Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Sylvia Sanchez and Nour Hooshmand raised the Philippine flag anew as they walked the red carpet of the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in South Korea for their film ‘Ria.’

Nathan Studios took to social media on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to share photos of Sanchez, who donned a black dress with a black cape, and Hooshmand, who wore a strapless orange dress with a patterned texture, at the festival.

‘Ria,’ directed by Filipino filmmaker Arvin Belarmino, is making its world premiere at BIFF under the Vision Asia section. The 95-minute film is a Philippines-Netherlands-Norway-Saudi Arabia-Japan co-production.

The film follows Ria (Hooshmand), a folk-punk musician living in a slum facing eviction within five days. Ria and the punk community struggle against poverty, displacement and state violence.

Sanchez plays Olga, the community leader who took in Ria as an infant and raised her. Now suffering from diabetes, Olga is cared for by Ria as their community faces the threat of demolition.

‘Ria’ also stars Iana Bernardez, Veronica Reyes, Anastasia Bartolome, Kevin Regalado, Soliman Cruz, Paolo O’Hara, RS Magtaan and Andre Miguel, among others.

Hooshmand is fresh from her Best Supporting Actress win at the CinePanalo Film Festival 2026. She also appears in Rafael Manuel’s ‘Filipiñana.’ The film is the Philippines’ official entry at the 99th Academy Awards.

Sanchez, meanwhile, previously appeared in ‘I’mPerfect,’ in which she played Norma and also served as producer. The film became the Best Picture winner at the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival and featured actors with Down syndrome in its lead roles.

‘Ria’ is one of four Filipino films in the official selection of BIFF 2026. The other three are ‘Filipiñana’ by Rafael Manuel, ’58th’ by Carl Joseph E. Papa and ‘Let Us through, Dear Ancestors’ (‘Makikiraan Po’) by Lav Diaz.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival runs from Oct. 6 to 15 across Busan. The festival is presenting 316 films from 59 countries, including 247 official selections and 69 Community BIFF titles.

The festival opened with Kim Jong-kwan’s ‘The Table: Day and Night.’ Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh was named the 2026 Asian Filmmaker of the Year.

The Makati City Regional Trial Court has ordered the arrest of Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste for allegedly violating the Public Service Act.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed the arrest warrant to reporters on Wednesday morning and provided a copy of the document.

Based on the document, the Makati RTC Branch 235 issued the warrant on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. It was signed by Presiding Judge Ricardo Moldez II.

The warrant set Leviste’s bail at P72,000.

Leviste’s case stemmed from the Department of Energy’s complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in May against him and five Solar Para Sa Bayan Corporation (SPSBC) officials for supposedly failing to deliver electricity to remote and underserved areas, despite securing a legislative franchise.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, in a Viber message to reporters, confirmed that an information was filed before the Makati RTC last Sept. 29 against Leviste and SPSBC incorporators and corporate officers Hazel Iris Lafuente Buencamino and Irma Flaminiano.

‘The filing of the informations stemmed from a finding of prima facie evidence with reasonable certainty of conviction that SPSBC willfully neglected and intentionally failed to comply with its obligations under its legislative franchise,’ Martinez said.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in an interview with reporters that Leviste’s two co-accused went to the Makati RTC this Wednesday to post the required P72,000 bail, adding that their arraignment was set for October 26.

Matibag likewise said Leviste must also personally go to the court to post bail.

‘Just a small thing’

Following the announcement of the arrest warrant, Leviste addressed his supporters on social media.

‘Salamat sa lahat ng sumusuporta. Huwag niyo akong alalahanin, maliit na bagay lang ito kumpara sa ibang nangyayari. Kayo ang inaalala ko,’ Leviste said.

(Thank you to everyone showing support. Don’t worry about me; this is a small matter compared to other things happening. It is you I am concerned about.)

Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Anisha Hassan confirmed to the INQUIRER that Leviste is still out of the country.

Leviste was last reported to be in France with his mother, Sen. Loren Legarda, after they traveled abroad on Aug. 2.

