Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

While many of the global pageant fans have tuned in to the Miss Grand International pageant in Thailand and witnessed the Philippines post back-to-back wins, another Filipino queen was crowned in neighboring Malaysia.

Mutya ng Pilipinas Christine Eds Enero almost gave the Philippines another two-in-a-row win at the Miss Tourism International pageant, but was just a step short of succeeding 2024 winner Liana Barrido.

Enero instead received the Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International crown at the conclusion of the competition held at Resorts World Genting on Saturday evening, Oct. 18.

This was the same title that Leren Mae Bautista won for the Philippines in a standalone Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International pageant held in 2015, also in Malaysia, mounted by the same organizer of the Miss Tourism International contest.

Barrido relinquished her Miss Tourism International crown to Zuzanna Balonek, the third Polish woman to win the title. She bested 49 other aspirants in the 28th edition of the global tilt.

Three more international titles under the global pageant organization were awarded at the end of the competition. China’s Bai Duo Lan was crowed Miss Tourism Metropolitan, Colombia’s Andrea Pineda was proclaimed Miss Tourism Cosmopolitan, while Mitchelle Otieno of Kenya completed the winners’ circle as Miss Tourism Global.

This year’s edition of the Miss Tourism International pageant was initially set to take place in Davao City this November. But what was supposed to be the contest’s first staging outside Malaysia did not push through, and the pageant stayed in its home base.

The Philippines is the most successful country in the Miss Tourism International pageant with five other Mutya ng Pilipinas queens bringing home the top prize before Barrido-Peachy Manzano (2000), the late Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2012), Angeli Dione Gomez (2013), Jannie Alipo-on (2017), and Cyrille Payumo (2019).

Emma Tiglao’s victory at the recently-concluded Miss Grand International pageant made history for marking the first back-to-back in the global tilt, succeeding Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza. And they join an illustrious list of Filipino queens who also scored double victories.

The Philippines’ triumphant two-in-a-row coronation at the Miss Grand International pageant’s grand finale in Bangkok, Thailand, on Oct. 18 was reminiscent of the country’s record at the Miss Asia Pacific contest (now called Miss Asia Pacific International).

Opiaza was the first Filipino woman to receive the ‘golden crown,’ after more than a decade of growing impatience from Filipino fans, the same way that Maria del Carmen Ines ‘Carines’ Zaragoza posted the Philippines’ first Miss Asia Pacific win after waiting for 16 long years.

And while Opiaza was hailed queen in neighboring Thailand, Zaragoza’s triumphant coronation took place in Malaysia, also in Southeast Asia.

Also like Opiaza, who was succeeded by a fellow Filipino titleholder in Tiglao, Zaragoza’s successor was also from the Philippines, Gloria ‘Bong’ Dimayacyac.

Malaysia bore witness to another historic back-to-back from the Philippines at the Kuala Lumpur-based Miss Tourism International pageant.

Angeli Dione Gomez inherited the crown in 2013 from her fellow Cebuana queen, the late Rizzini Alexis Gomez, who won the year before.

But the Gomezes’ consecutive victories were not the first for the Miss Tourism International pageant. Poland was the first to mark that feat in 1998 and 1999.

In the homegrown Miss Earth pageant, the Philippines also holds the distinct honor of posting two consecutive wins, courtesy of Jamie Herrell in 2014 and Angelia Ong in 2015.

But Tiglao had already attempted a back-to-back for the Philippines earlier, and tried to inherit the Miss Intercontinental crown in 2019 from Karen Gallman, the first Filipino woman to hold the title.

And while her attempt fell short that time, finishing only in the Top 20, she got her vindication six years later at the Miss Grand International pageant and has etched her spot in international pageant history.

Former Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez sent a pleading at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) at its Bonifacio Global City headquarters.

This time, however, he did not add to his earlier testimony and instead asked the ICI to postpone his scheduled appearance on Oct. 22 ‘as he is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure.’

