Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The southwest monsoon or habagat will affect parts of Luzon on Tuesday and is expected to continue prevailing over these areas in the next few days, according to the state weather bureau.

In the 5 a.m. weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), weather specialist Veronica Torres said that many areas in Luzon will still experience cloudy skies with scattered rains.

‘Inaasahan natin sa may Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, sa may Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, kabilang na ang Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, makakaranas tayo ng makulimlim na panahon, posibleng may kalat-kalat na pag-ulan, pagkidlat, at pagkulog,’ Veronica said.

(We expect that Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Rizal will experience overcast skies with chances of scattered rains and thunderstorms.)

She also said that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with chances of localized thunderstorms will affect the rest of Luzon. She then noted that La Union, Benguet, and Pangasinan will experience 50 to 100 millimeters of rainfall on Monday where flooding and landslides are possible.

‘Asahan na sa mga susunod na araw, patuloy pa rin ang southwest monsoon sa malaking bahagi ng Luzon and by around August 29, mas humina na yung epekto ng habagat sa ating bansa pero since 3-5 days pa yan, maaari pa itong magbago,’ she added.

(Expect that the southwest monsoon will continue to prevail over a huge part of Luzon and by around August 29, its effects will weaken but since it’s around 3-5 days, it may still change.)

Meanwhile, the Visayas and Mindanao remain unaffected by the southwest monsoon and are likely to see partly cloudy to cloudy skies conditions with chances of thunderstorms. Torres also said that hot and humid weather conditions are possible in the morning until noon, and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

No gale warning is still hoisted in any seaboards of the country.

Temperature forecast of the following areas:

Metro Manila: 26°C to 31°C

Laoag: 25°C to 29°C

Baguio: 17°C to 20°C

Tagaytay: 23°C to 29°C

Tuguegarao: 25°C to 32°C

Legazpi: 26°C to 33°C

Puerto Princesa: 25°C to 32°C

Kalayaan Islands: 25°C to 32°C

Cebu: 26°C to 34°C

Tacloban: 26°C to 34°C

Cagayan de Oro: 25°C to 34°C

Zamboanga: 25°C to 34°C

Davao: 26°C to 34°C

Weather disturbances outside the PAR

Torres said that Typhoon Saudel (formerly Obet) was last located 1,180 kilometers east-northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon as of 3 a.m. It exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Monday, 9:30 p.m.

Torres added that as it moved northward, it may enhance the southwest monsoon.

Meanwhile, she noted that Tropical Depression Atsani was last estimated 1,760 kilometers east of Northern Luzon. As it was seen near the boundary of the PAR, its possibility of entering the PAR is not ruled out.

Korean actors Jang Dong-yoon and Kim Seung-yoon delighted fans after the couple revealed their upcoming wedding in October.

The couple’s wedding plans were confirmed by Jang through a handwritten statement he shared on his Instagram page on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

‘I’m writing this because I have some news that I wanted to share with you personally today. This coming October, I will be marrying someone I have been with for a long time,’ he said in Korean, as per an English translation by Korean media outlet Soompi.

The actor said he and Kim will hold a ‘quiet wedding ceremony in the form of a worship service’ along with their families.

‘There were many thoughts and considerations that went into making the decision to get married. As we spent a long time together and came to know each other in many different ways, we came to understand and cherish each other even more,’ he continued.

‘Now, we have decided to be there for each other as our closest confidants and to build a fun and happy life together,’ he added.

Jang addressed fans and thanked them for their support throughout his career.

‘I know this news may come as a surprise, but I would be grateful if you could look upon us with warm hearts and continue to support us,’ he said. ‘I will continue to do my best to impress as an actor while also striving to live more maturely as a person.’

The pair’s wedding was also confirmed by Jang’s talent agency BH Entertainment.

‘Jang Dong-yoon and Kim Seung-yoon will get married in October,’ it said.

Jang and Kim first worked together in the 2019 South Korean series ‘The Tale of Nokdu,’ which marked the latter’s acting debut. The two reportedly began dating privately after the series ended

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla proposed making charges related to unregistered firearms punishable by jail terms of up to 20 years long in a bid to combat gun-related violence.

