Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

As someone who finds meaning in how beauty can reflect care and community, I have a soft spot for artists and brands who use their platforms for something greater than visibility.

Whether it’s a pop-up that benefits artisans or a collaboration that uplifts a marginalized group, I pay attention to instances when fashion chooses to give back. There is something undeniably moving about creativity that does more than express, that contributes.

This is exactly what designer Jor-El Espina is choosing to celebrate as he marks his 20th anniversary in fashion. Rather than simply stage a retrospective or commercial show, he’s using this milestone to spotlight the community.

His culminating showcase, ’20 Design Anthologies,’ will be unveiled at The Bahaghari Gala on Oct. 24, 2025 at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La The Fort. It’s a deeply personal collection presented in partnership with the Philippine Financial and Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP) to benefit a cause close to his heart: the Rainbow Youth Academy, a mentorship and empowerment program for LGBTQIA+ youth.

When I attended a preview of the collection, I was immediately struck by the burst of color. There were playful shapes, diaphanous fabrics, and a kind of joy sewn into the very seams. Each piece evoked something whimsical and unafraid but unmistakably Filipino. Even in its fantasy, there was intention.

‘This collection pushes the limits in terms of where I can take Filipiniana dressing,’ Espina shares. ‘I consider this collection as my playground.’

But it’s a playground with purpose. The gala is more than a celebration of his legacy. It’s a fundraiser that ties fashion to education, visibility, and systemic support for queer Filipino youth. The Rainbow Youth Academy, led by PFIP, is designed to provide mentorship, scholarships, and leadership training for LGBTQIA+ students across the Philippines. It isn’t just about access. It’s about belonging. Programs like this help young people not only dream, but be equipped to thrive in environments that haven’t always made space for them.

‘Creativity is not just about making clothes,’ says Espina. ‘It’s also about creating spaces or experiences where stories, identities, and communities can be uplifted. My role as a Filipino designer is not just to create beautiful things. It is also to use my creativity as a tool for empowering others, championing representation, and sparking change.’

In a landscape where many anniversary shows center solely on legacy or brand growth, Espina’s focus on community impact is refreshingly sincere. Even in his most maximalist moments, there is humility in his work. I saw this, not just in the designs themselves, but in the way he spoke about mentorship, particularly his recent collaboration with the Grand Dame of Philippine Fashion: Patis Tesoro.

‘Working alongside an icon like Patis was both humbling and affirming,’ he says. ‘She reminded me that legacy is not only about what we create. It’s also about what we pass on: skills, values, and vision.’

Tesoro’s influence is clear. Her own ethos of honoring craft, while pushing boundaries, mirrors Espina’s approach to this collection. He brings together embroidery, fringe, beadwork, and even corsetry in ways that feel celebratory rather than excessive. The result is a collection that pays homage to tradition while refusing to be boxed in by it.

‘I am always guided by instinct and memory,’ he explains. ‘The textures of piña, the geometry of callado embroidery, or the colors of fiestas-these are details that are inherently Filipino. But I reinterpret and reimagine them into new silhouettes and present new contexts that resonate globally.’

The garments, from what we’ve seen, are not just outfits. They declare visibility, honor heritage, and carry possibility.

Sen. Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan appealed to his colleague Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson to reconsider his decision to resign as the chairman of the blue ribbon committee.

In a statement on Monday evening, Pangilinan said no one in the majority bloc sought Lacson’s replacement as the head of the powerful blue ribbon panel.

‘My sense was and is that while there were a number of our colleagues in the majority bloc who disagreed with some earlier public pronouncements made by him, the matter had been threshed out and clarified by him in a majority caucus held last Wednesday Oct 1. No one in the majority bloc sought his replacement as blue ribbon committee chairman,’ said Pangilinan.

‘I appeal to Senator Ping to stay on as blue ribbon committee chairman and appeal as well to our colleagues in the majority bloc to reaffirm our support for him to stay on even as we iron out our differences,’ he added.

Pangilinan said he is hoping that with the renewed support of the majority bloc, Lacson will be convinced to stay on his post.

‘Now more than ever, amidst the political crisis facing the nation, our people are looking for stability and certainty in the state of our affairs and looking to the strength of our institutions to withstand the ongoing crisis and resolve it in favor of truth, transparency and public accountability,’ said Pangilinan.

Earlier, Senate President Vicente Sotto III confirmed the receipt of Lacson’s resignation letter as blue ribbon chairperson.

