Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Volleyball player Risa Sato is expecting her first child.

The Chery Tiggo middle blocker made the announcement on her 31st birthday on Friday, sharing the news through an Instagram post.

‘Best birthday yet! Grateful for the tiny miracle that makes my heart so full,’ Sato said. Sato posted photos of herself showing a baby bump along with an ultrasound and baby clothes. She also included a picture with her partner, basketball player Enzo Joson-also a former National University standout who now plays in the MPBL.

She received congratulatory messages from fellow PVL players as well as her former and current teammates. Sato has been on an extended absence for a few months after joining the Crossovers in January. She did not suit up in the Invitational and On Tour tournaments.

The Filipino-Japanese middle blocker is expected to miss more months as she awaits the arrival of her baby.

Before switching teams, Sato won 10 titles with the Creamline Cool Smashers.

Venezuelan beauty Andrea Rubio is making history for the Miss International pageant two years after she won her country’s ninth title in the competition.

The 2023 winner will return to the pageant stage, this time as a host, marking three straight years of appearing in the global tilt – first as a winning delegate, second as a reigning queen, and this time as a presenter.

She also becomes the first non-Japanese host for the international pageant in a long time. She will be joined by a yet-to-be-named former Miss International Japan onstage, the organizers said.

The Miss International pageant had earlier teased the return of a former titleholder to the pageant, and later revealed that it was Rubio, but did not yet mention that she was to host the finale show.

‘Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio will be hosting the 63rd Miss International Beauty Pageant to be held on November 27th, 2025, with a live telecast starting at 6:00 PM Tokyo time,’ the pageant said on social media.

‘Andrea will be reporting the daily activities live from Japan through her channel, and will also help in sharing the inside information and tidbits leading to the final night!’ the Miss International pageant added.

Around 80 delegates are expected to compete this year, which also marks the Miss International pageant’s 65th anniversary.

Changes will also be made to how the winner will be chosen this year, something the Miss International pageant has repeatedly shared with the public. A Miss International theme song will also be introduced this year.

‘More details about this year’s pageant will be revealed in our social media accounts, so stay tuned for more updates!’ the organizers said.

The delegates are expected to arrive on Nov. 12, with the national costume competition scheduled on Nov. 16. The Miss International pageant will also ‘reformat’ its preliminary judging on Nov. 24.

The 2025 Miss International final ceremonies will be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium’s 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo’s Shibuya ward on Nov. 27.

Manila-based Aika Events and Productions will mount the final competition show, the same team responsible for staging the three recent grand coronation ceremonies of the Binibining Pilipinas pageant.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said he is considering stepping down from his post as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee (BRC).

‘If my colleagues are no longer trusting me enough and they are not happy anymore with my handling of the blue ribbon committee, I’ve already thought of stepping down as an option,’ Lacson said in an interview with radio dzBB.

He noted the sentiments expressed by some of his colleagues in the upper chamber as the main reason.

‘All chairpersons of the committee in the Senate or in the House, we serve at the pleasure of our peers, because we were elected by our peers, particular members of the majority bloc. There were disappointments expressed by my colleagues in the Senate. We heard Sen. JV (Ejercito), also Sen. Sherwin (Gatchalian) has also expressed his sentiments,’ he said.

‘I’m not serving as chair of the blue ribbon committee at the pleasure of the president of the Philippines, at the pleasure of netizens, at the pleasure of bashers, not even at the pleasure of the public. I serve at the pleasure of my peers,’ he added.

‘One of the considerations is to move on or submit a resignation as chair of the blue ribbon committee and they just look for whoever can take over my place,’ said Lacson.

According to him, he is now crafting a letter for Senate President Vicente Sotto III regarding his intention. The Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on alleged flood control anomalies set for next week has been cancelled ‘until further notice.’ According to Lacson, he initially scheduled a hearing on Wednesday, October 8, upon the request of Sen. JV Ejercito to summon former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa regional director Gerald Pacanan.

Pacanan was included among 10 DPWH officials who received a show-cause order from Secretary Vince Dizon to explain their reported lavish lifestyle and involvement in substandard projects.

‘To maximize the discussions, I checked with the DOJ if the supposed ‘tell-all’ affidavit/s of the Discayas were already available. Corollary to that, I also checked with the office of the executive judge of Manila [Regional Trial Court] if they have concluded the investigation on the possible violations of the notarized document involving TSgt Guteza and Atty Espera,’ Lacson likewise said in the message om Saturday.

Lawyer Petchie Espera denied notarizing an affidavit submitted by Orly Guteza, a former aide of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co. Guteza, presented as a surprise witness in the Senate blue ribbon panel hearings, alleged that he delivered cash to the homes of certain lawmakers.

