Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Two southwesterly windflows and localized thunderstorms are forecast to bring scattered showers and thunderstorms across much of the country, the state weather bureau said Thursday, Oct. 9.

In its 4 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that Metro Manila, the Visayas, Mindanao, Mimaropa, Calabarzon, and the Bicol Region will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain and thunderstorms due to the southwesterly windflow a current blowing from the southwest.

The rest of Luzon will see partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated showers or thunderstorms.

Tropical Storm Nakri

Pagasa is still monitoring Tropical Storm Nakri, which is outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Nakri is expected to enter PAR this Thursday afternoon or evening and be locally named as Quedan.

‘However, if it does, it will only pass through the northeastern boundary of the PAR and will not have any direct impact on any part of the country,’ reported Pagasa Weather Specialist Chenel Dominguez during the 5 a.m. weather report.

Nakri was last located 1,505 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph while moving northwest at 25 kph.

Taal Volcano in Batangas recorded 10 earthquakes in 24 hours, down from 20 the previous day, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Thursday, Oct. 9.

From October 1 to 9, a total of 78 volcanic earthquakes and four tremor episodes were recorded. In comparison, Phivolcs documented 189 volcanic earthquakes and 129 tremors in September.

The four tremors occurred during the two phreatic eruptions on Oct. 2.

Phivolcs defines volcanic earthquakes as those ‘generated by magmatic processes or magma-related processes beneath or near an active volcano.’ Volcanic tremors are ‘continuous seismic signals with regular or irregular oscillations and low frequencies (typically 0.5 to 5 Hz) that can last for more than a minute.’

In its latest update, Phivolcs reported the emission of 1,892 metric tons (MT) of sulfur dioxide from Taal’s main crater. The gas plume rose 600 meters before drifting southwest, which the agency classified as a ‘weak emission.’

No upwelling of hot volcanic fluids was observed in the Main Crater Lake on Taal Volcano Island (TVI), locally known as ‘Pulo,’ at the center of Taal Lake.

Phivolcs also noted the absence of ‘vog,’ or volcanic smog, during the latest observation.

The agency reminded the public that Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Taal Volcano, ‘which means that it is still in an abnormal condition and should not be interpreted as having ceased unrest or the threat of eruptive activity.’

When Cebuana Lhuillier Bank (CL Bank) launched its flagship program Iponventure in 2024, the goal was simple yet ambitious: to make saving second nature for every Filipino, no matter their income level. Just a year later, that vision has caught the world’s attention. At the 2025 Globee® Awards, Iponventure Program, spearheaded by Cebuana Lhuillier Bank – a subsidiary of PJ Lhuillier Inc., – was named Best CSR Initiative, a recognition that shines a spotlight on the bank’s innovative approach to financial inclusion.

At the center of Iponventure are tools that may seem modest but have sparked remarkable change. The IPONBOX, a physical savings container handed out to more than 700,000 households, became a tangible reminder that every peso saved counts. Meanwhile, the Micro Savings Account, which requires only ?50 to open, broke down barriers that had long kept underserved Filipinos out of the formal banking system. Together, these two simple tools became stepping stones to financial empowerment.

But Iponventure is more than just products it is a movement. Large-scale activities like the Jumbo Travelling IPONBOX brought the savings habit into communities in festive, engaging ways. Campaigns such as Cebuana Lhuillier Savings Day, reward programs, surprise branch activations, and partnerships with financial influencers extended its impact nationwide. Even CL Bank employees got involved, driving grassroots initiatives that made saving relatable and fun.

The results have been transformative. By the end of 2024, Iponventure exceeded its targets with more than 1.1 million Micro Savings Accounts opened. IPONBOX users demonstrated improved saving behaviors, reflected in higher average balances. These milestones are not just numbers they represent families building cushions for emergencies, individuals taking the first steps toward their dreams, and communities learning that financial stability can be achieved through small, consistent actions.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, sees the recognition as both validation and motivation. ‘This award is a testament to our mission of nurturing a culture of saving among Filipinos,’ he said. ‘Through Iponventure, we empower individuals and communities to take charge of their finances and secure their futures.’