In a resignation letter dated October 7 and addressed to Sotto, Lacson explained how a number of their colleagues have expressed disappointment with the ‘direction’ of the blue ribbon committee hearings regarding the anomalous flood control projects.

‘Some senators publicly and secretly pursue the narrative that I am zeroing in on several of my colleagues while purportedly protecting those members of the Lower House perceived to be the principal actors in the budget anomalies related to the substandard and ghost flood control projects,’ said Lacson.

But according to him, nothing could be further from the truth.

‘This narrative is categorically false. These misrepresentations are being floated mostly by critics opposed to our efforts to get to the bottom of the flood control anomalies,’ he said.

Lacson underscored that his committee went where the evidence led them, and not by the noise coming from highly partisan political persuasions.

To all my colleagues, let me reiterate: there are no political considerations in any and all my actions related to my handling of the committee hearings and other related activities,’ said Lacson.

At 76, most people slow down.

But for Queruben ‘Tatay Ruben’ Abella, every step he takes is a testament that age-and worn-out shoes-are no match for a determined heart.

Abella, a farmer from Barangay Candelaria in Dagohoy town, was among the more than 4,000 runners who joined the 4th Alturas Pink Run on Sunday in Tagbilaran City. The annual event, organized by the Alturas Group of Companies, aims to raise awareness and funds for cancer patients in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Despite his age, Abella conquered the 21-kilometer race in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 4 seconds-a remarkable feat that earned admiration from fellow runners and spectators alike. Last year, he clocked a faster time of 1 hour, 56 minutes and 29 seconds.

Abella said he intentionally took it slow this year, having joined two marathon events just weeks earlier.

Tried and tested shoes

He shared that muscle cramps hit him midway through the race, but the ointment he carried eased the pain just enough for him to keep going.

‘I was not tired at all. I fought until the end,’ he said in Cebuano at the finish line, smiling through exhaustion and triumph.

Yet what captured the crowd’s hearts wasn’t just his endurance, but the pair of old, hole-riddled shoes he wore.

‘These are my favorite,’ he said, smiling as he pointed at his tattered sneakers. ‘They’re light and comfortable. I’ve run many races with them.’

He said he purchased the shoes from an ukay-ukay (thrift store) and he intentionally punched holes in the shoes to improve ventilation and prevent water from pooling inside when he ran through rivers.

Abella has been running since he was 14, joining marathons across the Visayas and Mindanao. The Alturas Pink Run was his 22nd marathon, and his second time participating in the event.

But for him, this run was not about medals or records: ‘I joined to help raise awareness for cancer. It’s a worthy cause, and it makes running more meaningful.’

A former boxing trainer, Abella spends most of his days tending to his 20-hectare banana farm. Running, he said, keeps him strong-both in body and spirit.

He and his wife, Pilar, 67, have five children and eight grandchildren who proudly cheer him on in every race.

Inspiration

For Mary Grace Ido-Bernaldez, Alturas Pink Run organizer, the event was more than just a race-it’s a powerful movement to raise breast cancer awareness and support cancer patients and survivors.

She said Abella has become the living emblem of the event’s message of hope and perseverance.

‘Tatay Ruben isn’t just a participant-he’s our inspiration,’ Bernaldez said. ‘He reminds everyone that it’s never too late to do something good and to live with purpose.’ /cb

Yields on short-dated government debts went up during Monday’s sale of Treasury bills (T-bills) as investors await the inflation data and the central bank’s next policy decision this week.

Auction results showed the Bureau of the Treasury was able to raise its target amount of P22 billion via T-bills.

The offering was 3.4 times oversubscribed after attracting total tenders amounting to P74.5 billion.

Even so, the 91-day debt paper fetched an average rate of 4.983 percent, higher than the previous offering’s 4.828 percent.

The average yield for the 182-day T-bill stood at 5.128 percent, up from last week’s 5.075.

Lastly, investors asked an average rate of 5.228 percent for the 364-day securities, higher than the preceding auction’s 5.171 percent./tad

Coach Tim Cone couldn’t focus on anything other than Barangay Ginebra’s dismal loss at the hands of former pupil LA Tenorio and Magnolia to open the PBA’s 50th season.

‘I’m happy for LA, sad for myself,’ Cone said as the Gin Kings absorbed an 80-73 defeat in the Philippine Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

There was a lot of talk about the coaching battle between Cone and Tenorio coming into the game, which ended with the Hotshots taking control for the majority of the contest.

