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The Wushu Federation of the Philippines is hitting two birds with one stone.

The country is set to host two major wushu events in back-to-back fashion – the World Wushu Championships and the Asian Wushu Championships in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

Officials of the association led by its president Freddie Jalasco and secretary general Julian Camacho made the announcement on Tuesday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

World Wushu Championships silver medal winner Carlos Baylon Jr. was with Jalasco and Camacho in the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.

Camacho bared that since the country is hosting the world meet in 2027, the Wushu Federation of Asia suggested for the Philippines to stage the Asian counterpart of the tournament as well a year after.

‘Kinausap ako ng Wushu Federation of Asia, sabi nila since mag-host naman kayo ng 2027 World Championships, baka puwede na kayo mag host next year ng Asian Championships. So back-to-back ito. Sabi ko, OK,’ Camacho said in the public sports program.

‘Since nandiyan na rin naman lahat ng equipment (taolu carpet, sanda ring, scoring machine), we can make use of that with only a few months apart (of the two hosting).’

But focus will be on the World Championship first, according to Jalasco, as the Philippines is eyeing a P500 million budget to mount the event featuring 80 countries and more than 2,000 participants competing in both the taolu and sanda events.

The federation is in talks with the SMX Mall of Asia as venue of the event.

‘Magsisimula na kami ng aming mobilization by early next year. So we have to prepare everything to ensure the success of our hosting, kasi napakalaking event nito,’ said Jalasco.

The Philippines was actually scheduled to host the event in 2029 yet as Macau is the one assigned for the 2027 staging.

But Camacho opted to talk to Macau and switch the hosting assignments instead.

‘Sabi ko kasi I’m 82 now baka hindi na ako umabot ng 2029,’ said a smiling Camacho. ‘We’re friends (Macau) naman. So pumayag, nagpalit tayo ng hosting.’

As for someone who’s expected to perform right before his countrymen, Baylon said he’s ready to take on the challenge and deliver the way he did in the recent World Championships and the World Games earlier, where he won a bronze medal.

‘Pagsisikapan po natin sa training para makakuha tayo ng gold,’ said Baylon, who competes in the men’s sanda 56 kg. event. ‘Medyo may pressure sa aming mga atleta dahil tayo ang host, pero ipapakita natin sa ibang countries na malakas tayo.’

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival admitted that most public works contractors are hesitant to sign a commitment of undertaking, fearing they might not be able to complete their projects within the contracted timeline.

Archival said requiring all Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contractors to sign an undertaking with the city government remains a challenge. In fact, only one contractor has submitted a commitment so far.

Despite his call for the voluntary submission of the undertaking for several weeks now since the DPWH projects came into question, Archival said only KIMWA Construction and Development Corporation-the contractor behind the road project near Marco Polo-has complied.

‘But all the others, mura’g makuyawan pa sila mo-promise nga i-deliver nila nga di sila ka deliver,’ said Archival.

In line with this, Archival said that for future projects the city will undertake, contractors will be required to sign the undertaking with the Technical Infrastructure Committee (TIC) before being granted a permit for excavations.

‘So sa mga bag-ong projects, di naman jud sila ka sugot kung wala to’ng undertaking, so sila nay mohatag og deadline,’ he said.

He added that for ongoing projects that have not yet been completed, the city cannot immediately compel the submission of the undertaking. For now, contractors can only be encouraged to comply. However, he reiterated that most are reluctant to do so, fearing they cannot meet the deadlines they commit to.

‘Which I think unfair para nato kay naa may kontrata, nganong di man na nimo humanon,’ said Archival.

A resolution from the Cebu City Council has already authorized the Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) to draft and recommend the necessary legal framework requiring DPWH contractors to sign an undertaking of commitment to ensure accountability.

For weeks, following public clamor over alleged irregularities in flood control projects nationwide, Cebu City has raised its own concerns about DPWH projects within its jurisdiction. Archival has led several inspections, assessed the integrity of these projects, and called out the DPWH over delays not only in flood control initiatives but also in other infrastructure works.

Since then, Archival has announced that for future DPWH flood control projects in the city, he is firm on holding contractors liable for damages and delays. This will begin with requiring them to submit an undertaking of commitment.

