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THE world has crossed into a dangerous new climate reality, with warming oceans triggering irreversible tipping points across critical Earth systems.

According to the newly released Global Tipping Points Report 2025, these changes are no longer distant threats-they are unfolding now, with profound implications for billions of people worldwide.

‘As we head towards overshooting 1.5°C, new research indicates that other critical Earth system tipping points are closer than previously thought,’ the report warns.

The study was authored by 160 scientists from 87 institutions across 23 countries, led by Professor Timothy M. Lenton, Global Systems Institute, University of Exeter in England.

Among the most urgent findings: warm-water coral reefs have already surpassed their central thermal tipping point of 1.2°C. W.

Global temperatures now average 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels, fueling the fourth and most extensive coral bleaching event on record-impacting over 83 percent of reefs worldwide.

‘Every fraction of additional warming increases the risk of triggering further damaging tipping points,’ the report said.

Multiple earth systems at risk

In addition to coral reefs, the report identifies several other Earth systems nearing or breaching their tipping thresholds:

Amazon Rainforest Dieback: Risk of shifting from carbon sink to source due to deforestation and warming.

Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets: Melting could lock in meters of sea-level rise, threatening coastal cities and island nations.

Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC): Weakening could disrupt global climate patterns and monsoons.

Boreal Forest Shift: Warming and drying may trigger large-scale dieback in northern forests.

Permafrost Thawing: Releases methane and CO2, amplifying global warming in a feedback loop.

‘These climate tipping point risks are interconnected and most of the interactions between them are destabilizing, meaning tipping one system makes tipping another more likely,’ the report said.

Coral Triangle collapse

For the Philippines, located at the heart of the Coral Triangle, the implications are existential. The region hosts the highest marine biodiversity globally and supports millions through reef-based fisheries, tourism, and coastal protection.

Economic Disruption: Coral reef degradation could cost the Coral Triangle region over $75 billion in tourism and fisheries losses.

Food Insecurity: Reef fisheries supply essential protein to more than 150 million people. Their collapse would severely impact nutrition and local economies.

Disaster Risk: Healthy reefs reduce wave energy by up to 97 percent, acting as natural buffers against storm surges and sea-level rise.

Even under the most optimistic climate scenarios, the report finds that coral reefs are ‘virtually certain’ (>99% probability) to tip.

Preserving any functional reef systems would require reversing global warming to below 1.2°C-and ideally to 1°C.

SEA’s Climate Frontline

The report highlights Southeast Asia’s broader vulnerabilities, affecting over 600 million people.

In Vietnam, the Mekong Delta-responsible for half the country’s rice production-is under severe threat from rising seas. This poses a direct risk to Philippine food security, as the Philippines imports over 80 percent of its rice from Vietnam, with the bulk sourced from the Mekong region. Any disruption from flooding, saltwater intrusion, or monsoon instability could impact supply chains and drive-up domestic prices.

Meanwhile, coastal megacities like Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta face increasing risks of inundation and infrastructure collapse.

The potential collapse of AMOC adds further concern. Its destabilization could disrupt tropical monsoons, threatening water access and agricultural productivity across Asia.

Monsoon disruption: Over 3 billion people in South and Southeast Asia depend on monsoon systems. A weakened AMOC could reduce rainfall and undermine rice production.

Sea-level rise: Melting polar ice sheets are nearing tipping points that could lock in meters of sea-level rise. For Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including parts of the Philippines, this could mean permanent uninhabitability.

Adaptation limits

The report warns that tipping points may generate changes so abrupt and widespread that adaptation becomes unfeasible, ineffective, or prohibitively costly.

These ‘adaptation tipping points’ result in residual loss and damage-harms that cannot be avoided, adapted to, or recovered from.

Responding effectively will require expanding Loss and Damage mechanisms to reflect the systemic, irreversible nature of tipping point impacts. This includes rethinking financial instruments, insurance models, and legal responsibilities, while ensuring affected communities receive support beyond what adaptation alone can deliver.

TAKING BACK WHAT HE GAVE HER

THE powerful politician and the minor celebrity have been together for a while until the former dumped the latter. The minor celebrity likes to say that she caught him cheating but she’s just saving face. After all, she thought he would marry her. He simply grew tired of her. She was young when they met. She’s getting older now and no longer as interesting to him. Recently, the powerful man sent an emissary to retrieve the very expensive bags he gave her. People see this as a political move as these could be used against him in the future as eyes are on the minor celebrity, with people knowing she can’t afford those bags.

