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Imagine simply paying off your bills or topping up your GCash or Maya to finally check out that item that’s been in your shopping cart-and suddenly getting the chance to win up to P200,000 you can put back into paying bills or even continuing your online shopping spree!

With the ‘Ber’ months finally out in full force, leading self-service payments kiosk provider eTap Solutions is making the exact scenario above come true! Starting last September until to Jan. 19, 2026, eTap users can submit their entries to the eTap Weekly Pamasko campaign for a chance to win up to P200,000!

Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-235004 Series of 2025, eTap Weekly Pamasko will be giving out P2,500 to 100 lucky winners every week, P5,000 and P10,000 to 10 and 20 winners respectively each month, and then P20,000 to five winners and P100,000 to one lucky winner during its Grand Draw on January 19!

To join:

Simply make a single transaction worth P500 or more using GCash, Maya, GrabPay or Dragonloans at any eTap kiosk nationwide. eTap Solutions’ 4,000+ kiosks can be found in various store partners nationwide, including DALI, TGP, Julie’s Bakeshop and more.

Submit your entry via eTap’s Monday form at: https://wkf.ms/3XZz4nR , which can be found on the official eTap Facebook page. The form will ask for details such as name, number, address and more.

Aside from contact details, you will also be asked to provide a photo of your transaction receipt, a selfie with a transaction receipt + eTap machine, plus a short story about your experience using eTap machines.

Biggest transactions mean more chances of winning as the number of valid entries will depend on the transaction amount: transactions from P500 to P2,499 will count as one entry, P3,000 to P4,999 will be three entries, P5,000 to P7,999 will be five entries, and transactions worth P8,000+ will amount to 10 entries.

Winners will also be announced via the official eTap Facebook page, with the eTap team going live every Monday at 2 p.m.

For eTap Solutions’ head of marketing Paolo Lorenzo Macaraeg, the eTap Weekly Pamasko campaign is both a chance for the company to continue giving back while also spreading holiday cheer:

‘Our loyal eTap users know we’ve always had raffles going, from eTap Para Sa’yo last year to eTap Weekly Panalo just recently. This holiday season, we figured a continuation of these raffles, with bigger and better prizes for our users, is the best way to say thank you for our users’ continued support!’

With eTap, the holiday spirit meets a good chance to win big rewards, even if it’s just as simple as settling your ordinary financial transactions!

Content creator couple Cong TV and Viy Cortez are allowing their son Kidlat to explore his curiosity freely.

Kidlat was recently tapped as an ambassador of Kids Learning Ville, during the launch of which Cong shared he and Viy let Kidlat discover what he wants to be in life.

That includes explosing him to as many activities possible to see what catches the three-year-old’s eye.

“Pa-discover mo lahat. Pakita mo sa kanya yung gitara, piano, soccer, kung anong mga activity. Doon talaga nagsisimula para mahanap mo kung ano yung mga bagay na passion niya paglaki,” Cong added, noting how basketball stayed with him since childhood.

Cong did admit it will take years for Kidlat to become ready to explore more things, “Tina-try naming ipakita sa kanya lahat ng puwedeng ma-experience sa mundong ito kahit ganito pa lang ang edad niya.”

At the moment Cong and Viy are seeing Kidlat try out swimming, however the child always cries in the pool as he doesn’t enjoy being underwater.

On her part, Viy said that they are letting Kidlat choose his own path without any pressure.

“Hindi ko muna iniisip kung magiging doktor ba ‘to o vlogger. Basta ako, mabuti lang siya,” Viy shared. “Kung gusto niya maging Spider-man. Ako, wala akong, ‘Gusto ko paglaki mo.’ Sa akin, wala.”

Viy noted how young their son still is and wants to just enjoy, so she and Cong are there to support him.

She did recall something Cong told her while she was pregnant with Kidlat upon asking what they’d do if their son had different interests.

“Ang sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Alam mo, yung anak mo, hindi mo pagmamay-ari. Nandiyan ka para lang i-guide. Kung ano yung gusto niya maging paglaki niya, nandiyan ka para i-guide, pero hindi para sabihin na hindi yan dapat gawin. Nandiyan ka lang to guide,'” Viy ended.

Church bells under the Archdiocese of Manila will be tolled every 8 p.m. to signify the people’s ‘prophetic cry of indignation and outrage’ against widespread corruption, Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula said yesterday.

Obligatory prayers or an Oratio Imperata for ‘integrity, truth and justice’ will replace the Prayer of the Faithful during masses.

