Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

I once let a mall saleslady shave my brows. She said thinner brows would suit me. (No, it doesn’t.) I still said sure. But did it look good? It doesn’t matter. What mattered was that I didn’t say no, because saying no doesn’t suit my personality. At least maybe I made her day better, or maybe I did prevent things other than my brows from being awkward-looking.

There’s nothing to be proud of about my brows or the fact that I am a chronic people-pleaser. Psychologists read you like a book. Some people give you advice on setting boundaries. Some just take advantage of your obsession with people-pleasing. Some just write articles about the ways to stop it.

It’s a never-ending cycle when people get to know me. And of course, accepting their opinions and what they generally think about me as a person is the only choice, but deep down, I know why I keep on being a people-pleaser.

People-pleasing liars

People-pleasing is often defined as being overly nice to the point that you compromise and sacrifice what you actually want. This is why people-pleasers demonstrate a pattern of self-sacrifice that is, in the end, unhealthy and defeating. So, yes. We’ll laugh at your stupidest jokes. We’ll say yes to that expensive bar hop, even if we can’t afford it.

According to Jennie Sheffe, a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, it can develop from a previous experience where self-expression and honesty were responded to negatively. It can also come from a negative encounter with conflict, where people-pleasing eventually became a trauma response to prevent future conflicts.

It’s not because we enjoy pretending. It’s because we’re terrified of what might happen if we stop. If we say no.

But if you’re thinking that we are nice or that taking advantage of this kindness would somehow make us your go-to person, it’s time to rethink your perceptions. The thing about us is that we’re being dishonest with you, even more so with ourselves.

Celebrate small wins

The tricky thing about being nice all the time is that it wears you down slowly. You keep saying yes to things you don’t really want to do, and you keep giving without receiving until you notice how empty you’ve become.

So lately, I’ve been trying to practice being ‘unacceptable.’ I’ve been setting boundaries. Learning to say no. Not too much, though, just in small ways.

Sometimes, I let a message sit unread for 30 minutes instead of replying right after seeing it. I also learned to cancel plans when I’m not up for it-when I would rather binge-watch a movie or just sleep. Each time I do this, I still feel that familiar guilt of rejecting their request. But at some point, I also consider it a win.

To be honest.

Our habits might come from different unhealthy backgrounds, but it isn’t too far-fetched to understand that most expect some form of reciprocity, whether you’re a people pleaser or not. Kindness is a two-way street after all, and sometimes, we just want to know that when we show up for people, someone will show up for us, too.

It doesn’t have to be grand. A favor returned without asking or a quiet understanding that most of our yeses come from love rather than obligation. Because deep down, we’re not just doing it for acceptance. We’re doing it out of hope that when we choose kindness, the world might mirror it back to us somehow.

So if you see someone staying awake for two days to help you out, or someone agreeing to an on-the-spot brow shaving just to avoid rejecting an eager saleswoman, maybe you should pause before you thank them for doing you a favor. Maybe you should ask them what they really want for once.

To be honest, we don’t need much. We just need a little proof that the kindness we give isn’t just absorbed by silence. And maybe, hope is the reason why we keep people-pleasing. Hoping that someone, somewhere, is willing to please us back.

The most dominant party in the House of Representatives asserted Tuesday its ‘full, unwavering confidence’ in its president and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as he faces a fresh wave of allegations involving graft-riddled insertions in the 2025 national budget.

In a statement, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) maintained that no sworn testimony, validated proceeding, or audit finding has indicated that Romualdez took part in any wrongdoing.

‘Attempts to drag his name into the controversy have relied heavily on shifting narratives and claims aired in venues where they are not tested, examined, or supported by documentation,’ said the 109-strong party in the House.

The party’s statement comes after resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy ‘Zaldy’ Co implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Romualdez in getting P56 billion in kickbacks from P100 billion worth of insertions in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

Co made his allegations in a three-part video series uploaded on Facebook, where he claimed to have come clean even though Romualdez threatened to ‘shoot him’ if he talked.

Romualdez himself has already denied the accusations and said he was confident that he would be cleared by investigating bodies.

His ‘willingness to cooperate in any lawful process,’ his party added, was ‘consistent with the attitude of a public servant who has nothing to hide and nothing to fear.’

