Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The last few years have been a true revelation for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. After two decades of consistently delivering the kind of feel-good, crowd-pleasing action and family films that have made him an A-list actor in Hollywood, the man has decided to show the world another side of his immense talent. With his new film, The Smashing Machine, it appears the most electrifying man in all of entertainment is finally ready to show us what he can really do.

I’ve been writing about The Rock’s transition from the squared circle to the big screen for a while now. From his role as the titular anti-hero in DCEU’s ‘Black Adam’ to his part in the ever-expanding ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise that seems like it will never end, it’s clear that his charisma, physique, and sheer star power has been a winning formula for all major Hollywood movies, making it clear that the stigma of wrestlers being unable to act is a thing of the past. It is because of him that the stigma gradually disappeared because of all the movies that The Rock has been a part of.

But let’s be honest: while his presence was always magnetic, most would even say electrifying. Haha. The roles themselves rarely stretched his acting abilities. They were popcorn flicks, and there’s nothing wrong with that. A cinematic landscape filled with fast cars, jungle cruises, beautiful women, super-powered beings, and even super-pets is great entertainment and all, but it’s not the preferred kind of material that earns you the respect of serious critics.

That all changed with his latest project, ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Taking on the role of real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr, Dwayne Johnson sheds his larger-than-life persona for a grittier, more vulnerable performance. Instead of playing a superhero with a heart of gold, he’s portraying a flawed but extremely physical, bred for battle athlete battling his own inner demons. This isn’t a movie where The Rock saves the day with one of his classic catchphrases, a perfectly timed eyebrow raise, dropping the ‘People’s Elbow’ and hitting the ‘Rock Bottom’ on everyone. That was sports entertainment; this is based on someone’s own journey from the bottom up, down again, and to eventual redemption for himself.

‘The Smashing Machine’ is former UFC and PRIDE fighter Mark Kerr’s nickname, and happens to be the same movie title which chronicles his life, whom The Rock gave an ultra-realistic portrayal in his greatest performance thus far. The movie is based on the real life of one of the most popular MMA fighters’ fight for redemption in and out of the ring, and Dwayne Johnson delivered his most absorbing, convincing, and powerful dramatic performance yet, worthy of at least an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a leading role.

Who would have ever thought to hear the name of The Rock and an Oscar from The Academy Awards in the same sentence, or even thought? This feels a bit surreal, but the move on The Rock’s part was a calculated, well-planned, and brilliant one, but there were risks involved which fortunately did not materialize.

Like the cinematic landscape he has helped shape since 2002, indeed, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is evolving. He’s pushing himself beyond the physical and into the emotional, proving that there’s more to his talent than just a perfect-looking physique fit for an action star.

In fact, proof of that artistic growth for The Rock, critics at the Venice Film Festival have already taken notice, with some calling his performance an ‘intriguing new dimension’ to his acting. I mean, I’m sure you guys saw the video clip of the standing ovation he got there. The Rock even ended up tearing up afterwards. How can anyone not see right there that this is a man who has dedicated practically his entire adult life and well into his more advanced years to entertaining all of you through different realms of entertainment, whether that be in professional wrestling or acting in big-budget movies in Hollywood? I think the ‘hunger’ never left him.

For lifelong fans of his wrestling career since 2002, this shift was meant to happen, not a polarizing one, and it feels like a natural progression rather than a sudden one. To me, this seems more prophetic than anything as we’ve seen Dwayne Johnson captivate audiences with his storytelling in the ring for decades since the years of ‘The Attitude Era’ in WWE, that was it bound to happen if Hollywood gave him a fair chance he would be successful?

And once they gave The Rock that one fair chance many years ago, they did not regret it because he brings in moviegoers of all ages up to this day to fall in line, purchase tickets and fill up cinemas. It simply means he is great for their industry and when someone is valued as such, they become an asset more than anything else. But The Rock is business savvy, so everything he does is strategic on his part, and no one can use him and the industry he has helped strengthen knows that about him.

