Category: Philippines Daily Inquirer

A Catholic priest has called for a stronger culture of care for elderly Filipinos, urging families, communities and institutions to ensure that older people are not left behind amid migration, urbanization and changing family structures.

Father Andy Peter Lubi, director of Hapag Aruga Foundation Inc., made the call Sunday, Oct. 4, during the foundation’s Elderly Filipino Week celebration at its home for abandoned and vulnerable senior citizens in Barangay Managpi.

Lubi said older people deserve dignity and care for their role in passing on faith, values and life experiences to younger generations.

‘We need to care for our brothers and sisters, especially those who are weak and those who need our help,’ Lubi said.

Drawing from the biblical image of a vineyard in the Book of Isaiah, Lubi likened caring for the elderly to tending a grapevine. He also compared senior citizens to vintage wine, saying life can become more meaningful with age when they receive proper care, companionship and attention.

‘Habang tumatanda, mas lalong sumasarap ang kanilang pamumuhay,’ he said.

Lubi said migration, urbanization and changing social conditions have left many elderly people vulnerable to neglect. He urged communities to help them live what he called a ‘vintage life’ marked by dignity, companionship and care.

Hapag Aruga currently cares for 13 elderly residents, some of whom had previously relied on neighbors for food or had been left to fend for themselves, according to organizers.

The home provides residential care, food, medical assistance, hygiene supplies and other basic needs. It also conducts livelihood and formation activities for its residents and works with government agencies, private donors and community groups.

For elderly people who worry about who will care for them as they grow older, Lubi said faith and prayer can help ease anxiety and strengthen their sense of peace.

Elderly Filipino Week is observed annually from Oct. 1 to 7 under Presidential Proclamation No. 470.

As he walked toward the Rizal Ceremonial Hall at Malacañang Palace, each footfall seemed to echo the rivers he had crossed, the steep mountain trails he had climbed, and the long roads he had walked as a teacher to reach children in far-flung barangays.

Then came his name.

‘Daryl B. Arguelles, School Principal 2, Bagtasan Elementary School, Department of Education Antique, for his dedication in bringing educational opportunities to the farthest barangays in Bugasong, Antique.’

The words marked the moment he became a Dangal ng Bayan awardee of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on September 18, 2024, carrying national recognition for the very journey his feet had known so well. The award honors government workers whose extraordinary acts of public service are matched by consistent ethical conduct.

The memories gave way to the moment. The medal was resting on his neck, the trophy in his hands, and the journey that once demanded his every step had, for a moment, brought him to the center of it all.

Since January 28, 2023, Arguelles has served as the Public Schools District Supervisor of Bugasong and Valderrama, where his work takes him beyond school gates and into communities tucked in the mountains.

Beyond the town centers of Bugasong and Valderrama, Antique, are remote, mountainous communities located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), where distance remains a barrier to education. Bugasong lies about 43 kilometers from the provincial capital of San Jose de Buenavista, while Valderrama is about 53 km away.

In Valderrama, home to approximately five Iraynon-Bukidnon communities considered indigenous people (IP), he saw children roaming around the plaza instead of sitting in classrooms. Some Iraynon-Bukidnon parents believed their children should help on the farm, questioning the value of schooling when they themselves had not finished their education.

For Arguelles, the problem was not simply getting children into school. It was helping families believe that education could change the course of their lives.

Struggling learners

‘They show eagerness to go to school every day. They do not get absent, and their reading and numeracy skills improved because complete elementary and high school education became accessible to them,’ he said.

The problem became more troubling when Arguelles examined the records of Bakiang Primary School, a community in Valderrama. From those records, he found that only about 50 of the approximately 100 pupils could read properly, while many others struggled with basic literacy.

Looking further into the records, he found that some struggling learners came from families with close blood relationships. The situation raised concerns that extended beyond access to schooling and prompted conversations about family, health, and the importance of education.

From there, he began working with parents, encouraging them to value education and recognize their role in helping their children learn and stay in school. Teachers also integrated discussions about the health risks associated with marriage between close relatives into their lessons and raised the topic during barangay assemblies. As parents became more aware, some began advising their children against marrying close relatives.

‘Value education,’ he would tell them.

And he could speak from experience.

‘I am a living testament to the fact that I came from a poor family living in one of the farthest barangays, but because of education, the quality of my life improved,’ said Arguelles, who earned his Bachelor of Elementary Education and PhD in Philosophy, major in Educational Management, from the University of Antique.

As a young boy, Arguelles would walk to school while living in Barangay Yapu, Bugasong, also a GIDA community.