The Globee® Awards, also known as the Golden Bridge Awards®, honor organizations worldwide that bring measurable innovation and impact. For CL Bank, the award underscores a deeper truth: Iponventure is not just corporate social responsibility. It is proof that banking, when designed with purpose, can drive lasting social change.

ACEN Corp. is providing an additional P1.9-billion capital to subsidiary Natures Renewable Development Corp. (Naredco) to support solar power operations.

In a disclosure on Wednesday, the energy unit of the Ayala Group said it subscribed to about 420,000 redeemable preferred shares. These are priced at P4,527.16 apiece.

The company said the injection of funds will help Naredco finance its operating expenses. A portion of the investment will also be used to settle Naredco’s debts.

Naredco is a joint venture between ACEN and Cleantech Renewable Energy 4 Corp. Acen holds a 60-percent interest.

Naredco operates the Cagayan Solar Power plant. It can generate energy at a peak of 133.464-megawatts. It can power some 75,000 households.

Expansion

Just last week, ACEN also injected about P900 million for its wind power project in the provinces of Quezon and Laguna.

Giga Ace 6 is the group’s special purpose vehicle for the development of the 553-MW onshore wind facility. This is called the Quezon North Wind Power project.

The group has a roster of renewable energy projects here and abroad. It hopes to grow its portfolio to 20,000 MW by 2030. Currently, it has 7,000 MW.

Focusing on renewables, ACEN officially divested from its remaining diesel-fired plants last September. These include Bulacan Power Generation Corp., One Subic Power Generation Corp. and CIP II Power Corp.

These firms serve as special purpose vehicles that manage power plants in Luzon. These include a 52-megawatt plant in Bulacan, a 116-MW facility at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, and a 21-MW plant in La Union.

‘The divestment will help ACEN achieve its goal of 100-percent renewable energy generation by end-2025,’ the company said earlier.

ACEN is also aggressive in advocating for the potential use of transition credits for the early retirement of coal plants.

The PVL caps 2025 with the Reinforced Conference, bringing back international flair as imports add spice to the league’s year-end offering.

Games are held every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the usual venues-Smart Araneta Coliseum, FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan, and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The league is also scheduled to make stops in key cities, including Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite, Ynares Center Montalban in Rizal, Capital Arena in Ilagan City, and Passi Arena in Iloilo.

Zelda Williams, daughter of the late actor-comedian Robin Williams, urged the public to stop sending her artificial intelligence (AI)-generated videos of her father, saying she doesn’t want to see them.

The American actress and filmmaker made the appeal in a now-expired Instagram Story, where she reiterated that the AI-generated videos are a ‘waste of time and energy.’

‘Please, just stop sending me AI videos of Dad. Stop believing I wanna see it or that I’ll understand, I don’t and I won’t. If you’re just trying to troll me, I’ve seen way worse, I’ll restrict and move on,’ she said.

‘But please, if you’ve got any decency, just stop doing this to him and to me, to everyone even, full stop. It’s dumb, it’s a waste of time and energy, and believe me, it’s NOT what he’d want,’ she continued.

Zelda also stressed that AI-generated content of real people ‘condenses down [their] legacies’ for TikTok and other social media platforms, likening it to ‘over-processed hotdogs.’

‘To watch the legacies of real people be condensed down to ‘this vaguely looks and sounds like them so that’s enough,’ just so other people can churn out horrible TikTok slop puppeteering them is maddening,’ she said.

‘You’re not making art, you’re making disgusting, over-processed hotdogs out of the lives of human beings, out of the history of art and music, and then shoving them down someone else’s throat hoping they’ll give you a little thumbs up and like it. Gross,’ she further said.

Doubling down on her frustration toward AI, Zelda said to stop calling it the ‘future.’ ‘AI is just badly recycling and regurgitating the past to be reconsumed,’ she said. ‘You are taking in the Human Centipede of content, and from the very end of the line, all while the folks at the front laugh and laugh, consume and consume.’

