Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

Anytime Fitness Asia has achieved a historic milestone, celebrating the network’s growth to 500 clubs across the region. To mark the occasion, eight clubs across eight markets hosted synchronized grand openings on the same day, highlighting the scale and unity of the brand’s fast-growing network.

With Anytime Fitness Asia recently recognized as the Overall Winner – International Franchisor of the Year at the 2025 Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) Singapore Awards, the 500th club milestone further underscores the brand’s leadership and credibility in the region. ‘This milestone is a powerful symbol of our growth and unity,’ said Luke Guanlao, Group CEO of Inspire Brands Asia (IBA). ‘With more than 5,600 clubs across 42 countries, Anytime Fitness is the world’s largest 24-hour fitness franchise – and our purpose, Train For Your Life, drives us to be more than a gym. Reaching 500 clubs in Asia is just the beginning, and we’re committed to expanding further into new markets while continuing to be a lifetime partner in health and wellness.’ Johannes Raadsma, President and Co-Founder of Inspire Brands Asia (IBA), added: ‘Every one of our 500 clubs tells a story of resilience, entrepreneurship, and community. This milestone highlights not only our growth, but also the trust of our members and the dedication of our staff, franchisees, and partners who make our network thrive and united across Asia.’

On 19 September, synchronized events took place at AF McKinley West in the Philippines, AF Tampines in Singapore, AF Austin Green in Malaysia, AF Hang Hau in Hong Kong, AF Citimall Cimanggis in Indonesia, AF Oasis Ratchapruek in Thailand, AF Taoyuan Yiwen in Taiwan, and AF Vincom Grand Park in Vietnam. The milestone celebrations were hosted across a mix of corporate-owned and independent franchisee clubs, reflecting the collective strength, entrepreneurship, and community spirit that drive Anytime Fitness’s growth across Asia.

The milestone was held at Anytime Fitness McKinley West, located in the heart of Taguig’s vibrant community in McKinley West community. Located near residential areas, offices, and commercial hubs, Anytime Fitness McKinley West makes it easy to prioritize your health and wellness without compromising your lifestyle. It offers 24/7 Access to accommodate you based on your schedule, Group Classes for a fun and engaging sessions to keep you energized and consistent. State of the art equipment in Cardio Equipements, free weights, functional training zones, and strength equipment.

Anytime Fitness continues to differentiate itself by combining global reach with local impact. With its 24-hour access model, integrated coaching ecosystem, and strong community ties, the brand has positioned itself as Asia’s most accessible and trusted fitness network.

‘I did not know the Discayas and that was the first and only time outside of the blue ribbon committee hearings that I met them.’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson issued the statement Wednesday, addressing the circulating image of him with the controversial contractor couple Cezarah ‘Sarah’ and Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya.

According to Lacson, the photo was taken ‘sometime in the last week of April,’ near the end of the 90-day campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections, when Fred Villaroman, a campaign supporter from Davao City and son of the late Police Brigadier Francisco Villaroman, visited Lacson’s Taguig City office to invite him to a grand rally in Mindanao. Villaroman was accompanied by the Discayas’ son, Pacifico Felizario Discaya II, Lacson said, adding that he declined the invitation.

‘The young Discaya was a nominee of a party-list group-Ako Pinoy or Ako’y Pinoy-vying for a seat in Congress. They were later joined by Mr. and Mrs. Discaya. Anyway, I begged off-first, out of respect for my friend Senate President Tito Sotto whose nephew, Mayor Vico Sotto, was running against Mrs. Discaya for the mayorship of Pasig City,’ said Lacson.

‘And second, there were other party-list groups who were including my name in their sample ballots, and I thought it was not a smart political decision to join a rally of any party-list group,’ he added.

Lacson emphasized that he did not know the Discayas, and that event was the ‘first and only time’ outside the blue ribbon panel’s hearing that he met them.

‘That meeting took around 15-20 minutes, but not before that group photo was taken. I hope this clarifies whatever insinuations are being attached to this said photograph,’ said Lacson.

Lacson’s clarification followed a Facebook repost of the photo by Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, who called for an investigation.

