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Korean girl group Twice and rap artist Missy Elliott lead the performer line-up of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (VSFS).

Joining them in the all-female line-up for the October 15 New York City event are reggaeton artist Karol G and pop singer Madison Beer.

Last year’s VSFS – the first after a five-year hiatus – also featured an all-female line-up with Cher, Tyla, and Lisa of Blackpink. Past performers include Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Harry Styles.

Karol G told music outlet Billboard, following the confirmation of her participation, that performing at the VSFS was always a dream of hers.

“I can’t wait to share the stage with such strong and empowered women, and to celebrate femininity while uplifting each other through two of my favorite things: music and fashion,” Karol G added.

Beer shared the sentiments, noting the VSFS’ “incredible legacy of celebrating fashion, empowerment and music.”

Twice’s VSFS appearance comes in the middle of the group’s “This Is For” world tour having just performed in the Philippines and will have two Singapore shows a few days before the event.

The 2025 VSFS will stream live on October 15 (7 a.m. the following day, Manila time) on the fashion brand’s Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok platforms as well as on Prime Video.

Models confirms to walk the runway include Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, Alex Consani, Anok Yai, Joan Smalls, and Yumi Nu.

Hospitals for ghosts?

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima posed this question yesterday as she filed a measure seeking to investigate the cases of alleged misuse and abuse of public funds under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) of the Department of Health (DOH).

De Lima filed House Resolution No. 353 after the reported wastage of DOH funds and the possible corruption of government officials, public employees and private companies and individuals that resulted in ‘haunted hospitals’ or abandoned, incomplete or non-operational hospitals, health centers and similar facilities.

De Lima also expressed alarm over the insufficient supply – or complete lack – of medicines in public hospitals, as well as the questionable allocation of government-procured mental health medicines worth hundreds of millions which are nearing expiration, a portion of which was reportedly delivered to the Rotary Club of Quezon City, but denied by a former official of the latter organization.

‘The wasted billions of funds for the health services of the Filipinos is not acceptable. We have many countrymen who are afraid of being hospitalized, not only because of their illness, but also the huge amount that they would pay,’ De Lima said.

Meanwhile, Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno has filed HR 351 together with his fellow Akbayan reform bloc members Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao urging appropriate committees to investigate alleged irregularities and inefficiencies in DOH’s HFEP.

During budget hearings, Rep. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers party-list said the DOH disclosed that a total of P400 billion had been released to local government units over the last 10 years under the HFEP, including additional allocations for commodities and human resources.

Based on records, Tinio said the program’s budget has expanded significantly from P43.5 million in 2007 to as much as P34.7 billion in 2025, with a cumulative allocation of P241.4 billion in the past 18 years.

Despite its huge budget, Tinio said the DOH admitted that only 200 out of 600 health centers are currently functional.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa even described these nonfunctional facilities as the ‘flood control version’ of the DOH.

The resolution seeks to determine why numerous government-funded health centers remain nonfunctional or underutilized, despite massive budget allocations intended to improve access to health care facilities nationwide.

‘These irregularities undermine the objectives of Republic Act 11223, otherwise known as the Universal Health Care Act, which guarantees equitable access to quality health care for all Filipinos,’ the resolution read.

Last Sept. 30, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP), in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), took a decisive step toward restoring public trust by launching the Integrity Chain, a blockchain-powered platform developed with the objective to ’embed transparency, accountability and public trust into the heart of national infrastructure projects.’

I was given the privilege to witness and be part of the milestone event in my capacity as chairman of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines. What I witnessed unfold was an initiative that goes beyond a technological upgrade – it is a civic movement to safeguard our country’s resources not just to address issues of today, but also the future.

At its core, blockchain is a tamper-proof digital ledger. IBM defines it as ‘an immutable or unchangeable and tamper-proof digital ledger or record of all transactions within a network.’ Leveraging this technology, the Integrity Chain aims to ‘transform infrastructure governance by offering a real-time public dashboard that tracks project spending and progress, enabling citizen feedback and anomaly reporting and providing tamper-proof records to deter corruption.’