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Zelda, who is the daughter of Robin and film producer Marsha Garces Williams, and is popular for voicing Kuvira in the hit animated series ‘The Legend of Korra.’ She also directed Liza Soberano as one of the stars of the Hollywood movie, ‘Lisa Frankestein,’ topbilled by Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse.

Her father, Robin, is one of the greatest actor-comedians of all time, died in August 2014 after a battle with depression amid his struggle with Lewy body dementia. He was 63 years old.

A magnitude 2.5 earthquake struck off the town of Calatagan in Batangas province on Thursday afternoon, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.

According to Phivolcs, the epicenter of the minor tectonic earthquake, which occurred at 4:51 p.m., was located 21 kilometers southwest of the town. It had a depth of 98 kilometers.

A tectonic earthquake is caused by sudden movements along faults and plate boundaries.

Phivolcs said the tremor is not expected to cause any damage or aftershocks. Another magnitude 2.5 tectonic tremor also hit Calatagan on Oct. 6.

Calatagan is located 71 kilometers from Batangas City and 131 kilometers from Metro Manila.

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Batangas is among the most seismically active areas in the Philippines, primarily due to the Lubang Fault situated between Mindoro Island and Batangas.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. /mr

Artists and youth groups here staged a series of cultural performances on Tuesday, calling for an end to what they described as the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.

The event featured workshops on theater, placard-making, poetry, and zine creation. It culminated in a small protest rally, where participants showcased the performances and artworks produced during the workshops.

The protest marked the second anniversary of the Israel-Hamas conflict’s escalation into intense airstrikes and ground assaults, which Palestinian health authorities say have claimed around 60,000 lives.

Earlier this year, the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association (PPFA) condemned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for continuing trade relations with Israel despite the reported atrocities. Anna Patricia Adiaz, a representative of the newly formed group Baguio for Palestine, explained that focusing on protest art was a conscious decision aimed at broadening the movement beyond traditional mass rallies.

‘Creative dimension’ ‘In Baguio, many artists actively engage in social issues, so it made sense to add a creative dimension to our advocacy,’ she told the Inquirer.

‘Artists are there, and we’re trying to make our campaign more creative and palatable to the public, so their participation is important,’ she added in Filipino.

The program featured cultural performances, including children singing an original song created during the workshop. An exhibit displaying information on the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict was also set up.

Kabataan Partylist Rep. Gabriel Siscar, one of the event’s organizers, noted the importance of inclusivity in pro-Palestinian campaigns, especially since Baguio for Palestine had only been established a few days prior.

‘We’re trying to build connections with more groups, including artist collectives and students,’ he said in Filipino.

Siscar noted that art provides a powerful tool to amplify calls against Israeli and US aggression.

Victoria’ Secret Fashion Show is marking this year’s event with an all-female lineup of performers that include Karol G, Madison Beer, Missy Elliott and K-pop girl group Twice.

The performers were revealed through the brand’s social media pages on Wednesday, Oct. 8.

‘KAROL G, Madison Beer, Missy Elliott, and TWICE take on the world’s most glamorous stage,’ read the caption that came with a video featuring brief introductions of the artists.

The fashion show, which will see the artists gracing the stage alongside supermodels, will be held on Oct. 15 in New York (Oct. 16 in the Philippines). Twice members Nayeon, Momo, Tzuyu and Jihyo expressed their excitement for the show, saying in a statement obtained by Billboard, ‘We’re so thankful to Victoria’s Secret for including us in this unforgettable event ahead of our 2026 world tour across North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom.’

Karol G, Beer and Missy Elliott likewise looked forward to performing at the fashion event.

‘I can’t wait to share the stage with such strong and empowered women, and to celebrate femininity while uplifting each other through two of my favorite things: music and fashion,’ Karol G was quoted as saying.

In 2024, Victoria’s Secret also featured K-pop artist Lisa of girl group Blackpink as one of its performers, along with Tyla and Cher. /ra

Several senators have welcomed the appointment of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla as the new ombudsman.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III believes Remulla’s extensive experience in the field of investigation will work to his advantage in his new post.

