Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Jonathan Bailey – who captivated the hearts of the viewers in his lead roles in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Wicked’ – was named as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2025.

Bailey made history as the first gay man to be chosen by the magazine on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 4 (Philippine Time), in an episode of the talk show ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.’

In a teaser, the actor was hinted to be ‘often seen on horseback’ in an apparent reference to his characters in ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘Wicked.’ He was also described as a ‘triple threat’ who can ‘act, sing, and dance.’

Bailey, who admitted that he kept the title a secret from his closest friends, said it’s a ‘huge honor’ to be considered as such.

‘It’s a huge honor. Obviously I’m incredibly flattered. And it’s completely absurd. It’s been a secret, so I’m quite excited for some friends and family to find out,’ he was quoted as saying.

Moments before the English actor was announced as People’s pick for the title, he was already revealed as such by the US media outlet Page Six. The entertainment magazine, however, didn’t confirm the reports at the time.

Bailey, who takes the mantle from last year’s titleholder John Krasinski, was included in People’s reader’s choice last year. He has been a common fixture of the magazine’s readers’ choice lists, including the category ‘Sexiest Fiyero.’

Jonathan Bailey is @people’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/n5kzx9n1L3

– The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) November 4, 2025

Known for his magnetic charm and knack for creating chemistry with his co-stars, Bailey is best known for his lead roles in ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘Broadchurch,’ ‘Crashing,’ ‘Fellow Travelers,’ and ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth.’ He is set to reprise his role as Prince Fiyero in ‘Wicked: For Good.’

The English actor started his entertainment career as a theater actor, playing Tiny Tim, young Scrooge, and Gavroche in productions of ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Les Miserable’ in London and West End, respectively. He made his TV debut in the period drama ‘Bramwell.’

Aside from film and TV, he continues to be active in theatrical productions, with ‘Richard II,’ ‘Cock,’ and ‘Company’ as his recent appearances as a stage actor.

Bailey came out as gay to his closest friends and family in his early 20s, although he went public with his sexuality in 2018. Six years after publicly coming out, he launched the LGBTQIA+ centered charity The Shameless Fund.

Some of the Sexiest Man awardees that People recognized through the years are Patrick Dempsey, Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, Idris Elba, Blake Shelton, and Dwayne Johnson, among many others.

The third of four brand-new Airbus A330neo aircraft that Cebu Pacific expects to add to its fleet this year arrived over the weekend from Airbus’ facility in Toulouse, France, strengthening the Gokongwei-led airline’s hold on the title as the largest A330neo operator in Asia.

‘Being the largest A330neo operator in Asia reflects our strong commitment to enhancing connectivity across the region. This aircraft enables us to serve more passengers while keeping costs low, which is a key part of our mission to offer affordable fares for every Juan,’ said Xander Lao, CEB president and chief commercial officer.

Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15-percent less fuel per flight and produce less noise compared to the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding reduction in aircraft carbon emissions.

The first two A330neos ordered by Cebu Pacific-recognized as Asia’s Low-Cost Airline of the Year by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation-arrived last March 28 and July 18, with even more to be added in the years ahead.

The latest 459-seater wide-body aircraft has been deployed for domestic routes that Cebu Pacific will expand as it cashes in on resilient demand for more local and international flights in this busy last quarter of the year. -Tina Arceo-Dumlao

Ayala gets more arrows

Ayala Group has just struck gold with a Five Golden Arrow win for good corporate governance.

The conglomerate received its first five-arrow distinction, a prestigious honor given to publicly listed firms in the Philippines that display excellent corporate governance.

This means that Ayala Corp.’s marks were within the highest score bracket in the Asean Governance Scorecard. This highlights a company’s performance on sustainability, resilience, stakeholder management, transparency, accountability, and board strategy and management.

For its boss, success isn’t just about a blockbuster financial win.

