Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Looking for an all-in-one debit card? The MySSS Card, powered by RCBC DiskarTech and the Social Security System (SSS), is the ultimate game-changer for the hardworking Filipino.

More than just a card, this new 10-in-1 financial bestie can help you manage your SSS benefits while unlocking a suite of banking features. Here’s why it deserves a spot in your wallet:

Rewarding Savings – With every DiskarTech-powered MySSS account, you get to enjoy a rewarding regular savings product that helps you build your long-term goals and meet your short-term goals.

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Insurance Options: Insurance is more accessible than ever! Skip long lines and lengthy insurance processes with affordable microinsurance products and promos in the DiskarTech app.

Easy Transportation Payments: Skip the long lines at MRT-3, LRT 1, or LRT 2 stations. The MySSS Mastercard debit card can also be tapped to pay directly for your train fares.

Mobile Loading with Rewards: Load your phone and get rewarded! For every ?50 load purchase, you’ll receive a ?5 cashback. Diskarte meets sulit! Claim rewards too for every successful daily log-in and bills payment.

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Affordable Bank Transfer Fees: Say goodbye to expensive bank transfer fees. With just Php 8.00 you can send money to any bank and digital wallet in the Philippines, making digital payments part of your everyday routine.

One-Stop-Shop for your SSS Benefits: No more juggling multiple platforms that can be overwhelming. You can access and withdraw your SSS benefits and proceeds all in one place.

Convenient Bank Onboarding: To avail the MySSS card powered by RCBC DiskarTech, applicants must update their MySSS contact details and ensure they have no existing UMID ATM, Pay Card, or DiskarTech account. Onboarding takes only about 5 minutes through the MySSS portal.

The new MySSS card powered by RCBC DiskarTech makes managing your SSS benefits and digital banking easier than ever.

More than these rewarding banking services, your one-stop-shop MySSS card is truly your diskarte bestie in achieving financial wellness.

Check if you are eligible:

MySSS members who are registered in PhilSys and own a PhilSys Number

A qualified SSS member with a MySSS account

MySSS members who have updated their contact details in the SSS portal

MySSS members have no existing UMID ATM/Paycard enrolled in SSS

No active Diskartech account

Must also be 18 years of age, be a Philippine citizen, and hold no U.S. citizenship or residency.

Nicole Scherzinger could not hide her amazement at Palawan’s beauty and expressed how proud she is to have Filipino blood that connects her to such a place.

The Filipino American singer took to Instagram on Thursday, Oct. 2, to share a clip in which she is seen swimming through the island’s clear turquoise waters.

‘Imagine having blood that ties you to a place this breathtaking,’ she captioned the post, tagging it with #Philippines.

In the comments section, the global singer’s celebrity friends expressed how amazed they were by Scherzinger and Palawan’s ‘combined beauty.’

‘Unwritten’ hitmaker Natasha Bedingfield commented, ‘Wow,’ while Kakai Bautista wrote, ‘The Philippines love you.’

Scherzinger, whose father is Filipino and mother is Hawaiian, has long spoken about her pride in her roots.

In past interviews, the former Pussycat Dolls frontwoman said she considers her Filipino side an important part of her identity.

Last year, Scherzinger delighted fans when she casually broke into her hit ‘Hush Hush’ at a dinner, quipping, ‘Tell me you’re a Filipino without telling me you’re a Filipino.’

The 47-year-old performer and actress first made her mark in stardom as the lead vocalist of The Pussycat Dolls, behind chart-topping singles such as ‘Don’t Cha,’ ‘Stickwitu’ and ‘Buttons.’

In June this year, Scherzinger earned critical praise for her powerhouse performance as Norma Desmond in ‘Sunset Boulevard,’ which won her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The revival also bagged Best Musical Revival.

Scherzinger previously played Penny (originally played by Cynthia Rhodes) in the 2017 remake of ‘Dirty Dancing,’ the 1987 movie that starred Jennifer Grey and the late Patrick Swayze.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday reported that it has already handed out millions worth of evacuation kits and relief goods to families impacted by Typhoon ‘Opong’ in Masbate, and the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu. 6

Covering daily deliveries through C130 flights, and the Philippine Coast Guard vessel ‘Gabriela Silang,’ a larger wave of assistance is set to follow by land with a PCSO caravan scheduled to leave Manila Sunday morning on October 5, delivering further aid to both regions.

The caravan will transport substantial quantities of relief supplies to the affected provinces.

Among the resources being dispatched are 11 patient transport vehicles (PTVs) for Cebu, alongside five dump trucks from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) dedicated to carrying essential relief items.

To ensure a steady supply of aid, the convoy will also include at least five wing vans and one bus filled with crucial necessities for the families in need.

Masbate is currently under a state of calamity as it grapples with the aftermath of the typhoon, which has displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and severely impacted agricultural lands.

