Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A new museum celebrating the life and legacy of war hero and former Bulacan Gov. Alejo Santos was recently inaugurated inside the Bulacan State University (BulSu) campus in Bustos town.

The event is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the school, first established by Santos and company as the Bustos Vocational and Technical School in 1974.

The museum, which also features a gallery on the ‘minasa’ biscuit industry of Bustos, highlights Alejo’s illustrious career as a soldier, public servant, and administrator.

Born in Bonga Menor, Bustos (formerly part of Baliuag), Santos was a key military leader during World War II who liberated the province of Bulacan and neighboring areas.

He served as governor of the province in 1945 and in 1951-1956; representative of its second district in 1946 and in 1949-1951; and defense secretary from 1959 to 1961.

50-year career

He passed away in 1984, leaving a legacy of true public service and an untainted career, although he was largely unknown among the roster of war heroes in the country.

The museum, which aims to fill that gap, exhibits objects that Alejo once owned, along with other memorabilia and paraphernalia related to his nearly 50-year career as an accomplished soldier and a man of the people.

These include his Nacionalista Party polo worn during the 1981 presidential election, where he ran against Ferdinand Marcos Sr.; his office desk nameplates; the United States Congressional Gold Medal posthumously awarded him in 2015; and a sword he owned.

Gracing the museum’s opening were public historian Xiao Chua, who delivered a lecture on Santos prior to the unveiling; May Arlene Torres of the Bulacan Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office; Santos’ kin Aleli Canoza; and BulSu Bustos official Albert Santos.

Chua said Bustos is lucky to have Santos, since he is one of the greatest personalities to hail from Bulacan, and was a true Filipino leader.

‘Every BulSu-Bustos student brings to life the essence of Alejo [as] his spirit will not live on without you,’ he said in Filipino.

‘I hope that through all of you, history’s value and importance will thrive,’ he added.

Bust unveiling

Torres said the museum will be part of a network of more than 20 museums in the province being promoted by her office.

A day earlier, a monument featuring a bust of Santos, a donation from the family of the late Bulacan Military Area Norzagaray Post Commander Mariano Leonardo, was unveiled at a park inside the campus.

The unveiling was attended by BulSu officials, as well as the town’s only female and longest-serving mayor, Thelma Santos, the guest of honor during the first day’s festivities.

The activities were organized by the BulSu-Bustos administrators through Maricel Sierto, Ricky Navarro, and Albert Santos, and the Pangkat Saliksik ng Kasaysayan ng Bayan, which Canoza leads as president. I

Continuous intense rains and strong winds brought by Super Typhoon Uwan caused flooding and toppled trees in the provinces of Catanduanes and Albay on Sunday morning, November 9.

In Catanduanes, the persistent rains triggered river overflows and flooding in Virac, Baras, Bato, Panganiban, and nearby towns. Heavy rains since Saturday night also submerged Gogon village in Virac town.

In Panganiban, residents were advised to stay inside their homes or evacuation shelters due to flooding in the villages of Sta. Ana and San Pedro.

The Panganiban municipal disaster risk reduction and management office said the Viga to Panganiban Road was impassable due to a felled tree.

In Albay province, flooding also affected Barangay Kimantong in Daraga town, while a minor landslide was reported in Barangay Bagumbayan.

Albay Gov. Noel Rosal advised the public to avoid low-lying, landslide-prone, and flood-prone areas as the province is expected to still experience heavy rains and gusty winds until this afternoon.

Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson of the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol, said 30,831 families or 107,318 individuals were evacuated across the region’s six provinces, while 2,575 passengers and 1,143 rolling cargoes were stranded in various ports. Naz said that a 51-year-old man was injured after falling from a roof he was preparing in Bato town in Catanduanes.

Most of the provinces experienced power outages and limited communication lines.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Uwan maintained its strength and was located over the coastal waters of Pandan, Catanduanes, moving west-northwest at 30 kilometers per hour (kph).

It has maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness of up to 230 kph.

Most parts of the Bicol region are within Uwan’s diameter.

Pagasa hoisted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 in the northern portion of Camarines Norte (Daet, Talisay, Paracale, Vinzons, Jose Panganiban, Mercedes, Basud), the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Caramoan, Garchitorena, Tinambac, Lagonoy), and Catanduanes.