‘At Ayala, we believe that the highest standards of corporate governance are a prerequisite for a sustainable business. We strive to be an institution that our stakeholders can always rely on,’ said Ayala Corp. president and CEO Cezar Consing.

‘Strong corporate governance is key to building and keeping this trust,’ he added.

Eight more Ayala firms earned Golden Arrow Awards, with telco giant Globe Telecom leading the pack with its fourth consecutive 5 Golden Arrow Award.

Ayala Land, the Bank of the Philippine Islands, and Integrated Micro-electronics, Inc. each won the 4 Golden Arrow Award. AREIT and AyalaLand Logistics Holdings Corp. got the 3 Golden Arrow Award, while ENEX received a 1 Golden Arrow Award.

BPI unit BPI AIA won a 3 Golden Arrow Award, while BPI MS won a 1 Golden Arrow Award.

The Order of Merit (OOM) race for the Philippine Golf Tour (PGT) season that’s about to end is down to practically a three-man fight, with Angelo Que holding a slight lead over Keanu Jahns and Fidel Concepcion having an outside chance heading into the final leg in two weeks at Valley Golf.

Que, the 46-year-old former PH Open champion, is enjoying a rejuvenated season after winning twice already and contending in almost all legs, making P1.561 million thus far, with Jahns, also a two-leg champion, just over P77,000 behind in second.

Concepcion, the Australia-based 31-year-old who broke through at Apo Golf two weeks ago, has P1.250 million in earnings, with only a win at Valley and Que and Jahns failing to make the cut giving him a clear win for a first OOM crown.

Antonio Lascuña, the durable five-time OOM champ, acknowledged the changing of the guards, so to speak, as he is mired at No. 8 after an up-and-down season that had him making just close to P600,000.

‘There are a lot of younger, stronger players out there now,’ Lascuña, who won the last of those OOMs last year at 54, told the Inquirer in Filipino on Monday after practice at Manila Southwoods. ‘I sort of know that my time as a dominant player has come. And I have learned to accept that.

‘But that doesn’t mean that I am not capable of winning again,’ he said with a smile as he now shuttles between the PGT and some senior events. ‘I feel I still have a couple of good years left where I can win. I just can’t do it all season long like before.’

An interesting race for the 30th spot is also up, as the top 30 will get invites to the rich The Country Club Invitational in February, a P6 million event that always opens up the PGT season, where P1.5 million is awarded to the champion.

Que and Lascuña have won that multiple times, and the key for some is just to get outright slots there before they can even think of winning.

On the bubble this year are three South Koreans and veterans Jonel Ababa, Mars Pucay, Geraldo Rosales and Marvin Dumandan, with all needing strong Valley play from Nov. 18 to have a chance.

Six bodies have been recovered from the crash site of a Philippine Air Force Super Huey helicopter, the Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines announced Tuesday.

The chopper, which left Davao City for Butuan City on Tuesday morning, was part of a flight of four aircraft conducting damage assessments in communities across the Caraga region that were pummeled by Typhoon Tino.

It lost contact and later crashed in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur.

‘The search and rescue operations have led to the recovery of six bodies believed to be those of the pilot and crew members of the ill-fated Super Huey helicopter,’ the Eastmincom news update, released at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, said.

‘The identities of the fatalities are being withheld pending notification of their respective families,’ it added.

Eastmincom said troops from the Army’s 60th Infantry Battalion had secured the crash site.

Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi) may have weakened slightly but Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 is still hoisted over eight areas in Luzon and Visayas on Tuesday, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that Tino was last spotted in the vicinity of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Tino was carrying a maximum wind speed of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 195 kph.

Tino was currently moving westward at 25 kph. Pagasa noted that ‘due to interaction with the terrain, Tino slightly weakens while crossing the Negros Island Region.’

However, it added that ‘Tino is expected to remain at typhoon category throughout its passage over the country and is forecast to re-intensify over the West Philippine Sea [WPS].’

