Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Gilas Pilipinas relied on its defense to lock down Guam and come away with a masterful 87-46 away victory in its first game of the 2027 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers on Friday night at Calvo Fieldhouse in Guam.

The Philippines limited Guam to only 17 combined points in both the third and fourth frames to blow the game wide open.

‘We just had to step it up defensively. I thought we were letting them get the ball a lot of times. They were able to do that but we were also able to slow them down and control the tempo,’ coach Tim Cone said.

‘Still, they’re very, very disciplined. We saw that when they played Syria in the Asia Cup.’

After a 17-all stalemate at the end of the opening period, the Philippines took over the game for good with a blistering 23-point second quarter run for a 40-29 lead heading into the second half. The troubles continued to pile up for Guam in the third frame, where it only scored seven points, while Gilas continued to step on the gas pedal, churning out 24 quarter points.

By the end of the third, the Philippines had built an insurmountable 64-36 lead.

Justin Brownlee led Gilas anew with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists built on an efficient 53.33 percent shooting clip. Dwight Ramos finished with 10 points. AJ Edu also chipped in eight markers and eight rebounds. Jericho Cruz carried the offensive load for Guam with 17 points, but he fumbled the ball six times with Guam committing a total of 16 turnovers. Tai Wesley registered 12 points and five boards in the loss.

Guam and Gilas go at it again on Monday, this time in the Philippines’ home soil at Ateneo’s Blue Eagle Gym.

The top five finalists of Miss International 2025 reflected on their pageantry experiences during the question-and-answer round at the coronation night in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, Nov. 27.

The finalists spoke of cultural appreciation, global sisterhood, personal growth, and embracing one’s authenticity, which helped shape them throughout the competition, as they answered the question, ‘If you were to describe your entire Miss International experience to your family and loved ones, what would you tell them?’

Myrna Esguerra of Philippines, Miss International 4th runner-up

‘I will tell my mama that I just gained 79 more siblings among my 16 siblings back home. Miss International taught me to be selfless and it taught me the value of having friends from all around the world. And I am so grateful for this opportunity because I learned to help everyone in here, everyone who needs my help. And above all, it made me a better person, a human that cares because I was able to create my project. And with that, it is my tribute to all the people who helped me.’

Melliza Xaviera Yulian of Indonesia, Miss International 3rd runner-up

‘I still remember when I got to the audition of my national competition. My mom asked me, what is the international pageant that I want to compete in? And back then, I answered, and I will always be answering this with Miss International. And yeah, I’m here, together with the rest, beautiful, gorgeous women, showing up to my mother that my choice is right. Because here in Miss International, we don’t need to be pretending to be someone else. We just need to show who I am, but the best version of myself. And Miss International taught me that we don’t need. Thank you.’

Paola Guzmán Sanchez of Bolivia, Miss International 2nd runner-up

‘Since the moment I won the crown, I have been learning about Japanese culture. In my first meeting with an ambassador of Japan in Bolivia, he told me the three pillars of Japanese culture. Responsibility, resilience and kindness. In this Miss International, I have seen all my sisters grow as women, as humans. And I’ll see myself grow through it. That teaches me that I need to believe in myself as much as I believe in others. And that’s what I want to inspire.’

Yollanda Chimbarami of Zimbabwe, Miss International 1st runner-up

‘I would say this experience has been empowering. As a woman of color, I’ve been in spaces and rooms where I’ve been undermined because of the color of my skin and the texture of my hair. But Miss International has taught me that you can cheer for all women and there’s enough room for everybody. I came in as a young woman with hopes, but I’m standing before you as a young woman with a purpose, ready to serve, ready to lead and ready to cheer all women who dare to dream. Because I am a strong, powerful African black woman.’

Catalina Duque of Colombia, Miss International 2025

‘Actually they are here with me today, so I’ll say it directly to them. I used to think that the big moments were the only ones that mattered. But learning about Japanese culture, I’ve learned about ‘Mono no aware,’ about the little things. Just how the leaves fall in autumn and they make things beautiful. How kids hug me and they smile at me. And how every yummy, tasty ramen I have reminds me to have a glorious life and to enjoy every single moment. I’m so thankful for being here and I’m having so much fun.’

