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Host University of Santo Tomas shoots for a third straight win to gain a share of lead with Ateneo when it clashes against fellow unbeaten National University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. after the La Salle-Far Eastern University duel at 2 p.m., with the Growling Tigers (2-0) banking on their home crowd anew to break a second-spot tie with the Bulldogs (2-0) and join the Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-0) on top of the league nearing the halfway mark of the first round.

The three remain as the only undefeated squads in the squad, with UST being the biggest revelation so far after slaying reigning champion University of the Philippines and La Salle, finalists of the last two UAAP seasons.

Led by super rookie Collins Akowe, momentum and confidence are on the España-based dribblers on the back of a mammoth 87-67 trashing of the Fighting Maroons and a stellar 93-84 comeback over the Green Archers for a statement start.

But while that shored up UST’s tag as this year’s dark horse especially with UP and La Salle still adjusting to the departure of their core led by Finals MVP JD Cagulangan and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, the mission is just beginning.

Winning against the Bulldogs, who have also taken care of their first two games, is just a continuation for the Tigers.

‘This is not a statement. We’re just happy that we’re progressing as a team. Right now, we’re just focusing on ourselves and our games, which is now against NU,’ said ace playmaker Forthsky Padrigao, who returned from a one-game suspension with 12 points, nine assists and three steals against La Salle.

‘UST this year is not the same as UST last year. Medyo may confidence na kami ngayon but we have to keep grounded. We just have to stick to what we’re doing,’ said assistant coach Peter Martin.

Starring in the duel is Akowe, who will be in first match against what was anticipated as his collegiate school after graduating from the National University-Nazareth School as UAAP juniors MVP and Best Foreign Student-Athlete, before surprisingly committing to UST.

Count on the readiness of the Bulldogs to finally try to stop the 6-foot-10 Senegalese anchor, who feasted on UP and La Salle with averages of 24.8 points and 18 rebounds.

‘We will be ready no matter what happens talaga. At hindi lang naman si (Collins) ‘yung paghahandaan namin. Buong UST ang paghahandaan namin. We’ll see,’ said Bulldogs mentor Jeff Napa after their wins against FEU, 84-68, and University of the East, 72-57.

Sanitec officially unveiled JOMOO in the Philippines through a landmark event themed, ‘JOMOO: The Eos of Smart Living,’ marking the opening of its first showroom in Metro Manila and strategic partnership with Sanitec, the Bath and Kitchen Specialist.

The launch introduces one of the world’s leading sanitaryware brands to the local market, strengthening Sanitec’s portfolio of world-class bathroom solutions for Filipino homes and developments.

JOMOO is recognized as the #1 sanitaryware brand in China, with a brand value exceeding $25.22 billion and the World’s No.1 in Smart Toilet Sales.

With more than 350 global design awards-including “Best of Bath” in the iF Design Awards, ranked No. 1 globally in total awards for five consecutive years-JOMOO has contributed to projects such as the Great Wall of China, Ritz Carlton Residences in Jordan, Indonesian High-Speed Railway, The Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Madagascar.

Behind its success is an advanced manufacturing network: 15 high-end Smart Factories, 16 R and D centers and 10,000 high-end showrooms across 120 countries.

Its most groundbreaking achievement is the industry’s first “eco-friendly Dark Factory”-a fully automated, robotic facility that conserves energy, reduces waste and redefines sustainable manufacturing operating with precision and efficiency at a level impossible for traditional manufacturing.

Through Sanitec, JOMOO brings a full range of intelligent, sustainable and user-friendly bathroom solutions-from smart toilets to cabinets, showers and faucets-designed to elevate everyday living while remaining accessible.

‘Tonight, we are unveiling what tomorrow’s bathrooms can be and will be,’ said Jensen Go, vice president of Sanitec Import Ventures Inc.

‘This partnership with JOMOO is a testament to our mission of providing Filipinos with carefully selected brands and products that empower us to build bigger, better and wiser.’

Adding star power to the occasion, celebrity guest Alden Richards graced the event, highlighting the significance of the launch in ushering in a new era of smart living for Filipino homes. As he shared, ‘It’s like owning a piece of the future.”