‘You guys are making a big deal out of it,’ Cone said of the faceoff with Tenorio. ‘We’re friends. It’s the same thing when I played against Chot Reyes or Jeff Cariaso, or Johnedel Cardel, or Willy Wilson. They’re all my ex-players, ex-coaches, Luigi Trillo, you know. It’s the same.

‘It’s much bigger for LA than it was for me tonight. Put it that way. It was his first game, he’s gonna remember it. I’m gonna forget this one really quickly,’ added Cone.

Ginebra got 16 points and 17 rebounds from Stephen Holt, but Scottie Thompson was scoreless and Japeth Aguilar could only produce five points and five rebounds.

The Gin Kings also turned the ball over 21 times.

‘Too many turnovers, not enough effort on defense, didn’t execute tonight, didn’t play a very good game at all,’ Cone lamented.

‘Give credit to them, they were more prepared than we were. They looked sharper, looked better.’

For Sari Dalena, bringing the Cinemalaya film ‘Cinemartyrs’ is an act of retelling forgotten massacres through the perspective of a guerrilla filmmaker armed with a shoestring budget and awareness of the political landscape.

‘Cinemartyrs’ revolves around a young filmmaker (Nour Hooshmand) intending to tell stories of forgotten massacres that wrecked the Philippines. However, plagued by the undermining of her environment, she takes it upon herself to push forward with her film. As she visits present-day war-torn locations with her crew, they find themselves haunted by the spirits of those who perished in the massacres.

‘It is a story that has something to do with time, ‘yung paggawa ng pelikula ay tungkol sa mga karanasan ko at pinagdaanan ng mga babae sa paggawa ng dokumentaryo about karahasan, war atrocities, iba ang experience kapag babae ang gumagawa,’ the filmmaker told Inquirer Entertainment.

(It is a story that has something to do with time. It is about creating films about my experiences and what female filmmakers go through in creating documentaries about abuse and war atrocities; the experiences are different when a woman does them.) ‘Cinemartyrs’ is Dalena’s first Cinemalaya entry, although she already applied to be part of the film festival in its first-ever iteration. ‘Of course, I applied for different projects pero ito pala ang tamang panahon (now is the right time),’ she said of the feat, noting that the 20-year wait to be accepted was worth it.

With some scenes set in Jolo, among the factors that Dalena considered in the production process were the technicalities, traveling to Jolo (and, if it’s safe enough), and the ongoing political landscape.

‘Will I get the right response [from the audience] or is it the right time to talk about it? Sa palagay ko, maraming nangyari [sa pelikulang ito] kasi sinamahan ang Filipino-American War, feeling ko meron siyang mirroring. Somehow, hindi ko na-decide na gagawin ko ‘to, parang natumbok ko ‘yung time to say something,’ she said.

(Will I get the right response from the audience, or is it the right time to talk about it? For me, a lot of events happened in this film, such as the Filipino-American War. I feel like it mirrors the events now. I somehow didn’t decide that I would push forward with this. It was the timing that dawned on me that I needed to say something.) Another noteworthy element that was touched on in ‘Cinemartyrs’ was how it was rooted in guerrilla filmmaking, a kind of style defined by low budgets, a small crew, minimal equipment, and real-time filming without obtaining permits or prior notice from those involved.

‘Pinapakita ko ang guerrilla filmmaking style before Cinemalaya, ito ‘yung zero budget, ginagawa na namin noon pa,’ Dalena said. ‘Even before Cinemalaya, we were doing rag-tag-style filmmaking na walang artista and all that. I want it to be reflected here, working with katutubos and communities.’

(I want to showcase what guerrilla filmmaking style looks like, even before Cinemalaya. This is characterized by zero budgets, which we have been doing for quite some time. Even before Cinemalaya, we were doing rag-tag style filmmaking with no actors. I want it to be reflected here, including working with katutubos and communities.)

With this in mind, Dalena explained that the film’s events happen sort of like a collage, instead of the usual straightforward style, hoping that viewers will appreciate the magic behind it.

‘Makikita natin na ang pagkaka-tagpi tagpi ng storya is more of a collage, it’s not too straightforward. I hope that it will be a magical and mystical experience,’ she said. ‘Maganda siya ikwento ngayon to encourage filmmakers na kaya mong gumawa ng magandang kwento nang hindi dumidikit sa network or big studios. These personal films can be an important voice.’