It is expected to continue passing through the Western Visayas and Northern Palawan until it emerges over the WPS on Wednesday morning. The agency added that Tino will exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Wednesday evening or early morning of Thursday.

Pagasa also said that TCWS No. 4 is raised over the following areas, where wind speeds range from 118 to 184 kph. This has a ‘significant to severe threat to life and property.’

Luzon

Cuyo Islands

Visayas

Northernmost portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City)

Northern portion of Negros Occidental (San Carlos City, Salvador Benedicto, Calatrava, Toboso, Escalante City, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, Victorias City, Enrique B. Magalona, Silay City, Talisay City, Bacolod City, Murcia, Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, La Castellana)

Guimaras

Capiz

Iloilo

Central and southern portions of Antique (Patnongon, Sibalom, Barbara, Valderrama, Hamtic, San Jose, Bugasong, Culasi, Tibiao, Anini-Y, San Remigio, Belison, Tobias Fornier, Laua-An)

Southern portion of Aklan (Libacao, New Washington, Banga, Altavas, Madalag, Balete, Batan)

TCWS. No. 3 is in effect over the following areas, with wind speeds ranging from 89 to 117 kph, and a potential ‘moderate to significant’ threat to life and property:

Luzon

Southwestern portion of Masbate (Balud)

Northernmost portion of Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli) including Calamian Islands

Visayas

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

Northernmost portion of Negros Oriental (Guihulngan City, La Libertad, Jimalalud)

Northern portion of Negros Occidental (Hinigaran, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Binalbagan, Himamaylan City)

Rest of Aklan

Rest of Antique including Caluya Islands

TCWS No. 2, with wind speed ranging from 62 to 88 kph, and potential ‘minor to moderate’ threat to life and property’ is raised over the following:

Luzon

Western and southern portions of Masbate (Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz, Placer, Cawayan, Milagros, Mandaon)

Southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong)

Southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan)

Southern portion of Romblon (Santa Fe, Santa Maria, Looc, Alcantara, Cajidiocan, Odiongan, San Jose, Ferrol, Romblon, San Andres, Magdiwang, Calatrava, San Agustin, San Fernando)

Northern portion of Palawan (San Vicente, Roxas) including Cagayancillo Islands

Visayas

Western portion of Biliran (Almeria, Naval, Biliran)

Western portion of Leyte (Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Matag-Ob, Calubian, Leyte, San Isidro, Villaba, Tabango)

Northwestern portion of Bohol (Antequera, Tagbiliran City, Maribojoc, Loon, Dauis, Buenavista, Talibon, Getafe, Tubigon, Inabanga, Panglao, Clarin, Calape, Cortes, San Isidro)

Rest of Cebu including Camotes Islands

Central portion of Negros Oriental (Tayasan, Manjuyod, Bais City, Mabinay, Bindoy, Ayungon, Tanjay City, Pamplona, Amlan, San Jose, Bayawan City, Basay)

Rest of Negros Occidental

TCWS No. 1 is in effect over the following, with wind speed ranging from 39 to 61 kph, with potential ‘minimal to minor’ threat to life and property:

Luzon

Southern portion of Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres)

Southern portion of Marinduque (Torrijos, Buenavista, Gasan, Boac)

Rest of Oriental Mindoro

Northern and central portions of Occidental Mindoro (Sablayan, Santa Cruz, Abra de Ilog, Mamburao, Paluan)

Rest of Romblon

Western and southern portions of Albay (Guinobatan, Legazpi City, Camalig, Ligao City, Pio Duran, Daraga, Jovellar, Libon, Polangui, Oas)

Western and southern portions of Sorsogon (Bulusan, Magallanes, Santa Magdalena, Juban, Bulan, Irosin, Matnog, Pilar, Castilla, Donsol)

Rest of Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands)

Central portion of Palawan (Puerto Princesa City)

