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Choco Mucho spoiled Bella Belen’s much-awaited PVL debut after sweeping Choco Mucho, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, to kick off its Reinforced Conference campaign on a high note on Tuesday night at Ynares Center Montalban.

The Flying Titans flaunted their depth, as a revitalized Kat Tolentino, who missed the All-Filipino action and preseason due to appendicitis, gave them a big lift with 15 points off 12 kills, two blocks, and an ace. The veteran opposite spiker also had 11 digs.

Just like in the first game, Choco Mucho and Capital1 played without their imports after the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PNVF) failed to release the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) in time for the opener.

‘It was a great win because, like I always say, when our team is complete, we can do a lot. We have a lot of players we can rely on. In this game, we really saw how everyone helped each other. That’s what got us the win,’ said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.

‘Even though we struggled with our receiving at first, we still managed to execute what we wanted to do on the court. Everything just started to connect. Whoever came in really stepped up and performed.’

The Flying Titans squandered a 15-10 lead in the third, as the Solar Spikers took a 22-21 advantage.

Choco Mucho, however, regrouped behind Maddie Madayag, who was fresh from a Japan SV.League and Alas Pilipinas stints. Madayag drilled back-to-back blocks to highlight the Flying Titans’ closing 4-1 spurt.

Isa Molde added 14 points, Lorraine Pecana had eight points, Des Cheng had seven points and 11 excellent receptions, while Deanna Wong had 22 excellent sets as the Flying Titans’ collective effort overcame Belen’s strong opening showing.

Belen, a three-time UAAP champion and MVP out of National University, showed why she’s the top overall pick with a game-high 20 points, 19 coming off kills on top of 18 digs and 12 receptions.

Her Alas teammate Leila Cruz backstopped her with 18 points.

In a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said President Marcos directed the agency to ensure that all of the transactions in digital infrastructure would be safe on Christmas.

‘Our aspiration this holiday season is that when Filipinos make online transactions-especially now that the use of credit cards and digital payments are high-we can do so with confidence and peace of mind,’ he added.

According to Aguda, among their priority programs to protect online transactions is to completely shut down the unsecured 3G and 2G networks in the country, which are being exploited by criminals to send phishing or scam texts to steal personal information of victims.

Mobile network companies Smart Communications, Globe Telecom and DITO Telecommunity phased out their 3G network connectivity in September, with the National Telecommunications Commission just awaiting confirmation that they completely shut down.

However, switching off the 2G signal in the entire country would take some time.

Aguda said the DICT was still planning the transition because around 10 million Filipinos, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), still rely on 2G for voice calls and text messages.

‘It’s not a problem there since people in GIDAs don’t usually use credit cards or online payments. The real issue is the continued use of 2G in malls and in cities such as those in Metro Manila. that’s where it becomes risky,’ he explained.

Vulnerable to phishing

According to Aguda, 2G networks expose mobile point-of-service (POS) systems to phishing scams because they lack modern encryption, mutual authentication and security protocols, which make it easier for cyber attackers to hack data transmitted over these networks.

‘The public should be careful in using mobile POS systems that still rely on 2G connectivity because the signals from these can be intercepted by devices called stingers or IMSI catchers,’ he said.

An IMSI catcher works like a fake cell tower and can capture 2G or 3G signals.

Because 2G and 3G do not always verify network authenticity, the POS device might connect unknowingly to the IMSI catcher.

Once connected, hackers can inject phishing messages, or steal login credentials, including card information and transaction details.

‘You might think a message is coming from your bank or the government, but it’s actually been altered by scammers pretending to be legitimate senders,’ Aguda said.

‘I already told telecommunication companies that if they cannot completely phase out 2G yet, they should at least replace it in malls and other areas where online payments and credit card use are high,’ he added.

The DICT and the major telcos in the country made their commitment to fully support the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s (GASA) international campaign to combat the growing threat of online scams, following a high-level meeting with global industry leaders in August.

Aguda met with officials of GASA and the GSM Association (GSMA) to discuss stronger cross-border cooperation and knowledge-sharing in tackling cyber-enabled crimes.

