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Comedian Gil Aducal Morales, popularly known as Ate Gay, who entertained audiences with his mash-ups of popular Filipino and international songs, died on Sunday evening, Nov. 1.

He was 55.

His family confirmed his death in a Facebook post on his official page, two days after announcing that the comedian was in critical condition and relying on life support following septic shock, acute respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia, and stroke.

‘It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that our family announces the passing of our beloved Gil Aducal Morales, lovingly known to many as Ate Gay, on November 1, 2026,’ the family said.

‘After bravely fighting for his life, while surrounded by his family, our beloved Ate Gay has peacefully passed away,’ they added.

Beyond his comedy, Ate Gay became particularly popular for his unconventional musical mash-ups, combining familiar songs with entirely different melodies and lyrics to create unexpected, often memorable performances.

His signature style brought together OPM classics, international pop hits, novelty songs, and even Christmas tunes, with seemingly unrelated lyrics flowing into one another through his distinctive delivery.

As he often jokingly recounted in his comedic performances, his signature mash-ups supposedly stemmed from a childhood experience of his mother constantly switching radio stations, leaving him to hear snippets of different songs one after another.

The amusing anecdote became a fitting explanation for his unconventional musical style, in which he seamlessly blended lyrics and melodies from seemingly unrelated hits.

Among his memorable song mash-ups were:

On My Own and Pangako

On my own…hindi kita iiwan, pangakong I walk with him ’til morning…without him…hindi ka na mag-iisa…and when I lose my way I close my eyes…tayong dalawa.

Nandito Ako and Till I met You

Nandito akong…this feeling seems to grow more every day, I love you more each day, huwag kang mag-alala, may nagmamahal sa’yo, till I met you.

Inuman Na and Bonggahan

Tama na ‘yan, inuman na…forget mo na ang problema.

Clumsy and Paskong Anong Saya

You got me trippin’ (oh), stumblin’ (oh)…Paskong anong saya. Happy New Year! Happy New Year!

Kahit Ayaw Mo Na and Awit Ng Barkada

Tatakbo, tatalon…ang barkada mong tunay aawit sa’yo…iisipin na lang…na ang buhay kung minsan ay nagbibiro.

If You Walked Away and Maging Sino Ka Man

If you walk away from me today…tiwala sa isa’t isa’y kailangan.

If I Were A Boy and Ako’y Isang Pinoy

If I were a boy…sa puso’t diwa.

Despacito and Eat Bulaga!

Despacito…Vic at Joey, ang barkada’y dumarami.

Hawak Kamay and Para Sa’yo Ang Laban Na’to

Hawak kamay…ang laban na ‘to.

Babae Po Ako and Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin

Di ako bakla klah klah klah klah klah, Di ako shokla klah klah klah klah klah, nililinlang ka lang ng ‘yong paningin…nagmamahal pa rin sa’yo giliw.

Secret Love Song and Little Drummer Boy

When you hold me in the street…pa rum pum pum pum.

Morales’ family said details of his wake and funeral arrangements would be announced soon. ‘We kindly ask for your continued prayers for his eternal repose and for strength and comfort for our grieving family,’ the family said.

‘Trial by ordeal’ is the stuff of ancient war sagas, often fictional, like ‘Game of Thrones,’ where disputes that couldn’t be settled by law, reason, or wisdom from the elders were resolved using physical prowess. Fates were determined by a fortuitous mix of brawn, stamina, and what had often been considered a nod of approval from the gods.

That such risky rituals continue to be practiced in parts of the country and recently claimed the lives of two farmers over a land dispute speaks tragically of how some of our laws have remained totally unresponsive to the times and the people who need them.

In a viral video posted two weeks ago, two farmers were shown thigh-deep in the Glamang River in Barangay Datal Anggas, Alabel, Sarangani, poised to settle a dispute via ‘sulif.’ Sulif is an ancestral trial by ordeal practiced by some indigenous communities in southern Mindanao, including the Blaan and Tagakaulo people. The high-risk underwater challenge is resorted to when peaceful dialogue or barangay-level mediation fails. The opposing parties submerge themselves face-down in a body of water at the same time, with the person who stays underwater longer than the opponent considered as being favored by justice, thus winning the claim.

Fatal ordeals

In the October 2026 incident, the two farmers failed to surface after 12 minutes and were pulled out of the water by onlookers. The older man was declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while the younger farmer died shortly after.

