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Amid the driving rain and fierce winds of Typhoon Paolo, Team North stood tall – unyielding and unrelenting – as it powered its way to a wire-to-wire triumph to claim the crown in the ICTSI North vs South Elite Junior PGT Championship here on Friday.

After dominating the Four-ball format with an emphatic 8-4 win and grinding out a hard-fought 6 1/2- 5 1/2 victory in Foursomes, North proved it could also excel when the pressure was squarely on individual shoulders. In the decisive Singles matches, they delivered yet again – claiming 11 of the 24 showdowns while halving two others – to power past the 24.5-point title threshold and seal a convincing 26 1/2-21 1/2 triumph at The Country Club.

North needed just 10 wins in the head-to-head battles to wrap up the title in this inaugural Ryder Cup-style finale, but added an extra for good measure – cementing its dominance and validating the months-long journey that began in the Luzon series, with standout talents emerging from seven grueling legs played across the region’s top championship courses.

South mounted a spirited comeback late, overcoming early setbacks to notch 11 victories and narrow the overall gap to 21-23 with several matches still to be played.

With the championship hanging in the balance, North’s Vito Sarines delivered a moment for the ages.

Locked in a tense, all-square battle with South’s Ralph Batican, Sarines pulled off a stunning 20-yard chip-in on the treacherous 18th hole – an audacious shot that cut through the rain and pressure like a knife. The ball rolled then dropped into the cup with clinical precision for birdie, triggering a thunderous eruption from the North camp and sealing a dramatic 2-up victory in the boys’ 11-14 division.

That electrifying finish handed North a crucial point, bringing their tally to 24 in what had been a nail-biting showdown.

But while the cheers echoed around the 18th green and outside of the TCC Pavilion, the true clincher unfolded quietly at the distant 15th.

There, Jakob Taruc calmly dismantled Eric Jeon with a dominant 4 and 3 victory in the boys’ 15-18 division. His steely composure and relentless play sealed the title for North – delivering the full point that pushed them past the finish line with a 25-point total.

Then came Rafa Anciano, who added flourish to North’s crowning moment. Down early against Precious Zaragosa, Anciano staged a gritty comeback and closed it out with a 3 and 2 win – lifting North’s total to 26. Zach Villaroman capped the effort with an all-square result against Alexis Nailga, nudging the final score to 26 1/2-21 1/2.

What began as a tightly fought, rain-soaked duel between two proud regions ended in celebration for the North. And at its heart was a daring chip, a quiet clincher, and a team that rose when it mattered most.

‘The lead in Day 1 was very, very important,’ said Team North captain’s representative Joey Anciano. ‘It’s like a step inside the door already. Day 2 was to maintain or increase the lead and we also won, leaving us with 10 matches and a draw to win the cup.’

And momentum they had in spades.

After two days of intense action – marked by drama, momentum swings and relentless pressure – Team North came into the final day poised, calm and battle-ready.

Even the threat of Typhoon Paolo couldn’t shake its players’ resolve.

As gray skies darkened and strong winds gusted over the drenched course, the players teed off in drizzle. But Team North was all business. They seized early control in nine of the first 15 pairings, while four matches remained all-square in the hotly contested 7-10 and 11-14 age groups.

The South squad, composed of the Visayas-Mindanao region’s finest junior talents, made a spirited stand. In the boys’ 11-14 division, four of their players surged ahead early. But Team North was quick to respond. Zianbeau Edoc and Sarines clawed back to force all-square results against Jared Saban and Batican, respectively- dampening South’s momentum just as it began to rise.

North’s dominance held strong in the boys’ and girls’ 7-10 and girls’ 11-14 categories, where they displayed unflinching composure amid challenging conditions. That resilience, forged over months of elite competition, shone through when it mattered most.

North even conceded an early match when 15-18 standout Patrick Tambalque was forced to withdraw while leading Armand Copok by two after five holes, citing a severe back injury.

But this hardly mattered for a team that continued to shine across multiple age-group divisions, undeterred by the windy, stormy conditions.

Anciano raised the determination and effort shown by his players throughout the tournament.

‘It was teamwork and team dynamics. And credit goes to the players definitely because they fought their hearts out,’ said Anciano.

‘Every match the players did their best and that’s what’s important. That’s why we have this kind of tournament. Golf is an individual sport, but we are blessed to have this event which is also all about teamwork,’ he added.

He also emphasized the individual talent of the team and how their game plan paid off.

‘All our players are gifted – they’re talented, strong hitters, and strong in their individual games,’ Anciano said.

