Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The construction industry continues to evolve – shaped by new technologies, modern materials, and a shared commitment to excellence. Now in its 36th year, PHILCONSTRUCT returns on November 6-9, 2025, taking over both the SMX Convention Center Manila and World Trade Center Metro Manila to once again gather the nation’s top builders, engineers, architects, suppliers, and innovators under one roof.

As the country’s premier construction event, PHILCONSTRUCT remains the defining meeting point for professionals and businesses driving transformation in the built environment. More than a showcase, it is a platform where innovation meets opportunity – where products are launched, partnerships are forged, and ideas come to life. Visitors can expect a vibrant experience featuring interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and exclusive product showcases that highlight the latest breakthroughs in the industry.

This year’s theme, ‘Shaping the Future of Construction,’ reflects the expo’s focus on sustainability, efficiency, and modernization. Attendees will discover a comprehensive range of solutions – from smart machinery and digital construction tools to sustainable building technologies that redefine project delivery. The show also features HVAC/R Philippines, the country’s leading platform for advanced heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration systems, showcasing the latest in energy-efficient and climate-responsive innovations for modern spaces.

Complementing the exhibits is TechnoForum, a series of technical sessions where industry experts share best practices and innovations that enhance productivity, safety, and competitiveness in construction. Also featured is Estilo De Vida, a student interior design competition celebrating Filipino creativity under the theme ‘Hospitality: Design Lokal – Filipino Roots, Global Form.’

Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a business owner, or a newcomer eager to explore the industry, PHILCONSTRUCT 2025 is the ultimate destination to connect with industry leaders, discover future-ready solutions, and gain valuable insights that inspire progress.

Organized by the Philippine Constructors Association, Inc. (PCA), PHILCONSTRUCT 2025 continues to serve as the cornerstone of the country’s construction community – bringing people together to build smarter, safer, and stronger for the years ahead.

Event Details:

November 6-9, 2025

SMX Convention Center Manila and World Trade Center Metro Manila

Walk-in entrance fee is Php 200. Pre-Register for FREE until November 5, 11:59PM: https://philconstructevents.com/registration-manila

Show Schedule:

NOV 6: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 7: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 8: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

NOV 9: 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM

The inquiry into the controversial Manila Bay Dolomite Beach Project is not about former President Rodrigo Duterte as the initiative would have been questioned also if another administration spearheaded it, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said on Wednesday.

Ridon in a press briefing at the Batasang Pambansa complex was asked about allegations that the investigation into the dolomite beach issue is mere politicking, as it is supposedly being used to hit Duterte – who was president when the project was initiated.

According to Ridon, the project being conducted under Duterte’s term is merely coincidental, as it would have been subject to criticisms if it were taken by his predecessors or successors.

‘The truth is that for the dolomite , it is only coincidental (that Duterte was president) because irrespective of whichever regime it is, irrespective of whichever government it is, if the dolomite project was made in the Aquino administration, in the Duterte administration, in the current administration, I think people will still have an objection to it,’ Ridon explained.

‘Because the question has always been, first, is it consistent with the Manila Bay master plan? And second is it consistent with the supreme court continuing mandamus. So the question of who the president is is actually irrelevant,’ he added.

Ridon said Duterte is not being targeted – believing that the former president did not make the proposal to rehabilitate Manila Bay using dolomite.

‘There’s no targeting. I think the former president has many other more important concerns that he needs to deal with instead of worrying about the dolomite beach project,’ he said.

‘The truth is, like what we had stated earlier, this is not about the former president, what we want to know is who is the official who proposed for this Dolomite Beach Project. And I am telling you now, it is not the former president,’ he added.

The dolomite project which costs around P349 million has been widely criticized for allegedly being an unnecessary project, especially since it was started in September 2020 – at the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic – while Duterte claimed the government was losing funds.

