Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

At least 500 families here and in Cagayan de Oro City lost their homes on Thursday due to massive fires that swept through their communities.

In a coastal strip of Barangay 21-C here, a huge blaze that raged around 5 p.m. cut through five sub-villages until it was put out at past 7 p.m.

Village chief Joenard Gabrillo said the fire gutted at least 400 housesAs of Friday morning, personnel of the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) were still accounting for the total number of affected families who are temporarily sheltered in the gymnasiums of Barangay 21-C and Barangay 22-C.

Each family is allocated a modular tent. CSWDO also operates a mobile kitchen that provides meals for the families.

Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte II visited the displaced families in the evacuation centers on Thursday night, leading the distribution of relief supplies and vowing financial assistance.

On Friday morning, some of the affected residents returned to their houses to scavenge for whatever valuables remained, such as roofing sheets that could be sold as scraps. In Cagayan de Oro City, 89 families of Barangay 17 were left homeless in a fire that broke out around 12:30 p.m.

The displaced families are currently setting up makeshift shelters under the Marcos Bridge, not far from their old community.

Village chief Anthony Atterviry said the gutted houses also hosted students and workers as boarders./coa

Aby Maraño is looking forward to the much-anticipated comeback of Mylene Paat, the 2022 PVL Reinforced Conference MVP, who is set to bolster the revamped Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers.

The Crossovers, led by Maraño, impressed in the preseason with a runner-up finish in the PVL on Tour and fourth place in the Invitational.

But what excites the Chery Tiggo captain most is the return of her best friend and fellow former national team standout.

‘She’s coming back. But that’s not really my story to tell. I’m just proud of her. Seeing the results of her recovery journey is amazing,’ Maraño told the reporters in Filipino. ‘It’s so fulfilling to see her back, not just because she’s my best friend, but also because her presence on the court is something else. She brings a different energy.’

Paat’s return, along with Cuban import Yunieska Batista, gives Maraño confidence that the Crossovers can sustain their momentum.

‘I’m really hoping we can bring all the learnings from the PVL on Tour into this conference,’ she said. ‘And with the chemistry we’ve built with Yunieska, I hope it becomes a real strength for us as we compete. We want to be able to go toe-to-toe with the strong teams this conference.’

‘We’re a hardworking team. It’s the same feeling we had during the PVL on Tour that we’re not expecting much, just focusing on what we could do together as a team. And for me, I’m really excited to see how our current chemistry will hold up against other teams, especially there are foreign players and some of the Alas players have returned to their teams. This conference will definitely be more competitive and challenging,’ she added. Maraño describes the chemistry with Cuban import Yunieska Batista as ‘chef’s kiss’ as she joins forces with Ara Galang, Ren Peñafiel, Jasmine Nabor, Imee Hernandez, and Jen Nierva.

‘She’s a very mature player, really easy to get along with on and off the court. She’s not picky, she adjusts well, and she doesn’t give off that ‘VIP import vibe’ that you sometimes see. She’s super humble and a really good follower,’ she said. ‘I can really feel that she respects us local players, especially me. We’re actually the same age, which makes our dynamic even better. Now I feel like I have more support when it comes to leadership, especially with her, Ara, and Mylene all contributing.’

ACEN Corp. is injecting P900 million into its wind power project, seen to be the biggest such facility in the Philippines straddling the provinces of Quezon and Laguna.

In a disclosure on Thursday, the listed energy arm of the Ayala Group said it had executed a loan deal with its subsidiary Giga Ace 6 Inc. for the Quezon North Wind Power project.

Giga Ace 6 is the group’s special purpose vehicle for the development of the 553-megawatt (MW) onshore wind park.

Earlier this year, the unit had also obtained P34.4 billion from the Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank, Inc. and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

A total of P70 billion of investment is needed to develop the major wind project, according to ACEN.

2 phases

The company said it had also previously extended infrastructure and transmission asset support for the project’s Phases 1 and 2.