Sulif is just one of the many dispute-settlement rituals still being practiced by some indigenous peoples (IPs) in the country. Although the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8371) recognizes the rights of IP communities to use their own customary laws and conflict-resolution mechanisms, such practices must align with the country’s Constitution and national laws that specifically prohibit life-threatening or fatal ordeals. Even with approval by a council of elders, any trial by ordeal is illegal as it involves physical harm or risk to life.

In the sulif incident, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) stressed that indigenous rites and traditions must strictly comply with national laws and human rights standards. Fulung Romy Martin, president of the Sarangani IP Professionals Association, also clarified in a MindaNews Facebook post that while it is part of the process of resolving conflicts among cultural communities, ‘sulif was traditionally used to settle crimes such as theft, robbery, murder, and other offenses between IPs. Originally, it was not for land conflicts.’ Under Section 52 of RA 8371, land disputes must be brought formally to the NCIP Regional Hearing Offices for ancestral domain title verification, or peaceful customary dialogue processes.

Bureaucratic nightmare

And yet a cursory look at the list of requirements to settle a land dispute through the NCIP shows an exhausting multistep process that would definitely faze IP litigants. Like most government transactions, the process involves a bureaucratic nightmare that crawls from local barangay conciliation sessions to administrative agencies, and may even reach the courts. The opposing parties must also show that they have gone through customary remedies that, however, failed to settle the dispute.

The voluminous documentation is also a steep hurdle for IP title applicants, starting with the requirement of valid government IDs since birth registration has been a perennial problem, especially among unschooled IPs. Then there’s the geographical barrier, with IP communities often isolated in areas too distant for them to reach the courts and other government offices.

As Martin pointed out in another Facebook post, IPs often resort to perilous pacts ‘because of the failure of government and the mainstream judicial system to resolve land conflicts.’

Accessible laws

Rather than consider the sulif deaths as a tragic incident, the NCIP should look at it as a challenge to serve IPs better through accessible laws that consider their particular circumstances and limitations. Maybe sit down with their elders, community leaders, or representatives and thresh out a practical way to reconcile customary law with the existing legal system. Or hold regular legal clinics or outreach programs with other agencies involved in the process of land titling, among them quasi-judicial bodies like the Commission on the Settlement of Land Problems, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Land Registration Authority. The presence of local officials down to the barangay level will help ensure that the process is followed through.

When lives are lost because the law has become too abstract, too intimidating, and too difficult to understand and be of use, government must go out of its way to simplify the legal process to give IPs what has always been theirs: the land that defines their whole universe and that of their ancestors and children. And for that, no ordeal is too dangerous to try.

At least 18 people, including elderly cemetery visitors, received medical assistance during the observance of Undas, or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, in Iloilo City.

In a situational report released at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) said medical teams deployed to cemeteries attended to patients aged 23 to 84.

Among them was an 81-year-old woman who reportedly lost consciousness for about 30 seconds while visiting Christ the King Memorial Park in Jaro district.

Emergency responders checked her vital signs, stabilized her condition and administered first aid, according to the report.

A 72-year-old woman also complained of chest pain at the La Paz Old Cemetery, where responders checked her blood pressure and conducted a physical assessment.

Another 70-year-old woman experienced lower back and hip pain after slipping at the Molo Public Cemetery.

The report did not indicate whether any of the patients required hospitalization.

Other medical complaints included dizziness, headaches, elevated blood sugar, and minor injuries.

A 54-year-old woman at the Molo Public Cemetery was attended to for hyperglycemia, or elevated blood sugar, while a 52-year-old woman experienced dizziness at the La Paz Old Cemetery.

A 58-year-old woman also sought assistance for dizziness at the Jaro Public Cemetery.

Three men, aged 23, 28 and 40, received treatment for lacerations, including injuries to the forehead and left foot.

Several other cemetery visitors underwent blood pressure checks and physical assessments.

The City Health Office, Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo Chapter, volunteer emergency medical teams and other response groups provided medical assistance.

The Philippine Red Cross established six first-aid stations in different cemeteries, while the City Health Office deployed medical teams and positioned ambulances for possible patient transport.

Medical assistance desks were also set up at the Tanza and Molo public cemeteries.

The EOC report showed that the City Health Office attended to six patients, the Philippine Red Cross to five, and the La Paz National High School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management team to three.

