Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

The Philippines’ Emma Mary Tiglao has been making quite an impression at the kickoff of the 2025 Miss Grand International pageant taking place in Thailand.

The Kapampangan pageant veteran is showing that she is serious in claiming the title from reigning queen Christine Juliane ‘CJ’ Opiaza, the first Filipina to receive the Miss Grand International title.

At the welcome ceremony of this year’s edition of the international pageant, the TV host appeared in a crystal-embellished gown with prominent shoulder details and illusion bodice, crafted by Filipino designer Chico Estiva.

It was during last year’s welcome ceremony that Opiaza left an indelible impression among pageant fans and earned her status as a frontrunner in the competition.

Tiglao delivered her introduction with her signature hand movements, such antics encouraged in the Miss Grand International pageant. Punctuating her execution with a melodious exclamation of ‘the Philippines,’ she then navigated the stage with the precision expected of a seasoned beauty queen.

From the moment she left the Philippines, and upon arriving in Thailand, Tiglao had made it known that she is not playing games, showing two different looks that harken to both Filipino and Thai styles.

She came to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a gold-hued mini dress with solihiya-patterned accents and floral details. And when she landed in Bangkok, she slipped into a gold, Thai-inspired, two-piece ensemble with a cape that draped from her left shoulder. Both creations were also from Estiva.

And when she showed up for the exclusive dinner for the lucky 10 delegates who topped the voting for the pre-arrival favorites, Tiglao revealed her quirky side with a campy Leo Almodal red mini coat dress with silver accents and a matching fascinator.

During the ‘sashing ceremony,’ a program where the delegates receive their official sashes bearing the names of their respective countries from the reigning queen, Tiglao wowed the fans with her white ensemble.

In a midriff-baring number by designer Jaysuhn Castillo of La Rosa Studio, the Filipino queen appeared in a voluminous white veil, that she later pulled back to transform it into arm accents.

The Miss Grand International pageant is known for the participants’ outrageous gimmicks, whether in their wardrobe or routine, that seem to entertain many fans of beauty contests.

Tiglao is hoping to inherit the Miss Grand International title from Opiaza and post a second consecutive win for the Philippines. The final competition will be held at the MGI Hall in Bangkok on Oct. 18.

In the PVL Reinforced Conference, the second time around isn’t just sweeter-it’s hungrier.

Bella Belen calls it her ‘2.0 version.’

The former UAAP MVP and top pick for Capital1 makes her pro debut on Tuesday at Ynares Center Montalban, ready to take on the next chapter of her already decorated career.

‘I’d say I’m still the same Bella,’ she said, ‘but more aggressive now. I know I’ll learn a lot from the veterans, but I also want to show what I can do.’

It will be the second time a heavy load will be put on Belen’s shoulders, after carrying the National University program on her shoulders in college. But she’s clear-eyed about the step up in competition.

‘There’s pressure, but I take that as a privilege,’ said Belen, who was part of the young core that led Alas Pilipinas to podium finishes internationally. ‘It just means I have the opportunity to prove what I can do for the team.’

With Ukrainian spiker Oleksandra Bytsenko and coach Jorge Souza de Brito backing her, Belen leads a young Solar Spikers squad hoping to disrupt the balance of power.

Petro Gazz’s Lindsey Vander Weide knows what it’s like to reach the summit-and wants another shot. The 2022 Best Import and Finals MVP returns to the PVL after stints in Puerto Rico and the US, now reuniting with former college teammate and current MVP Brooke Van Sickle. ‘I always wanted to come back,’ she said. ‘The timing was finally right.’

Vander Weide and Van Sickle formed a fearsome duo at Oregon. Now, they’re aiming to run it back-this time in red and white.

‘Brooke’s a huge arm. I’m a big arm. We did a lot of big things in college, and I know we can do it again,’ said Vander Weide.

Van Sickle has her own second act-this time with her parents on the sidelines. Dad Gary is now Petro Gazz head coach, mom Lisa the assistant. ‘It’s amazing to have them here,’ Brooke said. ‘We separate being family from being coach and player. Once we step on the court, it’s all business.’

And then there’s Marlee Smith of Choco Mucho, who promises a more passionate return after a brief but electric appearance last May as a reinforcement for a Thai squad that played here. ‘You’ll see a more compassionate, committed Marlee this time,’ she said. ‘I want to leave a bigger impact.’

Former Las Piñas-Muntinlupa district engineer Isabelo Baleros was arrested for multiple counts of estafa, Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said on Friday.

