Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Stars are paying tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Nashville, Tennessee, at 80.

Parton was among the most beloved personalities in music and beyond – the rare celebrity whose appeal transcended generations, geography and politics.

Here is a roundup of notable reactions to Parton’s death and legacy:

Dionne Warwick

‘The Heavenly Father has made the decision to bring another of his children to him. Dolly a true child of God is in the best hands now.’ – via statement

Paul McCartney

‘Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of country music and it is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly. She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world. There was no greater honor for me than to have her sing my song ‘Let It Be’ and, even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honored that she did it.’

Jane Fonda

‘I never knew anyone like her. She was simultaneously a naughty, playful southern gal from the hollows of Tennessee and a deep, soulful thinker who could see through people right down to their true selves. She was many things … lyricist, songstress, player of many instruments, writer, prankster, visionary, loyal friend, who’d never go to bed before she and her friends had laughed so hard they’d have to cross their legs.’

Linda Ronstadt

‘I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Dolly Parton. One of the most extraordinary musical experiences of my life was recording with her. The world is a poorer place without her.’ – via statement

Bette Midler

‘Our beloved Dolly Parton has died. I am devastated, and I’m sure the nation will mourn her as I do, and for many years to come. She had a voice of pure gold and a heart to match. What a terrible, terrible loss.’

Kelly Clarkson

‘Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left behind for all of us.’

Dolly Parton had a way of making everyone feel special, and seen, and welcomed, and as if you were old friends. I will miss her heart and her voice as I am sure millions will. What an incredible gift and talent she was and still is with an amazing catalogue of art she has left… pic.twitter.com/swUmwRG0XJ

Melissa Etheridge

‘Words fail me today, words to describe the spirit that was Dolly. I was blessed with knowing her, just a little. We all were. I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations. We are a better world because she walked among us. May she live in the stars of the night and in the light of our days.’

Words fail me today, words to describe the spirit that was Dolly. I was blessed with knowing her, just a little. We all were. I will strive the rest of my days to be as joyful and loving as she was. Her talent and gifts she gave us will live on for generations. We are a better… pic.twitter.com/3DnZ1yPLbg

Kristin Chenoweth

‘Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never forget her because she is impossible to forget. I love you Dolly and I will ALWAYS love you.’

Like the rest of the world, I’m immediately heartbroken. I met Dolly on several occasions and she always made me feel like one of her own. She even agreed to sing with me on one of my records. My ultimate inspiration. The world has lost one of the best but I know we will never… pic.twitter.com/dqE7U4Kbjy

Vince Gill

‘We are all crushed here at our house. One of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard was when Dolly and I sang that last note of ‘I Will Always Love You’ the year we performed it on the CMA Awards.’ – via a statement

Maggie Rogers

‘One of the greatest songwriters of all time beautiful radiant butterfly human. I played with her at Newport once and I felt like my chest was on fire. I was so wildly awe struck. thank you thank you a million times, dolly.’

Elizabeth Banks

‘This is a really hard one today. Dolly Parton in show business is like the only person to aspire to be. She is the most kind, the most loving, the most talented, the most generous, the most inclusive, the most resilient, the most gritty. She was undeniably a force of nature.’

‘I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on ‘The Voice.’ I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family. Truly a loss for the entire world. We love you Dolly.’

I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today. I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice. I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like… pic.twitter.com/9ycD4lSpO9

Seth MacFarlane

‘The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating. I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on ‘The Orville,’ and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was. Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment one, and the benign yet assured command she maintained over her empire was obvious from the genuine love and trust you could see from everyone who worked for her. The world is a dimmer place today without her.’

The news of Dolly Parton’s passing is devastating. I had the extraordinary experience of working with her on The Orville, and it was a joy to discover that she really was exactly the person we all hoped she was. Her kindness, generosity, and authenticity were evident from moment… pic.twitter.com/xVf2ZokZLO

Reba McEntire

‘Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart. There will never ever be another you.’

Well, I just got the news that my buddy Dolly passed onto the higher and greater side. Dolly, thank you for all the wonderful things you did for us here on earth. Your love, your music and you gave so much with your huge huge heart.There will never ever be another you. We… pic.twitter.com/qpbvKUNbiM

Colman Domingo

‘Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her.’