TCWS No. 4 was raised in the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, and the northeastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi, Polangui); TCWS No. 3 in the rest of Albay, Sorsogon, Ticao and Burias Islands while TCWS No. 2 in the rest of Masbate. /das

A red rainfall warning has been raised in almost all provinces on the eastern side of Luzon amid Typhoon Uwan’s expected onslaught, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Pagasa’s update released at 5 a.m. of Sunday showed that that Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Quezon province, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Isabela were all under a red rainfall alert for the entire day.

A red rainfall alert, Pagasa said, indicates that an area may receive over 200 millimeters (mm) of rainfall in a day, which can lead to ‘serious flooding’ and and increased risk of landslides.

Metro Manila, Sorsogon, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Marinduque, the rest of Calabarzon, the rest of Central Luzon, Pangasinan, Cagayan, and the entire Cordillera Administrative Region will be on an orange rainfall warning. This means these areas will have around 100 mm to 200 mm of rainfall.

‘We can see that for today, almost the entire Luzon would experience rains of up to 100 mm up to 200 mm, and even greater than 200 mm. This means that for areas easily flooded, low-lying areas, there is a big chance that you will experience flooding,’ Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina said.

‘Especially for those near rivers and creeks, because we expect that Typhoon Uwan would bring a lot of rain,’ he added.

A yellow rainfall alert, meanwhile, was raised over Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Leyte, and the rest of Ilocos Region – La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.

Areas under a yellow warning may get 50 mm to 100 mm worth of rainfall.

The scenario would then shift by Monday, as it would be the western side of Luzon that will be under a red rainfall warning – particularly Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Kalinga.

The rest of Central Luzon, the entire Cagayan Valley, along with Abra, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao will be under an orange alert. Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Marinduque will all be placed under a yellow warning during the same timeframe.

‘Meanwhile, we expect that for tomorrow, a big part of Luzon especially its western section will still experience rains from early Monday morning up to noon,’ Badrina said.

‘Again, please stay safe from potential and possible floods and landslides due to rain showers brought by Typhoon Uwan,’ he added.

Earlier, Pagasa said the span between Sunday morning to Monday morning will be the most crucial time for several areas in Luzon as Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) is expected to hit the eastern side and cross the landmass during this period.

Regarding the forecast track, Pagasa expects Uwan to make landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area by Sunday night. However, the state weather bureau maintained that they are not ruling out a landfall over Catanduanes, as Uwan may pass close to the northern part of the island province.

Uwan has been ‘rapidly intensifying’ while it moves closer to Bicol Region. It was was last seen 195 kilometers east of Catanduanes, and now has maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

It is still moving west northwest at a speed of 35 kph.

Due to Uwan’s rapid intensification and fast approach towards the country’s landmass, more areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4:

Polillo Islands

eastern and central portions of Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Capalonga, Labo, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Basud)

eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Calabanga, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, San Jose, Presentacion, Caramoan, Cabusao)

Catanduanes

eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi)

The following areas are under Signal No. 3:

Luzon:

southern portion of mainland Cagayan (Tuao, Enrile, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig)

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Kalinga

southern portion of Abra (Malibcong, Daguioman, Manabo, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tubo, Villaviciosa, Licuan-Baay, Pilar, San Isidro, Bucay)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (City of Candon, Gregorio del Pilar, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Suyo, Sigay, Galimuyod, Quirino, San Emilio, Alilem, Sugpon, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo)

La Union

Pangasinan

Zambales

Bataan

Tarlac

Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Bulacan

Aurora

Metro Manila

Cavite

eastern portion of Batangas (Padre Garcia, Santo Tomas, Lipa City, City of Tanauan, Mataas Na Kahoy, Balete, San Juan, Rosario, Malvar, Talisay, San Nicolas, Laurel)

Laguna

Rizal

the rest of Quezon

the rest of Camarines Norte

the rest of Camarines Sur

the rest of Albay

Sorsogon

Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas:

Northern Samar

northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, Maslog)

northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Matuguinao, Gandara, Santa Margarita) /das

Readings: Ezekiel 47: 1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46, R. The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!; 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17; Gospel-John 2: 13-22

The first point I wish to share is the importance of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. It is supposedly the oldest Western Church of Catholicism.

More important is that it is the parish of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. It is the ‘mother of all parishes,’ in a certain sense.

There are two points from today’s Gospel that I invite you to reflect on. The cleansing of the temple is the perfect Christian symbol of why we must take a stand against corruption.

The cleansing of the temple is the perfect Christian symbol of why we must take a stand against corruption

Then the Lord’s response when people asked for a sign-destroy the temple and I will raise it up in three days-has a very important symbolism.

It is important for us to understand that the anger of the Lord was not simply against the marketplace atmosphere that the sellers created in the temple. While it added to his anger, there was a much deeper reason.