‘Now, when you catch someone with loose firearms, it’s bailable. Lalabas ka lang. You have a record pero bailable, then you go to a hearing,’ Remulla said in a statement on Tuesday.

(Now, when you catch someone with loose firearms, it’s bailable. You can just post bail. You have a record, but it’s bailable, then you go to a hearing.)

‘I’m asking Congress to take steps to make it non-bailable and to make it [punishable by a jail term of] 20 years,’ he added.

Remulla previously called on lawmakers to make charges related to loose firearms a nonbailable offense by amending Republic Act No. 8294, colloquially known as the ‘Robin Padilla Law.’

The secretary’s proposal was in response to the fatal school shootings in Tacloban City on June 22 and Zamboanga City on August 18, both involving government-issued firearms wielded by their owners’ minor relatives.

The DILG chief earlier explained that, in both incidents, the gun owners themselves may only face charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, which is punishable by prison correccional or up to six years of imprisonment.

According to Remulla, he was expecting his push for tougher gun laws to be addressed by Congress by next January.

‘Gun ownership also carries with it gun responsibility. The government should have the right to inspect their homes at any time and to see if the guns are in safekeeping at any time,’ he said.

‘It is a privilege granted in the Philippines. It is a privilege, not a right,’ he added.

The DILG chief particularly highlighted that, in the wake of both the Tacloban and Zamboanga incidents, law enforcement agencies must review their firearm policies.

‘We have to be strict with all our policies with uniformed personnel and let them realize the gravity of the situation that’s happening,’ Remulla said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified a group of ‘groomers’ who allegedly recruit minors to carry out acts of violence, Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday.

The development comes as the NBI investigates the recent school shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Junior High School, where the shooter-a 14-year-old Grade 8 male student-also documented the incident through Facebook Live.

In a press conference, Matibag said that based on their initial investigation, the supposed groomers, who he said have a group chat, target minors aged 12 to 19.

‘There is a group, the groomers, who were friends with – they will profile you. Initially, they’ll be very friendly, look at your profile, your family, your capability. Then there it is, they teach you [to commit violence],’ Matibag said.

‘We entered this group chat. But that group collapsed for some reason,’ he said.

Matibag also mentioned that he – along with officials from the Office of the President, Office of the Speaker, Department of Information and Communications Technology and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center – will meet with Meta in Singapore on Thursday to seek help in probing the incident.

In an ambush interview, Matibag said the ‘groomers’ in the group chat number approximately 1,000 individuals.

‘There are members from other countries but mostly Filipinos,’ he added.

‘Initiation’

According to Matibag, the group allegedly has what he described as an ‘initiation’ that directs members to carry out violent acts, such as bomb-making, and engage in other illegal activities.

‘It’s like initiation. You will be promoted. You’re taught – there’s this like Bible that if you do it, you’ll be promoted,’ he said.

‘You have a group that you’re taking care of. The thinking is … after you do that task and then kill yourself, you’ll be elevated to sainthood. Something like that,’ he added.

Matibag said the NBI is verifying whether the supposed group of groomers is connected to the AdZU school shooting and other school-related incidents in the country.

He also said the NBI will profile the individuals who shared the AdZU student’s video of the incident.

‘That’s why it was broadcast live; people were watching. He wanted an audience. Who was there? It could be the groomer or the head…That’s why we will profile everyone,’ he explained.

Based on the authorities’ initial investigation, the AdZU student entered the school on Aug. 18 armed with a 9mm Glock pistol.

He shot a 15-year-old Grade 10 male student inside Room 404 of the university’s high school building, killing him instantly.

Afterward, the shooter ran to another floor while yelling and then turned the gun on himself.

Before the incident, several cases of school-related violence – such as stabbing and shooting – had been reported in the country over the past three months, starting June 16. /mcm

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has signed an airport use agreement (AUA) with the Philippine Airlines (PAL), governing the flag carrier’s operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The agreement sets key performance indicators aimed at improving operational efficiency and aligning airline operations with the service levels NNIC itself is required to meet under its concession agreement with the government, the airport operator said in a news release Tuesday.