The initiative comes at a critical juncture for the DPWH, which has recently come under fire for allegations on multi-billion ghost or substandard flood control projects. This triggered widespread public outcry resulting in several rallies across the country, underscoring the urgent need for reform.

‘On behalf of the President, on behalf of the entire cabinet, on behalf of the entire government, thank you for this because this is really what we should all do. From the budget process to the procurement process, to the award of the contract, to the implementation of the project, to the monitoring of the project, to the payments made to the contractors, to the acceptance of the project. Everyone should be watching now, everyone,’ said DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon.

The proof of concept for the Integrity Chain will initially focus on foreign assisted projects, which will be independently verified by civil society organizations such as non-government organizations, academe, media and trade associations to ensure transparency and accountability.

As part of the pilot, BCP will provide the DPWH with a one-year complimentary subscription to the Integrity Chain, which includes technical support, training and cybersecurity measures in full compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

The launch event, held at the Asian Institute of Management, drew participation from major international development and lending agencies, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Korean Eximbank, Asian Development Bank and the World Bank’s Road Transport and Country Operations. These institutions are key funders of the DPWH’s flagship infrastructure projects under the ‘Build Better More’ program, which will be the first to be recorded on the Integrity Chain.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda echoed this sentiment, urging, ‘Let’s rally behind technology. Let’s rally behind doing a new way of governance in the country.’

Blockchain offers a way to slowly rebuild that trust not through rhetoric but through accountability – ensuring that public spending is traceable and auditable, and that project progress is verifiable.

But while blockchain is a strong deterrent against corruption, it is not a cure-all for the ills plaguing our society. It can make corruption harder, but not necessarily impossible. It can expose anomalies but not motives. This is why, with all the revelations regarding widespread corruption, we Filipinos have all the more reasons to be vigilant on how public funds are used.

The DPWH has emphasized that the Integrity Chain enables citizen feedback and anomaly reporting. But technology is simply a tool and it alone cannot drive change. It is up to us, the public, to use these tools, to question discrepancies, to demand accountability and to ensure that the data recorded reflects the truth.

Transparency is only meaningful when people are empowered to act on what they see.

The launch of the Integrity Chain is a commendable first step, but its application must not stop with the DPWH. Other government agencies that have long been plagued by similar issues should also adopt technologies that promote transparency and accountability. In fact, the entire government must embrace such innovations if we are to truly reform our systems.

Still, technology is only part of the solution. It must be accompanied by public vigilance, political will and an unwavering commitment to justice. Likewise, we must not allow the recent exposures of corruption in flood control projects to fade into obscurity. Those who enabled and profited from the suffering of the Filipino people – whether lawmakers, government officials or private contractors – must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.

We owe this to the victims of flooding, whose suffering has been worsened by greed. We owe it to taxpayers who fund public projects. And we owe it to future generations who deserve a better, more transparent and more just country than what we have today.

Despite the overall economic pessimism in the country today due to continuing corruption scandals affecting both the executive and legislative branches, there are glimmers of economic optimism we should look forward to. I am referring to the low inflation and low unemployment rate of the country.

This week, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released the inflation figure for September 2025 of only 1.7 percent, then the unemployment figure for August 2025 of 3.9 percent, both low levels and hence, good news.

I computed the average inflation for January-August 2025, in Asia: Japan 3.4 percent, Vietnam 3.3 percent, Cambodia 3.0 percent, India 2.9 percent, Pakistan 2.3 percent, South Korea 2.0 percent, Taiwan 1.8 percent, the Philippines 1.7 percent, Hong Kong and Indonesia 1.5 percent, Malaysia 1.4 percent, Singapore 0.8 percent, Thailand 0.1 percent, China -0.1 percent. China has deflation, Japan is the new ‘inflation capital’ of East Asia, and the Philippines is back to a low-inflation regime.

Inflation over the same period in America: Brazil 5.2 percent, Mexico 3.9 percent, US 2.7 percent, Canada 2.0 percent.