Dolly taught us that you can be anything and do anything and to do it with kindness. What a light. We are all grateful that we lived in a time of Dolly Parton. We will always love her. pic.twitter.com/kKOuTrcFo9

Ken Burns

‘One of twelve children raised in a cabin, Dolly Parton left home carrying nothing but songs to become the most beloved figure in American music. She wrote ‘I Will Always Love You’ as a goodbye to Porter Wagoner. Today it belongs to all of us.’

One of twelve children raised in a cabin, Dolly Parton left home carrying nothing but songs to become the most beloved figure in American music. She wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a goodbye to Porter Wagoner. Today it belongs to all of us. pic.twitter.com/Y4XnLufJCL

As she gets closer to her date with the stork, Alex Gonzaga is turning sentimental while reflecting on the ‘little world’ she and her baby shared during her pregnancy.

The actress-TV host celebrated the final days of having her child in her womb, showing photos from her recent maternity shoot through her Instagram page on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

In the photos, Gonzaga, wearing a black knitted cutout dress, lovingly caresses her baby bump as she gazes at it. Her husband, Lipa City Vice Mayor Mikee Morada, is also featured in the snaps, kissing Gonzaga’s belly.

‘I’ll miss carrying you inside my tummy, my baby. It was like having our own little world,’ Gonzaga said in the caption.

Some fans took the post as an apparent hint at the arrival of the couple’s firstborn, although both Gonzaga and Morada have yet to make a birth announcement as of this writing.

Gonzaga and Morada got married in 2020. The couple experienced pregnancy losses in 2021, 2023 and 2024 before they announced their current pregnancy last May.

At the time, the pair revealed that they were preparing to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) when they learned they had naturally conceived.

The Mayon Volcano in Albay emitted ash on Wednesday morning, Aug. 26, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Based on a sped-up video footage released on social media, Phivolcs said the ash emission at the Mayon’s crater occurred at 8:30 a.m.

‘This event generated a grayish plume that drifted east-northeast as recorded by the VMCB (Calbayog Observation Station) RasPi Camera,’ Phivolcs said.

Alert Level 2 remains over Mayon Volcano, indicating a moderate level of volcanic unrest.

Phivolcs advised the public to avoid entering into the six-kilometer-radius permanent danger zone.

Mirra Andreeva revealed a secret Tuesday after she and Andrey Rublev ended the reign of the two-time US Open mixed doubles champions.

She used to have a crush on her partner.

‘I’ve never said anything, I’ve never told him anything as well, but I used to have a little crush on him as well,’ Andreeva said during an interview on the court.

The French Open champion added that it was ‘like a dream come true to play with my favorite’ before being unable to finish that sentence when Rublev interrupted to give her a hug as the crowd cheered.

The crush is over – the 19-year-old Andreeva said it was when she was 15 or 16 – but their tournament goes on. The Russians will play Wednesday night in the semifinals against Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik.

They began the event by outlasting Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori 1-4, 4-1 (11-9), then emerged from another match tiebreaker to edge Diana Shnaider and Casper Ruud for their semifinal spot.

Rublev, 28, is perhaps most recognizable for his red hair and his occasional outbursts on the court. Andreeva definitely noticed his appearance, but thought he was kind despite the tirades.

‘I mean, first of all, his hair, OK?’ she responded when asked why she was drawn to him.

‘So many interviews I saw and so many things that I heard from other people, I just knew he’s a great person. I didn’t know him at that time yet. I don’t know, I just feel like he’s super kind, very nice with everyone. Again, the hair. I don’t know, everyone said that every time he would step on court, he would look tired. I don’t know, he was looking great every time for me.’

Rublev’s response to Andreeva’s revelation?

Apple is set to launch their latest refresh, the 2026 Mac mini. This comes at a time when budgets for consumer computing has been stifled from the current AI hardware demands. That being said, a price increase of roughly $300 since 2024 is not that bad given the current market situation.

The upcoming Mac mini will cost P64,990 powered by the new M6 chip.

