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The 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference gets going on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Montalban, kicking off eight weeks of fast-paced action.

The Thunderbelles and Chargers clash at 4 p.m., followed by the Solar Spikers and Flying Titans at 6:30 p.m.

Ten imports are making their PVL debut, each eager to make an impact, while two familiar faces return-Lindsey Vander Weide for Petro Gazz and Jelena Cvijovic for Galeries Tower.

PLDT, riding high after winning both the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference, brings in Russian spiker Anastasia Bavykina in the bid to complete a season sweep.

Creamline, looking to turn around a disappointing season after last year’s Grand Slam, has tapped Courtney Schwan of the US to replace Erika Staunton and revive its campaign.

Cignal welcomes Greek standout Eva Chantava, Farm Fresh brings in Belgian star Helene Rousseaux, Nxled adds Spain’s Paola Martinez Vela, Anyse Smith of the US suits up for Choco Mucho, and Capital1 brings in Ukraine’s Oleksandra Bytsenko. Chery Tiggo turns to Cuba’s Yunieska Batista, ZUS Coffee parades Amarican Anna DeBeer, and Akari has Annie Mitchem of the US.

With limited time to build chemistry, every match could be an upset.

PLDT is the team to beat, while Creamline, Chery Tiggo, and Cignal are hungry for redemption. ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh are hoping to shake things up.

The 12 teams are split into two pools. Pool A includes PLDT, Cignal, Farm Fresh, Nxled, Choco Mucho, and Capital1, while Pool B features Chery Tiggo, Creamline, ZUS Coffee, Akari, Galeries Tower, and Petro Gazz.

The top three from each group then face the bottom three from the opposite pool in a crossover second round. Rankings follow FIVB rules-total wins, match points, set ratio, and point ratio.

After the second round, the bottom four are eliminated and the top eight move on to single-elimination quarterfinals (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, etc.). Semifinals and medal matches are also knockout rounds.

There’s a joke going around now-live by the last-minute goal, die by the last-minute goal.

That sums up Liverpool Football Club’s season thus far – five consecutive wins all with a sudden death goal and losses in the last three including a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Look, we know every football club in the Premier League can upset the other on any given day. We certainly do not expect any team to go undefeated in this modern age of football. But as a long-time Reds fan, I have to call out what I feel are concerns.

Concerns I have thought of even before this string of defeats.

I wondered why in this club’s haste to move on from Jurgen Klopp’s legacy, they did a huge makeover of the club’s roster that in my mind was a mistake. I thought of the Chicago Bulls during the 1998-99 season when they replaced a winning formula with a new coach and new players. They have not won since.

Jurgen cast a huge shadow on this football club with a cultural change and a style of football that came to define them. Not everything was pretty though as there were bitter defeats. But they came out ahead as they won every possible trophy out there. The brand and the culture grew. Everyone was walking in Jurgen’s shadow.

Look, I thought that as good as Arne Slot was when he came in, he won with Klopp’s team. I do not buy the argument that

In spite of the additions in the off-season where they brought in all those players, I thought that Ryan Gravenberch finally got settled down in Merseyside. Dominic Szoboszlai did well early in his debut under Jurgen then faltered at their pace later on. Ditto with Alexis Mac Allister.

Even the so-called improved Luis Diaz eventually faltered. Furthermore, the slow down offense was also employed by Klopp later after his first Premier League title as the club was hit by a rash of injuries.

I am not going to second guess his moves why a midfielder is asked to play in the backline. Every coach does that to make up for injuries or something that isn’t there. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. On occasion, Jurgen dropped James Milner or even then captain Jordan Henderson on defense.

Here’s what I want to point out.

The problem with bringing in all these new star signings is that you have to play them straight away. However, they have not imbibed the culture or their tactical nous. The team of Klopp went through a lot of pain and disappointment before they rose to the occasion.

The new signings know nothing about that.

And Slot started them in place of tried and tested veterans such as Andy Robertson or even Joe Gomez. Wataru Endo is far from his time under Klopp.

