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Metro Manila’s urban landscape is often dominated by concrete, but Mapúa University is helping to change that by providing a research-based blueprint for revitalizing green spaces. The university’s commitment to urban greening is a core part of its mission to improve the quality of life, environmental health and biodiversity in densely populated areas.

As the Philippines’ leading engineering and technological institution, Mapúa equips its students with the skills and mindset to create sustainable urban solutions.

By introducing important insights such as Place Theory and placemaking principles-a design approach that prioritizes people over infrastructure, imparting latest global best practices and skills, emphasizing sustainability and motivating learners to spearhead research and initiatives that address environmental challenges, Mapúa has been at the forefront of balancing aesthetics with functionality.

The university’s work is exemplified by a recent thesis from architect Sharmaine Baes, who explored the potential of transforming underutilized urban spaces into green areas.

Her research, titled ‘Improving Quality of Urban Residual Spaces Through a Place Theory Approach: A Case Study of District 1, Pasay City,’ proposed converting “residual spaces”-such as vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructure-into safe, vibrant public areas. This work has been presented as completion of her Master of Science in Architecture – Major in Urban Design program.

Baes’ study addressed the challenges of densely populated cities like Pasay by recommending underutilized residual areas as alternatives for parks and gardens. She proposed converting residual spaces, such as easements, vacant lots and plots under elevated infrastructures into safe, open areas with vegetation to reduce urban heat and provide areas for rest and recreation.

Her research, which included spatial analysis, site observations, stakeholder interviews and surveys, revealed that residents frequented residual areas for walking, resting, selling and socializing even if they were not safe, picturesque or accessible.

She, however, stated that by applying the Place Theory, an assessment framework, and participatory design from concerned communities, residual areas can be transformed into sustainable, vibrant public spaces that have site-specific facilities like pocket parks, open green spaces, modular libraries, mist-cooled waiting sheds, gender-inclusive comfort rooms and PWD-friendly amenities.

Architect Baes also integrated environmental sustainability into her work by introducing concepts like reverse vending machines and modular green infrastructure to promote recycling and climate resilience. Her proposal is not only practical but also highly replicable due to a newly developed Assessment Framework, which could serve as a catalyst for future urban policy reform if adopted by local government units (LGUs).

Mapúa University’s School of Architecture and Planning, Industrial Design and the Built Environment dean Dr. Junar P. Tablan affirmed Baes’ findings by saying that scaling up green spaces in Metro Manila is possible if done incrementally.

‘This can be included in the 25-year development plan for each LGU in Metro Manila. The realistic timeline for this to see significant results would be at least 10 to 20 years of strong enforcement and a strong campaign of environmental policies, as well as a cultural shift in how the spaces are being valued and utilized,’ said Tablan.

He also stated that the success of green space projects depends on local urban development policies, such as zoning reforms, public realm contributions and designated community gardens for food access and greenery, as well as the formal recognition of residual spaces as vital public infrastructure.

Urban greening initiatives would also prosper if they had the collaborative support of industry partners to provide technical expertise, local communities that will share lived insights which will inspire context-sensitive, inclusive designs and the academia to lead research, guide execution and evaluate impact.

Through research like Baes’s and the intentional efforts of institutions like Mapúa, urban greening is becoming a key priority on the national agenda.

A year after claiming its first championship in more than three decades, Mapua sets its sights on another one as it clashes with Lyceum of the Philippines University in today’s start of the 101st NCAA basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But Cardinals coach Randy Alcantara admitted the road back to the top would be harder this season after losing Chris Hubilla and Laurence Mangubat, vital cogs in their magnificent title run last campaign.

Hubilla and Mangubat have moved over to Jose Rizal U where Nani Epondulan, who was also part of Alcantara’s coaching staff, took over as head coach from Louie Gonzales early this year.

‘It would be tougher this year because we lost some key players,’ said Alcantara. ‘But we’re hoping our new guys will fill those gaps.’