With its proven expertise, award-winning innovation and global presence, JOMOO is poised to become the top choice of developers, architects, designers and homeowners seeking modern and intelligent bathroom solutions.

This launch marks the beginning of a new era in bathroom design-where technology, sustainability, and style converge with a clear invitation: to ‘Start Your Smart Life’

The Supreme Court has ruled that barring employees from the workplace without a valid reason amounts to illegal dismissal.

In a May 19, 2025 decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the high court’s Second Division upheld labor arbiters’ findings that 12 workers of Constant Packaging Corp. were illegally dismissed.

The employees, hired as sorters and packers on a pakyaw (per output) basis, had complained about sub-minimum wages, 12-hour shifts seven days a week, and non-remittance of SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions.

After filing a case before the Department of Labor and Employment, they were denied entry to the factory by a company security guard.

The company argued the workers were not dismissed and could return under their original pakyaw arrangement, insisting denial of entry did not equate to termination.

The National Labor Relations Commission had partially granted the workers’ plea but denied their motion for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals later affirmed the NLRC ruling.

The employees then elevated the case to the Supreme Court.

The ruling

The tribunal reversed the lower rulings, stressing that when an employee ready and willing to work is blocked without lawful cause, ‘it is a clear act of illegal dismissal.’

‘Thus, while voluntary resignation of the employee should be proven by the employer, the burden to prove the circumstances that led to the constructive dismissal is on the employee,’ the court said.

‘These circumstances that constitute discriminatory acts, insensibility, or disdain towards the employee should be clearly shown in evidence, such that the working environment created by the employer leaves the employee no other choice but to resign,’ it added.

In this case, the court ruled that the guard’s refusal to let workers in was itself an act of dismissal.

Since the termination was abrupt and without due process, the dismissal was unlawful.

Relief granted. The high court ordered Constant Packaging to pay the employees separation pay, back wages, service incentive leave and holiday pay.

However, it held that since they were on a pakyaw basis, they were not entitled to 13th-month pay.

For the third consecutive time, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) bagged the highly coveted School of the Year title at the 11th Philippine Student Quill Awards.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) finished first runner-up, while CIIT College of Arts and Technology was the second runner-up.

The Philippine Student Quill Awards is the junior counterpart of the prestigious Philippine Quill Awards, which lauds organizations that embody the high global standards in the field of business communication.

Themed ‘Advancing Intelligence with Business Communication,’ the event was spearheaded by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines. It recognized exceptional research, programs, creativity and skills among industry practitioners and students.

The 66 accolades – 25 excellence and 41 merit awards – copped by Benilde came from various categories such as writing, audio/visual, social media, publications, advertising, brand communication, marketing and special and experiential events.

‘On behalf of the entire Benildean community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all our students, faculty, and administrators who have worked tirelessly to make this possible. Your passion, collaboration and perseverance have once again brought honor to our College,’ Benilde president Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC shared.

Winning entries included works primarily from two groups from the Student Publications Unit: the Benildean Press Corps (BPC), the college’s official student-journalists’ organization and Ad Astra, Benilde’s official yearbook organization and some from the Culture and Arts Unit.

BPC received the Student Top Award for Communication Skills for ‘Setting the bar high: Cloanne Mondoñedo got it when she least expected it’ by Pio Perez. Also nominated for the same award were other entries from the student publication, namely, ‘Shades of Gray: Crossroads’ by Jorel Magistrado and ‘Self-care or self-sabotage? Diving into the perpetual loop of sudden purchases’ by Renee Aguila.

The Benilde Book, which chronicled the 35th anniversary of the school, also took home the Professional Merit Award in Publication in the 21st Philippine Quill Awards.

DLS-CSB has since garnered a total of 479 awards from the IABC since 2015.

Fireworks are expected as the Four-Ball format in the ICTSI Elite Junior Finals kicks off tomorrow at The Country Club in Laguna.

With two high-stakes matches scheduled in each of the three age categories (7-10, 11-14 and 15-18), the stage is set in this Ryder Cup-style showdown.

