Hawaiian Guri-Guri: Not ice cream but not quite sherbet

Who says you cannot have ice cream, sherbet, or sorbet, on a rainy afternoon? You can – and sometimes icy desserts can be the most satisfying treat for the palate when it’s cold!

You do not have to go to the nearby convenience store to buy ice cream either. You can simply make your own at home using simple ingredients.

The Maya Kitchen, which runs cooking classes regularly, suggests treating yourself to a Guri-Guri, which is a famous frozen dessert that originates from Maui, Hawaii. It is a cross between an ice cream and a sherbet and offers an interesting texture. For starters, The Maya Kitchen has come up with this refreshing, citrusy Mandarin Orange Guri-Guri and shares its recipe.

Guri-Guri (Mandarin Orange Sherbet)

Ingredients:

For the cornstarch slurry:

1/4 cup Maya Cornstarch

1 cup water

For the Guri-Guri:

1 can condensed milk (full cream or filled milk, not creamer)

1 bottle (500 ml.) orange soda

1 can Mandarin orange, drained and sliced into bits

Liquid from drained Mandarin orange can

Procedure:

1. Prepare cornstarch slurry by combining Maya Cornstarch with water in a small saucepan. Stir mixture gently using a whisk. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook until thick. Remove from the heat and set aside.

2. In a medium mixing bowl, add slightly cooled cornstarch slurry. Pour in condensed milk with orange soda, stirring slowly until well blended.

3. Add liquid from the canned Mandarin oranges.

4. Finally, mix in orange bits. Leave some for topping if desired.

5. Pour mixture into a square baking pan (9’x 9′) or disposable aluminum tray.

6. Freeze mixture for 8 hours or overnight.

7. To serve, shave or scrape Guri-Guri into individual cups or glasses.

’Consider plight of constituents

President Marcos has reminded councilors to consider the plight of their constituents when passing ordinances, as he emphasized the importance of a strong coordination between the national and local governments to ensure the timely delivery of aid to the needy.

Speaking during the oath taking of the newly elected Philippine Councilors League officers, Marcos said councilors are among the public officials closest to communities and must remain closely attuned to the concerns of ordinary Filipinos.

‘Let us legislate with purpose, not just for the sake of passing ordinances. Let us remember that effective legislation requires both principle and practicality,’ the President said during the ceremony held on Aug. 18 at Malacañang.

August 25: Habagat to bring rains across Luzon – PAGASA

The southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, may bring rains to Luzon and across the country, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

According to PAGASA’s weather forecast on Tuesday, August 25, the rest of Luzon may expect partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to the habagat.

The habagat may also bring cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms to Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cavite, Batangas and Rizal.

The rest of the country may also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.

Tropical cyclones

Two tropical cyclones are still monitored east of the Philippines as of Tuesday.

Typhoon Saudel, formerly known as ‘Obet,’ has exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) as of 9:30 p.m. on August 24. As of 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Saudel is estimated to be at 1,180 kilometers east-northeast of extreme northern Luzon.

Saudel has winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 185 kilometers per hour. It is moving west-northwestward at 25 kph.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Atsani is estimated to be at 1,760 kilometers east-northeast of northern Luzon. It is also outside the PAR.

Atsani is moving northward at 30 kph with winds of up to 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph, according to PAGASA.

Marcos visits flood-hit Pampanga

President Marcos yesterday visited evacuees in Bacolor, Pampanga, one of the areas severely affected by massive flooding due to days of heavy rains brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon and other weather disturbances.

Marcos interacted with evacuees at the Bacolor Integrated School Evacuation Center in Barangay Cabambangan, where he also oversaw the distribution of P10,000 cash assistance each to affected families.

The financial aid was sourced from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program.

Joining Marcos were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Pampanga Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda and Bacolor Mayor Eduardo Datu.

According to the DSWD, 315,807 families in Pampanga are still staying in evacuation centers.

Virtual must-win FIBA window

Not to put pressure on Gilas but the reality is the fourth FIBA World Cup Asia qualifying window is a virtual must-win for the Philippines considering its precarious standing with six games left in the schedule. Gilas is hosting the window so it’s added stress to win before the home crowd. But it’s also a perfect opportunity to drop the axe on Jordan this Friday and Iran on Sunday at the MOA Arena with the fans serving as the Sixth Man.