What infuriated the Lord was the corruption behind the selling. It was corruption that was perpetuated by the religious authorities themselves.

What infuriated the Lord was the corruption behind the selling. It was corruption that was perpetuated by the religious authorities themselves

All who came to the temple had to make an offering, a sacrifice of an animal. The richer ones would be offering lamb or cattle. The poorer ones would offer a pair of birds.

Each offering had to be approved by the temple priests. What happened was that if the offering was bought from outside the temple, it would be disapproved.

The people were then forced to buy from the sellers in the temple. Enter corruption.

The sellers jacked up the prices not just double or triple, but many times over, so much so that a pair of birds would cost what was equivalent to over 200 days’ wages for an ordinary worker.

Imagine how scandalously overpriced two birds were. A poor ordinary worker had to pay wages for three and a half months of work.

For this to happen, the temple officials were in collusion with the sellers. They get a percentage of the profits.

The same was true for the money changers. Since people coming to the temple came from all over the world, they had to exchange their money to the local currency in order to purchase the animals for sacrifice.

The money changers were allowed to pay a much lower amount for the exchange and make a killing. Again, the temple officials had to allow this for it to happen.

This was the corruption that the Lord was so angry about. And as Pope Francis said, the poor pay for corruption. They were the ones most affected by the corrupt practices.

This episode of cleansing in the temple is very symbolic of what we are going through now amid the flood control projects’ corruption.

This episode of cleansing in the temple is very symbolic of what we are going through now amid the flood control projects’ corruption

The mind-boggling amounts stolen from the poor with the collusion of the authorities are so true both then and now. The same can be said of how the poor pay for corruption.

The response of the Lord, his righteous anger, can inspire and guide us. It can inspire us to take a stand against corruption.

Not only are we to take a stand, but we must also act to put an end to corruption. Our moral stand against corruption is best expressed through action, righteous indignation.

Our fight against corruption is not just a social, economic, and political crusade, but a moral and spiritual mission.

Our fight against corruption is not just a social, economic, and political crusade, but a moral and spiritual mission

The final point for reflection is when the Lord said, ‘Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.’

The Lord was referring to his passion, death, and Resurrection.

This is a clear reminder to us that in all that we do, we always bring to it the Gospel worldview or perspective.

In anything and everything we do as a church, as Christians, we must always present the Gospel worldview.

It is the worldview that makes us bring Jesus’ perspective: love for the poor and the way of the Cross and Resurrection as the sole path to our salvation.

Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) is ‘rapidly intensifying’ as it moves closer to Catanduanes province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its latest bulletin on early Sunday morning.

Pagasa in its 5 a.m. update said that Uwan was last seen 195 kilometers east of Catanduanes, and has maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 215 kph.

It is still moving west-northwest at a speed of 35 kph.

Uwan’s current forecast track shows that it will continue moving west-northwest. By Sunday afternoon, it would be over the waters north of Camarines Norte and Quezon province, particularly 180 kilometers east northeast of Infanta town. It is expected to be a super typhoon category cyclone by this time.

If this current track is followed by Uwan, by Sunday night, it may make landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area, cross the Luzon landmass, and emerge over La Union by early Monday morning.

However, Pagasa’s cone of probability shows there is still a chance that Uwan makes a southward nudge and grazes the northern part of Catanduanes.

Due to Uwan’s rapid intensification and fast approach towards the country’s landmass, more areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4:

Polillo Islands

eastern and central portions of Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Capalonga, Labo, Paracale, Jose Panganiban, San Vicente, San Lorenzo Ruiz, Basud)

eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Calabanga, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, San Jose, Presentacion, Caramoan, Cabusao)

Catanduanes

eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi)

The following areas are under Signal No. 3:

Luzon:

southern portion of mainland Cagayan (Tuao, Enrile, Solana, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig)

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Kalinga

southern portion of Abra (Malibcong, Daguioman, Manabo, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Tubo, Villaviciosa, Licuan-Baay, Pilar, San Isidro, Bucay)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur (City of Candon, Gregorio del Pilar, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Cervantes, Burgos, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Suyo, Sigay, Galimuyod, Quirino, San Emilio, Alilem, Sugpon, Tagudin, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo)

La Union

Pangasinan

Zambales

Bataan

Tarlac

Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Bulacan

Aurora

Metro Manila

Cavite

eastern portion of Batangas (Padre Garcia, Santo Tomas, Lipa City, City of Tanauan, Mataas Na Kahoy, Balete, San Juan, Rosario, Malvar, Talisay, San Nicolas, Laurel)