The senator said both of the affidavits and the notarized document would not be ready within a week. ‘Having been informed that both would not be ready within one week, not to mention that the BRC hearing will conflict with the budget and [Commission on Appointment] hearings, I informed SP Sotto of the cancellation until further notice,’ said Lacson. /

Kanlaon Volcano logged an increase in seismic activity on Saturday, based on the 24-hour monitoring of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs’ Sunday bulletin said that Kanlaon Volcano recorded 65 volcanic earthquakes, a sharp increase from Saturday’s 11. The volcano also emitted 1,805 tons of sulfur dioxide, which is a slight increase from Saturday’s 1,531 tons. Aside from this, Phivolcs said that the volcano generated a plume that rose 650 meters tall that drifted west-northwestward and northwestward.

The state seismologist also observed that the volcano’s edifice is still inflated.

The volcano, which sits between Negros Oriental and Negros Occidental, remains under Alert Level 2 or increased unrest. The agency still prohibits entry into the four-kilometer radius, or the permanent danger zone. Flying any aircraft close to the volcano is also not allowed.

It also reminded nearby communities that possible hazards such as sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions and precursor magmatic activity might occur.

Tropical Storm Halong, spotted far from the country, may soon enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Halong’s last location was recorded around 2,150 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon, slowly moving northwestward.

Pagasa also recorded that Halong carries maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 90 kph. While there’s a chance that a high-pressure area may pull Halong to avoid entering the PAR, Pagasa reported that another high-pressure area near Mainland China may also cause Halong to move westward and into the periphery of the PAR.

According to the state weather bureau, should it enter the PAR, the cyclone will be named Quedan.

Meanwhile, Typhoon Matmo, formerly Paolo, was reported to be strengthening the southwest monsoon, or ‘habagat,’ that is causing rains in the western section of southern Luzon. Paolo was last seen approximately 1,190 kilometers west of extreme northern Luzon as it continues to move west-northwestward at 20 kph, Pagasa said.

It has maximum sustained winds of 150 kph, and gusts of up to 205 kph.

At 7:05 p.m., Pagasa warned of ‘moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds’ in parts of Zambales and Bulacan.

The same weather conditions are already being experienced in Pampanga, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija.

Eraserheads frontman Ely Buendia trades his guitar for the big screen in ‘Padamlagan,’ a Cinemalaya period film rooted in his native Bicol – and told entirely in the Bicolano language.

For Buendia, the film isn’t just another creative challenge. It’s personal. ‘It’s going back to my roots,’ he told Inquirer Entertainment. ‘I was there when it happened. I was two years old when it happened. I knew all these people-they were my parents, uncles, aunties. I knew exactly the world in which they lived. It’s my offering to them, to relive their experiences through this movie.’

‘Padamlagan’ revisits the Colgante Bridge tragedy in 1972, when over a hundred lives were lost just days before Martial Law was declared. Buendia plays Doring, a father searching for his missing son (Esteban Mara) amid the chaos. It’s ‘a heavy role,’ he admitted, one with ‘hardly any ray of sunlight’ in the character’s journey.

The story feels uncomfortably resonant today. ‘It could just be a coincidence,’ Buendia said, ‘but then I don’t believe in coincidences. This problem has been deep-seated in our culture for decades. The fact that Jenn (Romano, director) was drawn to it means it really has to be told.’

As a father, he drew from his own relationship with his child. ‘It’s something I don’t want to happen in real life, of course. Being a father to a son – and the dynamics between the two characters – I definitely put some of those emotions into the scenes with Esteban.’ Asked whether he prefers acting or music, Buendia saw no rivalry. ‘It’s two different industries, but collaboration is at the heart of both. In a band, you compromise, you work with others. Filmmaking is the same. That’s what I love about it.’

Language itself became both a challenge and a triumph. Romano noted how contemporary Bicolano had to be adapted for authenticity. Buendia, despite speaking the language, struggled with archaic words. ‘Some didn’t register because they were so old. We had one scene that took a long time because I couldn’t memorize the lines. Even though I speak the language, the deep words were still hard. It was like ‘Shogun,’ even the Japanese actors had a hard time because the language was archaic.’

For co-star Sue Prado, the difficulty was worth it. ‘So many things happen in this country that are metro-centric. But Martial Law happened nationwide. Some important stories are left behind. To be part of those who tell the truth – that’s my goal. It’s my duty as a human being.’

Mara added that regional stories deserve more attention. ‘Since it’s a Bicol film, hopefully, when people from other places see it, they’ll be inspired to tell their own regional stories. That’s also part of the advocacy of our producer (Kristine de Leon) with her work with regional filmmakers.’