‘Mac mini has always been our most versatile Mac. Whether it’s being used as a home computer, powering a professional studio, or as an always-on agentic device, it’s the little Mac that can do it all,’ said Johny Srouji, Apple’s chief hardware officer. ‘Today, we’re taking this versatility even further. With a more powerful CPU and graphics, Neural Accelerators in the GPU, and higher memory bandwidth, Mac mini with M6 delivers a whole new level of AI performance. And with up to an 18-core CPU and 20-core GPU, Mac mini with M5 Pro is an ultracompact powerhouse for complex pro workflows. We can’t wait to see all the incredible ways people will use it next.’

Tech specs

Powered by the all-new M6 or M5 Pro, the new Mac mini brings a dramatic boost in performance and even more versatility in its ultracompact desktop design.

Featuring the all-new M6, Mac mini now delivers up to 4x faster AI performance, 2x faster graphics, and 2x faster storage, along with 40 percent faster CPU performance.

Mac mini with M5 Pro delivers even more pro-level performance to breeze through demanding projects from video production to game development.

Both Mac mini models include Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, as well as upgraded 2.5Gb Ethernet, with a 10Gb option available.

Pricing and Availability

Mac mini with M6 starts at ?64,990 and ?57,990 for education. Additional technical specifications are available at apple.com/mac-mini. Mac mini with M5 Pro starts at ?119,990 and ?112,990 for education.

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (Arta) said on Tuesday it stands ready to ensure that projects within the contentious Pax Silica hub are processed quickly while remaining ‘completely aligned with the national interest’ of the Philippines.

In a statement, the agency that oversees the government’s antired tape and ease-of-doing-business policies, said it was already working with regulators across the semiconductor ecosystem to streamline processing times, compliance costs and interagency procedures for the planned industrial hub in New Clark City.

This could give prospective investors greater regulatory certainty as the Philippine government seeks to attract capital into Pax Silica, a United States-led initiative aimed at securing supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors and other advanced technologies.

‘This will ensure that government regulations must not only protect the environment but also provide for a business-enabling environment to attract investors,’ the Arta said. ‘Pax Silica is an opportunity for the Philippines to take the lead for future technology.’

So far, no locators have been confirmed for the planned Pax Silica hub in Tarlac, as the framework that will govern the site is still under negotiation. The government, however, previously said it was eyeing Taiwanese electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn as a potential anchor locator.

Nevertheless, the agency expressed its full support for the proposed development, which it described as an advanced manufacturing complex focused on wafer fabrication, chip design and critical minerals processing.

The Arta also reiterated the Bases Conversion and Development Authority’s position that the 1,619-hectare development will not be a hub for hyperscale data centers.

Instead, the government is positioning it as a hub for capital-intensive, higher-value manufacturing that could help the Philippine semiconductor industry move further up the global technology value chain.

The Arta also touted projections that Pax Silica could attract between $40 billion and $70 billion in domestic and foreign investments and create higher-skilled jobs for Filipino engineers, researchers, computer science professionals and technical workers.

But the agency stressed that faster government processing would not mean relaxing regulatory requirements for Pax Silica projects.

The Arta said that under the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act, streamlining should improve the speed and efficiency of government processes but ‘does not authorize the disregard for statutory mandates.’

Neither would it compromise legal, environmental and social safeguards under the Constitution, including the public’s rights to due process and participation, the agency added.

Looking ahead, the Arta said it would continue coordinating with other government regulators, local governments and the private sector to make the regulatory environment surrounding Pax Silica ‘fast, fair and transparent.’

Due to online threats, the local government unit (LGU) here extended the suspension of face-to-face classes until September 2, amid security concerns.

Mayor Amie Galario extended the suspension of in-person classes across all public and private schools through Executive Order No. 093, Series of 2026, issued on Tuesday.

Face-to-face classes in all levels in public and private schools here were suspended by the LGU since last Monday, as a continued precaution following the deadly school shooting in Zamboanga City on Aug. 18 that claimed the lives of two students, including the shooter.