Laguna

Rizal

the rest of Quezon

the rest of Camarines Norte

the rest of Camarines Sur

the rest of Albay

Sorsogon

Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas:

Northern Samar

northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, Maslog)

northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Matuguinao, Gandara, Santa Margarita)

Signal No. 2:

Luzon:

the rest of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands

Apayao

the rest of Abra

Ilocos Norte

the rest of Ilocos Sur

the rest of Batangas

northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Paluan, Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Mamburao) including Lubang Islands

northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Baco, City of Calapan, Naujan, Pola, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, Roxas)

Marinduque

northern and eastern portions of Romblon (Banton, Cajidiocan, Romblon, San Andres, Magdiwang, Calatrava, San Agustin, San Fernando, Concepcion, Corcuera, Alcantara, Odiongan, Ferrol, Santa Maria, Looc)

the rest of Masbate

Visayas:

the rest of Eastern Samar

the rest of Samar

Biliran

northern portion of Leyte (Leyte, Calubian, San Isidro, Tabango, Capoocan, Carigara, Barugo, San Miguel, Babatngon, Tacloban City, Alangalang, Tunga, Palo, Santa Fe)

Signal No. 1:

Luzon:

Batanes

the rest of Romblon

the rest of Oriental Mindoro

the rest of Occidental Mindoro

Calamian Islands

Cuyo Islands

Visayas:

the rest of Leyte

Southern Leyte

Bohol

northern and central portions of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Borbon, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Asturias, Cebu City, Balamban, City of Talisay, Toledo City, Minglanilla, Dumanjug, Argao, Sibonga, Barili, Ronda, Moalboal, Badian, Dalaguete, Alcantara, City of Carcar, City of Naga, San Fernando, Pinamungahan, Aloguinsan) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (City of Escalante, Toboso, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay, San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Murcia, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, City of Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Enrique, La Carlota City, Bago City, Valladolid, Pulupandan)

northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Tayasan, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan)

Guimaras

Iloilo

Capiz

Aklan

Antique

Mindanao:

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Tubay, Santiago, Jabonga, Kitcharao)

northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes)

Different local government units and netizens have posted photos and videos on social media showing how Uwan has started to bring strong winds and rains over Bicol Region.

In its Facebook page, Camarines Norte’s Provincial Information Office uploaded several videos on its Facebook page showing how rain has started to pour down over Jose Panganiban town.

In a video uploaded by Donald Butial, small trees in Naga City also appeared to be shaken due to Uwan’s strong winds.

Butial said the clips were taken around 3:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Other netizens uploaded videos of strong rains in Catanduanes, which is also expected to bear Uwan’s brunt. In a separate advisory, the First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative Inc. (Ficelco) said that a total plant shutdown was conducted early Sunday morning ‘for the safe preparation and securing of their power generation facilities.’ /mr

I want to tell you about my city’s public market. It is a porous, wondrous, seemingly chaotic place that feeds upon thousands in order to feed thousands. It is a place of daily give and take, labor, trade and mutual aid, and all the struggles and triumphs of entrepreneurship. It is a place where my being a citizen among fellow citizens is most palpable to me. When I make eye contact with market vendors I’ve known for years and strangers I walk past in the public market, I feel a charge of recognition: we are all doing what we can to get by, you and I.

Sights and sounds

Imagine the noise: market vendors calling out their wares, promising good prices and the sweetest mangoes, announcing that the meat on display was freshly slaughtered this morning, drawing your attention to edible flowers or a very special fish that appears only at this time of year. The shout of a komboy clearing the way as he barrels through the crowd with his cart loaded with kilos of potatoes and cabbage. Igorot country music blasting from speakers somewhere. A shriek of laughter. A Zumba class. A radio announcer from yet another set of speakers. Everywhere, the hum of human activity drowns out the drone of vehicular traffic.

Imagine the mingling of scents and odors. Diesel fumes. Rancid oil. The comfort of rosal in a dark alley. Meat and fish and blood and water in the wet section. Pandan and freshly grated coconuts. Pesticide-infused flowers on that side. Fragrant rice down this way. Roasted coffee beans up that way. There is a public toilet somewhere in all this.