I thought it was a mistake to let go of Luis Diaz. While Gakpo has done well, it is Diaz’ speed and 1v1 ability that helps him rule that left wing. The lack of creative forces from the middle and the left has seen Mo Salah double teamed much of the time.

Before Salah had Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, and Gako.

Time was when the flanks were raining crosses from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson. The supply of balls into the box is gone.

I believe that Florian Wirtz is struggling because he needs the ball to be effective. As it is, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai handle the bulk of the playmaking. Now, I believe he is in Peter Crouch’s situation where he was expected to score goals but struggled mightily and it took him like 18 games before he started scoring. Now, because Wirtz really hasn’t done anything, his confidence was shot. What a waste.

And one other thing that bugs me a lot is how he threw Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong under the bus for mistakes. I do not recall Jurgen calling out players during interviews. Even when Mo Salah showed his displeasure at coming out of a match, Klopp was diplomatic. It was all about togetherness.

Two consecutive matches where Slot calls out a player-that’s a sure way to lose the locker room.

I know this is sounding like a comparison to Klopp, but really, it cannot be helped. Jurgen made a habit of playing the academy players in big games. It hardly happens now.

Yes, it is a different style, and Slot did win a Premier League title last season. So, I am merely commenting on the shoehorning the new players into the starting eleven right away and the calling out of players.

It is still early in the season, but if they do not arrest this skid right away, it will surely get away real fast and that would be really embarrassing considering the amount they spent in the off-season.

University of Santo Tomas defeated Adamson University, 3.5-0.5, in Round 3 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 chess tournament at the Adamson Gym.

FIDE Master and Season 87 Most Valuable Player Christian Mark Daluz (2/2) led the charge, winning a queen vs. rook-and-bishop endgame against John Rocel Simon (1/2) on Board One.

Chester Reyes (2/2) won with black on Board Two, defeating Joshua Roque (0/2) in 42 moves of an English Opening.

On Board Three, Lee Roi Palma (2/2) shocked Adamson’s Robert Palisoc (0/2) with a late rook sacrifice that turned a balanced position into a winning mating attack.

Mark Reyes (0.5/1) and Dustin Herrero (0.5/2) drew on Board Four.

Ateneo moved into a tie for second after a strong 3-1 win over La Salle.

Cedric Abris (1/2), Arena FIDE Master Ritchie Abeleda (2/2), and Christopher Kis-ing (1/1) secured victories on Boards One, Three and Four.

UP held FEU to a 2-2 draw to join Ateneo in second place.

Arena FIDE Master Io Calica (1.5/2) and Arena International Master John Rydel Ventures (0.5/1) drew with FEU’s FIDE Master Mark Bacojo (1.5/2) and Franklin Andes (0.5/1) on Boards One and Four, respectively.

In women’s play, La Salle stayed on top with a 2.5-1.5 win over Adamson.

Rinoa Sadey (3/3) and Checy Telesforo (1/1) delivered wins on Boards Three and Four.

Woman National Master Francois Magpily (1.5/3) drew with Robelle de Jesus (1.5/3) on Board One, while Juzeia Agne (1/2) lost to Ma. Christina Samarita (1.5/3) on Board Two.

National University beat Ateneo, 2.5-1.5.

Woman FIDE Master Allaney Doroy (3/3) earned her third straight win in 49 moves against Jiessel Marino (1.5/4) on Board One.

Queen Rose Pamplona (1/1) defeated Francine Magpily (1/2) on Board Four, while Kyla Dalagan (1.5/2) drew with Alphecca Gonzales (1.5/4) on Board Three.

Far Eastern University bounced back from its opening-day loss with a clean 4-0 win over University of the Philippines (UP), climbing to third place.

Woman FIDE Master April Joy Carlos (1.5/2), Francesca Largo (2.5/3), Woman National Master Vic Glysen Derotas (2/2), and Joyce Rueda (1/1) all scored wins for FEU.

Despite the inclement weather brought by Typhoon Opong (which packed Nando-level gusts of wind), Cecile Licad’s concert at the Metropolitan Theatre in the heart of Manila offered a powerful, exhilarating escape from the gloomy day. It was my first visit to the historic Met, and entering its marble-clad halls, buzzing with anticipatory excitement, was an unforgettable experience. I knew immediately this night would be etched into my memory.