Phase 1, which is expected to be finished by late 2026, has a generating capacity of 344.5 MW. Phase 2, meanwhile, will involve 208 MW and completion is seen by the end of 2027 or early 2028.

The project is located in the towns of Mauban and Real in Quezon as well as Paete and Kalayaan in Laguna.

With a series of renewable energy projects sprouting here and in its foreign markets, ACEN has an ambitious goal to hit 20,000 MW of capacity by 2030.

Portfolio

ACEN’s clean energy portfolio currently stands at 7,000 MW.

Overseas, the company has projects in Australia, Vietnam, Laos, India and Indonesia.

In the first half of 2025, the firm saw a sharp drop in its net income, reaching P763 million from P6.3 billion, blamed on a one-time loss from its Vietnam wind parks.

Flooding is imminent in several parts of Luzon as Typhoon Paolo continues to bring heavy rain this Friday, Oct. 3.

In its 11 a.m. heavy rainfall warning, Pagasa placed Zambales and Bataan under the Orange Rainfall Warning, which means flooding is threatening and residents should be ready to evacuate if needed.

Batangas, Cavite, and several towns in Quezon-Tayabas, Atimonan, Pagbilao, Lucena, Tiaong, San Antonio, Dolores, Sariaya, Candelaria, Perez, Alabat, Quezon, Calauag, Lopez, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Buenavista, Mulanay, San Narciso, Catanauan, General Luna, Macalelon, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Agdangan, Padre Burgos, Polillo, Burdeos, Panukulan, Jomalig, Patnanungan, San Francisco, and San Andres-were under a Yellow Rainfall Warning, indicating possible flooding in flood-prone areas.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila, Rizal, Pampanga, Bulacan, Laguna, and Tarlac, along with other parts of Quezon province, were experiencing light to moderate rain with occasional heavy rain that could persist throughout the day.

Pagasa noted that rainfall could be higher in mountainous areas, with impacts worsened by earlier downpours. /abc

Tickets for the inaugural Fifa Women’s Futsal World Cup that will start on Nov. 21 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City can now be availed online, and fans won’t need to spend a fortune to witness the Filipina5 and some of the best in the indoor scene strut their wares.

Fifa and the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) said tickets for the group stage are priced at P1,399 for premium seating and P699 and P499 for the lower and higher sections of the general admission, respectively.

Prices are for each doubleheader, as there will be three matchdays that are going to have four games, and can be purchased through the tickets section of Fifa’s website.

World Cup tickets were made available last Sept. 27 after a presale period.

The Philippines will play host to the first staging of the competition, and joins 15 other nations that were divided into four groups.

The Filipina5 will face Poland in the opening doubleheader of the competition while they’ll also take on Morocco on Nov. 24 and Argentina on Nov. 27 in Group A.

Also in the tournament are Spain, Thailand, Colombia and Canada in Group B, Portugal, Japan, New Zealand and Tanzania in Group C and Brazil, Iran, Italy and Panama in Group D.

Coach Rafa Merino and his Philippine squad are currently in Japan as part of their buildup for the World Cup. The Filipina5 also faced their Japanese counterparts in a friendly.

During their stay, the squad was able to catch up with Paris Olympics double gold medalist Carlos Yulo, who is also training with the national gymnastics team.

Yulo even joined the team in a social media video to promote the upcoming World Cup.

The highly anticipated Klook Travel Fest 2025 is set to return this year, bringing some of the biggest and most irresistible travel deals to Filipino travelers. The three-day festival will run from October 10 to 12, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at SM Mall of Asia Main Atrium.

‘We’re very excited to be launching this year’s Klook Travel Fest! We’ve strategically patterned our promotions with the results of our Klook Travel Pulse from earlier this year to make sure we’re giving our Klookers deals aligned with what they’re actually looking for,’ Ulla Roqueza, Klook Philippines’ Associate Director for Marketing, shared.

