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Two industry leaders with one shared vision to help more Filipinos achieve their dream of homeownership. Global Dominion Financing Inc. (GDFI), through its Real Estate Financing Division, proudly sealed a new partnership with PTR Properties Inc., a trusted name in real estate development for nearly two decades.

The ceremonial signing was held at PTR Properties’ Satellite Office in Pasig City, attended by Peter Ty, President and CEO of PTR Properties Inc.; Dannah Mae Videra, finance and treasury OIC; and Amie Bendijo, loans associate. Representing Global Dominion were President and CEO Patricia Poco-Palacios, COO Melai Felicidario and general manager for real estate financing Floriben Rae Oliveros, along with consultant Anna Christina Vicente, marking a powerful alliance between two institutions built on trust, innovation and shared purpose.

For 20 years, PTR Properties, also known as Peter the Rock (PTR), has stood firm in its promise to deliver quality and affordable homes to Filipino families.

From a four-man team to a dynamic organization, PTR has built over 1,500 residential units through projects like Grand 21 Place, The Fifth at Rafael, One Capitol and The Two Seven Residences.

Building on this success, PTR expanded to Batangas under the leadership of president Peter Ty, launching its first subdivision in Lipa City and pioneering the use of Modern Asian Design for low-density communities. Today, Amiya Rosa One, Two and Three continue PTR’s legacy of providing elegant and affordable homes to deserving Filipino families.

Global Dominion’s partnership with PTR Properties is more than a business agreement, it’s a shared commitment to make homeownership more accessible, flexible and achievable for more Filipinos. Through Global Dominion Real Estate Financing, future PTR homeowners can now enjoy flexible financing solutions designed for diverse needs whether self-employed, OFW or local professional with fast and reliable loan processing, supported by Global Dominion’s 150+ branches nationwide.

Both organizations share the belief that a good home is one of life’s true luxuries, a place where comfort, security and growth come together. Through this partnership, PTR Properties and Global Dominion aim to bring that dream closer to reality for more Filipino families. Together, they embody what it means to be true Ka-partner Mo sa Pag-Angat. Uplifting communities, creating opportunities and fueling progress one home at a time.

Because when companies with a heart for progress come together, dreams don’t just get built, they grow, they thrive and they uplift lives.

PJ Lhuillier Inc. (PJLI), the parent company of Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s leading microfinance services provider, has been recognized with two prestigious distinctions at the Inspire to Excel: Investors in People Philippines Awards 2025, affirming its strong commitment to building a people-first workplace.

The company was named Winner for Diversity and Inclusion and Runner-up for Wellbeing, showcasing its dedication to creating an empowering and supportive environment for its 12,000 employees nationwide.

The Investors in People Awards celebrate organizations that excel in valuing and developing their workforce. For PJLI, these recognitions highlight the success of its inclusive culture and holistic employee programs, underscoring that a thriving company begins with thriving people.

PJLI’s wellbeing strategy takes a comprehensive approach, focusing on five key dimensions: physical, spiritual, financial, mental and social.

The company likens its role to that of a ‘tender gardener,’ nurturing employees to flourish both personally and professionally. What set PJLI apart was its shift from conversation to action-translating initiatives into measurable outcomes such as improved efficiency under pressure, stronger employee engagement, and higher satisfaction levels.

Its win in Diversity and Inclusion (D and I) reflects a holistic, evolving strategy championed by President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, who has consistently led with a vision that celebrates individuality.

‘As a company deeply rooted in service, we recognize that our greatest strength lies in our people,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Inc. and Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘These awards reaffirm our belief that by fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering culture, we not only build stronger teams but also create a lasting positive impact on the communities we serve.’

The company highlighted inspiring employee stories and initiatives like the Tatak Cebuana Influencers campaign while advancing progressive policy reforms. Notably, PJLI’s Policy on Nepotism and HMO Dependents program extends to diverse family structures.

One senior manager movingly shared that the health coverage policy made him feel ‘seen, valued and respected’-a testament to how policies can create a genuine sense of belonging.

Beyond the workplace, PJLI promotes D and I into the communities it serves through initiatives under its Kanegosyo Centers and Alternative Learning System (ALS) Programs, directly empowering marginalized Filipinos.