In Europe: Turkey 36.6 percent, Russia 9.6 percent, Romania 6.1 percent, Poland 4.1 percent, Netherlands 3.4 percent, UK and Austria 3.3 percent, Belgium, Czech Republic and Greece 2.6 percent, Spain 2.5 percent, Germany 2.2 percent, Italy 1.7 percent, France 1.0 percent.

So our inflation this year is midway among Asian countries, lower than those in America and Europe except France.

I also computed the average unemployment rate in January-August 2025. Several countries in Asia do not have monthly unemployment, they have quarterly like Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, while Indonesia has March data only. Here is the average for Asia: India 6.1 percent, China 5.2 percent, Indonesia 4.8 percent, the Philippines 4.1 percent, Taiwan and Hong Kong 3.4 percent, Malaysia 3.0 percent, S. Korea 2.7 percent, Japan 2.5 percent, Vietnam 2.2 percent, Singapore 2.0 percent, Thailand 0.9 percent. Australia has 4.2 percent.

Average unemployment rate over the same period in America: Canada 6.8 percent, Brazil 6.3 percent, US 4.2 percent, and Mexico 2.6 percent.

In Europe: Spain 10.9 percent, Sweden 9.2 percent, Turkey 8.3 percent, France 7.5 percent, Germany 6.3 percent, Italy 6.2 percent, Belgium 6.1 percent, Poland 5.3 percent, UK 4.6 percent, Netherlands 3.8 percent, Russia 2.3 percent.

So, our unemployment rate this year is midway among Asia and America and lower than Europe. In addition, our labor force participation rate is 64 percent average this year. LFPR is an indicator of people’s optimism or pessimism about the jobs market. If they think they can find a good job or the business environment is good, they go out to look for jobs or start a new business, and LFPR goes up to 64 percent or higher. If people think there are not enough good paying jobs, they either stay home or pursue other studies and training and LFPR goes down to around 63 percent or lower.

So these are two good things we can console ourselves with. The private sector remains resilient overall in creating more jobs and producing more goods and services that stabilize overall consumer prices.

The economic team – Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, Economics Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, along with Bangko Sentral Governor Eli Remolona Jr. – deserve public support for the various policies they laid down minus imposing price control of important commodities.

Our third quarter 2025 GDP performance will be released a month from now. The first country in the world to report its Q3 2025 is Vietnam, another whooping 8.2 percent growth. Their Q1-Q3 2025 average growth is already 7.8 percent.

The average Q1-Q2 2025 growth in East Asia is as follows: Taiwan 6.7 percent, the Philippines 5.5 percent, China 5.3 percent, Indonesia 5.0 percent, Malaysia 4.4 percent, Singapore 4.3 percent, Thailand 3.0 percent, Japan 1.5 percent, South Korea 0.3 percent.

The rest of G7 industrial countries, their Q1-Q2 average growth are as follows: US 2.0 percent, Canada 1.8 percent, UK 1.6 percent, France 0.7 percent, Italy 0.6 percent, Germany 0.2 percent.

I am hoping for a 6.0 percent Philippine growth in Q3 but a more realistic number is between 5.5 and 6.0 percent. Still this is a good achievement compared to many East Asians, all of G7 and the rest of North America and Europe.

About the ongoing corruption scandal at the DPWH and involving many legislators both at the House of Representatives and the Senate, the culprit is a culture of waste, non-accountability and disregard for the overall fiscal condition of the country.

Prior to the lockdown period of 2020-2021, our average budget deficit in 2018-2019 was only around P0.6 trillion a year. During lockdown years it jumped to P1.5 trillion a year. From 2022 to 2024, it still averaged at P1.5 trillion a year despite the absence of any economic or virus crisis.

Many agencies went on a spend-spend-spend culture. New subsidies were created without abolishing old and non-performing subsidies. PhilHealth has returned funds to the National Treasury this year. President Marcos Jr. has recognized that it was a mistake and is incorporating a P53-billion funding allocation for 2026.