De Leon admitted how difficult it was to fund the project. ‘This is very hard to finance because it’s regional and uses regional language. Cinemalaya is shown at the center, but our film is really for the Bicolano audience. People generally don’t like reading subtitles. I believe there are so many beautiful stories from regional filmmakers. Also, Jenn is a female filmmaker. She has a different perspective of history. Usually men are the ones telling history. One of our goals is the elevation of regional cinema.’

Buendia said the project was an easy yes. ‘The story really got me. They gave me a pitch deck, and it was like a thesis. I got to know the director through her objectives and passions, and I shared them. Obviously, it’s a Bicolano project so I just had to do it.’

Romano traced her inspiration back to archival research at the University of the Philippines. ‘I encountered a 1972 report on the tragedy in Naga. The last headline in September 1972 was the Colgante Bridge tragedy and then the declaration of Martial Law. After that, there was a media blackout. For someone who did not experience that period, it sparked my curiosity.’ Casting leaned toward actors with Bicolano roots: Buendia from Naga, Prado from Libmanan, and Mara from Sorsogon. De Leon recalled pitching to Buendia: ‘We were so nervous. But if you watch him here, you won’t see the Ely Buendia you know. As an actor, his portrayal of Doring is heartbreaking.’

With its mix of historical tragedy, heavy emotions, and deep Bicolano roots, ‘Padamlagan’ feels both timely and timeless. For Buendia, transitioning from music to acting isn’t just a side project, but a homecoming.

In the Philippines, which has one of the highest rates of stunting in children under five years old at 26.7 percent-higher than the global average of 22.3 percent-chronic hunger is a problem that threatens future generations.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), around 18 percent of children in the Philippines, or about 2 million, are severely ‘food poor.’ This not only points to a lack of calories but a deficiency in nutrients crucial to children’s growth and development.

Last July, Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan filed a bill seeking to address this problem by providing all public school learners from daycare centers, kindergarten to Grade 12 with fortified meals for breakfast directly sourced from the produce of local farmers and fisherfolk.

These meals could provide a lifeline for these poor children. They are not mere ‘ayuda’ nor ‘free food,’ but they create ripple effects on children’s health, well-being, and learning abilities.

Many countries have launched successful feeding programs: Thailand’s school lunch program, which is similar to Pangilinan’s measure, has reduced malnutrition and improved academic performance; South Korea’s free school meal program introduced in the early 2010s has been credited for significantly reducing behavioral issues in schools; and Brazil’s national school feeding program has been used as a benchmark for similar programs.

National feeding program

The country has a national feeding program policy under Republic Act No. 11037, but its scope is limited to undernourished children in daycare, kindergarten up to Grade 6. The Pangilinan proposal would expand the coverage up to Grade 12 and hit two birds with one stone: feed poor students and support local farmers and fishermen.

In its Year Two Report published last year titled ‘Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival,’ the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) underscored the role of nutrition and feeding as the foundation of quality education.

The commission acknowledged that the Philippines has made strides in improving the well-being of Filipino children in recent years.

‘(However), millions of Filipino children remain chronically malnourished, facing challenges such as poor health, inadequate nutrition, and limited learning capacity,’ it stated, noting that one in four Filipino children under five years old still experiences stunting.

Social inequity

In August, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) backed Edcom II’s call to government agencies, legislators, and local government units to take immediate action. It said undernutrition and malnutrition are a stark manifestation of social inequity, where only 25 percent of Filipino children aged six to 12 months meet the recommended energy intake; the rest were deficient in protein and healthy fats, essential for their physical growth and development.

‘Socioeconomic disparities further exacerbate these challenges, limiting many children’s access to essential early childhood care and development services. These inequities hinder their ability to achieve optimal health, learning, and productivity outcomes,’ Edcom II said.

It added that addressing these disparities demands a comprehensive approach that integrates quality early childhood education, health, and nutrition programs.

The CBCP cited the grim consequences: 48 percent of Grade one to three students are not prepared for their grade level, 80 percent of Grade three students struggle with multiplication, division, and geometry, and 30 percent are not functionally literate.

Global labor market

This has manifested in the Philippines’ poor performance in the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa), where it ranked 76th out of 81 participating countries in reading, math, and science.

This would have a severe impact on the competitiveness of younger generations in the global labor market, which puts a premium on a higher skill set.

Pisa noted: ‘Raising quality of education and protecting health, especially in the early years, will equip the next generation with the skills they need to meet the demands of higher productivity and higher paying jobs. Investing in the skills of this young population is essential to fuel future growth and increase household incomes.’