Failure to submit the undertaking, he said, will result in the city withholding the permit to proceed.

According to Archival, this measure is necessary because the Cebu City Government currently has no direct control over DPWH contractors, who report directly to the national agency. He stressed that the city can only express frustration over the delays.

Among his proposals is the imposition of a five percent penalty based on ten percent of the overall project cost. To avoid legal technicalities, Archival emphasized that the commitment must come directly from the contractors and be formalized through the undertaking of commitment.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently arrested two Chinese nationals in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

Kong Xiangyu, 36, and Yang Bing, 53, were nabbed by members of the BI-Fugitive Search Unit led by FSU chief Rendel Ryan Sy.

‘The arrest demonstrates our commitment to President Marcos’ directive to strengthen law enforcement and protect our country from foreign fugitives and undesirable aliens,’ Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

Kong is wanted in China for fraud. Yang has a hold-departure order issued by a Parañaque court.

Reigning UCAL titlist Olivarez College outlasted San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 79-76, for its second straight win, while University of the Philippines showed glimpses of its future in the PG Flex Invitational Tournament 2025 Quintana Cup on Monday, October 6, at the Paco Arena.

Led by Jhon Patrick Panelo, Christian Vergara and Hakim Njasse, the Sea Lions dominated the first three quarters before repulsing the Stags’ late uprising to stay perfect in the nine-team preseason tournament.

Panelo sizzled with 18 points while Vergara and Njasse added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Sea Lions scored a fitting follow-up to a 62-54 drubbing of Gardner College, last week.

Jew Hinoquin and Renz Bernardo paced the Stags with 17 points each.

Meantime, Centro Escolar University rebounded from a stinging 78-74 loss to Manila Central University also last week with a 69-59 thumping of Letran.

Abraham Apugi Takpiny was the lone double-digit scorer for the CEU Scorpions with 15 points but had five teammates tallying five points or more. Takpiny was a beast inside the paint as he also grabbed 24 rebounds apart from dishing out 3 assists.

With top recruits Veejay Pre and Dionte Miles at the helm, the UP Fighting Maroons came through with a 30-point second quarter explosion to demolish Diliman College, 94-62, for a 1-1 mark.

Both Pre and Miles finished in double-double with the similar 15-point and 10-rebound outputs – the bulk came in that murderous stretch that saw the Maroons build a commanding 56-26 lead at the break.

Casili and Tayud knocked out their rivals in the semifinal round to set up a championship clash in the Midget Category A of the 15th Mayor Teresa Alegado Cup Inter-Barangay Bbasketball Tournament in Consolacion, Cebu.

Lance Alilin sizzled with 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists as Casili dumped Tugbungan, 99-81, to book a finals ticket.

Mark Basok and John Galicia chipped in 15 points each for Casili, which will next face Tayud in a best-of-three title showdown.

Tayud advanced after escaping Lamac, 68-65.

Patrick Pepito paced Tayud with 23 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Mark Gallardo and Jade Delgado also figured prominently for Tayud with 19 and 14 points, respectively.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has completed the first wave of distribution and dispatch of 216,000 family food packs (FFPs) to earthquake-hit areas in northern Cebu-just three days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to the province.

‘We are pleased to inform everybody that as of last night, we have fully complied, served, and dispatched 216,000 family food packs after three days. That’s one of the fastest and largest deployments of family food packs done by DSWD,’ said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.

Gatchalian visited yesterday the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) in Barangay Tingub, Mandaue City, where the food packs are produced.

He said the large-scale deployment covered the 12 earthquake-affected towns in northern Cebu.

The initiative was carried out in coordination with local chief executives and Governor Pamela Baricuatro, following a high-level meeting with President Marcos Jr. during his visit to Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter, on October 2, 2025.

Gatchalian said that while the DSWD handled the preparation and delivery of the food packs, local government units (LGUs) took charge of the ‘last mile’ of distribution since they know their communities best.

‘The national government will augment their capacity, ibibigay sa local government units yung mga food packs. Because they know their constituents and the terrain better, sila yung magdi-distribute all the way to the households,’ he said.

As of Sunday, most LGUs had completed the first wave of relief, with the DSWD now preparing for the second round of food distribution.

The agency will meet today, October 7, with Governor Baricuatro, Rep. Duke Frasco (5th District), Rep. Sun Shimura (4th District), and the mayors of affected towns to finalize logistics for the second wave of FFPs and discuss the rollout of financial assistance for affected families.

‘The food packs are meant for immediate response, but we also have to start talking about recovery. That includes financial assistance for affected families,’ Gatchalian said.

He confirmed that P10,000 cash aid has already been provided to families who lost loved ones or were injured. The emergency cash transfer program, he added, will be finalized after consultations with LGUs to assess their needs.

To sustain relief operations, Gatchalian said the DSWD’s VDRC in Cebu is operating at full capacity-producing 25,000 food packs per day, seven days a week.

‘We’re maximizing it. We’re producing 25,000 family food packs every day. Walang tigil ang deployment. The VDRC is focused solely on operations in Bogo and northern Cebu,’ he said.

Previously producing only 10,000 to 15,000 packs daily, the Cebu hub has ramped up its capacity through mechanization and volunteer support. Around 150 volunteers are helping with the packing operations, assisted by automated systems that speed up the process.

‘Because of mechanization, we can now produce 25,000 a day. So in four days, we can already complete 100,000. That’s why we were able to reach 216,000 packs in just three days,’ he explained.

Gatchalian credited local government units and district representatives for helping expedite deployment by providing additional trucks and logistical support.

‘Kaya in three days’ time, 216,000 family food packs ang nailabas. Congressman Frasco and Congressman Shimura helped with their own trucks, along with LGUs. Tulong-tulong lahat to get those goods across,’ he said.

He emphasized that the rapid response was made possible by the President’s directive for year-round preparedness.

‘Bago pa nagkaroon ng sakuna, tandaan ninyo ang instruction ng Pangulo-the preparation has to happen every day, 365 days a year. May kalamidad o wala, tuloy-tuloy ang production,’ he said, adding that the agency maintains a reserve of hundreds of thousands of food packs ready for immediate deployment nationwide.

Gatchalian assured quake victims that the government remains committed to their recovery.

‘Sa mga biktima nitong huling lindol, gusto ko malaman ninyo na ang ating Pangulo at ang buong departamento, you’re on top of our minds. Minadali natin ang deployment ng 216,000 family food packs in three days. Huwag kayo mag-alala, hindi kayo makakalimutan. Sisiguraduhin ng pamahalaang nasyonal na hanggang sa makabangon kayo muli, nandito kami,’ he said.

He added that DSWD has also coordinated the establishment of five community kitchens to provide freshly cooked meals to evacuees, complementing the distributed canned goods and dry rations.

MANDAUE CITY TO GIVE P7M AID TO QUAKE-HIT LGUS

Meanwhile, the Mandaue City Council has approved on first reading an ordinance granting P7 million in financial assistance to local government units (LGUs) affected by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck northern Cebu last week.

City Councilor Atty. Joel Seno said on Monday, October 6, that an additional P2 million was added to the city’s initial P5 million aid. The towns of Sogod and Daanbantayan will each receive P1 million.

According to Seno, the two towns were included after situational reports received over the weekend showed the extent of damage and number of affected families in their areas.

As earlier reported, Bogo City and the towns of Medellin, Tabogon, San Remigio, and Borbon will also receive P1 million each from Mandaue City. The P7 million financial assistance will be sourced from the city’s PAGCOR funds.

Seno said Mayor Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano based the allocation on a report from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) detailing the number of affected families in each locality.

He added that other LGUs may still receive assistance once additional reports are submitted.

‘As of now, the mayor has earmarked funds for the seven identified LGUs,’ Seno said.

The ordinance is expected to be approved on second and final reading during a special session on Wednesday, October 8, at the Mandaue City Session Hall. Once approved, the assistance will be released directly to the LGUs.

‘The amount will be given to them so they can decide how to use it,’ Seno said.

In a separate interview, Mayor Ouano confirmed that Sogod and Daanbantayan were among the hardest-hit areas.

Ouano said the funds will go directly to the LGUs since they know best what their constituents need.

‘They can use it, for instance, to buy materials for rebuilding damaged houses. So, hopefully, by this week or next week, ma-distribute na nato ang cheque nga tag P1 million each ani na mga LGUs,’ the mayor said.

Port giant International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) has received an extension to its concession to operate two terminals at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone and planned to spend $130 million for their upgrade.

In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, ICTSI said it has received approval from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to extend its concession in Subic.

SBMA, which manages the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, authorized ICTSI subsidiaries Subic Bay International Terminals Corp. (SBITC) and ICTSI Subic Inc. (ISI) to extend the management of the New Container Terminals (NCT) 1 and 2 until 2058.

SBITC and ISI, collectively known as Subic Bay International Terminals, will invest as much as $130 million for the extended contract. The Subic Bay International Terminals have lined up an investment and development plan to improve NCT 1 and 2.

The plan involves the acquisition of additional equipment to scale up NCT 1 and 2’s capabilities and efficiency. It also covers the construction of more infrastructure needed by both terminals.

Given this, the plan seeks to raise NCT 1 and 2’s combined annual capacity by two-thirds to one million TEUs, from 600,000 TEUs, during the concession.

The Subic Bay International Terminals play an important role in handling trade for the northern regions of Luzon, with linkage to some of the busiest national highways and shipping routes.

The terminals also support logistics requirements of businesses in Central Luzon, particularly in Subic and Clark, as well as nearby provinces Bataan, La Union, Pampanga and Tarlac.

Locally, ICTSI is on the lookout for expansion opportunities to put up new projects and upgrade existing ones. In Luzon, the company is building the $800-million Luzon International Container Terminal (LICT), set to become the country’s second largest of its kind.

ICTSI aims to deliver the first phase of the project by 2027, with the entirety done by 2028. The LICT is designed to have a capacity of two million TEUs annually.

For 2025, ICTSI is ready to invest $580 million for capital expenditures, of which 40 percent, or $231.98 million, has been used up as of June.

ICTSI is one of the world’s largest port players in the 50,000 to 3.5 million TEU per year band, with terminals across six continents and more in the pipeline.

DJ Mo Twister bid farewell to the Las Vegas home he previously shared with ex-wife Angelika Schmeing, more popularly known as fellow DJ Angelicopter.

In a now deleted Instagram post, Mo said that the Nevada house was where the former couple’s children grew up.

“For the first time I turned off every single light in the house, and locked the door one last time. I’m not grieving the walls, but what they held. Two beautiful kids were raised in this home, and it was supposed to be theirs,” Mo said.

Without mentioning any names, the DJ-host revealed that a person released from jail came to the house and took what they identified as “valuable.”

Many assumed that Mo was referring to Angelika as her son Lucas from a previous relationship as he wasn’t around anymore when Mo came home.

Mo detailed the “valuable” stuff included an expensive couch and fancy furnishings, and things left behind were considered “junk” by a certain “she.”

“As I went through the ‘junk’ I found the most valuable of things. I found his hospital bracelet from the day he was born, even if I wasn’t a part of his life yet then. His first tooth. His first homework assignment.”

“I found my daughter’s hospital bracelet too. I’ve always kept every tooth and other mementos like their first haircut, ALL their school workbooks and every toy I was always so excited to buy for them,” Mo continued, talking about his daughter Amsterdam.

He doubled down on things taken were Hermes bags, earrings, clothes, and shoes, and all that were left behind were “pieces of ‘junk’ which was the history of these children.”

The one thing he did leave behind was a drawing by Lucas of him and Amsterdam, taped to the wall for posterity.

“It’s not Da Vinci level art but it’s priceless,” Mo quipped. “With the heaviest heart, I left my home today. And it feels like yet another connection I have with him gone.”

Mo ended sharing he bought a new house with the hopes of seeing Lucas again, “In the meantime. There’s literally only one person on this planet that doesn’t call him my son, and that’s the only piece of junk I left behind.”

Mo revealed last year that Angelika broke up with him during their third wedding anniversary.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has opened a Pandora’s box of opportunities for Filipino athletes with Elite Link, which serves as the first-ever database app in history.

PSC chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio on Monday night together with Elite Link launched the groundbreaking mobile app that will become a main hub and community aimed at fostering friendship, connections, network, sponsorship, scholarship and national team opportunities or thousands of undiscovered athletes like every social media platform today.