The President should prioritize reducing the outstanding public debt which is now approaching P18 trillion from only P8 trillion in 2019. He should do large scale spending cuts, tight fiscal discipline across many agencies and departments.

When agencies feel the tightness in funding, they will be forced to be more responsible, more accountable and less corrupt in spending.

Inflation is projected to climb in the coming months as supply-side pressures and the extension of rice import restrictions threaten to push prices higher, which could prompt the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep policy rates unchanged today.

Following the slight uptick in inflation to 1.7 percent in September from 1.5 percent in August, analysts said this may mark the start of a gradual pickup after months of subdued readings, with weather-related disruptions and policy measures posing upside risks toward year end.

HSBC ASEAN economist Aris Dacanay said that while September’s below-consensus figure still falls below the BSP’s two to four percent target range, rice prices would be a key factor to watch in the next few months after the government extended its rice import ban until the end of the year.

‘This is a major upside risk to inflation that needs to be monitored,’ he said. ‘But importers have frontloaded their rice orders in anticipation of the ban, leading to ample supply by end-August. If local farmers were able to harvest before Typhoon Nando hit, rice supply may be sufficient to keep prices stable through year end.’

Despite the soft inflation reading in September, HSBC expects the BSP to pause its easing cycle this week before resuming rate cuts in December.

‘We think September inflation sets the stage for a quarter-point rate cut in the fourth quarter to 4.75 percent. But we still expect the BSP to wait for more data on gross domestic product and rice prices before continuing its easing cycle,’ Dacanay said.

He added that the policy rate could fall to 4.50 percent by the first quarter of 2026 if inflation remains stable.

Economists at Citi echoed the view that the BSP would likely stay on hold in October, even as it eyes further rate cuts toward the end of the year.

‘Following tame inflation readings in September, we continue to expect a gradual rebound of the headline into the three-percent handle in 2026,’ Citi said.

‘Growth concerns could eventually resurface, leading to a cut before the end of the year. However, as economic data is so far mixed, BSP will probably pause in the October meeting.’

Citi expects inflation to stay between 1.3 and two percent year-on-year through the first quarter of 2026 before rising to around 3.5 percent by end-2026.

BPI lead economist Jun Neri also flagged that inflation risks remain tilted to the upside, particularly due to weather disturbances and import restrictions.

Neri expects inflation to stay near two percent for the rest of 2025 before climbing to around 3.5 percent by mid-2026 and nearing four percent by the third quarter next year as base effects fade and supply risks persist.

‘With inflation likely to pick up in the coming months, the pace of monetary easing may slow down,’ Neri said. ‘A more conservative approach is justified as cutting rates aggressively could leave the economy vulnerable to inflation shocks that might force a sharp policy reversal later on.’

The BSP has so far cut policy rates by a total of 150 basis points since August 2024, bringing the benchmark rate to five percent.

After today’s policy meeting, the Monetary Board is scheduled to hold its final policy review for the year on Dec. 11.

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has expressed support for the passage of a proposed measure seeking to grant President Macos emergency powers to address the country’s classroom shortage, which now exceeds 165,000.

Earlier, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre filed House Bill 5103, which aims to declare a state of national emergency to tackle the severe lack of classrooms across the country.

Under the bill, President Marcos would be granted temporary emergency powers to fast-track classroom construction by adopting special procurement measures, reallocating government funds and establishing an oversight task force to address the shortage.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara previously disclosed that the shortage is primarily due to the country’s growing population.

Both the Department of Education (DepEd) and EDCOM 2 reported that the education system continues to struggle with a persistent and severe classroom shortage, compounded by a massive backlog in the repair and rehabilitation of existing school facilities.

The measure cited that millions of students are currently attending overcrowded classes, with many schools implementing double or triple shifts, while others resort to makeshift or condemned structures, compromising students’ health, safety and learning outcomes.

The bill also noted that the country’s frequent exposure to natural calamities such as typhoons and earthquakes has worsened the situation, necessitating the immediate repair and reconstruction of thousands of damaged schools.