Try to think of it if you were in his shoes. The Rock made a huge gamble by leaving the WWE, at the height of his popularity, to get into Hollywood, and it shows that Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson bets on himself and knows his strengths more than anyone else. That he confronts everything headstrong and that has led to his A-list classification as an actor in due time because, again, he believes in himself. And in the eyes of casting directors, screenplay writers, directors, producers, movie studio heads, etc. Everyone in the industry, regardless of their job titles, saw that in him and ended up believing in him, too.

Fast forward years, and now that he has proven ‘Star Power’ in the genres he has been a star of, he wants to make the move towards more serious, heavy, and dramatic roles. All The Rock had to do was bring that same intensity, never-say-die attitude, and commitment to a more complex, layered, dramatic narrative, which made ‘The Smashing Machine’ the perfect role for him to accomplish all of those things in his surging Hollywood career. Is this a case of all the decades of hard work paying off in ways that maybe even The Rock could not foresee? For those of us who have followed his career for decades, from the WWE to Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this new chapter is the validation we knew was coming, inevitably for him, because he stayed true to his motivations.

In closing, whether he goes by The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, or Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, it is all the same. His legacy is already cemented in Hollywood, among the greats. But with ‘The Smashing Machine,’ he’s not just aiming for another box office hit; he’s reaching for something more meaningful. He’s reminding everyone that while he can command a blockbuster, he can also deliver a powerful, conflicted, character-driven performance. And for an electrifying entertainer who has always prided himself on his tireless blue-collar work ethic, it’s a fitting new chapter in an already legendary career that encompasses both the wrestling ring and now Hollywood.

As the host-delegate of the 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant, the Philippines’ Anita Rose Gomez definitely feels at home. And it also helps that several of her fellow candidates also have deep Filipino connections.

Perhaps more familiar to keen pageant observers is Kayla Jane Usison, who is hoping to score a second consecutive win for the United States in the international pageant.

She had just recently competed in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant as the representative fielded by the Filipino community in Northern California.

But during the run of the competition, the organizers had the overseas-based bets carry their respective families’ hometowns in the Philippines, and Usison ended up representing Bago City, Negros Occidental.

Usison’s Filipino connections were proven strong during the pageant’s kickoff when she topped the poll among members of the media for ‘Darling of the Press,’ with Gomez securing the second most votes.

Another Filipino contestant among the bevy of international beauties is Australia’s Deborah Christine Madriaga, a runner-up in the 2023 Miss Earth Australia competition.

In an interview with Inquirer Entertainment, she said she has Filipino heritage from both parents, with her father tracing his roots to Bohol, while her mom’s family is from Olongapo City.

And do not be fooled by Canadian bet Naomi Shotlander’s statuesque stature. She may be one of the tallest among the roster, something unlikely for a Filipino contender, but her mother is a true daughter of Novaliches, Quezon City.

The three ladies and Gomez are among the 43 aspirants for the 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International title. The final competition show will be held at the Cebu Coliseum on Oct. 8.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chair and former Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro ‘Teddy’ Casiño on Monday agreed to Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for members of the executive and the legislative branches to resign, but opposed to the senator’s suggestion of a snap election.

‘I think a snap election will not solve the problem because we know how problematic our election is, but I do agree, when he said they should all resign and leave office, that’s probably a good starting point,’ Casiño told the Inquirer.

Cayetano, in a Facebook post on Sunday, called for a snap election, and the resignation of his elected colleagues in the executive and legislative branches in government, in response to public distrust brought by the ongoing investigations on supposed flood-control project anomalies.

Casiño disapproved of a snap election, saying that only those in political dynasties, and those with money would win the elections regardless, even alluding that there are those who already use government funds to maintain their power.

The ex-congressman also said that corruption needs a more ‘fundamental’ solution.

‘That will not solve the problem, it will probably just change the people in government, but it will not change the system. We need something more fundamental,’ Casiño pressed.

Still, Casiño shared that Cayetano may have been joking, adding that he ‘did not think’ the senator was serious in his call for a snap election.

Apart from Casiño, Cayetano’s suggestion sparked criticisms and doubts from current and former government officials, among others.

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that Cayetano’s idea of a snap election barring incumbent officials to run ‘without a lawful cause’ may be unconstitutional.

Similarly, Comelec Chair George Erwin Garcia also said that there must be a law to execute a snap election in the first place. Garcia also called the mass resignation ‘problematic’ if it happens, as legislators who are meant to adopt the election in the first place would not exist.