Santos, in a statement, said that Baleros – whom he previously accused of involvement in questionable transactions, including a supposed transfer of funds for flood control projects – was nabbed inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office at the Port Area in Manila.

The arrest order, Santos relayed, was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 22 Presiding Judge Tammy Ann Reyes Mendillo, under Criminal Case No. R-MNL-25-07000-CR.

Baleros was previously dismissed by former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan due to allegations raised by Santos over the supposed diversion of P450 million in infrastructure projects intended for Las Piñas.

‘This is the tip of the iceberg. If DPWH really wants to prove it is serious about reforms, they must not only fire, but also jail these officials,’ Santos stressed.

‘The P450 million stolen from Las Piñas is not just a number-it’s the people’s hard-earned money. We will not let this go unanswered,’ he further emphasized.

Santos said Baleros was detained at the Baseco Police Station 13 since Thursday, and was able to post a P48,000 bail.

Early August, Santos said that Baleros asked that funds for several projects in Las Piñas be transferred from his district office to the DPWH’s regional office in the National Capital Region, without first consulting local officials.

The move was supposedly approved by Public Works Assistant Secretary Loreta Malaluan and confirmed by then Secretary Manuel Bonoan, amid lack of prior consultation with the Office of the Mayor, the Office of the Congressional Representative, the City Engineering Office, or the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

‘This is a glaring act of bypassing local governance. How can you move hundreds of millions of pesos without informing the elected officials of the city? This reeks of backroom maneuvering,’ Santos said last August 4.

Aside from this, Santos also questioned whether there was visible progress or even initial work on different projects, like the C5 Diversion Road project and other 27 projects listed under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, worth P450 million.

Santos reiterated these observations during the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on public accounts, which Bonoan attended.

According to Santos, the P450 million funds were transferred.

INQUIRER then sent messages DPWH officials, including Bonoan himself, to ask for their side of the story, but he has not replied as of posting time.

However, during the committee hearing, Bonoan said he understands Santos’ frustration, adding that he will consider the suggestions made.

‘I fully understand the frustration of the good congressman, and yes, Your Honor, we’ll certainly seriously consider all those proposals, and look into those projects that are now being implemented as you mentioned,’ Bonoan had said.

Allegations surrounding Baleros prompted Santos to suggest that the DPWH adopt a one-strike policy – similar to the one enforced by the Philippine National Police against erring police officers – in terms of reprimanding corrupt engineers.

According to Santos, such a move is necessary at this time to ensure that infrastructure projects are built properly, amid concerns that flood control projects may have been exploited by corrupt politicians, government officials and contractors.

Infrastructure projects, particularly those involving flood control, are being scrutinized right now by different bodies including the House, in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

During his Sona, Marcos condemned government officials and contractors who allegedly earned kickbacks from flood control projects, saying that they should be ashamed of themselves.

Marcos’ condemnation came after Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that half of the country’s almost P2 trillion funds from 2011 for flood control projects may have been lost already – necessitating a thorough review of the projects.

Lacson’s warning was prompted by heavy floodings experienced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces due to three successive cyclones that hit the country and intensified the southwest monsoon.

As of now, several officials of the DPWH have been removed due to the alleged kickback scheme, while Bonoan himself tendered his courtesy resignation.

Both the House and the Senate also paused their investigation on the flood control issue as several lawmakers were accused of involvement in the kickback operations. /apl

Journalist Mav Gonzales has tied the knot with her boyfriend Matthew Valeña in an intimate civil ceremony in Seattle in the United States.

Gonzales gave a glimpse of their special day held at the municipal court of Seattle, through her Instagram page on Thursday, Oct. 2.

‘A tiny wedding ceremony and an intimate reception with a handful of loved ones,’ she said in the caption. ‘Even the sun shone when it was forecasted to rain. IT WAS THE PERFECT DAY.’

She also spoke about her gratitude to and Valeña’s families, wedding suppliers and to God.

‘Those close to me know I wanted to get married at 35, but I didn’t really count on it,’ she said. ‘Well, I did end up marrying exactly when I wanted. God is never late.’

Gonzales and Valeña announced their engagement last June.

Work in government offices in San Narciso town was suspended Friday afternoon as nonstop rains from Typhoon Paolo continued to batter the province.

In its advisory, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said the suspension took effect at 3 p.m. and covers all government workers, except for essential offices that must remain open.

‘This is for the safety and welfare of our employees. Let us continue to stay alert and take necessary precautions,’ the MDRRMO stated.

Zambales has been experiencing heavy rains since Friday morning, prompting Pagasa to raise a red rainfall warning. The advisory is issued when heavy downpour – about 30 millimeters per hour – is expected or observed to persist for at least two hours.