In Cebu, the magnitude 6.9 earthquake has left over 20,000 individuals displaced, with Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio among the most severely affected areas.

Thousands of residents remain in evacuation centers or have been forced to sleep outdoors due to ongoing aftershocks, highlighting the urgent need for immediate assistance.

‘We can not turn away from the suffering of our fellow Filipinos in Masbate and Cebu,’ stated PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles.

‘Our duty is clear: to respond and continue helping until aid reaches every corner of these communities.’

He added that they are committed to supporting those affected by these calamities.

‘Through these efforts, we uphold our principle of ‘Hindi Umuurong sa Pagtulong.’

Pump prices for diesel products show no signs of easing as industry sources estimate another round of hikes on Oct 7.

In an advisory, Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said the diesel prices might go up by 80 centavos to P1 per liter.

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) estimate for diesel is an increase of about 50 centavos per liter.

For the previous six consecutive weeks, diesel prices had already increased by a total of P5.10 per liter.

Meanwhile, the DOE expects a potential rollback of more or less five centavos per liter of gasoline.

Bellas, on the other hand, sees either an increase or a decrease of 10 centavos for gasoline.

Kerosene prices are also expected to inch up by 25 centavos a liter.

‘Crude oil prices have declined sharply this week due to concerns about a market glut from the prospect of higher OPEC+ production output,’ Bellas said.

‘However, despite the bearish sentiment, Asian diesel market fundamentals remain supported due to shifting of regional flows to the West to meet the demands from the US and Europe as the ongoing autumn refinery maintenances, peak harvest season demand, and Russia’s partial diesel export ban have raised the risk of supply shortfalls,’ he added. /rwd

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the environmental rehabilitation efforts in El Nido, Palawan, were ‘on track’ with its Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recommendations.

Last July, the DILG urged the local government units of El Nido and Coron in Palawan; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Panglao, Bohol; and Boracay, Aklan, to submit six-month rehabilitation plans for waste management, tourism development, and handling security and health-related issues.

‘The DILG commended the Municipality of El Nido for remaining on track with its comprehensive environmental rehabilitation program, closely aligning with the targets and recommendations set by the DENR,’ the DILG said in a statement on Friday.

The department particularly touted water infrastructure and solid waste management projects in El Nido, including nine communal septic tanks and a sanitary landfill for Barangay New Ibajay.

It further noted that 444 out of 894 commercial establishments in the municipality were now connected to the local sewage treatment plant, with 91 businesses pending application to be connected.

The DILG added that it issued 97 notices of violations for failing regular testing to ensure water quality as part of its rehabilitation measures. (By Janicca Bunao, INQUIRER.net intern)

Flooding is imminent in several parts of Luzon as Typhoon Paolo continues to bring heavy rain this Friday, Oct. 3.

In its 11 a.m. heavy rainfall warning, Pagasa placed Zambales and Bataan under the Orange Rainfall Warning, which means flooding is threatening and residents should be ready to evacuate if needed.

Batangas, Cavite, and several towns in Quezon-Tayabas, Atimonan, Pagbilao, Lucena, Tiaong, San Antonio, Dolores, Sariaya, Candelaria, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Lopez, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, Mulanay, San Narciso, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Jomalig, Patnanungan, San Francisco, and San Andres-were under a Yellow Rainfall Warning, indicating possible flooding in flood-prone areas.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Rizal, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, and Tarlac, along with other parts of Quezon province, were experiencing light to moderate rain with occasional heavy rain that could persist throughout the day.

Pagasa noted that rainfall could be higher in mountainous areas, with impacts worsened by earlier downpours. /abc

The few holdouts who prefer the paper edition of the Inquirer over the digital version are romantics who like the smell of paper, the smudge of ink on their fingers. While there is a tactile pleasure in reading a newspaper, I prefer digital in my research because I am allergic to book dust. Digital formats can magnify, allowing me to read without my glasses, and it can zoom in to focus on details. Scrolling is faster, more so if a scanned document has optical character recognition. Simply type out a keyword, and everything you need from the text is highlighted.

I have been on the trail of Santiago Artiaga, educated at the University of Michigan and a prewar Manila city engineer, who was later appointed mayor of Davao. City engineers don’t usually make the news these days, unless they are corrupt or a building they approved has collapsed. Artiaga may have lived in the past, but his many trials are issues we see and endure in the present. Artiaga’s misfortune was being earnest; he proposed construction projects that would benefit the greater number but inconvenience a minority who conspired to thwart him. When he proposed to widen streets for the public good, it required a portion of private or commercial land. Lawyers grilled him at public hearings and wore him out in litigation.