The TECNO CAMON Slim 5G is now available for offline pre-order in the Philippines from October 2 to October 15, 2026, at an SRP of ?27,999.

During the pre-order period, customers can receive a free TECNO MagBadge worth ?5,999, together with additional premium benefits, a special cash discount of up to ?3,000, and a chance to win from a ?2 million cash prize pool, including one ?1 million Grand Prize.

Designed around TECNO’s ‘Make It Lighter’ philosophy, CAMON Slim 5G combines a 6.39mm ultra-slim design with a 6000mAh battery and a 50MP Sony LYTIAS 700C main camera with Super-Zoom FlashSnap – making it lighter to carry and ready to capture everyday moments as they happen.

CAMON Slim 5G Price and Pre-Order Dates in the Philippines

The TECNO CAMON Slim 5G is priced at ?27,999 in the Philippines for the 256GB ROM + 24GB RAM configuration, combining 8GB physical RAM with up to 16GB extended RAM.

Pre-orders are open nationwide from October 2 to October 15, with official sales beginning October 16. Customers can pre-order through participating TECNO stores nationwide. The pre-order period includes Burgundy Red, Matisse Black and Rebel Pink. Gossamer White, featuring an advanced 3D butterfly-inspired back design, will become available toward the end of October and is not included in the pre-order offer. The four colorways are part of CAMON Slim 5G’s emphasis on design and personal expression.

Free TECNO MagBadge Worth ?5,999 with Every Eligible Pre-Order

One of the biggest highlights of the CAMON Slim 5G pre-order offer is the free TECNO MagBadge, TECNO’s smart magnetic accessory designed to make photography and everyday interaction more personal.

The MagBadge features a 1.73-inch display, supports rear-camera preview, wireless media sync and remote shutter control, giving users another way to take advantage of CAMON Slim 5G’s imaging capabilities.

For selfies and group shots, for example, users can preview the rear camera through the MagBadge and trigger the shutter remotely, helping make it easier to frame photos while using the phone’s main camera.

The TECNO MagBadge has an SRP of ?5,999 when purchased separately, making it one of the most valuable additions to the CAMON Slim 5G pre-order package.

Premium Pre-Order Benefits Worth ?10,000

In addition to the free MagBadge, eligible CAMON Slim 5G pre-orders come with a package of premium benefits worth ?10,000, including:

Free TECNO MagBadge – Style Meets Smarter

60-Day Free Replacement – Start Every Day with Confidence

13-Month Extended Warranty – Support That Stays With You

3-Year 256GB Cloud Storage – Save the Memories That Matter

3-Month Google One AI Plus 2TB Free Trial – Work Smarter, Make Every Day Lighter

Together, these benefits are designed to extend the CAMON Slim 5G experience beyond the device itself, from photography and personalization to storage and after-sales support.

Pre-Order Early and Get Up to ?3,000 Special Cash Discount

Customers who pre-order the CAMON Slim 5G can also receive a special cash discount of up to ?3,000, depending on when they claim their device.

Claim Date Special Cash Discount

October 16-17 ?3,000

October 18 ?2,500

October 19-23 ?2,000

The earlier customers claim their pre-ordered CAMON Slim 5G, the bigger the available special cash discount. Applicable promotional terms and redemption mechanics apply.

Light to Hold. Fast to Catch.

Beyond the pre-order offers, CAMON Slim 5G is built around two things people experience every day: carrying their phone and capturing the moment.

At only 6.39mm thin, CAMON Slim 5G is designed to feel noticeably slimmer and easier to carry throughout a busy day, while still fitting a 6000mAh battery inside its lightweight form.

Photography is equally central to the CAMON Slim 5G experience. Its 50MP Sony LYTIAS 700C Ultra-Night Main Camera provides a strong imaging foundation, while Super-Zoom FlashSnap is designed for moments that happen quickly and may not wait for the camera. Supporting up to 2x telephoto snap shooting, FlashSnap uses AI-assisted capture to help freeze spontaneous movement – from a child performing or a pet jumping, to sports, concerts or friends laughing together.