Advincula’s directive starts tomorrow until lifted.

‘The magnitude of corruption in our country is more and more appalling as we continue to discover its enormity and extent,’ he said, referring to corruption in flood control projects involving government officials.

Three former officials of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) yesterday pleaded not guilty in connection with the allegedly overpriced procurement of personal protective equipment and surgical masks from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former PS-DBM officials Allan Raul Catalan, Dickson Panti and Gerelyn Francisco Vergara pleaded not guilty to graft during their arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Former procurement director Warren Liong and Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong did not enter a plea as the anti-graft court has yet to resolve their motions for reconsideration to an earlier ruling denying their bid to dismiss the graft charges filed against them.

Former PS-DBM officer-in-charge Christopher Lloyd Lao and former supervising administrative officer Arnold Jame Dupla pleaded guilty during their arraignment in August.

The Sandiganbayan set the next pre-trial conference on Oct. 21.

Pharmally case: 3 ex-DBM execs plead not guilty

Daphne Galvez

MANILA: Three former officials of the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) yesterday pleaded not guilty in connection with the allegedly overpriced procurement of personal protective equipment and surgical masks from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former PS-DBM officials Allan Raul Catalan, Dickson Panti and Gerelyn Francisco Vergara pleaded not guilty to graft during their arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division.

Former procurement director Warren Liong and Pharmally executives Mohit Dargani and Linconn Ong did not enter a plea as the anti-graft court has yet to resolve their motions for reconsideration to an earlier ruling denying their bid to dismiss the graft charges filed against them.

Former PS-DBM officer-in-charge Christopher Lloyd Lao and former supervising administrative officer Arnold Jame Dupla pleaded guilty during their arraignment in August.

The Sandiganbayan set the next pre-trial conference on Oct. 21.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s attempt to set terms for attending the budget deliberations was swiftly rebuffed by the House, with some lawmakers proposing another year of budget cuts to her office.

The Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) budget deliberations were scheduled for September 30 but were postponed twice due to Duterte’s absence and the lack of an undersecretary-level representative.

The deliberation for the OVP’s 2026 budget was rescheduled for October 2, the final day of plenary debates – but neither Duterte nor any OVP official appeared.

This mirrored the earlier committee-level hearings for the OVP, where only an assistant secretary appeared. The budget hearing was postponed to allow Duterte to attend, which she eventually did – and alone.

But for the plenary debates, she was absent.

The House typically requires department heads or undersecretaries to be present for budget deliberations.

However, instead of appearing, Duterte chose to set conditions for her attendance. In a letter to the House appropriations committee dated September 30, she said she would only participate in the budget deliberations if two demands were met:

That President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. also attend the deliberations for his office’s proposed P27.3 billion budget

That the House produce a document from the committee on good government confirming that the immigration lookout bulletin orders (ILBOs) against seven of her staff members had been lifted.

The staff in question were the ones subpoenaed to the legislative probe into the alleged misuse of the OVP’s confidential and intelligence funds during the 19th Congress.

They include her chief of staff and Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio, Directors Rosalynne Sanchez, Sunshine Fajarda and Edward Fajarda, Special Disbursing Officer Gina Acosta and Chief Accountant Julieta Villadelrey.

Several minority lawmakers criticized Duterte’s ‘disrespect’ to the House and the Constitution after learning about the conditions she set.

Rep. Leila de Lima (ML Party-list), in a manifestation, sharply rebuked Duterte for skipping her budget deliberations while making time for the Senate’s plenary.

She mentioned Duterte’s presence on September 29, where she was seen applauding Sen. Chiz Escudero’s privilege speech, accusing former House Speaker Martin Romualdez of corruption.

De Lima pointed out the irony of how Duterte had no official reason to attend the Senate plenary, but she refused to face the House, where she is constitutionally required to defend her office’s budget.

‘If she can afford to be showing herself up to the Senate, including being there and applauding the former Senate president in his privilege speech, which is definitely not part of her mandate as vice president, why can’t she spare a few moments of her time attending to her official function as vice president to defend the budget of her office?’ she said.

The minority lawmaker said she would seek a cut in the OVP’s P902.89-million budget, noting she had first considered pushing for a zero allocation due to what she described as ‘very questionable’ actions.

‘But after some mulling and some reflections, and out of courtesy to the personnel and staff of the OVP, I’m just now thinking of moving for the decrease,’ De Lima said.