Coach Tim Cone realizes the sense of urgency. He deviated from his traditional practice of calling a short training pool of up to 15 and named 20. The pool includes players from overseas except that Quentin Millora-Brown and Mike Phillips aren’t available. Aside from QMB and Phillips, the players are Justin Brownlee, Ange Kouame, RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, JuneMar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Justine Baltazar, Geo Chiu, AJ Edu, Dwight Ramos, Juan Gomez de Liano, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Kevin Quiambao, Troy Rosario, Carl Tamayo and Kai Sotto. Brownlee and Kouame are also unavailable so Gilas will be without a naturalized import this window. JB is dealing with health issues and Kouame signed a contract to play in France.

Jordan and Iran are expected to show up with guns blazing. They’ve racked up identical 5-1 records while the Philippines shares the bottom of their second round group with Syria at 2-4 each. Australia tops the bracket at 6-0 and New Zealand is fourth at 4-2. In the other group, Lebanon is first at 5-1 then Japan and Qatar are tied at 4-2 each. Saudi Arabia, South Korea and China are even at 3-3. Eight of the 12 teams will qualify for the FIBA World Cup in Qatar on Aug. 27-Sept. 12 next year, meaning four will be left out. The Philippines has played in the last three World Cups starting in 2014 in Spain then 2019 in China and 2023 in Manila. It’s a streak that Gilas hopes to preserve. Before qualifying in 2014, the Philippines hadn’t seen action in the World Cup since hosting the event in 1978.

Host Qatar is automatically entered in the coming World Cup with the teams posting the seven best records in the Asia qualifiers to join the conclave. At the moment, the squads with the best seven records (excluding Qatar) are Australia, Iran, Jordan, New Zealand, Lebanon, Japan and Saudi Arabia (highest quotient over South Korea and China). The Philippines is out of the picture and needs to pick up wins in its next six games to crack the Magic Seven. In the fifth window, Gilas plays Syria on Nov. 27 and Iran on Nov. 30 and in the sixth, it’s Jordan on Feb. 25 and Syria on Feb. 28. The fourth window is critical to get Gilas off to a winning surge.

Emperador rejoins FTSE global index

Emperador Inc. is rejoining the FTSE Global Equity Index Series, while several firms are being downgraded.

Emperador re-enters the FTSE Global Equity Index Series as a Small Cap constituent following FTSE’s Asia Pacific ex Japan ex China Regional Index Semi-Annual Review announced on Aug. 21.

It is the only Philippine company newly added to the FTSE Small Cap segment in the review.

Emperador said the inclusion marks its return into the FTSE Global Equity Index Series universe and places the company within the relevant FTSE Small Cap and All Cap benchmark universes.

‘The company remains focused on broadening its institutional investor base, improving market liquidity and strengthening its investable market capitalization over time,’ it said.

FTSE Global Equity Index Series serves as a benchmark for institutional investors and fund managers worldwide.

Inclusion in the index enhances the company’s visibility in global capital markets and may potentially increase liquidity and broaden its shareholder base.

Valued at around $3.8 billion in terms of market capitalization, Emperador is a global brown spirits firm, with leading brandy and Scotch whisky businesses spanning the Philippines, United Kingdom, Spain, Mexico and other international markets.

The company is dual-listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and Singapore Exchange.

Meanwhile, Bank of the Philippine Islands and SM Prime Holdings Inc. will be removed from the Large Cap Index and be included to the Mid Cap Index.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and Megaworld Corp. will also see a downgrade from the Mid Cap Index to the Small Cap Index.

Further, Bloomberry Resorts Corp. and Cebu Air Inc. will be excluded from the Small Cap Index and included to the Micro Cap Index.

Other inclusions to the Micro Cap Index are Alliance Global Group Inc., Apex Mining Co. Inc., DDMP REIT Inc., OceanaGold Philippines Inc. and RFM Corp.

Honor Magic V6 now up for pre-order at P119,999 with free HONOR Pad X8b worth P12,999

Global leading AI device ecosystem company and foldable industry leader Honor today announced the launch of the Honor Magic V6. Combining an ultra-slim profile with record-breaking battery endurance and flagship-grade durability, the Honor Magic V6 is now available for pre-order for only P119,999 from August 25 to September 4, 2026.