Accessible education

His message was simple: if education had opened a different path for him, then the children in these communities deserved the same chance. But for that chance to be real, education had to be within their reach.

That meant bringing schools closer to IP communities and families living in remote areas. Arguelles worked with school heads and stakeholders to establish and expand schools in communities where distance became a barrier to children’s education.

He provided technical assistance that led to the conversion of Lublub and Tigmamale Elementary Schools in Valderrama into integrated schools, opening opportunities for high school students, out-of-school youth, and Balik-Aral learners in isolated communities.

He also worked to convert 10 primary schools across Bugasong and Valderrama into complete elementary schools. He also supported Bugnay Elementary School in establishing an extension school in Sitio Bunga, Valderrama, which now serves Kinder to Grade III learners.

What once required hours of walking, dangerous river crossings, or leaving home for board and lodging could now be avoided with classrooms closer to where the children lived.

His presence in these communities was not limited to planning from behind a desk.Joebeth Tatoy, teacher-in-charge of Babangan Elementary School, recalled accompanying Arguelles during school monitoring visits to some of the farthest schools in Valderrama.

‘He is never afraid of taking the risk to visit even the farthest schools like Culyat and Busog Elementary Schools in Valderrama district, which can be reached by crossing rivers and climbing mountains for five to six hours,’ said Tatoy.

Noble intentions

‘As we journey together to these schools, I can feel his noble intentions for the deprived, depressed and underserved learners because once, he felt all of these difficulties during his elementary and secondary days wherein he needed to cross a river and walk for hours just to reach school,’ Tatoy added.

But for those in the schools, his presence means more than simply making the journey. It means having a supervisor who listens, understands, and supports them once he arrives.

For Cherry Camacho Arnaiz, a Grade 3 teacher at Paliwan Elementary School in the Bugasong District, Arguelles is more than a supervisor who monitors schools from afar.

‘He is in the field, in the schools, understanding the real situation. Teachers and school heads perform better because he is supportive, not threatening,’ said Arnaiz.

For Arguelles, however, building a school was never the finish line. The classrooms were matched with families who understood why their children needed to be there.

That is why he continued visiting communities, speaking with parents and reminding them that the opportunity they once had to seek was now at their doorstep. With schools now close by, he wanted families to see there was no barrier to their children’s education.

His advocacy became most personal in the story of a 17-year-old Grade 6 learner who once asked him for help learning to read because he wanted to continue to high school.

The learner had a record of frequent absences because he was working to help his family. Arguelles spoke with his parents about their child’s eagerness to study and spent extra time tutoring him alongside other struggling readers.

By the end of the school year, the learner could read independently and had gained the self-esteem to continue his studies. He eventually pursued work as a seaman, carrying with him the education he had once struggled to reach.

Even as a supervisor, Arguelles has not let go of the learners he once taught. He stays connected by looking at their performance in school, using what he sees to provide enrichment programs for those doing well and remediation for those who continue to struggle.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Galaxy Tab S12 series – Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ – delivering Samsung’s most capable and versatile tablet experience yet. Packing breakthrough performance, long-lasting battery life, and the latest Galaxy AI into Galaxy Tab’s signature ultra-thin design, the new lineup turns complex workflows into effortless, everyday achievements whether it’s mastering skills, pursuing career goals or exploring creative passions.

Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Tab S12+ feature immersive displays and come bundled with the ergonomically designed S Pen for effortless note-taking and precise editing. With easy access to professional-grade apps and versatile accessories, users can pursue their passions and progress toward their goals with ease. Combining portability with professional-grade power, the Galaxy Tab S12 series gives users instant access to powerful capabilities whenever inspiration strikes.

‘The Galaxy Tab S12 series is designed for people who are constantly exploring new ideas, developing new skills and bringing their ambitions to life,’ said Jay Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. ‘Built with industry-leading hardware, the Galaxy Tab S12 series pairs an expansive screen with the power of Galaxy AI – removing friction from complex tasks so users can stay focused on achieving impactful results.’

Peak Performance in an Ultra-Thin Design

The Galaxy Tab S12 series combines powerful performance and long-lasting battery life into a thin and light design, making it easy for users to achieve more, wherever ambition takes them. At a remarkably slim 5.1mm, Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab, while delivering the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date, supporting productive use throughout the day. For example, users taking an online course alongside a full-time job can catch up on a lesson during the commute, then work through course exercises on the large screen at a café or library later in the day.