‘Existing procurement, budgetary and administrative processes, while necessary for accountability, are often too slow and cumbersome to effectively address this crisis with the urgency it demands. The traditional timeline for project conceptualization, bidding and execution spans multiple fiscal years, a pace that cannot keep up with the increasing student population and the rapid destruction of facilities caused by disasters,’ Acidre said in his explanatory note.

The government, he added, aims to declare a ‘temporary and targeted state of necessity’ within the education infrastructure sector.

‘The grant of emergency powers, which shall be for a limited period and subject to strict reporting and oversight by Congress, is imperative to streamline procurement, accelerate budget utilization and ensure inter-agency coordination,’ said Acidre.

ARAL program

Aside from the passage of House Bill 5103, the government is also pushing to strengthen the implementation of the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.

Angara has directed concerned DepEd officials to refine the program and the promotion system for teachers, following President Marcos’ order during the culmination of National Teachers’ Month.

The directive was issued during the 47th executive committee meeting, where discussions also covered the Senior High School Recognition program, safe learning environments and updates from the School Meals Coalition Global Summit.

At the same meeting, Marcos vowed that no public school teacher will retire as Teacher I, underscoring the implementation of Republic Act 12288 or the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, which expands teachers’ career pathways.

DepEd Memorandum 64 enforces the ARAL-Reading component for key stages 1 to 3 under Republic Act 12028 or the ARAL Program Act, which offers free tutorials to address learning gaps.

For school year 2025-2026, the program will prioritize reading, targeting over 6.7 million learners with the help of 447,000 tutors and 45,000 school heads.

ARAL-Reading will launch in the second quarter, to be followed by ARAL-Mathematics for Grades 1 to 10, ARAL-Science for Grades 3 to 10 and ARAL-Summer Programs.

DepEd said tutor training, learning material distribution and readiness audits have been completed to ensure the program’s success.

Goverment pensions

In a separate development, officials of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) met with representatives of the Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) and the Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA) to discuss concerns on pensions and other benefits of teachers.

The dialogue, led by GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso, tackled issues raised by members and pensioners, including the review of the minimum pension, burial benefits and the Christmas cash gift for some retirees.

Veloso gave assurance that the GSIS understands these concerns, but emphasized that any adjustment to benefits must undergo actuarial study to protect the long-term stability of the Social Insurance Fund.

He also cited ongoing GSIS initiatives to make transactions easier for members, such as the GSIS Touch mobile app for online loan filing and Annual Pensioners’ Information Revalidation, as well as housing programs with lease-with-option-to-buy schemes.

ASSERT president Arlene James Pagaduan underscored the importance of continuous consultations to address teachers’ issues effectively, while PGEA president Esperanza Ocampo said her group looks forward to sustained collaboration with GSIS to advance the welfare of government workers.

The GSIS said a separate meeting would be held with the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition.

Newly-appointed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla has taken his oath of office, formally installing him as the country’s new Ombudsman.

The former justice secretary took his oath before Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen at the Supreme Court on Thursday, October 9.

Remulla is the seventh official to hold the position, succeeding former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27, 2025.

As Ombudsman, Remulla will be responsible for investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of crimes, particularly graft and corruption.

He was appointed to the position by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 7.

Remulla had served as justice secretary since the start of the Marcos administration, overseeing the arrest and prosecution of several high-profile personalities such as doomsday preacher Apollo Quiboloy, former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and former Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr.

He was also among the officials involved in handling the government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s case.

One of his final acts as justice secretary was signing the Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order against more than a dozen former and current government officials linked to the alleged flood control project corruption case.

Nothing beats making your own ice cream at home, especially a flavor not commonly found in stores.

No matter how simple and pure or how beautifully complex it is, it is your own, and you are the only one who has it.

Multi-talented chef Don Baldosano whipped up this recipe for a pure raisin and milk ice cream after being “assigned” to make dessert for his recent collaboration with fellow chef Angelo Comsti and food content producer Erwan Heussaff.