New recruits are Cyrus Nitura from Perpetual Help, Cyril Gonzales from University of the Philippines, and Drex delos Reyes from National U.

Game time is at 2:30 p.m., which will be followed by the duel between last year’s runner-up College of St. Benilde and San Beda at 5 p.m.

The Social Security System (SSS) has teamed up with a major commercial bank to launch an ‘all-in-one’ debit card that lets SSS members access its services while enjoying a range of digital banking features.

Powered by RCBC DiskarTech, the MySSS Card also aims to make managing money easier for users, from settling bills and government contributions to making bank transfers and every day payments.

To get a MySSS Card, follow these six steps:

Log-in to the MySSS Portal: Start by logging into your MySSS portal and selecting RCBC DiskarTech as your preferred ‘Participating Financial Institution.’ This is where you’ll initiate your card application.

Agree to the Terms and Conditions: Next, approve the request for data sharing between SSS and RCBC DiskarTech. Once you agree, you’ll get a transaction number. Save it – this will be your ticket for the next steps.

Download the RCBC Diskartech App: Head over to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download the RCBC DiskarTech app. This is where you’ll manage your MySSS Card, from activation to accessing all the banking features that come with it.

Register as an ‘SSS Member’: When registering on the DiskarTech app, select ‘SSS Member.’ This ensures the system tailors the experience and unlocks the suite of services just for you.

Enter Your Details and Complete the Process: Provide your transaction number from the MySSS portal, mobile number, OTP, and eKYC-recognized government IDs. Once you finish your registration, log back in to confirm.

Avail the MySSS Card through Diskartech App: Once logged in Diskartech, request for the MySSS card to avail of your physical card.

While waiting for the card, users can already explore DiskarTech’s features:

A rewarding regular savings product

Quick cardless or carded withdrawals

Shop with QR-powered and Card-powered payments

Affordable and accessible insurance products

Convenient LRT1 , LRT2 and MRT3 Payments with your Card!

Daily Rewards for Log-ins, mobile load transactions and bills payments

Loan applications (coming soon)

P8 Instapay transfer fee to other banks

Qualified for the promo? Check the following requirements:

Registered with PhilSys and has a PhilSys Number (PSN)

Updated your contact details in SSS records

Have no existing UMID ATM/Pay Card enrolled in SSS

Have no active Diskartech account

Must be 18 years old and above

Must be a Filipino citizen and a non-US person (no US citizenship or residency)

You might have already seen photos online of a modern Public Utility Jeepney stuck under a pedestrian overpass in Raintree Mall in Barangay Sta. Cruz, Cebu City, after its driver decided to divert from the usual route and take a ‘shortcut’ to avoid heavy traffic.

The modern PUJ got wedged in under the overpass morning the other day after the driver misjudged the vertical clearance of his vehicle. Seven feet of vertical clearance was okay, the modern PUJ was slightly taller than that. Damage was caused to both the vehicle and the overpass. While no injuries were reported as a result of the incident, we are sure it caused traffic in that road for a while.

Sure, it’s a funny thing to happen, but it’s also a symptom of something else; drivers with old traditional PUJ attitudes handling new vehicles.

Yes, we now see a lot of modern PUJs plying different routes in our streets, and they are convenient. They are much roomier, with air-conditioning, the option to pay cashless, and closed off from the street; who wouldn’t mind forking over a few more pesos to ride them, rather than suffer being overcrowded and exposed to the heat, dust, and dirt of the road in a traditional PUJ?

But then again, many of the people behind the wheel of a modern PUJ are still of a mindset that they are driving traditional PUJs. So at times we can see them racing against each other, stopping where they shouldn’t to pick up or drop off passengers, packing passengers in like sardines in a can, and taking liberties –read that as shortcuts– when it comes to avoiding traffic.

Which was what happened here.