Jo-Ann Tacorda, first vice president and group head for Corporate Services, added: ‘Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing goes beyond compliance or recognition. It’s about making sure every Cebuana Lhuillier employee feels valued and supported. These honors from Investors in People Philippines validate the work we’ve done, but more importantly, they inspire us to keep pushing forward in building a workplace where everyone can truly thrive.’

As Maria Veronica ‘Baby’ Valientes, Human Resource Development division head, shared in her acceptance speech: ‘Winning doesn’t just mean we join the parades and post it online. It means embedding our D and I commitment in our policies, hiring practices, the way we address people, and how we live every day recognizing people’s diverse backgrounds.’

These recognitions affirm PJLI’s philosophy that the ultimate measure of success lies in the wellbeing and empowerment of its people.

By embedding inclusivity into policies, embracing holistic employee care, and nurturing purpose-driven initiatives, PJLI continues to build not just a successful company, but a legacy of resilience, empowerment, and true, lasting value.

Their hometown was jolted by a powerful earthquake just three weeks ago.

But despite the challenges brought by the tragedy, life goes on for the promising young tennis players from the City of Bogo in northern Cebu

Never losing sight of their dreams, Jhunreal Anthony Espinosa, Etha Nadine Seno, and Everett Enzo Niere gave their fellow Bogohanons something to be happy about during tough times after emerging as champions in the highly successful 24th Gullas Tennis Cup last October 17-20 at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo and Citigreen Tennis Resort in Barangay Punta Princesa, Cebu City.

Espinosa edged past Andrian Rodriguez, 6-4, 6-4, to reign supreme in the boys 16 Under category, Seno upended Danica Diamante, 6-3, 6-2 to claim the girls 14 Under crown, while Niere dominated Dale Diamante, 4-0, 4-0 to clinch the 10 Under unisex title.

Niere’s older brothers Everett Gil and Everett Pete also reached the championship round, albeit on the losing end.

Gil settled for the silver medal in the boys 14 Under after falling prey to Xian Wynn Calagos of Baybay City, Leyte, 6-0, 6-4, in the same way with Pete, who bowed down to James Andrio Estrella of Asturias, 6-1, 6-2, in the boys 12 Under final.

Cebu’s other top bets in Juvels Velos, Samantha Chloe Ortega, and Trisha Loren Nocos also had their fair share of the limelight.

The Danao City-native Velos outsmarted Kristian John Kilat, 7-5, 6-1 to lord it over in the boys 18 Under, while Ortega, who hails from the municipality of Tuburan, ruled the distaff side after surviving a three-set thriller against Thea Mae Castro, 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-4.

Not to be outdone, Nocos from Lapu-Lapu City whipped Xyza Wynn Calagos, 6-3, 6-2, to top the girls 12 Under.

In the other result, Kathlyn Ann Bugna from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental slammed Donna Mae Diamante in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 to secure the girls 16 Under tiara.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has proposed a ?13.4-billion annual budget for 2026, with key priorities focused on health and social services, education, agriculture, and food security, among others.

The proposed budget was officially transmitted to the City Council during its regular session yesterday. Archival said the proposal reflects the city’s financial plan and development priorities aligned with its Annual Investment Program (AIP).

‘As Cebu City continues to be a dynamic hub of commerce and culture, this budget reflects our strategic priorities to foster inclusive growth, enhance public services, and ensure sustainable development,’ the proposal reads.

Among the key priorities outlined in the proposal is health and social services, which aims to strengthen social support programs, allocate adequate resources for healthcare, and fund housing development for displaced informal settlers.

The administration also plans to enhance the city’s scholarship program by streamlining requirements and continuing the 24/7 library service.

Funds will also be allocated for agriculture and food security, which includes implementing pilot farm demonstrations in both the north and south districts and providing rice subsidies.

For climate resilience and smart infrastructure, the city government will prioritize green urban development, including the installation of solar power systems in city-owned buildings.

Under public safety and disaster preparedness, the city plans to boost its capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies and natural calamities.

To address flooding, the administration intends to undertake river desilting operations and revisit the existing drainage master plan.

The city is also prioritizing digital governance by improving interdepartmental coordination through digital platforms and internal systems. It also plans to continue upgrading infrastructure, including farm-to-market roads.

As part of its revenue generation strategy, the city aims to improve collection efficiency through technology-based systems, including online payments. It also plans to streamline operations by standardizing and simplifying government processes.