Megaworld Corp. has tapped French hotel giant Accor to position the country as a ‘global hospitality powerhouse’ with the launch of the world’s largest Mövenpick hotel.

Its hospitality arm, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, inked a fresh landmark deal with Accor to convert the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel into Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside.

The rebrand covers proper brand alignment, systems integration and operational enhancements.

The group targets to open Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside before end-2026.

‘Global destination’

‘The opening of the world’s largest Mövenpick is a powerful testament to our group’s efforts to scale our world-class offerings and meet the demands of the broader international market,’ Cleofe Albiso, managing director at Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, said in a disclosure.

‘This partnership reflects our shared belief that the Philippines is ready to stand as a distinct global destination.’

Mövenpick Manila Bay Westside is a 19-story, two-tower development at Megaworld’s 31-hectare Westside City township in Parañaque.

There will also be a dedicated skybridge to connect the hotel to the casino and entertainment complex. It will likewise be linked to the country’s first Grand Opera House.

Premium offering

The hotel will house four specialty food and beverage outlets, as well as an expansive pool deck with panoramic view of Manila Bay.

Manila Bay Westside will be the firm’s flagship under its premium portfolio.

‘Our partnership with Megaworld represents an important step in strengthening Accor’s footprint in the Philippines, a market that continues to demonstrate strong momentum in both international and domestic travel,’ said Garth Simmons, chief operating officer for Accor Asia’s premium, midscale and economy division. INQ

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ minority bloc have expressed elation over the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to reject former President Rodrigo Duterte’s appeal for an interim release, saying that this is a brand of justice not often felt locally.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, in a statement on Friday, said that news of ICC denying Duterte’s appeal is uplifting, noting that it is a breath of fresh air for a country that does not often see high-ranking officials held accountable.

Duterte has been detained at ICC’s headquarters in the Hague, the Netherlands since March 2025, after local authorities assisted the International Criminal Police Organization in enforcing an arrest order. The warrant was for a crime against humanity of mass murder case filed against the former president by relatives of drug war victims.

‘We’re happy. It uplifts your emotions. So this is how it feels when justice, which is rarely experienced in the country, is attained. It is only right for Duterte to remain at the Hague until the end of his trial for the killing of thousands of Filipinos in the name of his fake war against illegal drugs,’ Tinio, a deputy majority leader, said in Filipino.

Furthermore, Tinio warned that Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, Duterte’s top police chief who enforced the war against illegal drugs, will be next.

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla recently claimed that an arrest order has been issued by the ICC against dela Rosa, for the same cases that have been filed against Duterte.

‘Bato, you’re next,’ Tinio said.

Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña, meanwhile, noted that the denial of Duterte’s interim release bid is timely as the country celebrates Children’s Month, noting that several of the questionable drug war deaths involved minors.

‘On no less than Children’s month, the forces of justice in the universe decided to dismiss Duterte’s appeal for interim release. He should be held accountable for the lives of the children who died during the drug war,’ Cendaña said.

‘This is justice for Myca, 3 years old; Danica Mae, 5 years old; Skyler, 4 years old; and thousands of war on drugs victims,’ he added.

Cendaña was referring to Myca Ulpina, the three-year-old child who was killed in an anti-drug operation conducted by the Philippine National Police in Rodriguez, Rizal last July 2019.

Dela Rosa was criticized after Ulpina’s death as he said that while police officers do not want to harm innocent civilians, there are cases when ‘shit happens.’

Aside from Ulpina, there are other incidents where minors died during anti-drug operations, which relatives blamed on the wrong enforcement of arrest orders or an erroneous hot pursuit operation.

In August 2017, 17-year-old Kian delos Santos was killed despite not being the original target of an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. He was shot point-blank, even if camera footage showed him pleading for his life.

Two days before delos Santos was killed, the bodies of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz and 14-year-old Reynaldo ‘Kulot’ de Guzman were found in different areas – Arnaiz at a funeral in Caloocan City, and de Guzman, in a creek in Nueva Ecija. Such incidents became the basis for personalities who sued Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity charges, before the ICC.

Earlier, the ICC Appeals Chamber ordered Duterte to remain in detention while proceedings on his crimes against humanity case continue, upholding the earlier decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber I – which found that Duterte’s release would pose risks to witnesses, the evidence, and the integrity of the investigation.

