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Local responders rescued three men from a boat that capsized due to a strong river current that occurred after Magat Dam released water, sweeping them away while sailing near Palattao Bridge along Cagayan River in Enrile town of Cagayan province on Saturday, October 4.

Mayor Miguel Decena said the three men had loaded their boat with eight sacks of corn harvest when they were being swept by floods.

One of them was slightly injured and received treatment, Decena added.

In Tuguegarao City, Mayor Maila Ting-Que prodded villagers near low-lying areas to evacuate to higher grounds as floodwaters submerged Pinacanauan Bridge and nearby roads on Saturday afternoon.

At least 500 villagers have initially trooped to the evacuation centers in the city. The water level of the Cagayan River along Buntun Bridge was recorded on Saturday afternoon at nine meters high, a critical level.

In Isabela province, six overflow bridges were submerged in floodwaters on Saturday, as the Magat Dam continuously releases water from its reservoir with 2,258.83-cubic-meter-per-second from its six gates to prevent an overflow amid heavy rains.

The Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices in Isabela have issued advisories that the flooded overflow bridges closed to traffic were the Annafunan, Gucab, and Fugu in Echague town; Baculud and Cabiseria 8 in the City of Ilagan; and the Cabagan-Santa Maria Bridge.

The Alicaocao bridge in Tuguegarao City remained open to light cars while Turod-Banquero was closed due to repair. The Magat Dam has reached 184.99 meters high as of noon on Saturday, as its water level has been pegged with inflow at 1,573.85 cubic meters per second.

Magat Dam, a source of irrigation water and provider of hydroelectric power, is located on Magat River, a tributary of Cagayan River, at the boundary between the towns of Alfonso Lista in Ifugao and Ramon in Isabela.

In Tuguegarao City, about 500 villagers in low-lying areas along the flooded Pinacanauan overflow bridge and impassable roads along Bonifacio Street in Centro 1, Pinacanauan Avenue, Aguinaldo extension, and Macapagal crossing have evacuated to higher grounds

The opening week of NCAA Season 101 brought with it the usual mix of jitters, breakthroughs and early reality checks.

For Jose Rizal University’s Nani Epondulan, his coaching debut ended with a smile. The new tactician steered the Heavy Bombers past perennial contender Letran, 73-69, at San Juan Arena on Friday, a much-needed confidence boost for a squad that languished at the cellar last year.

He may be a rookie coach, but he’s been around the league enough to know an opening win isn’t something to get excited about.

‘This is just our first game so there are barely any scouting reports [about us],’ Epondulan said after the victory, which came after a strong performance by Justin Lozano.

‘I knew [Lozano’s] capabilities from day one,’ the former JRU star said. ‘I saw that he’ll click in my system. The good thing with him is he can shoot the long bombs, which worked to our advantage.’

Lozano backed his coach’s faith with 17 points, including three triples, while Sean Salvador added 10 to give JRU a promising start under its new leader.

Perpetual Help, meanwhile, rode the energy of a fresh face. Forward Patrick Sleat announced his arrival with a well-rounded 10-point, five-assist, four-rebound performance in the Altas’ 67-54 victory over San Sebastian.

‘I was so excited I even slept early last night because I couldn’t wait,’ Sleat admitted with a laugh. ‘Maybe in the next game, though, I’ll try to control my emotions so I can be more composed inside the court.’

Sleat, who previously played under Perpetual coach Olsen Racela at Far Eastern University, admitted the atmosphere of his NCAA debut rattled him at first.

‘The atmosphere earlier shocked me because it didn’t sink in for me that I’m already playing in the NCAA now,’ he said. Still, he steadied himself and helped Perps join Mapua atop Group A.

College of St. Benilde, meanwhile, is hoping to bounce back after a frustrating start to its season last Wednesday. Coming off a Finals appearance last season, the Blazers fell to defending champion San Beda, 96-85, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Charles Tiu didn’t hold back after the loss, calling out two of his prized recruits. ‘I think Shawn (Umali) played very bad. Four fouls in six minutes. I told him I can’t use you if you keep fouling like that,’ Tiu said. ‘SJ’s (Moore) been a work in progress. I like what he brings to the table. I just didn’t think this was a good game for him but he’ll be ready next game.’

The Department of Health (DOH) opened its two-day ‘PinaSigla: Isang Flex para sa Masiglang Pilipinas!’ health fair at Burnham Green in Luneta on Saturday, October 4.

The national event aims to bring healthcare and wellness closer to Filipinos by offering free health services, interactive learning, and disease prevention activities.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa led the launch, joined by Assistant Secretary Albert Francis Domingo and Health Promotion Bureau Director Maria Kristina Marasigan.

‘Today and tomorrow, we have booths here that you can visit,’ said Herbosa.

Among the highlights are free consultation services on-site, such as medical check-ups, vaccinations, lab screenings, and HIV testing. Nutrition and mental health counseling are also available.

Participants can also join interactive activities such as Zumba dances and Health Circ8 Challenge – a circuit of eight zones focusing on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, reproductive health, immunization, and more.

Practical demonstrations on road safety, handwashing, stress management, disaster preparedness and family planning are also being held on-site.

The fair runs until Sunday, Oct. 5, with programs starting at 8 a.m. /das

Through her outreach initiative Aiahdvocacy, Aiah Arceta of P-pop girl group BINI started a donation drive and has already raised more than P440,000 for her fellow Cebuanos who were affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

The initiative earlier shared a call for donations through its Instagram page on Thursday, Oct. 2

‘In light of the recent earthquake in Cebu, we are opening our donation channels to provide direct assistance to the victims,’ it said. ‘Together, let us extend help and compassion in these trying times.’

It noted that monetary donations will be accepted until Sunday, Oct. 5.

Arceta, through her Instagram Stories on Friday, Oct. 3, gave an update on the fundraising by sharing the art card from the outreach initiative. She also expressed her gratitude to those who extended help.

‘Funds raised as of Oct. 3, 2025, 3:45 p.m.: P444,232.87,’ it said. ‘Proceeds will go directly to initiatives supporting our countrymen affected by the earthquake in Cebu. A transparency report will be published on our social media accounts after our relief operations.’

Arceta captioned the post, ‘Thank you to everyone who sent their donations!’ In a separate post, she gave an update on the goods that they will be giving out.

‘We now have four different groups of volunteers working simultaneously to gather all the needed supplies for repacking. Working together as one!’ she said, adding blue heart emoji.

Arceta also reportedly pledged a part of the sales of her cap brand to help Cebuanos in need. Aside from Arceta, several other celebrities including Kim Chiu and Zsa Zsa Padilla have also extended help to earthquake victims through donations. /ra

Almost 6,000 people across four regions have been affected by Tropical Cyclone Paolo, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

In its situational report issued Saturday, Oct. 4, NDRRMC said 5,979 individuals or 1,833 families were affected across 10 provinces.

A total of 3,368 residents from Regions 1 and 3 were preemptively evacuated before the typhoon intensified, while 4,4317 people remain displaced. Of this number, many are staying in 74 evacuation centers, while others are sheltering outside designated facilities.

As of this writing, there are no records of dead, injured, or missing.

Paolo, which developed into a typhoon earlier this week, brought rains and strong winds over parts of Northern and Central Luzon. The cyclone has since exited the Philippine landmass after crossing the country’s northern areas.

The NDRRMC continues to monitor affected communities for damage assessment and assistance to displaced families. /das

As June Mar Fajardo is set to claim a record-extending ninth PBA Most Valuable Player award, he was once again counting his blessings.

‘Who would have thought?’ Fajardo said in Filipino. ‘I was never a huge basketball fan at the beginning, but here I am possibly winning another MVP.’

Barring the unexpected, Fajardo will be named as the best of Season 49 on Sunday afternoon when the league holds its Leo Awards at Novotel Manila in Cubao, Quezon City.

The awarding will serve as a kickoff to a busy day for the league, with the 50th season opening ceremonies to follow and the Barangay Ginebra-Magnolia faceoff at nearby Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fajardo topped the statistical points category with 42.1 followed by NLEX’s Robert Bolick with 36.7 and Arvin Tolentino, who had 35.3 during his time with NorthPort before jumping ship to the Korean Basketball League for the Seoul SK Knights.

The stats are also backed by his two Best Player of the Conference awards in the Governors’ Cup and Philippine Cup, which saw San Miguel win the crown after denying TNT’s Grand Slam bid.

Fajardo has won the last two MVPs, almost all in convincing manner, and it seems that voters will likely give their nod to him once more.

Members of the media have 30 percent of the criteria while players have 25 percent. The remaining 45 percent are from the statistics.

Fajardo played 58 games and produced 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 blocks during a season of ups and downs for San Miguel. Before defeating TNT, San Miguel was eliminated in the semifinals of the Governors’ Cup by Barangay Ginebra before missing the quarterfinals of the Commissioner’s Cup which was marred by multiple import changes and the transition from Jorge Gallent back to Leo Austria as coach.

Victims of financial fraud will have to be extra careful when transacting with people or organizations claiming to offer help, as they can potentially be scammed the second time around, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) warned.

The corporate watchdog on Friday said these ‘recovery’ and ‘advance-fee recovery’ schemes had been proliferating on social media platforms.

These accounts are not authorized by the SEC to provide fund recovery services, the regulator clarified.

In an advisory, the SEC said perpetrators typically offered to retrieve funds previously lost to scams or other fraudulent schemes in exchange for advance fees or personal information.

Some will claim to be affiliated with government agencies or law enforcement authorities without any lawful basis. They will also likely fabricate testimonials, documents or credentials to appear credible and legitimate, the commission pointed out.

At the same time, these individuals or entities may employ ‘high-pressure tactics’ to force victims to make immediate payments or disclose sensitive personal or financial information.

‘The commission warns the public not to transact with, remit any sum to or disclose personal information to such individuals or groups,’ the SEC said in its advisory.

‘Victims of scams are strongly urged to lodge their complaints directly with the proper authorities for appropriate action,’ it added.

Intensified crackdown

This comes as the regulator intensifies its crackdown on individuals and entities potentially defrauding the public, including unauthorized online lending platforms (OLPs).

Separately, the SEC Financing and Lending Companies Department ordered Microdot Lending Corp. to stop its operations, saying that the company had supposedly been operating two undisclosed OLPs, Credit Peso and MF Cash.

Under SEC Memorandum Circular No. 19, Series of 2019, all financing and lending companies are required to disclose the OLPs they operate.

The SEC has also been receiving complaints about Microdot for alleged unfair debt collection practices, violating the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act of 2022. INQ

University of Santo Tomas became the first team to breach the 100-point mark in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament on Saturday at its own Quadricentennial Pavilion.

The Growling Tigers dismantled University of the East, 111-99, with Nic Cabañero leading the way on offense as usual.

The graduating guard, though, deflected the credit and said his teammates pushed him to headline the highest-scoring output of a UAAP team in recent years.

‘It’s my fifth year here in the UAAP, I already know our approaches with different teams and I just stick to the system given to me,’ he said after UST improved to 3-1.

‘Without my teammates, I wouldn’t score this much. They just give me confidence,’ he added.

Cabañero tallied a team-high 22 points to go along with eight assists, three rebounds and two steals in the squad’s third win of the season.

The Growling Tigers’ victory is also the second-highest scoring output of any team in the post-pandemic era, just behind La Salle’s 112-83 win over-coincidentally-UST in 2022.

Cabañero had plenty of help as Forthsky Padrigao and Collins Akowe also posted 18 points apiece in the win.

UST looks to unload more high-powered offense when it faces Ateneo next Saturday at Blue Eagle Gym.

The construction firm cofounded by resigned Ako Bicol party list Rep. Elizaldy Co and another owned by the Discaya couple are among the companies included in complaints related to bid rigging and manipulation that were referred by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to the government’s antitrust body for the possible filing of cases.

In its referral to the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), the DPWH claimed that St. Timothy Construction Corp., Wawao Builders, IM Construction Corp., SYMS Construction Trading, and officials and employees of the DPWH in Bulacan, as well as Sunwest Inc. and officials and employees of the DPWH regional office in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) may have violated the Philippine Competition Act (Republic Act No. 10667), which was signed into law in 2015.

The PCC was created in January 2016 to implement the national policy of prohibiting anticompetitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions.

As the antitrust authority of the country, the PCC is mandated to conduct inquiry, investigate, and hear and decide on cases involving violations of the PCA, its implementing rules, and other competition laws.

Investigations on possible violations of the PCA can be triggered by a verified complaint, motu proprio or PCC’s own initiative to look into a case, or a referral by a concerned regulatory agency.

Top contractors

Co is a cofounder of Sunwest while St. Timothy is owned by the family of contractors Pacifico ‘Curlee’ and Cezarah ‘Sarah’ Discaya. These companies were among the top 15 construction firms that bagged the most number of flood control projects from the government from 2022 to 2025.

‘The referrals include inspection reports, bid documents, and other relevant documents that may support the PCC Competition Enforcement Office’s (CEO) ongoing preliminary inquiry into possible bid-rigging and collusion among contractors,’ the PCC said in a statement on Friday.

The DPWH said officials and employees of the agency’s Mimaropa office were also allegedly involved in the case since ‘despite irregularities surrounding flood control projects in Oriental Mindoro, regional officials failed to act and, instead, continued the projects awarded to Sunwest, Inc.’

This was on top of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure’s (IFI) move, asking the Office of the Ombudsman to study the filing of graft complaints against Co and 17 others, including DPWH officials and Sunwest, over an allegedly substandard flood control project in Oriental Mindoro worth P289.5 million.

Co, the former chair of the House appropriations committee in the 19th Congress from 2022 to 2025, was accused of getting billions of pesos in kickbacks by contractors and DPWH officials who testified in congressional inquiries into flood control projects. Co had repeatedly denied these allegations.

In a separate complaint, the DPWH cited Wawao, IM Construction, SYMS, St. Timothy and officials and employees of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office over alleged irregularities in the procurement of several flood control projects in the province unearthed during congressional hearings.

According to the agency, preliminary evidence, including the admissions of Curlee Discaya and former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo before the Senate blue ribbon committee, ‘also suggests collusion among the involved contractors and officials’ which violates the Section 14, Chapter III of the PCA which prohibits certain anticompetitive agreements between competitors.

Fines

Christian Loren de los Santos, director of the PCC CEO, said they were gathering evidence, such as bid submissions and possible communication exchanges, to determine whether government officials and employees and the contractors violated the law.

‘The referrals follow testimonies presented during recent congressional hearings on the flood control controversies, which may likewise be used as evidence in the PCC’s investigation,’ the commission said.

Under RA 10667, entities that are found guilty of engaging in anticompetitive agreements such as bid-rigging may face administrative fines that vary based on the number of offenses committed.

A fine of up to P100 million may be imposed on the first offense. For the second offense, the fine ranges from P110 million to P275 million.

For the third and subsequent offenses, the fine increases to a range of P165 million to P275 million.

Entities that enter into any anticompetitive agreement may face imprisonment of two to seven years and pay a fine of not less than P50 million but not more than P250 million.

‘When the entities involved are juridical persons, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed on its officers, directors, or employees holding managerial positions, who are knowingly and willfully responsible for such violation,’ the law states.

According to the PCC, individuals or entities involved in cartel conduct, including bid-rigging, price fixing, market allocation or output restriction, may apply for its leniency program.

Through this initiative, the antitrust body offers immunity from suit or a reduction of administrative fines for voluntarily disclosing their participation in anticompetitive agreements and cooperate fully with its investigation. Full immunity, however, is granted to only one applicant per violation.

Prominent cases

PCC has handled some prominent cases in the past.

It was involved in the review of PLDT and Globe Telecom’s joint acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telco unit in 2016 for almost P70 billion.

However in July 2016, PLDT and Globe sued the antitrust body for launching a review and sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction to stop the PCC’s investigation. The TRO was issued on Aug. 26, 2016. In February 2017, the Court of Appeals issued a rare gag order against PCC at the request of PLDT.

In May 2017, PLDT and Globe Telecom completed their acquisition of SMC’s telco assets, making their final joint payment to SMC while defying the competition watchdog’s request to hold off until the courts make a final ruling.

In August 2019, the PCC signed a memorandum of agreement with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to collaborate on investigations that involve power sector players.

The PCC was reportedly assessing whether power plant outages were valid ‘unplanned breakdowns’ that inevitably affected supply conditions or were actually ‘manipulated’ in order to raise electricity prices.

It earlier said it would look into allegations of possible collusion or abuse of dominance of certain power generators following ‘simultaneous shutdowns that may have caused an artificial supply shortage and consequently a hike in electricity prices.’

In September 2024, the PCC CEO charged a group of vegetable traders for entering into anticompetitive agreements for the supply of imported onions in the Philippines.

As the PCC’s investigative and prosecutorial arm, the CEO claimed that these vegetable traders, despite being competitors, conspired to manipulate the onion market in the Philippines from 2019 to 2023. The traders, who imported onions from China, the Netherlands, and India, allegedly worked together to control prices and limit competition. -WITH A REPORT FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH

Here we go: it’s a familiar story, isn’t it? Tell me if you have heard this one before. When a promising band bursts onto the scene with what could be a viral moment, the cynical among us wait for the bubble to burst, for the fleeting fame to fade into a footnote. But when Mexico’s Villarreal sisters – Daniela (guitar and vocals), Paulina (drums and vocals), and Alejandra (bass) – made waves with their absolutely amazing cover of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ back in 2014, something was different about them, and it got people wondering more about this ‘cover band’ and if they really were one, because there are a ton of them on YouTube and other platforms. But something kept making me and millions of other music aficionados rewatch their cover videos.

There was something obviously intangible there. There was that all-elusive ‘spark’ and fire in these sisters right from the get-go. They were not a mere talented cover band; they were not just doing it for attention and a chance to show everyone what they had as a band. People noticed right away that something was brewing here with the three Villarreal sisters. And from that pivotal moment on, people were put on notice to keep an eye out for them in the near future as they continue to develop, refine, and hone their musical skills and evolve out of being labeled a ‘cover band.’

Indeed, I have seen and heard of bands like this before, we all have, but this wasn’t a flash-in-the-pan gimmick; it turned out to be a promise. What promise, you ask? It was a promise that rock and roll, in its rawest, most unadulterated form, was not just alive but thriving in the hands of three prodigiously talented teenagers, out not only to make a name for themselves but determined to carve their own path along the way in an already overcrowded music industry.

Fast forward a decade, and The Warning are not just the real deal – they are a reckoning. For anyone who thinks modern rock lacks substance, soul, or shredding, a deep dive into their discography is a mandatory – and magnificent – re-education as to why they are the real deal.

What sets The Warning apart from the ‘noise,’ based on the more common perception of most, without really listening? It always goes back to the fundamentals, executed with a level of precision and feeling that is rare. While many bands rely on polished studio wizardry from their sound engineers for radio airplay, rotation on music channels, and streaming, The Warning’s power is in their musicianship and their profound, intuitive connection as siblings. They are a perfect example of that. As three siblings operating as one cohesive, well-oiled machine, they bulldoze everyone else of their generation around them with a craftsmanship that has become second to none.

As I take a moment to process everything. I have not seen a rock band like The Warning in a very long time; in fact, the last time I ever saw a band of siblings that were this effective, tight-knit, and as extremely coordinated as a unit was The Corrs, and I did not mention Oasis, because it has to be compared to at least three siblings in a band, but the music of The Corrs brand is not something I would voluntarily want to listen to. On the other hand, The Warning is something I am all for, because they are unique, distinctive, and almost incomparable to anything else out there.

Now I am surprised, even a bit shocked, as to why we have not heard more from them on our side of the world. Realistically and logically, The Warning should be at the top of everyone’s short list of must-listen-to rock bands now. Let your discerning ears be your guide and judgment.

Now, here is my little breakdown on the musical profile of each member of The Warning:

Let’s start with Paulina, the percussive engine of the band. Even Metallica’s Kirk Hammett noticed her talent when she was just a pre-teen, exclaiming that ‘the drummer kicks maximum ass!’. From the complex rhythms of ‘Money’ to the frenetic energy of their live performances, her drumming is a force of nature – technically brilliant, dynamic in sound, and ferociously powerful.

Daniela’s guitar work is a revelation, channeling classic influences while forging a path all her own. Her riffs are heavy, her solos are soaring, and her stage presence is nothing short of commanding, which makes her the perfect frontwoman.

Alejandra, on bass, provides the thunderous backbone, holding the sonic fortress together with a powerful and intricate low end. Her bass lines are more than just rhythmic; they are melodic and dynamic, proving that a bass guitar can be as effective as a lead instrument in its own right.

Collectively, and beyond their instrumental technical prowess, The Warning write songs with a maturity that belies their age. Their lyrical themes aren’t just about the usual relationships, breakups, and rebellion; they tackle complex topics like themes of social unrest with raw, unfiltered, and honest emotion. Some of my favorite tracks like ‘Choke,’ ‘Error,’ and ‘Dust to Dust’ showcase a songwriting depth that connects with their dedicated loyal fan base, called the ‘Warning Army,’ on a deeply personal level.

Besides that, these three sisters as a band are important for several reasons because, in an era of masterfully manufactured pop, flash-in-the-pan bands, and fleeting viral trends that amount to nothing in the long run, The Warning offers a refreshing return, in fact, more like a reminder, to the core of what makes rock music great, or any full band, if you want to call it that, when it is in the hands of the most capable of musicians.

Without question, Paulina, Daniela, and Alejandra are legitimate ‘old school’ in spirit musicians, they not only know the fundamentals but also the most advanced playing techniques (again that is important because it covers all aspects), and they are unapologetically fierce about it, proving to be committed to their craft, and possess an almost unheard of evolution from raw (cover band)-to-premiere (signed to two major record labels) talent in this modern era of mainstream music.

In short, to put it simply, The Warning is not manufactured. They were not created in a recording studio or put together by a team, but they were real musicians to begin with. It’s not like: ‘Ms. Showgirl’: Taylor Swift, haha.. Just saying.

So, if you’re a classic rock or even a hard rock fan lamenting the state of abysmal modern music or a younger listener searching for something with genuine grit, bite, and substance, the time to listen has arrived. Take note: The Warning has been around for a decade already, but they still feel brand-new, and yet each time I revisit their music and check out any of their new tracks, watch their live concerts, and listen to their brand-new albums, they only keep on improving by leaps and bounds, and that is why it is best to no longer wait around; you’ve been warned. No pun intended. Give The Warning a fair chance, and prepare for a rock-and-roll revelation through their songs.

Lastly, before I forget, I dedicate this all-out rock and roll piece to all the ‘Swifties’ out there!

May ‘The Warning’ be with all of you. Haha.. /ra