Visitors can look forward to Buy-1-Get-1 Flash Deals, all-day travel freebies, surprise giveaways, and exclusive 50% off promotions, or vouchers with savings of up to ?10,000. Designed to inspire and empower travelers to explore more for less, the event offers unbeatable deals across a wide range of destinations, including the Philippines, Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Deal after Deal, Day after Day

Going to Singapore soon? Score a surprise deal for tickets to different activities in Mandai Wildlife Reserve – from its world-famous Singapore Zoo, the Amazon River Quest at the River Wonders, a nighttime discovery at the Night Safari, to a feathery meet at Bird Paradise, or even an adventure in the multi-layered Rainforest Wild Asia. Discover where adventure, education, and conservation blend into one. If boating is your family’s bet, keep your eyes peeled for flash offers you can enjoy when you purchase Disney Cruise Lines for an aquatic adventure aboard with Duffy and friends – from its themed areas, magical entertainment, and exquisite dining, it’s a holiday you’ll never forget.

Buy 1 Get 1 when Visiting Vietnam

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, this year’s festival has you covered with Buy 1 Get 1 Attraction Tickets for Sun World Vietnam. Look over the stunning views of rich forests and hills from the Sun World Ba Na Hills cable car or ride the breathtaking Alpine Coaster, one of the many attractions in the famous Fantasy Park. More of a beach person? After all the fun at Aquatopia Water Park and Exotica Park, Sun World Hon Thom offers immaculate white beaches, as well as the world’s longest cable car overlooking pristine blue waters. You can also bag tickets to Sun World Fansipan and take the scenic route to the peak of Fansipan Mountain. With options ranging from monorails and funiculars to cable cars and even hiking, the trip is easily customizable to suit your needs and interests.

Whether for family trips or solo travel, Sun World’s recreational parks are perfect for travelers and groups of all ages!

Hot Deals to Hop Around Hong Kong

Explore the beauty of Hong Kong after securing hot discount drops for activities across Asia’s World City. The Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car is a whole experience in itself that’ll sweep you off your feet with a scenic ride to the Ngong Ping Village. BigBus Hong Kong, on the other hand, is a guided open-top bus tour that takes you around the lush city of Hong Kong. Visit the iconic Ocean Park Hong Kong, where adventure awaits, whether you’re exploring the zoo or going on a thrilling ride. Don’t forget the magical Hong Kong Disneyland, where you can experience eight different themed lands that transport you to the magical world of Disney.

Get Even More Discounts with our Payment Partners

After adventuring through all that this year’s Klook Travel Fest has to offer, double down on your deals and get an extra PHP 500 off when you pay with GCash! Get an additional 10% off both local and trending destinations (like Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan), as well as 0% installment for 6 months when using GGives. Maya users get an exclusive 20% off first-time hotel bookings and an extra 15% off on experiences and transport for both local and international destinations. Check out with BDO Credit Cards and Debit Cards to get 15% off your total basket for optimal savings that can be used during your upcoming holiday instead!

Meet Your Favorite Klook Kreators

Awarded the title Kreator of the Year in 2025, you’ll find Jax Reyes gracing the Klook Travel Fest 2025 stage with his TikTok-famous travel hacks! Also in attendance is the real and relatable Marvin Samaco, with his easy-going itinerary inspiration and budget travel tips. Famous travel Kreator, The Poor Traveler, will also be making an appearance to share helpful travel tips for first-timers. Expect more of your favorite Klook Kreators to step into the spotlight throughout the three exciting days of this travel fest.

How to Prepare for Klook Travel Fest 2025

Make sure you don’t miss out on this year’s festivities by following these five simple steps:

Download the app through the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.

Book the Klook Travel Fest 2025 FREE Admission Ticket in Manila and download your free admission QR code for scanning upon entrance.

Stay updated on all things Klook Travel Fest 2025 by following Klook’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Study up by learning how to use the platform!