The Pre-Trial Chamber I also rejected the defense’s argument that Duterte should be released for humanitarian reasons.

Filipino freelancers have long been promised with global earning potential, but they are charged like tourists when it comes to conversion costs and transfer fees.

A new service offered by local e-wallet GCash eliminates these struggles by enabling a direct access for freelance workers to their US paycheck.

GCash recently launched the virtual US account, powered by technology company Meridian, a US-based provider that allows real time global payment transfers.

Separate from their regular GCash account, users will have a unique automated clearing house and wire routing number, which they can share directly with their US employers.

This means that freelancers can receive their earnings real time and avoid delayed payouts.

For other banking platforms, international money transfers take an estimated one to three business days.

Conversion woes

A recent report from global money transfer platform Wise tallied an estimated P8.37 million loss on Filipinos’ international transfers in 2023 due to unseen foreign exchange (forex) fees on cross-border transactions, chipping away a portion of the actual take-home pay.

GCash virtual US account is seen to allow freelancers to decide when to convert savings to Philippine currency, rather than being forced to accept low exchange rates.

‘With over 2 million Filipino freelancers working with international clients, they are a major force in today’s economy, yet they’ve had to live with the compromise of costly transfer fees, unfavorable forex rates and delayed payouts,’ said Paul Albano, general manager for GCash International.

Albano added, ‘With the GCash virtual US account, we’re finally removing those barriers.’ INQ

Looking for ideas on what to buy this Christmas? Whether it’s a gift for someone special or something you’ve been eyeing all year, Filipinos are choosing items that bring comfort, convenience, and good memories. To give you a few ideas, Skyro, a reliable SEC-registered lending app in the country, rounded up the top 10 purchases trending this holiday season.

These items are wish list-worthy because they are experience-driven, and ideal as more Filipinos are opting for an easier, more convenient lifestyle. According to Yernar Ashimov, Skyro’s head of POS Key Accounts, ‘This Christmas, Filipino shoppers are going beyond traditional gifts and embracing smarter, more lifestyle-focused purchases.’

From smart wearables to home essentials, here are the must-have items that are defining this year’s holiday shopping trends:

1. Smart watch

Smart watches are considered a leader in the wearable market. This Christmas, they continue to be in-demand with more Filipinos customers opting for wearable technologies that allow them to stay connected, as well as monitor and track their daily physical activities.

2. Smart speaker

Many homeowners these days are upgrading their homes by adding smart appliances. One of the popular purchases are the smart speakers which act as a ‘central command’ to control other smart home devices. This makes daily tasks convenient and more efficient.

3. Two-door refrigerator

Two-door refrigerators are popular purchases during this time of the year for bigger food storage during the endless gatherings. Two-door refrigerators also often come with more advances cooling technologies, frost-free options, and features like ice makers or water dispensers. Some of the most trending two-door refrigerator models in the Philippines include the Fujidenzo 9.4cu ft Inverter Two Door INR-103HS and Panasonic 8.6cu ft. Inverter Two Door NR-BP242VD.

4. Smart Television

Smart TV is usually a top pick to gift during Christmas because it appeals to all ages – it provides entertainment for the whole family as they come with preloaded streaming services such as Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, and more. The top trending brands for television include TCL C7K and Samsung Crystal UHD 4k Smart TV.

5. Inverter air conditioners

Inverter air conditioners offer a range of benefits: not only do they provide maximum cooling, but the newer models offer air purifying and deodorizing features, filters from allergens and other dust. They also offer bigger savings on lower electricity bills. Top picks include the TCL Titan KEI-S Split Type, Carrier 53CAC009308 1.0 HP Split Type, and Kolin KAG-100WCINV 1.0 HP Window Type.

6. Washing machines

More gatherings during the holidays mean more laundry, from table linens to beddings, encouraging people to upgrade to their inefficient or broken machines. Modern washers not only save time but also offer smart features and better energy efficiency, making them a practical long-term investment. Some popular options include the LG 7.5kg Top Load Smart Inverter, TCL TWF105-C20 10.5kg Front Load Washer and 7kg Dryer Combo, and the LG 8.0kg Front Load Washer and 5.0kg Dryer.