Burgundy Red Leads CAMON Slim 5G’s Fashion-Forward Design

CAMON Slim 5G also puts greater emphasis on design than a conventional specification-led smartphone.

Its hero Burgundy Red colorway combines fiberglass and a matte texture, balancing deep red and brown tones with a velvet-like finish that gives the device a warmer, more refined character. Together with the ultra-slim body, the finish makes CAMON Slim 5G feel less like a conventional piece of consumer electronics and more like something designed to fit naturally into personal style.

Other options include Matisse Black and Rebel Pink, followed by Gossamer White later in October.

Chance to Win ?1 Million from a ?2 Million Cash Prize Pool

Customers who participate in the CAMON Slim 5G pre-order campaign will also have the opportunity to win from a total ?2 million cash prize pool.

The campaign offers 101 winning chances:

1 Grand Prize winner – ?1,000,000

100 winners – ?10,000 each

Each valid CAMON Slim 5G pre-order during the promotional period qualifies for an entry, subject to the official campaign mechanics.

While the free MagBadge gives every eligible pre-order customer an immediate added benefit, the cash prize campaign gives buyers another chance to make something bigger in life a little lighter.

Up to 24-Month Installment Options

TECNO is also working with a wide range of official financing partners in the Philippines to make CAMON Slim 5G more accessible.

Participating partners include Home Credit, Skyro, Salmon, PayJoy, BillEase and Kredivo, as well as participating credit card installment providers.

Depending on the partner and applicable promotion, customers can enjoy installment plans of up to 24 months, together with benefits such as up to ?1,000 discount or cashback.

Selected fintech partners may also offer special raffle promotions, giving eligible customers a chance to have loan balances of up to ?84,000 waived.

Terms, eligibility, installment periods and promotional mechanics may vary by partner.

Free Globe Prepaid SIM with One Year of Unlimited 5G Data

TECNO has also partnered with Globe for the CAMON Slim 5G launch. Eligible customers who purchase CAMON Slim 5G can receive a free Globe Prepaid SIM with one year of unlimited 5G data, giving users an additional connectivity benefit as they experience the new 5G smartphone.

Pre-Order CAMON Slim 5G Until October 15

Pre-order now to get a free TECNO MagBadge worth ?5,999, premium benefits, special cash discounts, and a chance to win ?1 million.

The intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and the northeasterly wind flow will continue to bring rains over several areas in the country until Thursday, Oct. 8, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported in its 4 p.m. weather advisory that the ITCZ, or the convergence of winds from the northern and southern hemispheres, will affect Mindanao, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, Palawan, and Southern Leyte.

Affected areas may experience cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the northeasterly wind flow may bring cloudy skies with rains over Batanes, Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, and Aurora.

The weather bureau warned that flash floods or landslides may occur due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

Pagasa also said that Metro Manila and the rest of the country may continue to see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers due to localized thunderstorms.

It added that flooding and landslides may also occur during severe thunderstorms.

The reward of a military service exemption for gold medal-winning South Korean athletes could be abolished or reduced in future after public backlash to some controversial comments from winners at the Asian Games.

Three players from the men’s soccer team came under fire for comments following South Korea’s 1-0 win over Japan in the Asian Games final last weekend in Japan.

All three apologized but a broader debate had already reignited over whether athletes should receive special treatment for sporting achievements, particularly as ordinary citizens – and even members of BTS, the globally famous K-pop group – had to complete their mandatory service.

Criticism intensified on Tuesday and, on Wednesday, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young told the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee that the alternative military service exemption system for artists and athletes ‘will inevitably have to be scaled back.’

‘It is true that the system has contributed to helping outstanding artists and athletes maintain and develop their abilities,’ Cho said. ‘However, the values attached to fairness and public perceptions of military service have changed. I agree that the system should be comprehensively reviewed once again.’

Military service

Most South Korean men must start 18 to 21 months of military service by the age of 28. Since 1973, however, Olympic medalists and Asian Games gold medalists have been able to replace the full term with a supplementary service which consists of three weeks of basic training.