New vehicles and old attitudes don’t mix. Modern PUJ drivers should realize they are no longer driving traditional PUJs, but much bigger and heavier vehicles that can cause more damage or result in more injuries, or worse, if mishandled. They should be more mindful of the rules of the road and what is and isn’t allowed.

The Commission on Audit (COA) has yet to speak with Commissioner Mario Lipana about his possible resignation or early retirement, as he remains hospitalized and reportedly unable to speak.

During the House plenary debates on Wednesday, October 1, Rep. John Tracy Cagas (Davao Del Sur, Lone District) stood in as COA’s budget sponsor and answered questions on the agency’s behalf.

Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list) asked for an update on her earlier request for COA Chair Gamaliel Cordoba to talk to Lipana.

She and two other minority lawmakers want Lipana to address concerns about a possible conflict of interest, especially in connection with the ongoing investigation into irregular flood control projects.

Cagas, however, said he was told that Lipana remains hospitalized and is still too sick to communicate, showing the medical certificate sent to COA.

This surprised De Lima, prompting her to ask COA if they did not even try to speak with Lipana’s relatives, let alone his wife or a common friend, when the issue he faces is a matter of public interest.

‘Kailangan po kasi masettle po yung issue na ‘yan because as I said, it affects very much the commission itself. Hindi pwedeng tumagal hanging itong issue na ito,’ De Lima said. (We have to settle this issue because as I said, it affects very much the commission itself. This issue can’t be left hanging.)

Lipana’s wife, Marilou Laurio Lipana, owns a contracting firm that secured over P1 billion worth of flood control projects in Bulacan between 2023 and 2025.

She served as the president and general manager of Olympus Mining and Builders Group Philippines Corp.

Bulacan is not only Lipana’s hometown, but public works officials have also accused him of receiving kickbacks from projects in the province.

De Lima also questioned why Cordoba had not communicated with Lipana in writing, given the latter’s medical condition. However, neither the budget sponsor nor the commission provided an answer.

During committee-level budget hearings, Cordoba committed to personally addressing the conflict-of-interest concerns with Lipana once the commissioner returned from medical leave. That leave was expected to end in September.

As of October, however, Lipana remains hospitalized. In the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s hearing, state auditor Tracy Ann Sunico said Lipana was in Singapore.

Cagas only said that the COA commits to exhausting all means to communicate with Lipana.

De Lima then asked whether a motu proprio investigation has been launched into Lipana’s ties and involvement with a government contractor, to which Cagas said the Ombudsman already has.

This was already confirmed about a week ago during COA’s first round of plenary debates.

Two separate testimonies have tied Lipana to irregularities in infrastructure projects in Bulacan.

Dismissed district engineer Henry Alcantara claimed Lipana received P1.4 billion in kickbacks from local projects. In a corroborating narrative, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Usec. Roberto Bernardo said Lipana asked to be introduced to officials from Bulacan’s First District Engineering Office.

He said he referred Lipana to Brice Hernandez, another DPWH official who has since been dismissed and implicated in the flood control controversy.

Apart from the Ombudsman, the Department of Justice said it is also reviewing Lipana’s liability in the case, especially as state auditors are involved in conducting post-audits for public works projects.

De Lima warned again that if Lipana refuses to step down, Congress may have to file impeachment raps against him.

Disgraced contractor couple Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya did a ‘tell-all plus plus’ when they appeared before the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) yesterday.

Cornelio Samaniego III, the couple’s legal counsel, said the Discayas were fully cooperative and bared everything they know to the ICI.

‘They are not hiding anything anymore,’ he said.

Samaniego said his clients divulged everything – from the persons involved up to the history of transactions they had undertaken.

‘We are telling everything,’ he stressed.

Pressed on the revelations made by his clients before the commission, Samaniego said that most were already included in the affidavit they had filed before the Senate and Congress, yet there were also new names bared by his clients to the commission.

‘We’ll submit a supplemental affidavit, so we will add new names. In due time, it will come out,’ Samaniego said. ‘For now, no comment.’