The OVP now faces another potential shortfall, the second in as many years, with lawmakers earlier cutting its 2025 request of P2.026 billion down to P733.2 million.

The House terminated the period of interpellations for the OVP’s 2026 budget given it was the last day for plenary debates in the chamber.

Several provincial and local governments suspended classes and government work ahead of Severe Tropical Storm ‘Paolo,’ which is forecast to bring heavy rains and strong winds on Friday, October 3.

According to PAGASA, Paolo strengthened into a severe tropical storm at around 8 p.m. Thursday, October 2, and was last located 340 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora. It is packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 115 kph.

The storm is moving westward at 30 kph and is projected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Friday morning. It may still intensify into a typhoon before landfall.

As of 11 p.m. on Thursday, Wind Signal No. 3 was raised in several areas in Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Benguet, where storm-force winds are expected within 18 hours.

While Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Panay Island, Marinduque and Romblon are not under any wind signal, the state weather bureau said they may experience gale-force gusts on Friday due to Paolo’s strength.

While most local governments imposed class suspensions due to the tropical storm, some provinces will be observing a provincial teachers’ day on Friday.

Here is a list of class suspensions according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Ilocos Region

Ilocos Norte

Solsona – all levels (public and private)

Ilocos Sur

Tagudin – all levels (public and private), including government offices

Narvacan – all levels (public and private), including government offices

La Union – all levels (public and private)

Pangasinan – all levels (public and private)

Dagupan City – all levels (public and private)

Cordillera Administrative Region

Abra – all levels (public and private), shift to Alternative Delivery Mode

Apayao – all levels (public and private), in observance of Provincial Teachers’ Day

Benguet – pre-school to senior high school (public and private)

Baguio City – all levels (public and private) in observance of Teachers’ Day, including government work starting 12 p.m. due to Paolo

Kalinga – kinder to junior high school (public and private)

Mountain Province – special non-working day in observance of Provincial Indigenous People’s Day

Ifugao

Mayoyao – all levels (public and private)

Lamut – kindergarten to junior high school (public and private)

Banaue – all levels (public and private)

Lagawe – pre-school to senior high school (public and private)

Central Luzon

Nueva Ecija – all levels (public and private)

Aurora – all levels (public and private), including government offices

Pampanga

Angeles City – kindergarten to senior high school (public only)

Tarlac

Paniqui – all levels (public and private) in observance of Teachers’ Day

Camiling – all levels (public and private) in observance of Teachers’ Day

Zambales

Palauig – all levels (public and private), including alternative learning system

Masinloc – all levels (public and private)

Cagayan Valley

Cagayan

Aparri – all levels (public and private)

Baggao – all levels (public and private)

Tuguegarao City – all levels (public and private)

Peñablanca – all levels (public and private)

Sto. Niño – all levels (public and private)

Iguig – all levels (public and private)

Sta. Praxedes – all levels (public and private)

Allacapan – all levels (public and private)

Lasam – all levels (public and private)

Amulung – all levels (public and private)

Solana – kindergarten to senior high school, including alternative learning system (public and private)

Rizal – all levels (public and private)

Abulug – all levels (public and private)

Gattaran – all levels (public and private)

Ballesteros – all levels (public and private)

Claveria – all levels (public and private)

Sanchez Mira – pre-school to kindergarten (public and private)

Pamplona – pre-school to kindergarten (public and private)

Isabela – all levels (public and private), including government offices

Santiago City – all levels (public and private), including government offices

Nueva Vizcaya – all levels (public and private)

Calabarzon

Quezon

Lopez – all levels (public and private)

Batangas

Tuy – all levels (public and private)

Lian – all levels (public and private)

Lemery – all levels (public and private)

Balayan – all levels (public and private), shift to online or Modular Distance Learning

Nasugbu – all levels (public and private), shift to online or Modular Distance Learning

Calatagan – all levels (public and private), shift to onlien or Modular Distance Learning

Central Visayas

Lapu-Lapu City – all levels (public and private) due to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, shift to Alternative Delivery Mode

Cebu

San Fernando – all levels (public and private) due to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake, shift to Alternative Delivery Mode

Talisay – all levels (public and private) due to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake

Bicol Region

Masbate – all levels (public and private) due to tropical cyclone “Opong” until October 4. The province is under a state of calamity.

The vivo V series is one of those smartphone series you don’t realize has grown so much until you look back.

It feels like yesterday when we were handling the vivo V30, impressed by its balance of style and camera prowess for its price. Fast forward to today-after a few generations and a couple iterations-vivo has quietly and consistently sharpened its focus.