Meanwhile, the northern towns of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, and Palauig were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, while the rest of Zambales remained under Signal No. 1

A magnitude 5.1 aftershock struck northern Cebu, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Friday, October 3.

In its Facebook update, Phivolcs said the aftershock occurred at 5:39 a.m., with a magnitude of 5.1, located 18 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu, at a depth of 10 km.

The quake was felt with varying intensities across northern Cebu and nearby areas:

Intensity IV (moderately strong)

City of Bogo, Cebu

Villaba, Leyte

Tabango, Leyte

San Isidro, Leyte

This level is generally felt by people indoors and some outdoors, often causing windows to rattle and hanging objects to sway slightly.

Intensity III (weak)

Tabuelan, Cebu

Calubian, Leyte

Palompon, Leyte

This level is slightly weaker, but the tremor remains noticeable and may cause dizziness or nausea in some people.

Intensity II (slightly felt)

Argao, Cebu

This level is barely perceptible, usually felt only by a few people at rest indoors.

Instrumental intensities were also detected in other areas, particularly:

Intensity III

City of Cebu

Hilongos, Leyte

Ormoc City, Leyte

Intensity II

Kawayan, Biliran

Talibon, Bohol

Danao, Cebu

Asturias, Cebu

Lapu-lapu City, Cebu

Talisay, Cebu

Abuyog, Leyte

Leyte, Leyte

Hinunangan, Southern Leyte

The aftershock follows the magnitude 6.9 offshore earthquake that struck Cebu on Sept. 30. As of 4 a.m., Phivolcs reported 3,685 aftershocks. /mcm

The best way to honor teachers amid the upcoming National Teachers’ Day celebrations is to push for additional incentives and secure jobs for Filipino educators, Quezon City Representative Patrick Michael Vargas said on Friday.

Vargas, in a statement, said that lawmakers can address two problems hounding the education sector today-teachers leaving their jobs due to low pay and widespread job insecurity-by backing two measures that he filed.

The lawmaker was referring to House Bill (HB) No. 5085, the proposed Distant Public School Teachers Incentive Bill, and House Bill (HB) No. 5083, the proposed Plantilla Positions for Volunteer Teachers Bill, both of which were filed on Thursday.

HB No. 5085 seeks monthly allowances for teachers assigned in far-flung or remote schools, recognizing the hardships of travel, isolation and resource scarcity. Meanwhile, HB No. HB No. 5083 proposes the creation of permanent plantilla positions for volunteer teachers who have served at least five continuous years, provided they meet qualifications and civil service requirements.

‘Learning outcomes are a function of resources and facilities. When teaching personnel are short and employment is not just a bureaucratic concern-they affect students, communities, and the morale of our teachers,’ Vargas said.

‘When we lose over 30,000 teaching-related personnel in a year or when volunteer teachers remain on the margins despite years of service, it’s a failure of policy and gratitude,’ he added.

According to Vargas, between 2022 and 2023, the number of public school personnel dropped by around 38,000, including teachers, teaching-related, and non-teaching staff.

Similarly, the Department of Education reported that for the 2025-2026 school year, more than 150,000 teaching positions remain either unfilled or temporarily covered by volunteers and contractual hires.

Vargas asked his colleagues in the House of Representatives to support the measures as the country gears to celebrate the National Teacher’s Day on October 5, noting that such policies put teachers at the heart of education reform.

‘Our country may be faced with current anomalies, but this should not deter us from addressing perennial concerns that have stagnated the country’s growth, such as its poor learning outcomes,’ he added.

Aiko Melendez confirmed that she and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun have ended their relationship after almost eight years together.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Friday, Oct. 3, Melendez said the decision was reached ‘after four months of reflection and careful consideration.’

‘Congressman Jay Khonghun and I, Councilor Aiko Melendez, have mutually decided to part ways and go our separate directions. This decision was not made lightly but comes from a place of respect and understanding of what is best for both of us at this time,’ she wrote.

Melendez, who serves as Quezon City 5th district councilor, clarified that no third party was involved in the breakup.

‘We want to make it clear that no third party was involved in this decision. We remain grateful for the memories we shared and for the support many of you have shown throughout our journey together,’ she said.

The actress, stressing that their priority is to focus on their public service roles, noted that the separation was mutual.

‘He in his continued public service, and I in mine, always guided by the values of respect, kindness, and dedication to the people we serve,’ she continued.

‘We ask for your understanding and privacy as we go through this transition. Thank you for your support and prayers,’ Melendez concluded.