7. Smart phones

Smart phones feel like a premium yet practical gift because almost everyone use their phone daily for a variety of reasons – whether it’s for essential transactions, school or work-related, or staying connected with loved ones. Not only that, new phone models are also released during September to October, making Christmas the first major gifting season after the release. Popular picks this season include the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, Galaxy A36 5G, Galaxy A26 5G, and the new Apple iPhone 17 series.

8. Tablets and laptops

Like smart phones, tablets and laptops are great gifts because of their universal appeal, they are useful to people of all ages, they’re easy to personalize and they’re highly valuable not just for work but also for business, school, and entertainment purposes.

9. Small appliances

Small appliances such as microwaves, oven toasters, coffee makers, blenders, among others, are popular giveaways or raffle prizes during Christmas celebrations. They are affordable, practical and easy to package, making them ideal for gifting under the tree. One of the top trending small appliances is the Whirlpool MWP-253 SX 25 Liters Microwave as it offers various special functions including auto cook, defrost, grill, and auto clean.

10. Self-care products

Self-care products offer a universal appeal as they are generally suitable for almost anyone. Some of the most popular self-care items include skincare sets, essential oils, scented oils and candles, and other relaxing spa items. During the holiday season, many of these items come in pre-packaged gift sets, making them easy to buy, wrap and give away.

Filipinos love to make Christmas special for their families, from gifts to home upgrades that bring everyone together. According to Yernar, these purchases become easier to manage through installment plans that ‘allow Filipinos to give meaningful gifts, celebrate the season in comfort, and prepare their homes for gatherings without breaking the budget. For budget-conscious shoppers, making Christmas memorable is all about planning, creativity, and smart spending.’

He also encourages consumers to make the most of holiday promos, bundle deals, cashback offers, and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options.

With this in mind, Skyro continues to make gift-giving more accessible through its Zero Plan, which offers 0% interest for up to six months and zero down payment on purchases from select partner merchants. This makes it easier for customers to take home what they need, from gadgets to home appliances, without waiting for bonuses or savings to catch up.

Beyond BNPL, Skyro product loans make larger purchases even more achievable. Customers can easily apply in partner stores or online, get quick approval, and pay through flexible installment terms that fit their budget.

By combining flexibility, affordability, and smart financing options, Skyro helps Filipinos turn their holiday wish lists into reality, one thoughtful purchase at a time.

Launched in August 2022, Skyro has quickly earned recognition for its innovative digital financial services. It is now present in over 6,000 partner merchant stores nationwide with more than 1,000,000 loan customers.

Ready to tick off your Christmas wish list stress-free? Download the Skyro app today and experience the ease of shopping with Skyro! The app is available for free on the Apple Store for iPhone users and Google Play for Android users, or visit skyro.ph. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

There’s guaranteed to be a new NCAA men’s basketball champion after College of St. Benilde edged defending titleholder Mapua, 74-72, in the Season 101 quarterfinals on Friday at San Juan Arena.

‘It looked like a game we almost let slip away. Beating Mapua’s really something,’ coach Charles Tiu said. ‘Everybody was counting us out. Nobody believed in our team so I told them we have something to prove. The job’s not done.’

The Blazers led by as many as 18 points but still had to weather Mapua’s late surge.

Benilde held a 62-54 lead early in the fourth before the Cardinals’ 9-0 run, capped by a Cyrus Cuenco triple, pushed Mapua ahead, 63-62.

The Blazers responded with a 10-1 rally punctuated by a Shawn Umali three, restoring a 72-64 cushion with 2:08 left.

Mapua had a chance to force overtime when JC Recto was fouled with 5.5 seconds remaining, but he missed both free throws as Benilde held on.

Raffy Celis led the Blazers with 18 points and five rebounds. Ian Torres added 12 and Tony Ynot had 11.

Recto finished with 18 and five in Mapua’s final outing. Graduating guard and former Finals MVP Clint Escamis struggled with three points before being ejected in the third quarter for a disqualifying foul.

Benilde advances to a best-of-three semifinal against San Beda starting Tuesday.

‘They’ve beaten us twice already so I hope this time kami naman,’ Tiu said. ‘We have to look forward to San Beda. They’re a great team.’

As the NCAA Season 101 semifinals loom, Letran coach Allen Ricardo is already plotting how to contain Perpetual Help’s top scorers.