Imagine the colors and textures: bright red ripe tomatoes, orange camote, yellow mangoes, rows and rows of leafy greens, blue plastic bags, indigo blankets, violet-red onions, brown rice, black rice, red rice, white rice, silvery fish, pinkish meats. Market stalls and mutual aid

Imagine the flavors: the fruit you’re invited to sample because once you’ve tasted this rambutan or that strawberry, there’s no walking away without buying at least half a kilo, artisanal salt baked in the heat of the lowlands, delicious crackle of sin that is bagnet chicharon, sweetness of fresh green pinipig, heat of amkis, umami of kiniing, singularity of pinikpikan.

Imagine the hands, the hardworking hands of everyone who labors in the market. These hands are also helping hands. People who grew up in the market tell stories of sharing food, debts given and debts waived, neighboring vendors pitching in for each other when hard times hit. They say children who grow up in Baguio City Public Market do not go hungry, not even when their family’s business hits a slump. Their neighbors help them out.

Imagine market stalls of every conceivable shape and size lining the paths of an open air maze of affordable fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, sausages, coffee, rice, dried beans, aromatics, spices, rice cakes and other local sweets and snacks, baked goods, carinderias, groceries, handwoven blankets, baskets, secondhand clothing, hardware, flowers, eggs, tofu, lottery tickets, newspapers, souvenirs, tobacco, herbal remedies, protection spells, areca nuts and betel leaves.

A different view: modernization

Now imagine all this, demolished. Imagine this, years later, replaced by a four-story concrete building with an elevator, brash white lights, grids of uniform and evenly distributed stalls, marked entrances and exits. Beside it, an eight-story building for paid parking. Behind it, a brand new commercial building.

Some people look at Baguio City Public Market and see only chaos, filth, decay and wasted space. They call the market ‘dugyot.’ Disgusting. Other people look at Baguio City Public Market and see potential for accumulating profits and growing revenues. Some of these entities aren’t people in the sense of, say, market vendors, political leaders or ordinary Baguio residents. They’re corporations.

Imagining otherwise

Our city officials imagine a rich corporation transforming the market through infrastructure. They imagine that through a public-private partnership (PPP), the corporation will invest large sums of money in this modernizing project. They imagine that this will result in a new, world-class market, which the local government will manage for the people. In turn, the corporation will manage the new commercial and parking buildings and reap the profits of these for the duration of a lease drawn up in the PPP. They imagine this to be a win-win situation. They want us to imagine the same thing.

The market vendors and concerned Baguio citizens imagine otherwise. Imagine the hardworking and helping hands of Baguio City Public Market coming together to ask the City Council to listen to the people, to see the beauty and potential that exists in Baguio City Public Market as it stands today. Imagine the people who love Baguio City Public Market organizing and appealing to the City Council to prevent the corporate-sponsored erasure of the people, noises, smells, colors, textures, tastes, histories and human relationships that make Baguio City Public Market special to us. The City Council has until Jan. 10, 2026, to decide. Imagine the City Council makes history by standing by the people and rejecting the PPP proposal.

Or imagine the corporation’s plans pushing through. Perhaps our mayor is right, and all the bustle and hum and liveliness will return once construction is done. But it won’t be the same. It will no longer be the marketplace that began 117 years ago, a year before Baguio became a chartered city. A market that has grown and evolved through the efforts and support of local and Indigenous communities and migrants from the lowlands, the Visayas and Mindanao. It will be something new and entirely different. People will move differently after this transformation. Even traffic will move differently throughout the city. The very nature and design of the planned redevelopment is antithetical to fluidity, porousness and spontaneity. It is a narrowing down of profusion, a thinning of options that lead to thriving, a stifling of vibrancy. They say it will be better. They call it future-proof, modern and world-class. But our needs are simple. Instead of concrete, steel and glass, we want a marketplace that is organized, accessible and clean. A Baguio City Public Market for and by the people. -CONTRIBUTED

Paulo Avelino has always made sure that he and his co-stars are comfortable with each other before taking on daring, intimate, and other scenes that are hard to pull off – as seen in his latest series ‘The Alibi.’

In ‘The Alibi,’ Avelino stars as Vincent Cabrera, a journalist and an heir to a news empire who was accused of murdering his rival Walter Cunanan (Sam Milby). This leads him to seek help from Stella Morales (Kim Chiu), a highly-paid escort to clear himself from the accusations.

Since the crime thriller includes Avelino and Chiu doing daring scenes, the actor said that both of them would still get embarrassed doing it, despite the fact that they’re comfortable with each other.

‘Maraming ilangan moments because when you enter a set as a professional actor and you have scenes na medyo delicate, lagi mong iniisip ang co-actor or co-actress mo kung komportable sila like with Kim and Sofia,’ he said at a media con in Quezon City, while also referring to Sofia Andres who stars as his onscreen wife.