Cayetano’s own brother, former Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano, challenged the senator to lead his own call in resigning.

Devant unveiled its 98-inch TV during the ‘MAKE IT BIG’ launch at the newly opened Luxe Hub in Makati, showcasing a vision of home entertainment on a truly grand scale.

The model redefines living room entertainment with vivid Wide Color Gamut, smooth TruMotion, responsive Game Mode, AI-powered controls, and seamless integration through Apple AirPlay and HomeKit. These features combine to create a smarter, more immersive experience designed for modern Filipino households.

‘We want to empower Filipinos to transform their homes into immersive spaces where every moment – whether watching sports, gaming, or family movie nights – feels larger than life,’ said Ms. Lara Lua, Devant’s Senior Marketing Manager, during the event.

The Luxe Hub promises to be a premier destination for technology and lifestyle enthusiasts seeking sophistication, innovation, and modern design. The launch also reinforced Devant’s premium positioning, highlighting that MAKE IT BIG isn’t just about screen size – it’s about living life on a grander scale.

A minor earthquake with a magnitude of 2.5 hit Calatagan town in Batangas province on Monday morning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported in its bulletin that the tectonic earthquake’s epicenter originated 8 kilometers southwest of the locality with a depth of 108 km.

The tremor occurred at 7:25 a.m.

A tectonic earthquake is produced by sudden movement along faults and plate boundaries.

The minor quake is not likely to cause damage, and aftershocks may not occur, Phivolcs said.

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

Batangas is one of the most seismically active areas in the Philippines, primarily due to the Lubang Fault, located between Mindoro Island and Batangas./coa

The southwest monsoon, or ‘habagat,’ is expected to dissipate in the next few days or hours as it continues to weaken,according to the state weather bureau.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) on Monday afternoon said it is expecting the beginning of the northeast monsoon, or ‘amihan,’ season.

The ‘habagat’ brings warm, moist air with rain from the ocean, while the ‘amihan’ carries cool, and dry weather with slight rainfall.

Pagasa also reported Typhoon Halong is not less likely to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).

Halong was tracked at 4 p.m. around 2,005 kilometers east-northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, moving west-northwest at 10 kilometers per hour (kph)

Halong has maximum sustained winds of 100 kph, and gusts of up to 125 kph, Pagasa said.

Pagasa is also monitoring a cloud cluster southeast of the country that may develop into a low-pressure area, which is likewise not likely to enter PAR.

Rain and thunderstorms due to the northeastern windflow and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), however, is forecast in the Visayas, Mindanao, and the following areas in Luzon:

Quezon

Aurora

Cagayan Valley

Ilocos Norte

Apayao

Palawan

Meanwhile, rain showers due to localized thunderstorms are expected in Metro Manila.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has suspended the driver’s licenses of the owner and the assigned driver of a car in Makati City that went viral for using blinking reverse lights, an illegal car accessory in the Philippines.

According to a copy of the show-cause order released by the Department of Transportation on Monday, the licenses of the registered owner and the driver were suspended for 90 days while the case is under investigation.

The owner and driver were directed to appear before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division in Quezon City to submit a notarized explanation on why they should not be administratively charged for violating the Accessories of Motor Vehicles rule, or Section 34(d) of Republic Act 4136.

They were also instructed to bring the vehicle for inspection, which has already been placed under alarm status.

‘Failure to appear and submit the notarized comment/explanation as required shall be construed by this Office as a waiver of your right to be heard, and the case shall be decided based on the evidence at hand,’ the order reads./mcm

Toll roads and cell towers, among many others, may soon be considered ‘REIT-able’ assets. These are properties that can be added to the portfolio of entities wishing to establish their own real estate investment trusts (REITs).

This, as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeks to amend the rules of the REIT Act of 2009. The SEC wants to liberalize access to the local capital market.

REITs are corporations that invest in income-generating real estate assets, like malls and office buildings and renewable energy power plants.

These are the most common asset portfolios of REITs in the Philippines. They include the Ayala group’s AREIT Inc., Citicore Energy REIT Corp., Filinvest REIT Corp. and the Gokongwei group’s RL Commercial REIT Inc.