SETTING AFFAIRS IN ORDER

THE successful businesswoman sold part of her empire allegedly because she is sick and wanted to set her affairs in order. This is not the first time that the businesswoman became seriously sick. She’d been such before but recovered. This time, she is older and wiser so she wants her children to not have any money problems when she is gone. However, the conglomerate that purchased a stake in her business seems to have unsound practices such as not paying suppliers on time and not prioritizing the company’s clients. Because she is busy putting her affairs in order, the businesswoman seems unaware of this.

CONNECTIONS

THERE are rumors that a certain celebrity sought the help of an unsavory character in order to break into the international fashion scene. The said unsavory character is very much well-connected so the celebrity spent a lot of money for media mileage. Despite her popularity in the Philippines, the celebrity wants more, including international recognition. While her recent efforts have gotten a lot of attention here, she is still considered an unknown abroad.

MEDIA TRAINING

THE starlet has apparently received the much-needed media training from her home network and she conducts herself with more grace in public than before. It’s important to remember that the starlet is very young and naive in terms of things related to her career. The starlet is actually a nice girl. Yes, she may have stumbled a few times but the network apparently believes that she is a good person and that’s why they gave her a another chance.

Bistro Group’s beloved TGIFriday’s and Italianni’s are making their way up north! These fan-favorite casual dining restaurants will crank up the flavor and double the fun as they roll into SM City Laoag this October.

TGIFriday’s 30th Store On Its 30Th Year

American casual dining chain TGIFriday’s opened last October 8, marking its 30th location as it celebrates 30 years in the Philippines, reflecting the brand’s enduring popularity for decades. It arrives at the mall as the go-to spot for high-energy ambiance. Get your fill on the popular Fried Mozzarella, tender fall-off-the-bone Ribs, Burgers, Bottomless Mojitos, and more. Bring your friends and family and make countless memories where it’s always Friday. Have a couple of drinks by the bar and be captivated by the bartending flair or catch up with an old friend over American food that always hits the spot.

Italianni’s

Buon Appetito! Delight in delicious and hearty Italian-American dishes at the Upper Ground Level, Italianni’s SM City Laoag. Now open, the best of Italianni’s awaits you!

Start the feast with freshly baked focaccia and Tuscan bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Treat yourself to a wide selection of fresh salads, al dente pasta in all shapes, oils, and sauces, delectable oven-baked pizzas, and meaty mains that will satisfy your palate. Whether it’s a relaxing dinner after work, a family gathering, or a romantic date, Italianni’s is where there’s good company and dishes served with warmth and generosity.

Residents and tourists are invited to enjoy the hearty flavors and fun dining experiences in these two new vibrant gathering places.

THE British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP), Shell Energy Philippines Inc. (SEPH), Colliers Philippines and BusinessMirror as a media partner jointly held the recently concluded ‘Powering Progress: A Look into the Philippine Clean Energy Transition’ event.

The discussion focused on national programs, initiatives, incentives and investment opportunities in the country’s ecozones, as it highlighted efforts between the public and private sector in the adoption of cleaner and sustainable technologies.

Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Deputy Director General for Finance and Administration Maria Veronica Magsino reported that the agency has integrated the

Environmental, Social, and Governmental (ESG) principles in the ecozone.

Magsino shared that PEZA-approved solar manufacturing and solar power projects have reached 12 registered enterprises with an investment value of P70.548 billion and export value of $56.517 billion. It also reported that Registered Business Enterprises or RBEs using renewable energy (RE) reached 112 from both public and private ecozones, and a combined total kilowatt-peak of 223,584.83.

Meanwhile, SEPH President and CEO Bernd Krukenberg recognized the role of the private sector with the Philippines’ target of reaching 35 percent RE by 2030, and 50 percent by 2040 that is primarily driven by further liberalizing ownership in the renewable energy sector.

He also cited that financing mechanisms remain present in the country, allowing more opportunities for key players in the industry.

In his presentation, Krukenberg noted that, ‘we can help businesses thrive in a changing market. Whether you’re looking at your sustainability goals, planning the long term power needs for your business, or investing in energy productivity, Shell Energy is ready to be your strategic partner.’

He also reported that 20 percent of the UK’s gas supply is delivered through Shell’s owned and operated pipelines, noting further that the petroleum giant has acquired Nature Energy-Europe’s largest producer of renewable natural gas or RNG.

