Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

American actress Carla Jeffery, best known for portraying cheerleader Bree in Disney’s ‘Zombies’ film franchise, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 1. She was 33.

Jeffery’s death was confirmed by her management company, Alexanders Talent Management, through a statement shared on the actress’ Instagram page on Thursday, Sept. 3.

‘It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Carla Jeffery, who passed away on September 1, 2026, at just 33 years old,’ it said. ‘For more than 20 years, we had the privilege of watching her grow into a beautiful, vibrant, and incredibly talented woman whose radiant smile could light up any room.’

‘As Bree in Disney’s hit ZOMBIES franchise, Carla shared her joy, humor, and bright spirit with audiences around the world. Carla was more than a client; she was family,’ it continued. ‘Our hearts are with Carla’s family and loved ones during this devastating time.’

While the cause of death was not immediately disclosed, the talent management company appealed to the public to respect the privacy of Jeffery’s family during this difficult time.

‘Rest beautifully, Carla, Your light will never be forgotten,’ it added.

Among those who expressed grief over Jeffery’s passing were her ‘Zombies’ co-stars Milo Manheim, Trevor Tordjman and Freya Skye.

In 2022, Jeffery revealed that she had been battling epilepsy since she was 18. At the time, the actress also opened up about a time when she suffered a seizure on the set of ‘Zombies.’

‘I’ve had this for years, and it’s not going anywhere. I just have to work around it,’ she said. ‘I’m going to keep doing what I love, and at the same time, use my story to help others. I want to be an inspiration. I want you to know that you can do what you want to do despite it all.’

Jeffery began her acting career at the age of 12, starring in the 2006 movie ‘Phat Girlz.’ Before ‘Zombies,’ she also appeared in Nickelodeon’s ‘iCarly,’ the TV series ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ the sitcom ‘Miss Guided,’ and in Disney’s ‘Good Luck Charlie’ and ‘Shake It Up.’

Jeffery starred in the first three films of the ‘Zombies’ franchise, and voiced the character of Bree in ‘Zombies: The Re-Animated Series’ released in 2024.

Monti Parungao, best known for directing reality TV show ‘Survivor Philippines’ and films ‘Sagwan’ and ‘Pulupot,’ has died at the age of 58 after battling stage 4 colon cancer.

Monti’s demise was confirmed by his brother, Hardy Parungao, through a Facebook post on Tuesday, Sept. 1.

‘It is with great sadness that the Parungao family announces the passing of EDGARDO PUNO PARUNGAO III (Direk Monti) on September 1, 2026,’ Hardy said, noting that the details of the late director’s memorial service will be announced later.

‘The family is grateful for your prayers, love and support,’ he added.

Monti, who first revealed his cancer diagnosis in 2025, had been open about his health battle, sharing health updates through his Facebook page. In March, he disclosed that he had been hospitalized for more than a month and that he had undergone ‘three major surgeries involving [his] colon, bladder, and liver.’

‘It was a long and painful journey. There were moments when the pain felt like a circus-different kinds of pain trying to outdo each other. But through all of it, I held on to faith and to the prayers that many of you offered for me,’ he said at the time. ‘Soon I will stand again. Soon I will eat well again. Soon I will work again.’

Monti’s last Facebook post was shared on Aug. 9, where he said that his blood pressure and body temperature had already stabilized after a fever.

Monti’s other works include the film ‘Brothers in Law’ and the TV series ‘Calle Siete,’ ‘Madrasta,’ and ‘Dear Uge.’

The customer may not always be right but, for businesses, responding to their needs and concerns will always be paramount.

The Philippines’ Best Customer Service 2027 survey sought to identify those businesses that gave premium service to clients. They were companies that people liked and, more importantly, were more likely to recommend to others because of the quality of their customer service.

Businesses were also evaluated on accessibility, customer focus, quality of communication, professional competence and range of services.