A Night That Comes Alive

From the very first note, the Metropolitan Theater seemed to come alive. Under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, every movement of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) felt charged-like the music itself was dancing in the air. The orchestra’s precision, energy, and collective artistry filled the hall with an almost tangible current, instantly pulling the audience in.

The concert opened with Rossini’s ‘Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri,’ which began quietly with plucked strings before bursting into a sudden wave of orchestral chords. An oboe then lulled us with a sweet, gentle melody, only to build again into a grand crescendo. Thanks to the Metropolitan’s superb acoustics, every sweeping note was heard in stunning clarity.

Then came Cecile Licad.

Called ‘the pianist’s pianist,’ Licad is one of the Philippines’ greatest musical treasures, celebrated not just for her virtuosity but for her ability to breathe life into complex pieces. The moment she took her place at the piano, a quiet, palpable silence fell over the hall-an anticipation that hinted at the extraordinary event to come.

The Heart of Romanticism

As the soaring notes of Chopin’s ‘Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 21, F minor’ filled the air, emotions and senses were heightened. In Licad’s hands, the piece became a deeply personal narrative. Her piano served as the primary voice, conversing with the orchestra through soaring, romantic phrases. She found the perfect balance between the music’s tender lyricism and its dramatic outbursts, leaving the audience utterly absorbed in Chopin’s world.

The concert’s second half began with Mozart’s ‘Die Zauberflöte (Magic Flute) Overture’-a piece familiar to many, even if only from the famous ‘Queen of the Night’ aria (a favorite of Barbie fans, like myself, who remember it from Fairytopia!). The light, energetic pace made everyone’s head sway along to the beat, led by Maestro Nowak’s masterful, agile baton.

Saint-Saëns’ ‘Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, op. 22’ followed, and it was impossible not to be emotionally swept away. Licad brought a powerful feeling to the opening movement, switched seamlessly to the light and playful wit of the middle movement, and delivered a blazing display of flawless technique in the final rush.

The result? Thunderous applause and hollers. A continuous string of ‘Bravo!’ and ‘Brava!’ filled the hall as the audience showed their unrestrained appreciation.

More Than Just Notes

What sets Cecile Licad apart is not just her technical brilliance, but the way she forces you to truly listen. Every note, every pause, and every delicate flourish felt deliberate-like a cinematic scene unfolding in real time. Her fingers danced effortlessly, making the most demanding passages look almost casual, as though the piano were an extension of her own will.

For me, the experience was deeply personal. I found myself recognizing selections that are usually just familiar background companions in my daily routine. But hearing them live, in Licad’s hands, was like tasting something familiar in a completely new way. Imagine the pure delight of Remy from Ratatouille when he first tried cheese and strawberry together-two ordinary things that suddenly created something extraordinary. That was the effect of Licad’s music: familiar, yet completely transformed.

The PPO, under Maestro Nowak’s masterful guidance, was the perfect partner, elevating the entire evening into a shared emotional journey across centuries of music-Rossini, Chopin, Mozart, and Saint-Saëns. That was perhaps the greatest gift of the night: the reminder that music is not meant to be passively heard but actively felt. In Licad’s hands, the piano was not just an instrument, but a brilliant storyteller.

An Encore to Remember

Just when the audience thought the evening had reached its peak, Licad added another layer of intimacy. With touching sincerity, she dedicated a Chopin piece to her dear friend, Ms. Nedy Tantoco. The melody was tender, almost fragile, wrapping the hall in a mood of quiet reflection.

But Licad wasn’t finished.

With a mischievous smile and effortless charm, she launched into Scott Joplin’s ‘Maple Leaf Rag.’ Suddenly, the entire room lit up. The playful ragtime rhythms instantly disarmed the audience, and soon the crowd was nodding, tapping, and even laughing with delight. In that moment, the formal concert hall felt more like a gathering of friends, united by the simple, universal joy of music.