The former leader of the House of Representatives did not specify what the procedure was for, but the Leyte congressman has not reported any health issues, except in 2024, when he was reported to have been hospitalized. The information, however, turned out to be false.

ICI Executive Director Brian Hosaka said on Saturday that the commission took note of the postponement, but has not issued another advisory on when the next hearing would be.

Hosaka said on Friday that the commission decided to conduct a second hearing with Romualdez next week to carefully review his affidavit from the first meeting.

Romualdez first appeared before the ICI on Oct. 14 after he was invited to ‘discuss his familiarity and personal knowledge as Speaker of the House regarding the National Budget insertions, as well as DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) flood control projects.’

After the hearing, Hosaka said the ICI commissioners questioned Romualdez about allegations against him, particularly claims that he received kickbacks from government infrastructure projects. The congressman denied the allegations.

Hosaka also said that the information provided by Romualdez was ‘helpful,’ as he was able to clarify his and his colleagues’ roles in the national budget process.

The allegations came from Orly Guteza, a surprise witness presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta at the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Sept. 25.

Guteza, a security consultant for former Ako Bicol party list Rep. Zaldy Co, claimed that he personally delivered luggage filled with money to the residences of Co and Romualdez.

Can’t be state witness

On Friday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said the Leyte congressman was not being considered as a government witness in the flood control anomalies.

‘The Department of Justice formally denies reports that former Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez is currently being considered as a state witness. There is no factual or legal basis to this misinformation,’ new DOJ spokesperson Raphael Martinez said in a statement.

To be considered as a state witness, he said an application must be filed first with the DOJ through the Witness Protection, Security and Benefits Program.

The application will then be evaluated to ascertain whether or not the applicant qualifies as a state witness.

‘As of date, former Speaker Martin Romualdez has not filed an application for state witness with the DOJ,’ Martinez said.

Meanwhile, Martinez assured the public that all investigations will be done ‘swiftly and fairly,’ and ‘no one will be spared’ if the evidence so warrants.

The agency also cautioned the public not to be misled by false, misleading facts or political propaganda that twists or misuse legal terms to confuse the public.

Emilio Aguinaldo College used a strong second half to claim its second straight win in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, beating San Sebastian, 86-71, on Sunday at San Juan Arena.

The Generals broke away after a tight first half to improve to 3-3 in Group B.

‘Ang sabi ko lang sa mga bata ay we need to win this game kasi ‘yong grupo namin na may Letran, CSB at Beda, umaangat na ‘yong wins,’ said coach Jerson Cabiltes. ‘We need to catch up. It’ll be very hard for us if we lose this game.’

EAC led by just a point at halftime, 38-37, before taking control in the third quarter. The Generals held a slim 52-50 edge at the 4:04 mark before closing the period with an 11-5 run for a 63-55 advantage they never relinquished.

Wilmar Oftana paced EAC with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Jude Bagay and Deo Lucero added 17 and 13, respectively. The Generals previously defeated Arellano, 84-73, on Friday.

San Sebastian absorbed its third straight defeat to fall to 1-5. Jhuniel Dela Rama posted 20 points and 15 rebounds, while Oneil Castor added 13 in the loss.

Tropical Storm Ramil (international name: Fengshen) continues to move toward the West Philippine Sea, heading further away from the country on Sunday afternoon, said the state weather bureau.

Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 remains raised over six areas in Luzon, while Signal No. 1 is still raised in 27 areas.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Ramil was last spotted 85 kilometers (km) west northwest of Iba, Zambales, carrying maximum sustained winds of 65 km per hour (kph) gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It is currently moving towards the country southwestward at 35 kph.

‘On the forecast track, Ramil will continue moving west-northwestward or northwestward over the West Philippine Sea. It is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow (Monday, Oct. 20) morning,’ Pagasa said in its latest typhoon bulletin.

Ramil is then forecast to further intensify to the severe tropical storm category as it moves over the West Philippine Sea.