Jointly undertaken by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista, the world’s leading data and business intelligence portal, the survey was conducted from February to April 2025 and covered both online and brick-and-mortar enterprises. Rankings were based on more than 90,000 customer evaluations.

Participants made a purchase, used a service or gathered information about a product or service in the last three years.

The survey considered the likelihood that respondents would recommend specific brands to family and friends, along with five evaluation criteria. Quality of communication measured whether interactions through email, telephone or face-to-face contact were friendly and polite, while professional competence assessed the quality and accuracy of information provided. Range of services looked at the variety of solutions available to customers, customer focus measured whether customers felt acknowledged and important, and accessibility assessed the availability of customer service in a shop or through a helpline.

The final score was equally divided between likelihood of recommendation, which accounted for 50 percent, and the five evaluation criteria, which collectively accounted for the remaining 50 percent. Accessibility, customer focus, quality of communication, professional competence and range of services each carried a 10-percent weight.

The survey has extensive market coverage, encompassing 78 categories across different types of retailers and service providers. These were grouped into online services and digital products; catering, restaurants and leisure; brick-and-mortar retailers; services; and online retailers. Each group was further subdivided according to the specific products sold and services provided.

Okada Manila in the category of Services: Transportation and Travel registered the highest score of 96.87. It is followed by the Grand Hyatt Manila, also in the same category, with a score of 95.57.

The international luxury fashion brand Dior, in the category of Bricks-and-Mortar Retailers: Clothing, is third with a score of 95.12.

With a score of 94.88, Philux, a Filipino furniture manufacturer and retailer listed in the category Bricks-and-Mortar Retailers: Home Goods, is fourth. Shangri-La Hotels, also in the category of Services: Transportation and Travel, is ranked fifth with a score of 94.81.

Completing the list of Top 10 brands are Ascott, a chain of hotels and serviced apartments and listed in Services: Transportation and Travel, with a score of 94.41; LG Electronics Philippines, Inc., in the category of Online Retailers: Home Goods, with a score of 94.33; Red Ribbon, a bread and pastry chain in the category of Catering: Restaurants and Leisure, with a score of 93.5; Uniqlo, in the category of Bricks-and-Mortar Retailers: Clothing, with a score of 93.38; and online Uniqlo with a score of 93.30.

Based on survey results, the top three to five brands in each category with the highest scores are also recognized for Best Customer Service 2027

The Philippine peso fell deeper into the 62-per-dollar territory on Tuesday, reaching another record low as higher oil prices, geopolitical uncertainty and a broadly stronger dollar weighed on the currency.

The local currency shed 13 centavos from its previous closing to finish at 62.4 against the dollar, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

That surpassed the previous record closing low of 62.27, set on Aug. 28. Trading volume dipped to $1.3 billion from nearly $2 billion in the prior session.

The peso fell as the US dollar maintains its strength amid global uncertainties that are boosting demand for safe-haven assets.

The depreciation also happened despite the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ decision last week to raise its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 5 percent, its third increase since April. The central bank said the move was intended to ‘preempt’ emerging risks to the inflation outlook.

The latest weakness instead reflected forces beyond the central bank’s control, analysts and traders said.

‘The peso’s weakness is still largely an external story, driven by high oil prices, a strong dollar and geopolitical risk,’ a trader said. ‘The break above 62 has also added momentum to the move. Near term, the peso could remain under pressure, but some recovery is possible once oil and global risk sentiment stabilize.’

Ruben Carlo Asuncion, chief economist at UnionBank of the Philippines, shared the same view.

‘These developments have encouraged investors to shift toward dollar assets while increasing inflation and import cost concerns for oil-importing economies such as the Philippines,’ Asuncion said. ‘Sustained strength in the dollar, elevated global yields, and higher energy prices could keep the currency on the defensive.’

A weaker peso can provide some relief to Filipino households receiving money from relatives working overseas, as dollar remittances convert into more pesos. Exporters can also benefit because their goods become cheaper in foreign-currency terms.