The Discayas were among the key resource persons invited by the blue ribbon to shed light on the alleged collusion among contractors, lawmakers, and officials.

Earlier, Curlee first named House members and government officials he alleged received kickbacks tied to public works projects

The country’s balance of payments (BOP) is seen to swing to a deficit this year and remain in the red next year as global uncertainties and new US tariffs curb trade and investment flows.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the current account shortfall is expected to stay at around 3 percent of GDP in 2025 and 2026.

‘These reflect a widening trade-in-goods gap, subdued services receipts and restrained capital inflows amid global uncertainty and shifting trade policies,’ the BSP said in a statement on Wednesday.

The current account, a key component of the BOP, records a nation’s transactions with the rest of the world, particularly its net trade in goods and services.

‘Goods exports and imports are anticipated to remain sluggish, shaped by softening global demand, easing commodity prices, and tempered domestic growth momentum,’ it said.

Tariff stings

In August, the Philippines recorded its narrowest trade deficit in six months in August, but the improvement masked new signs of weakness as higher American tariffs began to weigh on exports to the United States.

Philippine exports grew by 4.6 percent to $7.1 billion, the weakest pace of expansion in eight months. Exports to the US fell by 11.2 percent, although this was offset by higher demand from other trading partners like Hong Kong (+26.4 percent) and Japan (+4.7 percent).

‘Infrastructure investments, potential trade diversion and efforts to diversify export and import partners may help cushion external shocks. However, structural constraints, such as logistical inefficiencies, skills mismatches and elevated input costs, continue to weigh on export competitiveness,’ the BSP added.

In 2024, the BOP position recorded a surplus of $609 million, shrinking from the $3.7-billion surplus in the previous year. /dda

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday assured victims of Typhoon Opong in Masbate province that the government would support them until they can fully recover.

Speaking at Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City, Marcos personally extended his sympathies and led the distribution of relief goods to affected families.

‘The government is here to help. We will provide all your needs, especially those of displaced families. Food packs will be continuously distributed, and hygiene kits will be given to prevent the spread of illness,’ Marcos said in his speech.

The President said the Department of Health (DOH) has been deployed to monitor the health of evacuees, while mobile kitchen trucks have been stationed in the area to provide hot meals.

In addition to food assistance, the government will also provide P10,000 in cash aid to affected families to help them purchase medicine and other needs for infants.

‘Don’t worry, the government will continue to support you even after you leave the evacuation centers,’ Marcos said.

He also announced that First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos had donated water purifying machines to ensure clean drinking water in the community.

To address communication needs in the aftermath of the disaster, Marcos said the government had sent generator sets and Starlink internet terminals to the affected areas.

The Department of Education (DepEd), he added, is already working on the repair and reconstruction of damaged classrooms.

Before ending his visit, Mr. Marcos called on residents not to hesitate in seeking help from local and national agencies.

‘Do not hesitate to speak up if you have any needs. Tell the DSWD, the provincial or municipal government. Whatever you need, we will provide. With a little patience and prayer, we will recover. We are here to support you,’ Marcos stressed./coa

New Phoenix coach Willy Wilson admitted that the role is something that will take time for him to get accustomed to.

‘It’s something that I’m growing into. It’s still something that I’m adjusting to,’ Wilson said during the recent PBA Media Day. ‘As far as how long before I become comfortable, I really don’t know.’

Tapped by Fuel Masters to call the shots for the upcoming PBA 50th season, Wilson has been harping on being ‘collaborative’ and sticking with mostly the things being implemented by his predecessor Jamike Jarin, who is now the team’s consultant.

But he and Phoenix have goals of improving from the past four conferences of missing the playoffs, including all three in Season 49, with a youth-laden lineup and anchored by Jason Perkins, one of the league’s best forwards.

While he tries to do that, the former PBA veteran and La Salle product will take slow steps before getting a sense of getting used to the demanding role of calling the shots and managing a PBA team.

‘I don’t know how long it took for other coaches and other head coaches to be comfortable with the position,’ he said. ‘But I’m not really looking down the road, I’m just looking at the next step right in front of me, and trying to be the best at taking that step.’