(You can witness the stories done in a collage-like format. It’s not too straightforward. I hope that it will be a magical and mystical experience. It’s good to tell this story now to encourage filmmakers that you can create a beautiful story without relying on networks and big studios. These personal films can be an important voice.) Joining Hooshmand in the film are Angel Aquino, Cedrick Juan, Lav Diaz, Kidlat Tahimik, Ligaya Amilbangsa, Soliman Cruz, Bong Cabrera, Laila Ulao, Giancarlo Abrahan, Iana Bernardez, Nor Domingo, Danny Palisa, Andre Miguel, and Victor Medina.

The cast is also composed of Yian Gabriel, Kobe Sanchez, Shane Bernabe, Roven Alejandro, Nelson Dino, Rob Rownd, Dax Alejandro, Air Salazar, Dexter Macaraeg, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, and Rolando Inocencio.

One of the scariest things about graduating from college (aside from crippling unemployment rates) is the consequent difficulty in finding new relationships beyond university. As connections seem to flourish best due to proximity, the absence thereof can make socialization feel like quite a chore. I thought my introvert self would be exempt from this, but I ended up seeking third spaces-social surroundings other than your home or workplace-as early as a month before graduation.

Three months after I graduated, I could feel the increased importance of socializing with intent, and it seems like the metro has also seen the need for that. Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert, or a mix of both, depending on the day, here are three social mixers I’ve personally tried, catered to different personalities and vibes.

For extroverts: Never Strangers

Singapore-based concept Never Strangers has found a second home in the Philippines, hosting numerous mixers at Yes Please in Bonifacio Global City. The mixer uses algorithm-powered Matchbox to match every registrant based on questions that cover everything from political preferences to romantic habits.

Never Strangers promises every guest a match based on their personalities and principles-categorizing their dating parties from their age (they have parties for people in their 20s to 30s vs. 30s to 40s) to their SOGIE identification through LGBTQIA+-first events.

In a mixer I joined, guests were divided into tables and had a deck of cards for icebreakers, where they were asked to reveal their camera rolls and search histories. There was even a game of two truths and a lie. Human bingo was also part of the mixer activity roster, asking for anyone who could speak more than seven languages or people who had twins.

If you’re not looking for ‘The One,’ Never Strangers also hosts what they call Friends Mixers, which match people up platonically. Regardless of romantic or platonic intentions, a Never Strangers event seems to best fit extroverts, as one can expect a night of partying and putting oneself out there.

For ambiverts: Timeleft

Timeleft is not a dating app, but its algorithm-based matching understandably has people thinking otherwise. Through comprehensive questions similar to Never Strangers’ Matchbox algorithm, Timeleft would put you in a table for five at a restaurant in your chosen city. The twist? You only find out about your restaurant the morning of your dinner, and you only get hints of the ages and jobs of your tablemates the night before it. Dinners happen every Wednesday in key locations such as Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Ortigas, and Quezon City.

Unlike Never Strangers, where key social activities were facilitated by a team of organizers, Timeleft leaves the social activities up to the table’s discretion. While there was a card game available on the app for icebreakers, tables like mine opted for more free-flowing conversations over dinner instead.

With Timeleft, you can expect a more intimate social setup due to their five-per-table quota. Smaller groups strike a balance for extroverts who are comfortable with taking charge of the conversation and introverts who want to try chiming in. The elements of mystery leading up to a dinner also add some allure, which makes Timeleft a prime choice for ambiverts.

For introverts: Sinag Muse

A digital-first community can be found in Sinag Muse: a collective that doubles as a newsletter and event organizer. Seeking to provide a safe space for people to feel less alone, Sinag Muse allows their audience to meet like-minded individuals with shared tastes and the overall desire for a creative community. Their newsletter dishes no-BS advice and sharp insight, packaged in aesthetically pleasing visuals, reminiscent of the internet’s early days, and this energy is made to feel warmer during their onsite events.

Events with Sinag Muse are hosted at the Sinag House, a condominium unit with a cozy and welcoming ambience conducive to a plethora of activities. From pizza-making to PowerPoint nights about exes, Sinag Muse embraces quirks and niches like they’re second nature. A personal recommendation, however, would be their Bare Minimum Book Club. For 90 uninterrupted minutes, Sinag Muse invites you to read a book of your choice-or borrow one from their selection. After your reading time, you’re invited to talk as much (or as little) about your book in a casual group sharing session.