What they said

Three of the soccer players, including Yang Min-hyuk, who assisted the winning goal against Japan, made comments that were viewed as insensitive.

‘The medal and winning the championship weren’t important. I played the game with only one thing in mind – the reward of a military-service exemption,’ Yang, who joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2025 and is currently on loan at Belgian club Westerlo, said.

Newcastle United midfielder Park Seung-soo posted a photo on social media showing him wearing a cap associated with soldiers who have completed their service. In a post-match interview, captain Lee Gi-hyuk held up his gold medal and said, ‘I’m not going to the military.’

A number of politicians, including Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party, said it was time to change.

‘Some players’ remarks after the match were outrageous,’ Ahn posted on social media. ‘Even the captain bragged about not having to serve in the military. Are all the young people who enlist every year fools?’

Former lawmaker Yoo Seong-min said the flippant comments had provoked resentment and asked: ‘Is it really fair that BTS has to serve in the military while Asian Games gold medalists are exempt?’

In a Korea Herald editorial Tuesday, the newspaper declared that the practice was outdated.

‘South Korea now stands shoulder to shoulder with the world’s leading nations,’ the newspaper said. ‘The days when finishing first in Asia could meaningfully enhance the country’s national prestige are long gone. It is time to reconsider.’

That was the message from Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna during a press briefing in Seoul.

‘Ultimately, we have plans to cut back or scrap the supplementary service, including one designed for artists and athletes,’ Chung said. The soccer players were among many winners from the Asian Games who qualified for the military exemption.

Golfer Tom Kim won the men’s singles on Saturday after flying across the Pacific when the Presidents Cup competition ended so he could compete in Japan. Asked about the military exemption, he took the gold-medal approach.

‘I’m more proud that I’m able to bring a medal for my country,’ he said.

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday accused now-dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. of weaponizing his anger against former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to tear down her political reputation.

In a press conference here, Duterte read from a prepared statement to refute the allegations contained in a Sept. 14 affidavit of Gracioso, a former security aide of Velasco, who claimed to have delivered cash payoffs to her at least 10 times from 2018 to 2020.

Duterte showed screenshots of her conversation with Velasco, who is still out of the country with his wife, Rowena, about what could have motivated Gracioso to spin the serious accusations.

Clearly, Velasco and Gracioso ‘had a misunderstanding over money,’ Duterte said. She cited the account of Velasco about Gracioso asking for money from them to defray supposed hospitalization expenses.

The request for assistance did not happen, as the Velasco couple supposedly preferred to pay for the bills themselves, but Gracioso preferred to receive cash.

‘Ano man ang problema o hindi pagkakaunawaan nila Lord at Gracioso, hindi dapat ako idadamay sa kanilang personal na alitan sa pera. Hindi dapat gamitin ang aking pangalan sa paghihiganti, sa mga kasinungalingan at pagpapalakas ng walang ebidensyang impeachment complaint, at sa paninira sa pulitika,’ Duterte appealed.

She accused Gracioso of being aided by ‘script writers’ who are able to spin tales from every information that they get to hold, if only to bolster their smear campaign against her.

She said they have information about efforts to pay off people willing to testify to the supposed truthfulness of Gracioso’s claims.

‘Kumpirmado ko na may mga negosasyon sa pera para sa mga posibleng tumestigo sa mga imbentong kwento sa mga maleta ng pera na umano’y ibinigay sa akin,’ Duterte said.

She said among those offered was her former aide, Jefry Tupas, who was allegedly enticed with money and a chance for her family to live in Forbes Park.

Duterte lamented that Tupas appeared vulnerable because she is not currently employed and is ill. Tupas reportedly left the Office of the Vice President, where she heads the media and public relations section, in October last year.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will request an Interpol Red Notice against Batangas 1st. District Rep. Leandro Leviste, who is reportedly in Germany, after an arrest warrant was issued against him.

‘Apply-an na namin sa Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes para makakuha ng Red Notice,’ Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in an ambush interview on Wednesday.

(We will apply through the Philippine Center on Transnational Crimes to obtain a Red Notice.)

Remulla also said that Leviste may be in Germany.