Additionally, for over a decade, Shell Energy has consistently ranked among the Top three natural gas marketers in North America, selling 10.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

BCCP Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson noted that ‘Energy is crucial for industrial growth. If the Philippines is to develop its clean energy sector, it must ensure energy security, and renewables can be a significant driver of this transformation.’

Nelson furthered that ‘it is also important to have key partners such as Shell Energy Philippines whose long-term investment proves that the country remains a significant destination for businesses in the region.’

HOUSE Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Wednesday said the bicameral conference committee (bicam) for the proposed P6.793-trillion 2026 national budget will be conducted in full transparency and will not be rushed, assuring the public that lawmakers will be given ample time to study the bicam report before its ratification.

Also on Wednesday, amid speculations that the proposed P6.793-trillion budget next year contained ‘questionable insertions,’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that the bicameral conference committee deliberations for the General Appropriation Bill will now be livestreamed for the first time.

The President said the leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate have agreed to no longer limit the deliberations, which he noted is a public hearing, to a small committee.

‘We will live-stream the entire process so that if there are questionable, shall we say, insertions or additions or all that, it will also be clear who moved.who made those changes or who proposed those changes so that people will know. So that is what we have instituted, some new procedures,’ the chief executive said during the oath-taking ceremony of the Malacañang media group on Wednesday.

On Monday, the House of Representatives voted on third and final reading to approve the P6.793-trillion General Appropriation Bill (GAB) with a vote of 287 in favor, 12 against and two who abstained.

Some lawmakers claimed the approved budgetary bill contained ‘presidential and legislative pork,’ which were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos vowed to veto the legislated 2026 national budget if it contained provisions, which are not aligned with the priorities of his administration.

He was compelled to veto P194-billion line items of the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA), which were not aligned with his priorities. including unprogrammed appropriations for some public works.

Currently, Marcos said he is confident that for now, there is no need to veto the approved 2026 GAB by the House of Representatives, especially since he was involved in its preparation.

However, he said, he will closely monitor the possible changes in the GAB once the Senate approves its counterpart bill for the priority piece of legislation.

‘And as far as, as we have been able to examine, there are no projects that are listed there, there are no items that are listed there that are outside of the social economic development plan of the Philippines and all the plans derived from that, i.e, where the FMR [farm-to-market], school buildings [will be built]. All of these are all part of the general plan,’ he said.

Dy welcomes open bicam

In an interview, Dy said the House welcomes the Senate’s proposal to make the bicameral deliberations open to the public and livestreamed, a move he described as a significant step toward rebuilding public trust and ensuring accountability in the use of taxpayers’ money.

‘We very much welcome an open bicam to make sure that everything discussed there is transparent,’ Dy said. ‘If the Senate wants to hold it here in Congress, we will comply. It’s better that the discussions and hearings on our proposed budget are open to the public.’

On Monday, the House approved on third and final reading the proposed P6.793-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for fiscal year 2026-praised by its proponents as transparent, clean, and sufficient to ensure fiscal stability with programs that will benefit every Filipino.

Dy stressed that transparency remains his administration’s guiding principle. He said the House will continue its practice of livestreaming budget discussions through the Budget Amendment and Revision Subcommittee (BARC), which was formed to ensure that all proposed amendments are publicly accessible.

‘From the very beginning, our commitment has been to make the budget process accountable and transparent,’ Dy said. ‘That’s why we created BARC-to make all budget deliberations open to the public.’

Ample time

Addressing concerns from opposition lawmakers about the tendency to rush bicam reports for ratification, Dy assured them this year’s process would be different.

‘We’re not in a hurry. We will give all members enough time to read and carefully study the bicam report,’ he said. ‘We don’t want anyone saying they weren’t given a chance to review it.’

Dy added that even before the bicam report is finalized, the public will already be able to monitor deliberations through live streaming, providing real-time access to any proposed changes or insertions in the budget measure.

Unprogrammed funds

Meanwhile, Dy also clarified the inclusion of P249 billion in unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 national budget, saying these funds serve as a reserve that can only be used when the government exceeds its projected revenues or secures additional foreign-assisted projects.

‘The unprogrammed appropriations are reserve funds of the government. They’re not part of the main budget and can only be used if there are excess revenues or new collections,’ Dy explained.

He emphasized that strict control measures-such as special budget requests, supporting documentation, and quarterly reports-are in place to prevent abuse and ensure proper use of the funds.

Dy acknowledged Senate President Tito Sotto III’s statement opposing the inclusion of large unprogrammed funds, saying differences between the two chambers are normal and healthy in the democratic process.