That, perhaps, is Cecile Licad’s greatest gift: her ability to bridge worlds. She can perform the most demanding classical repertoire with staggering mastery, yet she also knows how to disarm her audience with warmth, humor, and joy. She reminds us that classical music is not an artifact preserved in a glass case, but a living, breathing art form-one that can move you to tears one moment and make you grin the next.

For nearly two hours, Licad, Maestro Nowak, and the PPO transported us. It was a powerful reminder of why live performances matter: no recording can truly capture the charged feeling of being in the same room as music being made. With every note, Cecile Licad proves why she is-and always will be-the pianist’s pianist.

A 2-year-old girl chosen as Nepal’s new living goddess was carried by family members from their home in a Kathmandu alley to a temple palace Tuesday during the country’s longest and most significant Hindu festival.

Aryatara Shakya, at 2 years and 8 months, was chosen as the new Kumari, or ‘virgin goddess,’ replacing the incumbent, who is considered by tradition to become a mere mortal upon reaching puberty.

Kumaris are chosen from the Shakya clans of the Newar community, indigenous to the Kathmandu valley, and revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in the predominantly Hindu nation.

The girls are selected between the ages of 2 and 4 and are required to have unblemished skin, hair, eyes and teeth. They should not be afraid of the dark.

During the Indra Jatra festival earlier in September, the former Kumari was wheeled around on a chariot pulled by devotees. The Kumari always wears red, pins up her hair in topknots and has a ‘third eye’ painted on their forehead.

The weeklong Indra Jatra festival was the first of a series of celebrations in October including Dashain, the main festival, and Tihar or Diwali, the festival of lights.

Tuesday marked the eighth day of Dashain, a 15-day celebration of the victory of good over evil. Offices and schools were closed as people celebrated with their families.

Family, friends and devotees paraded the new Kumari through the streets of Kathmandu before entering the temple palace, which will be her home for several years.

Devotees lined up to touch the girls’ feet with their foreheads, the highest sign of respect among Hindus in the Himalayan nation, and offered her flowers and money. The new Kumari was scheduled to bless devotees, including the president, last Thursday.

‘She was just my daughter yesterday, but today she is a goddess,’ her father Ananta Shakya said, adding that there were already signs she would be the goddess before her birth.

‘My wife during pregnancy dreamed that she was a goddess and we knew she was going to be someone very special,’ he said.

The former Kumari Trishna Shakya, now aged 11 years old, left from a rear entrance on a palanquin carried by her family and supporters. She became the living goddess in 2017.

Families of the Shakya clan who qualify for the prestigious seat compete to have their daughters selected. The family of the Kumari gains an elevated position in society and within their own clan.

But Kumaris live a sequestered life. They have few selected playmates and are allowed outside only a few times a year for festivals.

Former Kumaris face difficulties adjusting to normal life, learning to do chores and attending regular schools.

Nepalese folklore says men who marry a former Kumari will die young, which has resulted in many of the girls remaining unmarried.

Over the past few years, there have been many changes in tradition and the Kumari is now allowed to receive an education from private tutors inside the temple palace and even have a television set.

The government also offers retired Kumaris a small monthly pension of about $110, which is slightly above the minimum wage fixed by the government.

The De La Salle Philippines has begun developing a 24.4-hectare botanical garden that will cultivate rare and native plant species to support research on habitat restoration and ecological rehabilitation.

Through its Lasallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE), the La Salle Botanical Gardens (LSBG), located within AyalaLand’s Alviera estate in Porac, is envisioned as a living laboratory where scientists can study how disturbed landscapes recover and regenerate over time.

Esperanza Maribel Agoo, a botanist and biology professor at De La Salle University, told the BusinessMirror the project will prioritize species endemic to Central Luzon’s biogeographical zone.

‘We’re focusing on native species with rare and threatened status,’ Agoo said. ‘Among the rarest plants on earth can be found here-cycads, or ‘pitogo,’ local bamboo species, ferns, and some herbs and legumes that help fertilize the soil.’

‘These species will help us demonstrate habitat restoration in areas disturbed by lahar, floods and typhoons,’ she added.