Other patients were assisted by volunteer emergency response groups.

The city government maintained a blue alert status during the observance, requiring emergency response personnel and participating agencies to remain on heightened readiness.

Authorities had anticipated between 250,000 and 350,000 residents and travelers visiting cemeteries and passing through transport terminals and seaports during the extended holiday period.

Hi, are you the one on duty today? Are you ready to go on rounds?’ More than two decades ago, these were the questions posed to us as trainees on a daily basis. Being on duty meant that you were to be the first person to be called as well as the person in charge after office hours. In residency, that meant an almost 32-hour shift, with an allowable few hours of sleep after your 24-hour stint. The number of times that you go on duty is dependent on the number of people available on your team. This only meant that we had to go to work even if we were sick because breaking the schedule would impact on the lives and schedules of the other members. In those days, accredited subspecialty programs were limited. Getting into a training program was the primary goal and eclipsed all other concerns, including financial compensation. To give you an idea, my take-home pay barely covered my daily expenses. It was only when I went into further training in a public institution that I felt confident enough to be partially independent. The whole experience, from residency to fellowship training, had a lot of teachable moments and will always serve as reminders of how challenges and hardships will always have a way of molding and strengthening character. I use the word strengthen because at this stage, you already have a semblance of who you are and are equipped with the basic values, which would largely be courtesy of your upbringing.

Lessons learned and relearned.

If you take on a responsibility, live up to it. No one held a gun to your head. You chose to train and further your learning in a field that is going to be your lifelong career, so be ready to embrace whatever it may bring you. Do not ever play the victim. What you make of yourself is borne out of the choices, whether right or wrong, that you have made.

Learn to be malleable and open to keep on building on what you have. Try to do your best in whatever you do. Do not succumb to the temptation of resorting to shortcuts. In an era when artificial intelligence (AI) can be both helpful and a threat, stay curious and analyze information that is readily available at your fingertips. AI largely acts on prompts from us humans, and it will always be up to us to ask the right questions that can assist, but not provide the solution to medical or even ethical issues, which can turn out to be very complex. AI cannot be held accountable for the decisions that you and your team made in managing a patient.

Prepare yourself for bigger responsibilities as you move up the ladder and even to the unenviable position of being the captain of the ship. As the head, the buck will always stop with you. Second to the consultant in charge, you are answerable for your younger colleagues’ actions, especially the ones who are still finding their footing. My seniors did a good job at being my lifeline. In the face of trying circumstances, do not ever be a fair-weather friend, leader or not.

Have the courage to ask for help. I have repeatedly mentioned that in dealing with lives, there is no room for arrogance. Learn to ask for help if you feel that you are at a loss, or worse, nearing the end of the rope. If you don’t ask, how will people know that you need assistance? There will always be a hand that will lift you up, even from those that you thought wouldn’t extend theirs. Be ready for that opportunity to offer yours.

Dig deep into your well of compassion and empathy even when you are in danger of running on empty. People are at their most vulnerable when they are ill and no longer able to fend for themselves. Avoid being reactive or even judgmental. As the doctor, you are not the one who is suffering the most from pain or indecision. A kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a sympathetic ear or a look of understanding are the most precious things that you can share.

In the last few months, as a pediatric community, we have lost beloved colleagues. A close friend shared how it felt losing the mentor who believed in her the most. Listening to her brought on a memory of how another beloved pillar served as the lifeline for a friend who wanted to fulfill his dream of becoming a pediatrician and readily welcomed him to the residency training program. These recounts have further deepened my admiration and respect. In the end, it doesn’t really matter what you have achieved; what matters most are the intangibles you leave behind for others to hold close and learn from.

International beauty queens and celebrities under ALV Talent Circuit brought glamour and creativity to a star-studded ball celebrating Halloween through their costumes depicting fictional characters and beings.

Titleholders from ALV Pageant Circle joined talents under esteemed queenmaker and talent manager Arnold Vegafria at ‘Shake, Rattle and Ball: Lucid’ by socialite Tim Yap held at the grand ballroom of Manila Marriott Hotel in Pasay City on the actual night of Halloween, Oct. 31.

Earning a special award from Newport World Resorts during the festivities was 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International first runner-up Anita Rose Gomez, who transformed into ‘Starfire,’ a member of the DC supehero group ‘Teen Titans’ who is Princess Koriand’r from the planet Tamaran.

