Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Department of Health (DOH) has warned the public against the leading causes of illness or injury during the holidays: road traffic accidents, firework-related injuries, and heart disease.

Teodoro Herbosa on Saturday said he will personally inspect public and private hospitals during the holiday season to assess how they are responding to holiday-related health issues, such as injuries from road crashes, fireworks, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

‘Preparedness is important. The post-crash response includes quickly getting an ambulance, being brought to the emergency room, and receiving proper medical care,’ Herbosa said, speaking Filipino, in an episode of DZMM Teleradyo.

According to DOH data, a total of 826 cases of road traffic injuries were logged from December 21, 2024, to January 6, 2025, with more than half of the victims not wearing helmets. The DOH also said drunk driving contributed to the injuries.

The agency reminded motorists to always wear helmets, refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol, and use seatbelts and other protective gear.

The DOH also said a total of 844 cases of firework-related injuries were recorded during the same period last year. Herbosa stressed that children must be prohibited from using fireworks because they can easily be injured.

Meanwhile, the DOH reminded Filipinos to avoid eating fatty, oily, and sweet dishes during holiday festivities to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The agency reported a total of 96 ACS cases during the same period last year.

In the same interview, Dr. Myla Supe, an adult cardiologist from the Philippine Heart Center, said they see a spike in heart-related illnesses during the holiday season.

‘Most of the time, patients already have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. But during Christmas, there is a lot of delicious food, alcoholic beverages, salty and processed foods, and stress,’ Supe said in Filipino.

She also said that even if an individual is taking maintenance medicines, they should still eat healthily during the holidays.

‘All throughout the year, the condition may be controlled, but unhealthy eating during Christmas can trigger heart disease,’ she added.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, ischemic heart disease, or coronary heart disease, remained the leading cause of death among Filipinos in 2024. It accounted for 96,049 cases, or 19.3 percent of deaths in the country, from January to November 2024.

After the confetti rained down on the National U Pep Squad’s historic ninth crown in the UAAP Season 88 Cheerdance Competition at Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday night, team captains Iris Arendain and Jose Raymund Calapuan briefly shifted their attention to the future.

For Arendain, winning a second straight title felt good, but the chase is also what she looks forward to again-the chase for the Season 89 crown, to be exact.

‘For next year, we still have to improve some things within ourselves. We need this to be a lesson to not be content. We need to be hungrier even in training and in every performance,’ she said.

‘We need to clean everything and trust everyone in this team. We’re grateful to be trusted by our coaches to deliver what we did tonight.’

Despite a couple of mistakes in the execution of its high-difficulty routine, the NU Pep Squad still managed to register 695 points-far higher than those of the teams behind it.

Second-placer Adamson Pep Squad finished with 659 points, while the FEU Cheering Squad had 658.5 points.

Arendain and company also made history on Saturday after moving past UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and UP Pep Squad in total Cheerdance titles. Both UP and UST have eight.

The journey to get to history wasn’t easy, though. Just ask co-captain Jose Raymund Calapuan.

‘We had doubts yesterday but that’s when we thought that the more we fear, the more it’ll happen,’ he said, still catching his breath. ‘Once we feel fear, we’ll have doubts, so we worked on that.’

Ghuangzhou-A trip to this capital city of China’s Guangdong province means literally crossing the disputed South China Sea via a short, two-and-a-half-hour direct flight of China Southern Airlines from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. For us Filipino journalists, attuned to reports about China’s aggressive incursions into the West Philippine Sea comprising our exclusive economic zone, visiting the ‘other side’ requires having an open mind.

That was probably the unwritten context when the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., (FFCCCII) led by its president Victor Lim, invited a small group of Filipino senior editors and columnists for a ‘cultural and tourism exchange’ visit to Ghuangzhou, Guilin, and Yangshou in southern China, including an interaction with international graduate students at Jinan University.

Wilson Lee Flores, chair of FFCCCII’s information committee and his vice chair, Eduardo Cobankiat, said the chamber’s initiative was in support of President Marcos Jr.’s call on the FFCCCII to ‘help foster stronger bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding between the Philippines and China’ particularly as the two countries mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Chilly bursts of winter. Our group arrived to a warm welcome by our Jinan University hosts on the first chilly bursts of winter in one of China’s largest cities, historically known as Canton. Arriving at the Ghuangzhou Baiyun airport immediately invites comparisons: a modern airport, speedy immigration lines, and efficient transportation systems offering swift and convenient connections across China. No horrendous traffic, no loud motorcycles, no pollution-spewing buses.