Visayas

Western portion of Northern Samar (San Isidro, Victoria, Allen, Lavezares)

Western portion of Samar (San Jorge, San Sebastian, Santa Rita, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Calbayog City, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, Catbalogan City, Gandara, Motiong, Santo Niño, Tagapul-An, Santa Margarita, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Marabut, Paranas, Basey, Hinabangan)

Rest of Biliran

Rest of Leyte

Northern and western portions of Southern Leyte (Libagon, Hinanungan, Maasin City, Silago, Padre Burgos, Saint Bernard, Malitbog, Bontoc, Tomas Oppus, Macrohon, Limasawa, Sogod)

Rest of Bohol

Rest of Oriental Mindoro

Siquijor

Pagasa also noted that a gale warning is hoisted over the eastern seaboard of Northern Luzon, eastern and southern seaboards of Southern Luzon, seaboards of Visayas, and the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao.

Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported record net earnings of P37.3 billion in the first nine months of the year, driven by solid loan growth, improving margin trend, healthy trading income alongside well managed cost growth.

Pre-provision operating profit at the end of September grew 12.1 percent year-on-year to P59.2 billion.

‘Our prudent approach in expanding our core businesses continued to support our performance in the first nine months. We’re confident that the Philippines’ long-term growth story remains strong,’ said Metrobank President Fabian S. Dee in a statement.

‘We continue to be committed in helping our clients seize opportunities for growth as we navigate together any challenges and uncertainties on our journey ahead.’ he added.

Metrobank’s net interest income increased by 7.1 percent to P91.8 billion in the first nine months of the year, owing to broad-based gains across business segments and sustained quarterly margin improvement.

Gross loans expanded by 10.8 percent year-on-year to P1.9 trillion, with consumer loans rising by 15.8 percent. Institutional loans likewise rose by 9.5 percent.

Meanwhile, total deposits amounted to P2.5 trillion, up 7.6 percent year-on-year, of which P1.5 trillion are low-cost current and savings accounts (CASA).

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is seeking tougher penalties for payment system operators that fail to meet regulatory reporting standards, aiming to strengthen a key data source the central bank relies on to gauge the state and reach of payment services in the country.

The BSP is currently soliciting feedback from stakeholders on a draft circular that would amend reporting requirements for these operators, which include banks, e-wallet providers and payment gateways that operate platforms facilitating fund transfers. Industry comments will be accepted until Nov. 21.

The BSP uses the data from such reports to assess the reach and effectiveness of the products and services that payment solution providers offer to the public. Under the draft circular, a regulatory report that fails to meet BSP reporting standards will be subject to a daily penalty for each day the violation persists until the report is deemed compliant.

Reports submitted on or before the deadline but found noncompliant will be granted a one-time opportunity for resubmission within the same reporting cycle, provided the revised report is filed before the deadline.

Large banks could face fines of up to P3,000 per day of noncompliance, while digital banks may be fined P2,000 daily. Thrift and rural banks could face penalties of P1,500 and P450 per day, respectively.

For nonbank operators of payment systems, the daily fine could reach as much as P1,000.

In addition to monetary penalties, the BSP may impose nonmonetary sanctions on payment system operators and their directors, officers or personnel, including possible suspension or disqualification.

Retail transactions

The proposed measure comes as the country’s shift toward digital payments continues to accelerate. Latest data from the BSP showed digital payments cornered 57.4 percent of the total volume of retail transactions in the country in 2024, up by 4.6-percentage points from the 2023 ratio of 52.8 percent.

Such a result surpassed the government’s 2024 goal to convert 52 to 54 percent of retail transactions to digital. In terms of value, total monthly digital payments reached $136 billion last year, accounting for 59 percent of the nation’s overall retail transaction value.

Dissecting the BSP’s report, 97.2 percent of transactions made by the government were done via digital channels, the most cash-lite among the three primary payment use-cases that the central bank tracks. The BSP said almost 100 percent of payments made by the state-including capital transfers to municipalities, procurements, payroll and cash transfers to the poor-were done electronically.