Aside from Perkins, the Fuel Masters have sophomore forward Kai Ballungay, third-year mainstays Tyler Tio, Kenneth Tuffin and Ricci Rivero while big man Dave Ando enters his rookie season.

Phoenix still has veterans in RJ Jazul and RR Garcia to provide leadership.

The Fuel Masters posted a victory over NLEX, lost to Magnolia and blew a big lead before settling for a draw with NorthPort during the preseason.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed his sympathy for the families of those who died in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu.

He also said that government agencies are on the ground giving aid to those in need.

In a statement, Marcos said: ‘I wholeheartedly extend my condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and I include in my prayers the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake.’

‘Our cabinet secretaries are already in the affected areas to provide assistance and assess the damage caused by the earthquake and its aftershocks,’ the president also said.

According to Marcos, the Department of Public Works and Highways is making sure that the roads in the province are safe for travel, while the Department of Energy is working to restore power supply in affected communities.

The Department of Health, meanwhile, is deploying additional personnel to provide medical assistance, he said.

Moreover, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is distributing relief goods and other essentials to the victims, he added.

‘The BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) is assisting in search and rescue operations, while the PNP (Philippine National Police) is focused on maintaining order and supporting rescue efforts,’ Marcos said.

‘The OCD (Office of Civil Defense) and the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) are leading the coordination of all agencies to ensure a swift and orderly response,’ he noted.

‘I urge everyone to remain vigilant and heed the advisories of your local government. Together, we will help our fellow citizens overcome this challenge and rebuild the affected communities,’ he further added.

Still assessing the damage

Meanwhile, in a chance interview in Masbate City, Marcos said the government is still assessing the damage caused by the quake.

‘We’re still assessing the damage there. The earthquake was very strong,’ he said.

‘So we’re assessing the damage, we’re assessing the needs,’ Marcos added.

The entire province of Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity following the earthquake, which caused widespread destruction and left 36 people confirmed dead.

From this, 27 deaths were reported in Bogo City, the epicenter of the 6.9-magnitude temblor that struck at 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

Slater Young, Manilyn Reynes and Ellen Adarna expressed concern for their fellow Cebuanos who have been affected by the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the island on Tuesday. Sept. 30.

The entire province of Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity amid the widespread destruction and rising death toll. The epicenter of the earthquake was in Bogo City, which recorded the most number of fatalities.

Young, who is based in Cebu, assured those checking up on them that his family is safe and extended his prayers to those affected by the calamity.

‘Thank you for the messages and well-wishes. The family is all okay from the quake last night,’ he said via his Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Oct. 1. ‘Praying for our fellow Cebuanos and everyone else affected from the quake.’ Reynes shared her prayer written in Cebuano via her Instagram Stories.

‘Dear God, palihug, tabangi intawon ang tanan. Daghang salamat,’ she said. (Dear God, please help everyone. Thank you very much.) Cebuano actress Adarna, for her part, reposted a social media card showing the aftermath of the earthquake in Cebu and appealing for prayers. The Office of Civil Defense said on Wednesday morning that ‘as high as 60 individuals were reported to have perished in this earthquake.’ /edv

Gleer Codilla, a former Manila Arena security guard who was charged in 2022 in a Manila court over the missing ‘sabungeros’ (cockfighting enthusiasts), submitted an affidavit to the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday in support of the police complaint against businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang and several others.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Charlie Guhit said Codilla, who is considered a witness in the DOJ proceedings, filed the affidavit backing the complaint submitted by the Philippine National Police against Ang and company last month to the justice department.

‘With respect to the submission of the other affidavits, they are witnesses. Particularly, I remember Gleer Codilla,’ Guhit said in an ambush interview after the second preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ.

The PNP complaint accuses Ang, celebrity Gretchen Barretto, and more than 50 other respondents of multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention, among other charges.

Separate case

Codilla, along with whistleblower Julie Patidongan, is a respondent in the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case filed with a Manila court in 2022 over the alleged abduction of sabungeros John Claude Inonog, James Baccay, Marlon Baccay, Rondel Cristorum, Mark Joseph Velasco, and Rowel Gomez.