‘Actually, it can go both ways, but again we had a strategy through all three days and it worked. So we’re happy to win this one,’ he added.

Halo Pangilinan delivered the opening blow for North with a dominant 6 and 5 rout of James Rolida in the boys’ 7-10 division, setting the tone early in the singles matches. Mavis Espedido quickly followed suit with a 5 and 3 triumph over Soleil Molde, answering South’s first win of the day – Kvan Alburo’s 6 and 5 demolition of Asher Abad.

Ronee Dungca continued North’s charge in the youngest division, dismantling Claren Quiño with a commanding 7 and 6 victory. Zach Guico then overpowered Ethan Lago, 6 and 4, while Jacob Casuga cruised to a 6 and 5 win over Ken Guillermo in the boys’ 11-14 bracket. In the girls’ 7-10, Winter Serapio rolled past Francesca Geroy, 4 and 3, and twin sisters Lisa and Mona Sarines delivered back-to-back wins in the girls’ 11-14 – an 8 and 6 rout of Brittany Tamayo and a 3 and 2 decision over Kimberly Baroquillo, respectively.

Despite the rains and North’s early surge, South staged a spirited comeback.

Lucas Revilleza edged Zoji Edoc, 2 and 1, in boys’ 7-10, while Denise Mendoza blasted past Tyra Garingalao, 5 and 3, in girls’ 7-10. In girls’ 11-14, Zuri Bagaloyos downed Alexie Gabi, 3 and 2, and Rafella Batican eked out a 1-up victory over Kendra Garingalao. In the girls’ 15-18 division, Crista Miñoza and Tashanah Balangauan scored emphatic wins – 7 and 5 over Levonne Talion and 5 and 4 against Chloe Rada, respectively.

South’s late rally leveled the singles matches at 8 wins apiece, and it even surged ahead as Marcus Dueñas and Saban outlasted Ryuji Suzuki and Edoc via the same 3 and 1 results in boys’ 11-14, and Mhark Fernando essayed a 4 and 3 victory over Kristoffer Nadales in boys’ 15-18.

But it wasn’t enough to erase North’s five-point cushion from the first two days of team play. In the end, the Luzon aces proved just as tough and dominant in individual matches as they had been in team competition, securing a well-deserved overall victory in the rain-soaked championship.

North’s Tiffany Bernardino earlier blew a four-hole lead late, enabling Mikela Guillermo to salvage an all-square match, stalling the team’s impending march to the championship.

By day’s end, the storm in the skies mirrored the storm unleashed by Team North on the course – calculated, fierce and unstoppable.

The victory capped a season-long, cross-regional showcase of emerging Filipino golf talent – a tournament built not only on skill, but on heart, grit and camaraderie.

And as the North players hoisted the championship trophy, they didn’t just celebrate a tournament win. They celebrated the spirit of a team that weathered every challenge – from championship pressure to the edge of a typhoon – and emerged as the brightest stars of Philippine junior golf.

Emerging as standout performers for Team North were Espedido, Dungca, Casuga, Serapio, and the Sarines twins, who swept all their matches in Fourballs, Foursomes and Singles. On the other hand, Balangauan and Miñoza were the only unbeaten players from Team South, with Balangauan winning all her matches, including the only three tournaments she had participated in during the Vis-Min series.

A. Soriano Corp. (Anscor) is exiting The Bistro Group nearly a year after investing in the operator of full-service restaurants Italianni’s, TGI Fridays and Texas Roadhouse.

Anscor has sold its entire 22 percent stake in TBG Food Holdings Inc. to Inoza Business Holdings Inc. for P1.91 billion.

The listed holding company said the transaction represents value realization of its investment in TBG, getting gross annualized returns greater than 25 percent on its investment through a combination of distributions and capital gains.

Anscor in November last year acquired a minority stake in TBG for P1.61 billion, expanding its portfolio in the consumer sector.

‘Anscor extends its best wishes to the Bistro and Inoza teams. We are confident they will continue delighting Filipino consumers with their quality dining experiences for many years to come, and we look forward to seeing their continued success,’ the company said.

TBG, also known as The Bistro Group, is a premium casual restaurant operator in the Philippines, owning and operating over 200 full-service restaurants across 23 brands, including iconic names such as Italianni’s, TGI Friday’s and Texas Roadhouse.

Inoza recently took a majority stake in TBG, securing the Philippine Competition Commission’s approval in August.