Five-star hotels, glistening skyscrapers, the landmark Canton Tower, the massive Pearl River, and other cultural, historical, and gastronomic attractions mark Ghuangzhou’s standing as an international hub with an ancient history, as a major port in China’s extensive Silk Road.

A visit to Nanping Village, in Wenquan town, gave us a glimpse of rural life in a picturesque mountain retreat and farming community. The sleepy village, our host Moon Lee explained, is a model for new rural reconstruction, aimed at promoting development while protecting the environment. Blessed with rich natural resources, the village is one of the famous areas in China dedicated to producing lychees, as well as mulberry, licorice, plum, and other agricultural products.

In partnership with a private company, the Pearl River Industrial Group, the village has been developed into a ‘company + village collective + farmers’ cooperative’ model reminiscent of the ‘one town, one product’ (Otop) initiative during the Arroyo administration. The company helps market the products, which are also supplied to local restaurants and sold on the lively marketplace along the main road, thus ensuring farmers’ income.

As we toured the community, we noted how the farmers live on well-built homes with vehicles in their garages.

Seamless experience. A two-hour trip via high-speed train from a world-class rail station in Ghuangzhou took us to Yangshuo town of Guilin city in the Guangxi Autonomous Region. There, one of China’s most famous tourist attractions await-the enchanting Li River and the astonishing karst mountains and caves that surround the charming town.

Bamboo rafts with quiet and unobtrusive engines take tourists on a magical cruise of the emerald waters of the Li River, framed by karst towers and limestone hills, the most stunning of which are printed on the 20 Yuan banknote. The cruise, which draws millions of tourists, gives one an El Nido vibe, except that this one sails on a pristine river.

Then again, you see the efficiency, the sustainability, and the convenience built into the tourism sector that give domestic and foreign visitors alike a seamless experience.

At night, a part of the Li River and the karst formations become the dramatic and otherworldly stage and backdrop to Guilin’s famous light and sound show, where villagers who are farmers by day become actors at the nightly sold-out shows.

People-to-people. Back in Ghuangzhou, at a farewell dinner of Sichuan cuisine our hosts gave us, we learned about Dr. Fan Dai, director of Jinan University’s Center for Philippine Studies, his affinity for Filipinos and his love for Filipino food, having obtained his doctorate degree at the University of the Philippines. Lee, a Jinan University researcher who has many Filipino friends, showed her up-to-date knowledge of Philippine politics, including the flood control scandal.

There was no need to dwell on the elephant in the room, for both sides know their stand on the territorial dispute. Our main host ended our tour on a high note as he offered a toast to mutual understanding between Chinese and Filipinos.

For sure, China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea will always get in the way of good diplomatic relations between the two countries. But people-to-people encounters, as the FFCCCII hopes for, can offer an avenue for dialogue and appreciation of each other’s culture and economic development.

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is ready to livestream its hearings on alleged corruption in government flood control projects and is only waiting for a resource person who is willing to make their testimony public, ICI Executive Director Brian Keith Hosaka said on Friday.

‘We want to be as transparent as possible so that the public can see what our resource persons are saying and so that the public can also be informed,’ Hosaka said in an ambush interview.

‘We’re just waiting for a resource person who would agree to have their testimony made public through our livestreaming system,’ he added.

The commission earlier named presidential son and Ilocos Rep. Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos III as a future resource person whose appearance is likely to be livestreamed.

There has been huge public clamor for the ICI to livestream its hearings, similar to what the Senate blue ribbon committee has done with its flood control probe, but the commission said it wanted to avoid trial by publicity.

However, it reconsidered this policy in October following public pressure, but released the guidelines only on Nov. 21.

Media access

Hosaka said the commission had already finished setting up its livestreaming system. The hearings-should they be livestreamed-will be available on YouTube with access given to media outlets for airing.

‘We’ve done our testing already, and it’s working,’ he said.

The ICI guidelines state that all hearings will be live, except when there is a need for an executive session.