The Lakas-CMD leaders also maintained that Romualdez ‘consistently deferred’ to the House Committee on Appropriations and the bicameral conference committee during his tenure as Speaker and did not participate in the preparation, negotiation, or endorsement of individual budget items.

‘[We] reject efforts to weaponize allegations for political ends or to draw individuals into controversies where their names do not belong,’ read the statement.

Among the signatories were Quezon Rep. David Suarez, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano, Butuan Rep. Jose Aquino, Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio, Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun, Albay Rep. Adrian Salceda, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Rama, Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison, Camiguin Rep. Jesus Romualdo, Davao de Oro Rep. Carmen Zamora, and Cotabato Rep. Alana Taliño Santos.

Several areas will experience power interruptions until Nov. 23, 2025, due to scheduled maintenance activities, said the Manila Electric Company (Meralco).

The affected areas include parts of the National Capital Region, Cavite, Rizal, and Laguna.

Based on Meralco’s website, below are the areas that will be affected by the maintenance activities:

Nov. 18 to 19, 2025 – Cavite (Dasmariñas City)

Between 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Portion of Congressional Road from Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (4th Watch), Dasmariñas Local to Congressional Avenue in Barangays Burol Main and Burol 1 and 2.

Portion of Congressional Avenue from Dasmariñas Government Center to and including Main Avenue and Bayabas Street; Town and Country Subdivision Phase 1, Windward Hills Subdivision Phases A, B, D, and E, Llano Compound, Kadiwa Compound; Dasmariñas Socio-Economic and Multi-Purpose Building, SM Marketmall Dasmariñas, Dasmariñas Integrated High School Center Of Special Education and Alternative Learning System, PNT Ice Plant and Dealership, PrimeWater Pump, and Dasmariñas Water District Water Pump in Bgys. Burol 1, Datu Esmael, San Juan, San Manuel 2, and City Proper.

Nov. 18 to 19, 2025 – Parañaque City (Sto. Niño)

Between 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18

Portions of Pascor Drive from Pascor Bridge to and including Veronica de Leon Avenue, Santa Agueda Street, Delbros Avenue, Pacific Drive, and Atlantic Drive; and Pacific Grand Villa Subdivision

Nov. 18 to 19, 2025 – Laguna (Sta. Cruz)

Between 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Portion of Sta. Cruz Provincial Road from Quezon Avenue to Bayside Calios Street, including Atdramm Village, Villa Rosa Subdivision, and Purok San Luis in Barangay Calios.

Portion of Bayside Calios Street from Santa Cruz Provincial Road to and including Lynville Subdivision Phases 1, 2 and 3, Minorka Ville Subdivision, and Sitio 1 – 7 in Barangay Bagumbayan

Nov. 19, 2025 – Rizal Province (Antipolo City)

Between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Portion of Marcos Highway from near Manila Water Cabading Pump Station to AMK Auto Electrical and Supply in Sitio Calumpang, Barangay San Jose.

Nov. 19, 2025 – Bulacan (San Ildefonso)

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Portion of Cagayan Valley Road (Maharlika Highway) from near Mapaniqui Road to near Zone 4 Street, including Camella San Ildefonso Subdivision Phase 1 in Barangay Garlang.

Portion of J. Maliwat Street from Cagayan Valley Road (Maharlika Highway) to and including Purok 5 – 7 in Barangay Anyatam.

Nov. 19, 2025 – Bulacan (Santa Maria)

Between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

The whole of Metrogate Spring Meadows Subdivision in Barangay Mahabang Parang.

Nov. 19 to 20, 2025 – Valenzuela City (Ugong), Quezon City (Novaliches), Caloocan City (Talipapa)

Between 11:30 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20

The whole of GSIS Hills Subdivision, including Street Raphaela Mary School in Barangay Talipapa, Caloocan City.

The whole of Barrios Compound and Sulok Sampaloc in Barangay Ugong, Valenzuela City.

Between 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20

Portion of J. P. Ramoy Street from Quirino Highway in Barangay Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City to and including J. P. Ramoy Extension, Bayabas, Acebedo Compound, Cuadra and Rivera Sts.; Villilia Village, Villa Sabina Subdivision, La Trinidad Village, and Interville I Subdivision; Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, Philips Wires and Cable Company, Manila Rubber Corporation, Elgie Packaging, Amigo Steel Industries, HK-Shanghai Food Products, Aeon Rubber Tech, and Rhodeco Rubber Processing Services in Bgys. Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City; and Barangay Talipapa, Caloocan City.