Both models are built to go the distance, allowing users to keep going without losing momentum. On a single charge, the all-day battery lasts up to 23 hours on Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and up to 21 hours on Galaxy Tab S12+, supporting long stretches of productivity anywhere. When it is time to recharge, the battery goes from 0% to 100% in about 95 minutes with the 45W adapter – minimizing downtime so users can get back to what they were doing.

Beyond long-lasting battery life, the Galaxy Tab S12 series delivers the most powerful performance of any Galaxy Tab to date, keeping pace with even intensive tasks. The cutting-edge 3nm processor delivers up to 61% faster NPU processing, 19% faster CPU performance and 17% improved GPU power compared to Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. In everyday use, that means users can take on more demanding tasks with increased speed and responsiveness. Whether rendering complex creative projects or watching a lecture while taking notes and asking AI for clarification – the experience stays responsive and fast with fewer interruptions to break their focus.

A newly designed 3D Vapor Chamber efficiently dissipates heat to support more reliable performance during demanding tasks, whether users are editing video or designing graphics for hours. Engineered for resilience and durability to withstand the elements and give users peace of mind, the Galaxy Tab S12 series also comes with IP68-rated water and dust resistance.

The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes with an expansive screen designed to help users think bigger and give ideas more room to unfold. Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra features a large 14.6-inch display, making it easy to explore complex topics and keep multiple perspectives in view. The Galaxy Tab S12+ features a larger 12.6-inch display and slimmer bezels than its predecessor, offering more screen space without sacrificing portability. Both models feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays reaching up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness – delivering clear, vivid visuals indoors or out. The upgraded seamless Vision Booster now adjusts brightness in real time based on lighting conditions for comfortable viewing.

Sound gets a major upgrade as well, with 4-channel spatial audio – twice as many channels as the previous generation – delivering a richer, more immersive experience whether users are streaming content, following a tutorial or editing.

Making Everyday Tasks More Intuitive and Effortless

Building on an industry-leading hardware foundation, the Galaxy Tab S12 series turns its large screen into a flexible workspace that makes it easy to keep up with different tasks without missing a beat. Running Android 17 with One UI 9 and the latest Galaxy AI, it brings research, note-taking, creation and AI assistance into one place, giving users more freedom to explore new ideas, capture what matters and put what they learn into practice.

Thanks to the Galaxy Tab S12 series’ immersive screen, users can split the screen into up to three sections in Multi Window layout. For example, users can take notes in Samsung Notes on one side while playing a lecture and opening an AI assistant on the other. As key takeaways or questions come up, users can capture them with the S Pen directly in Samsung Notes, while Note Assist summarizes their notes – all without pausing the lecture.

Both models come bundled with an ergonomic S Pen, offering precise, intuitive input for note-taking, annotating materials, and sketching concepts. For a more structured, professional workstation, the Pro Keyboard elevates productivity with a premium aluminum finish and a Galaxy AI Key that enables instant access to AI assistants, while the Book Cover Keyboard Slim delivers flexibility with comfortable viewing angles and an effortless typing experience.

The Galaxy Tab S12 series helps users bring information together and get real-time support the moment curiosity strikes. The Galaxy Tab S12 series comes equipped with a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, providing expanded access to Google’s most capable AI models from day one. Users can ask Gemini about anything unclear or dive deeper into subjects they want to explore the moment a question comes up. With Gemini Notebook, users can bring together notes, images, recordings, and files in one workspace and create summaries, podcasts, and even quizzes to make key information easier to understand.

A Complete Ecosystem Designed to Take Skills and Creativity Further

The Galaxy Tab S12 series gives users the ideal place to put knowledge into practice, bringing together professional-grade apps alongside benefits worth approximately $600 to help them take their skills further.

Adobe Photoshop comes pre-loaded on the Galaxy Tab S12 series – a first for Android tablets – bringing pro-grade image editing and design to the tablet. The interface is optimized for tablets, and S Pen support makes it more intuitive to move ideas from hand to screen. Photoshop includes AI-powered features including AI Assistant and generative AI features powered by Adobe Firefly like Generative Fill and Image to Video, helping creatives edit faster and effortlessly. Exclusively for the Galaxy Tab S12 series, users receive four months of free access to the Photoshop mobile plan.

Notability, newly pre-loaded on Galaxy Tab, helps users capture their ideas, organize notes and build knowledge more efficiently with S Pen optimization and AI-driven study tools with a six-month free trial, plus 20% off the first subscription.