And did we mention that you get complimentary snacks and free-flowing wine, too?

Sinag Muse’s commitment to fostering a very specific kind of vibe has been highly encouraging for people to take part in their community, online or offline. In particular, the collective’s penchant for low-commitment, ‘bare minimum’ events allows its audience to quickly get comfortable with finding a place for themselves in the community. While socialization is inherent, Sinag Muse operates in a way that enables each guest to stay in touch with their individual perceptions and behaviors during their events, providing an ideal avenue for introverts who want to try something new.

Try and try until you succeed

As more of us crave organic ways to socialize, it’s still important to manage expectations when going to events like this. You probably won’t find a friend group that rivals those of ‘Friends’ and ‘Sex and the City,’ nor will you likely meet your soulmate at first try, but that’s par for the course, and frankly, completely fine.

After all, we meet everyone for a reason, and weak ties-the relationships we have with acquaintances and casual friends-are instrumental to discovering new information or opportunities we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said he would step down as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee after some of his colleagues expressed disappointment over the course of the panel’s inquiry into anomalous flood control projects.

His resignation followed widespread speculation of another Senate shake-up, only less than a month after Sen. Francis Escudero was replaced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III.

Also on Sunday, Lacson denied there was another looming change in the Senate leadership. But he noted the sentiments expressed by some of his colleagues as the main reason for his resignation, naming in particular Senators JV Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian.

Ejercito earlier remarked that he, along with four other senators, planned to leave the majority bloc after several former and incumbent senators were tagged as being involved in anomalous flood control projects being investigated by the blue ribbon committee.

‘To be honest, I seriously thought about leaving the majority. Because if this is the direction we’re headed, it’s like we’re burning down our own house. We’re neglecting our colleagues, and we’re forgetting who the real culprits are,’ he said.

But he quickly clarified that he would not join the minority.

‘I didn’t say I am moving to the minority. More of being independent, along with some senators,’ Ejercito said.

Sen. Imee Marcos also said she left the group chat of the 20th Congress senators after Lacson took a swipe at her.

Lacson had called on Marcos to attend hearings on the flood control controversy after she said there was confusion if the blue ribbon committee’s probe would continue.

‘Due to the comments I’ve been hearing from my colleagues, one of the options I’m considering is to move on or submit my resignation as chairperson and let them find someone else who can lead the blue ribbon committee,’ he said.

‘Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,’ he added.

‘Pleasure of our peers’

Lacson emphasized that all chairpersons of the committees in the Senate and House of Representatives ‘serve at the pleasure of our peers’ since they were elected particularly by the members of the majority bloc.

‘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,’ Lacson noted.

He said he is preparing his resignation letter to Senate President Sotto and may formally manifest it in the plenary.

But Lacson also emphasized that his stepping down will not stop his continuing fight against corruption.

‘No amount of criticisms from misinformed netizens and partisan sectors can distract or pressure me from doing my job right, but when my own peers start expressing their group or individual sentiments, maybe it is best to vacate.’ ‘Nevertheless, I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds as I have consistently done in the course of my long years in public service,’ he said.

Lacson initially announced in an interview on radio dzBB on Sunday morning that he was considering stepping down from his panel post, but released a statement in the afternoon that he was already pushing through with his plan.

‘If my colleagues are no longer trusting me enough, especially if the majority of them are not happy anymore with my handling of the blue ribbon committee, maybe it’s time for me to consider stepping down as an option,’ Lacson said.

‘Hearings handled well’

Regarding another change in the Senate leadership already widely speculated on Sunday, Lacson told the Inquirer: ‘Not true. It’s the same old rehashed psywar tactic all over again, intended to confuse and sow intrigue among members of the majority.’

There had been speculations, particularly on social media, that senators are eyeing to switch sides and support Senate Minority Leader Alan Cayetano to become the next Senate president.

Lacson said it also had nothing to do with his decision to resign as chair of the blue ribbon committee.

‘All I can say is – I can handle all the pressure. It’s the frustration that’s hard to bear,’ he said.

‘Rest assured that there’s no wavering in my advocacy against the corrupt and rotten system, particularly the misuse and abuse of public funds,’ he said.

Lacson said he continues to support the leadership of Sotto.

‘But if you will ask me, I’ve already experienced his being a Senate President for the longest time, in the past Congress. His system of management is good; he has good leadership. He always goes for consensus, he doesn’t dictate and he doesn’t decide alone. So if you ask me, I’ll continue to support him,’ he said.