Officials like Vice President Leni Robredo said that the funds could have been used for other more pressing needs, like financial aid for poor families or gadgets for students enrolling in distance and blended learning modes.

Ridon, for his part, has been critical of the project even before returning to the House of Representatives under Bicol Saro party-list. In September 2020, Ridon, as convener of non-government organization Infrawatch PH, said that the Manila Bay rehabilitation project lacks an environment compliance certificate (ECC) and is allegedly marred by corruption issues.

Ridon said this as several groups believe that dumping crushed dolomite sand over the Manila Bay poses dangers on human health and biodiversity – as pro-environment activists claimed that the sand caused a fish kill.

Other groups also said that dolomite can actually contain heavy metals like lead and mercury, which are both dangerous for humans. Some individuals also pointed out that several American companies have conducted studies on dolomite, warning about higher risks for cancer.

On Monday, Ridon said that the House committee on public accounts, which he chairs, will start the dolomite beach probe by the third week of November. Earlier, the lawmaker said the exact date will be November 19.

According to Ridon, the investigation will focus on whether the project was necessary, and check if the dolomite beach fits the Manila Bay Sustainable Development Master Plan and the Supreme Court (SC) writ of continuing mandamus on the Manila Bay rehabilitation.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio has thrown his support for the congressional probe, but Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte – Duterte’s son – has accused the lawmaker of being subservient to the current administration.

According to the younger Duterte, it was only during his father’s time that Manila Bay was cleaned.

‘How many decades has it been and there were no officials from the government who gave the right attention to the problems of Manila Bay, and we were accustomed to the dirt and garbage floating on it. Now, a President from Mindanao did something so that Manila Bay could be useful, and many were happy that finally, Manila Bay is clean,’ he said.

Around 1.4 million households, mostly residing in the Visayas, experienced power interruptions on Wednesday due to heavy rains and winds brought by Typhoon Tino.

This is according to data from the National Electrification Administration and National Power Corp., Department of Energy (DOE) Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said during a virtual briefing.

The official said they were still waiting for more information from private distribution utilities.

The DOE, however, could not provide an estimate on how soon electricity services could be restored.

‘We’re asking the public, especially those who were badly affected, to please wait until the roads are cleared for our personnel or linemen to restore the power lines,’ DOE Secretary Sharon Garin said.

Government data as of Wednesday afternoon showed that 66 had died dead, with 26 more missing.

The Cebu province, in particular, was hardly hit, as it suffered widespread flooding and property destruction.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III believed the upper chamber was not demoralized even after the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (ICI) recommendation to file criminal and administrative charges against several individuals, including two senators, over suspected ‘ghost’ flood-control projects.

‘No. As long as we’re doing our work. That’s the most important thing,’ he said, noting that passing a clean 2026 budget is the ‘single most important piece of legislation’ they need to pursue.

The ICI had earlier recommended filing charges against several personalities, including Sens. Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva.

This came after the commission received the affidavits and corroborating evidence from former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara, and former DPWH Bulacan Assistant District Engineers Brice Ericson Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza.

‘We have yet to see how it evolves.that’s just what we heard in the news.it’s very difficult to react to something that is not concrete yet,’ Sotto said at the sidelines of the formal turnover of a fully equipped Mobile Clinic to the Senate on Wednesday.

Pressed further on how the Senate leadership is looking at it following speculations that it was an attack against the Senate, he said: ‘I don’t look at it. I concentrate on my work as a Senate president.’

‘You can take it whatever way you want.that’s how it goes. There are those who will think of it as this or that, and there are those who will think about it badly. You can’t avoid it,’ added Sotto.

But what if warrants of arrest are issued against senators allegedly involved?

‘We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. There are legal means, there are ways. There are laws and legal ways we should handle things. Everything should be by the book or by the law,’ said the Senate leader.