Nov. 19 to 20, 2025 – Laguna (Biñan City and Santa Rosa City)

Between 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, and 4 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20

Portion of Mamplasan Road from near Star Avenue in Barangay Ganado, Biñan City, to Metrogate Santa Rosa Subdivision Phase 2, including Metrogate Primavera Subdivision in Barangay Macabling, Santa Rosa City; Road 5; A New Day Village Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, Citicon, GEMECO, Red Pallet Provider Company (RPPC), Ecowaste Management Company, Cherry Sun Multi Industrial Corp., Bonpack Corp., Raigo Metal Finishing Inc., Telequip ICT, and LIIP Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in Bgy. Ganado, Biñan City

Portion of Ganado Barangay Road from Mamplasan Road to Solid Street Extension in Barangay Ganado, Biñan City

Portion of South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) from DM Trading and Industrial Service in Barangay Mamplasan, Biñan City to Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road, including Corpbay Industrial Park, SLEX Santa Rosa Toll Plaza Northbound and Southbound, and SandR Membership Shopping Distribution Center in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa City

Portion of Santa Rosa – Tagaytay Road from Pulong Santa Cruz Chapel to and including Starmates Inc. Office in Barangay Pulong Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa City

Nov. 20 to 21, 2025 – Valenzuela City (Veinte Reales), Bulacan (Meycauayan City)

Between 11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, and 3 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21

Portion of Tugatog – Valenzuela Road from Origen Street in Barangay Tugatog, Meycauayan City, Bulacan, including MGL Village, San Francisco Subdivision, Skyline Subdivision, and Santa Lucia Subdivision in Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City; Mapalad Subd. and Bancal Extension Subdivision in Bgys. Bancal and Tugatog in Meycauayan City, Bulacan.

Nov. 20, 2025 – Cavite (Bacoor City) and Las Piñas

Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Portion of Las Piñas – Talaba Diversion Road and Aguinaldo Blvd. from Alabang – Zapote Road to and including Jerry’s Kambingan and Bulaluhan; Tabing Ilog and Tramo Sts.; Alea Residences – Budi and Darma Buildings, Garden City and Citi-Xpress Warehouse in Bgys. Talaba 2 and Zapote 3.

Portion of Longos Flyover and Alabang – Zapote Road from Las Piñas – Talaba Diversion Road to Manila – Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), including Kanluran Street in Barangay Longos.

Portion of Manila – CAVITEX from Alabang – Zapote Road to near CAVITEX Bacoor – Las Piñas Exit in Barangay Longos.

Nov. 20 to 21, 2025 – Caloocan City (Grace Park)

Between 11 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, and 5 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21

Portion of Rizal Avenue Extension from L. Bustamante Street to Monumento Circle, including SM City Grand Central, Dianne Bldg., LRT Caloocan Mall, and Hotel Sogo.

Portion of Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Southbound from Monumento Circle to and including Benin and A. Maximo Sts.; BPI – Monumento Circle, Mercury Drugstore, 7-Eleven, and Tropical Hut.

Portion of 10th Avenue (M. Asistio Sr. Avenue) from Maria Clara Street to 3rd Street

Portion of 11th Avenue from Maria Clara Street to 4th Street, including Our Lady of Parish.

Portion of 12th Avenue from Hotel Sogo to 4th Street, including T. Jacinto Street

Portion of L. Tolentino Street from M. Austria Street to near Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Portion of S. Asistio Street near 2nd Street

Portion of Macabagdal Street from 2nd Street to near Lash Frozen Meat Trading Shop.

Portion of L. Bustamante Street from Rizal Avenue Extension to 2nd Street, including M. Austria Street; and Philippine National Bank (PNB) – Caloocan-Rizal Avenue Extension

Portion of Maria Clara Street from 12th Avenue to 11th Avenue

Portion of Maria Clara Street from 10th Avenue to near 9th Avenue, including Innoflex Inc. and Topbest Printing Corp.

Portion of 2nd Street from L. Bustamante Street to Pitsbike Motor Shop, including San Diego Street, and PLDT Caloocan.

Portion of 3rd Street from 12th Avenue to near Motorstar, including Aracelli Plastic Products.