With the arrival of the new vivo V60, that evolution feels it is at its current best form.

The V60 makes two bold claims: it’s a “Portrait Master” with its ZEISS co-engineered cameras, and an endurance champion with its 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery. So, on a recent work trip to Malaysia, I decided to put the new vivo V60 to the ultimate test. And the demanding coverage felt like the perfect trial ground.

After days of constant shooting, navigating and staying connected, the V60 didn’t just prove its claims; it demonstrated its strengths.

A battery and build made for the real world

The first and most impactful feature in a real-world scenario like a trip is the battery.

The V60’s 6,500mAh cell is a true game-changer. My days in Malaysia were long, often starting early and ending late. The phone was in constant use-for my non-stop snapping of photos, navigating maps, browsing and communication. Yet, I consistently ended each day with a comfortable power reserve, never once having to reach for a power bank.

The level of endurance removes the “battery anxiety” that so often dictates how we use our devices, especially when traveling.

When a top-up was finally needed, the 90W FlashCharge proved its worth, taking the battery from near-empty to over 60% in just 30 minutes-fast enough for a quick charge during a coffee break before heading out again.

Equally important was the phone’s durability. The IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance offered genuine peace of mind, especially when it suddenly rains in the afternoon.

Knowing the phone could handle an unexpected downpour meant I could focus on the moment, not on scrambling to protect my device. It’s a practical feature that underscores the V60’s reliability as a daily driver.

Mastering portraits and distance with ZEISS

The camera and photography capabilities are something that the V series has continuously delivered well. This continues in the vivo V60.

Still co-engineered with ZEISS, the centerpiece of the V60 is its camera system, which truly shines for portrait shots, travel landscapes or even just simple point-and-shoot snaps.

The ZEISS Multifocal Portrait system was a particular standout. Being able to switch between classic focal lengths-23mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and up to 100mm-gives you so much creative power. It’s like having a virtual kit of five professional prime lenses in your pocket, each with a distinct character.

I found this incredibly useful for taking portraits of subjects I was too shy to get close to, as it still allowed me to get crisp and clear street portraits even from a distance.

The V60’s 50 MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera, complete with OIS, was another highlight that I particularly appreciated when I used the phone for event coverage.

Imagine snapping photos of speakers delivering a speech or performers on stage from afar, with unpredictable lighting that’s entirely out of your control. The dedicated Telephoto Stage Mode was invaluable in these situations; its “Stage Style” setting helped ensure subjects didn’t get washed out, delivering clear shots even from the back row.

Also making a welcome return is the upgraded Aura Light. It remains a fantastic tool for low-light situations, providing a soft, even illumination that’s perfect for food shots and portraits.

It also avoids the harsh, washed-out look of a traditional flash, making your photos look more natural and professionally lit.

AI features both useful and fun

Beyond the hardware, vivo has integrated a powerful suite of post-production tools called the “AI Image Studio” directly into the phone. During my trip, I had fun trying out AI-powered features.

AI Erase 3.0 feature was a lifesaver for removing an accidental photobomber from an otherwise perfect shot with just a few taps. I also tested the AI Four-Seasons Portrait mode, which transported me to different seasons in just one location.

Other AI features that I feel would be highly useful are the Image Expander, which can come in handy for those times you frame a shot too tightly, as well as the AI Magic Move that lets you reposition a subject within a photo after it’s been taken.

vivo V60: Made to capture, built to last

The vivo V60 zeroes in on two of the most critical needs of today’s content-savvy user: a truly professional-grade portrait camera and a battery that simply refuses to quit.

Inside, it’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon S7 Gen 4 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM. I can say this is very capable mid-range processor to deliver a smooth and responsive experience for daily use-social media, streaming videos and some multi-tasking in between apps.

In this aspect, the vivo vV60 is capable and pretty smooth as you’d expect it to be-more than sufficient for most users would actually need.

Looks-wise? It doesn’t disappoint either. The color Berry Purple is a sexy color that anyone can pull off. Plus, it feels sleek and comfortable in the hand, you wouldn’t think a tough battery is inside. Additionally, the 6.77-inch AMOLED display is sharp and vibrant, with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Now, all these, plus a ZEISS-powered system that puts a studio in your pocket and a massive 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery, the V60 is a specialist that excels where it matters most. It’s a compelling companion for travel and photography, and for any user whose primary concerns are portraits and long battery life.