‘The future of foldable technology is about pushing boundaries without asking users to compromise,’ said Stephen Cheng, vice president of Honor Philippines. ‘With the Honor Magic V6, we set out to deliver a foldable experience that brings together a refined design and dependable durability.’ The Magic V6 boasts an impressively slim profile, measuring just 8.75 mm when folded and 4.0 mm when unfolded (white version), with a lightweight design of around 219g-delivering an in-hand feel closer to a traditional slab smartphone than a conventional foldable.

As the innovator that redefined the foldable category, Honor delivers an ultra-thin form factor that makes absolutely zero compromises on durability. At its core is the Honor Super Steel Hinge, featuring an industry-leading tensile strength of 2800 MPa.

Reinforced by an AI-assisted bionic cushioning system, developed through thousands of simulations, the hinge structure effectively absorbs impact and evenly distributes force during accidental drops and everyday use.

The inner display utilizes UTG flexible glass for a near-zero crease visual experience, while the outer display is reinforced by the Honor Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield. This ultra-precise silicon nitride coating features up to 5,600 layers, significantly improving durability and wear resistance while minimizing reflectivity.

Certified with IP68 and IP69 ratings under IEC 60529 standards, the Magic V6 offers flagship-level resistance to water, dust, and high-pressure sprays-a rarity in the foldable market.

The device also features a 6.52-inch outer display and a 7.95-inch inner foldable display, both supporting adaptive 1-120 Hz refresh rates. The outer display reaches a peak brightness of 6,000 nits, while the inner display hits 5,000 nits.

Combined with an ultra-low reflectivity of 1.5%, visibility remains excellent even in direct sunlight. Both screens feature advanced eye-comfort technologies, including 4320Hz PWM dimming, ensuring comfortable viewing experience during extended use.

uring power, elite performance

Equipped with a massive 6,660mAh Honor Silicon-carbon Battery, the Magic V6 houses the largest battery ever seen in a foldable smartphone. With roughly 25% silicon content and an energy density of 921Wh/L, it delivers exceptional capacity without adding bulk.

Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform with an advanced 3nm process, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, the Magic V6 offers elite performance across gaming, multitasking and productivity.

Enhanced by a full-stack Vulkan graphics engine, it seamlessly supports 120 FPS in demanding mainstream titles on the large inner display, setting a new benchmark for foldable performance.

The device also supports 80W Wired and 66W Wireless Honor SuperCharge, alongside Wireless Reverse Charging. Honor’s proprietary system technologies-including the Honor E2 Power Enhanced Chip and advanced RF enhancements-maximize power efficiency and ensure rock-solid connectivity, delivering a true, uncompromised flagship experience.

Intelligent imaging and cross-ecosystem productivity

The Magic V6 delivers intelligent imaging and productivity in one seamless experience. The Honor AI Falcon Camera System features a 50MP Ultra Light Sensitive Main Camera, a 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera with a 1/2-inch sensor and CIPA 6.5-stop image stabilizati , and a 50MP Ultra-Wide Camera, ensuring stunning results in low-light, long-range and everyday scenarios.

A suite of AI-powered features-including AI Color Engine, Magic Color 2.0, Magic Video Color, and AI Image to Video 2.0-elevates the creative process with real-time optimization, cinematic color grading, and intelligent posing guidance.

Running on MagicOS 10, the Magic V6 offers the brand’s most comprehensive AI experience yet. Its suite of AI Agents-including AI Settings Agent, AI Photos Agent, AI Suggestion, and AI Screen Suggestions-provides intuitive assistance across content creation, meeting workflows, intent recognition, and on-screen contextual actions.

To maximize the inner display’s potential, the brand introduces Fast Flex-activating a dual split-screen mode via a simple folding motion-alongside PC-level Multi-Flex, putting an ultrawide monitor right in your pocket. Powered by a Vulkan graphics engine and desktop-grade architecture, it delivers PC-like smoothness across three simultaneous apps, effortlessly handling files over 1GB.