Prepare all your essentials, like your government ID, your Klook App, and your admission QR code.

Make sure to visit the Klook Travel Fest 2025 for this year’s most exciting travel fest yet! Download the Klook app through the Google Play Store or the Apple Store to discover unforgettable experiences. For more information, follow Klook on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

A. Soriano Corp. (Anscor) has divested its minority stake in The Bistro Group (TBG) for P1.91 billion after less than a year, realizing high gains from its investment in the restaurant group.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, Anscor said it had executed a deed of sale with Inoza Business Holdings Inc. for its 22-percent stake in TBG Food Holdings Inc.

Inoza is a newly established holding firm affiliated with Progeny Global Holdings Inc. The latter operates Bounty Fresh and limited-service restaurants like Chooks-to-Go and Uling Roasters.

According to Anscor, it realized gross annualized returns ‘greater than 25 percent’ on its investment in TBG.

Not too long ago

Anscor bought a minority stake in TBG in November 2024 for P1.61 billion. This entailed a profit of more than P300 million.

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

The Philippine Competition Commission approved Inoza’s plan to acquire a majority stake in TBG in August. This, after considering the impact of the deal on the nationwide supply of chicken meat, table eggs, pork and beef.

Multiple brands

The Bistro Group currently owns and operates over 200 full-service restaurants across 33 brands. These include Italianni’s, TGI Fridays and Texas Roadhouse, all of which have a strong presence in the Philippines.

In the first semester of 2025, Anscor’s net income plunged by 65 percent to P1.19 billion. This was attributed to the decrease in market value of its investments. The firm’s revenues likewise slipped by 17 percent to P7.9 billion.

This is the second time Anscor has sold its minority shareholding in companies it had invested in.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has secured a fourth freeze order under the ongoing flood control probe.

This brings the total value of immobilized assets to over P4 billion.

The latest directive put the total number of frozen assets to 1,889.

This includes 1,620 bank accounts, 54 insurance policies, 163 motor vehicles, 40 real properties and 12 e-wallet accounts.

‘These freezes are real actions that stop corruption,’ said AMLC Executive Director Matthew M. David. ‘Every peso frozen is a peso that cannot be used to sustain corruption.’ /rwd

Former Las Piñas-Muntinlupa district engineer Isabelo Baleros was arrested for multiple counts of estafa, Las Piñas City Rep. Mark Anthony Santos said on Friday.

Santos, in a statement, said that Baleros – whom he previously accused of involvement in questionable transactions, including a supposed transfer of funds for flood control projects – was nabbed inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) office at the Port Area in Manila.

The arrest order, Santos relayed, was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 22 Presiding Judge Tammy Ann Reyes Mendillo, under Criminal Case No. R-MNL-25-07000-CR.

Baleros was previously dismissed by former Public Works Secretary Manuel Bonoan due to allegations raised by Santos over the supposed diversion of P450 million in infrastructure projects intended for Las Piñas.

‘This is the tip of the iceberg. If DPWH really wants to prove it is serious about reforms, they must not only fire, but also jail these officials,’ Santos stressed.

‘The P450 million stolen from Las Piñas is not just a number-it’s the people’s hard-earned money. We will not let this go unanswered,’ he further emphasized.

Santos said Baleros was detained at the Baseco Police Station 13 since Thursday, and was able to post a P48,000 bail.

Early August, Santos said that Baleros asked that funds for several projects in Las Piñas be transferred from his district office to the DPWH’s regional office in the National Capital Region, without first consulting local officials.

The move was supposedly approved by Public Works Assistant Secretary Loreta Malaluan and confirmed by then Secretary Manuel Bonoan, amid lack of prior consultation with the Office of the Mayor, the Office of the Congressional Representative, the City Engineering Office, or the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

‘This is a glaring act of bypassing local governance. How can you move hundreds of millions of pesos without informing the elected officials of the city? This reeks of backroom maneuvering,’ Santos said last August 4.