‘This agreement gives us a clearer framework for setting expectations, measuring performance and working together to maintain consistent service standards,’ NNIC President Ramon Ang said.

The consortium intends to use the AUA with PAL as the template for similar arrangements with other airlines operating at the country’s primary gateway.

By establishing common performance requirements and clearer accountability, the NNIC could better monitor service levels, and identify where operational problems occur and require corrective action when necessary.

The AUA governs PAL’s use of airport facilities and infrastructure and sets out the respective responsibilities of the airline and airport operator.

Its framework was designed to support more consistent performance across airport operations and improve coordination among the different parties involved in moving passengers, baggage and aircraft.

‘This is a positive development for both PAL and NNIC, and ultimately for our passengers. It supports the continuing modernization of NAIA and our collective goal of delivering a better airport experience,’ PAL Holdings President Lucio Tan III was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the NNIC said it is taking similar approach in its agreements with ground handling and other service providers, setting operating requirements for companies performing critical functions on behalf of airlines within the airport.

The Venice Film Festival has added a new documentary about the civilian toll of the Israel-Hamas war to its lineup. ‘NAZA,’ from two of the filmmakers behind the Oscar-winning documentary ‘No Other Land,’ will screen in the main competition, festival organizers said Monday.

According to the synopsis, the film was shot at night on Tel Aviv rooftops and focuses on the killings of Palestinian civilians. Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor co-directed ‘Naza,’ which was produced by The Guardian and filmmakers behind ‘The Zone of Interest.’ It’s the only documentary competing for the Golden Lion award.

Abraham and Szor were two of the four directors of the 2025 best documentary winner ‘No Other Land,’ the story of Palestinian activists fighting to protect their communities from demolition by the Israeli military. A collaboration between Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, it was made over four years between 2019 and 2023, wrapping production days before Hamas launched its deadly Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel that started the war in Gaza.

‘Naza’ builds on reporting between 2023 and 2025 published by the Israeli-Palestinian +972 Magazine, the Hebrew-language outlet Local Call and The Guardian.

The war was top of mind at last year’s festival as well, where thousands gathered for a large pro-Palestinian protest during one of the busiest nights in hopes of redirecting the spotlight from the movie stars to the real world. The subject was also prominent in the program: Kaouther Ben Hania’s ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab,’ about the death of a 6-year-old girl attempting to flee Gaza City with her family in early 2024, won the festival’s Silver Lion award.

Ben Hania is part of the Maggie Gyllenhaal-led jury that will be selecting the award winners at the festival, which begins on Sept. 2. Winners will be announced on Sept. 12.

Earlier this year, the Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition opened with no Golden Lions after the jury quit in protest of Israel’s and Russia’s participation and loud protests outside their pavilions. In 2024 the artist and curators representing Israel at the Venice Biennale kept the Israeli pavilion exhibit closed, saying they would only open it if there were a ceasefire in Gaza.

Counsel for the prosecution team Atty. Mae Divinagracia on Tuesday was seen holding a wooden cross as she did her direct examination of the witness during the 18th day of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.

But what is it for?

‘For Comfort. It gives me confidence, clarity of mind, that’s how I feel when I’m holding it,’ Divinagracia said in an ambush interview when asked the question.

Several netizens were posting about the said cross online, curious about what the lawyer was holding.

The wooden cross is often called a ‘comfort cross,’ an asymmetrical cross ergonomically designed to be grasped in one’s clenched hand during prayer or difficult times.

The litigation lawyer said that the cross is something she always carries with her whenever she is at hearings and trials

Coach Tim Cone always considers Kai Sotto a difference-maker or a game-changer whether he sees action for Gilas Pilipinas or not.

That alone makes Sotto feel valued as he makes his comeback for Gilas Pilipinas in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers against Jordan and Iran.

‘It’s a huge thing for any player to have the coach’s trust,’ Sotto said. ‘I’m thankful to Coach Tim for trusting me a lot and that he’s always grateful that I’m part of the team.’