Portion of 4th Street from 12th Avenue to 11th Avenue

Nov. 22, 2025 – Bulacan (Pandi and Angat)

Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Portion of Lawang Bato Road from Villa Lois Subdivision in Barangay Siling Bata to Pandi – Bustos Road, including Padre Pio Subdivision, Pandi Heights Subdivision Phases I and II, Pandi Village Phase I, Sitio Bitukang Manok, and Sitio Lawang Bato in Barangays Cacarong Bato, Cacarong Matanda, and Pinagkuartelan in Pandi.

Portion of Pandi – Bustos Road from Barangay Cacarong Matanda to and including Logia De Cacarong Subdivision in Bgy. Real De Cacarong in Pandi.

Portion of Paltok Road from Pandi – Bustos Road to Malawak Road in Barangay Paltok, Angat.

Nov. 22 to 23, 2025 – Quezon City (Greater Fairview)

Between 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, to 4 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23

Portion of Belfast Street from Shell Gas Station to and including Rephil Belfast and SM City Fairview Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) in Barangay Greater Lagro; Along Benevento Road from Hanging Gardens Events Venue to and including Sotogrande Neopolitan Hotel, Neopolitan Condominium Tower 1, The Raya School, and Sorrento Street in Neopolitan Business Park, Barangay Greater Lagro.

Portion of Agropoli Bend Street from Neopolitan Clubhouse to Mindanao Avenue, including Firenze Bend Street in Neopolitan Business Park, Barangay Greater Lagro.

Nov. 23, 2025 – Manila (Tondo)

Between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m., and then between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Portion of Quiricada Street from Jose Abad Santos Avenue to near Yakal Street

Portion of Mayhaligue Street from Antonio Rivera Street to Jose Abad Santos Avenue

Portion of Guerrero, Narra, and Balintawak Sts. from La Torre Street to Bambang Street Extension

Between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Portion of Antonio Rivera Street from Mayhaligue Street to and including SW Tower.

Portion of Jose Abad Santos Avenue from Mayhaligue Street to near Tayuman Street

Portion of Mayhaligue Street from Jose Abad Santos Avenue to Narcisa Rizal Street, including G. Araneta Street

Portion of Sanchez and Alvarado Extension Streets from La Torre Street to Mayhaligue Street

Portion of Biak Na Bato Street from San Nicolas Street to Yakal Street

Not even a full day after 10 schools in the city were rocked with bomb threats, fresh ones were sent against the Central Philippine University (CPU) in Jaro district and the University of San Agustin (USA) in City Proper on Tuesday.

Both schools announced suspension of work and classes on all levels through their respective Facebook pages.

The suspension of in-person activities at CSU comes only after operations were also suspended on Monday, also due to a bomb threat.

The new bomb threat against the USA, meanwhile, comes less than a week after its Basic Education Department campus in Jaro district’s Barangay Sambag was also targeted on Nov. 12.

Nine other schools in the city and province of Iloilo also suspended classes on Monday after being on the receiving end of bomb threats.

These include the Iloilo National High School, West Visayas State University (Main, Calinog, and Janiuay campuses), Iloilo Science and Technology University, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Guimbal National High School, Iloilo Merchant Marine School, and St. Therese MTC Colleges (La Fiesta and Magdalo campuses)

One of the biggest fears Filipino families have is illness, to the point that one large drug company has been reusing an ad slogan that seems to resonate: ‘Bawal magkasakit’-it is forbidden to get sick, a reference to the way illnesses can wipe out a family’s savings.

By and large, the reality is that families have to beg, borrow, or steal when it comes to health care.

Yet, the situation has been improving, albeit ever so slowly, through the years, through insurance-like systems. It all started with Medicare, established in 1969 by former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., the father and namesake of the current President. Medicare was essentially a government health insurance system under the Medical Care Commission in 1971, and was replaced in 1995 by the National Health Insurance Law and PhilHealth.

PhilHealth is different from private insurance schemes, with social solidarity as its foundational principle, meaning your premiums are based on your income, and certain sectors of society may not even have to pay premiums, or may get discounted rates if they cannot afford the costs, e.g., retired people.

These ‘social solidarity’ models are found much more in Europe and the Commonwealth countries. I’ve sat through Filipino Christmas reunions, where families debate the American pay-through-your-nose system and the nationalized neighbor, Canada, with a more socialized system.