Signal No. 2 (winds of greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph expected in at least 24 hours) remains raised in the following areas:

The central and southern portions of La Union (Rosario, Pugo, Tubao, Santo Tomas, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Naguilian, Burgos, Bagulin, Bauang, City of San Fernando, San Juan, San Gabriel, Bacnotan, Santol, Balaoan, Luna)

The western and central portions of Pangasinan (Basista, Lingayen, Villasis, City of Alaminos, Anda, Malasiqui, San Fabian, Urbiztondo, Bautista, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Burgos, Dagupan City, Binalonan, Bolinao, Aguilar, Alcala, Sual, Labrador, Bani, Santo Tomas, Pozorrubio, City of Urdaneta, Laoac, Mangatarem, Mabini, San Carlos City, Manaoag, Binmaley, San Jacinto, Bugallon, Bayambang, Infanta, Agno, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Dasol, Sison)

Zambales

Tarlac

The western portion of Pampanga (Mexico, Porac, Angeles City, Santa Rita, Guagua, Sasmuan, Mabalacat City, Macabebe, Masantol, Santo Tomas, Minalin, City of San Fernando, Bacolor, Floridablanca, Magalang, Lubao) and

The northern portion of Bataan (Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Morong, Pilar, City of Balanga)

Areas under Signal No. 1 (winds of 39-61 kph may be expected in at least 36 hours, along with intermittent rains), meanwhile, are the following:

Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Quirino

Nueva Vizcaya

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Benguet

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

The rest of La Union

The rest of Pangasinan

Aurora

The rest of Bataan

The rest of Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Bulacan

Metro Manila

Rizal

The northern and central portions of Quezon (Pitogo, Buenavista, Lucena City, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Tiaong, Lopez, Catanauan, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, San Antonio, Alabat, Candelaria, Lucban, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Sariaya, City of Tayabas, Macalelon, Mauban, Dolores, General Nakar, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, Tagkawayan), including Polillo Islands

Laguna

Cavite

Batangas

Occidental Mindoro, including Lubang Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and

The northern and western portions of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Labo, Paracale) /mr

Two individuals died after the ultralight aircraft they were flying crashed in a rice field in Concepcion, Tarlac, on Saturday morning, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Based on the police report, the victims were identified as a male pilot (19 years old) and a female passenger (18 years old). Both were residents of Pampanga.

PNP said the 2-seater ultralight aircraft was discovered at around 11 a.m. in a rice field in Brgy. Panalicsican, and was reported to the authorities at 12:35 p.m.

Based on the initial investigation of the police, residents saw the plane in the air flying in the area and then it accidentally crashed in the rice field.

Both of the victims sustained serious physical injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Concepcion District Hospital, but were later declared dead on arrival.

The investigation into the cause of the plane crash is ongoing.

The National Food Authority (NFA) on Friday unveiled a new bagging system to improve its efforts to maintain a buffer stock while reducing costs and improving the quality of palay.

The grains agency is projecting to save as much as P3.9 million-or P1.1 million to P1.3 million per warehouse-from piloting the one-ton bagging system in Nueva Ecija, Occidental Mindoro and Davao del Sur.

NFA Administrator Larry Lacson said the bagging system, also known as a jumbo bag or bulk bag, was a first in NFA history. Each ‘tonner’ bag can accommodate 12 sacks worth of palay.

Lacson said the trial period for this system will provide the NFA with crucial data to determine whether the technology is viable for a nationwide implementation.

The NFA said the new packing method is estimated to boost warehouse capacity by up to 30 percent. It is also expected to deliver savings in expenses for manpower, fumigation, storage, transport and sacks.

The new bagging system costs P325 apiece. For instance, the NFA is spending P682,000 to procure 2,100 pieces of tonner bags for its Cabanatuan warehouse.

Although the new tonner bag is more expensive, Lacson said it can be reused up to five times.

At present, the NFA spends P15 each on printed sacks, plus additional labor costs, to store palay purchased from local farmers. Each sack can only be used once for this purpose.

Airtight

‘This is part of our broader effort to upgrade NFA’s storage capacity with minimal cost to the government,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement on Friday.