The commission earlier said it will grant a resource person’s request for a closed-door hearing if the information to be divulged must be kept confidential in the interest of national defense or security, and if such disclosure will put the life and safety of an individual in danger, among others.

Meanwhile, all of the six ICI hearings this week were held behind closed doors.

Those who served as resource persons were Quezon City Representatives Juan Carlos ‘Arjo’ Atayde, Patrick Michael Vargas, and Maria Victoria Co-Pilar; Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela; Caloocan City Rep. Dean Asistio; and Quezon Rep. Reynante Arrogancia.

Contractor Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya recently tagged these lawmakers for allegedly receiving kickbacks from his firm for flood control projects.

All of them have denied the allegations.

Marcos appearance

When asked if Marcos will appear before the ICI next week, Hosaka replied, ‘I cannot mention when.’

‘But definitely we will announce if and when Congressman Sandro Marcos will be coming over,’ he added.

Earlier this week, Marcos wrote to ICI Chair Andres Reyes Jr. that he was ‘ready to cooperate, answer questions, and provide any clarification needed to move this investigation forward.’

Marcos sent the letter after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co alleged that the lawmaker inserted at least P50 billion worth of public works projects in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 national budgets.

Shortly after the letter was made public on Thursday, Hosaka said the commission will set a hearing with Marcos and that this will likely be livestreamed.

After missing the finals for the first time in seven years, Cignal salvaged third place, edging Savouge Aesthetics, 25-18, 17-25, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Wendel Miguel proved to be a reliable leader and scorer, leading the comeback from a 1-2 deficit with 20 points, as Vince Maglinao and Steven Rotter provided the spark off the bench with 12 points each. Maglinao broke an 11-11 tie in the fifth set before Rotter nailed an ace for the match point, 14-11. Maglinao drilled the game-winning hit after a successful video challenge.

‘For the past seven years, we’ve always been in the Finals. Still, this one feels special because our national team players weren’t here, but we managed to push through and still finish on the podium. Bronze is bronze,’ said Cignal coach Dexter Clamor in Filipino.

‘I’m proud of what we accomplished despite all the struggles in this conference-injuries, missing players-but the team still gave their best. I’m especially proud of our captains, JP (Bugaoan) and Wendel, who really held the team together and kept us focused on what we needed to do to succeed.’

Brothers JP and Martin Bugaoan had 10 points each, combining for eight of Cignal’s 16 kill blocks, while Kris Silang tossed 21 excellent sets.

After missing the title round with a 3-2 record in the semifinal round, Clamor will use this bronze as inspiration to bounce back next year. ‘We’re going to remember the pain of not making the Finals. It was tough, we thought we could manage even without our national team players, but it showed how much the key players contribute,’ said Clamor, who lent Owa Retamar, Vince Lorenzo, Louie Ramirez and Lloyd Josafat to Alas Pilipinas.

‘We’ll use that experience to be better next time if we face the same situation. I’m hopeful that at the next conference, everyone will be available, so we can be more confident. The competition is tougher now, so we’ll keep working hard to bring the championship back next year.’

Savouge, which won bronze in the past two conferences, ended the conference with three straight losses despite Mark Calado’s 24-point effort.

Shawie Caritativo had 19 points and 28 excellent receptions. Sanama added 18 points, while JC Enarciso dished out 31 excellent sets.

NU Pep Squad clinched back-to-back titles and a record ninth overall after ruling the 2025 UAAP Cheerdance Competition on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Impressing with its tough stunts and fast-paced ninja-themed routine, NU Pep Squad won in runaway fashion with 695 points.

NU is now the winningest school in the midseason showcase, breaking a tie with UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe and UP Pep Squad, which both have eight titles.

‘I can’t even imagine that we got to this point as someone who grew up with UAAP Cheerdance,’ coach Gabriel Bajacan said.

‘We know the history of NU before and we can’t believe that we’d be the coaches to make history for NU. We’re very grateful.’ Adamson Pep Squad, meanwhile, claimed the first runner-up spot for the second year in a row with a score of 659, built on its adventure-themed performance.

FEU Cheering Squad stayed on the podium, taking home the second runner-up honors with 658.5 points after performing a ‘Batang Pinoy’ throwback-inspired routine.