One of the witnesses in that case, Denmark Sinfuego, alleged that he saw Codilla with the victims as they were being moved from their designated cockhouse to the arena’s basement, where they were forced to board a gray van.

Sinfuego further testified that he saw Patindongan, Codilla, and fellow Arena guard Mark Zabala with victims Velasco, Gomez and Cristorum. Behind them, other Arena guards identified as Johnry Consolacion, Roberto Matillano, and Virgilio Bayog carried the victims’ personal belongings.

According to Guhit, the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group submitted copies of flash drives containing evidence to the panel of prosecutors on Monday, which were viewed by the parties during the hearing.

‘I will not anymore disclose what are the contents of the USB because that will be part of the resolution of the case of this preliminary investigation,’ Guhit said.

The preliminary investigation will continue on Nov. 3, with prosecutors requiring Ang to personally appear and swear to his counter-affidavit. INQ

Alert police officers manning a checkpoint in Maasim, Sarangani province, arrested a man on Monday for illegally transporting 25 endangered bird species, police reported.

Col. Jerone Orville Panganiban, acting provincial director of the Sarangani Police Provincial Office, said personnel from the 2nd Sarangani Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) and the Maasim Municipal Police Station intercepted a Mitsubishi Montero Sport during a routine checkpoint operation at Sitio Seguil, Barangay Tinoto.

The driver, identified as ‘Junior,’ 34, a resident of Digos City, could not present documents to legalize his transport of endangered wildlife.

Panganiban said the police verified with Forest Protection Officer (FPO) Jalal Pantao of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), who confirmed the suspect had no transport permit.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Kiamba documented a total of 25 hornbills, comprising six Mindanao hornbills and 19 Rufous hornbills. The DENR later confirmed these as Mindanao Wreathed hornbills and Southern Rufous hornbills, Panganiban said.

The hornbills were immediately transported and turned over to the DENR-12 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center for documentation and safekeeping.

Panganiban said CENRO Kiamba is preparing to file charges against the arrested violator for violating Republic Act 9147, also known as the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

‘The Sarangani Police Provincial Office, in close coordination with DENR, reiterates its commitment to protecting the environment and upholding wildlife laws to preserve biodiversity in the region,’ Panganiban said. (PNA)/coa

Tourism Malaysia is participating in the 3rd annual Travel Sale Expo (TSE) 2025 organized by the Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) in collaboration with Oneklik Event Management The expo is being held at the Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City from September 26 until September 28, 2025. The event aims to highlight unique travel destinations ranging from urban areas to rural landscapes while promoting immersive travel experiences and cultural exchanges. This aligns with this year’s theme, ‘Your Gateway to the World.’ emphasizes Malaysia’s role as an accessible and diverse travel destination for international travelers.

One of the standout features of this year’s expo is the Malaysia Pavilion, designed to resemble a Traditional Malay House. The pavilion provides visitors with a glimpse into Malaysia’s cultural richness, offering interactive exhibits, authentic Malaysian cuisine, and a chance to engage with representatives from various sectors of the Malaysian tourism industry.

Joining Tourism Malaysia in the pavilion are key industry players including Malaysia Airlines, KL Hop-On Hop-Off, Berjaya Hotel Makati and affiliated travel agency MAVP Travel and Tours, which promotes easy exploration of Kuala Lumpur’s top tourist spots. The booth features a range of Malaysian experiences, from culinary delights to cultural performances brought from Malaysia. Visitors can also participate in exclusive prize draws, try-on traditional costume generously supported by partners such as HOHO, Touche Production, Berjaya Hotel Makati and Solaire Resort North. This year, Malaysia is aiming to attract 43 million foreign visitors, with a target of 47 million for the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026. From January to July of this year, there were 349,012 Filipinos visited Malaysia, reflecting an 8.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

The Travel Sale Expo 2025 is a great platform to help increase the number of Filipino travelers visiting Malaysia. This initiative not only seeks to attract more visitors to the country but also aims to foster strong connections and meaningful partnerships among various organizations, clients, and travelers.

Explore Malaysia at the Travel Sale Expo 2025 at SM Megamall and discover your next getaway.