‘Of course, we have to know what they’re doing and we have to know their personnel and who they’ll go to at the end of the day,’ Ricardo said after Letran’s 77-69 win over Arellano in the quarters at San Juan Arena on Friday.

‘They have Patrick Sleat and (Mark) Gojo Cruz, who are the heart and soul of that team. We need to limit those two to have a good chance of closing the game and winning the series.’

Ricardo barely cracked a smile even after successfully discarding the Chiefs, who had a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Instead, the up-and-coming tactician chose to look ahead for their series against the Altas, who finished the classification games as the best team of Group A.

Much like Ricardo said, Sleat and Gojo Cruz have been the driving force for Perpetual this season. In the Altas’ 81-74 win over Jose Rizal University in the quarterfinals, Gojo Cruz scored 23 while Sleat recorded a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Fortunately for Ricardo, he has some weapons to match Perpetual’s firepower as showcased in the Knights’ recent win.

Jimboy Estrada exploded with 19 points built on three triples. Kevin Santos finished just two rebounds shy of a double-double with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Jonathan Manalili struggled, finishing with just three points but he still managed to dish out 12 assists.

Matchups aside, Ricardo knows they will have to pull out all the stops against the Altas as they go on a race for two wins to get to the Finals.

‘We’re here in the semifinals so we have to do what it takes to move on to the championship. We’ll take it one game at a time and we’ll study Perpetual. We’ll try to limit their scoring abilities so we can have a chance to stick with them.’

Letran and Perpetual clash on Tuesday at Araneta Coliseum to officially begin the Season 88 semifinals.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) delivers its decision on the interim release appeal of former President Rodrigo Duterte who is currently detained in The Hague, Netherlands over alleged crimes against humanity committed during his administration’s war on drugs. (Video by International Criminal Court)

The funding for basic education facilities, including the construction of more classrooms, secured a drastic increase following the Senate endorsement of P85.4 billion to help address the needs for basic facilities.

This amount, which represents a raise of 203%, is a ‘dramatic jump’ from the original allocation of P28 billion in the proposed 2026 budget, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara.The secretary said this development will enable them to ‘broaden construction modality’ as part of the current administration’s education agenda.

The hike comes at a crucial time when teachers and other members of the education sector have been raising concerns about the 165,000-classroom backlog.

It also happens after the Senate initiated a bill that will allow non-government organizations and local government units to be tapped for classroom construction.

‘This is a clear message that the government is ready to bank its money for the youth. As long as there is enough funding and reforms, we can expedite the construction of more schools,’ Angara said in a statement.

The Senate endorsed the P85.4 billion funding for the basic education facilities for next year, which Angara said, will provide the Department of Education (DepEd) ‘more flexibility’ by utilizing other modes for the construction of classrooms.

These alternative modes include partnerships with the local governments, civil society organizations, private-public partnerships, and even ‘selective’ implementation with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Angara also noted that his former colleagues in the Senate ‘raised the urgency’ for the DepEd to confront the classroom gap, citing condemned rooms, damage caused by disasters, and yearly increases in enrollment.

The Senate committees on finance and basic education, headed by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Bam Aquino, both told the DepEd that it can now test which modality works best each year to deliver the ‘quickest and most cost-effective results.’

Of the increased budget, Angara said allocation for classroom construction, replacement, technical-vocational laboratories and water and sanitation facilities surged to P65.9 billion.

This will support the DepEd in building 24,527 new classrooms, complete with school furniture, and will benefit around 1 million learners nationwide.

For repair and rehabilitation, the funding went up to P7.7 billion, which will restore a total of 11,886 classrooms.

The allocation for school furniture buffer or replacement also increased to P3.6 billion, which will provide 25,451 sets of furniture.

A funding of P1 billion was also secured for the DepEd’s Library Hubs program, which he said can deliver 72 hubs nationwide.

The medium-rise school buildings bagged a P2 billion budget that will support the completion of three multi-storey facilities designed for ‘dense and fast-growing school communities,’ Angara said.

The secretary hopes that the bicameral conference committee will allow the Senate’s ‘forward-looking investments’ for DepEd, especially as it will tackle the final budget that will include the country’s school infrastructure.

‘What the Senate approved gives us room to build faster, repair smarter and deliver better,’ Angara said.