Meanwhile, the share of digital payments made by individuals rose to 72.2 percent.

who earned global recognition for his portrayal of Lee Myung-gi in ‘Squid Game’ seasons two and three – has been confirmed to join The Black Label.

Yim’s new career milestone was announced by the agency on X (formerly Twitter), where they welcomed the singer-actor under its helm.

‘Welcome to THEBLACKLABEL, YIM SI WAN! We warmly welcome actor YIM SI WAN and ask your love and support for his upcoming activities,’ the post read. Founded by Teddy Park and Kush, The Black Label is an associate company of K-pop giant YG Entertainment although it operates independently.

The agency is home of actors Park Bo-gum and Lee Jong-won, as well as K-pop groups MEOVV and AllDay Project. It also manages the solo activities of Blackpink’s Rosé, BigBang’s Taeyang, and Jeon So-mi.

Yim started his career as a member of the K-pop group ZE:A and its sub-unit ZE:A Five. The nine-member group debuted with the single ‘Mazeltov’ in 2010 and was active for seven years.

He made his acting debut as the young Heo-yeom in the 2012 historical drama ‘Moon Embracing the Sun,’ and fully transitioned into acting five years later. He is best known for his appearances in ‘Squid Game’ seasons two and three, ‘Misaeng,’ and ‘Boyhood.’

When Lyceum needed a hero, Joshua Moralejo answered the call to fuel the Pirates’ 78-66 win over the San Beda Red Lions on Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Lyceum, a bottom-feeder in Group A, improved to 2-7, while San Beda lost solo leadership and slipped into a first-place tie with College of St. Benilde in the standings.

‘Honestly, we just trusted him,’ Lyceum coach Gilbert Malabanan said of his sweet-shooting guard.

‘We give the ball to whoever’s hot. That’s what his teammates are doing even our main scorers, when they saw that Josh had the hot hand they kept feeding him the ball.’

Moralejo sizzled with 24 points that went with five rebounds, four assists and a steal.

He scored the Pirates’ last 11 points, including a tough layup that put the game away, 78-64, with 1:29 remaining after the Lions pulled within six.

Gyle Montaño and John Barba backstopped Moralejo with 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Agjanti Miller had 22 points, while Bismarck Lina posted 12 points and eight rebounds for San Beda.

Top archery coach Ryu Ju-seng, whose exploits have helped validate South Korea as the top country in the sport, will mentor the country’s representatives to the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

And that’s not even the most exciting news for the country’s national archers.

Ryu, who guided Jang Hye-jin from a struggling archer who couldn’t make the national team into a two-gold Olympic medalist in 2016, has agreed to coach the country’s young archers because she sees future champions among young hopefuls.

‘In my conversation with coach Ryu, the form and technique of the kids are good, and they are at the foundational age,’ said World Archery Philippines (WAP) president Bing Reaport, who pulled off the coaching coup with the help of Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Pato Gregorio.

Ryu, who visited the country to witness the country’s top young archers compete during one of WAP’s evaluation tournament, was even more profuse in her pronouncements over the potential of the young kids.

‘These are your future champions,’ Ryu, set to arrive on Nov. 16, told Reaport.

‘This is very good news for us,’ Reaport said. ‘A bit short in preparation for the team, but this is a good starting point for us.’

Ryu signed up for the SEA Games period, but the two sides are now working on a deal that will have the successful Korean handling the archery program over the next two years.

‘With the right program, discipline, and proper coaching and mentoring, she is sure that [the young talents] can reach the Olympics at some point in their career,’ Reaport said. ‘The key is we need to take care of them and make sure that development programs are in place.’

Two of the young archers that caught Ryu’s attention during her visit here last summer were Leila Cano of San Carlos in Pangasinan and Yohan de Gula of Marikina City.