Samaniego said his clients were scheduled to come back to the ICI to finish giving their statement.

‘It went OK. The members of the ICI were very cordial,’ Samaniego said.

He added that unlike former DPWH Bulacan district engineer Brice Hernandez, the Discayas are not inclined to return any of their luxury cars to the government as a goodwill gesture.

‘We are not returning anything at the moment, because the accounts were frozen,’ Samaniego said.

AMLC, BIR tie-up

Meanwhile, the ICI has forged a cooperation and information-sharing pact with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) that will facilitate the freezing of assets of personalities implicated in the numerous ghost and substandard flood control projects at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

ICI executive director Brian Keith Hosaka said the agreement, which also includes the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), will speed up investigation of the anomalous flood control projects, the filing of the relevant criminal cases as well as the recovery of the proceeds.

‘We will have information-sharing, coordination and cooperation which is crucial for the verification of information divulged to us by their ‘resource persons’,’ Hosaka told reporters.

Several senators, congressmen, contractors and former and current DPWH officials and officers have appeared before the ICI to provide information regarding multibillion-peso ghost and substandard flood control projects implemented by the DPWH.

Hosaka said the partnership with BIR will be helpful in determining tax liabilities, while the AMLC will facilitate the freezing of assets of individuals involved in the flood control mess.

According to BIR commissioner Romeo Lumagui, Jr., they aim to build strong cases for tax evasion.

‘We already have preliminary draft of (tax) assessments. But they still lack a number of information. We don’t want to file haphazard criminal complaint(s) with the Department of Justice. That’s why we want to get all the useful information,’ he said.

Closed hearing up to ICI – Palace

Malacañang will not intervene with the decision of the ICI against livestreaming its hearings on anomalous flood control projects, stressing that President Marcos respects the body’s independence.

‘The President has already said that this ICI is an independent commission. So, whatever their policies and procedures are, the President will respect them and he will not interfere because they are an independent body or commission,’ Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters.

ICI’s Hosaka earlier defended the decision to keep the hearings closed, saying it is necessary to ‘avoid a trial by publicity.’

‘We don’t want the commission to be used for any political agenda or leverage that’s why we are careful,’ Hosaka said.

He said the ICI’s investigation is a ‘process’ that cannot be defined by piecemeal revelations.

‘People might be misled,’ he noted. ‘We would like to prevent that because we want the people to trust the system and in the independent commission that we will be doing our jobs fairly, objectively and independently.’

Meanwhile, Castro also defended the appointment of former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as special adviser and investigator to the ICI.

Castro said Azurin was chosen to replace Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong based on his capabilities and experience as an investigator.

There were some who questioned Azurin’s appointment as he was previously implicated in the alleged cover-up of the P6.7-billion shabu haul involving high-ranking PNP officers in 2022.

He was later cleared in the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs’ investigation into the massive controversy.

‘It’s clear he was never charged,’ Castro said.

‘What I want to stress here is that the independent nature of this commission. We will not interfere with their work. We will, of course, be in discussion with them. We will ask them what happened, what have you found, what are we doing next,’ Marcos said during a Sept. 15 press conference.

‘But we were not about to direct them as to how they were going to conduct their investigations, and we are going to leave it up to them,’ he said.

‘Let the people in’

For some lawmakers, keeping the ICI hearings away from the public invites doubt into what transpires behind closed doors.

‘There’s no real accountability without transparency. Let the people in. It is the right of the people who were robbed of billions of pesos to watch the proceedings of the ICI,’ Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said in a statement.

Cendaña said corruption existed because of the lack of transparency in the process of the bicameral conference committee, which reviewed and approved the national budget of the government up to its project implementation.

‘It is time to pass the Independent Commission for Infrastructure Bill or House Bill (HB) 4453 that will put in place the mandatory public hearings with livestreaming,’ Cendaña said.