The extension stemmed from a wave of alarming social media posts warning of potential gun and grenade attacks targeting students and faculty members at identified local schools.While the extended break provided some financial relief for households in the city, it also brought concerns over learners’ academic progress.Grace, a 34-year-old mother with children in public elementary and high schools, noted that the shutdown helped her save on daily transportation allowances and meal expenses.However, she admitted she would still prefer regular face-to-face classes for her children’s learning development.The successive days of class suspensions, where schools implemented alternative learning modalities, also heavily impacted small-scale business owners who rely on student foot traffic.Sidewalk vendors stationed near school perimeters, school canteens, and public transport operators-including drivers of motorelas, habal-habal motorcycles, and school utility vehicles-experienced a notable drop in daily income due to the class suspension.

Valencia City has 65 primary and secondary schools under the Department of Education, and there are 37 private educational institutions.

Online threats against schools in the city first surfaced last Saturday, with the police tracing the post to a teenager who is now held by authorities.

Two groups advancing the welfare of public school teachers said the law should extend more protection to educators who face ‘unjustified complaints’ for just performing their duty to impose discipline on students.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) called on Congress to act on a bill providing for legal assistance and other forms of support for teachers in such a predicament.

‘At a time where there are increasing cases of children involved in violence, we are prepared to be of assistance to parents, communities, and the government in guiding the youth, but we also need sufficient and concrete support and protection,’ ACT chair Ruby Bernardo said.

In a statement on Tuesday, Bernardo said teachers nowadays are increasingly facing complaints from students or their families for instilling classroom discipline.

‘It is our responsibility and duty as teachers to shape our youth into humane and patriotic beings, but we are limited by the burden that our way of imparting discipline and guidance to students will be put in a precarious situation,’ Bernardo said.

‘Set up to fail’

With ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio as principal author, House Bill No. 56, or the draft Teacher’s Protection Act, also calls for the formulation of a student manual per school defining the appropriate student behavior toward other students, teachers, and school staff.

‘When a teacher is placed in an environment where discipline is necessary, but the means of enforcing it are unclear, the system is effectively setting the teacher up to fail,’ TDC said in a statement issued on Monday.

‘We want to make it clear that any form of abuse or misconduct by a teacher must never be tolerated. At the same time, teachers must also be protected as they carry out their duties,’ it added.

The bill should not be limited to protecting teachers from baseless complaints but also set clear procedures for addressing allegations, ensure due process, and provide them with legal and psychosocial support, TDC said.

The collaboration brings the Philippines’ National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS-PH) closer to regional implementation by combining DOST-III’s public-sector mandate with WPH Digital’s expertise in AI, digital transformation, and practical technology implementation.

The agreement was formally signed by Dr. Julius Ceasar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST Central Luzon, and Mr. Vincent Leoh, Managing Director of WPH Digital, on 19 August 2026. Held at the opening of the joint program, the ceremony was witnessed by over 50 key delegates and industry leaders representing diverse business, technology, and public sectors from across Central Luzon.

‘We believe AI adoption is not a technology challenge – it is a capability challenge,’ said Mr. Vincent Leoh, Managing Director of WPH Digital. ‘Through WPH Academy, we help people build AI capabilities, and through WPH Digital, we help organisations apply those capabilities using practical AI solutions. When capability building and practical implementation come together, organisations start seeing real value from AI.’

Democratizing Generative AI Across Central Luzon

By bringing enterprise-grade digital expertise directly to Region III, the collaboration demonstrates how government and private-sector organisations can work together to democratize access to advanced Generative AI and cloud computing technologies beyond Metro Manila. The initiative positions Central Luzon as a key regional innovation hub, driving competitiveness across local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), industries, and public sector operations.

Human Capital and Workforce Readiness First

At the heart of the partnership is a strong emphasis on talent reskilling, practical capability-building, and workforce development. Rather than viewing technology solely as a displacement risk, the collaboration equips local professionals and civil servants to use Generative AI as a productivity multiplier-fostering a resilient, highly competitive regional talent pool equipped for modern, future-ready workflows.

As an immediate step toward putting the partnership into action, DOST-III and WPH Digital conducted the Generative AI for Modern Business Operations workshop. The practical capacity-building session provided business leaders, IT professionals, and regional stakeholders with hands-on exposure to practical AI solutions, cloud-native platforms, and execution strategies designed to deliver practical business value.

