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It was a dream debut for Juan Gomez de Liano who tallied a triple-double in his very first PBA match-15 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds-in Converge’s 129-92 triumph over Titan Ultra last October 11.

‘Honestly, it is a dream come true for me to be able to play in the PBA and to even pull off a historic feat,’ reflected Juan who starred for the University of the Philippines and Marinerong Pilipino in the amateurs. He also played professionally in the B.League in Japan, the Lithuanian Basketball League, and Korean Basketball League after which he returned home to play in the PBA.

The six-foot guard was drafted second overall by the Converge FiberXers.

‘I always imagined what it would be like to play on this stage. Now that I am here, it is surreal. I’m just grateful for the opportunity.’

Gomez de Liano grew up idolizing Jimmy Alapag and Alex Cabagnot.

‘I admired the way Jimmy and Alex played,’ said Juan of his inspirations. ‘They were consistent in how they led their teams. It wasn’t just their skills, but also their leadership and heart on the court that inspired me.’

Gomez de Liano showed his potential when he was named University Athletic Association of the Philippines Rookie of the Year in 2017, made it to the UAAP Mythical Team in 2018, and was hailed Most Valuable Player in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup in 2022.

‘Right now, I am just locked in and doing whatever is needed for Converge to win. That triple double.my name is across it but it is a team effort.’

PRESIDENT Marcos wants to fast-track the completion of the P27.7-billion Farm-to-Market Bridges Development Program (FMBDP) within his term, Malacañang said.

The project, which was approved by the Economy and Development Council in June, aims to build at least 300 bridges from 2026 to 2029.

‘Of course, before he ends his term; he wants it to be completed before the end of his term,’ Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino on Tuesday.

When asked when the FMDBP would be rolled out, she said, ‘before the end of Christmas season.’

The said bridges will be located in 52 provinces with ‘strong agricultural potential but limited road connectivity, the Department of Agriculture said.

Marcos included the FMBDP in his presentation to farmers during the inauguration of the P500-million Union Water Impounding Dam in Cagayan on Tuesday.

He also discussed the implementation of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) mechanization program as well as the completion of the new dam as part of the efforts of his administration to boost the country’s agricultural productivity.

The President said the Union Water Impounding Dam, he said, was proof that the government can complete a flood control infrastructure, which also provides irrigation, within a short period.

‘This means we have proven that it is possible to create good flood control that is effective. As long as the construction is done properly, the design is done properly, and the implementation is done properly, we will not see any problems,’ Marcos said in Filipino in his speech during the opening of the dam.

The dam, which was completed in 14 months by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the National Irrigation Administration (NIA), features a sluice gate system to regulate river flow.

It is expected to irrigate up to 3,600 hectares, and benefit more than 1,000 farmers in seven barangay.

While in Cagayan, Marcos also inspected the almost complete Camalaniugan Bridge linking Aparri and Camalaniugan town-the longest cable-stayed bridge in Cagayan Valley.

Upon its completion, the travel time between two towns will be reduced from one hour to 20 minutes and benefit 6,000 travelers a day.

The construction of the bridge started in May 2020 and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2025 but construction was stopped during the Covid 19 shutdown.

‘We are looking at one of the most beautiful bridges that we have created in the Philippines. And I’m happy to note that it was done as well in time and it was done properly,’ Marcos said when he inspected the bridge.

‘The design was done locally. Kahit parang ginaya ‘iyong mga tulay sa ibang bansa, talagang ito lahat galing sa atin [It may look like the bridges in other countries but this is really ours],’ he added, emphasizing that Filipino engineers are capable of world-class design and execution.

The President also highlighted the bridge’s integrated flood control systems, saying it reflects what proper infrastructure should look like.

He commended local officials, led by Cagayan Gov. Edgar Aglipay, for vigilantly monitoring the project to ensure it did not fall into the trap of incomplete or ghost infrastructure.

An additional P260.2 million is still needed to complete the remaining works, with full completion expected by January 2026.

Marcos, however, expressed hope that the bridge could be opened to the public ‘by Christmas.’

Once operational, the bridge will serve as an alternate route to the old Magapit Suspension Bridge and cut travel time between Aparri and Ballesteros from one hour to just 20 minutes, benefiting over 6,000 commuters daily

Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said he has fled the country in fear for his life following a military rebellion but did not announce his resignation in a speech broadcast on social media late Monday from an undisclosed location.

Rajoelina has faced weeks of Gen Z-led anti-government protests, which reached a pivotal point on Saturday when an elite military unit joined the protests and called for the president and other government ministers to step down. That prompted Rajoelina to say that an illegal attempt to seize power was underway in the Indian Ocean island and leave the country.