For her part, ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima said given the witnesses’ testimonies in the Senate Blue Ribbon committee hearings on flood control anomalies, it is ripe for Congress to pass HB 4453 into law.

‘As the plot thickens, it becomes even more urgent and imperative to pass House Bill No. 4453. To ferret out the truth and ensure accountability – whoever is involved – Congress must act swiftly and decisively,’ De Lima said in a separate statement.

‘This is the biggest corruption scandal in our history, and we cannot address it with partial solutions. The ICI cannot handle this widespread corruption using its limited powers. The DOJ (Department of Justice) and the ombudsman must hasten the filing of strong cases,’ De Lima said.

At least four uniformed personnel were killed during the collapse of the San Remegio Sports Complex during the deadly magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Cebu on Tuesday, September 30.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) announced the death of 31-year-old FO2 Allier Vincent Catadman. Catadman, a firefighter assigned to the San Remigio Fire Station, was killed during the quake.

‘He died in the line of duty following the collapse of the San Remigio Sports Complex during the magnitude 6.9 earthquake. We honor his service, bravery, and sacrifice. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, especially his wife and young child,’ the BFP said in a statement.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also confirmed that at least three of its personnel were killed in the same sports complex. Seaman Second Class Lawrence Palomo, Apprentice Seaman Jujay Mahusay, and ASN Ert Cart Dacunes died when the San Remigio Sports Complex collapsed.

The PCG said the three personnel were rushed to Bogo General Hospital for treatment, but were all eventually pronounced dead.

“We extend our sincere condolences to the families of our fallen personnel. Their dedication to the service and camaraderie with our fellow uniformed men and women will always be remembered. The PCG stands in full solidarity with their loved ones and will ensure that they receive the utmost support,’ PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said.

Despite the tragedy, more PCG personnel and other uniformed workers have been deployed on the ground for rescue efforts in Cebu.

The earthquake has killed at least 60 people, according to the Office of the Civil Defense, with around 154 others injured.

Cebu province has declared a state of calamity following the deadly quake.

Critical infrastructure has been damaged, including several roads and bridges. A number of historical churches have also sustained damage.

Despite the tragedy, more PCG personnel and other uniformed workers have been deployed to assist with rescue efforts in Cebu.

Businessman Maynard Ngu, tagged during a Senate hearing on flood control anomalies as the alleged bagman of Sen. Francis Escudero, has resigned as independent director of listed Altus Property Ventures Inc.

In a stock exchange filing, Altus said that its board has accepted the resignation of Ngu as independent member of the company’s board of directors effective Monday. Altus said Ngu’s resignation was ‘due to personal reasons.’

At a Senate hearing last Sept. 25, former public works undersecretary Roberto Bernardo claimed that he had facilitated 20 percent kickbacks or P160 million from Escudero’s P800 million worth of flood control and road network projects in Valenzuela City and in Marinduque through Ngu.

Bernardo said the ‘deliveries of cash were personally made by me to Maynard Ngu at his office in Manila.’

Ngu, regarded as the brain behind the success of the Philippine mobile phone brand Cherry Mobile, had been an independent director of Altus since Sept. 2, 2019.

He is the chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies Inc., the company behind Cherry Mobile, which was established in 2009.

Aside from leading several firms, Ngu serves as a director in companies such as Cosmic Digital Universe Inc., Quantum Mobile Gears Inc., Accucom System Solutions Inc., MSN Foundation Inc., Intertext and Chat Communications Inc., Xionz Technology Inc. and Casa Nuova Inc.

Ngu is also the president of Pure Living Wellness International Inc., a company which imports and locally distributes beauty care products and general merchandise, based on its general information sheet filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Escudero’s wife, Love Marie Escudero, more popularly known as actress Heart Evangelista, is listed as a stockholder in Pure Living Wellness.

Ngu is also reportedly one of the owners of the Cork Wine Bar, where Escudero and Evangelista held their renewal of vows in February last year.

In 2023, President Marcos appointed Ngu as special envoy to China for trade, investments and tourism.