‘Minsan, ‘yung sumasayaw si [Kim], medyo naiilang at natatakot ka para sa eksena and para sa sarili mo. Pero kung scenes namin ni Sofia, natatakot ka kung nasasaktan dahil ‘yun ‘yung instruction sa director and nakasulat sa script,’ he continued.

(There are a lot of awkward moments because when you enter a set as a professional actor and you have delicate scenes, you would always think of your co-actor or co-actress if they’re comfortable around you – like Kim and Sofia. Sometimes, if Kim would do her dance, you would feel embarrassed and scared for the scene and for yourself. But for my scenes with Sofia, I’m worried if I might hurt them because it is the director’s instructions and it is what we’re asked to do in the script.)

This is why Avelino makes it a point to engage in a conversation with his co-stars to break the ice between them.

‘D’un ako naiilang kung along the way sa proseso kung nae-alienate, nasasaktan, or kung nararamdaman ng ka-eksena ko kung nababastos ko sila. As much [as I can], I try my best to talk to them first a bit or show them what I do,’ he said.

(That’s where I get awkward in the process if I might end up alienating, hurting, or making my co-star feel that I’m taking advantage of them. As much as I can, I try my best to talk to them first a bit or show them what I do.)

Agreeing with her leading man’s remarks, Chiu said ‘The Alibi’ may be their fourth project together, but they would always make sure to coordinate and be professional when it comes to taking on such scenes.

‘Wala naman sigurong hindi maiilang kung gan’un. Of course, may ilangan pa rin. Kahit pang-apat na project namin ‘to ni Pau, pero iba-iba kasi ang ginagawa namin. Iba-iba ang intensity kaya nakakahiya. Mukha lang kaming [kumportable] sa screen pero napakdami naming [awkward] moments, pero professional ang bawat isa sa’min,’ she said.

(It’s hard to say that you don’t feel embarrassed. Of course, we feel that. Even if this is Pau and I’s fourth project together, we do different things. There are different intensities. This is why it’s embarrassing for us. We may look comfortable on screen but we have a lot of awkward moments. But we do our best to stay professional.)

‘The Alibi,’ which is currently streaming on Prime Video, also stars John Arcilla, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Rafael Rosell, Irma Adlawan, Alma Moreno, Robbie Jaworski, Angelina Cruz, and Alyanna Angeles. /edv

Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) intensified further and started to pick up speed, state meteorologists said on early Sunday morning.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) 2:00 a.m. update, Uwan was last seen 370 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 205 kph. Uwan is still moving west-northwest at a speed of 35 kph.

Due to Uwan’s relatively faster pace, Pagasa warned that the typhoon may make landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area by Sunday night instead of Monday morning.

‘Because of its faster movement, it is possible that Uwan would make landfall at the Isabela-Aurora area by Sunday night. We can see based on our latest satellite images that the cyclone has a huge diameter, and it can affect a huge part of Luzon and Visayas, especially areas where the center of the storm would pass through,’ weather specialist Obet Badrina said in Filipino.

However, Badrina said Pagasa is also not ruling out the possibility of a landfall or a close approach over Catanduanes, as Uwan moves closer to the Bicol Region. According to Pagasa’s forecast track, Uwan would be over the coastal waters of Pandan, Catanduanes, by 11:00 a.m. of Sunday.

‘We can see that there is a possibility that the sidewall of Uwan’s eye, which is the strongest part of a cyclone, would hit parts of Catanduanes. This may happen by Sunday morning, during which Uwan is closest to Bicol, particularly the eastern side of the area,’ he said.

‘That’s why we are not ruling out the possibility that the center of the cyclone would hit Catanduanes, it can still happen,’ he added.

As of now, more areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4:

southeastern portion of Camarines Norte (Mercedes, Basud, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons)

eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Sagñay, Tigaon, Goa, Calabanga, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Garchitorena, San Jose, Presentacion, Caramoan, Cabusao)

Catanduanes

eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi)

Signal No. 3:

Luzon:

central and southern portions of Isabela (Alicia, San Mariano, Ramon, Naguilian, Dinapigue, San Guillermo, City of Cauayan, Echague, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, San Agustin, Palanan, San Isidro, Cordon, Jones)

Quirino

eastern and southern portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda, Dupax del Norte, Santa Fe, Kasibu, Aritao, Diadi, Dupax del Sur, Quezon)