But the costs are more immediate for importers, consumers and borrowers with dollar-denominated obligations. A weaker currency makes imported goods and fuel more expensive and increases the peso value of foreign-currency debt.

The Philippines’ debt-service burden reached $6.2 billion in the first five months of the year, up nearly 5 percent from the same period a year earlier, according to the latest data from the central bank.

Asuncion said the peso could remain under pressure in the near term as investors await economic data from the United States. Still, he said several sources of foreign exchange earnings could help limit the currency’s swings.

AJ Edu’s role in patrolling the paint during Gilas Pilipinas’ home sweep in the fourth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers was not lost on coach Tim Cone.

Cone hailed Edu as the ‘unheralded guy out there’ as Gilas was able to come away with crucial victories over Jordan and Iran before packed crowds at the Mall of Asia Arena.

And that is something that Edu appreciates.

‘I just try and do anything I can to help the team win,’ Edu told the Inquirer. ‘Sometimes that’s the dirty work, but yeah, it’s just a privilege to have a role on the team that is really important, so I’m grateful.’

Edu averaged 8.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and two blocks during the window that saw Gilas improve to 4-4 and move a game behind Jordan and Iran, which fell to a tie for third in Group E at 5-3.

Those two wins were important in Gilas’ bid to qualify for next year’s World Cup, with the top three teams in each of Group E and Group F advancing, as well as the best fourth-placer from either side.

‘He was just that guy that we needed, as a wingman to Kai (Sotto) and doing some of the dirty work and creating mismatches over there,’ Cone said.

‘And plus being the backup defender when Kai went for something [and] couldn’t get it. He was there to help clean it up,’ added Cone.

The window allowed Sotto and Edu to once again be on the same side, something that has been a rarity than a regular occurrence with either guy on the mend.

Recent competitions have seen the 6-foot-9 Asian import of the Toyama Grouses in Japan’s B.League being the regular guy in the middle for Gilas, with Sotto having been out of national team duties because of an ACL injury.

But Sotto’s presence may have helped Edu focus on the roles that he does.

Edu showed that against Jordan, collecting rebounds and combining with Sotto to make stops. Against Iran, he had three blocks, including two in the first half that delighted the crowd as Gilas slowly inched its way back from an 18-7 first-quarter deficit.

‘I think he showed a lot of ‘puso,’ a lot of heart. I mean, the fans played a big part in that, just giving us the energy to come back and push,’ Cone said. ‘Of course, we want to improve and not have to come back, but start well. But I’m thankful for the fans and their support.’

Manufacturing activity in the Philippines surged to its strongest level in nearly a decade in August, sustaining its expansion for the fourth straight month on the back of easing inflationary pressures that fueled new orders and lifted business confidence.

According to SandP Global on Tuesday, the country’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54.9 in August from 51.8 in July, marking the strongest improvement in the sector since December 2016, when the index stood at 55.7.

For the fourth month in a row, the manufacturing sector has remained above the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction, extending its recovery from the slump in April.

‘The Filipino manufacturing sector continued to build momentum in August, moving on from the flat performance seen in the previous quarter, when activity was affected by the conflict in the Middle East,’ said Maryum Baluch, an economist at the SandP Global Market Intelligence.

New orders grew at their fastest pace in six months, supported by new product and model launches. Demand from overseas also improved, with new export orders rising for the first time in six months.

Better production efficiency likewise supported the rise in manufacturing activity after input purchases grew at their fastest pace in six months, while staffing levels increased for the first time in five months.

‘Encouragingly, production rose at its fastest pace since 2016, helped by stronger demand conditions. Firms responded by increasing both purchasing and hiring to keep up with greater production needs,’ Baluch added.

While companies continued to face higher costs for energy, raw materials and logistics, the increase in input prices slowed significantly in August.

Easing cost pressures came as headline inflation had slowed for three straight months after peaking at 7.2 percent in April, reaching 6.2 percent in July.