Earlier, the Makati City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against Leviste over an alleged violation of the Public Service Act.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also confirmed the warrant on Wednesday morning and released a copy of the document to reporters.

Some of the smartest choices are made before there is any guarantee they will work.

For Ace Gapuz, one of those choices was believing in creators before ‘creator economy’ was even a familiar phrase.

At a time when blogging was still largely considered a hobby and social media was only beginning to find its footing in the Philippines, Gapuz saw something others were only beginning to notice: ordinary people could build communities, create influence, and eventually turn their passions into meaningful opportunities.

She chose to invest in that idea.

Years later, that choice has grown into Blogapalooza, one of the pioneering platforms in the country’s creator economy. But if there is one lesson from Gapuz’s journey, it is that staying ahead is not about making one perfect decision. It is about continuing to make smart choices as the world around you changes.

‘Blogapalooza has been one of the pioneering platforms in the country’s creator economy. We were building this space at a time when social media was still finding its footing in the Philippines, so being part of that journey has been incredibly rewarding and meaningful,’ Gapuz says. ‘Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing how the creator industry has evolved, from a relatively new space to a thriving ecosystem where creators can build communities, influence conversations, and create real opportunities.’

Her story is about more than building a company. It is about recognizing possibilities early, staying open to change, and choosing the people, ideas, and technology that can help those possibilities grow.

Where It All Started

In the early 2000s, Gapuz talked her way onto the internet the way many in that first generation did: dial-up by the hour, Friendster, a self-taught patch of HTML, and a first blog parked on GeoCities.

She was not chasing a career. No career existed there to chase. Blogging was a hobby; a diary other people could happen to read. What fascinated her was discovering that strangers who cared about the same things could find one another if you gave them a place to gather.

That early fascination with online communities would eventually grow into something much bigger. Blogapalooza was born, bringing bloggers together and eventually evolving alongside a new generation of content creators.

Technology has changed dramatically since then. So has the community that grew with it.

‘I do not think you ever really arrive,’ she says. ‘You just keep going, and you bring good people with you. If you had shown me all of this back then, I would not have believed you. And honestly, I think the best part still has not happened yet.’

Building Blogapalooza

What started as a passion for blogging and content creation, Ace built Blogapalooza into a strong community that connects and empowers content creators in the country. Her hard work led her to build the Bloga Creator Hub (BCH), a space where content creators can meet, connect, and turn creative ideas into reality.

A room full of creators uploading, streaming, shooting, and collaborating at the same time needs a connection that can keep up. PLDT Home Fiber, the hub’s connectivity partner, powers up creators in BCH.

For creators, connectivity is more than a technical detail. A livestream that freezes, an upload that stalls, or a video call that drops can interrupt the creative process. The hub gives creators access to the tools, connectivity, and community they need to create together. Much of the work, however, still happens wherever creators happen to be, including at home.

Gapuz points out that as the work became more demanding, the tools available to creators also became more capable.

‘Today, a content creator can reach audiences around the world and build a thriving business online. What makes that possible is that technology has grown alongside us, which gives us the tools, platforms, and connectivity to turn ideas into real opportunities,’ she says.

Making Smart Choices

For Gapuz, the creator economy is proof that the choices people make today can open possibilities they could not have imagined before.

She chose to believe in creators when the industry was still taking shape. She chose to keep evolving as technology changed. And she chose to build spaces where people could turn their own ideas into something more.

Today, content creators have more choices than ever. From the platforms they use, the communities they build, the technology that powers their work, to the space where they produce content. And increasingly, content creators start their creative ideas from home. A bedroom can become a studio, a dining table can double as an editing desk, and a laptop can connect a creator to an audience anywhere in the world. Behind every livestream, late-night upload, video call, and content collaboration is a connection that needs to keep up.

This is why choosing the right home setup becomes part of the creative process. PLDT Home’s Fiber Unli All Plan 1499 brings together fiber connectivity, entertainment, and mobile connectivity in one plan, giving households a more seamless way to stay connected across the things they do every day. For creators, it means having an internet connection designed not just for watching and scrolling, but for creating, sharing, working, and staying connected to their communities.