‘By maximizing existing warehouse space, we can procure more palay from farmers and help address postharvest losses,’ said Tiu Laurel, concurrently the NFA Council chair.

Aside from the projected savings, the airtight bags help preserve grain quality by protecting against moisture, heat, insects and rodents.

Lacson said the NFA adopted this method following Tiu Laurel’s visit to Cambodia. The agriculture chief recognized the need to fast-track its implementation in the Philippines.

The NFA operates more than 300 warehouses across the archipelago. Upgrades are underway in some facilities to accommodate larger volumes of palay and milled rice.

At full capacity, an NFA warehouse built for a maximum of eight piles can store up to 55,440 bags of 50-kg sacks.

Lacson said the adoption of the new packing system is part of the NFA’s broader modernization efforts.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel on Friday across Luzon and the Visayas while at least three Bicol provinces suspended classes due to Tropical Depression ‘Ramil,’ which brought strong winds and rough seas, halting all passenger and cargo vessel operations in Bicol and the provinces of Quezon and Northern Samar.

The local governments of Catanduanes and Albay ordered suspension of work and classes on Friday while Catanduanes Gov. Patrick Alain Azanza said all work and school activities in public and private schools would be suspended on Saturday to ensure public safety.

Albay Gov. Noel Rosal suspended classes at all levels beginning 12 noon on Friday and advised the public and private schools to shift to alternative mode.

In Bicol, the PCG suspended all sea trips from major ports including Legazpi City, Tabaco City and Pioduran in Albay; Pasacao in Camarines Sur; Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Virac, Catanduanes; and in Masbate.

Monitoring

Commodore Ivan Roldan, district commander of PCG Bicol, said 618 passengers and 129 rolling cargoes and 80 other vehicles were stranded across the region.

In Quezon, the PCG-Southern Quezon also suspended sea travel in the easternmost portion of the province, including Tagkawayan. The suspension followed the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over the area.

The PCG reminded all vessel operators to exercise extra caution and monitor the tropical cyclone’s movement, said Ensign Mario Rey Vics, commander of PCG-Southern Quezon in an advisory.

The PCG-Northern Quezon station in Real town also suspended voyages for all vessels bound for the Polillo Islands due to rough sea conditions.

The PCG in Northern Samar, which has also been placed under TCWS No. 1, announced a temporary suspension of all sea voyages on Friday, affecting the eastern towns of Laoang, Catubig, Palapag, and other areas in the region.

Lt. Junior Grade Joshua Gabon, commander of PCG Northern Samar, urged vessel operators, particularly those with small boats, to take extra precautionary measures.

As of 5 p.m. on Friday, Ramil was 640 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon, moving west southwestward at 25 km per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa warned that Ramil may intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall, potentially near Catanduanes or Aurora by Saturday

While this week’s occurrence in the West Philippine Sea is no longer surprising, it remains brazen, menacing, and deeply alarming.

On Oct. 12, Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM) vessels approached three Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels, including the BRP Datu Pagbuaya, anchored near Pag-asa Island. The BFAR vessels were assisting Filipino fisherfolk under the ‘Kadiwa para sa Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda’ (KBBM) program.

The Chinese then conducted dangerous maneuvers and activated their water cannons. Not content with these hostile actions, one CCG vessel fired a water cannon directly at the BRP Datu Pagbuaya and deliberately rammed its stern, causing minor damage but no injuries to the crew.

The Philippine Coast Guard’s spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Commodore Jay Tarriela, described this encounter as the ‘closest reported incident of bullying by the CCG,’ this statement, made during a press briefing, underscores how such actions threaten regional stability and the safety of Filipino personnel.

But what happened on Oct. 12 is only the latest instance of harassment. Less than a month earlier, on Sept. 16, another BFAR-operated vessel was subjected to dangerous maneuvers; it sustained water cannon assaults by CCG and CMM vessels in Bajo de Masinloc. The incident injured one Filipino crew member due to shattered glass caused by the impact.