The Junior Philippine Golf Tour season finale gathers the elite 48 players – culled from two seven-leg elimination series – who will represent North and South squads.

And now, they face perhaps their sternest test yet: A fearsome, championship-level course in TCC. Action begins with the boys’ 7-10 division, followed by the 11-14 and the marquee 15-18 age groups. Simultaneously, girls’ divisions tee off on the 10th, ensuring non-stop action across both nines.

On Day 2, the pressure mounts with the Foursomes (Alternate Shot) format with the grand finale – Friday’s singles duels – featuring 24 matches staged in a winner-takes-all format. With one point at stake per match, the race to reach 24.5 points becomes a pressure cooker of nerves, skill and willpower.

In the event of a 24-24 tie, the stakes rise even higher: one age group will be drawn at random, and each captain must nominate a player to engage in a sudden-death playoff.

Bannering Team North are boys’ 15-18 standouts Patrick Tambalque and Zachary Villaroman; boys’ 11-14 contenders Zianbeau Edoc and Ryuji Suzuki; and 7-10 aces Zoji Edoc and Zach Guico. The South squad will lean on the likes of Alexis Nailga and Luciano Copok (15-18); Ralph Batican and Ken Guillermo (11-14); and Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo (7-10).

The Dasmariñas Monarchs netted their second straight win to seize league leadership while the reigning champions Quezon Tangerines bounced back against separate foes in Week 2 of the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) over the weekend at the Arellano Gym in Manila.

On the heels of a big debut win over the Tangerines, the Monarchs swept the Pasay squad, 25-13, 26-24, 25-20, for a 2-0 slate in the eight-team tourney founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, also the man behind the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Vange Alinsug scored 12 points while Alexa Nichole Mata and Myrtle Escanlar had nine points each for the powerhouse Dasma squad backed by two-time UAAP and three-time SSL champion National U Lady Bulldogs.

Dasma needed only 81 minutes to dispatch Pasay after an earlier sweep of Quezon, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, to emerge as the early title favorite in the second staging of the MPVA.

Pasay slid to 1-1, failing to follow up its 25-23, 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-8 win over the Negros ICC Blue Hawks.

In the other game, Camilla Amor Bartolome rifled in 19 points as Quezon poured its wrath on the Caloocan AM Spikers, 25-12, 25-14, 25-21, for a 1-1 slate.

As SM Supermalls celebrates its 40th anniversary, it clinches four major honors at the prestigious HR Asia Awards 2025, reaffirming its legacy of people-first leadership and transformative workplace culture.

For the third consecutive year, SM Supermalls was named one of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For, alongside three standout category wins: the Sustainable Workplace Award, the Most Caring Company Award and the Tech Empowerment Award.

‘These awards are more than milestones-they reflect our enduring culture at SM, where people are at the heart of everything we do,’ said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan. ‘We are proud of our teams whose passion and dedication make SM not only one of the best companies to work for, but a place where we create meaningful impact for our employees, communities, and the country.’

Award highlights Best Companies to Work For in Asia (3rd consecutive year)

SM’s workplace culture is anchored on the key messaging pillars of the SM LIFE framework-Purpose, Passion and Performance.

Initiatives such as Leadership Town Halls, Candid Coffee with Leaders, Feedback Fridays and the Culture Caravan foster authenticity, inclusion, and growth across all levels.

Most Caring Company Award (2nd consecutive year)

SM’s 360 Wellness Programs include unlimited online mental health counseling, wellness learning series and Celebrate YOU events such as PRIDE Month and Women Empowerment.

Championing safe and brave spaces for all, programs such as Ethics Beat and Safe Spaces promote transparency, accountability, and DEIB across the organization. Employee engagement programs have a 100% employee reach.

Sustainable Workplace Award

Sustainability is embedded in SM’s DNA. From the Trash to Cash recycling program and Coastal Clean-Up drives to its bold commitment to Net Zero by 2040, SM empowers employees to lead environmental and community efforts through its partnership with SM Cares.

Employee volunteerism rises strongly with a 100% increase compared to the previous year.