The meeting underscored the Philippines’ commitment to join worldwide efforts against online fraud.

Aguda also encouraged Filipinos who fell victims to online scams to file a complaint at DICT’s Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) national anti-scam hotline 1326, or to its email address [email protected].

According to the CICC, cybercrime complaints filed with their office grew three times to 10,004 in 2024, from 3,3317 complaints in 2023.

Three lawmakers have filed a bill seeking to make discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics (SOGIESC) a punishable offense.

House Bill No. 5266, or the SOGIESC Equality Act-filed by Reps. Brian Poe of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan party list, Ryan Recto of Batangas’ 6th District, and Javier Miguel Benitez of Negros Occidental’s 3rd District lay down clear prohibitions and penalties against discrimination in workplaces, schools, public offices, and all sectors of society. It mandates government and private institutions to establish grievance mechanisms and diversity programs, ensuring that respect and equal treatment are enforced-not just preached.

‘Equal protection under the law must be more than rhetoric,’ said Poe. ‘Discrimination is not a cultural issue-it’s a legal one. We’re legislating accountability where it’s long been missing.’

Recto added that the measure addresses a ‘long-standing vacuum’ in national policy. ‘For years, people have faced bias and exclusion without any real legal recourse. This bill ends that gap and puts the law squarely on the side of fairness.’

Benitez described the measure as part of a broader effort to modernize and humanize Philippine governance. ‘Our generation of lawmakers is not afraid to tackle issues older politicians have avoided. Equality and justice are non-negotiable.’

The proposed law codifies penalties ranging from P100,000 to P500,000 in fines and one to 12 years of imprisonment for discriminatory acts. It also empowers agencies such as the Commission on Human Rights, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the Civil Service Commission to investigate and sanction offenders.

The SOGIESC Equality Act marks a renewed push for national legislation after two decades of stalled attempts. While several local governments have enacted anti-discrimination ordinances, the absence of a comprehensive national law has left millions of Filipinos unprotected.

‘Passing this bill is not just about inclusion-it’s about asserting that every Filipino, regardless of background or identity, stands equal before the law,’ Poe emphasized.

The authors vowed to push the measure through committee hearings and plenary debates, calling on their colleagues to back a law that enforces one of the Constitution’s most fundamental guarantees: equality before the law.

‘This is not about political correctness,’ Benitez said. ‘It’s about political courage.’

ZUS Coffee eked out a come-from-behind 24-26, 25-23, 17-25, 26-24, 15-7 win to stun last year’s runner-up Akari in an all-Filipino duel in the PVL Reinforced Conference opener on Tuesday at Ynares Center Montalban here.

With both squads forced to turn to their locals as the league and its foreign guest players await the International Transfer Certificates (ITCs) allegedly withheld by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), the Thunderbelles’ third-round pick Riza Nogales shone the brightest with 15 points, highlighted by five blocks.

Down 6-7 to start the fifth set, the Thunderbelles scored nine unanswered points, capped by Nogales’ timely hits and Fiola Ceballos’ two crucial aces to complete the comeback in the two-hour and 32-minute match.

‘We weren’t super prepared, but it’s okay. Like the players said, we’re always training and trying different combinations. And it’s not like the combos were new they’ve played together before. In recent practices, of course, we trained with the import, but given the situation, they couldn’t play yet. So we just went out there and played,’ said ZUS Coffee coach Jerry Yee, whose squad missed the services of American reinforcement Anna DeBeer.

Jovelyn Gonzaga and Chinnie Arroyo backstopped Nogales with 14 points each, while Ceballos and Kate Santiago added 13 and 11, respectively.

AC Miner also stepped up with 10 points, including the back-to-back hits in the extended fourth, to force a decider. Setter Clo Mondoñedo dished out 28 excellent sets, while libero Alyssa Eroa delivered 22 digs and 21 excellent receptions.

‘Even though we prepared with Anna, and it would’ve been better if she was there so we’d be complete, we still gave it our all today,’ said Miner.

Eli Soyud led Akari, which also has to wait for the debut of its import Annie Mitchem, with 22 points.

Chargers rookie Chennie Tagaod’s 18-point Reinforced debut went for naught, as well as the efforts of Alas players Fifi Sharma and Justine Jazareno. Sharma registered 13 points, including four blocks, while Jazareno recorded 32 digs. Mars Alba tallied 24 excellent sets in her debut for Akari.

Enrique Iglesias expressed his love for his Filipino-Spanish mom, Isabel Preysler, as she is set to release her autobiography entitled ‘Isabel Preysler: Mi Verdadera Historia (My True Story)’ on October 22.

The Latin singer-songwriter took to his Instagram account on Thursday, Oct. 2, to congratulate his mother on her recent milestone, while posting a photo of them when they were younger.

Isabel is the daughter of Carlos Preysler, the executive director of the then-Philippine Air Lines (now Philippine Airlines), and Maria Beatriz Arrastía, who is a real estate owner. She is the third of six children.

‘Congratulations to my mom on her autobiography. What an incredible life,’ he captioned his post.

Iglesias’ post was commended by his followers in the comments, including TV presenter Kim Atienza, who described Preysler as ‘one of the most beautiful Pinays.’

According to Preysler, her autobiography is her ‘most personal project’ to date, which will cover the different chapters of her life.

‘In this autobiography, I will explore the different chapters of my life – from my childhood in the Philippines to my life in the present. For the first time, I will share some of my most intimate memories. I hope you’ll all enjoy reading it,’ she wrote in Spanish.

Iglesias is the son of Preysler and Spanish singer Julio Iglesias. He is also the brother of Latin singer-heartthrob Julio Iglesias Jr.

The singer-songwriter is best known for his hit tracks ‘Bailamos,’ ‘I Like It,’ and ‘Hero,’ to name a few.

To shorten the distance commuters walk to the nearest Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) station, buses going to Sapang Palay village in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan to SM Fairview in Novaliches village, Quezon City will be allowed to pick up and drop off passengers along NIA Road during rush hours.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) acting chief Giovanni Lopez ordered the issuance of 268 permits for buses from the Sayang Palay-Fairview route to pass by the NIA Road.

Starting this month, DOTr said they will be allowed to ply the area from 4-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m.

The DOTr gave permits to these buses with routes looping from Sapang Palay or SM Fairview, passing through Commonwealth Avenue, East Avenue, Internal Road, NIA Road and vice versa.

‘This needs to be done so that the passengers will not walk a long distance, especially those transferring going to MRT-3,’ Lopez said in a statement in Filipino.

The MRT-3 Quezon Avenue Station is about a kilometer away from NIA Road.

‘The long walk just to get on the bus is hard for passengers and is especially hard for seniors and PWDs. That’s why the bus stop should be closer to the MRT so they can easily transfer,’ he also said.

Despite being allowed to solicit and drop off passengers there, DOTr said buses will neither be allowed to stay in the area for too long nor are they allowed to turn it into a terminal.

Lopez also ordered the deployment of four personnel each from the Philippine Coast Guard and Land Transportation Office to ensure that the buses will only stay along NIA Road for less than three minutes.

Meanwhile, DOTr said the assessment in the coming months will decide if the scheme will be stopped or will continue.

The Social Security System (SSS) has stepped up efforts to collect unpaid social security premium contributions, with at least 200 individuals recently served with demand letters, officials confirmed.

SSS account officer Jan Michael Olaivar told reporters that employers who fail to comply could face criminal prosecution.

‘Usually, they would eventually settle if they know it is the end of the line,’ Olaivar said.

He added that settling obligations is crucial, warning that delinquency cases usually reach the courts if employers fail to comply.

Olaivar noted that three high-profile businesses were recently issued warrants of arrest in connection with similar violations, underscoring the seriousness of the crackdown by SSS.

Among these is a prominent bar and a pizza house.

Under the law, employers and self-employed individuals are required to remit monthly contributions to the SSS. Failure to do so can result in penalties, demand letters, or even criminal charges for repeat offenders.