The couple first went public with their relationship in 2018. Melendez had previously described Khonghun as her ‘answered prayer.’

Melendez was previously married to actor Jomari Yllana in 2000, but they separated after a year. They have a son named Andrei. Their marriage was annulled in 2005.

The same year, Melendez married Martin Jickain, with whom she has a daughter named Marthena.

Severe Tropical Storm Paolo is forecast to dump more than 200 millimeters (mm) of rain in La Union and Benguet starting this Friday up to Saturday afternoon, according to the state weather bureau.

In its 5 p.m. heavy rainfall outlook, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the downpour that La Union and Benguet may experience would be intense to torrential rains.

The two provinces are among the seven Luzon areas placed under Signal No. 3, based on Pagasa’s 5 p.m. separate bulletin.

Meanwhile, heavy to intense rains, with 100 to 200 mm of rainfall, are expected over the following areas, which may also persist from this Friday until Saturday noon:

Ilocos Sur

Pangasinan

Mountain Province

Ifugao

Nueva Vizcaya

Zambales

Bataan

Moderate to heavy rains, which bring 50 to 100 mm of rainfall, are expected to persist in the following areas:

Ilocos Norte

Abra

Apayao

Kalinga

Cagayan

Isabela

Nueva Ecija

Tarlac

Quirino

Aurora

Paolo was last located over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur, packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 110 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center and gusts of 165 km/h.

Thirty years ago, 186 countries met in Copenhagen for the first Social Summit for Social Development. The gathering was the largest meeting of world leaders ever held at the time. By the end of the summit, their agenda was clear: the challenges faced by our societies are global and so are the solutions.

In response, governments vowed to put people at the center of global development. They recognized that social justice must be the foundation for economic progress if progress is to be sustainable. This means ensuring that people, regardless of gender, nationality, background, or place of birth, have the right to live in dignity with equal opportunities to work, thrive, and succeed. Societies built on fairness work better, trust more, and grow stronger.

The consensus of the summit became the cornerstone of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Since 2015, the SDGs have been the blueprint for achieving a socially just, peaceful, and sustainable world. The deadline for their realization was set for 2030.

Since that first summit, our world has changed, in many ways for the better. A new International Labor Organization (ILO) report, The State of Social Justice, shows that extreme poverty is down from 39 percent to 10 percent of the global population. Child labor for under-14-year-olds has been cut in half, and, for the first time in history, more than half of the world has some form of social protection, such as a pension or unemployment insurance.

But despite decades of efforts, the report makes clear that major disparities remain. A person’s place of birth still determines more than half of their lifetime earnings. Globally, over 800 million people survive on less than $3 a day. That is why achieving the 2030 SDG targets is in jeopardy. For example, for SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth, we are lagging well behind, having met only two-thirds, or 66 percent of the indicators.

If we wish to improve living conditions for everyone and achieve social justice, accelerating the SDGs is crucial. Decent work is a key thread that helps tie the SDGs together, because decent work is more than making a living: it is a barometer of how well we are doing in society as a whole, including health, education, equality, and responsible consumption and production. When work is productive, paid fairly, safe, equitable, inclusive, freely chosen, and with rights, we have social justice.

But decent work does not just ‘happen.’ History shows that without strong institutions, productivity gains do not translate into better lives. Institutions strengthen basic human rights, such as the rights to education and to a healthy environment, and ensure equal opportunities, fair distribution, and a voice for both workers and employers. Social dialogue is the most effective way to balance the interests of workers and employers and help make growth equitable.

Right now, our institutions are being tested. Three massive transitions are reshaping the world of work everywhere: the impact of a hotter planet and the move to a greener economy, the digital revolution and demographic change. These transformations are creating new jobs and destroying old ones. They have the potential to bring fresh opportunities, but they also risk deepening existing divides. How these changes will play out depends largely on the choices that societies make today.

In November 2025, the second World Social Summit will be held in Doha. This global gathering will once again bring together government representatives, workers, employers, and civil society, three and a half decades after the first summit. It represents a critical moment to turn past pledges into real change.

We must reaffirm the promise made in Copenhagen: that social justice and inclusive economic development are everyone’s business and in everyone’s interest. But above all, we must take decisive action. The ILO-led Global Coalition for Social Justice offers a platform to help move us in the right direction. Already, it brings together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other partners to accelerate action and cooperation toward achieving social justice and decent work for all.

If we succeed, we can help ensure that economic productivity and social progress are linked. Because in the end, social justice is not an impossible ideal. It is the only route forward to a sustainable future for all of us.