Aside from this, Santos also questioned whether there was visible progress or even initial work on different projects, like the C5 Diversion Road project and other 27 projects listed under the 2025 General Appropriations Act, worth P450 million.

Santos reiterated these observations during the hearing of the House of Representatives’ committee on public accounts, which Bonoan attended.

According to Santos, the P450 million funds were transferred.

INQUIRER then sent messages DPWH officials, including Bonoan himself, to ask for their side of the story, but he has not replied as of posting time.

However, during the committee hearing, Bonoan said he understands Santos’ frustration, adding that he will consider the suggestions made.

‘I fully understand the frustration of the good congressman, and yes, Your Honor, we’ll certainly seriously consider all those proposals, and look into those projects that are now being implemented as you mentioned,’ Bonoan had said.

Allegations surrounding Baleros prompted Santos to suggest that the DPWH adopt a one-strike policy – similar to the one enforced by the Philippine National Police against erring police officers – in terms of reprimanding corrupt engineers.

According to Santos, such a move is necessary at this time to ensure that infrastructure projects are built properly, amid concerns that flood control projects may have been exploited by corrupt politicians, government officials and contractors.

Infrastructure projects, particularly those involving flood control, are being scrutinized right now by different bodies including the House, in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (Sona).

During his Sona, Marcos condemned government officials and contractors who allegedly earned kickbacks from flood control projects, saying that they should be ashamed of themselves.

Marcos’ condemnation came after Senator Panfilo Lacson warned that half of the country’s almost P2 trillion funds from 2011 for flood control projects may have been lost already – necessitating a thorough review of the projects.

Lacson’s warning was prompted by heavy floodings experienced in Metro Manila and its nearby provinces due to three successive cyclones that hit the country and intensified the southwest monsoon.

As of now, several officials of the DPWH have been removed due to the alleged kickback scheme, while Bonoan himself tendered his courtesy resignation.

Both the House and the Senate also paused their investigation on the flood control issue as several lawmakers were accused of involvement in the kickback operations. /apl

Geneva Cruz stood with hundreds of Smokey Mountain residents in Manila to oppose the government’s planned waste-to-energy (WTE) incineration project in the area.

Cruz, who rose to fame as part of the 1990s quartet Smokey Mountain – named after the former dumpsite – recently joined more than 500 urban poor residents during the Day of Action Against Incineration at San Pablo Apostol Parish in Tondo.

‘The people of Smokey Mountain have struggled with the impacts of poverty and environmental injustice, now facing job losses, forced evictions, and reprisals from proponents of the WTE project,’ she earlier wrote on social media.

The singer performed a medley of Smokey Mountain hits – ‘Kailan,’ ‘Paraiso’ and ‘Better World’ – inside the parish covered court on Sept. 30 as she later joined residents’ protest chants.

The P26-billion WTE facility, backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is envisioned as a solution to the country’s waste and flooding problems. However, environmental groups and residents warn the project threatens livelihoods and health.

‘WTE incinerators generate hazardous emissions and threaten the livelihoods of wastepickers who have always been at the forefront of cleaning Manila’s waste through recycling,’ said Shey Levite of EcoWaste Coalition, a co-organizer of the event.

Fr. Allan Ferdinand Dizon, FdCC, who led the parish Mass, stressed that the displacement of families in Smokey Mountain runs counter to the dignity of the poor.

Other groups, such as 350 Pilipinas, the Philippine National Waste Workers Alliance and Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, echoed concerns over health risks, corruption and forced evictions tied to the project.

The event concluded with the launch of the Manila Anti-Incinerator Alliance (MAIA), a new coalition of community groups pledging sustained action against the planned facility.

The groups are planning larger actions against the WTE project until the President and other relevant agencies sit down with them in meaningful consultation.

The National Environment Agency defines WTE as ‘waste treatment technologies that convert waste into energy by using heat, most commonly incineration.’ It is often criticized for its harmful air pollution.