But if his colleagues in the Senate think otherwise and believe that Sotto lacks leadership skills, then they can push for another Senate leadership change.

‘That’s how it goes in the Senate, whoever has the majority, whoever has at least 13. whoever is sitting can be replaced by whoever has at least 13 (votes),’ Lacson added.

On Saturday, Senator Gatchalian also said he believes Sotto’s leadership is ‘very stable.’

Lacson also scored the fake news and false narratives that some sectors insisted on circulating-that he is targeting some fellow senators while allegedly protecting members of the House of Representatives perceived to be the ‘masterminds’ of the flood control mess, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-Representative Elizaldy Co.

‘If you ask me, I would say I handled the hearings well. But there are those trying to disrupt the hearings. In one instance, the hearing had barely started when someone tried to make a distraction. That is why there is a perception that the hearings were not handled well,’ he said.

‘If majority of my peers do not trust me, I am not so numb, I’m not that insensitive not to feel that. They’ve already expressed their sentiments. if that is how my colleagues think, who am I to insist to stay as chair? If in their opinion someone else can handle it, I’ll leave it to them,’ he added.

‘Colleagues’ sentiments’

Lacson disclosed at a caucus on Monday last week that some of his peers also expressed concerns that his remarks about budget insertions could affect the whole institution.

Lacson earlier said that almost all senators of the 19th Congress inserted at least P100 billion worth of items in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), mostly in favor of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), for infrastructure projects, including flood control. He cited documents he had gathered showing these were individual insertions, although they were eventually held ‘for later release.’

He also said that members of the House of Representatives likewise made their own amendments or insertions in the 2025 national budget, with the total exceeding by ‘much, much more’ those made by the Senate.

Citing information he accessed, Lacson said the list of the House members who made insertions in the DPWH’s favor in last year’s GAA was several pages long, with the names in alphabetical order. ‘It was like a roll call,’ he said.

When asked if the amount was larger than the insertions made by senators, Lacson replied: ‘Much, much more.’

He explained that the DPWH received such massive insertions because many lawmakers were likely in collusion with the department’s corrupt officials to get their share of huge kickbacks from projects-even if it meant giving the DPWH a bigger budget than the education sector, which was in violation of the 1987 Constitution.

No offense meant

‘I can actually feel and understand completely the sentiments expressed by my colleagues, at least the members of the majority bloc during our majority caucus, so I explained to them that the mention of ‘almost all senators’ was not intended to put them or the whole Senate on the spot, nor did I have the intention of calling them out particularly,’ he said in a previous interview.

‘The overarching reason for my disclosure or revelation was to point out that we must accept the fact that we are all in crisis owing to the recent anomalies involving the substandard and even ghost flood control projects unearthed in the course of the blue ribbon committee hearings and other similar investigations,’ the senator added.

Lacson reiterated in the radio interview that he was able to explain to his colleagues that it was not his intention to target them.

‘I did not intend to offend them or to bring them down. I just want us all to wake up to the reality that people are mad and we should refrain from making humongous budget insertions,’ he said.

He explained that insertions are not illegal or improper.

‘Insertions are amendments. There is nothing wrong with it. The only time it becomes illegal is when you make an amendment for infrastructure projects, whether flood control related or not, then you meddle in its implementation, and you collect a commission, that’s illegal,’ Lacson said.

Transparency in hearings

Also on Sunday, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said Lacson’s departure from the blue ribbon panel ‘should now compel the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to conduct a broad, unrelenting and open sweep of all individuals named in both Senate and House hearings, to determine with precision their respective liabilities, and to recommend the filing of appropriate charges.’

Ridon said Lacson’s leadership of the committee ‘yielded the most consequential testimonies and [pieces of] evidence’ compared to all the subsequent hearings on the alleged flood control anomalies, particularly from the affidavits of former DPWH officials.

‘Senator Lacson’s blue ribbon committee hearings exposed not only members of Congress as principal participants in the capture of the national budget at every stage of the budget process but also the involvement of executive officials, particularly in the capture of unprogrammed appropriations, which fall solely within the authority of the executive branch,’ Ridon said.