Without institutional help, however, poor Filipino children will be trapped in an endless cycle of poverty.

While a ‘free meal’ may be inconsequential to others, it represents a lottery ticket to many poor Filipino families that could help them escape poverty.

Perpetual Help extended its winning start in Group A of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, defeating winless Lyceum, 73-61, on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Altas, coming off a win over San Sebastian two days earlier, leaned on sophomore guard Mark Gojo Cruz, who finished with 18 points, four rebounds, four assists, and three steals. ‘I just prepared myself and my mind that even though I’m a sophomore, I need to lead,’ said Cruz. ‘My goal is to do good on defense and offense is just a bonus.

Jearico Nuñez added 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Royce Orgo and Jhan Sleat chipped in nine apiece for the Altas, who improved to 2-0.

Renz Villegas led the Pirates with 18 points as Lyceum dropped to 0-2.

Perpetual will face fellow unbeaten Mapua (2-0) on Wednesday for Group A leadership at the same venue.

Manny Pacquiao is targeting a January 2026 ring return against WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero.

The specifics of the potential bout are still being determined, with both camps already in the final stages of discussion. ‘Still negotiating, but we’re just finalizing it,’ said Pacquiao recently during a press conference for the Thrilla in Manila 50th anniversary slated later this month.

Pacquiao (62-8-3, 39KOs) is still going strong despite turning 47 years old this December.

He nearly beat a much younger champion in his athletic prime in Mario Barrios despite coming off a four-year retirement.

Barrios, also six and a half inches taller, barely kept his WBC belt after settling for majority draw in a fight many believed was won by Pacquiao. The outcome denied Pacquiao’s shot at history, failing to become the second-oldest boxing world champion.

Romero (17-2, 13KOs) will be 17 years younger than Pacquiao if the fight goes as planned.

He won the vacant WBA (Regular) title after beating Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision last May at Times Square in New York City and was elevated to full champion three months later after Jaron Ennis relinquished the WBA (Super) crown.

The WBA (Super) strap was the same world title Pacquiao held after he beat Keith Thurman back in July 2019. He then lost it following a stunning upset to Yordenis Ugas in August 2021.

After a flurry of offseason moves and a reshaping of the NBA Eastern Conference, the Atlanta Hawks are poised to be a factor this year.

And while four-time All-Star Trae Young is still the team’s fulcrum, a second All-Star will need to emerge if the Hawks are to fulfill expectations. Enter Jalen Johnson. The Hawks’ 6-foot-9 forward is entering his fifth season out of Duke coming off a torn labrum in his left shoulder that required surgery last January and ended his season. He lasted only 36 games, but he continued his ascent with career-highs in points (18.9), rebounds (10.0), steals (1.6), blocks (1.0) and minutes (35.7).

‘I’m just excited for a basketball game,’ Johnson said at the team’s practice facility Thursday. ‘It’s been a long time since January, so I’m excited to get out on the court, preseason, training camp. I’m excited to be full go and fully healthy going into the season.’

Johnson spent part of his summer training with LeBron James after he was cleared to resume basketball activities. He said his conditioning is up to par and he has worked most on his shooting in the offseason. The first few days of training camp have been spent getting acclimated to the new rotational pieces the Hawks have acquired, such as Kristaps Porzingas, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard.

And while Johnson is trying to fit in with them, Hawks coach Quin Snyder feels the newcomers will fit in nicely with Johnson.

‘Other guys on the team benefit from Jalen because of his play-making ability,’ Snyder said. ‘Jalen is such a good passer and willing passer that he’s ready to play-make even more. . (With the new lineup), he will be in spacing situations where he can just catch and shoot. We want him to do that, just to let it fly. We trust him in that regard.’ Johnson shot 35.5% from 3-point range in 2023-24, but that number dipped to 31.2% last season. Should his outside shooting become more reliable, it will open up his ability to drive. Johnson is one of the Hawks’ best at getting out and finishing in transition, and has been since he came into the league.

Snyder said he has noticed in the early part of training camp that Johnson has been more focused on defensive details, which shows his maturation as a player. Johnson hasn’t been able to experience a full season in his two years as a starter. He played 56 games in 2023-24 because of ankle and wrist injuries, and then missed 46 games last season.

‘The key for any young player in getting better is to embrace the things they need to work on, just to be painfully honest with yourself about how can I get better and then to work,’ Snyder said. ‘He’s done a real good job in the portions of the season, early in the season that he did play, I think he’s been able to take that and really work on things and apply them.’

Snyder described Johnson as hungry to play and has hopes he will continue to progress and be a key component of the team this season.