The collab was put together by California Raisins to highlight its versatility in Filipino cooking.

A versatile ingredient like raisins not only enhances the natural flavors of savory dishes but, more importantly in this recipe, adds sweetness to desserts.

Raisins alone work wonders with milk in producing a great-tasting ice cream such as this one by Chef Don.

For this recipe, Chef Don reimagined sorbetes, the iconic Filipino-style ice cream traditionally sold from street carts, using milk and California raisins, accompanied by a crisp milk tuile and burnt raisin paste oil.

California raisins milk ice cream with milk tuile and burnt California raisin paste oil

Ingredients:

300 grams of California Raisins

330 grams of milk

100 grams if cream

7 grams of agar-agar

110 grams of sugar

60 grams of butter

70 grams of all-purpose flour

250 ml.of water

10 grams of lemon juice

Canola oil

Procedure:

For the ice cream

Combine the milk, cream, agar-agar, 50 grams California Raisins, and 50 grams sugar.

Simmer together for five minutes, then allow to cool.

Once cooled, blend until smooth and transfer to an ice cream machine.

Churn and set aside to chill.

For the tuile

Combine the remaining sugar, 100 grams finely chopped California Raisins, butter, and all-purpose flour.

Mix thoroughly until well combined, then bake in a 170°C oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

To make a jam

Gently toast some California raisins in a pan until slightly charred.

Allow to cool, then add water.

Simmer until the water is reduced by one-third.

Blend until smooth to create a purée, then season with lemon juice.

For the raisin paste oil

Slowly simmer canola oil and the remaining California Raisins together until fragrant.

Blend roughly, then strain to extract the oil.

To plate

Place a base of crumbled tuile on the plate, followed by a scoop of ice cream with a hollow center.

Fill the hollow center with jam, arrange shards of tuile around the ice cream, and finish the dish with California raisin oil.

Yesha Mae Monsanto, second runner-up of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstar-Teen Category, was doing her assignment at home when she felt the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30. She immediately thought of her parents. ‘They were sleeping on the second floor when the earthquake happened. I shouted to wake them up,’ the 17-year-old candidate said during an October 4 press conference at Café Moni.

Grand winner of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk-Kids Category, Kiana Michaili Bacaltos, had to be awakened by her grandmother while she was sleeping. ‘I was relaxed when we were evacuating, but deep inside, my heart was beating so fast,’ she recalled.

In what was the strongest earthquake recorded in Cebu and the deadliest in the country since the 2013 Bohol quake, the tremors damaged the northern parts of the province, including Bogo City, which

was the epicenter. Waves of relief goods and donations were delivered, with some of the candidates participating in the efforts.

‘I prayed for the victims, then I sent donations, including food and water,’ said 11-year-old Eiyannah Khryss Yap, second runner-up in the Kids Category. ‘Even small ways of compassion can make a difference.’

‘I was looking for donation campaigns because I was willing to volunteer. I want to help in small ways whenever I can,’ added 14-year-old Shamzy Jopia, winner in the Preteen Category.

For Monsanto, who also volunteered in packing relief goods, the earthquake served as a reminder that resilience remains an important trait amid sudden crises.

‘We should be resilient because we can rise as one,’ she said, clarifying that resilience shouldn’t automatically excuse incompetence in addressing the impacts of natural calamities.

‘I would tell a public official that they are not a common person, but a leader who has a chance to help and be a big person for us. If you were chosen to be a leader, you have a role to ensure Filipinos are safe and united as one, so we can help others,’ she said.

National, international bets

Following their coronation last July, this year’s candidates of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars are ready to face off at the Kids and Teens Pageant Global Philippines happening this October 11 in Metro Manila.

Among them are Yap as the Cebu City representative in the Little Miss Global Pageant Philippines; Allynah Ciarrah Zabate as Cebu City South’s delegate; Mary Corazon Gualiza for Cebu City North in the

Miss Preteen Global Pageant Philippines; and Rhean Summer Dela Victoria for Cebu City at Miss Teen Global Pageant Philippines.