‘I was forced to find a safe place to protect my life,’ Rajoelina said in his late-night speech, which was also meant to be shown on Madagascar television but was delayed for hours after soldiers attempted to take control of the state broadcaster buildings, according to the president’s office.

The speech was ultimately broadcast on the presidency’s official Facebook page but not on national TV.

They were Rajoelina’s first public comments since the CAPSAT military unit turned against his government in an apparent coup and joined thousands of protesters rallying in a main square in the capital, Antananarivo, over the weekend.

Rajoelina called for dialogue ‘to find a way out of this situation’ and said the constitution should be respected. He did not say how he left Madagascar or where he was, but a report claimed he was flown out of the country on a French military plane.

A French Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to comment on that report.

Madagascar is a former French colony and Rajoelina reportedly has French citizenship, which has been a source of discontent for some Madagascans for years.

The anti-government protests began on Sept. 25 over chronic water and electricity outages but have snowballed into wider discontent with Rajoelina and his government.

It is the most significant unrest in the island nation of 31 million people off the east coast of Africa since Rajoelina himself first came to power as the leader of a transitional government following a 2009 military-backed coup.

The same elite CAPSAT military unit that rebelled against Rajoelina was prominent in him first coming to power in 2009.

Elite unit claims to control the military

Rajoelina hasn’t identified who was behind this attempted coup, but the CAPSAT unit has said it now controls all the armed forces in Madagascar and has appointed a new officer in charge of the military, which was accepted by the defense minister in Rajoelina’s absence.

CAPSAT appears to be in a position of authority and also has the backing of other military units, including the gendarmerie security forces.

A commander of CAPSAT, Col. Michael Randrianirina, said the army had ‘responded to the people’s calls’ but denied there was a coup. Speaking at the country’s military headquarters on Sunday, he told reporters that it was up to the Madagascan people to decide what happens next, and if Rajoelina leaves power and a new election is held.

Randrianirina said his soldiers had decided to stand with protesters and had exchanged gunfire with security forces who were attempting to quell weekend protests, and one of his soldiers was killed. But there was no major fighting on the streets, and soldiers riding on armored vehicles and waving Madagascar flags were cheered by people in Antananarivo.

The US Embassy in Madagascar still advised American citizens to shelter in place because of a ‘highly volatile and unpredictable’ situation. The African Union urged all parties, ‘both civilian and military, to exercise calm and restraint.’

Weeks of protests

Madagascar has been shaken by three weeks of deadly anti-government protests that were initially led by a group calling itself ‘Gen Z Madagascar.’

The United Nations says the demonstrations left at least 22 people dead and dozens injured and criticized Madagascan authorities for a ‘violent response’ to what were largely peaceful protests in the early days of the movement. The government has disputed the number of deaths.

The demonstrators have brought up a range of issues, including poverty and the cost of living, access to tertiary education, and alleged corruption and embezzlement of public funds by government officials, as well as their families and associates.

Civic groups and trade unions also joined the protests, which resulted in nighttime curfews being enforced in Antananarivo and other major cities. Curfews were still in effect in Antananarivo and the northern port city of Antsiranana.

The Gen Z protesters who started the uprising have mobilized over the internet and say they were inspired by the protests that toppled governments in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

History of political crises

Madagascar has had several leaders removed in coups and has a history of political crises since it gained independence from France in 1960.

The 51-year-old Rajoelina first came to prominence as the leader of a transitional government following the 2009 coup that forced then-President Marc Ravalomanana to flee the country and lose power. Rajoelina was elected president in 2018 and reelected in 2023 in a vote boycotted by opposition parties.

Madagascar’s former prime minister under Rajoelina and one of the president’s closest advisers have also fled the country and arrived in the nearby island of Mauritius in the predawn hours Sunday, the Mauritian government said. Mauritius said it was ‘not satisfied’ that the private plane had landed on its territory.

THREE Philippines women’s pairs and two men’s tandems target spots in the main draw in the qualification matches for the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sands Court by the Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga and Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco kick off Alas Pilipinas’s campaign against foreign opponents at 9 a.m. as seeded athletes James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla drew a bye in the qualification round.

‘It’s good that we are seeded in this event and we do not need to play in the qualification that will keep us fresh in the main draw,’ said Buytrago, who along with Abadilla clinched a bronze medal in the Cambodia 2023 Southeast Asian Games.