Porac, one of the hardest-hit towns during the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, was buried under repeated lahar flows that reshaped its terrain and river systems. The botanical garden seeks to transform these scarred areas into models for ecological recovery.

The LSBG forms part of La Salle Philippines’ broader environmental program on biodiversity conservation, ecological education, and science-based land management.

Agoo said the first phase of planting would include around 100 species of trees, palms, ferns and soil-stabilizing plants suited for regeneration.

An earlier inventory recorded at least 45 tree species, which can be expanded through nursery propagation.

‘We’re selecting plants that naturally occur here,’ Agoo added. ‘It’s not just about conservation, but showing the natural process of recovery.’

To understand how flora and fauna interact in recovering ecosystems, researchers will also monitor wildlife activity.

Ronaldo Lagat, a herpetologist and faculty member at De La Salle Dasmariñas, said the approach is designed to recreate a functioning ecological system where plants coexist with animals.

‘We’re not just planting trees, we’re creating a system,’ Lagat told the BusinessMirror.

‘Animals like birds and bats help disperse seeds, while insects serve as pollinators. A quarter of the site will be left untouched so we can observe natural succession, how a disturbed area heals itself,’ he explained.

Data collected from the site will guide future rehabilitation programs and policymaking, providing evidence on which species to prioritize or avoid in reforestation efforts, he said.

‘With the right data, we can identify which plants thrive and which ones may become invasive,’ he said. ‘This information will help make rehabilitation more effective.’

The Philippines is home to hundreds of threatened native species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The LSBG was first conceptualized in 2016 and formally planned following a land donation in 2018. Its master plan, developed with landscape architects from the United Kingdom and the Philippines, was followed by fundraising and nursery propagation during the pandemic.

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has teamed up with e-commerce platform Lazada Philippines to expand the digital presence of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) assisted by the agency.

The partnership, formalized on Wednesday through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, seeks to bring more DOST-supported businesses into online marketplaces by integrating the agency’s MSMEs oneSTORE initiative with Lazada’s platform.

It also aims to provide MSMEs with access to the platform’s logistics, marketing, and payment systems to strengthen their market reach and competitiveness.

‘This collaboration is especially significant because MSMEs make up more than 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines and provide over 60 percent of employment,’ Science Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said during the signing ceremony.

He said expanding their digital footprint could help small firms keep pace with changing consumer trends and market demands.

Under the agreement, participating MSMEs will undergo training through Lazada University, which offers modules on digital marketing, supply chain management, customer engagement, and online selling.

The two parties will also co-develop targeted campaigns promoting DOST-assisted products and innovation-driven enterprises.

Lazada Philippines government affairs head John Kenneth Estiller said the collaboration is designed to help MSMEs scale up their operations and improve their competitiveness both in local and global markets.

The partnership builds on DOST’s ongoing efforts to support small enterprises through technology-based programs, such as the Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program; Community Empowerment through Science and Technology; and the Science for Change Program.

From 2022 to 2024, thousands of MSMEs and local governments have benefited from these initiatives, according to the agency.

Data from the latest Global Innovation Index showed that the Philippines currently ranks third among lower-middle-income economies in innovation performance.

THE Philippines’ failure to strengthen basic education is weakening its workforce and dragging down its global competitiveness, according to industry experts who warned that poor literacy and numeracy at the earliest levels are feeding into the country’s widening talent gap.

In the 2025 IMD World Talent Report, the Philippines placed 64th out of 69 economies, lagging behind its Asean peers, which improved their rankings by investing heavily in education and training.

The report tracks how countries develop, attract and retain talent, and experts said the Philippines’ low standing is rooted in weak literacy and numeracy at the primary level.

Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) Executive Director Hanibal Camua said the poor performance was no surprise.

‘Related assessments will tell us that there’s really a problem.. We’re always at the bottom. That’s just in the education sector. When you’re looking at the World Talent Rankings and particularly talking about talent, what prepares our workforce is really our education and our training ecosystem,’ Camua said at a recent panel discussion.

In the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which tested 15-year-olds in 81 countries, the Philippines ranked near the bottom in all subjects-third lowest in science with an average score of 356, sixth lowest in mathematics with 355, and also sixth lowest in reading with 347.