He also urged the ICI to open its proceedings to the public and establish rules on when proceedings may be held in executive session. -With a report from Keith Clores

Manila is a chaotic concrete jungle, thriving in traffic jams and the buzzing nightlife. On a stage of any Manila bar, musicians plug in their guitars, murmuring ‘sound-check’ into the mic for the awaiting audience-whether it’s a full house, or even just one person watching. Then, the first beat of the drum pulses through the air as the band unleashes its sound.

But off-stage, the hustle resumes: schoolwork, corporate life, rising costs, and agonizingly long commutes with an instrument on their back and an amplifier in their grip. Long before stepping foot into the bar, indie musicians must pay their dues through the unseen effort and commitment we rarely see in their set.

Here, we sat down with two rising groups-TBK, an indie-alternative OPM band, and Benchfly, a five-piece indie pop and alternative rock band-to shed light on independent music-making and how their passion continues to drive them despite the daily grind.

Benchfly is a five-piece indie pop and alternative rock band formed in 2019. Their latest release, ‘Quiet Hours,’ speaks for their style of introspective storytelling with melodic guitar backdrops. TBK, formerly known as The Baseball Kids, has been active since its members’ high school years in 2017. As an indie-alternative OPM band, they compose original songs that revolve around love and youth, their most popular single being ‘Shinjuku.’

Describe Manila as a hub for the indie scene.

Kevin (Benchfly): Manila is a melting pot of the indie music scene. The authenticity in the art-[the] intimate lyrics and experimental instrumentals. all that draws listeners in. At the moment, there’s a growing trend of genre fusion. Artists often blend electronic elements with traditional music, creating a uniquely modern OPM sound. There’s also a rise in female-fronted bands that adds diversity.

Yoro (TBK): There are a bunch of local productions that rotate around the Metro Manila ‘circuit of bars and venues.’ Sometimes they have themes. Minsan may mga Japanese cover night, indie night, ’80s, at ’90s. A random person pays to enter a bar with indie bands in it. Sometimes they hear a band they like, then eventually, they’ll look out for their next gig.

BENCHFLY – Quiet Hours (Official Lyric Video)

What are the cost-effective methods you have for gear and practice?

Edric (Benchfly): Invest in a multi-effects pedal. Space-wise and price-wise, there are a lot of choices you can buy online and in physical stores. I have been using my Boss ME-80 for at least six to seven years. It’s okay to buy secondhand equipment as long as you can gauge its quality and condition. Quality over aesthetic. Your real dream guitar can wait.

Yoro (TBK): [Our drummer] Elian’s dad is sound engineer Albert Michael Idioma. Really famous and a big contributor to Filipino cinema. Back when we were starting out in high school, we would practice in the home studio while the Idiomas were still at work. The drum kit was also there. So yeah, we’re lucky that we got to use that for free.

How do you balance late-night gigs with off-stage commitments?

Junelle (Benchfly’s manager): Everyone’s got stuff going on, so we make sure we’re clear about priorities. Sometimes, it means missing out on other things or turning down gig invites if the set times are too late. It’s exhausting, but the energy you get from playing live makes it all worth it.

What’s the hardest thing you face as an indie band?

Miguel (Benchfly): Now that I’m working in the corporate world, finding time for band rehearsals that work for everyone is a real challenge. But no matter how tired we are from day jobs, nothing beats the feeling of performing and connecting with the audience. The energy is just electrifying. While it’s tough, it’s a commitment we all share by making music together.

Elian (TBK): The very concept of pursuing it is hard enough. You have to be accepting and understanding if someone has something going on. Then, this thing that you really love at this moment will have to wait. It’ll wait until it can or it doesn’t [wait] at all. An indie band is rooted in nothing but passion, a pure feeling, which means it’ll always be fleeting.

Yoro (TBK): Adding onto Elian’s point on time, the age gap between the four of us is only one year. There’s the element of distance (we’re all taking different programs in different schools). Eventually, personalities change, and a re-rendering of style and a rehashing of priorities might be in order. We’ve had disagreements, but what really brought us back was our friendship and our wanting to create music together (cheesy as it may sound).

Does ‘making it big’ matter to you?

Edric (Benchfly): Nine to 10 years ago, it would have been the dream. But as you grow older, your responsibilities shift. The idea of ‘making it big’ would be nice. However, with the current ecosystem of social media, it’s best if you have a strong or solid number of fans or friends.

Migz (TBK): It matters to us at some level in this age, where content (especially music) can become viral at any moment, as long as you’re the one who hooks people on your stuff. We aspire to get big, but as independent musicians, it stays a pipe dream until we get that perfect formula of luck, skill, and talent.