‘It’s a big deal that he has a vast background in investigation at the Department of Justice (DOJ), and he will bring it with him at the Ombudsman,’ Sotto told reporters.

‘He is the tribune and protector of the people, fearless in the search for truth and justice,’ he added.

Decisive, impartial action

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Remulla’s appointment comes at a particularly crucial time for the country.

‘As a former justice secretary, he brings with him extensive knowledge of the country’s major corruption cases and the workings of our justice system. The nation now looks to him for decisive and impartial action in the fight against corruption,’ he said in a statement.

‘This appointment should send a clear signal that corruption, abuse of power, and other forms of misconduct have no place in government and that restoring public trust begins with holding everyone, regardless of rank, accountable under the law,’ added Gatchalian.

Sen. Alan Cayetano also approved of Remulla’s appointment but urged the public to watch him closely.

‘Give Boying Remulla a clean slate, then let’s keep an eye on what he will do,’ Cayetano said in a press briefing.

Dissenting voices

Sen. Imee Marcos dissented from her peers and questioned the move of her brother, President Marcos, to appoint Remulla.

‘I think what we need is a People’s Ombudsman one who is credible, trustworthy, and one who is not an accomplice of anybody,’ she said.

Remulla’s was a ‘forced appointment of a person who is unqualified, has pending cases, and is tainted with injustice,’ she added.

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa also said he has no problem with Remulla taking over the Office of the Ombudsman since it is the prerogative of the President.

However, Dela Rosa said he finds it strange for Remulla to announce he would prioritize investigations into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.

‘Why is his first order of the day already focused on VP Sara Duterte? Why not focus on the anomalous flood control projects?,’ Dela Rosa asked in a radio interview.

‘Nothing should be ignored’

For its part, Malacañang expressed confidence on Wednesday that Remulla would fulfill his mandate as Ombudsman for the interest of the entire country and not just for a select few, not even for the Marcos administration’s political agenda.

‘His appointment as Ombudsman must be marked by transparency and accountability that those who should be held accountable must indeed be held accountable. Ombudsman Remulla works for the entire nation and not for any single sector or group of Filipinos,’ Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a briefing.

She brushed aside allegations that Remulla’s focus will be on investigating the cases against Vice President Sara Duterte.

‘Whatever needs to be investigated must be investigated nothing should be ignored or brushed aside. Whatever the public has the right to know must be properly looked into by the Ombudsman,’ Castro stressed.

Involve the public

Meanwhile, professor Roland Simbulan, vice chair of the public policy center Center for People Empowerment in Governance, told the Inquirer on Wednesday that Remulla had a ‘good track record’ as justice secretary, so ‘all he has to do is continue doing what he’s supposed to do at the Ombudsman.’

Remulla has pledged to establish a press office at the Office of the Ombudsman so he can conduct regular interviews with the media and provide updates on the pending cases in his new office.

Simbulan said that while this is a welcome move, Remulla should also involve the citizenry in the fight against corruption by providing updates on ongoing investigations to anticorruption organizations.

‘You cannot just initiate successful institutional reforms for the citizens by yourself. You can only do that if you have the people by your side,’ he pointed out.

Challenge for Remulla

For veteran activist and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, one of the organizers of the Sept. 21 anticorruption rallies in Manila, Remulla should disprove the ‘popular notion’ that appointees were only meant to protect the President and even their allies.

‘The challenge for Ombudsman Remulla is to prosecute everyone involved in corruption, starting with the highest officials of the land,’ Casiño said. ‘This includes the Vice President, members of the Cabinet, members of the House and Senate, other executive officials, and their conspirators in the private sector.’

Remulla should embody the protest call that all those involved should be held accountable, Casiño said.

”Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot, maging sino ka man.’ That should be his mantra,’ he stressed.

And ‘if he wants the people to help him go after the corrupt, publishing the SALNs is the first step,’ Casiño added.