City councilors could also create problems; one proposed elevating streets to address flooding. This was in 1931, and the streets chosen were Dapitan and Dimasalang (in the Sampaloc district whose street names made reference to Rizal’s life and works), Trabajo (in a district with street names that reflected Filipino values), Cavite (hotbed of the Philippine Revolution), and finally Washington (hero of the US colonial government). Artiaga opposed the plan because it would prejudice thousands of citizens. Flooding was in the news then and now.

On Aug. 14, 1931, the headline of the Spanish-language newspaper ‘La Vanguardia’ screamed: ‘LA INUNDACION EN ESTA CIUDAD SE EXTIENDE (The flood in this city [Manila] spreads).’ The issue carried photos of flooding from different parts of the city: Escolta, Herran, Jones Bridge, Dasmariñas, etc., where floods were knee-deep. Help was needed in Tondo, and the train service in Luzon was suspended. Former Sen. Sotero Baluyut proposed a great national project against flooding. Baluyut’s plan included the building of dams to contain overflow from rivers. Dams could also channel water for agricultural, commercial, and industrial use. They were talking of a flood control master plan in 1931. We are still talking about it in 2025!

Artiaga was in the news for a sensational trial that eventually acquitted him on the charge of accepting a bribe of P600. Peanuts compared to the billions stolen by crooks in the Department of Public Works and Highways these days. The evidence against Artiaga was an envelope with typewritten text that reads ‘Contiene P600 (contains P600),’ and across it the engineer’s disputed signature. Prosecution rested on the expert opinion of Lieutenant (Lt.) Edwin Andrews, handwriting expert of the Philippine Constabulary. A photo of Andrews in Washington, with Bert C. Farrar, examiner of questioned documents for the US Federal government, was published in the newspapers to bolster his reputation. Artiaga hired the anthropologist H. Otley Beyer of the University of the Philippines, who, on the side, provided expert advice on disputed handwriting to Philippine courts. Beyer maintained that the signature on the bribe envelope was forged. The prosecution argued that Andrews was an impartial expert, while Beyer, who was commissioned by the defendant, was biased.

Beyer’s typed analysis made a dig at the prosecution expert as follows:

‘I may state further that I considered Lt. Andrews a well-trained young man whose qualification to give testimony in handwriting cases need not be questioned. He is, however, still rather young, and perhaps lacks a little of the caution which many years of experience develops in one who handles a large number of these cases. It is quite possible to make mistakes where a single signature-especially a penciled one is involved, as I have myself learned by experience on various occasions.’

I had always known Beyer as an anthropologist and prehistorian, so it was a surprise to find a whole box in the National Library of Australia containing his notes and certifications on forged signatures. I did not know he was a court-recognized handwriting expert, and practiced this sideline until the University of the Philippines got wind of it and forbade him from appearing in court. Beyer’s examination was thorough, commenting on paper, ink, hand pressure, and the distinct ways a person crossed their t’s or dotted their i’s, etc. Comparing questionable signatures with authentic ones, he used both his naked eye and a microscope. It was not the court cases I was interested in. I hoped that this box would contain Beyer’s notes on the disputed Rizal retraction document. Beyer certified the document and signature to be authentic. If Beyer’s case file is hiding in Canberra, I must go back to find it.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) celebrates the Filipino spirit of giving back to those who shaped our lives through a new two-minute brand film, showing how affordable fares help more Filipinos make their loved ones’ travel dreams come true – especially for first-time flyers. Coinciding with the film’s release, CEB is holding a seat sale from October 1-15, with flights to select destinations for as low as PHP 99 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period runs from October 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

‘Seat sales have become hallmarks of Cebu Pacific. Every time we roll these out, we hear stories of families booking their first trips together or travelers looking forward to ticking off a new destination on their bucket list. It’s heartwarming to hear these stories, and through this film, we want to honor those who give back to their loved ones and celebrate the excitement of discovering a new destination,’ said Candice Iyog, CEB Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer.

The film mirrors real-life stories of Filipinos who booked flights during CEB’s seat sales to surprise their loved ones with memorable trips. Whether it’s a domestic getaway or an international adventure, CEB has become the first step toward flying for millions of travelers.

From the airport to arrival, CEB works to make travel convenient and welcoming. Its cabin crew’s trademark warmth and attentiveness help first-time flyers feel at ease and enjoy their first moments in the sky.

CEB’s extensive domestic and international network continues to open doors for first-time flyers and seasoned travelers alike. With direct flights from Manila, Clark, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao, CEB makes air travel easily accessible for more passengers across the Philippines.

Watch the full short film on here and be inspired to give the gift of travel this holiday season with CEB’s low fares and signature seat sales.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), in partnership with Netflix, on Thursday, Oct. 2, hosted a seminar amid rising risks of inappropriate content consumption online and excessive screen time among young children.

MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Diorella Maria Gamboa Sotto-Antonio led the seminar, which was attended by over 100 parents, educators, child protection advocates, and industry leaders, and which aimed to empower families in guiding children toward safe and responsible media consumption while ensuring an enriching digital experience.