Local debates break out, too. As a school administrator who works with both private and public institutions, I’ve seen how faculty members leave a public institution (e.g., University of the Philippines) in favor of a private school because the latter is covered by a health maintenance organization, which the public schools can’t afford. The government’s PhilHealth collects a monthly premium, which is lower than the HMO’s insurance, but has much lower benefits and many more bureaucratic hassles.

Generally, while people complain about PhilHealth, we’ve seen improvements put in place, some of them part of the international ‘health care for all’ thrust of the World Health Organization. ‘Sin taxes’ are the most well-known, where substantial income for the health insurance scheme is generated through taxes on ‘sin products,’ particularly tobacco, and high-sugar beverages (i.e., soft drinks). Social solidarity again enters the picture: people who smoke have to pay additional sales taxes because when they get sick from the ‘sin products,’ society pays for their treatment costs. The money generated can be substantial and is used not just for treatment but also for education and information.

There are laws that spell out clear terms on the allocation and use of these sin taxes, as well as the health budget in general. Implemented properly, we can have a more just and effective health financing system, and I’ve seen those gains being achieved.

Unfortunately, we’re beginning to see those gains eroded-not on the scale of the public works scandals, but nevertheless immoral, because the money is being taken from people who so badly need it, for example, the elderly, the disabled, the unemployed, and the underemployed. And the anomalies (originally a medical term, incidentally referring to anatomical defects that cause dysfunctions in the body) can be blamed on the very legislators who enact the budgets.

Here’s a summary of what’s been happening:

1. In 2024, P60 billion was diverted from PhilHealth to the national treasury to fund infrastructure projects that have nothing to do with health. This included, in 2025, a closed-door session of both houses of Congress that ‘enacted’ a budget with a grand total of zero.

2. Congress is doubling the Medical Assistance for Financially Incapacitated Patients fund from P24 billion to P49 billion, a kind of medical ayuda (remember COVID-19?) and, like ayuda, it is controlled by local government offices. It is pork barrel at its worst, meant to build political patronage, with the ‘beneficiaries’ grateful to the thieves for giving them assistance which, in the first place, came from taxes that citizens pay.

3. Four bills are coming close to being approved, lowering taxes on vape products and suspending mandated annual increases. This will further increase the sales of these products, even as the manufacturers claim the vapor products are not harmful.

A strong protest statement has been issued, endorsed by more than 70 medical and health groups, calling these moves ‘political culture, transforming public health funds into instruments of patronage.’ The organizations include the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine College of Physicians, specialist groups, and associations of nurses, medical technologists, speech pathologists, and many more health professionals. Our legislators better think hard about-yes, another brewing storm.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (DRRMC) on Tuesday urged residents of the region to invest in a transistor radio, which has been proven to be the most effective way of disseminating information, especially in far-flung communities, during calamities.

‘We saw that one of the challenges is bringing information to all residents, especially safety information during calamities,’ said Jose Ignacio Valera, Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) officer of OCD-CAR, in a media interview aired over a local radio station.

He said that on regular days, cellular phones or televisions are useful gadgets. However, this is not the case during calamities when electricity is cut off and the internet signal is intermittent or unavailable.

He added that many people in remote communities still rely on the ‘observation method,’ continuing their usual activities as long as no rain is visible – often unaware that they are already facing serious risks to their lives and property.

‘There is a bigger chance that information will reach them if we use the radio in bringing the information where there are radio stations that can be detected,’ Valera said.

He said transistor radios can be powered by solar or batteries, or recharged with electricity. Being handy is also a reason; even farmers can listen to programs while tending to their crops or listen to music while working.

Previous studies conducted by the then-National Economic Development Authority in CAR, during its information campaign on the Cordillera autonomy, revealed that the most effective way to inform the public is through radio, with farmers and other people working while simultaneously listening.

‘Transistor radio functions even without electricity, even without internet, and is most accessible as it does not cost much,’ he added

Students in five campuses in the summer capital and Benguet province staged walk-outs on Tuesday to dramatize their outrage against corruption, 12 days before the Nov. 30 nationwide protests in this year’s Bonifacio Day.

The mass actions, which commenced at noon at the Benguet State University in Benguet capital La Trinidad, uses this year’s International Students Day to voice student sentiments about education budget cuts, local threats to livelihoods like the Public Private Partnership proposal by a mall giant to build a modern Baguio public market and the impending phase out of traditional Baguio jeepneys, said Gabriel Siskar, Kabataan Partylist coordinator for the Cordilleras.