Aurora

eastern and central portions of Nueva Ecija (City of Gapan, San Leonardo, Rizal, San Isidro, Laur, Llanera, Pantabangan, Palayan City, Gabaldon, General Mamerto Natividad, Cabanatuan City, Carranglan, General Tinio, San Jose City, Santa Rosa, Peñaranda, Jaen, Bongabon, Cabiao)

Bulacan

eastern portion of Pampanga (Mexico, San Luis, Santa Ana, Macabebe, Arayat, Candaba, Masantol, Santo Tomas, San Simon, Minalin, Apalit)

Metro Manila

Quezon including Pollilo Islands

Laguna

Rizal

eastern portion of Batangas (Padre Garcia, Santo Tomas, Lipa City, City of Tanauan, Mataasnakahoy, Balete, San Juan, Rosario, Malvar, Talisay, San Nicolas)

eastern portion of Cavite (Gen. Mariano Alvarez, Noveleta, Silang, City of Dasmariñas, Carmona, Kawit, Tagaytay City, Bacoor City, Imus City, Cavite City)

the rest of Camarines Norte

the rest of Camarines Sur

the rest of Albay

Sorsogon

Ticao and Burias Islands

Visayas:

Northern Samar

northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Dolores, Maslog)

northern portion of Samar (Calbayog City, Matuguinao, Gandara, Santa Margarita)

Signal No. 2:

Luzon:

mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

the rest of Isabela

the rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

the rest of Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

the rest of Pampanga

Zambales

Bataan

the rest of Cavite

the rest of Batangas

Marinduque

northern and eastern portions of Romblon (Banton, Cajidiocan, Romblon, San Andres, Magdiwang, Calatrava, San Agustin, San Fernando, Concepcion, Corcuera)

northern and central portions of Oriental Mindoro (Puerto Galera, San Teodoro, Baco, City of Calapan, Naujan, Pola, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong)

northern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Abra de Ilog, Paluan) including Lubang Islands

mainland Masbate

Visayas:

central portion of Eastern Samar (Can-Avid, City of Borongan, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Maydolong)

central portion of Samar (Tagapul-An, Santo Niño, Almagro, San Sebastian, Jiabong, City of Catbalogan, Motiong, Tarangnan, Paranas, Hinabangan, San Jose de Buan, San Jorge, Pagsanghan, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Zumarraga, Daram, Talalora)

Biliran

Signal No. 1:

Luzon:

Batanes

the rest of Romblon

the rest of Oriental Mindoro

the rest of Occidental Mindoro

Calamian Islands

Cuyo Islands

Visayas:

the rest of Samar,

the rest of Eastern Samar

Leyte

Southern Leyte

Bohol

northern and central portions of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, City of Bogo, Tabogon, San Remigio, Tabuelan, Borbon, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Cordova, Asturias, Cebu City, Balamban, City of Talisay, Toledo City, Minglanilla, Dumanjug, Argao, Sibonga, Barili, Ronda, Moalboal, Badian, Dalaguete, Alcantara, City of Carcar, City of Naga, San Fernando, Pinamungahan, Aloguinsan) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands

northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (City of Escalante, Toboso, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Calatrava, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, City of Talisay, San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Murcia, Bacolod City, Hinigaran, City of Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Pontevedra, San Enrique, La Carlota City, Bago City, Valladolid, Pulupandan)

northern portion of Negros Oriental (Canlaon City, Jimalalud, La Libertad, Tayasan, Vallehermoso, City of Guihulngan)

Guimaras

Iloilo

Capiz

Aklan

Antique

Mindanao:

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

northern portion of Agusan del Norte (Tubay, Santiago, Jabonga, Kitcharao)

northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes)

Several local government units (LGUs) have declared class and government work suspensions for Monday, November 10, in anticipation of Typhoon Uwan’s possible impact.

Among the areas that have declared class suspensions are the provinces of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur – some of the provinces expected to be directly hit by Uwan.

Classes in all levels, both public and private, have been suspended, along with work in the government, except for those involved in frontline and vital emergency and rescue-related services.

The entire Metro Manila, save for the City of Makati, has also suspended classes in all levels. /mr

In the boardrooms where men overwhelmingly take the lead, these two powerful Filipinas seek to make it clear: vision and leadership know no gender.

Robinsons Land Corp. CEO Mybelle Aragon-GoBio and Ayala Corp. managing director Mariana Zobel de Ayala-two of the country’s top women corporate leaders-have proven this.

With years of influence in their respective fields, Aragon-GoBio and Zobel are the only two women executives from the Philippines recognized in Forbes’ list of ‘Asia’s Power Businesswomen 2025.’