Inoza is a newly formed holding company affiliated with Progeny Global Holdings Inc., which is engaged in agribusiness, food manufacturing and limited-service restaurants.

Progeny operates the Bounty Fresh brand, as well as limited service restaurants Chooks-to-Go and Uling Roasters.

A construction worker from Tondo, Manila died from a gunshot during the Sept. 21 anti-corruption protests in Mendiola, according to forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun.

Fortun, in a medical certificate issued yesterday, confirmed that Eric Saber died due to a ‘perforating gunshot to the neck.’

The 35-year-old victim also suffered from a spinal cord injury, Fortun said.

Saber was allegedly shot by police during a violent dispersal of protesters, according to militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).

However, Philippine National Police public information officer Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said there was no shooting during the unrest.

Tuaño said police recorded one fatality, a 15-year-old student who died from a stab wound.

‘There was no shooting connected to the protest. Based on the report, it was a stabbing incident, not a case of police firing,’ he said.

The KMU vowed justice for Saber, who was buried yesterday at the Manila North Cemetery.

Heartbreak for Alex Eala.

The Filipina tennis ace clawed out of a late deficit in the third set but faltered in the tiebreak to yield to Viktorija Golubic, 2-6, 6-2, 6(0)-7, in the Suzhou WTA 125 quarterfinals in China Friday.

After Eala tied the third set at 3-all, the 32-year-old Swiss won the next two games to grab a 5-3 lead.

Golubic, the World No. 70, even took the advantage in the sixth game, but the Rafa Nadal Academy graduate showcased her resiliency as she clawed out of the hole inch by inch.

Eala took a 6-5 lead, but her Swiss foe forced the tiebreak with a victory in the 12th game.

In the tiebreak, Eala seemingly ran out of steam as she faced a 0-4 deficit and did not recover.

The 20-year-old, ranked 58th in the world, had a strong start in the first set, dropping the first two games before sweeping the next six.

In the second set, though, Golubic waxed hot and won the first four games, before Eala finally bagged one.

But Golubic win two of the next three games to extend the match.

Before the Filipina tennister exited the tournament, she took down Katarzyna Kawa and Greet Minnen in the first two rounds.

Golubic will now take on German tennister Tatjana Maria in the semifinals, who punched her ticket to the semifinals via walkover.

Caritas Philippines – the humanitarian, development and advocacy arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines – yesterday appealed for donations for victims of Severe Tropical Storm Opong in Masbate and Romblon.

Caritas said that residents of Masbate and Romblon are in need of food packs and non-food items such as essential household items, sanitation kits, potable water with jerry cans, solar lamp with power chargers, generator sets and medicine, especially for treatment of wounds.

Aside from these items, people are requesting for construction materials for rebuilding houses and churches as well as interim livelihood for affected families.

As of Sept. 28, the dioceses of Masbate and Romblon remained without power and have been relying on generator sets.

No formal evacuation centers are available in the provinces, Caritas said.

It said that telecom service is down except for Smart, although the signal is weak, and the supply of medicine is running low.

The source of water in Masbate sustained damage from Opong

Kapamilya star Daniel Padilla attended the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards to receive his Outstanding Asian Star award.

According to a report by ABS-CBN, Daniel walked on the red carpet in the KBS Hall in Seoul, South Korea wearing pinstripe suit by Ryan Viloria and Gekko Studios.

“Awkward, daming tao,” Daniel said. “Siyempre, yun naman ang pinunta natin dito. Okay naman!”

Daniel received the Outstanding Asian Star award with fellow recipients Film Mahawan from Thailand, Kentaro Sakaguchi from Japan, and Anna Jobling from Malaysia.

Also winning the award as determined by fan votes were Jisoo of Blackpink, fellow Korean star Kim Seon-ho, and Chinese actor Yu Bai.

In his acceptance speech, Daniel thanked his ABS-CBN executives, fans who voted him, and his “Incognito” team, even mentioning each of his co-stars.

“I’m truly honored to be here tonight to receive this award, thank you so much Seoul International Drama Awards for this recognition,” Daniel said in his speech. “I also want to thank my friends and my family for their endless support and unconditional love. Mama, I made it.”

“And to all the fans, thank you for your continuous support and unwavering love. You are the reason why I’m here. Thank you so much,” Daniel ended.

The biggest winner of this year’s Seoul International Drama Awards was Netflix hit “Adolescence” as it took home the Grand Prize, Best Director for Philip Barantini (jointly winning with Hirokazu Kore-eda for “Asura”), and Best Actor for Owen Cooper.