WE WERE JUMPING FOR JOY WHEN HE DECIDED TO JOIN US

Cone mentioned how the team was ‘jumping for joy’ when the 7-foot-3 agreed to take part in the crucial window, which Gilas needs to probably sweep in order to at least stay within distance of the race for the four World Cup slots in Group E.

Sotto hasn’t played since November 2024, when he put up a big performance that helped Gilas secure a breakthrough win over New Zealand in the Asia Cup Qualifiers.

An ACL injury while playing in the B.League months ago kept him out of subsequent windows and the 2025 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, as well as the first three windows of the World Cup qualification.

Initially, it appears Sotto has plans other than Gilas. The past few months have seen Sotto play in a so-called ‘Family League’ from one court after another in his hometown of Las Piñas.

Then there’s also the possibility that Sotto may play in the US NCAA, one of the pathways for his NBA dream.

Cone initially ruled Sotto out before he showed up on the first day of Gilas practice.

‘It just so happened that I’m fully healthy and it’s the offseason and I have nothing else to do,’ Sotto said. ‘And then we got to talk to Coach Tim, the management and team, and then CJ [Perez’s] back and Kuya June Mar [Fajardo’s] probably playing his last window.

‘So it’s just fortunate that all things have aligned that we are able to come together for this opportunity,’ he added.

South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun has made his first on-air television appearance in over a year, following his 2025 hiatus.

Kim appeared as a special guest on the live broadcast Mahakarya RCTI 37, a special program celebrating the 37th anniversary of RCTI, held in Jakarta on Aug. 23. RCTI is one of Indonesia’s leading privately owned commercial free-to-air television networks.

During the event, Kim thanked the audience before performing Dreaming, a song from the South Korean hit drama Dream High (2011), in which he played Song Sam-dong, one of the main protagonists.

Kim, 38, became embroiled in a controversy in March 2025, when claims emerged that he had been in a relationship with late actress Kim Sae-ron while she was a minor. Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home in Seoul in February 2025. She was 24.

LOOK: Kim Soo-hyun officially returns following controversy

The allegations led to a criminal complaint filed by Kim Sae-ron’s family in May 2025, accusing Kim Soo-hyun of dating her while she was underage and violating the Child Welfare Act.

Kim Soo-hyun’s side acknowledged that the two had dated but denied that their relationship began while she was a minor, and disputed an audio recording released by her family as an artificial intelligence fabrication.

In July, South Korean police cleared Kim Soo-hyun of allegations that he violated the Child Welfare Act, deciding not to refer the case for prosecution.

Kim also filmed a commercial for a Philippine fashion brand on July 14, marking his first official activity since March 2025.

When Kevin Quiambao was tapped to be part of Gilas Pilipinas’ long-term program a few years ago, he made it a point to make the most of his minutes.

With the second round of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers coming up, the La Salle product’s mentality remains the same.

‘From the start, when Coach Tim (Cone) got me at the very first window, I told myself to stay ready every time, whenever the opportunity comes, to take every moment and make the most out of it,’ he said.

‘I’ll do whatever I can to contribute for the team and for the country. Same thing. I’ll do whatever I can to be effective for the team.’

Quiambao did just that when he showed his readiness for Gilas during the third window of the qualifiers.

After scoring 24 points across four games in the first two windows, the 25-year-old forward had his breakout performance for the Philippines.

Quiambao played his best game for Gilas against New Zealand, scoring 23 points on top of three rebounds, one steal and a block in a heartbreaking double-overtime loss last July in Auckland.

Quiambao picked up the slack with Justin Brownlee struggling and dealing with injuries.

He faces the same predicament in Gilas’ crucial homestand against Jordan and Iran with Brownlee out anew.

And just like his previous outing, Quiambao isn’t the type who backs down from a challenge, especially when he has the full support of his teammates.

‘I’m thankful and blessed that my teammates are giving me confidence every single game.’

Gilas Pilipinas’ second round campaign tips off Friday against Jordan before clashing with Iran on Sunday with both games taking place at Mall of Asia Arena.