Goodnotes delivers clean note-taking and organization with one year of free access and LumaFusion enables professional-grade video editing, offered at a 66% discount. And Notion supports flexible writing, planning and organization with one month of its Plus plan free. Clip Studio Paint brings precision drawing and painting tools for digital art with a six-month trial and 20% off the first subscription.

In addition to these apps, users can explore a broader range of options that support different needs. MyScript Math instantly solves handwritten equations and shows the steps behind each one, while MyScript Notes summarizes handwritten notes into study materials with built-in AI tools to explain concepts or generate quizzes. Noteshelf 3 offers customizable layouts for capturing and organizing ideas, while ArcSite converts rough field sketches into precise CAD drawings.

Availability

The Galaxy Tab S12 serieswill be available for pre-order exclusively on Shopee from October 9 to 20, before officially launching online on Samsung.com, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Shopee, MemoX.com, and Abenson.com on October 21, and in Samsung Experience and Authorized stores starting October 28, 2026.

As part of its exclusive launch offer, every purchase of the Galaxy Tab S12 series comes with a free productivity bundle-including a Book Cover Keyboard Slim, S Pen, and a 45W travel adapter valued up to ?18,279-along with 3rd party app benefits like a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, 6 months of Google AI Pro, 4 months of Adobe Photoshop subscription, and more worth up to ?24,161.

Customers can also trade in their old devices for instant savings of up to ?12,000, and enjoy 0% credit card installment plans for up to 36 months with an extra 15% off discount for select banks. Students also get additional savings with 10% off at Samsung Experience and Authorized stores or additional ?5,000 off through the Samsung Education Store online.

Built for lasting and confident use, Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ support up to seven times of OS upgrades and security updates.

For added peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage tailored to users’ device needs, including fast repairs for accidental damage, extended warranty, and certified expert support available both at home and abroad. Additionally, Galaxy mobile phone users running One UI 9 can easily check the Samsung Care+ status of their Galaxy Tab and enroll through the Warranty and care menu in the Settings. It provides quick access to warranty information, self-diagnostics, repair requests, and remote support for connected devices-all directly from the mobile phone.

Presiding Office Francis Escudero reminds the prosecution and defense teams on Day 33 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial to focus on presenting their respective cases based on evidence, justice and fairness, while maintaining respect for one another as the impeachment trial continues.

‘Our duty is not to conquer one another in these proceedings but to illuminate the truth and serve the cause of justice,’ Escudero said.

The No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) returns to five Metro Manila cities on Monday, Oct. 5, restoring camera-based traffic enforcement months after the Supreme Court lifted the temporary restraining order against the system.

The policy will be implemented in Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City and San Juan.

Valenzuela, which had also announced plans to resume NCAP, deferred its implementation due to ongoing roadworks and changing traffic conditions.

Under NCAP, closed-circuit television, digital cameras and other technology are used to record vehicles suspected of violating traffic rules without requiring traffic enforcers to stop motorists on the road. Violations are reviewed before notices are issued to registered vehicle owners.

Motorists will face standardized fines under the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023. They may check their violation records and pay fines through the online portals of participating local government units, while those who believe they were wrongly apprehended may contest the violations through designated online channels.

The Philippine National Police said it was ready to assist local governments in enforcing the policy.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) recorded revenue collections of P757.406 billion from January to September 2026, exceeding its target for the year.

According to the BOC on Sunday, it surpassed its target of P748.494 billion for the year, noting that it is ‘ahead of its collection program with three months remaining in the year.’

Aside from this, the agency said it accumulated P55.735 billion more than in the same period last year, equivalent to a 7.9% increase.

‘The growth underscores that the Bureau’s revenue performance is not based on projections alone, but on actual collections already realized,’ the BOC said.

It also highlighted that its September collection reached P93.339 billion, surpassing its monthly target of P89.184 billion. The agency said this ‘further strengthened the Bureau’s performance.’

The agency missed its monthly target for August, generating P81.4 billion, but this was still P3.9 billion higher than the P77.3 billion collected in the same month last year.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said his agency’s P1 trillion revenue collection goal this year is ‘ambitious,’ but its performance ‘shows that we are on the right track.’

‘Let us look at this goal not as a responsibility of a few, but as a shared mission of the entire Bureau,’ he said.

The squishy toy craze has made its way into the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with Presiding Officer Francis Escudero seen fiddling with one since Sept. 8.

On Monday, Oct. 5, after pounding the gavel, Escudero proceeded to play with his yellow squishy.

These squishies have been gaining traction on social media, with several content creators making ASMR content featuring them.

ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, content refers to videos, audio clips, and live streams that aim to trigger a relaxing, tingling sensation in viewers.

Slow-rising foam squishies and liquid-filled sensory ones come in different shapes and sizes. Some squishies are crunchy or resistant when squeezed.

With different squishies available on the market, children and adults alike collect them as stress relievers.

Police in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur, have launched a deeper investigation into the death of a vocal pro-Duterte vlogger on Sunday morning.

The victim, Philip Morales Engbino, 48, a married native of Minglanilla, Cebu, was also the manager of EZMMI GenCon, a major contractor for Strong Group Mining Corp. (SGMC).

Engbino was driving a company-owned white Dongfeng pickup vehicle when unidentified assailants ambushed and shot him at around 6 a.m.

Maj. Elmar Claret, Carrascal police chief, said the shooting occurred in Barangay Saca, correcting initial online reports that the incident happened along the national highway in Barangay Bacolod,

Company records showed that the pickup truck driven by Engbino left Gate 2 of the SGMC mining facility at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, roughly 13 hours before the ambush.

Claret described the incident as an ‘isolated case’ and assured residents that Carrascal remains secure.

‘Our team, along with provincial forensic experts, is working round-the-clock to resolve this case and bring those responsible to justice,’ Claret stated, adding that police visibility, patrols, and checkpoints have been augmented across key areas.

Authorities have urged residents to stay vigilant and avoid traveling alone in remote areas late at night.

Engbino was well known on social media for his staunch political commentary supporting former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Just a day before the shooting, Engbino posted a Cebuano-language vlog slamming former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV over the latter’s exposés against the Duterte family.

The video was widely circulated among Duterte supporters and fellow commentators shortly before his death.

Col. Jeffrey Lawrence Mauricio, Surigao del Sur Police Provincial Office director, appealed for calm and cautioned against drawing any conclusions on the killing of the victim while forensic and criminal investigators are still investigating the case.

Mauricio appealed to the public to refrain from formulating, disseminating, or offering baseless speculations while law enforcement authorities are still establishing the true motive behind the crime.

Fruitas Holdings Inc. has secured a P750-million credit facility from Philippine National Bank (PNB) to open more stores, develop its brand portfolio and explore overseas opportunities.

The homegrown food and beverage chain signed the agreement last Oct. 2 at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay City.

Fruitas director Calvin Chua said domestic expansion remained the priority, although the company was also considering bringing foreign brands into the Philippines and taking its own brands abroad.

‘Of course, what we are focusing on is national expansion, but we have also looked at both inbound and outbound,’ Chua said.

Acquired brands

The company is also exploring new products and retail formats for acquired brands, including Sugarhouse.

Chua cited noodle house Ling Nam, which Fruitas had expanded from restaurants into kiosks, as an example of this approach.

For overseas growth, Chua pointed to markets with large Filipino communities, citing the company’s previous experience in the Middle East.

Fruitas president and CEO Lester Yu said the company had already exported small volumes of Fruitas-branded products to Canada and the United States using the same packaging.

The group now has 15 commissaries nationwide, Yu added.

Asked why Fruitas was pursuing expansion despite rising interest rates and uncertainty facing businesses, Yu pointed to growing revenue and sales volume.

He cited revenue growth of more than 20 percent. He also said volume last week rose 47.7 percent compared with the corresponding week in 2025, based on the company’s weekly monitoring.

The credit facility will support new store openings nationwide, strengthen existing brands and provide flexibility to pursue opportunities outside the Philippines, according to the company.

PNB president and CEO Edwin Bautista said the financing reflected the bank’s confidence in Fruitas’ growth prospects and financial management.

PNB vice chair Lucio Tan III likewise said the bank aimed to help local businesses expand and compete in larger markets.

‘Our role is to give companies like Fruitas the financial runway to grow, helping strong local businesses compete on a bigger stage,’ Tan said.

San Antonio Spurs forward Tobias Harris will miss the preseason and is questionable for the start of the NBA regular season after suffering a strained left calf during training camp.

Harris, who signed as a free agent on July 6, did not participate in the team’s annual intrasquad Silver and Black scrimmage on Sunday.

The 6-foot-8 power forward will be reevaluated following the team’s five-game preseason schedule.

Team officials said Harris is questionable for the regular-season opener against Oklahoma City on Oct. 20 in a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals.

Harris signed a two-year contract with San Antonio after spending the past two seasons with Detroit.

He averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 27.7 minutes last season to help the Pistons finish atop the Eastern Conference standings.