Apple TV+ also had a big night as “Severance” creator Ben Stiller won the Golden Bird Prize and writer Dan Erickson won Best Screenwriter, “Pachinko” won Best Miniseries, and “Disclaimer” star Cate Blanchett shared the Best Actress award with “Pachinko” star Kim Min-ha.

Netflix shows “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” and “When Life Gives You Tangerines” shared the Outstanding Korean Drama award as its stars Ju Ji-hoon and IU won the acting categories.

Completing the winner’s list were Korea’s “The Son” for Best TV Movie, Turkiye’s “The Good and The Bad” for Best Series, and Young Tak’s music in “For Eagle Brothers” for Outstanding Korean Drama Original Soundtrack.

Help! Is there a veterinary clinic with an animal psychiatric ward?’

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson tweeted this yesterday in an apparent reference to critics of his crusade against budget insertions and his handling of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee investigation on the flood control corruption scandal.

Lacson – who earlier said he would rather respond to his critics’ outbursts with silence – no longer held back in his stinging rebuke of his detractors.

‘We have a crazy cat that keeps meowing on the ground floor and an annoying dog that keeps barking on the upper floor,’ Lacson said on X.

Lacson called out someone as an ‘annoying dog barking’ in the plenary of the Senate, although he did not say who.

He posted the tweet a day after his chief critic in the chamber, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta delivered yet another scathing privilege speech on Wednesday night calling out the veteran budget watcher’s accusations of ‘insertions’ in the national outlay.

Marcoleta questioned Lacson’s criticisms of senators’ budget amendments for their pet projects in his ‘moral crusade to denounce budget manipulations as the breeding ground of corruption’ – only to ‘shift tone’ and ‘get off his hobbyhorse of morality’ by urging Congress to ‘heed the public outrage.’

‘What does this mean? That after all the thunder, we simply move on? This inconsistency, first condemning insertions as corrupt, then quietly moving on without demanding redress only deepens public distrust. Are we truly committed to reform, or merely staging rhetorical battles without the resolve to clean up the rot?’ Marcoleta said.

Lacson also called out a ‘crazy cat. meowing’ on the ‘ground floor,’ an apparent reference to the House of Representatives.

He did not name the person, but the congressman who recently got on his nerve was Cavite Rep. Kiko Barzaga, who posted on social media an election campaign photo of Lacson with controversial contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya, apparently as a way to discredit the Senate Blue Ribbon committee’s flood control corruption hearings.

Lacson said the photo was taken during a meeting with the two upon an invitation of a friend during the campaign period. He denied receiving campaign funds from the Discaya couple.

The congressman mocked Lacson on Facebook by posting a quote card with a cat’s face on the senator’s, and with his response to Lacson’s rebuke.

Employees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Northern Cebu whose livelihood have been disrupted by the recent calamity will receive emergency assistance through the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.

DOLE-7 regional director Roy Buenafe said the agency has allocated P11 million for the program, which is expected to benefit over a thousand displaced workers in Northern Cebu.

He said several workers lost their daily wages after operations in their workplaces were suspended, with some employers unable to provide compensation due to financial or personal difficulties.

‘To ensure that affected workers will not be left without income, we will provide them with TUPAD. For the first 10 days, they will receive minimum wage of P540 daily or a total of P5,400,’ he said.

Under the scheme, displaced employees will be tasked with clearing debris, cleaning workplaces, and assisting in community rehabilitation to make business operations viable again.

DOLE said it is coordinating with local governments, which have better knowledge of affected enterprises and workers.

‘Our priority is to assist disrupted and displaced workers immediately,’ Buenafe added.

Employers were also reminded that they cannot compel employees to report for work if there is imminent danger to their safety. ‘Absences under such conditions cannot be a ground for suspension or termination,’ DOLE said.

The labor department further urged affected workers to register with DOLE personnel deployed in the field so assistance can be extended as quickly as possible.

‘We need businesses to come back so people can sustain their livelihood, but in the meantime, we will ensure that no worker is left behind,’ Buenafe said.

The TUPAD program provides emergency employment and livelihood opportunities to those who have lost their jobs or sources of income due to crises.

The business community is becoming highly skeptical about the viability of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) created by President Marcos to look into the massive corruption in flood control projects.

In fact, the business sector has expressed the belief that the ICI probe may be doomed from the start, with a nebulous goal, funding, manpower and legal authority to mete punishment on those it is supposed to investigate.

As Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro had previously said, the ICI is merely a fact-finding body that is not supposed to mete punishment on any person who does not attend the hearings of the commission.