‘Having a fiber connection that can keep up with everything we do is important,’ Gapuz says. ‘PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plans make sense for our kind of lifestyle because it brings together the connectivity, entertainment, and mobile access in one subscription. For me, that’s what makes it a smart choice because it gives content creators and families value for money by having all our essential subscriptions in one plan.’

Ask Gapuz what she is proud of, and she does not talk about herself. She talks about the people whose journeys she has watched unfold.

‘I’ve had the privilege of watching content creators grow their communities and careers in our industry,’ she says. ‘That’s what inspires me most. It was never about me or my own dream. It has always been about giving creators the space, support, and opportunities to see their own dreams come to life and helping them become better at what they do.’

Perhaps that is what making a smart choice really means: recognizing possibility before the outcome is certain, choosing what helps it grow, and creating the conditions for what comes next.

For Ace Gapuz, one smart choice made years ago helped build a community. Today, she is helping a new generation of creators make smart choices of their own.

When I was 6, I was hit in the head when another student swung too far on the school swing. My parents took me to the emergency room for stitches. They didn’t sue the school: it was an accident, and we’d already been warned to be careful when crossing the playground.

I remembered my experience weeks ago, when a professor from another university told me that her nephew’s school literally did not allow them to play.

I shared this with a fellow Ateneo instructor. We both teach creativity and human-centered design, classes that require students to listen to people’s needs before making anything, to wait before creating, to be comfortable with uncertainty and the possibility that not everything will proceed according to plan.

In short, we are asking students to play-the way we did in playgrounds, at home with whatever we could find, in our backyards as we spent long afternoons running, talking, winning, or losing at games, getting scratched and bruised. Except now, play means doing something without fear of grades, correction, or critique.

We shared the observation that many of our students are so afraid to do anything without first asking what they can write, design, or say that will get them an A. They are intimidated by the notion that creativity is a process that they have to undergo independently, without asking someone to constantly reassure them or protect them from the consequences of their work.

‘Takot silang sumugal,’ my friend said. They are so afraid to take risks.

Her students seemed to think and design in terms of bite-sized nuggets of knowledge. My students seemed to cower in fear of an invisible, judgmental audience and therefore didn’t dare speak up.

All our students found it difficult to deal with a mess that they had to fix on their own. They couldn’t understand that knowledge, information, and data could come in overwhelming force; that people were more complex than video game characters who would simply obey orders when told; that their parents wouldn’t always be there to make things easy for them.

We shared stories we had heard from other instructors at the university, who had dealt with parents trying to protect their children from difficulty, shield them from penalties, and hover over every step their children take. Once, my friend said, a mother shouted at her over the phone, demanding to know why her child couldn’t simply be put in an already full class without asking the instructor’s permission first. Another time, a father tried to push her to extend her deadline for his son’s final project.

We talked of the times that our students seemed to rely so much on outside forces to support and validate them. When they had expected everything to be easy because the way had been paved by well-meaning parents who had not yet learned to let go. When they had been so afraid to engage in negotiation and conversation. When they had disengaged because their first draft was not perfect.

We agreed that our students just didn’t know how to play-and banning play from elementary school would make the problem worse for the students later, when they entered college and had to learn how to design even with uncertainty, to wrestle with ideas in their writing, to interrogate difficult concepts when they speak up.

Play is not a frivolous activity, and it is not the same as games or gamification, where students engage in competitions and comparison on a leaderboard.

Experts have raised alarms at how play has been removed from elementary schools around the world. Unstructured play has to begin early. It begins when parents allow their children to be bored, and encourage their children to find a way to entertain themselves without resorting to gadgets. It continues when parents allow their children to make mistakes so that their children learn to face challenges on their own later.

Play helps children converse, negotiate, and socialize, so that they know how to listen without interrupting, ask for permission, and understand consent. It’s where kids learn to gracefully correct and graciously accept correction, rather than expect to solve problems through brute force.