The students also denounced the continuing ‘impunity’ of corrupt officials who remain unpunished even after numerous Congressional inquiries found that officials and some lawmakers allegedly received kickbacks from public works projects that were deliberately padded in budget laws, he said.

The walkouts will continue at 2 p.m. at Saint Louis University, which led the October 7 March against Corruption organized by the Baguio Diocese, and at 3:30 p.m. at the University of the Philippines Baguio, the University of the Cordilleras, and the University of Baguio

A wave of bomb threats hit schools and communities across the country, forcing evacuations, class suspensions and large-scale security operations as authorities investigate what appeared to be an escalating and possibly coordinated pattern of hoax warnings nationwide.

On Monday, eight schools in Iloilo and another school in Digos City in Davao Del Sur, were targeted, while a village in Ormoc City in Leyte, received a similar threat on Sunday.

These new incidents of bomb threats were reminiscent of the nearly simultaneous bomb threats reported in five schools in Pampanga on Oct. 6.

In Iloilo City, the threats involving bombs supposedly planted inside school buildings and sent through social media platforms early on Monday, prompted suspension of classes at the Iloilo National High School, the West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main Campus, WVSU Calinog Campus, the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) La Paz Campus and Hua Siong College of Iloilo.

The threats against schools in Iloilo continue on Monday afternoon, targeting the Central Philippine University in Iloilo City; and the Guimbal National High School in Guimbal town and the Iloilo Merchant Marine School in Pavia town, both municipalities just outside of the city. These schools also suspended classes as a precaution.

The police’s explosive ordnance disposal teams found that the threats were all a hoax.

Police Capt. Melvin Mercado, chief of the Guimbal police, asked the public to coordinate with them if there is any information regarding whoever sent the threat.

Reward

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu on Monday announced on Facebook a P100,000 reward to whoever could identify those responsible for the bomb threats so they could be held liable: ‘We are serious about this. This is not just an issue of children’s education, but also an issue of the whole city’s security.’

Treñas-Chu also convened the Iloilo City Police Office, the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit and the National Bureau of Investigation-including its Cybercrime Division-for a detailed security briefing on Monday.

Monday’s incidents followed multiple warnings earlier in the month. On Nov. 12, the University of San Agustin Basic Education Department in Iloilo City’s Jaro District received a message claiming that bombs had been planted on campus. A day later, similar threats were received by the WVSU Janiuay Campus and the ISAT-U La Paz.

The earliest recorded incident in the ongoing series occurred on Oct. 2, when the University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo reported receiving a similar threat.

Authorities have observed that many of the threats shared similarities in wording, timing and the use of anonymous or newly created social media accounts, raising the possibility that the incidents may be connected.

Negative

In Digos City, the management of Cor Jesu College (CJC) suspended Monday’s classes after receiving a bomb threat early in the morning.

Police Lt. Col. Peter Glenn Ipong, acting chief of the Digos police, immediately dispatched police investigators to the school.

Kirt Diaz, CJC’s vice president for academic studies, said responding policemen failed to find anything hidden that could resemble a bomb within the school premises.

‘It turned out to be negative. However, the school will strengthen its security protocols to ensure that everybody will be safe when the face-to-face classes resume on Tuesday,’ Diaz said.

In Ormoc City, police conducted a bomb sweep in Villa Socorro Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro on Sunday, after a resident received a message from an unidentified number warning of a bomb allegedly planted in the enclave, supposedly targeting ‘corrupt’ residents.

Earlier hoaxes

In Pampanga, the bomb threats on Oct. 6 affected the Pampanga State University campuses in Bacolor and Mexico towns, Pampanga Colleges in Macabebe, Holy Cross College in Sta. Ana and Our Lady of Fatima University in the City of San Fernando.

The threats sent through social media accounts not associated with the institutions prompted the evacuation of students.

On Oct. 7, the National University in SM Clark and the University of the Assumption in San Fernando also received bomb threats, which were later declared hoaxes.

Nationwide concern

Police officials across affected regions condemned the threats as deliberate attempts to sow fear and disrupt education. Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, the malicious issuance of bomb threats-even as jokes-is punishable by fines and imprisonment.