These results showed little improvement from 2018, when the country scored 357 in science, 350 in mathematics, and 340 in reading.

A World Bank study also earlier found that as of 2021, nine out of 10 children were unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10.

Camua warned that this collapse in early learning is carried forward through the education system.

‘If we are not doing very well in basic education, then basically those who will proceed to senior high school and eventually to college will have low competencies. And it shows,’ he said.

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) reported that while basic literacy among Filipinos aged 10 to 64 reached 90 percent last year, functional literacy-defined as the ability to comprehend and apply information-was only at 70.8 percent.

According to the PSA, this means that for every nine individuals in this age group who can read, write and compute, two still struggle with comprehension.

The gap between basic and functional literacy was also widest among those aged 60 to 64, where one in every three who could read and write had difficulty understanding what they read.

Skills gap felt in training and jobs

THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) has also seen the impact in its own programs, with many students entering training without the minimum skills needed to keep up.

‘Some of those graduating from basic education, even higher education, still do not know how to read and write. They cannot really comprehend well, and the numeracy facility is very low,’ said Tesda Executive Director El Cid Castillo, noting that this lack of foundational skills makes it difficult for many to qualify for or finish technical courses.

The lack of preparation has also spilled into the job market.

According to JobStreet by SEEK Managing Director Dannah Majarocon, some employers are struggling to match workers with vacancies.

‘This continued growth in job openings is not just an indicator of business growth but it’s also an indicator that there are jobs that are harder to fill because of the missing talent that we have,’ she said.

Majarocon added that the timing is critical, with younger cohorts now entering the workforce.

‘In the next two years or so, those who are currently 25 and under will be dominating the workspace. These are the very people we are saying we have an educational crisis,’ she said.

This generational shift, experts noted, highlights how deeply rooted the problem has become.

Camua stressed that the crisis cannot be pinned on a single administration, as decades of underinvestment have eroded the system.

‘It’s been a systemic negligence, I would say. It’s not attributable to this administration or the previous administration,’ he said.

He warned that unless reforms are carried out soon, the country’s so-called demographic dividend could turn into a liability.

‘Do not delay in solving the education crisis because the longer that we delay this, the more it becomes a liability,’ he added.

Falling behind ASEAN peers

THE Philippines, once regarded as a model for education in Southeast Asia, has been overtaken by its neighbors.

‘Malaysians and Indonesians would come here to study our education system. But the irony now is we are already left behind,’ Camua said.

Both Indonesia and Thailand have shown improvements in recent years, but the 2025 IMD results placed them ahead of the Philippines despite mixed movements.

Malaysia ranked 25th, climbing eight spots, while Indonesia slipped to 53rd but still remained well above the Philippines at 64th.

Thailand also kept its position in the middle of the pack (43rd), improving gradually in talent development indicators, where the Philippines has consistently lagged.

Panelists said this widening gap reflects years of underinvestment in literacy, numeracy, and functional reading, areas that must now be prioritized alongside higher per-student spending and stronger accountability mechanisms.

They added that the government cannot rely solely on companies to close the gap.

‘It’s a very, very practical viewpoint around it, but I feel like the cycle around relying on the private sector or businesses to actually upscale and reskill employees just because that need is so very urgent is absolutely unsustainable,’ Majarocon said.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo ‘Ping’ M. Lacson is stepping aside as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, after some colleagues aired their disappointment over the inquiry anomalous flood control projects.

He acknowledged the observations, but also cited ‘disruptions’ that gave the perception of unwieldy hearings, including his run-ins with his predecessor in the Blue Ribbon, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.

The two senators have been arguing over the handling of the Discaya couple, one of the biggest favored contractors for flood-control projects. At one point, Lacson asked Marcoleta, ‘why are you so protective of the Discayas?’

Meanwhile, Lacson – who noted that all Senate committee chairpersons including the Blue Ribbon are elected by fellow senators and thus serve at the pleasure of their peers – maintained on Sunday that this will not stop his continuing fight against corruption.