Others will compete in international pageants, including Rhonne Angeline Jhayle Daugdaug and Candy Tumakay at the KidStar International Pageant in Thailand from December 1 to 8, while Hnin SoeChe Tun will represent the country in Cambodia from November 12 to 17 for Little Miss Icon Philippines. Jediaelle Rhianne Caritan is set to compete in a 2026 pageant to be held in the Philippines in May.

Other candidates present at the press conference included first runner-up of Teen Star International 2024 Riki Gabrielle Pitogo; Little Miss Heritage Rafaella Carra Cabalda; Laiza Loraine Lungtad, fourth

runner-up in the Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars-Kids Category; and Alexandra Almario, second runner-up in the Preteen Category.

Pitogo recalled her experience in Thailand as both fun and challenging. ‘I got to meet new friends from other countries and know about their culture,’ she shared, advising her fellow candidates

representing Cebu and the Philippines to count on the support of their friends, family, and supporters to boost their confidence.

Many of the candidates consider Pitogo their inspiration in their respective competitions. Caritan said, ‘Ate Rikki is always so kind to us, and she always believes in herself. I want to be like her because

she’s a great role model.’

Caritan also considers her mother as her role model, someone who continues to support her as a young pageant contestant.

Gualiza, 14, echoed a similar sentiment. ‘My mom has taught me to be brave, confident, and to be everything – correcting myself and learning from my mistakes and stepping out of my comfort zone,’ she said.

Almario, 13, cites her grandmother as her role model. ‘She is the person who shaped me into who I am, considering she is the person who took care of me throughout my whole life,’ she said.

For Bacaltos, 11, it’s her fellow candidates whom she considers her sisters. ‘I know our journey is very hard, and we are all young. Being a kid doesn’t mean we are not perfect. They inspire me to be

confident, and that’s enough,’ she said.

‘The sisterhood we built up is so strong. I couldn’t be here without my friends,’ said Tun, 11. ‘We faced a lot of obstacles, and we are always here for each other since we all have the same dreams.’

The UK, having recorded as the fastest growing economy in the first quarter of 2025 at 0.7%, making it the fastest among the G7.

BCCP Executive Vice Chair Chris Nelson noted that the UK is leveraging its growth momentum through its new Industrial Strategy, providing support to British businesses and increasing its competitiveness in areas such as Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy Industries, Creative Industries, Defence, Digital and Technologies, Financial Services, Life Sciences, Professional and Business Services.

Nelson said that, ‘I have been in discussions with Martin Kent, the UK Trade Commissioner for Asia-Pacific. He mentioned that UK trade growth in the APAC area is growing strongly.’

He added that the target sectors identified in industrial energy are also the areas that are of interest to the Philippines and have existing assistance and partnerships with the UK.

‘I think what the UK government has looked at, particularly with its industrial strategy plan, is to focus on key sector areas-in particular, things like renewable energy. There’s a lot of support from the UK in this area, and they’ll be looking at those opportunities,’ Nelson said.

The UK and the Philippines have entered into a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO), which would address market access issues and reinforce investment opportunities in multiple sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, energy, economic development, life sciences, and technology.

Nelson also reiterated its support to the Philippines’ interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade group in which the UK is already a part of.

The Philippine-UK trade continues to see an upward trend in terms of total trade at £3.0 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q1 2025, with Nelson citing that the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration has placed driving trade and investment further at the forefront of its economic agenda, driven by reforms such as the recently passed RA 12252 extending the long-term lease of private lands to foreign investors from 50 years to up to 99 years and the Republic Act 12254 or the E-Governance Act – urging the release of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).

Nelson further added that, ‘Next year will be the 80th year of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and we continue to see growth in trade between the two areas. Our concern as a chamber, representing our members, is the impact on government work and legislation. We would like to see the Cybersecurity Act passed – as this is another area to which the Philippines can work together with the UK expertise.’