According to SEC Chair Francis Lim, part of their proposed amendments to the REIT law is the addition of other allowable investments for REITs.

Currently, the law allows investments in real estate, real estate-related assets and investible funds, among others. However, it does not explicitly define which income-generating assets are qualified.

‘We will enumerate them in order to minimize issues,’ Lim told reporters in a recent interview.

Lim cited the Civil Code, which states that real estate assets are immovable properties. Going by this definition, he pointed out that cell towers may be characterized as REIT assets.

Toll roads may also be considered, especially since these are income-generating properties managed by companies, Lim said.

In expanding the definition of REIT assets, the official explained that more firms would be able to list and participate in the local capital market. This would enable access to other sources of funding.

The SEC earlier expressed interest in revisiting the law’s rules as part of its goal of attracting more investors in the Philippine corporate sector and making it ‘one of the best in Southeast Asia.’

SEC Commissioner McJill Bryant Fernandez earlier told the Inquirer the draft amendments will be released for public comment within ‘early October.’

Apart from expanding the definition of qualified assets, the SEC is also considering changes to the law’s provision on tax income deductibility.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that crime rates nationwide fell by 13.82 percent over the past three months.

From July to September, the police recorded 8,988 incidents of focus crimes, down from 10,430 during the same period in 2024, PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) chief Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said in a briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

Focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carjacking of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

Baccay also said crime rates have been declining over the past nine months, from 30,126 incidents recorded between Jan. 1 and Sept. 25, 2024, to 25,648 incidents during the same period in 2025.

Data from the DIDM showed that murder cases fell from 3,042 to 2,549; homicides from 932 to 794; physical injury cases from 4,112 to 3,404; rape cases from 7,191 to 5,540; robbery cases from 3,164 to 2,629; and theft cases from 9,886 to 9,009.

Additionally, motor vehicle carjacking cases dropped from 230 to 191, while motorcycle thefts fell from 1,569 to 1,532, according to the DIDM.

HPG

Later in the briefing, Col. Hansel Marantan, Highway Patrol Group (HPG) director, said the police’s traffic unit recorded 14,111 for not wearing helmets; 7,063 violations for not wearing seatbelts; 187 violations for driving cars without import commodity clearance (ICC) stickers; and 34,681 other traffic infractions from Sept. 1 to 30.

Marantan added that the HPG recovered 94 stolen motor vehicles and 37 stolen motorcycles; arrested 44 alleged carnappers; and confiscated 474 blinkers from motor vehicles during the same period.

He further touted that the HPG began coordinating with the Land Transportation Office for checkpoints to catch drivers under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, with a pilot test last Thursday apprehending at least 20 drivers for minor traffic violations in Quezon City.

The HPG chief also said the police’s traffic unit will begin checking vehicles with white backgrounds and green alphanumeric characters to ensure they are certified hybrid or electric vehicles.

‘We will check the motor vehicles sporting green plates because they need to bring the certification from the Department of Energy to qualify for exemption from the number coding scheme,’ he added in Filipino.

Last Sunday, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority issued a statement announcing that it had approved the appeal of a motorist whose electric vehicle was wrongly flagged for violating the number coding scheme through the no-contact apprehension policy.

Electric vehicles are exempt from the number coding scheme through Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act. /mcm/abc

Police authorities here have identified one of the two gunmen who ambushed and killed a youth council chair and his brother over the weekend in the city’s commercial district.

‘The PNP has identified and is actively investigating a person of interest who may have a direct link to the crime,’ City Police Director Col. Jibin Bongcayao said in a statement Monday.

Bongcayao withheld the suspect’s name but confirmed that a follow-up investigation is underway, backed by CCTV footage from business establishments and city government street cameras.

The victims, Prince Mohaz Matanog (Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson of Barangay Poblacion 5) and his brother, Muamar Matanog, were on board a car traversing Sinsuat Avenue at about 10 a.m. Saturday, when two men on a motorbike opened fire. Both victims were declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bongcayao said one of the police personnel who first responded to the ambush was injured when the suspects traded shots with lawmen. One of the two gunmen was also hit in the back and is now the subject of a massive manhunt.

Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao has offered a PHP500,000 cash reward for any credible information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible