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During a sit-down with Lav, he tossed out the Vice Ganda line almost casually, like a joke half-formed. But Lav doesn’t do jokes. His films teach you that the camera lingers until you squirm, the stories loop back until you recognize you’ve been here before. So when he said Vice on the ballot, I heard it as another long take, a provocation, not a punchline.

Because this isn’t really about Vice. It’s about the country’s obsession with spectacle, the way politics already runs like a theater. Lav has been circling this for decades. Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan, his take on Dostoevsky, follows a brilliant law student who murders while an innocent man rots in prison, a brutal reminder of how justice bends toward power. Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis, his eight-hour meditation on the Revolution, stretched the march for independence into betrayal after betrayal, showing freedom as unfinished business. Batang West Side, set in New Jersey, tracked the Filipino diaspora through a young man’s death and the detective who unravels it, a story of exile and alienation. Different films, different frames, but the same diagnosis, cycles of suffering replayed, spectacle masking decay.

So yes, Vice Ganda, the most visible entertainer of the moment, makes perfect sense in his mouth. Not as a campaign slogan, but as proof. If politics has long been about charisma, image, and showmanship, then who better than the performer who already commands the crowd? The remark is less an endorsement than an X-ray; here is what politics has become.

Lav told me during dinner that trolls had started circling him online. He said it with a shrug, like he’s seen the script before. And he has. His films are full of that noise, gossip, rumor, and fear, turning into background music. From What Is Before, which won the Golden Leopard at Locarno, captured the creeping atmosphere before Martial Law, villagers sensing terror through whispers before it descended full force. Melancholia, his three-part study of grief, showed characters swapping roles, a nun, a prostitute, a pimp, yet never escaping their despair, a metaphor for a country trapped in cycles no matter the costume. Florentina Hubaldo, CTE, followed a woman suffering memory loss, her abuse and pain replayed endlessly, a portrait of a nation addicted to forgetting. Every one of these films tells you the same thing: rumor, repetition, amnesia, the mechanics of power.

So the chatter online about his Vice Ganda remark, some laughing, some thrilled, others unsettled, only proves the point. Lav has always staged dissonance. Season of the Devil, his sung-through anti-musical, gave us dictatorship through flat, tuneless chants, propaganda delivered without melody, a deliberate discomfort. His Vice Ganda provocation works in the same register, jagged, unmelodic, daring you to sit with the discord.

Three words still hang in my head: mapanlikha, mapangahas, mapanukso. Inventive, daring, provocative. They’re his signatures. He stretches time until it breaks. He stages history without compromise. He unsettles surfaces until deeper truths spill out.

So no, this isn’t prophecy. It’s a parable. Lav leaves the camera running, long after the line is spoken. He doesn’t cut. He never does. And the audience, the electorate, are left in the frame, forced to decide whether they’ll keep applauding the performance or finally demand something else, something real, something not yet rehearsed.

President Donald Trump said ‘a lot of good’ could stem from a government shutdown, threatening to oust federal workers and eliminate programs that are favored by Democrats if Congress doesn’t meet a midnight funding deadline.

‘We can get rid of a lot of things that we didn’t want and they’d be Democrat things,’ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday. ‘They just don’t learn. So we have no choice. I have to do that for the country.’

Trump’s remarks are likely to inflame tensions with Democrats just before a midnight deadline to fund the government. The deadlock over spending threatens to paralyze many US government operations for the first time in nearly seven years, causing the suspension of services for Americans and paychecks for federal workers.

Earlier Tuesday, Trump suggested there could be ‘a lot’ of federal worker dismissals if federal funding ran out. The White House last week directed agencies to draw up plans for widespread firings if the government closed down. So far, no agencies have explicitly called for terminations in their shutdown plans.

As many as 750,000 federal workers could be temporarily furloughed, even if Trump doesn’t proceed with permanent dismissals, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated.

Political fallout could be widespread for both Trump and Democrats ahead of next year’s critical midterm elections, and leaders of both parties focused their public comments on blaming the other.

‘They want to try to bully us- they are not going to succeed-into taking their partisan bill,’ Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday. ‘That’s why we are heading into a shutdown.’

Democrats ‘are taking a risk by having a shutdown,’ Trump said at a mid-day Oval Office event. ‘We’re not shutting it down. We don’t want to shut it down because we have the greatest period of time.’

Asked about chances of a shutdown, he responded, ‘Nothing is inevitable, but I would say it’s probably likely.’

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, similarly predicted that a shutdown is imminent.

‘I’m an optimist, but I’m a little skeptical this morning,’ he told CNBC Tuesday.

Although last-minute spending deals have averted several other threatened shutdowns in recent years, the stakes are especially high now, with the White House threatening to fire employees rather than furlough them, and Democratic leaders under intense pressure from progressives in the party to stand up to Trump.

Stocks fluctuated Tuesday morning with the prospect of a shutdown stoking concerns about how long it’ll go on and what impact the possibly delayed release of key economic data will have on the Federal Reserve’s upcoming interest-rate decisions.

Johnson accused Democrats of playing politics with their effort to renew health-care tax credits, saying it doesn’t have to be resolved until the end of the year when the tax credits expire.

‘Open the government and then we’ll have all the discussions,’ he said. ‘But right now that is a red herring.’

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Republicans of being unwilling to participate in bipartisan negotiations, telling CNBC Tuesday that his party refuses to be a part of ‘a my-way-or-the-highway’ approach.

Republicans in recent days have repeated the phrase ‘Schumer shutdown’ in an attempt to pin the blame on their Democratic opponent.

‘Chuck Schumer needs a Schumer shutdown and I think that’s what we’re probably careening toward,’ Senate Republican Leader John Thune told CNBC on Tuesday.

Deep divide

Lawmakers appeared no closer to a deal after a Monday meeting at the White House only served to underscore their deep divide. Democrats have sought an extension of health-care subsidies and a reversal of Medicaid funding cuts that were part of Trump’s signature tax legislation enacted earlier this year. Republicans are insisting on what they call a clean continuing resolution-without an array of controversial policy measures-that would extend government funding until November 21.

Thune told reporters the Democrats’ push amounted to a ‘hostage taking.’ While there is an opportunity to discuss potential health-care premium tax credit changes with Democrats, Thune said, ‘we can’t even have that discussion until we keep the government open.’

Until then, Thune said the Senate will take repeated votes on a short-term spending bill to reopen the government.

Senator John Barrasso, a member of Senate Republican leadership, said the chamber would take a break for the Yom Kippur holiday this week if there is a shutdown but then return to Washington and vote through the weekend.

If the president was seeking to curry Democratic votes, it wasn’t immediately apparent. Trump, who last week canceled a planned sit-down with Democratic leaders, on Monday evening posted a poorly dubbed video on social media of Schumer and Jeffries, set to mariachi music, suggesting the pair wanted to import new voters who ‘can’t even speak English.’

Schumer sniped back that the president is ‘trolling away on the Internet like a 10-year-old.’ Jeffries called the depiction of him in a sombrero ‘racist’ and dared Trump to insult him to his face.

Trump ally Sean Hannity, on Fox News, suggested to Johnson that there was no chance Trump would give into any of the Democrats’ demands, and Johnson agreed. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, Democrats cheered party leaders in a closed-door meeting Monday evening that appeared to rally the troops.

Exit ramps

A shutdown would be the first since 2018-2019, when funding for the government lapsed for five weeks, including over New Year’s Day, during Trump’s first term.

Although Republicans control both chambers of Congress-as well as the White House-they appear to need the support of at least seven more Senate Democrats to clear procedural hurdles and pass a funding bill.

One possible path being discussed late Monday involves a potential compromise that would extend health-care tax credits but phase down the amounts in the second and third year.

GOP lawmakers expressed confidence that, even if the government shut down briefly, Democrats would eventually yield.

The latest report of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations may not have enumerated the East Asian and Southeast Asian countries that grappled with high food prices a year after Russia attacked Ukraine, but the Philippines surely felt its impact. In a report, FAO said the proportion of countries experiencing moderately to abnormally high food prices doubled on an annual basis in 2023, returning to the levels observed in 2020.

This change, FAO said, was driven by a jump in the number of countries with abnormally high food prices.

The Philippines was certainly one of those Southeast Asian nations that saw ‘moderately to abnormally high’ food prices in 2023. That year inflation accelerated to a level that was last seen in 2008, when the rate averaged 6.3 percent, mainly due to high rice prices. Nearly two decades ago, the decision of rice-exporting countries caused international rice prices to skyrocket to unprecedented levels, affecting importers like the Philippines which has become reliant on foreign sources for its rice requirements.

The 6 percent average inflation rate recorded in 2023 was even faster than the 5.8 percent posted in 2022. These figures highlighted the country’s vulnerability to international developments such as Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its reliance on other nations to plug the gap in its domestic food supply. Supply constraints put more pressure on food prices the following year, when rice, onions, sugar and pork carried a higher price tag.

International organization Asean+3 Macroeconomic Office (Amro) said the jump in prices of key food items was due to a shortage of domestic supply. To tame inflation, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas had to tighten monetary policy aggressively, raising policy rate 10 times between May 2022 and end-2023. However, monetary measures can only do so much to make food more affordable, as these will not be able to address the problems hounding the agri-food sector.

Easing supply constraints and reducing the country’s vulnerability to geopolitical and trade tensions would require serious effort on the part of policymakers to remove obstacles to increasing the country’s food supply. Amro noted that only a strong agricultural sector and a more resilient food supply chain will eliminate price volatility and eventually enhance the country’s food security. A robust agricultural sector, however, would remain a pipe dream if local planters remain unable to profit from their produce.

The Department of Agriculture will be getting a higher budget for next year, thanks to the decision of lawmakers to reallocate a portion of the flood control projects to the sector. These funds should be used judiciously to hasten the delivery of interventions that planters need to improve their productivity. The money should also be used to bankroll ‘unpopular’ programs that would have enabled this administration to increase farm exports and create more jobs in rural areas.

THE 68th National Day of Malaysia was recently commemorated through a reception graced by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Leo M. Herrera-Lim as guest of honor, Apostolic Nuncio and Diplomatic Corps dean Archbishop Charles John Brown DD, Philippine government officials, the diplomatic community, business leaders, and friends of Malaysia.

In his address, Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino reflected on Malaysia’s journey since independence, as he noted that this year’s celebration themed ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’ (People Cared For) is a tribute to the sacrifices of past generations, and a call to safeguard unity, peace, and prosperity for the future.

The ambassador highlighted Malaysia’s role as Asean Chair in 2025, where under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ his country has spearheaded key Initiatives such as the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, setting a long-term vision for a more resilient region; the Asean Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030, guiding regional economic cooperation; progress on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement-the world’s first binding regional digital economy pact-and the launch of the Asean Artificial Intelligence Safety Network; expanded cooperation on sustainability and climate action, including renewable energy, the Asean Power Grid, and stronger partnerships with Japan and the European Union; deepened public health preparedness through the Asean Centre for Public Health emergencies; and the historic advancement of Timor-Leste’s accession to Asean.

According to the ambassador, these accomplishments are based on the guiding principle that progress should be inclusive, and that no Asean citizen should be left behind. He further noted that the Philippines will assume the Asean chairship in 2026, and assured that Malaysia will extend its utmost support to the Philippine government in ensuring the continued success of the bloc’s shared vision.

Underscoring the strong bilateral ties, Malik noted that Malaysia and the Philippines share history, culture, and aspirations, with cooperation spanning trade, investment, Islamic banking, education, halal industry, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. More than 800 Malaysian companies are currently operating in the Philippines, showcasing the ongoing growth in bilateral trade. He highlighted that the essence of their partnership lies in the warmth, trust, and mutual respect.

The program featured cultural performances, an angklung presentation by the Sisters of Mary Schools, a video montage on Malaysia’s Asean chairship, and a showcase of Malaysian cuisine. A symbolic presentation of 1,000 boxes of Farm Fresh milk to the Department of Education underscored the embassy’s commitment to community outreach programs. The festivities concluded with a cake-cutting ceremony that symbolized the Southeast Asian country’s enduring friendship with the Philippines, followed by cultural dances and a raffle draw.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) formally signed the Deed of Donation and Partnership, marking the official turnover of a Mitsubishi Strada Athlete pick-up in support of the DUNONG Program (Department of Education-Laguna-University of the Philippines Los Baños Nurturing Opportunities for the Next Generation Towards Ending Learning Poverty in the Philippines).

The program responds to pressing concerns in education and nutrition, with many children struggling to read with comprehension and others attending school without proper meals. By combining education and feeding initiatives, the program aims to give children not only the ability to read and learn, but also the nourishment to thrive.

During the ceremony, MMPC Chairman Noriaki Hirakata highlighted the importance of partnership between industry and the academe in driving long-term progress. ‘Today’s turnover is a symbol of partnership – one that brings together the strengths of industry and academia to support the growth of knowledge, innovation, and national progress,’ he shared.

Meanwhile, MMPC President and CEO Ritsu Imaeda emphasized that supporting initiatives like the DUNONG Program is aligned with the company’s broader mission of nation-building. ‘At Mitsubishi Motors, our mission has always been about more than producing quality vehicles. We aim to be a trusted partner in nation-building, contributing to the progress of the Philippines not only through mobility, but also through programs that uplift lives,’ Imaeda said.

UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho, Jr. expressed his gratitude to MMPC for supporting the program’s mission of nurturing future generations. ‘The Strada Athlete donated today will be a crucial partner in the implementation of DUNONG. With it, we can reach schools, parents, and communities more effectively, ensuring that children grow not just in learning but also in health,’ said Camacho.

UPLB also stressed the broader impact of the partnership and the contribution of MMPC through the message of its Vice Chancellor Janette Malata-Silva. ‘MMPC’s commitment to social responsibility, especially in community and education, is an inspiration. We are grateful for this partnership that helps create a brighter future for the next generation,’ Malata-Silva said.

Through this collaboration, MMPC reaffirms its long-standing commitment to education and community development, investing not only in mobility solutions, but also in programs that strengthen the future of the nation.

The Department of Budget and Management, in collaboration with learning stakeholders, launched on Monday, Sept 29, an open data initiative aimed at strengthening transparency and accessibility of information in the education sector.

DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman and DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara led the rollout of ‘Project Bukas’ at Parañaque National High School on September 29, 2025. The initiative seeks to make data on schools, students, and education outcomes available to the public through an online platform.

Envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself to empower stakeholders of the education sector for a proof-based or data-driven campaign against corruption, ‘Project Bukas’ will be the broadened version of the government’s Freedom of Information policy, which allows citizens access to information from public offices with exceptions on national security and personal privacy.

‘As Chairperson of the Philippine Open Government Partnership, whose mission is to promote transparency and accountability in government, I am very pleased to see DepEd embarking on this open data initiative,’ Pangandaman said. She emphasized that the project is designed to provide stakeholders with reliable data to guide evidence-based decision-making in education.

The centerpiece of the program is the Paaralang Bukas Dashboard, an online platform where the public can access information on enrollment, test results, internet connectivity, teaching personnel, and the condition of school facilities. The dashboard also covers utilities such as water and electricity, giving parents, teachers, local governments, and communities a clearer picture of gaps and areas for improvement.

According to Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, the initiative will help address long-standing questions on education funding and outcomes.

‘Project Bukas marks a pivotal step not only in finding answers to these fundamental questions but, more importantly, in providing a learning environment built on trust, evidence-based decisions, and a strong collective resolve within the community,’ she said.

For his part, Angara stressed that DepEd sees the project as a collaborative effort. ‘We want to work hand in hand with our partners from both the public and private sectors. This is a shared responsibility, and we cannot move forward without your support,’ he said during the launch.

The project is supported by private institutions, civil society groups, research organizations, and the Evidence for Education (E4E) coalition. This multi-sectoral approach, officials said, reflects the government’s whole-of-nation and whole-of-government strategy to ensure accountability in education spending.

Angara highlighted the DBM’s role in promoting open governance, citing the earlier launch of the Open Government Initiative in 2022. He noted that transparency in budget allocation and spending is crucial as DepEd aims to secure the largest share of the national budget in 2026.

The DepEd chief added that the system would help minimize anomalies and irregularities in school projects. ‘Through Project Bukas, stakeholders can now directly see the condition of school facilities. This transparency will prevent misuse of funds and encourage both private and local government support,’ Angara said.

Pangandaman pointed out that the initiative complements existing DBM transparency tools such as the Budget Analytics Dashboard for real-time fund monitoring, Project DIME, which uses satellite and geo-tagging to track DepEd projects, and the PhilGEPS Open Data platform to ensure transparency in procurement.

She also announced that the DBM has recommended a ?1.224-trillion budget for education in 2026, the highest allocation in Philippine history. The figure represents 4 percent of the country’s GDP, in line with UNESCO’s recommendation for education spending.

‘As you can see, we have done everything that we can to ensure that Education remains the top priority in the National Budget. This is for our children and the generations to come,’ Pangandaman said, adding that Project Bukas embodies the essence of open government-transparency that empowers communities.

For Filipinos struggling with anxiety, depression, and moments of acute crisis, accessible mental health support remains a daunting challenge. The expensive cost, limited availability of professionals, and mostly the unwanted social stigma often prevent those in need from seeking help.

Based on a journal in Acta Medica Philippina published in 2024, more than 12 million Filipinos are suffering from depression and anxiety due to poverty, disasters, and other socio-economic disparities. With the reported millions of individuals struggling with mental health, unfortunately, there are only two to three mental health workers available for every 100,000 Filipinos, according to the National Institute of Health.

Aiming to address this concern while at the same time create a compassionate community, the BingoPlus Foundation, the social development arm of DigiPlus Interactive Corp., has made a landmark move to bridge the gap in mental healthcare by forging ties with two of the country’s significant non-government organizations – Love Yourself and Bridges of Hope.

‘At BingoPlus Foundation, we believe in ‘multiplying the good’ by forging meaningful partnerships that create real impact,’ said Angela Camins-Wieneke, Executive Director of BingoPlus Foundation. ‘By combining our resources, we can strengthen our shared mission to make mental health support accessible to everyone, no matter their location or circumstance.’

EmbracePLUS: A helpline to self love

BingoPlus Foundation partnered with LoveYourself to establish a free help channel that would serve as the first line of support to fellowmen who are battling mental health issues – the EmbracePLUS.

Set to be fully operational beginning October 1, EmbracePLUS is a free helpline that acts as a critical first-response system for individuals facing mental health challenges. It aims to dismantle barriers to care, offering a critical first response system that is accessible to everyone, regardless of location or economic status.

Consisting of telehealth associates trained to provide essential Psychological First Aid (PFA) and counseling support, EmbracePLUS offers two key touchpoints: assessments currently available through its dedicated hotlines (Smart: 09082352351, Globe: 09563921924) from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, and first aid assistance through calls during the same hours. A 24/7 assessment feature via the EmbracePlusPH Facebook page is also in development and will be available soon.

BingoPlus Foundation and LoveYourself revealed that the new mental health helpline is a combination of two of their projects: Embrace Virtual Hub and KalusuganPLUS.

Embrace is LoveYourself’s established online health platform that specializes in immediate, confidential support while KalusuganPLUS, which recently rolled out community-based mental health training for first responders at the barangay level in Cebu and General Santos, is one of the core health programs of BingoPlus Foundation.

Dr. Vin Pagtakhan, Founder and Executive Director of LoveYourself, emphasized the sustainability factor. ‘Beyond amplifying awareness, BingoPlus Foundation’s support helps strengthen our capacity for responder training and operations, ensuring our programs are not only immediate but also sustainable,’ he said. ‘This collaboration highlights the value of working together across sectors to create stronger and more responsive services.’

The partnership is anchored by a renewed ?500,000 commitment from BingoPlus Foundation. This vital funding supports the ongoing specialized training for telehealth associates and operations of the EmbracePlus hub.

Bridging hope in a new home

With a powerful commitment to building a more compassionate and stigma-free society, BingoPlus Foundation continues to find ways to provide stronger mental healthcare assistance.

While EmbracePLUS serves as the first line of help, a major step for individuals with mental health issues, BingoPlus Foundation believes there should also be a ready and reliable community for those people who will seek long term support.

Enter Bridges of Hope, the country’s largest network of rehabilitation and recovery private centers. With over fifteen facilities located from Luzon to Visayas, Bridges of Hope provides treatment to addiction and mental health problems.

Camins-Wieneke disclosed that in the spirit of multiplying the good, BingoPlus Foundation is amplifying the capacity of Bridges of Hope centers to serve more through the organization’s donation of laptops, printers, televisions, projectors, fans, music instruments, and supplies saying ‘these are more than just tools; these are instruments of healing, learning, and hope.’

‘We deeply appreciate BingoPlus commitment to the well being of their patrons and the gaming community as a whole. By working hand in hand with BingoPlus, we can ensure that those who need support have access to the right resources and that our gaming environment is all safe and enjoyable,’ disclosed Jon Ty, Chairman and CEO of Bridges of Hope.

In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, BingoPlus Foundation reaffirms its commitment to combat the suffering of millions of Filipinos living with mental health challenges. Through life-support hotlines, rapid response initiatives, and the amplification of mental health shelters, the Foundation remains steadfast in its advocacy to bring hope and embrace love as it works to restore the well-being and dignity of every Filipino. This is the action it takes, driven by an unwavering commitment to serve.

THE Western Union Co. decided to launch its mobile app to cash in on the Philippine inbound-market for remittances, which executives of the money transfer company see as remaining robust.

Gregory Laurent, director at Western Union Financial Services. (Australia) Pty Ltd, told reporters last Wednesday that the Philippines is the fourth-largest inbound market in terms of remittances. Averaging $36 billion annually, this market has been growing steadily year after year, according to Laurent.

‘It is a very successful market, and I think the company is doing the right thing to serve overseas in every country where they have presence,’ he said during the launch of the company’s mobile app in the country.

Laurent said they expect the app to be a growth engine based on the company’s experience in other economies. He cited the feature of the app, which combines digital and retail, making the value proposition in a very competitive environment.

‘Today’s launch marks an important milestone in our effort[s],’ Laurent said. ‘For many in the country, remittances represent a life with more opportunity and hope. At the same time, an increasing number of Filipinos opt to send funds abroad.’

He said the firm’s new app ‘gives the opportunity to do both.’

Ricardo Alair, Western Union Director for the Philippines, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and Palau, noted that the digitization in the Philippines is fast paced.

Laurent credited regulator’s ‘huge’ support to promote innovation as enabling such momentum.

‘For us, it was actually an obvious choice to take the Philippines as a market to launch this new receiver environment,’ he said.

‘I think we are actually hoping that this is going to be super successful,’ Alair added.

Laurent said Western Union received a ‘warm response’ from the market considering the app was launched only ‘a couple of weeks ago.’ He noted there was traction already on the volume.

He said it took Western Union a longer time to enter the local market as the licensing took a bit longer for approval.

‘We took our time, but we are hopeful that this is the right product,’ Alair said.

‘We did receive support from the regulator as well. And then the second reason is, maybe, in terms of a roadmap across the organization, we had to wait for a fast spot to develop the app,’ Laurent explained. ‘Thirdly, we really took time to think about this experience wisely. We took time to make sure that we had the most efficient experience.’

According to him, the Denver, Colorado-headquartered company is looking at expanding its digital footprint from the current 80 countries.

According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, remittances to the Philippines reached an all-time high of $38 billion last year. Further, the World Bank ranked the Philippines as the fourth-highest remittance levels among low-middle and middle-income countries last year. The biggest source of cash remittances last year was the United States, followed by Singapore.