Harold Alarcon came through in the clutch once more as University of the Philippines edged University of Santo Tomas, 89-88, in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball second round on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Alarcon sank seven straight points down the stretch, including the go-ahead jumper with only 22 seconds left that pushed the Fighting Maroons to their third straight win and a 7-3 mark. ‘We’re prepared for situations like those,’ said Alarcon.

‘We’ve been prepared for these to help with our experience for the future games. If we have these experiences and situations, we’ll know what to do.’

The graduating guard was a man on a mission, finishing with 22 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Alarcon’s heroics helped the Maroons complete their comeback after trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half. They also avenged their season-opening loss to the Growling Tigers.

Rey Remogat and Migs Yniguez also stepped up for UP with 19 and 11 points, respectively.

The losses continued to pile up for the Tigers, who were once one of the top teams in the league.

Collins Akowe registered 26 points and 16 rebounds, but accounted for 10 of UST’s 24 missed free throws. Akowe went 10-of-20 from the line. Nic Cabañero added 18 points.

Favorable domestic factors, such as easing inflation and a pickup in foreign investment in key infrastructure projects like clean energy, could help steady the peso against persistent market gloom, MUFG Global Markets Research said.

In a note to clients, the Japanese bank added that these tailwinds at home may align with supportive global trends, including a weaker dollar as the US Federal Reserve continues to lower interest rates.

That said, MUFG expects the peso to end the year at 58.70 to the dollar, above the Marcos administration’s 56-to-58 exchange rate assumption for 2025. Even so, that would mark a rebound from the record low of 59.13 seen in late October-a drop widely blamed on a corruption scandal that has rattled business confidence.

‘From a fundamental perspective, we continue to highlight other key offsetting domestic positives for the Philippines, apart from global factors such as our expectations for a weaker US dollar and US rate cuts,’ the bank said.

‘Domestic rice prices have remained low despite recent import bans, and with still decent domestic rice inventories that means that inflation should remain manageable,’ it added, noting that contained price pressures could help sustain household spending, a major growth driver.

‘The pipeline of infrastructure projects especially in renewable energy remains robust, and this should also support FX through some pick-up in FDI (foreign direct investment) from what we have seen in FDI approvals,’ it continued.

Impact on real economy

A weak peso cuts both ways for the Philippines. It can lift remittance inflows from migrant Filipino workers, fueling purchasing power in the consumption-reliant economy.

But it also risks fanning import costs and reigniting inflation. Prolonged currency weakness, meanwhile, could inflate the peso value of foreign debts held by both the government and private companies.

While the peso has since regained some ground from last month’s record slump, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it would allow market forces to determine the exchange rate, adding it won’t intervene to prevent day-to-day volatility.

Looking ahead, MUFG said it projected two more quarter-point rate cuts under the current easing cycle of the BSP, which would bring the policy rate to 4.25 percent by the second quarter of 2026. The central bank last month defied consensus with a 0.25 percentage point rate cut, which officials said was needed to shore up business confidence amid the graft probe.

Even so, MUFG said the likely inclusion of the Philippines in J.P. Morgan’s key emerging market debt gauge should bring around $2 billion to $3 billion in foreign inflows, something that could prop up the peso.

Filipino-Australian singer Justin Vasquez opened up about wanting a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ kind of love that feels peaceful in his new single ‘Yours,’ which showcases his RandB roots.

‘Yours’ – which talks about the beauty of a love that endures – is meant to be the singer-songwriter’s way of ‘ending the year’ in a song that hits in an ‘intimate and universal way.’

”Yours’ is really special to me. It’s about that calm kind of love – the one that feels safe, certain, and forever. I wanted to end the year with something that feels intimate but still universal. I hope people find themselves in it,’ he said in a press statement.

The singer-songwriter also described ‘Yours’ as a song that captures his love for ‘old-school soul and modern RandB.’

‘With its gentle, sincere lyrics and classic RandB melody, ‘Yours’ feels like a late-night confession whispered to someone who means everything. Whether you’re on a slow drive, lost in a quiet dance, or just vibing alone, this song is for every moment you’ve ever thought, ‘I’m never leaving,” he said.