For anyone who lives life through their camera lens, the vivo V60 is a worthy pick. The vivo V60 is now available in the Philippines with a starting price of P28,999.

Three more party-list nominees are set to assume seats in the House of Representatives following their proclamation yesterday.

Murang Kuryente first nominee Arthur Yap, Abono first nominee Robert Raymund Estrella and Ang Probinsiyano first nominee Alfred delos Santos were proclaimed by the Commission on Elections.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said Yap, Estrella and Delos Santos would replace the Duterte Youth representatives, based on the recommendation of the National Board of Canvassers Supervisory Committee.

The Comelec said the groups obtained the required percentage of votes under the party-list system, entitling their nominees to sit as congressional representatives.

The poll body previously canceled the registration of Duterte Youth, which secured three seats after obtaining over two million votes in the May 2025 elections.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Friday, October 3, announced the cancellation of several domestic flights due to Severe Tropical Storm Paolo affecting northern Luzon.

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that ten areas in northern Luzon have been placed under Signal No. 3 as the storm further intensified while moving closer to northern Aurora and southern Isabela.

At least 16 flights have been canceled so far.

Here is a list of canceled flights for October 3, according to the CAAP:

Cebu Pacific

5J 504 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 505 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 506 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 507 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 508 Manila – Tuguegarao

5J 509 Tuguegarao – Manila

5J 196 Manila – Cauayan

5J 197 Cauayan – Manila

Philippine Airlines

PR 2014 Manila – Tuguegarao

PR 2015 Tuguegarao – Manila

PR 2018 Manila – Cauayan

PR 2019 Cauayan – Manila

PR 2196 Manila – Laoag

PR 2197 Laoag – Manila

PR 2198 Manila – Laoag

PR 2199 Laoag – Manila

CAAP advised affected passengers to coordinate with their respective airlines for rebooking and to monitor updates on flight schedules.

The cancellations come as northern Luzon remains under severe wind and rain warnings due to Severe Tropical Storm Paolo.

The Ayala Group and Honda are ending their dealership alliance after three and a half decades.

Ayala’s mobility solutions group ACMobility and Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI) announced yesterday the transition of their dealer operations effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Ayala said that all dealerships currently operated by ACMobility, through Iconic Dealership Inc., would be turned over toward the end of the year to new dealer principals which will continue to support Honda’s growth and expansion.

Dealerships currently under the operation of ACMobility are Honda Cars Makati, Honda Cars Pasig, Honda Cars Shaw, Honda Cars Bacoor, Honda Cars Cebu, Honda Cars Mandaue, Honda Cars Iloilo, Honda Cars Negros and Honda Cars Cagayan de Oro.

ACMobility will continue to operate all the dealerships until Dec. 31, 2025.

Ayala and Honda’s partnership dates back to 1990 with the opening of Honda Cars Makati.

The network grew steadily nationwide over the years, with ACMobility becoming the largest Honda dealer group in the Philippines.

ACMobility-operated Honda dealerships have sold over 220,000 vehicles as of August 2025.

‘We are grateful, and indeed proud, to have been part of Honda’s journey in the Philippines for the past three and a half decades,’ ACMobility chief executive officer Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said.

‘This transition reflects our ongoing effort to optimize our portfolio and focus on new growth areas. Among these are our initiatives in advancing sustainable mobility and electrification, where we continue to build solutions that benefit communities, businesses and the environment,’ he said.

In line with its ambition to lead the transition toward sustainable and electrified mobility in the Philippines, ACMobility is refocusing its investments in new and high-growth businesses in automotive distribution and charging infrastructure.

ACMobility has also recently exited from the Volkswagen and Maxus distribution businesses as the company moves toward streamlining its portfolio.

Ayala assured Honda customers they would experience a seamless transition, with the new dealer principals equally committed to delivering outstanding customer experience.

The company said that full sales and after-sales services would remain available at all locations under new dealers with Honda’s dedicated teams ready to assist with sales, maintenance, repairs, warranty support and vehicle care.

To ensure a smooth transition, it said the dealerships would directly contact customers with active reservations to guarantee car delivery without disruption.

All scheduled service appointments and repairs will likewise proceed as planned, with updates to be announced by ACMobility and HCPI through official channels.

Upon turnover of the dealership operations, ACMobility’s portfolio will be composed of the BYD and Kia distribution businesses; dealership operations of Isuzu, BYD, and Kia; electric vehicle charging infrastructure business; and the Bosch Car Service business.