Two international pageant titleholders from Vegafria’s stable also suited up for the ball. Fresh from her victory at the 2026 Miss Elite pageant in Egypt, Sophia Bianca Santos brought the sparkles as ‘Galaxy Princess,’ while 2024 Universal Woman Maria Gigante drew inspiration from ‘The Mummy.’

MGI All Stars Season 1 veteran Keylyn Trajano brought the iconic ‘Clawdeen Wolf’ from the ‘Monster High’ toy line to life, covered in faux fur in a cute and playful ensemble.

Jayvee Lyn Lorejo, 2026 Miss Global third runner-up and Miss Global Asia titleholder, went to the ball as the bloody goddess of the moon, while Alyssa Geronimo suited up as Poseidon’s wife Amphitrite.

Miss Teen Earth International 2025 second runner-up and 2026 Miss World Philippines Occidental Mindoro Meredith Bobadilla received a special award from Aivee Clinic for her Phantom of Dreams costume.

Hollywood star Uma Thurman’s portrayal of the iconic ‘Mia Wallace’ in the 1994 Quentin Tarantino cult classic ‘Pulp Fiction’ served as the inspiration behind actress Ansha Jones’ look, while Angel Castro channeled ‘Marimar.’

‘Secrets of Prague’ actor Mark Ian Garcia came to the ball as ‘Victor Frankenstein,’ while Teejay Marquez commissioned renowned pageant costume designer Patrick Isorena for his Black Merman costume.

Philippine stocks may face cautious trading this week as peso weakness, elevated oil prices and the prospect of further interest rate increases weigh on investor sentiment, according to F. Yap Securities Inc.

In its outlook for Nov. 2 to Nov. 6, the brokerage said investors would also scrutinize corporate earnings guidance for signs that higher borrowing costs could delay expansion plans or affect dividends.

F. Yap identified a break below 5,600 as a signal to reduce exposure further, while a sustained close above 5,800 could support additional buying.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) ended last week at 5,680.35, down 0.84 percent.

The peso closed at P63.74 against the dollar on Friday after reaching P64.20 during the week, according to the report.

F. Yap said a weaker currency could compound pressure from elevated oil prices by making imported fuel and food more expensive.

The firm warned that these conditions could weigh on consumer confidence during the holiday quarter.

The brokerage expects a possible US Federal Reserve (Fed) rate increase on Dec. 9, followed by another Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas hike on Dec. 17.

This scenario could limit gains in rate-sensitive stocks before year-end.

The Fed kept its benchmark rate at 3.75 to 4 percent at its latest meeting, the report noted.

Beyond quarterly earnings, F. Yap said management commentary would be crucial in assessing companies’ prospects.

With funding costs higher and the peso under pressure, the brokerage expects some property developers and conglomerates to reduce or postpone capital expenditures for 2027.

Such decisions could also affect cement producers and construction suppliers.

The Quezon City’s Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works conducted cleanup operations at the Bagbag Cemetery and Novaliches Public Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 2, as people continued to visit the graves of their departed loved ones on All Souls’ Day.

In a Facebook post, the local government said the cleanup drive aims to keep the cemeteries clean and orderly for visitors paying their respects to their departed loved ones.

Thousands of people flocked to the two cemeteries on Sunday, Nov. 1, for this year’s Undas observance. However, authorities said visitors continued to visit the burial grounds on Monday.

The local government also reminded cemeterygoers to refrain from littering and leaving their waste in public spaces.

‘Always dispose of your trash properly in designated waste bins or garbage containers,’ it said.

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is anticipating at least 144,000 passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday, All Souls’ Day.

This is on top of the 868,423 passengers recorded from October 27 to November 1, which will push the total number of travelers using the country’s primary airport to over 1 million before the end of the Undas season.

‘Based on the projection of NNIC-AICCC (Airport Integrated Command and Control Center) passenger traffic is expected to reach at least 144,000 today,’ the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said in a text message to the media.

MIAA also said it is anticipating less passengers on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

‘Mas mataas po ang expected passenger volume namin today based on the projection, compared to November 3, we are expecting at least 139,000 passengers na lang po,’ MIAA told the Inquirer in a text message.

(The expected passenger volume today is higher based on projection compared to November 3, we are expecting at least 139,000 passengers.)