Prior to ‘Yours,’ Vasquez also released the songs ‘What U Need’ and ‘Home’ in November 2024 and July 2025, respectively.

Vasquez, who started his music career by posting covers, currently has 1.2 million followers on TikTok

A 62-year-old woman from Bontoc, Southern Leyte, remained missing after being swept away by floodwaters at the height of Typhoon ‘Tino’ (international name: Kalmaegi) early Tuesday, as authorities confirmed three deaths across Eastern Visayas due to the storm.

Police identified the missing woman as Yolanda Labastida, a resident of Barangay Hilaan, who was trying to evacuate with her husband, identified only as alias ‘Digong’, when the tragedy struck.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Bontoc, the couple attempted to leave their house near a swollen creek amid heavy rains, but Labastida was swept away by the strong current and has not been found since.

Local police and barangay search and rescue teams have launched ongoing operations to locate her.

Tino brought torrential rains and strong winds that battered much of Eastern Visayas, leaving three people dead and thousands displaced.

In Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte, Mayor Jocelyn Lim Bungcaras confirmed the deaths of two residents from the villages of Carnaga and Catmon during the height of the typhoon. She did not release further details pending official reports from local authorities

Joy Barcoma, the Philippines’ representative at the Miss Earth 2025 tilt, has a chance to win an elemental crown, according to global pageant analyst Missosology.

Barcoma was named as the possible recipient of the Miss Earth-Air 2025 crown by Missosology in its final hot picks, as seen on its Facebook page on Tuesday, November 4.

Cuba’s Rachel Chang was chosen as the candidate with the potential to be crowned Miss Earth 2025. Meanwhile, Italy’s Natalie Guglielmo and Thailand’s Waree Ngamkham have a chance to win the Miss Earth-Water and Miss Earth-Fire titles, respectively.

Rounding up the Top 10 are Czech Republic’s Natalie Puskinova, Nigeria’s Divine Nelson, Brazil’s Laila Frizon, the Netherlands’ Sanne-Esmee Walstra, Mexico’s Genesis Vera, and Iceland’s Soldis Ivarsdottir.

A pageant veteran, Barcoma competed at Miss World Philippines 2021 where she bagged the Beauty with a Purpose title. She ended her journey at the Top 24.

Four years later, she represented Bacoor, Cavite at Miss Philippines Earth 2025, where she was eventually crowned as the country’s representative to the global tilt.

Marking its silver anniversary, Miss Earth 2025 will be held at Okada Manila in Parañaque on November 5. It will culminate in reigning titleholder Jessica Lane of Australia crowning her successor.

Elemental queens Hrafnhildur Haraldsdottir of Iceland (Air), Bea Millan-Windorski of USA (Water), and Niva Antezana of Peru (Fire) will pass their crowns as well

Dianne Medina received an early birthday gift after she and her husband Rodjun Cruz acquired a new property for their house rental business.

The actress-businesswoman shared their new investment through her Instagram page on Monday, Nov. 3, showing her, Cruz, their two children Joaquin and Isabella all smiles while standing in front of the property.

The house, which is located in Quezon City, is now up for rent, as per Medina.

‘Early birthday gift from our Lord Jesus Christ!’ said the celebrity mom who turned 39 on Wednesday, Nov. 5. ‘Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all the blessings!’

Addressing Cruz, Medina continued, ‘Teamwork makes the Dream work! Let’s work harder! More and more work, in Jesus’ name! Looking forward to our next investment, all for God’s glory.’

Medina also regarded her grandparents as her inspiration as to why she started her real estate business, saying she hopes to be like them and follow their success.

Medina and Cruz started their house rental business in 2022, showing at the time their property in Parañaque City.

Aside from this, the couple also acquired land investments for Joaquin, 5, and Isabella, 1