The specific pairings will be known only after the preliminary inquiry which was scheduled late afternoon Tuesday.

Buytrago and Abdilla are one of the 24 men’s teams seeded in the 32-pair main draw that starts Thursday.

‘We’re hoping to improve on our quarterfinal finish in last year’s BPT although it will not be easy,’ added Buytrago, as he acknowledged the rigid training they’ve been getting under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Simao Barbosa.

‘I’ll be playing with an injured index finger so we’ll just give our best,’ he said.

Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor will also plunge into action in the qualifiers of the FIVB Volleyball World tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara.

The popular tandem of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, rank 137th in the world, will see action on Thursday in the main draw.

World’s No. 6 Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson of Sweden are the men’s defending their champions of the competition that drew 65 men’s pairs from 25 nations and 46 women’s duos from 15 countries.

Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinema promises audiences a wider variety of films and viewing experiences to enjoy this October. Through its Culture in Focus campaign launched in July, Red Carpet Cinema has treated movie fans to local and global films that educate, engage, and spark meaningful conversation.

‘When we began Culture in Focus, our intention was clear: to make Shangri-La Plaza a place where art isn’t just seen but deeply felt. A place where film, music and ideas can move us and bring people together,’ says Arrianne M. Nadurata, senior retail marketing manager at Shangri-La Plaza. Shangri-La Plaza’s Culture in Focus campaign kicked off October with Cinemalaya, the Philippines’ first and oldest independent film festival.

This was followed on October 10 with Gawad Alternatibo, the longest-running independent film competition in Asia, heralding the year’s best works of Filipino filmmakers in animation, experimental, documentary, and short feature.

Now, from October 16 to 19, Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas treats cinephiles to Kinofest, three days of carefully curated films from contemporary German cinema. All for free, the roster of movies ranges from controversial to cute. There’s Riefenstahl, the story of artist and Nazi propagandist Leni Riefenstahl; and Giants of La Mancha, which follows the adventures of Don Quixote heir, 11-year-old Alfonso, and his three imaginary musical rabbits in an attempt to save their town from a powerful storm.

Finally, as part of DAKILA’s (Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism) 20th anniversary celebration, the organization is hosting a benefit screening and talkback of the film Quezon on October 18, 2 to 6 pm, at the Shang’s Red Carpet Cinema 4. The collective aims to promote the movie within their community and bring more audiences to cinemas to experience Quezon as an essential film for critical thinking.

Follow the Shang’s Red Carpet Cinema for news on upcoming events like the International Silent Film Festival, Cine Europa, Japanese Film Festival, and Spring Film Festival in celebration of Chinese New Year. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

Civil society leaders here and in the province of Pampanga expressed support for the holding of a constitutional convention and junked the idea of snap elections.

The leaders mae the call in the wake of the multi-billion peso scandal involving flood-control projects.

They noted that despite mounting evidence of corruption, bloated budgets, substandard infrastructure, and contracts awarded to politically connected companies, no major national figure has advanced a clear reform agenda.

In August, Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno called for a Constitutional Convention (Con-Con) to revise the 1987 Constitution. In his privileged speech, the Antipolo lawmaker said a Con-Con was ‘the most prudent, transparent, and participatory mechanism to address enduring ambiguities and procedural deficiencies in the Charter.’

‘Today, I submit to this august Chamber that while the provisions of our Constitution are noble in aspiration, certain provisions are marked by ambiguity and procedural deficiency. These deficiencies do not merely complicate interpretation. They obstruct reform, hinder effective governance and erode public trust,’ Puno said.

Civil society groups in this city and in Pampanga said it echoes what local reform advocates have long argued that structural change is needed.

Two reform paths have gained traction in Pampanga. The Pinoy Gumising Ka Movement, led by businessman and civic leader Ruperto Cruz, has long pushed for a Con-Con to rewrite the Constitution and dismantle what he described as a ‘deeply flawed’ political system. Meanwhile, Alexander Cauguiran, co-convenor of the Concerned Citizens of Pampanga advocates for an interim caretaker reform government that would cleanse state institutions before any credible Charter reform can occur.

Though differing in strategy, both movements agree that real reform will not emerge from the same political machinery that enabled systemic corruption.

Cruz argued that attempts to push reform through Congress or the executive branch are futile because the current system is designed to protect entrenched political and economic interests.

‘What’s painful is that we are still electing the same lawmakers and lawbreakers,’ Cruz said. ‘They know the way out. And that is also the reason why they will never truly fix the system or reform the structure.’