Beyond training and capability-building, the collaboration is intended to help organisations translate these capabilities into actual implementation, enabling them to identify practical AI opportunities and develop solutions that can be applied within their operating environments.

International Cross-Border Tech Collaboration

The MOU highlights cross-border technology transfer between Singapore’s private sector and the Philippine government. By bringing Singaporean tech consulting expertise to Central Luzon, WPH Digital showcases how international private-sector solutions can actively contribute to regional development goals in organisations and communities across Southeast Asia.

‘AI is already here, and it is becoming part of how businesses plan, create, communicate, and improve their operations,’ said Dr. Julius Caesar V. Sicat, Regional Director of DOST Central Luzon. ‘This training is not just about learning AI – it is about empowering our MSMEs to confidently embrace change and turn technology into opportunities.’

Trusted AI with Certified Governance

The partnership also underscores the importance of responsible and governed AI adoption as organisations move from experimentation to implementation. WPH Digital brings AI governance expertise backed by the internationally recognised ISO/IEC 42001 standard, which provides a structured framework for responsible, secure, ethical, and governed AI adoption.

WPH Digital is one of the first AI and Digital Service Providers in Singapore to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification for Artificial Intelligence Management Systems, and is the first in the world

to achieve ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI systems in the oil and gas industry. This experience supports the company’s approach to helping organisations move beyond AI concepts and strategy toward practical, production-ready solutions.

By combining AI expertise, enterprise technology experience, cloud capabilities, and ISO/IEC 42001-based AI governance, WPH Digital brings an implementation-focused approach to AI adoption. Under the DOST-III partnership, this approach complements workforce training and technical capability-building, helping organisations explore how AI can be applied responsibly and effectively within their operating environments.

A Replicable Blueprint for Regional Action

The alliance establishes a repeatable model for regional government-industry partnerships throughout the Philippines. Moving beyond high-level strategy, DOST-III and WPH Digital provide a structured model for continuous technical implementation, capacity building, and enterprise enablement across provincial economies.

The longer-term ambition is for this model to extend from national government agencies to provincial and local government units (LGUs), and eventually across other regions of the Philippines. By connecting national AI priorities with regional capability-building and practical implementation, the collaboration has the potential to provide a scalable model for AI capabilities.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Tuesday that the government would support efforts to develop fully Filipino-made electric vehicles (EVs), including electric tricycles and jeepneys, as part of a push to reduce the country’s dependence on imported petroleum products.

Marcos made the commitment during his visit to MD Juan Enterprises Inc. in Caloocan City, a 60-year-old Filipino company that is considered a pioneer in machine-pressed metal parts for both military and civilian jeeps.

According to the president, the government is assessing what equipment and technology the company still needs to produce EVs.

‘We already know what needs to be done,’ Marcos said. ‘Together with our technical consultants, I believe that we will soon see a Filipino-made electric vehicle, an electric tricycle, and perhaps down the road, we will also be making our own electric jeepneys.’

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other government agencies would help provide the technology and other support needed by the company.

According to Marcos, the shift to locally manufactured electric vehicles may help reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products.

‘In that way, we can help make the economy more stable and protect the livelihoods of public transport drivers,’ he said.

According to DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., MD Juan manufactured e-tricycles in 2013 and 2014 but stopped due to lack of demand.

‘At that time, there was not much appetite among Filipinos to transition or convert from fossil fuel or gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles,’ he said.

‘But energy prices have risen so more people are now interested. There is a lot of demand, but the supply for locally produced, Filipino-made EVs is lacking,’ Solidum added.

Charging infrastructure

The DOST wants MD Juan to partner with state universities that are developing different EV technologies to help the company increase and speed up production of e-tricycles to help local governments and Filipinos.

‘They already have production capabilities. What DOST is doing is helping them increase their production efficiency and expand their output,’ Solidum said.

The DOST is also working on a national charging infrastructure for EVs, including conventional electric chargers, solar-powered chargers, and battery-swapping systems.

But Solidum said the country needs more industry partners to bring these technologies to mass production.

What we really lack is an industry partner that can help accelerate production so that prices can come down and these vehicles can become more affordable for our fellow Filipinos,’ he added