‘Since all chairpersons of the Senate committees are elected by our peers, I serve at the pleasure of my colleagues, particularly the members of the majority. Rightly or wrongly, when quite a number of them have expressed disappointment over how I’m handling the flood control project anomalies, I thought it’s time for me to step aside in favor of another member who they think can handle the committee better,’ Lacson said.

‘No amount of criticisms from misinformed netizens and partisan sectors can distract or pressure me from doing my job right, but when my own peers start expressing their group or individual sentiments, maybe it is best to vacate. Nevertheless, I will continue to fight a corrupt and rotten system in the misuse and abuse of public funds as I have consistently done in the course of my long years in public service,’ he added.

In a radio interview earlier Sunday, Lacson said he is preparing his resignation letter and may formally manifest it in plenary when the Senate resumes its session.

Lacson scored the fake news and false narratives that some sectors insisted on circulating – including one that says he is targeting some fellow senators while allegedly protecting members of the House of Representatives perceived to be the ‘masterminds’ of the flood control mess – including former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co.

‘If you ask me, I would say I handled the hearings well. But there are those trying to disrupt the hearings. In one instance, the hearing had barely started when someone tried to make a distraction,’ he said, apparently referring to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who questioned Lacson’s impartiality as soon as a hearing began. Marcoleta was replaced as Blue Ribbon chief by Lacson after the Sept. 8 shakeup that saw Vicente Sotto III elected Senate President, ousting Sen. Chiz Escudero.

Such disruptions, Lacson said in Filipino, are partly ‘why there is a perception that the hearings were not handled well.’

President Russell Marion Nelson, world-renowned heart surgeon and 17th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church of Jesus Christ), passed away peacefully at his home in Salt Lake City on September 27. He was 101 years old, the oldest prophet in the history of the Church.

Born on September 9, 1924, in Salt Lake City, Nelson was the second of four children of Marion C. and Edna Anderson Nelson. His early life was marked by a love of learning, music, and faith that shaped both his professional and spiritual journeys.

Medical career

President Nelson graduated at the top of his medical class at the University of Utah in 1947 and later earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota.

He helped develop the heart-lung machine that made open-heart surgery possible and performed Utah’s first successful open-heart operation in 1955. Over the course of his career, he performed more than 7,000 surgical operations.

He served as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery, as director of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and as chairman of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery for the American Heart Association.

He authored chapters in medical textbooks and numerous scholarly publications, gaining worldwide recognition for his skill and innovation.

Family

In 1945, he married Dantzel White in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised 10 children. After Sister Dantzel’s passing in 2005, he married Wendy L. Watson, a professor of marriage and family therapy, in April 2006.

Nelson is survived by Sister Wendy Nelson, eight of his children, 57 grandchildren, and more than 167 great-grandchildren.

Church service

Nelson was called as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on April 7, 1984, and served for more than three decades. On January 14, 2018, he was set apart as the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His presidency was marked by significant initiatives that reshaped the global Church.

He announced the construction of 200 new temples, emphasized the importance of the revealed name of the Church, reorganized priesthood quorums, and introduced changes to ministering, missionary, and youth programs.

He also modified temple recommend interview questions and addressed policies affecting families.

As prophet, he ministered across the globe, visiting 32 countries and US territories, and met with world leaders, including Pope Francis in 2019. In January 2016, then-Elder Russell M. Nelson made his final visit to the Philippines, ministering to thousands of Latter-day Saints in multiple cities across the country.

President Nelson has also built bridges with faith and civic organizations, notably partnering with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to advance initiatives in education, self-reliance, and community service.

Legacy

President Nelson will be remembered for his pioneering contributions to medicine and for his prophetic leadership, which invited millions worldwide to deepen their faith in Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be announced by the Church in the coming days. A successor to President Nelson is not expected to be formally designated until after the funeral.

The Church in the Philippines

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has grown remarkably in the Philippines since its first presence in 1961. Today, nearly 1 million members worship in more than 1,300 congregations across the country. The Philippines is also home to 14 temples in various stages of operation, construction, or planning, making it one of the largest centers of the Church outside the United States.