What advice would you give to aspiring indie bands?

Eldric (Benchfly): Put your heart into your music, and be smart with your money. Passion is everything, but without solid financial planning, it’s easy to burn out. Also, be sure to network; building connections could open doors in the future. It’s also essential to connect with the fans and your audience; they’ll be the sole reason to keep going.

Zoilo (TBK): A band’s own identity is what makes them stand out. Once you figure that out, embrace it. Just be yourself and keep improving. Conversely, don’t [feel like] you should steal some riffs or licks from bands you like. Make it fit into what you’re writing. Music has always been like that-taking a sound you like before making it your own.

In the Philippines, October isn’t just for Halloween celebrations; it also marks the start of Museums and Galleries Month. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or taking your first curious steps into the world of exhibitions, this month offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in Filipino arts and culture.

Bahay Nakpil-Bautista

Located in Quiapo, Bahay Nakpil-Bautista is an ancestral bahay na bato associated with the Nakpils, a significant family in Philippine history. Most notable among them are Gregoria de Jesus, the ‘Lakambini ng Katipunan,’ and her husband, musical composer and Katipunan vice-leader, Julio Nakpil.

The museum features permanent exhibits about the house’s former residents, the Katipunan movement, and includes a small library of Filipiniana literature accessible to researchers.

Beyond its role as a museum, Bahay Nakpil-Bautista also functions as an active community center, hosting exhibits for emerging artists, meetings for advocacy groups, and organizing walking tours of Manila.

432 A. Bautista, Quiapo, Manila, 1001 Kalakhang Maynila. Open only on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance fee is P80.

The Tandang Sora Women’s Museum opened on Jan. 6, 2025, commemorating the 213th birth anniversary of Melchora Aquino, Mother of the Philippine Revolution. This museum honors not only Aquino, but also celebrates the contributions of Filipino women throughout the nation’s history. The bahay na bato-inspired building houses a creativity corner, an audio-visual section, and a rotating exhibit space.

Aside from a comprehensive timeline documenting Filipino women’s significant roles across various sectors-such as politics, arts, science, and media-the museum also preserves materials and memorabilia from feminist movements in the Philippines.

Fundación Sansó is a nonprofit foundation established in 2014 to preserve and promote the artistic legacy of renowned visual artist Juvenal Sansó. It maintains an extensive collection of over 600 works from Sansó’s personal archive, including paintings, prints, textile designs, opera set designs, sketches, and painted slides.

Aside from preserving the Spanish-born Filipino artist’s legacy, Fundacion Sansó also actively contributes to the development of the Philippine cultural sector by spearheading various arts-related projects, scholarships, and grants.

Found inside the Asian Institute of Maritime Studies (AIMS) campus, the AIMS Museo Maritimo is the Philippines’ first maritime-themed museum that offers comprehensive exhibitions on the country’s seafaring history. It provides insights into significant events such as Magellan’s global circumnavigation and the trade interactions between Mexico and the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period.

Visitors can also explore maritime artifacts and displays, learn about notable figures across different sectors of the maritime industry, and understand the duties and responsibilities of a Filipino maritime officer.

Founded in 2013 by Dominador Buhain, president of REX Publishing, the Book Museum cum Ethnology Center houses a curated collection of limited-edition books and published materials from over 200 countries. Buhain established the museum to share knowledge from his travels and reignite an appreciation for reading within Filipinos. In his collection are remarkable pieces such as a copy of the ‘Doctrina Christiana,’ the first book printed in the Philippines, and a miniature set of William Shakespeare’s works.

Doubling as an ethnology center, the museum features two artifact exhibitions highlighting Cordilleran, Mangyan, Tausug, and other Indigenous groups. The space also includes a 1950s-inspired coffee shop filled with James Dean memorabilia, honoring the museum owner’s favorite actor from that era.

Founded by photographer Erwin Canlas and maintained alongside his family, RiseSpace Art Gallery is more than just an exhibition space; it is also a platform for artistic expression and connection, welcoming emerging creatives, established artists, and art enthusiasts alike. Dedicated to fostering creativity and communication within the art community, RiseSpace hosts not only exhibitions but also artist talks and performances.

Their inaugural exhibition, ‘Visions,’ showcased works from the Canlas family members-Erwin, Rene, and Isabela-which expressed their common philosophy of art as a shared language.