This helped lift business confidence to its highest level since November 2024, with manufacturers expressing optimism about the year ahead amid expansion plans, the introduction of new product lines and expectations of stronger orders and new customers.

For Leonardo Lanzona, an economist at the Ateneo de Manila University, the August reading marked a ‘reasonable point’ to say the sector was moving into genuine expansion, as several key indicators were improving at the same time.

But he said this may be tied to growing global demand for artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Alex Eala opens her 2026 US Open campaign vs Mary Stoiana of the United States in the first round of action in New York.

Playing before a predominantly Filipino crowd against an American in the US Open, Alex Eala didn’t disappoint after dispatching Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York on Wednesday (Manila time).

Eala, seeded 17th in the final Grand Slam of the season, needed to dig deeper in the second set, battling back from a 2-1 deficit to fend off the promising Stoiana.

‘It was very difficult. Every exchange has its own challenges, especially the start of the second set; she put me in uncomfortable situations,’ Eala said during the post-match interview amid loud celebrations from her supporters.

‘She’s been having a great run coming from quali and a good past couple of weeks, so I’m really happy with this match.’

FINAL: Alex Eala dispatches American qualifier Mary Stoiana, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the US Open 2nd round.

Stoiana wide. Eala match point

Stoiana brilliant shotmaking, break point, 40-30

Eala 30-30

Eala double fault, trails 30-0

Eala serving for the match

Stoiana net. Eala on the verge of victory, 5-2

Stoiana double fault. Eala advantage

Eala break point, 40-30

Eala forehand winner, 30-15

Eala return special, 15-15

Eala three straight points for a 4-2 lead

Eala service winner, 30-30

Stoiana scores on an overhead, 15-0

Stoiana with 21 unforced errors to Eala’s 13

Stoiana wide. Eala breaks to gain the upper hand, 3-2

Eala break point, 40-15

Stoiana double fault. Eala 30-15

Eala holds to level, 2-2

Stoiana wins the rally, break point, 40-30

Eala backhand cross court winner, 15-0

Stoiana fighting back, takes a 2-1 lead.

Stoiana advantage

Eala hits the net. Stoiana 30-15

Eala comes back from 15-40 down to hold, 1-1

Eala crushes a forehand down the line, advantage

Eala service winner, deuce

Stoiana long. Eala 30-40

Eala double fault. Stoiana break point, 40-15

Stoiana holds to love to open the 2nd set, 1-0

The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Salmon, a fast-growing financial technology company in the Philippines, today announced a multi-year marketing partnership that makes Salmon an Official Partner of the NBA in the Philippines.

The announcement was made this morning at NBA House Philippines 2026 presented by Gatorade in Makati City by NBA Head of Southeast Asia and Asia Marketing Sheila Rasu, NBA Asia Head of Growth and Innovation Ed Winkle, and Salmon Co-Founders George Chesakov, Pavel Fedorov, and Raffy Montemayor.

As part of this collaboration, Salmon will engage the millions of basketball fans in the Philippines through NBA-themed consumer promotions, fan events, and NBA-branded premiums. Salmon will have a presence at marquee NBA events in the Philippines, which will include serving as a Supporting Partner of the NBA House Philippines – a free, immersive basketball experience and fan event taking place at SPACE in One Ayala today, Aug. 29 and Sunday, Aug. 30. Beginning with the 2026-27 season, Salmon will also serve as Presenting Partner of NBA 3X Philippines Open, a 3-on-3 tournament featuring men’s and women’s teams and authentic NBA entertainment.

‘Basketball is a part of our daily lives as Filipinos, from the courts in our barangays to the TV screens in our homes, and it is woven into the country’s cultural fabric,’ said Montemayor. ‘We want Salmon to work the same way: a reliable partner that is present for everyday money moments and a brand that brings people together. Aligning with the NBA, one of the most recognizable brands in the world, is a natural, strategic move to connect with Filipinos through something they love.’