Prior to this, on Aug. 11, a People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel and a CCG vessel, in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc, executed aggressive and dangerous maneuvers with the clear intent of obstructing one of the patrol vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard. These vessels then collided into each other.

One incident is in itself disturbing enough. But the emerging pattern and its growing intensity and frequency are alarming. Taken together, these acts reveal a dangerous and deliberate pattern of aggression aimed at normalizing China’s unlawful presence and coercive behavior in Philippine waters.

These events underscore that the true source of instability in the region is Beijing’s continued disregard for international law, including the 2016 arbitral award by the Permanent Court of Arbitration. The PCA decision decisively invalidated China’s expansive and baseless claims.

China has, of course, chosen to ignore the PCA’s decision because it exposes its claims for what they are-unfounded excuses for expansionism. It insists it does not fall under the jurisdiction of the PCA, when many other countries in the world do and in fact acknowledge its power to resolve disputes.

The Philippines has also filed numerous diplomatic protests for these instances of harassment.

As of writing, seven foreign missions-the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and the European Union Delegation to the Philippines-have publicly condemned China’s latest act of aggression in the West Philippine Sea and reaffirmed their support for the rules-based order.

Indeed, it is one thing for the Philippines to face constant threats to its sovereignty. But it is quite another to respond to the broader challenge of ensuring sustainable and inclusive governance of its waters. The Philippines is emboldened by the support of the international community, which shares our reverence for the rule of law and our deep commitment to keeping the peace not only in our areas of sovereignty but in the whole Indo-Pacific region.

These same like-minded countries who articulate their support of Philippine sovereignty and their condemnation of China’s acts are also being steady partners in ensuring and practicing maritime governance. After all, beyond external aggression, the Philippines grapples with

marine pollution, illegal and unreported fishing, coastal degradation, and the worsening impact of climate change on coastal livelihoods and ecosystems.

An example would be France, which has been among the Philippines’ steadfast partners in advancing this vision. Through the ‘Blue Nations: France and the Philippines, Partners for the Oceans’ initiative, both countries continue to promote a comprehensive and cooperative approach to maritime governance.

This partnership was again highlighted in the Blue Talks titled ‘France and the Philippines: Promoting a Sustainable and Inclusive Maritime Governance in the Indo-Pacific,’ a forum jointly organized by the Stratbase Institute and the Embassy of France in the Philippines.

Ultimately, effective maritime governance is not only about defending territory but about ensuring that the seas remain a shared space of peace, prosperity, and sustainability. Here, the Philippines cannot and should not stand alone. A whole-of-society approach that integrates maritime security, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.

By harnessing the strength of alliances, empowering local communities, and ensuring that governance frameworks are inclusive and transparent, we can protect our waters-not only from coercion, but from exploitation and neglect. True maritime security begins with shared responsibility and sustained cooperation. This is our long view even as we are prepared to address each and every instance of China’s bullying in our sovereign waters.

Geneva Cruz and Gerald Santos paid a courtesy call at the Embassy of the Philippines in Papua New Guinea ahead of their upcoming show, ‘Pinoy Pride Night.’

In an Instagram post on Friday, Oct. 17, Santos shared photos of their visit and expressed gratitude to the embassy staff for their hospitality.

‘Had a courtesy call here at the Embassy of the Philippines in Papua New Guinea! Thank you to Consul Jom Sadie and the rest of the Embassy staff for the warm welcome!’ he wrote.

The ‘Pinoy Pride Night’ event on Saturday night, Oct. 18, in Papua New Guinea will feature performances from Cruz and Santos, to highlight Filipino music and culture.

Cruz recently joined hundreds of Smokey Mountain residents in Manila to oppose the government’s planned waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration project in the area.

The singer-actress rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the group Smokey Mountain and is known for such hits as ‘Anak ng Pasig’ and ‘Kailan.’

Santos, meanwhile, gained prominence after winning ‘Pinoy Pop Superstar’ in 2006 and has since built a career in music and theater, notably portraying Thuy in the international production of ‘Miss Saigon.’