportunity to expand the Philippine Ironman experience into a destination with its own distinct character.

The addition of Laoag as a venue further strengthens the Philippines’ position as a major destination for endurance racing in the region. With Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events having been held in the country since 2009, the arrival of a new host city reflects both the continued growth of the local triathlon community and the enduring appeal of the Philippines to international athletes.

With its oceanfront start, fast northern roads, historic urban setting and easy access to the cultural and culinary attractions of Ilocos Norte, the Laoag stop is poised to offer more than a new race on the calendar. It is also an invitation to experience the north from the saddle, on foot and beyond the finish line.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rescued and assisted a distressed woman in the Batangas town of Balete on Thursday (Aug. 27).

The PCG Batangas Station said its personnel from the Balete sub-station received a report from the village chief of Barangay San Sebastian about a woman near a cliff along the shoreline of Taal Lake who required immediate assistance to prevent a potential accident, because of the hazardous rocky terrain and rough conditions on the lake.

During the rescue operation, however, the woman evaded the responding Coast Guard personnel, climbed the cliff, and then scampered towards the lake where she dove before the Coast Guard and members of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) managed to secure her.

The woman was identified through documents found among her belongings. She had no apparent physical injuries but was unable to communicate coherently.

Photo courtesy of PCG Batangas station

She was temporarily sheltered at the barangay hall while authorities coordinated with the concerned local government offices and her family.

The woman was later turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for appropriate intervention and further assistance

Bella Belen is excited for Capital1’s future, as she and Premier Volleyball League MVPs Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos have started forming a strong connection while serving national cause for Alas Pilipinas.

Capital1 may have lost its two preseason games, capped by a 20-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-12, 15-10 defeat to Farm Fresh in the PVL on Tour’s Victorias City stop on Saturday, but Belen believes the best is yet to come.

‘We haven’t been able to visit their training that much because we’ve been busy with Alas and the league just recently ended,’ Belen said in Filipino.

The former Rookie of the Year and Capital1 newcomers Santos and Gandler missed the On Tour as they continue to train with the Alas squad that is preparing for the Asian Games next month.

A three-time UAAP MVP out of National University, Belen relishes the chance of building their teamwork as a trio while with the national team, which earned a historic silver in the second leg of the SEA V Cup a few weeks back.

‘I think that will be a big help because I’ve already played with [Gandler and Santos],’ she said. ‘I already know how they play and what they’re like outside the court. I’m excited to see what they can bring to the team, and at the same time, what we can learn from them.’

Capital1 has more time to prepare ahead of the PVL All-Filipino Conference starting in October when the league celebrates its 10th year.

Belen puts a premium on team chemistry with several newcomers joining their team after landing Santos and Gandler from defunct Cignal, tabbing free agent setter Jaja Maraguinot while drafting Detdet Pepito second overall and Khy Cepada in the second round.

‘One of the things we need to improve on is our chemistry. Just because we have talented players doesn’t mean everything will be easy,’ Belen said. ‘We still have to [work hard] and take it one day at a time, get to know each other and learn how to play together as a team.’

Belen is also happy with the growing fan base of the team, which they witnessed when the Ilonggos gave them a warm welcome in Negros Occidental.

‘Of course, I’m really happy because I didn’t expect Capital1’s fanbase to grow this much. I hope they continue to support us, especially in the upcoming season,’ Belen said.