In Elite Link, all athletes from across the archipelago and even abroad can sign up and create their own profile and backgrounds with video highlights of their chosen sports to serve as their resume for a shot at a university scholarship, sponsorship or brand support and national team call-up.

It’s open to almost 2,000 national junior and elite athletes but is targeted particularly at providing a platform for grassroots and untapped young talents just waiting to be discovered, especially from the far-flung areas of the country.

“It will now be our database to identify young talents, who will soon be elite athletes. This central hub for all athletes is for our future. This will be big for all the athletes from around the Philippines to introduce themselves. Panalo ito ng Atletang Pilipino. Elite Link is for the Philippine sports and the Filipino athletes,” said Gregorio during the app launch with Elite Link led by general manager JP Campos and senior advisor Akiko Thompson-Gueverra, a decorated Filipina Olympian swimmer.

Elite Link will have a profile designations for all Philippine stakeholders for an inclusive, broad and working community, from athletes to parents, coaches, scouts, managers, brands and sponsors, universities and colleges, National Sports Associations (NSAs) and sport officials.

For Elite Link, it’s talent meeting technology in the world’s digital era, making it easier for Filipino athletes to showcase what they’ve got as early as they can with hopes of becoming the next Hidilyn Diaz and Caloy Yulo.

“This is exciting for our young athletes. We try to create an ecosystem for our young athletes where they will be able to be seen, a challenge in the past that’s hard to navigate for starting athletes. They have big dream but don’t know how to get there. Now, we finally have a technology for them. Athletes will now have an easier way to find a partner for their dreams,” said Thompson-Gueverra.

“We really wanted to create an equal playing field for all our Filipino athletes, no matter where you are and what sport you want to pursue. With Elite Link, you can share your progress to coaches, scouts, sponsors and institutions that will guide you along the way. You can also connect with fellow athletes,’ added Campos.

The PSC has already started requiring every athlete on its fold to sign up but will officially begin the rollout in the coming 2025 Batang Pinoy in General Santos City later this month featuring more than 20,000 junior athletes and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand led by 1,600-strong delegation.

“We will definitely have regional launches, introducing Elite Link in different PSC events starting in GenSan. This will now be incorporated and promoted in all PSC programs as part of a nationwide launch. Hopefully, ‘yung mga susunod na makakasama sa Olympics, dito sa Elite Link app natin mahuhuli at makukuha,” beamed Gregorio.

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Kicking Panthers and the Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves subdued separate foes in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) Season 25 football tournament over the weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center.

USPF beat the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 2-1, to grab the lead in the college division with a 2-1 win-loss record.

Jordan Quinicot and James Langres darted in goals at the 36th and 45th minute, respectively, to carry the Panthers to another victory.

USJ-R’s Sean Olvido found the back of the net at the 84th minute but it was already too late.

In the other collegiate duel, the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons fought to a 2-all draw.

UP’s Justine Louie Soco broke the ice of the match at the 11th but Gianrenzo Custado and John Cyril Sinoy blasted back-to-back goals at the 23rd and 43rd to push the Carolinians to a 2-1 lead.

But Soco again delivered a goal for UP at the 70th minute resulting in a stalemate.

In the secondary division, Don Bosco triumphed for the first time after crushing the San Carlos School of Cebu (SCSC) Baby Warriors, 4-1.

Interestingly, San Carlos scored the game’s first goal courtesy of Xyrus Lloyd Maraquio with just eight minutes gone by in the game.

But Joseph Roy Requiron scored a brace at the 23rd and 79th in between goals by Yuki John Ceniza and

Ray Agustine Abuzo at the 30th and 34th minute to spark Don Bosco’s dominant performance over San Carlos.

In the other result, the USJ-R Baby Jaguars and the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles battled to a 2-2 standoff.

USJ-R’s Nino Janry Colina surprised the Sacred Hearters with a goal in just the first two minutes of play.

Jared Tyler Abastas hit the equalizer for SHS-Ateneo at the 27th.

John Michael Diano pulled USJ-R ahead two minutes later, but Ateneo’s Mark Nathan Tabon sank a goal at the 39th that eventually led to a stalemate.