Breaking down ecosystem barriers, the Magic V6 connects seamlessly with iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch via Honor Share for one-tap file transfers, notification sharing, and dual-screen Mac workflows.

The Magic V6 also works with Quick Share for app-free file transfers between AndroidS and compatible Apple devices, making sharing easier, no matter the device you have.

Honor Magic V6 with Google Gemini

Honor Magic V6 with Google Gemini allows users to interact seamlessly via text, voice, or image comprehensive assistance on the go.

Share your camera or screen in Gemini Live conversations to ask about anything you see, and whether you’re at home or on the go, talk through your schedule, manage your to-do list or take action in Gemini Live with connected apps.

It also offers a three-month trial of Google AI Pro at no cost, providing higher access to the best of Gemini, including new and powerful features in the Gemini app like video generation powered by Veo 3.1, Nano Banana Pro image generation, the AI filmmaking tool Flow, the AI research assistant NotebookLM, plus 5TB of cloud storage.

Color, pricing and availabilityThe Honor Magic V6 comes in Red, Gold, and White and is now available for pre-order at any Honor Experience and Partner Stores or online for only P119,999.

Pre-order from August 25 to September 4, 2026 and get a free Honor Pad X8b worth P12,999 when you claim on September 5.

Tobacco Bill: CAPPA files FOI request over disputed amendments

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has filed a Freedom of Information (FOI) request with the National Assembly, demanding comprehensive legislative records on the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following concerns by public health stakeholders that proposed changes would weaken Nigeria’s tobacco-control framework.

The request, dated August 13 and addressed to the Clerk of the Senate, comes days after the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community – a coalition of more than 100 civil society organisations, public-health advocates and tobacco-control stakeholders – rejected the proposed amendments and called for the Bill’s immediate recall.

CAPPA said it is seeking the records to establish the legislative history of the Bill, promote transparency in the lawmaking process and clarify how provisions that the tobacco-control community considers dangerous to public health came to be included in the current consolidated text.

The FOI request asks the National Assembly to provide certified copies of the Senate and House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings reflecting every stage of the Bill’s consideration, including first and second readings, committee referral, consideration of committee reports, third reading and passage.

It also requests the dates of each legislative stage, the names and constituencies of sponsors and co-sponsors, records of any divisions or recorded votes, relevant committee reports, details of public hearings and stakeholder submissions, and the Bill’s current status, including whether it has been transmitted for presidential assent.

CAPPA invoked Sections 1(1), 2(3)(f) and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, and requested that the National Assembly provide the information within the statutory seven-day period. It said the records could be supplied electronically or as certified physical copies where applicable.

At a press briefing in Abuja on August 9, the Nigeria Tobacco Control Community, which includes CAPPA, warned that the consolidated Bill could weaken important safeguards under the NTCA 2015 and create regulatory openings for tobacco and nicotine companies.

Among the criticised provisions are proposed changes concerning non-combustible nicotine products, advertising and promotion, online sales, point-of-sale promotion, product sampling, packaging and penalties.

The groups also questioned the legislative history of some of these provisions, saying controversial provisions were not contained in the versions of the legislation presented at a public hearing on November 22, 2024. They consequently demanded answers about how the provisions subsequently entered the consolidated Bill.

‘This request is made in the interest of promoting public health, accountability, and transparency,’ CAPPA stated in its letter to the Clerk of the Senate, stressing that it concerns the legislative history of the National Tobacco Control Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

The tobacco-control community has questioned who introduced the provisions it considers concessions to tobacco and nicotine interests, and which public-health institutions reviewed them.

It argued that updating tobacco control legislation to address emerging nicotine products should strengthen, not weaken, Nigeria’s protections against tobacco-related disease and nicotine addiction.

It particularly objected to provisions it says could permit forms of promotion of non-combustible products through adult publications, point-of-sale materials and online platforms, as well as sponsorship of cultural, social and recreational events. Its concerns also cover proposed changes to online sales, product sampling and the classification of heated tobacco products.

The groups contended that given Nigeria’s large youth population and the rapid circulation of digital content, exemptions ostensibly designed for adults could nevertheless expose young people to tobacco and nicotine marketing.

The coalition has therefore called for the immediate recall of the consolidated Bill and a fresh, transparent, public health-led review.