Budget breakdown

Of the ?13.4-billion proposed budget, five percent-or over ?750 million-will go to aid to city barangays. More than ?1.6 million is allocated for miscellaneous other purposes, at least ?768 million for the local development fund, and ?6.5 billion, or 43 percent of the total, for general public services.

The proposal also includes ?675 million for calamity response under the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC), ?3.9 billion for social services, and ?762 million for economic services.

For projected revenues, hospitals are expected to generate at least ?275 million, while markets are seen to contribute ?150 million. The Local Development Fund is projected at ?768 million, with the city’s ecozone share estimated at ?600 million.

Tax revenues are expected to reach ?5.4 billion, non-tax revenues at ?3.2 billion, and the national tax allotment at ?3.8 billion.

Lower than previous years

Last August, Archival said the Cebu City Government was looking at what could be its lowest annual budget proposal in five years, initially targeting around ?11.5 billion.

As early as August, he had directed department heads to focus on implementable projects aligned with the city’s overall development plan. Earlier projections placed the annual budget within a practical revenue forecast of ?9.5 billion to ?10.5 billion.

However, Archival instructed the City Treasurer’s Office and other revenue-generating departments, including the Office of the Building Official (OBO), to intensify collection measures and aim for ?11.5 billion in revenues. He emphasized that these offices have assured him the target is achievable.

To meet this goal, Archival said one of the administration’s priorities is to strengthen collection efforts without increasing Real Property Tax (RPT) rates, noting that ‘the city still has millions in collectibles that remain uncollected.’

He also directed a closer review of more than 50,000 businesses across the city to identify those that have yet to register.

In line with this, he instructed the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to streamline business permit renewals to encourage more entrepreneurs to register.

Malacañang yesterday denied rumors that Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has stepped down from his post.

‘Not true,’ Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a text message, when asked about social media posts claiming Recto has resigned.

Recto was appointed finance chief in January last year, succeeding Benjamin Diokno who is now a member of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board.

A former three-term senator, Recto represented the 6th district of Batangas before joining the Marcos Cabinet. He also served as the chief of the National Economic and Development Authority during the administration of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Meanwhile, Castro confirmed that scientist Gay Jane Perez has been named officer-in-charge of the Philippine Space Agency.

Perez, the agency’s deputy director general for space science and technology, replaced former director general Joel Marciano Jr.

If the nation takes the words of such trapos as Senators Imee Marcos, Bato de la Rosa, or Rodante Marcoleta, we would be led to believe the appointment of Jesus Crispin Remulla as ombudsman would foment political instability. That is absolutely unfounded because the apolitical situation is already unstable.

Remulla, the patriarch of Cavite’s leading political dynasty, is so feared by the DDS because they invented this conspiracy theory, most probably concocted by Imee and VP Sara Duterte, that Marcos and Remulla entered into a secret agreement to prosecute the Dutertes. The instability isn’t in the nation’s political situation but could be only in the minds of DDS.

The first ombudsman, who was appointed after this position was created under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, was retired justice Conrado Vasquez who was appointed by then President Corazon Aquino. He held that office from May 12, 1988 to May 12, 1995. Before the appointment of the second ombudsman, Francisco Villa was acting ombudsman for 77 days. The second ombudsman was Aniano Desierto, appointed by president FVR and served from August 4, 1995 to August 4, 2002.

Vasquez was a trustee of the Aquinos and Desierto was a comrade of FVR in the armed forces. But they did their duties without fear or favor. There was no political instability as a result of their respective appointments. Mariano Gervasio acted as Ombudsman for 67 days before the third ombudsman was installed. Simeon Marcelo was appointed by GMA and held office from October 10, 2002 to December 1, 2005.

Marcelo was replaced by Merceditas Gutierrez who held that office from December 1, 2005 until she resigned (under threat of ouster by impeachment) on May 6, 2011. Orlando Casimero acted as Ombudsman for 82 days before a new one was appointed. To my mind, the best Ombudsman was retired Supreme Court justice Conchita Carpio-Morales. She caused the prosecution of the Binays in connection with the infamous Makati Parking Building, but didn’t cause undue political instability.

Morales was associate justice from 2002 to 2011, and served as Ombudsman from July 28, 2011 to July 28, 2018. In both positions, Morales served with integrity, competence, and probity. Her career is beyond reproach. She is fearless, forthright, and didn’t feel beholden to the president. She did her job impeccably and without fear or favor. In many cases, she decided against the interests of the Aquinos and she never hesitated to do what was right. She didn’t cause any instability except only in the minds of the corrupt.