‘Salmon shares our commitment to using the power of basketball to bring Filipinos together and we couldn’t be more excited to work together to create new touchpoints for NBA fans across the country,’ said Rasu. ‘We look forward to joining forces in an effort elevate NBA-themed experiences at events like NBA House and NBA 3X Open that celebrate their passion for the game.’

NBA games reach fans in the Philippines on One Sports, RPTV, NBA TV Philippines and streaming platforms Disney+, Pilipinas Live, Prime Video and NBA League Pass, the league’s premium live game subscription service available via the NBA App. Fans in the Philippines can follow the NBA’s localized social media accounts on Facebook, TikTok and X. Official NBA merchandise is available at the NBA Stores at GH Mall, SM Mall of Asia and SM Megamall and at NBAStore.com.ph.

For more information on Salmon, fans can visit www.salmon.ph and download the Salmon app via the App Store and Google Play.

San Miguel Corp. (SMC) President Ramon Ang attributed the flooding along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) to soil and debris left behind during the 2024 repair of the NLEx Tulaoc Bridge.

Speaking to Bulacan journalists on Tuesday, Ang said the debris had obstructed the flow of water released from Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija, which cascaded through Pampanga before emptying into Manila Bay.

‘The soil had blocked the waterways. They just left it there. They have to remove it to clear the waterways,’ he said.

Ang offered to help NLEx address the flooding, which caused up to eight hours of traffic congestion on Monday.

Ang is set to serve as chief executive officer of the planned ‘mega tollway’ company that will be formed through the merger of the country’s two largest toll road operators, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and SMC.

MPTC operates NLEx, while SMC operates the South Luzon Expressway and other major toll roads.

The planned merger is expected to create a larger tollway operator with a wider network of expressways across Luzon.

Broader drainage problem

In a statement, MPTC assured motorists that it would continue working with national and local agencies to speed up flood-prevention measures and restore reliable travel along the affected NLEx corridor.

The company said it was closely coordinating with the Department of Transportation, Toll Regulatory Board, and other government agencies to assess immediate measures to assist motorists.

MPTC said it would raise the northbound and southbound pavements in Tulaoc, San Simon, Pampanga, once the Tulaoc Bridge elevation was completed.

MPTC cited Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda’s statement that the flooding reflected a broader drainage problem in the province, with water backing up because downstream areas such as Macabebe and Masantol were already saturated and floodwaters could not readily drain into Manila Bay.

MPTC likewise cited Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon’s observation that the sheer volume of water brought by the southwest monsoon had overwhelmed the drainage system.

Even Coco Gauff had to applaud a couple of times when her opponent hit some nifty shots.

There was the ball that Zeynep Sonmez tracked down deep in the corner and hit down the line on the run. There was a volley with unusual spin that just cleared the net for another point.

Many of the rest of the highlights belonged to Gauff.

The No. 4 seed opened her quest for a second US Open title on Tuesday by beating Sonmez 6-3, 6-4, regaining control of midway through the second set after her opponent from Turkey picked up her play.

‘I know that I can raise my level if I need to do and I like to challenge my opponent to let them keep up the level the whole match,’ Gauff said. ‘And if they do, I clap my hands and I walk off court with my head held high.’

Instead, she’s walking into a second-round match against either Paula Badosa or Daria Kasatkina.

No. 17 Alex Eala, men’s No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev and Gael Monfils, playing on his 40th birthday, were scheduled later Tuesday.

Gauff was battling serving woes when she arrived in Flushing Meadows last year and began working with a new coach on the eve of the tournament. There wasn’t time to fix her problems and Gauff had to battle though a rocky opener before getting easily ousted by Naomi Osaka in the fourth round.

Gauff returned this year with the confidence and momentum of a serious contender, winning the title in Cincinnati after semifinal runs at Wimbledon and Toronto.

She also won the hard-court tournament in Cincinnati in 2023 before going on to become the first American teenager to win the U.S. Open title since Serena Williams in 1999, topping Aryna Sabalenka in the final