In 2025, NAIA handled 1,237,653 passengers from Oct. 27 to Nov. 4.

The prosecution could not have decided at the beginning of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial to concentrate exclusively on unexplained wealth because the financial documents that ultimately convinced prosecutors to narrow down the case became available only after lengthy legal disputes and compliance with court-issued subpoenas.

House private prosecutor and trial spokesperson Benjamin ‘Jay’ Tolosa Jr. explained that the decision to withdraw three impeachment articles followed the prosecution’s examination of banking records and other financial documents that had not been available when the proceedings began.

‘But we have to explain, it was not possible to make that decision at the start,’ he said.

Tolosa responded to criticism that prosecutors should have concentrated on Article II from the outset instead of spending several months presenting evidence on charges they eventually withdrew.

‘Kasi remember, itong mga dokumento na ito, hindi namin nakuha kaagad ito,’ Tolosa explained.

The prosecution initially pursued four impeachment articles involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and grave threats before withdrawing three charges on October 13, leaving only Article II for the Senate impeachment court to decide.

‘The defense really tried to block this,’ Toloa said, referring to the objections raised against the production of financial records.

The defense had challenged requests for banking documents and other financial information, prompting arguments before the impeachment court over whether the prosecution could compel their disclosure.

‘After ma-subpoena yan, medyo matagal na time ‘yan bago sila nag-present,’ Tolosa recalled.

The court eventually authorized the production of records from banking institutions and other agencies, with the prosecution receiving substantial volumes of documents that required examination and comparison with Duterte’s official declarations.

‘At kailangan hintayin ‘yan sabay-sabay bago i-release,’ Tolosa explained.

‘We all saw the boxes of documents. Doon lang namin napag-aaralan,’ Tolosa added, recalling how prosecutors reviewed the materials after receiving them.

The resulting analysis by forensic accountant Alexander Cabrera identified approximately P817.87 million in allegedly unexplained wealth, while prosecutors also cited broader financial discrepancies reaching about P1.5 billion, figures disputed by Duterte’s defense.

‘Doon lang lumabas itong figure na ito na napakalinaw as explained by Attorney Cabrera na 817 to 1.5 billion,’ Tolosa said.

The Philippine National Police has intensified intelligence operations nationwide to determine whether separate child exploitation cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve a common network of perpetrators.

Authorities in Pangasinan are investigating alleged exploitation activities in Urdaneta City, while a French national was arrested in Cebu over alleged sexual offenses against minors.

Intelligence

‘Criminal networks must not be allowed to exploit provincial boundaries to evade justice,’ said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. in a statement on Sunday.

‘By linking our regional intelligence, we are dismantling these syndicates from the roots up and ensuring that no corner of this country serves as a safe haven for those who prey on our children,’ Nartatez added.

Police units have been instructed to establish whether the cases in Pangasinan and Cebu involve the same individuals or organized groups operating across provincial boundaries.

The issue in Pangasinan drew public attention after vlogger Christian Albert Gaza shared a video on Facebook featuring a house in Urdaneta City, where several alleged unlawful activities, such as child exploitation, child molestation, maltreatment, physical assault, torture, and illegal drug-related activities, were reportedly taking place.

Last Friday, the Pangasinan provincial government said it was coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the issue.

United response

Meanwhile, a French national was arrested in Catmon, Cebu, on Oct. 29, on the strength of a warrant issued by the Tribunal Judiciaire de Montauban, France, on March 28, 2024, for alleged rape, corruption, and sexual assault of minors under 15.

The foreign national was turned over to the Bureau of Immigration’s Fugitive Search Unit for appropriate legal and immigration proceedings.

Nartatez said the PNP would pursue both local and foreign suspects involved in the exploitation of Filipino children, adding that police would continue coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to track down perpetrators.

‘Child exploitation is a transnational crime that demands an unyielding, united response,’ he said.

Nartatez added: ‘Whether these perpetrators operate within our provinces or cross international borders, our reach is long, our partnerships are firm, and we will hunt down every single individual who attempts to violate the dignity of our youth.’

This year, the Philippines ranks 15th out of 60 countries in the Out of the Shadows Index, developed by Economist Impact with advocacy led by Together for Girls, in efforts to prevent and respond to sexual violence against children.

The index assesses 60 countries, which cover 83 percent of the world’s children, across four pillars: governance and accountability, prevention, healing, and justice.