Perhaps an opposite to Morales was retired justice Samuel Martires who was appointed by President Duterte and held the office of the Ombudsman from July 18, 2018 to July 18, 2025. His decision not to allow the SALNs of the president and other public officials was criticized as it clearly violated the letter and the spirit of the SALN Law. The public was deprived of the opportunity to see the financial standing of every public official from the time of assumption to office up to the time of vacating the same.

The baggage of Remulla is his being a political animal. He has been a board member, governor, congressman, and Cabinet member. He is too beholden to the Marcos administration which gave him and his brother, Johnvic of the DILG tremendous breaks in their careers. Unlike Justices Conrado Vasquez, Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Sauel Martires who were career jurists all their life, Boying has always been a politician. He is the first politician to be appointed to that critical office. That could be a baggage he would carry as his acts and decisions may be branded political.

But I’m an incurable optimist, I still believe in the presumption that every person is essentially good and will most probably do the right things. I don’t subscribe to Imee and Sara’s theories of conspiracy. They have no basis. Their speculations are expected of politicians, and their prognosis may be possible but highly improbable. I think Boying will send many deserving crooks to prison. I’m not sure though if these include any of the Marcoses or the Dutertes.

Let’s give the man a chance to prove that he is worth his salt. And let’s assume that BBM is doing what is right. Boying’s seven-year term anyway shall go beyond the tenure of the president. And he can be impeached if he betrays the people’s trust. Both the president and the Ombudsman are accountable to the people.

An explosion occurred at a fireworks factory in Norzagaray, Bulacan, on Wednesday, October 22, causing fatalities and damage to infrastructure.

According to the Norzagaray Municipal Public Information Facebook page, the explosion occurred in Barangay Partida, Norzagaray, prompting an immediate response from the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Reports from other media outlets stated that the explosion took place at 11:15 a.m. and resulted in damage to nearby residential structures, extending up to 200 meters from the blast site.

As of this writing, the number of casualties has yet to be verified. However, A Facebook user named Jeffrey Lucas shared an image of a body covered with banana leaves.

Authorities said that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident.

Philstar.com has reached out to the Norzagaray Municipal Public Information Office for more details and to confirm the number of casualties, but has not yet received a response.

After securing majority control of listed coal exploration company Coal Asia Holdings Inc., the group led by Pure Energy Holdings Corp. has launched a tender offer to acquire additional shares from the minority investors.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), Coal Asia said Pure Water Corp. and Quadwater Corp. are offering to buy up to 11,328,600,040 common shares, equivalent to about 28.3 percent of the company’s total outstanding stock.

The offer price is P0.0088 per share, which is about 14.2 percent higher than the P0.0077 per share acquisition price in the earlier share purchase deal.

Last Sept. 26, selling shareholders Dexter Tiu, Eric Roxas, Gertim Chuahiong, Alexander Tiu and John Capinpin collectively owned 28,671,400,000 common shares, representing 71.68 percent of Coal Asia’s outstanding capital.

They entered into a share purchase agreement with Pure Energy Holdings Corp., Pure Water Corp. and Quadwater Corp. for the sale and purchase of those shares.

Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, investors who buy enough shares to take control of a listed company must make an offer to buy out the remaining shareholders.

The rule ensures that minority investors are given the same opportunity to sell their shares at a fair price once control of the company changes hands.

In simpler terms, this requirement called a tender offer protects small investors by making sure they can sell their shares under the same conditions offered to the company’s previous controlling owners.

Trading in Coal Asia shares was temporarily halted yesterday as the PSE gave market participants time to digest the company’s disclosure.

Coal Asia has an authorized capital stock of P5 billion, divided into 50 billion shares with a par value of P0.10 per share.

As of June 30, 2025, the company’s issued and outstanding capital stock stood at 40,000,000,040 common shares.

Based on its latest public ownership report dated Oct. 2, 2025, a total of 14.4 billion common shares are held by the investing public, accounting for 35.99 percent of the company’s total outstanding shares.

Coal Asia is a holding company with interests in energy and mineral exploration.

Through its subsidiary, Titan Mining and Energy Corp., it holds coal operating contracts in Davao Oriental and Zamboanga Sibugay, where it explores and develops coal resources for future power generation and industrial use.