Sotto-Antonio reaffirmed the Board’s longstanding mandate to protect children, empower parents and promote responsible viewing through the seminar with the theme ‘Stream Smarter: Responsible Parenting in the Age of Digital Media.’

She underscored the importance of media literacy and parental involvement, noting that while technology provides tools, active guidance from families ultimately makes the difference.

‘We remain committed to promoting and strengthening media literacy, digital responsibility and parental empowerment, helping families make informed choices in the digital age,’ she said.

As part of its flagship Responsableng Panonood campaign, the MTRCB introduced PROTECT, a simple framework to help parents manage children’s media use. The acronym stands for:

P – Provide guidelines on age-appropriate content, starting media education at home;

R – Regulate screen time and set healthy limits to balance digital and recreational activities;

O – Observe co-viewing to create opportunities for discussion and critical thinking;

T – Teach media literacy to help children verify facts and think critically;

E – Educate on both the positive and harmful effects of media;

C – Create a family viewing plan that supports holistic development;

T – Take the lead by modeling responsible media habits.

Netflix Global Affairs Southeast Asia Director Ruben Hattari expressed support for the initiative, stressing the shared responsibility of parents, educators and industry leaders.

‘This initiative is a timely reminder that our role is not only to provide access to entertainment but also to ensure that families are equipped to make informed and responsible choices in today’s digital age,’ Hattari said.

He said Netflix has features that help parents manage what children watch through their service.

‘Learn it, share it to all your friends, and also discuss it with your kids as well. Please do not use these features as punishment tool, because they need to understand your reason and rationale,’ he added.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled ‘From Screen Time to Smart Time,’ with representatives from MTRCB, Netflix, Stairway Foundation, Safe Schools Philippines and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT).

The dialogue tackled parental controls, content classification and collaborative efforts to make digital media safer and more beneficial for Filipino families.

NCCT Chairperson Luis Gatmaitan advised parents and guardians to let their children watch general patronage-rated films, programs or online content.

‘I will also recommend films or TV series adapted from books, children books, because you know these materials have already been vetted so you are sure that contents are age-appropriate,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Stairway Foundation Child Protection specialist Ysrael Diloy told parents and guardians that they need not be tech-savvy to monitor and guide their children’s online activities.

‘You are a parent regardless of the technology platform, thus, what we teach children is not technology, it’s about the main skills, social intelligence in navigating this digital space, you just need to impart the same values that you want to create even if you’re not around them,’ he added.

Sotto-Antonio encouraged parents and guardians to remain at the forefront of responsible parenting -overseeing what their children, see, learn and absorb in every stage of their lives.

‘With collective effort from government, industry and families, we can ensure that digital media becomes not only a source of entertainment but also a tool for learning, creativity and positive growth,’ she said.

Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is investing P10.3 billion in its first horizontal estate in Mindanao, expanding its footprint in Davao City as demand for properties outside Metro Manila steadily climbs.

The real estate giant on Thursday said it had broken ground for Ascenda, a 204-hectare (ha) master-planned community in Davao City.

‘Ascenda is well-positioned to benefit from Davao’s momentum, providing Davaoeños new space to grow and an environment attuned to their modern, upgraded lifestyles,’ ALI president Meann Dy said in a statement.

Dy cited major infrastructure projects in Davao as among the main economic drivers in the city, the benefits of which could spill over to Ascenda. These include the Samal-Davao bridge, Coastal Road and Davao Bypass road.

54th estate

The project is ALI’s 54th estate overall. According to the developer, Ascenda will house Virendo, the only residential village of Ayala Land Premier in Davao City.

Ascenda will also be composed of two main areas. One is the 65-ha Town Center which is the ‘commercial and cultural anchor.’ The other is the 139-ha residential district featuring ALI’s ‘top premier residential brands.’

‘Ascenda’s value as a residential enclave and commercial hub is expected to greatly appreciate in the coming years, much like Ayala Alabang and Nuvali in Luzon have escalated in value,’ Dy noted.

Apart from Davao City, Alabang and Nuvali, ALI’s estates are located in Makati City, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City, Cebu and Pampanga.

Earnings profile

In the first semester, the premium segment boosted the company’s net income by 10 percent to P6.9 billion. ALI is on track to grow its earnings twice as fast as the Philippine economy.

Consolidated revenues climbed by 6 percent to P43.6 billion, driven by higher bookings and leasing operations.

ALI plans to launch 21 projects worth P57 billion in the second semester, with roughly two-thirds in the premium market.

While this segment remains the main income driver, ALI said it was seeing recovery in the core middle income segment. This prompts the company to pursue its first residential high-rise project in this market since the COVID-19 pandemic.

ALI is set to launch three projects in its core segment this semester, including a residential condominium project in the Katipunan district of Quezon City.