As investigations continue, schools have tightened security measures, strengthened gate protocols, increased campus monitoring and temporarily shifted to online instruction whenever threats arise.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm, vigilant and responsible in sharing information as security forces work to determine whether the threats are coordinated and trace their origins

Coach Tim Cone noted that Juan Gomez de Liaño’s inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas pool had little to do with the way the all-around super rookie torched his Barangay Ginebra for 32 points in their recent PBA matchup.

But Cone sees the presence of Gomez de Liaño as a way to strengthen Gilas’ backcourt depth, not only for the start of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers later this month, but at least in succeeding windows.

‘It was a position that we felt we could use, a little bit more of a scorer, ball-controller and a pick-and-roll guy,’ Cone said after announcing Gomez de Liaño’s inclusion on Sunday.

Cone did not assure Gomez de Liaño an outright slot for the two matches against Jericho Cruz and Guam on Nov. 28 and Dec. 1, but he sees the need for more depth outside of those who are familiar picks under him.

‘[Scottie Thompson] is not a three-level scorer in many regards. He’s just a pure hustle guy who is a great defender and makes intangible plays that don’t show up. That’s why he’s so spectacular,’ he said.

‘[Chris Newsome] is a guy that can also defend and he has really, really improved his offense over the last couple of years. But neither of them are, I would say, pure, pure point guards. They’re more one-twos and combo guards.’

‘Much initiation’

Scoring, however, was not the sole reason for giving Gomez de Liaño strong consideration.

‘What really impressed me with Juan is his defense,’ he said. ‘I thought his defense was really spectacular. And that’s what we expect from the point guard position. We want a great defender because in the international game, there’s so much initiation through the point guard and the high screens.

‘They initiate so much. You’ve got to have a great defender to front your defense and to have a chance against these really good teams. I’m talking about the European teams, the Australians and [New Zealand]. They initiate a lot through their point guards. And their point guards are big and they’re strong. So that’s why we’re looking for bigger players at that position to match up.’

QMB debut

The window will also mark the debut of Quentin Millora-Brown to provide more cover for June Mar Fajardo in the middle, with Kai Sotto still out due to his injury.

Gilas is set to begin preparations on Tuesday at Blue Eagle Gym inside the Ateneo campus, the site of the second meeting with Guam. INQ

Ellen Adarna is further speaking up against her estranged husband Derek Ramsay, claiming he gaslighted her and even convinced other people that her ‘postpartum’ caused the breakdown of their marriage.

The actress said this while answering questions from netizens through her Instagram Stories on Monday, Nov. 17. One of the questions read, ‘Did he apologize, or did he just gaslight you to the max?’

Adarna responded, ‘He blames everything, everyone but himself. He was able to convince his friends and people that it was my postpartum.’

‘He’s also convinced that an ex-girlfriend made him kulam,’ she said, adding that the actor even supposedly asked his helpers to put a bowl of salt with garlic on their dining table as a sort of ‘anti-kulam.’ (anti-witchcraft)

The actress included in her posts a video showing the bowl of salt she was talking about. Adarna also spoke about how her recent discovery about Ramsay’s alleged infidelity validated her initial hunches.

‘In the beginning, I was made to believe that this side chick was just a friend; that what I felt was not real; that I was just acting jealous or crazy,’ she said.

‘So when I found out about it three weeks ago, I felt validated. Like, ‘Oh my God, justice. It’s real,” she continued. ‘I was right all along. All these years I felt like I was gaslighted. The truth, no matter what, comes out in so many ways.’

Adarna added she has been in communication with some of Ramsay’s exes who told her that ‘the side chick has always been there’ for decades.

In a separate video, Adarna addressed as well an apparent rumor circulating on social media that she was a ‘battered wife.’

‘No, that’s not true. No one is battered,’ she clarified.

‘Very present father’

Amid the talks about Adarna and Ramsay, the actress was also asked about her co-parenting relationship with her former actor boyfriend John Lloyd Cruz.

‘I have nothing but good things to say about him,’ she said of Cruz. ‘We had our differences in the past but I respect him because he’s a very good provider. He’s honest and he’s a very present father.’

She recalled as well how she and Cruz broke up when their son Elias was not even one year old.

‘Present siya,’ she reiterated. Ramsay has denied Adarna’s allegations through private messages to his close friends, although he has yet to publicly comment on the matter as of this writing.