UE Pep Squad finished close to the podium as the fourth placer with 623 points. The UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe finished fifth with 618.5 points.

UP Varsity Pep Squad (558) wound up at sixth, followed by DLSU Animo Squad (546.5) at seventh.

Ateneo Blue Eagles finished at the bottom with 436.5 points.

While Judy Ann Santos has made a name for herself as a chef, she believes cooking is a form of ‘survival skill,’ instead of it being a mere household chore, hobby, or a way to earn money.

‘I really want to put up my own cooking school to teach kids someday,’ she said at a Kyowa launch event in Quezon City, where she was revealed as the brand ambassador.

‘Probably, this is for new moms or college students who enjoy watching Judy Ann’s Kitchen. I want to teach them not to be scared of taking risks in the kitchen and actually learn a skill because cooking is a survival skill,’ she continued.

The award-winning actress also reiterated that learning to cook for oneself is important while stressing that ‘boiling water’ is one of the basic things that people need to know.

‘Cooking for yourself is very important. It’s something that you have to learn, whether you’re a single mom or [you’re] single. You should at least know how to boil water,’ she said. This is one of the reasons why Santos wants to put up her own cooking school someday, especially for those who are inspired by her platform Judy Ann’s Kitchen.

‘There are so many new moms who are scared of the kitchen. Many said my videos [taught] them to try cooking for the first time. Why not create a space where I can teach people not to be afraid of the kitchen and learn a real skill?’ she said.

While cooking for oneself is important, Santos believes that making good food is also a way to show love for people at home.

‘It’s not just about cooking. It’s about the people you cook for. For me, the kitchen is the heart of every home. When I look for kitchen appliances, [what is important] for me is ones I can rely on,’ she said.

Santos, who has been balancing her acting, cooking, and being a full-time mom, has long been vocal about her passion for food on multiple occasions. She is the owner of the Angrydobo restaurant which serves modern interpretations of Filipino dishes.

Alonzo Saclag Sr., a renowned Kalinga musician, dancer, and cultural advocate who was honored as a Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure for Traditional Performing Arts) by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in 2000 for his work in safeguarding Kalinga indigenous art, passed away at the age of 83 on Saturday, November 29, 2025, in his hometown of Lubuagan.

His relatives did not disclose the cause of his death.

In a Facebook post, his son, former Lubuagan vice mayor Alonzo Saclag Jr., recalled that a week before his father died, the artist said: ‘I want to entertain you, but I need to rest,’ which appeared to be a premonition of his impending death.

Saclag, who was born on August 4, 1942, founded the Kalinga Bodong Dance Troupe and advocated traditional gong music, according to Lubuagan Tourism and Cultural Officer Ansherina Rose Odiem-Mosing.

‘We pray for comfort, strength, and healing for the whole family during this difficult time. May his legacy continue to inspire us all,’ she added.

His life was focused on preserving the traditional music, dance, and rituals of the Kalinga people, Mosing said.

His kin described his humorous stories, songs, and music as unique. They revered the way he shared and promoted Kalinga culture in the community and across the nation.

‘You raised us with love and simplicity, and your legacy will always live in us,’ they added.

Known as Kezu, Alonzo Sr. established the Awichon Cultural Village, a learning hub for teaching and promoting Kalinga culture to people, especially the youth and visitors.

The Lubuagan town government described Saclag’s contribution as ‘a lasting legacy of cultural preservation and inspiration for the Philippines’ indigenous communities.’

He was referred to as a ‘Kalinga master of dance and the performing arts’ who made it his mission to create and nurture greater consciousness and appreciation of Kalinga culture among the Kalingas and other communities.

The cultural icon was said to have had an ‘endless fascination with the sights and sounds of day-to-day village life and rituals,’ which he focused on promoting, along with the use of Kalinga musical instruments in the province.

Although he received no formal instruction in the performing arts, he mastered not only Kalinga musical instruments but also the dance patterns and movements associated with his people’s rituals, the Lubuagan tourism and cultural office noted.

He helped promote Kalinga gong or gangsa making, regarded as ‘a disappearing trade,’ to revive the craft.

With his help in lobbying, a museum in Lubuagan was also established.

He likewise formed the Kalinga Bodong Dance Troupe to ensure his knowledge of the performing arts would be passed on to others. He taught young i-Kalingas the music and dance of their ancestors, the office said.