The bicameral conference committee is expected to convene in the coming weeks, with Congress resuming session on November 10.

Dy assured the public that the House will carefully review the bicam report before ratifying the final version of the 2026 General Appropriations Act.

‘Corruption and patronage’

The Bantay Budget Network (BBN) denounced the House-approved P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, calling it a ‘budget of corruption, patronage, and foreign dependence’ that neglects the needs of ordinary Filipinos.

The watchdog group said the Marcos administration continues to rely on discretionary and opaque funds, including the P243-billion Unprogrammed Appropriations, which it described as a ‘presidential pork barrel’ that enables spending with minimal oversight.

It also accused the government of maintaining the pork barrel system, with an estimated P695 billion allegedly allotted for legislators’ pet projects, and criticized cuts to education and social services while maintaining funds for military programs and the NTF-ELCAC.

It further flagged the persistence of P10.9 billion in Confidential and Intelligence Funds, nearly half of which are controlled by the Office of the President, saying these allocations remain ‘audit-exempt and vulnerable to abuse.’

‘The 2026 budget centralizes fiscal power in the Executive and weakens accountability,’ it said. ‘True transparency requires dismantling shadow budgets and restoring Congress’ power of the purse.’

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro confirmed that early talks are happening for possible oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The discussions involve businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s group and Chinese companies.

But Lazaro told BusinessMirror that the proposals are still ‘highly tentative,’ with no formal meetings or firm agreements yet.

The topic first came up during Tuesday’s Senate budget hearing when Senator Imee Marcos asked if the talks were reviving the old oil deal between former Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Lazaro replied, ‘That’s true. But this is purely private,’ clarifying that the initiative is led by private companies, not the government.

In December 2022, Pangilinan said his team had met with Chinese firms to explore joint oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea. He clarified that China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), which nearly secured an exploration deal with his group back in 2012, was not involved in these recent talks. He also stressed that any future agreement must follow Philippine laws and the Constitution.

This October, Pangilinan’s PXP Energy Corp. received three new petroleum service contracts from the Department of Energy for areas in the Sulu Sea and Northwest Palawan.

Efforts to restart joint oil exploration between the Philippines and China have stalled due to legal issues. A 2023 Supreme Court ruling declared the 2005-2008 Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking with China and Vietnam unconstitutional, making future deals harder.

Under Philippine law, only companies that are at least 60 percent Filipino-owned can join production-sharing agreements. Foreign firms can only participate as service contractors under full government control.

Coast Guard cooperation

While oil talks remain uncertain, maritime cooperation between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and China’s coast guard is close to being finalized.

Lazaro said the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is ‘more substantive’ and could be signed soon. It focuses on practical cooperation, especially in disaster response.

Talks are also progressing on marine scientific work, including ocean meteorology.

‘This is not about compromising sovereignty,’ Lazaro told BusinessMirror. ‘It’s about building mechanisms that might just prevent negative events.’

She defended the Department of Foreign Affairs’ approach, saying diplomacy is more than just protests. ‘People often say, ‘puro protest, puro protest,’ but diplomacy is more than that. It’s about keeping channels open,’ she said.

THE Department of Finance (DOF) will form a multisectoral working group to craft digital solutions addressing both tax and non-tax concerns.

In a statement on Wednesday, the DOF said Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has directed the creation of the group to be led by the department along with private sector partners.

The order came during a dialogue with the Makati Business Club (MBC) on October 14, where the government and industry leaders discussed key policy issues and digital reforms that could streamline business processes and enhance transparency in tax administration.

Recto said the government will review existing tax circulars and identify potential digital solutions to make tax assessment more transparent and efficient for stakeholders.

The Finance chief also assured business leaders that the government is intensifying its digitalization efforts across the board to curb corruption and improve efficiency in public service delivery.

The private sector were also encouraged to participate in accelerating the DOF’s digital transformation program, particularly in the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr).

‘We want to support the government in its quest to make this a very good business environment and investment destination. That’s our overall aim. We’re here to support you,’ MBC Executive Director Rafael Ongpin was quoted in the statement as saying.

‘Whatever support you think we can provide-inputs, technology, we’d be more than happy to do that,’ MBC Chairman Edgar Chua added.

Among the companies present during the meeting were Mondelez Philippines, Unilever, SGV and Co., PepsiCo Philippines, the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham), Texas Instruments and Shopee.

Recto also thanked industry leaders for their collaboration, underscoring the private sector’s critical role in sustaining growth and job creation.