Sources in the business community point out that the scope of the investigation by the ICI is a logistical nightmare alone in hiring clerical staff, investigators, lawyers and competent assessors to help collect, check, verify documents and records, and then to compile and safeguard all testimonies, documents and paperwork submitted and gathered by the commission on the numerous flood projects that involves several government agencies.

The investigation, business observers note, could very well cover at least 10 years, and would therefore take even more time to validate and check.

While they are glad that former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson is part of the ICI, sources say that he was only prevailed upon by President Marcos to join the commission, even as he had previously rejected a return to government.

Singson’s corruption-free stint at the DPWH during the term of former president Benigno Aquino III has earned him the respect of international financial and aid organizations.

In fact, in a recent Asian Development Bank infrastructure seminar, just before the ICI was formed to investigate the corruption in flood control projects, Singson had told members of the media who attended the event about his strict and business approach to dealing with legislators and contractors who visited his office.

According to Singson, ‘Unlike others, I never offer my visitors anything to eat or drink when they come, because I do not want them to become comfortable or too friendly and stay longer than needed.’

Singson preferred to keep a formal and arms length approach in all his government dealings.

Perhaps, this approach in the conduct of the ICI hearings is being followed, much to the dislike and suspicion of some observers, since a public hearing allows for some theatrics by some of the legislators and witnesses.

The coverage of the investigation, sources said, is so extensive, and to synthesize all of the findings would itself be a humongous undertaking that may not be credibly completed in just a couple of months.

There is likewise no set timetable for the ICI to complete its work, leaving suspicion and causing frustration that the whole exercise is just a ploy to string the public along until the people get tired and bored, and decide to move on to the next political brouhaha.

The recent resignation of Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong is also being met with dismay by the business sector, which heightens their suspicion about the ability of the ICI to complete its task.

In the meantime, the stock market continues to tank while the economic managers continue to wax optimistic, and the political pot continues to be stirred by talks of military dissatisfaction.

Businessmen admit that the corruption probe has had a ‘chilling effect’ on business and the construction sector, which has a multiplier effect on the economy, has slowed down.

Fortunately, local and international economists remain optimistic that while the Philippine growth scenario will not be as robust as originally projected at the start of this year, it will remain in a slightly lower growth scenario even with the risks it faces.

The ADB, just this week, affirmed a resilient growth outlook for the country while acknowledging some uncertainties from global trade and investment policies and continued and heightened geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and from the Russian-Ukraine war.

In a briefing, ADB country director for the Philippines Andrew Jeffries acknowledged that ‘Though these uncertainties pose increased risk, we see strong domestic demand anchoring growth, with sustained investments and an accommodative monetary policy supporting the economy’s expansion.’

The ADB forecasts inflation to ease this year, slowing to 1.8 percent before rising to three percent next year. It notes though that adverse weather conditions and climate shocks could put pressure on commodity prices.

Other downside risks to the growth outlook, the ADB cited, are external headwinds from heightened uncertainty, further shifts in global economic policies, and rising trade barriers that could affect market sentiment and hinder economic growth.

One factor it highlighted could be the fragility of China’s property market ‘that could weaken growth in the rest of the region.’

Sustained government investments, including for social services, are seen boosting domestic demand, the report said. Business sentiment remained positive, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Q2 2025 survey, though softer amid external headwinds.

Consumer outlook stayed optimistic for 2026. This bodes well for private consumption growth, which is partly supported by steady inflow of remittances from overseas Filipinos.

The government, the ADB noted, aims to maintain infrastructure spending at five to six percent of gross domestic product, or GDP, over the medium term.

The recently signed Accelerated and Reformed Right-of-Way Act is expected to streamline land acquisition process for government and public-private partnership projects, which will help speed up infrastructure investments.

The new law, the ADB said, would benefit the government’s flagship projects, including the ADB-financed Malolos-Clark Railway Project and the South Commuter Railway project that would will link Metro Manila to northern and southern provinces in the Luzon region; and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project that will connect the province of Cavite to Bataan and shorten travel time between the two provinces.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan will get an increase in their monthly minimum wage, the Department of Migrant Workers announced yesterday.

DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac said thousands of OFWs in Taiwan would receive higher salaries starting January 2026.

The government of Taiwan has approved a monthly minimum wage of NT$29,500 and NT$196 per hour, Cacdac said.

‘This is a victory for all workers in Taiwan, including OFWs and their families,’ Cacdac said.