’Lagos will go into katakata’: Umahi explains why Carter Bridge can’t close

‘The Federal Government says it plans to complete the reconstruction of Lagos’ Carter Bridge within 24 months, bringing forward the original 36-month completion schedule.

Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge projects in Lagos. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Works, Sen. Mohammed Goronyo, and members of the National Assembly, including the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Mr Akin Alabi.

Umahi said the decision to accelerate the Carter Bridge project was driven by its importance to Lagos’ transport network.

The 1.58km bridge has been in service for more than six decades, with years of inadequate maintenance contributing to serious structural deterioration.

‘Carter Bridge has stayed for over 60 to 70 years with no maintenance.

‘The lifespan of every bridge is about 50 years, and what we found out from the underwater survey is that a lot of the piles had detached from the pile caps.

‘It is like having the leg removed from the hip. There was also a lot of rust within the piles, while scouring and illegal sand mining contributed to the failure of the bridge,’ he said.

Umahi said a new design had been completed, incorporating features aimed at improving traffic movement and protecting the structure against future deterioration.

He said the redesigned bridge would have additional ramps to ease congestion, while one carriageway would be elevated over the other. A cable-stayed section would also be introduced to provide sufficient clearance for navigation.

‘Carter Bridge is 1.58km but you are going to see aesthetics, engineering and innovation.

‘We are going to be flying one carriageway over the other, increasing the number of ramps to decongest traffic towards the ramp sections.

‘We are also having a cable bridge to contain the 105 spans for navigational activities. It is going to be beautiful,’ Umahi said.

The minister said the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), had completed about 15 per cent of preliminary activities. These include establishing the project yard and constructing access roads.

He added that piling was expected to begin before the end of the week.

Additional measures, including the installation of gabions, will also be used to protect the bridge foundations from erosion and scouring.

According to Umahi, the bridge cannot be shut completely during construction because of its strategic importance to Lagos.

‘If we close Carter Bridge, Lagos will go into katakata (chaos). That is why we are maintaining it while the reconstruction is going on,’ he said.

He said the government was adopting a similar approach on the Third Mainland Bridge, where ongoing intervention was aimed at extending the structure’s lifespan by another 50 years.

Umahi expressed confidence that the reconstructed Carter Bridge would remain functional for more than 100 years because of the additional engineering measures incorporated into its design.

He also commended the contractor for its progress and thanked members of the National Assembly for supporting the project.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olufemi Dare, told the minister that CCECC had mobilised to the site and commenced access road construction. He added that the contractor’s yard had been established and preparations were underway for piling.

Dare also updated the minister on the Iddo Bridge project, saying three spans, numbered 13, 14 and 15, had completely failed and were subsequently replaced.

‘Three days ago, we completed the casting, and the bridge has also been elevated, giving us very good headroom underneath.

‘In another 10 days, after the concrete has cured, we will open this section to traffic and close the other section, after which demolition will start immediately,’ he said.

Dare said drainage and Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) works on the Iddo Bridge project were about 90 per cent complete.

He expressed confidence that the intervention would be completed within two months.

Zulum one of the exceptional governors, says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu poured encomiums on Governor Babagana Zulum describing his as one of the exceptional governors of this dispensation who brought ‘rigour and discipline of academia into governance, introduced landmark reforms, and fostered development in Borno.’

President Bola Tinubu said this in a congratulatory message to Zulum on his birthday on August 25.

The President, in the birthday message signed by Bayo Onanuga, his spokesperson also described the Governor as an ‘academic, visionary, and reformist who has brought stability to Borno and deepened the state’s development.’

President Tinubu also applauded Governor Zulum’s people-centred leadership, particularly his investment in projects with far-reaching impact on human capital development, such as rural clinics, schools, and skill acquisition centres.

He also acknowledged Zulum’s pragmatism and ability to rally minds around a cause and commends his efforts to promote national unity.

‘Governor Zulum is one of the exceptional governors of this dispensation. He brought the rigour and discipline of academia into governance, introduced landmark reforms, and fostered development in Borno. I thank him for his support and encourage him to keep providing exemplary leadership to the people.

‘As he celebrates this birthday, I wish him more years of good health and renewed strength as he continues to serve Borno and the nation,’ the President says.