Without play, our students go to school for a grade rather than education. In college, they chase after scores rather than learning, and wonder why they are so burned out.

Last week, one of my students in Creativity wrote that her nephew’s school had told children to stay off the playground and instead play on their iPads.

‘I worry about the next generation!’ she said.

Our students are slowly learning to play again. They also see how lack of true play has stood in the way of genuine learning.

When I was six, I had to get stitches for an accidental hit to the head by a swing. My friends experienced scratches, bruises, teasing, and critique. Play taught us to experiment, to learn on our own, to accept where we needed to be faster or stronger.

We who had been given the time and space to play have never stopped playing. We hope today’s kids receive the same precious gift.

Several bank accounts belonging to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, were presented before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday as the proceedings on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth continued.

On the 35th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, several bank representatives testified before the court to show Duterte and Carpio’s year-end balances from 2022 to 2025.

Among these were two bank accounts from the Asia United Bank or AUB, with Davao Toril Branch Manager Arcy James Gonzales testifying that Carpio held two bank accounts ending in 4387 and 0301, respectively.

The first bank account (4387) was solely owned by Carpio, while the other (0301) was a joint account he held with another individual who remained unidentified.

Below are the year-end balances for both accounts:

2022

Account ending in 4387 – P314,059.17

Account ending in 0301 – P1,682,094.21

TOTAL: P1,996,153.38

2023

Account ending in 4387 – P470,852.28

Account ending in 0301 – P1,774,663.58

TOTAL: P2,245,515.86

2024

Account ending in 4387 – P456,352.28

Account ending in 0301 – P867,291.90

TOTAL: P1,323,644.18

2025

Account ending in 4387 – closed as of this year

Account ending in 0301 – P871,998.77

TOTAL: P871,998.77

The next batch of bank accounts presented were those owned by Duterte and Carpio, respectively, particularly from the Philippine Savings Bank.

As testified by Branch Operations Department Head Irene Joy Ishida, Duterte has an active account ending in 3853, while Carpio had his own ending in 2107-both were opened at PSB Wilson Branch in Manila.

Below are the year-end balances for both accounts:

2022

Account ending in 3853 – P2,029,237.88

Account ending in 2107 – P473,845.96

TOTAL: P2,503,083.84

2023

Account ending in 3853 – P2,080,023.45

Account ending in 2107 – P503,550.96

TOTAL: P2,583,574

2024

Account ending in 3853 – P2,133,658.78

Account ending in 2107 – P480,076.09

TOTAL: P2,613,734.87

2025

Account ending in 3853 – P2,188,222.18

Account ending in 2107 – P259,792.87

TOTAL: P2,448,015.05

The next bank to be presented was Metrobank, where the couple held six total bank accounts, including their children’s.

However, according to Metrobank Anti-Money Laundering Division head Niña Feren Alquiroz-Aguilar, only three bank accounts remained active: a joint account between Carpio and Duterte ending in 3876, another owned by Duterte ending in 2445, and a third account ending in 5263 in one of their children’s names.

Below are the year-end balances for the said accounts:

2022

Account ending in 3876 – P2,278,832.33

Account ending in 2445 – P85,556.33

Account ending in 5263 – P1,184,168.02

TOTAL: P3,548,556.68

2023

Account ending in 3876 – P2,436,156.69

Account ending in 2445 – P85,556.33

Account ending in 5263 – P1,330,800.53

TOTAL: P3,852,513.55

2024

Account ending in 3876 – P330,896.40

Account ending in 2445 – P85,581.89

Account ending in 5263 – P1,458,423.09

TOTAL: P1,874,901.38

2025

Account ending in 3876 – P55,273.18

Account ending in 2445 – P85,625.29

Account ending in 5263 – P1,459,162.56

TOTAL: 1,600,061.03

One Security Bank account was also presented before the court, with Security Bank branch banking group head Leslie Cham confirming it was named under Carpio.

Below are the year-end balances for Carpio’s account:

2022

Account ending in 4534 – P25,074.34

2023

Account ending in 4534 – P232,134.27

2024

Account ending in 4534 – P344,388.90

2025