Shattering social expectations that only men officials could deliver significant financial gains, Forbes Asia editorial director Rana Wehbe Watson says those named in the list are not just embracing changes, but are steering the way for a new business scene.

Purpose, care

It was only less than a year after the real estate veteran took the reins of Robinsons Land, with her appointment shaking things up, as Aragon-GoBio is the first woman and non-Gokongwei family member to run the corridors of the property giant.

Armed with three decades of experience in beefing up Robinsons Land’s portfolio, from high-rise buildings to mixed-use estates, the 52-year-old industry stalwart is not just after a ballooning bottom line.

‘I have always believed that leadership is about creating value that endures and making a difference people can genuinely feel,’ she tells Inquirer.

‘At Robinsons Land, what drives me is the work of building communities and improving lives, and doing that work the right way, with integrity and purpose,’ the property executive says.

After clinching a spot on Forbes’ list, Aragon-GoBio hopes to leave this belief. That is, ‘that progress built on care and accountability is the kind that lasts.’

‘I also hold a deep faith in what Filipinos can achieve, that by doing our work well and staying true to our values, we can build enterprises that stand proudly on the world stage,’ she adds.

New era of Filipinas

Then comes 37-year-old Zobel, a young executive spearheading the leasing and hospitality business of Ayala Land . The firm has a $2-billion war chest to bolster a portfolio of malls, offices and hotels.

Surrounded by driven figures, Zobel has been exposed to women’s radiating influence and visibility, not just in business.

‘Women play a critical role in society-within their own families, organizations and communities-leaving a lasting impact and shaping future generations,’ Zobel writes in a commentary.

It was published by Inquirer on March 21, in celebration of Women’s Month.

‘There is power in the choices that the modern Filipina consumer makes, especially in today’s era of endless options. Every decision is a careful discernment of where they want to spend their time and resources,’ she adds.

As a leader, Zobel carries with her the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. That is so, especially as women remain ‘an underrepresented group.’

‘Bringing those unique perspectives and experiences to the organizations they are part of will yield tremendous results and hopefully new ways of looking at things,’ she says.

Seeing the issue of gender equity as of ‘national importance,’ Zobel believes the journey isn’t over. And more needs to be done.

The list of Asia’s Power Businesswomen also includes other distinguished leaders across the region. They are Kuok Hui Kwong, CEO of Shangri-La Asia; Hindustan Unilever’s first woman CEO Priya Nair; Margaret Kao, chair and CEO of Taipei-based Marketech International; HSBC Hong Kong CEO Maggie Ng; Amanda Lacaze, managing director and CEO of Lynas Rare Earths; Temasek chief financial officer Png Chin Yee; Chung Yoo-kyung, head of Shinsegae Inc., South Korea’s largest department store chain; Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group and Jamie Khoo, DayOne Data Centers CEO. INQ

Malacañang has suspended classes at all levels in both public and private schools for two days in the provinces of Luzon and the Visayas due to the forecasted major impact of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-wong) in the country.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 106 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Sunday, classes are suspended from November 10 (Monday) to November 11 (Tuesday) in 12 out of the 18 regions in the country:

1. National Capital Region (NCR)

2. Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)

Abra

Apayao

Benguet

Ifugao

Kalinga

Mountain Province

3. Region I – Ilocos Region

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan

4. Region II – Cagayan Valley

Batanes

Cagayan

Isabela

Nueva Vizcaya

Quirino

5. Region III – Central Luzon

Aurora

Bataan

Bulacan

Nueva Ecija

Pampanga

Tarlac

Zambales

6. Region IV-A – Calabarzon

Cavite

Laguna

Batangas

Rizal

Quezon

7. Region IV-B – MIMAROPA

Occidental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro

Marinduque

Romblon

Palawan

8. Region V – Bicol Region

Albay

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Masbate

Sorsogon

9. Region VI – Western Visayas

Aklan

Antique

Capiz

Guimaras

Iloilo

10. Region VII – Central Visayas

Bohol

Cebu

Siquijor

11. Negros Island Region (NIR)

Negros Occidental

Negros Oriental

Siquijor

12. Region VIII – Eastern Visayas

Biliran

Eastern Samar

Leyte

Northern Samar

Samar (Western Samar)

Southern Leyte

Work suspensions

Meanwhile, apart from suspended classes, Malacañang in the same memorandum also suspended work in government offices in nine of the aforementioned regions, specifically, Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas.

However, unlike the class suspensions, the work suspensions will only be effective on Monday, Nov. 10. /das/cb