‘Your dedication and efforts in preserving Kalinga’s rich cultural heritage will always be remembered,’ the Lubuagan town government said.

An estimated 100,000 workers have been affected after several companies, mainly in the construction business, had their licenses revoked for being linked to the public works corruption scandal.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian gave this figure as the matter came up during the Senate plenary debates on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) on Thursday night.

Gatchalian took note of the ‘slowdown’ in construction activities involving government infrastructure projects as a result of investigations that uncovered anomalies in the Department of Public Works and Highways and its juicy contracts awarded to private companies.

‘Around a hundred thousand is their estimate; quite a lot,’ he said in reply to a query from Sen. Risa Hontiveros on the number of workers affected by paralyzed operations of the companies implicated in the scandal.

‘Many of them are construction workers (who are) not regular employees,” he said, who spoke as the lawmaker defending Dole’s budget proposal.

Hope they’d be ‘absorbed’

Hontiveros noted that it would also translate to ‘100,000 families’ now in immediate need of government assistance.

‘Gatchalian said that ‘hopefully, they could be absorbed by private sector construction (projects). I think that in the private sector, despite the loss of Pogos [Philippine offshore gaming operators], there is a resurgence in (demand for) office space. So our hope is to rechannel (the displaced workers) from government projects to the private sector.’

Dole had extended ‘temporary employment assistance’ to the affected workers, and that it had programs available to upgrade or teach them new livelihood skills, the senator said.

Stakeholders in the construction industry should ‘coordinate with Dole’ if they know of more workers being displaced due to the flood control issue, he said.

Discaya companies

On Sept. 1, the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) revoked the licenses of nine companies owned or controlled by Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya, who had cornered more than P30 billion in government flood control contracts since 2022.

These are St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corp., St. Timothy Construction Corp., Amethyst Horizon Builders and General Contractor and Development Corp., St. Matthew General Contractor and Development Corp., Great Pacific Builders and General Contractor Inc., YPR General Contractor and Construction Supply Inc., Way Maker OPC, and Elite General Contractor And Development Corp.

On Oct. 22, Trade Secretary Cristina Roque said the revocation of the PCAB licenses of the top 15 flood control contractors identified by President Marcos in August was already in its final stages

Venice Grand Canal sets the stage for the holiday season with one of Metro Manila’s most anticipated holiday traditions: the McKinley Hill Grand Christmas Parade. Returning on December 6 at 5:30 PM along Upper McKinley Road, this year’s event invites guests into a world of spectacle and imagination through the theme ‘An Enchanted Venetian Christmas: A Parade of Wonder and Light.’ Inspired by the romance of Venice and enriched with Filipino artistry, the parade blends cultural storytelling, visual grandeur, and a thoughtful message of sustainability.

More than a holiday show, the Grand Christmas Parade is a moving narrative-an immersive journey told through color, motion, music, and imagination. Intricately designed floats will make their way through McKinley Hill’s European-inspired avenues, each one capturing the theme’s interplay of Venice, the forest, and the sea. High above, majestic, larger-than-life balloons hover like mythical guardians, expanding the scale of the celebration and transforming the township into an illuminated storybook.

Adding life to this world of fantasy is an extraordinary cast of performers. Themed mascots will join more than 500 performers and character actors embodying forest guardians, ocean beings, and Venetian figures. Their choreography ties together themes of harmony, conservation, and cultural pride, turning every movement into part of a shared seasonal tale.

‘The McKinley Hill Grand Christmas Parade has become a cherished part of the Filipino Christmas experience,’ said Graham Coates, First Vice President and Head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. ‘It brings people together and reflects the spirit of joy, creativity, and togetherness that define our holidays. Through this year’s theme, we hope to honor that tradition and offer families an experience they can truly celebrate.’

Each year, the parade stands out as one of McKinley Hill’s most anticipated holiday moments, drawing families, friends, and visitors who come for its creativity and vibrant energy.

With every float and performance, the township becomes a dynamic Christmas scene, giving guests a vivid and immersive holiday experience.

Experience the parade this December 6 at 5:30 PM, then enjoy the festive shopping, dining, and seasonal activities throughout Venice Grand Canal and the rest of McKinley Hill.