Cruz rejected proposals for a Constitutional Assembly (Con-Ass) in which current lawmakers amend the Constitution themselves. Cruz said such a process would only ‘prolong the problem.’ He also proposed redirecting funds from the party-list system and the Sangguniang Kabataan to support a citizen-led Con-Con. He also argued that both mechanisms have been co-opted by dynasties and political operators.

Cruz called for more aggressive anti-corruption legislation including life imprisonment without presidential pardon for graft, perpetual disqualification for plunder and economic sabotage, and the abolition of executive sessions in legislative hearings.

‘Every hearing should be in plenary,’ Cruz said. ‘We have too many laws. The problem is we do not have enough implementers.’

Cauguiran, meanwhile, warned that any Con-Con formed under current political conditions is vulnerable to elite capture.

‘What will be the composition? That’s the problem. Similar to Con-Ass, the powers that be will call the shots. My position is not simply between Con-Ass and Con-Con, the commission that will recommend changes to the Constitution must be independent and representative of basic sectors, not political dynasties,’ Cauiguiran said.

Cauguiran proposed a transitional caretaker government to serve as a bridge from the present crisis to a reformed political order. He said that without cleaning up state institutions and restoring public trust, constitutional reform efforts, however well-intentioned, would be futile.

‘The caretaker government is a bridge from the present, after having accomplished its immediate task, to the future,’ said Cauiguiran.

‘[This is] just my proposal instead of a snap election, that will just change the personalities involved but the old system remains. There must be a radical change,’ he added.

Puno had similarly warned of how vague constitutional provisions have undermined the rule of law and cited controversy around the word ‘forthwith’ in the impeachment process which he said had enabled procedural deadlock and undermined accountability.

‘A single ambiguous word can become the justification for legislative inaction, procedural manipulation or worse, the erosion of accountability itself,’ Puno said.

Puno stressed that his proposal was ‘not a call to discard the Constitution’ but to ‘complete and correct it.’ A Con-Con would be free from conflicts of interest faced by sitting lawmakers and would allow for clearer, more representative, and forward-looking provisions that speak plainly to all citizens.

Though Puno’s call stands out as one of the few from within Congress, civil society leaders say the momentum for reform must come from outside. Cauguiran cautioned that the administration will likely attempt to defuse public outrage by filing selective cases against public works officials and a few local politicians where cases that may drag on for years without meaningful resolution.

‘Their goal is to manage unrest, not to address the root issues. Ayuda here, elections there-then nothing changes,’ Cauguiran said.

Cruz also said that even if a Con-Con is convened, public vigilance is essential to prevent it from being co-opted.

‘People will have to vote for the Con-Con. So while they frame it, we also have to see it while they are on it,’ Cruz said. ‘We are only prolonging the agony if we think lawmakers alone will give us the solution.’

Both Cruz and Cauguiran reject the idea that elections alone will resolve the crisis, especially in a system where alleged plunderers are allowed to run and win office without consequence.

‘Don’t change the people, change the law,’ Cruz said. ‘We’ve tried changing the people before. Impeachment after impeachment. It didn’t work.’

‘The fight against corruption should not stop in the streets,’ Cauguiran added. ‘It must be structural.’

YOUNG creatives, art educators, and professional designers transformed the Benilde Design + Arts Campus Library Commons into an alchemist’s laboratory, where curiosity, creativity and collaboration converge.

Dubbed Alchemy of Ideas, the ongoing exhibition is a joint initiative of the Benilde Industrial Design Program and the Center for Campus Exhibitions (CCX) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

Anchored in Benilde Industrial Design’s commitment to Design Like No Other, the showcase serves as a living space of experimentation, transformation and excellence. It captures how diverse influences-culture, technology, and user insight-are distilled through design thinking into meaningful and human-centered solutions for real-world impact.

A diverse array of inspiring creations is on full display, from standout student works and capstone prototypes to toy designs, paper-engineered projects, material explorations, and furniture pieces-all contributed by the students and alumni.

Among the highlights of the show are the head-turning hand-drawn concept sketches and murals by the professional artists and designers from the faculty department. Design innovations made in collaboration with industry partners are likewise on view.

The curatorial team is headed by a group of Benilde Industrial Design Program homegrown talents-turned educators and experts: lead curator and creative director Gabriel Lichauco, then program chairperson Romeo Catap Jr., and project coordinator and current chair Johann Mangussad. They worked with CCX under the leadership of its director Dindin Araneta.

‘Industrial designers are solution-makers,’ Catap shared in his opening remarks. ‘We know that industrial design is creating forms and functions from ideas and solutions.’