Members of the 80-seat Bangsamoro Parliament elected a new speaker during a session on Tuesday, October 21, to replace the late 85-year-old Maranao lawyer Pangalian Balindong, who passed away earlier this month.

Members and the figurehead of the parliament, Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua, confirmed on Wednesday, October 22, that Mohammad Yacob, who had studied Sharia jurisprudence at the International Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia, was nominated speaker and voted for unanimously on Tuesday by regional lawmakers.

Macacua and Yacob are both senior officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The MILF’s two agreements with the national government, the 2012 Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro and the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on Bangsamoro, paved the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019, replacing the less empowered Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which had been in place for 27 years.

On Wednesday, Bangsamoro parliament members, including lawyer Sittie Fahanie Uy-Oyod, engineer Baintan Adil-Ampatuan and physician-ophthalmologist Kadil Sinolinding Jr., separately said that they will cooperate with Yacob’s peace and development agenda as speaker.

‘We shall extend to him the same support we extended to our first ever, pioneer speaker, who passed away early this month,” said Sinolinding, who is also functioning as BARMM’s health minister in a concurrent capacity.

The Moro National Liberation Front, which has representatives in the BARMM parliament and is helping MILF officials manage some of the agencies under the Bangsamoro government, also pledged support for the speakership of Yacob.

‘We shall help him and our chief minister keep the regional government’s peace and development efforts in the autonomous region going,” BARMM’s labor and employment minister, Muslimin Sema, chairman of the MNLF’s central committee, said.

In an initial message at the parliament on Tuesday, Yacob said he would do his best to nurture the gains of the peace overtures of the national government with the MNLF and the MILF.

Both fronts are cooperating in overseeing the Bangsamoro regional government.

‘We shall continue with the peace and development initiatives started by our departed speaker via our newly anointed Speaker Yacob. We know he will function as a speaker religiously, in the context of good, upright governance. He is qualified for that task,’ Macacua said.

Aside from studying Sharia law in Saudi Arabia, Yacob also completed a master’s degree in public administration at Cotabato City State University.

That’s what we can learn from the Gospel of St. Luke where Christ talks about death that will come to us like a thief in the night and how we can prepare for it by giving ourselves to others what God has given us. ‘Unto whomsoever much is give, of him much shall be required, and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more.’ (cfr. Lk 12,39-48)

This point is reinforced in that gospel story about a rich young man who asked Christ how he can inherit eternal life (cfr. Mk 10,17-27). It is a poignant warning among the so-called good Christians who may already be doing a lot of good but still are unwilling to give all to God.

It’s a story that effectively reveals what is truly inside our heart. Is our heart really for God or is it actually just for ourselves though it can be showy about being godly? The man in the gospel readily admitted that he had been observing the commandments, as Christ articulated them again. But when he was told what he had to do to merit eternal life, he could not take it.

‘You are lacking in one thing,’ Christ told him. ‘Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this, the man’s face fell and went away sad, for he had many possessions which he was unwilling to give up.

We have to be most wary of this scenario in our life, which actually, and sadly, is quite common. There are good people who are not truly good enough, because when the ultimate test is made, they are not willing to give up all in order to have God.

They forget what St. Teresa once said, ‘Solo Dios basta,’ (With God we have enough). They get too attached to the many good things in their life such that these blessings from God are converted into competitors of God themselves.

They prefer a life in this world that is without suffering, without self-denial, without the cross, as if a genuine Christian life can be exempted from all these. It is as if they have been born without original sin and have led their lives without committing any sin at all.

We have to be most careful with this most likely phenomenon happening in our lives. Yes, we have to be well-guarded against this temptation and do eveything to combat it whenever, wherever, and however it arises.

It would be a pity if after the many good things we may be doing, we fail to pass the final test. We have to remember that love is without measure. It is in its nature to give itself completely, convinced that what seems to be lost would actually be regained a hundredfold. In this, Christ has reassured us abundantly.

We have to realize more deeply that by giving back what we receive, we foster greater connectivity and communion among ourselves. This is urgently needed these days when, ironically, we have many more communication technologies than before and yet we seem to have more people isolating themselves from others now than before.

We have to cultivate a strong appetite for communion by giving ourselves to others unstintingly, not so much for what they give us as for what God has given us. This the way to prepare ourselves for death and to face God on Judgment Day.