Tech Empowerment Award

Innovation drives SM’s HR transformation. Tools like the SMILE HCM platform, SAM AI chatbot, DigiU eLearning and the SM Life app deliver seamless employee experiences. With 90% utilization for the SM Life app and 80% for DigiU learning, digital adoption is high and impactful.

A Legacy of Leadership

Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, senior vice president for human resources, shared:

‘These recognitions affirm our belief that when we design positive employee experiences-caring for people’s wellbeing, embracing innovation and championing sustainability-we create a workplace that inspires purpose and growth. We see our culture efforts as continuous work-in-progress because at SM, we never stop learning and aiming to be better every day.’

As SM Supermalls enters a new era beyond its 40th year, these accolades underscore a powerful truth: its greatest asset has always been its people-and its future will be shaped by the culture it continuously nurtures.

Filinvest REIT Corp. (FILRT), the real estate investment trust of the Gotianun family’s Filinvest Land Inc., continues to expand and diversify its tenant portfolio as it is poised to welcome the initial foray of Japan’s leading fertility facility in the Philippines.

FILRT said that Conceive IVF Manila, a Japan-based leader in assisted reproductive technology, is set to open its state-of-the-art facility at the Filinvest One Building.

The company said the new lease reinforces its strategy of partnering with diverse industry leaders who bring specialized and high-value services to its properties.

‘We are thrilled to welcome Kato Fertility Center to Filinvest One. This marks a significant step in further expanding and diversifying our tenant portfolio to include the sphere of health and wellness,’ FILRT president and CEO Maricel Brion-Lirio said.

‘This collaboration also reflects our dedication to offering spaces that cater to the evolving needs of various industries. Conceive IVF Manila’s expertise in reproductive health services aligns seamlessly with our vision to create impactful environments that foster growth, enhance quality of life and contribute positively to the communities we serve,’ she said.

Strategically situated along Alabang-Zapote Road, Filinvest One is one of FILRT’s 16 Grade A buildings in Northgate Cyberzone.

Conceive IVF Manila’s decision to establish its first venture in South Luzon at Filinvest One further strengthens the district’s position as a hub for diverse industries, expanding beyond IT-BPM to include health care and wellness.

The opening of Conceive IVF Manila also marks Kato Medical Group Philippines’ commitment to expanding access to world-class reproductive health care services in the country.

‘We are excited to expand in the Philippines and collaborate with Filinvest REIT. Our new facility at Filinvest One will enable us to deliver enhanced fertility care and create a supportive environment for individuals and families in South Metro Manila,’ Conceive IVF Manila managing director Kenki Okumura said.

FILRT is aiming to double its gross leasable area and diversify its assets through asset infusions from Filinvest Land and parent firm Filinvest Development Corp.

The company is also targeting to reach an occupancy of 95 percent before 2026, driven by tenant diversification.

Kapuso actress Rhian Ramos revealed she is fed up with corrupt practices in the government, lauding Filipinos for demanding accountability.

In a report by ABS-CBN News, Rhian shared that she hated corruption in government since childhood.

“I feel like I’ve had a very big angst about corruption in the government ever since I was a toddler. I grew up, bata pa lang ako, naririnig ko na ‘yung, ‘so corrupt,'” Rhian said.

“Naaalala ko pa even my sister – when we were little kids – she said, ‘corrupt’ (in a sassy way). Ganoon ka-ingrain sa utak namin ‘yung corruption,” she added.

Rhian said that it was high time that people spoke up, and for her part never said anything on corruption as people never asked..

“I don’t mind telling you how I feel. The whole country is very angry. Tama lang. Dapat lang,” the actress said, though lamenting it might have come too late as billions have already been stolen.

“Ang dami nang nag-suffer. And how many generations already. Ang laki na nang problema. I don’t know if it’s solvable in a few years lang,” Rhian continued.

The actress ended in agreement with people on the Internet airing their frustrations about corruption.

“Honestly, I’m glad that it’s out. I’m glad that everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s finally angry enough to do something about it. And I just hope na may totoong change na mangyari,” Rhian finished.