‘The government is only 20 percent or 25 percent of the economy-you’re 75 percent. Today, you have more than 50.1 million people working, with more than 32 million in the private sector,’ he said.

Also present at the meeting were MBC Trustee Cosette Canilao and Australian Embassy in the Philippines Economic Counselor Luke Villiers.

Joining Secretary Recto were DOF Chief of Staff and Undersecretary Maria Luwalhati Dorotan Tiuseco, Privatization and Partnerships Group (PPG) Undersecretary Catherine Fong, Corporate Sector and Strategic Infrastructure Group (CSSIG) Undersecretary Rolando Tungpalan, Revenue Operations Group (ROG) Undersecretary Charlito Mendoza, and ROG Assistant Secretary Euvimil Asuncion.

THE nation’s growing defense ties with Trkiye was highlighted as its top diplomat in the country paid a courtesy call to the Army (PA) commander, Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete at Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City on Tuesday.

In a statement, Col. Louie Dema-ala, Army spokesman, said Turkish Ambassador to the Philippines, Niyazi Akyol, and Nafarette discussed the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Industry Cooperation and opportunities for joint training, exchanges, and defense industry collaboration.

‘Capt. Gökhan Glbiten, the defense attaché of the Republic of Trkiye to the Philippines, also participated in the meeting of the CGPA [Commanding General Philippine Army] and Ambassador Akyol,’ Dema-ala said.

Apart from national defense relations, Akyol earlier expressed Trkiye’s intent to extend support that may be required by all parties in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao following the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s suspension of the decommissioning process.

‘Ambassador Aykol’s visit provided an opportunity to discuss aspects of bilateral cooperation and mutual trust between the two armies with Lt. Gen. Nafarette emphasizing the Philippine Army’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Turkish Land Forces,’ Dema-ala said.

Food truck

THE Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) on Tuesday donated a fully equipped mobile food truck to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) to augment the organization’s rapid disaster response in Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

‘Through this project, as TIKA, we hope to meet urgent needs by supporting dignity, reducing negative consequences of any disasters, and strengthening equality during times of calamity,’ visiting TIKA Vice President Ümit Naci Yorulmaz said during the turnover ceremony at PRC Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

‘We believe that food is a basic right and that providing hot meals in moments of disaster is not only about survival but also about restoring comfort and human dignity,’ he added.

The mobile food truck-capable of preparing and serving up to 1,000 hot meals per day-is complete with industrial stoves, a chiller, a freezer, rice cookers, and an efficient ventilation system, allowing operations even in remote or disaster-affected areas.

The donation was received by PRC Chairman Richard Gordon and Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang in the presence of Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol.

In addition to relief operations, Gordon said the PRC intends to bring the truck to schools and even farms for community feeding programs.

‘[T]his truck should be seen not just a disaster truck but as a symbol of hope-a symbol of nutrition mode in terms of food and also the mind,’ Gordon said.

With this donation, Gordon said the PRC now operates with 39 deployable mobile food trucks, enough to dispatch at least three units in each region.

Akyol, for his part, emphasized Trkiye’s strong commitment to continue facilitating high-impact development projects that would bring lasting benefits to communities in the country.

‘Turkey and Philippines might be far away in geography, but we share many things in common, and one unfortunate thing is that we also have a lot of natural disasters,’ he said.

‘Over the years, this nurtured a sense of brotherhood between our countries and empathy that can only form if you know what it is like to suffer under dire circumstances,’ he added.

The food truck unit is among the various projects TIKA is handing over to beneficiaries within the week.

On the same day, Yorulmaz’s delegation led the turnover of a modern speech therapy room at the Philippine School for the Deaf in Pasay City.

CHANELLE AVARICIO held on to a precarious one-shot lead despite a grinding even-par 72 as Daniella Uy and Sarah Ababa closed in with gutsy rounds to set up a thrilling three-way battle heading into the final round of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship in Bukidnon on Wednesday.

Avaricio, who lit up the course with a flawless 67 on Tuesday, struggled with her approach shots in Round 2, limiting her birdie chances and forcing her to lean on a sharp short game to salvage crucial pars.

‘My driving was good but I struggled with my second shots,’ said Avaricio after stringing together 18 pars in a gritty round that kept her on top at 139. ‘I also had difficulties with my putting.’

Despite the challenges, the Forest Hills champion remained focused.

‘I’ll just be in the moment, hoping for a great day tomorrow,’ added Avaricio as she acknowledged the fine margins in play at the challenging Del Monte Golf Club. ‘Hopefully, the putts will drop.’