Police shot dead a known longtime member of the Dawlah Islamiya terror group during a buy-bust operation that went awry on Monday, September 29, in Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur. The suspect was the target of an entrapment operation involving the sale of shabu.

Local officials told reporters on Tuesday, September 30, that the target of the anti-narcotics operation, Moner Usman, pulled out a 9 millimeter Uzi machine pistol when he realized he was selling shabu to a police team in Barangay Sapakan in Radjah Buayan, provoking a gunfight that resulted in his death.

Capt. Joel Lebrilla, chief of the Radjah Buayan Municipal Police Station, said the incident left a member of the 44th Special Action Company of the Special Action Force, Cpl. Jeric Dela Cruz, wounded.

Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said on Tuesday that the entrapment operation that went awry was laid with the help of barangay leaders and municipal officials aware of Usman’s drug trafficking activities in Radjah Buayan and in nearby towns.

Senior officials from police and Army intelligence units under the 6th Infantry Division confirmed to reporters that Usman was on their list of members of the now-weakened Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, both wanted for high-profile criminal cases pending in various courts across Central Mindanao.

The Dawlah Islamiya and BIFF, both fomenting hatred for non-Muslims, are known for providing sanctuary to wanted persons and shabu and marijuana peddlers in exchange for money.

Local executives and traditional Moro leaders openly supporting PRO-BAR’s anti-narcotics operations had confirmed that Usman faced nine cases in local courts, including six counts of motorcycle theft, multiple murder, multiple frustrated murder and extortion.

We need to be familiar with these two concepts that definitely would help us discern what truly was meant when Christ said certain things that would sound very inhuman and unchristian.

One example is when Christ told a certain man who wanted to follow him but wanted to first bury his father to ‘let the dead bury their dead’ and commanded him to go and preach the gospel right away. (cfr. Lk 9,59)

And when another man also expressed his willingness to follow Christ but wanted to first take leave of his household, he was summarily told that ‘no man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ (cfr. Lk 9,62)

There are many other examples of this kind, like when Christ also said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk 14,26) Or when he said that we have to love our enemies.

No wonder then that some people, without the proper ‘sensus fidei’ and without consulting the ‘sensus fidelium’ fall into disbelief and then to unbelief in Christ. They sometimes consider the gospel as a myth or even as a joke.

‘Sensus fidei’, which literally means a sense of faith, is an individual believer’s capacity to discern the truth in matters of faith and morals even amid mysterious and unbelievable doctrines of our faith. It’s like an instinct or an inner sense that can only be an effect of a supernatural gift of faith.

‘Sensus fidelium’, which literally means a sense of the faithful, is the collective sense of faith within the entire Church, covering all of its members or faithful. It is a shared and supernatural understanding of faith that enables the Church to discern the truth and live out the faith authentically. It is not simply the sum of the individual ‘sensus fidei’, but a unique and shared grace of the Holy Spirit operating within the Church.

In other words, both the ‘sensus fidei’ and the ‘sensus fidelium’ are an effect of a grace. They are both a supernatural reality and do not depend solely on our natural and human powers, although these latter have to be used also to the limit.

They enable us to accept the mysterious ways of God and to see the consistency of truth despite the apparently contradicting ways that the truth as taught by Christ and now by the Church is expressed.

We just have to learn to abandon ourselves to the mysterious ways of God who in his wise providence takes care of everything. We are not expected to know and understand everything. What is expected of us is to have faith in God, in Christ and in the Church so we can always be with him no matter how things turn.

This means that we should develop an intimate relationship with God, nourished by prayer, assiduous study of the doctrine of our faith, recourse to the sacraments, and an unrelenting ascetical struggle to fight against our weaknesses and the temptations around, and to grow in the virtues.

In this way, we would be acquiring the very mind of Christ, able to understand what he actually meant when his words, due to the limitations of our human and natural language, would seem to go against reason and common sense.