Uy, taking a break from the Taiwan tour, opted for a conservative approach on the tight, tree-lined layout, carding a 71 highlighted by two birdies and a lone bogey.

Her steady play placed her just a stroke back at 140, setting up a compelling duel with Avaricio.

‘I’m not really thinking about scoring a repeat. I just want to focus on my game, trust the process and stay with my routine,’ said Uy, downplaying her chances despite being the defending champion at Del Monte.

Unlike the top two, Ababa went on the offensive and nailed four birdies against two bogeys for a 70 to pull to within two shots at 141 and kept herself firmly in the title hunt in the 54-hole event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

‘My irons went well today compared to the first round,’ Ababa said. ‘My ball control and placements were good and my putting remains steady.’

Behind the leading trio, Kristine Fleetwood joined the chase with a 70 to move to 142, just three shots back, while, Mafy Singson posted the day’s best round-69-to vault into a three-way tie at 143 with Harmie Constantino (72) and local hopeful Velinda Castil (73).

Martina Miñoza, another homegrown talent, settled for a second straight 72 for a 144, while Florence Bisera-winner of two titles last month-continued to struggle with a 73 for a 146, leaving her seven shots behind Avaricio.

A CONFIDENT Rupert Zaragosa surged to the top with a sizzling 64, homegrown contenders found their groove and an unheralded champion continued to punch above his weight as the the stage is set for a chaotic showdown in the final two rounds of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. Del Monte Championship.

At the halfway mark of the P3.5 million sixth leg of the Philippine Golf Tour at the Del Monte Golf Club Wednesday, Zaragosa took command with a two-shot lead at 12-under 132, continuing his scorching form following a dominant win in Negros Occidental last month.

‘Compared to yesterday, my irons clicked, giving me several birdie opportunities,’ said Zaragosa, who torched the course with eight birdies, including back-to-back conversions inside eight feet to cap both nines with 32s.

He shrugged off a birdie-bogey start with four birdies in seven holes at the back, then stayed sharp at the front, birdieing Nos. 2, 6, 8 and 9 in a masterclass of control and confidence.

Still, Zaragosa, whose eight-under card matched the course record set by Clyde Mondilla during his 2023 title win, isn’t looking too far ahead.

‘Kuya Reymon is on my back, I’m sure he’s well versed with the course,’ he said of local ace Reymon Jaraula. ‘But I will just focus on my own game for the next two days.’

Jaraula rediscovered his putting stroke and fired a flawless 66, climbing to solo second at 10-under 134.

The soft-spoken Bukidnon native, who narrowly lost here to Mondilla, is quietly plotting a breakthrough win on home soil.

‘I struggled with my putter yesterday but now, all’s well,’ Jaraula said.

Jaraula’s round was built on precision-six birdies inside six feet and clutch par saves under calm conditions.

Right behind him was Michael Bibat, who slipped from the lead with a 71 but birdied his final hole to tie Arnold Villacencio at 136.

A surprise winner of the Match Play Finals at The Country Club last year, Villacencio remained a wildcard in the hunt and while a second-round 69 kept him in contention, the gritty journeyman knew the task ahead is immense.

‘If I get two 68s, I’ll win, I get the chance,’ he said, still battling putting issues.

Mondilla, the former Philippine Open titlist, also finally found his rhythm with the irons, producing a six-under round that included a clutch eagle-3 on the par-five 18th.

Despite the improved ball-striking, he admits his putting still needs work.

‘I missed at least six birdie chances inside seven feet, but I made amends in the last hole,’ he said.

After a 320-yard blast off the 18th tee, he struck a 5-iron to within three feet and drained the eagle putt to close at 137, catching Jay Bayron (69), Elee Bisera (71), Yudai Nakakuki (68), Kuresh Samanodi (69), and two-leg winner Keanu Jahns (69) at fifth.

Russell Bautista also made waves with a 66, matching the 138 total of Tony Lascuña (68) and Korean contenders Taewon Ha and Chon Koo Kang, who carded 71s.

With just six strokes separating the Top 14, expect fireworks in the third round as contenders jostle for position heading into Friday’s finale.

Forty-three players made the cut set at 145, including amateur standout Ralph Batican (72-143), as well as seasoned names like Art Arbole (72), Tae Soo Kim (72), Elmer Salvador (69) and Del Monte legend Frankie Miñoza, who faltered with a 76 after a 69.