The agency urged members to take immediate action to update their accounts, reminding them that contributions ensure eligibility for benefits such as retirement pensions, sickness coverage, and other social protection programs.

Cell phone technology has really transformed how people bet on sports. Speed, convenience and apps are at the forefront and online gambling has never been easier or more exciting.

From real-time odds to instant bets, smartphone technology is very much changing the way fans are affiliated with their beloved sports. The era of betting at the local bookie or on desktop PCs is long gone. With smartphone and tablet devices today, the thrill of the match now resides in the palm of your hand.

From Desktop to Mobile Betting

Betting on sports has been completely transformed from static websites to cell phones. Where once players would sit in the living room on desktops, now they pull out their phones and wager within seconds. The revolution has presented a much more dynamic experience. With a sports wager on a real-time event, fans can now witness every twist and turn.

Betting on the go is perfectly in sync with the rhythm of sports and spectators from around the world can bet on a sporting event while riding on a bus, in the stands, or at a bar, watching the action. The convenience and mobility of portable technology have really galvanized sports betting participation to all-time highs.

Guides and websites that display reputable sites also facilitate convenience. For example, sites like SBO.net provide punters with information on where to bet swiftly and safely, helping ensure that they make sound decisions within an expanding marketplace.

Speed, Wager Live on the Move

Speed is one of the characteristic benefits of mobile betting. Sports are very fast-paced and bettors desire their wagering choices to be equally so. With an app, it may only require a few taps to make a live bet. Odds are updated in real time. The user can react quickly to a change in a team’s tempo, an injury, or an explosive play.

Convenience is equally applicable. Sites or apps on the phone mean you can bet anywhere in a coverage zone. That level of portability has made betting a part of the everyday sports routine. There is no need to look ahead or sit down at the computer. The bettor is watching the action and betting at the same time.

Apps, Interfaces and the User Experience Revolution

The popularity of phone sports betting is also related to design. Betting apps are no longer cluttered but intuitive and straightforward. New bettors with limited experience quickly understand how to browse odds, bet and cash out. These are aimed at keeping engagement high. To simplify, there are inclusions like personalized dashboards, alerts based on users’ preferences and one-touch betting.

You even get to track your betting history. This can really help manage your budget and you can receive personalized recommendations on subsequent matches. This is a game-changer for multi-sport bettors. From one screen, hockey, basketball, baseball and football are monitored. With apps, you have real-time access to the odds and associated statistics, which is all streamlined.

Safety and Reliability

One of the foundations of a flourishing mobile bet on sporting events is security and modern apps employ strong encryption, two-factor authentication and rigid monitoring to ensure the safety of players’ data and funds. Licensing and regulation are just as significant. This provides a degree of security to the user. Reputable platforms offer information on this openly and honestly.

The respective payment process upgrades fortify reliability. From traditional banks to e-wallets and prepaid cards, cash withdrawals and deposits are now more immediate and certain. The worry about whether the money will come to the account or not is now history. Belief in transaction safety on phones is their replacement.

New Technologies and Personalization

The prospect of mobile phone sports betting in the future is even rosier. AI is already controlling how apps make betting recommendations. The apps show the user the markets and games best suited to their interests.

The trend’s very essence is individualization. No two customers will ever share the same experience. As it is, new technology like virtual reality can revolutionize the betting experience. Wouldn’t it be great to have live odds on your living room wall while you watch hockey? Or summon an interactive betting screen on a headset?

These are no longer science fiction scenarios but are already becoming real. Social features will probably increase too. Betting apps are already adding chat rooms, leaderboards and group challenges. For sports fans worldwide, gambling will be about more than just the bet. It will be about connecting to other individuals and having an event-based sense of community.

Mobile technology has really transformed the face of online sports betting. It has never been easier, from speed and convenience to customization and security. The fans now bet on their commute, at home or the stadium, with just a few taps on the screen. The success of mobile betting is no tech trend but cultural in how fans experience sports. For gamblers all over the world, mobile channels are sources of thrills, convenience and reassurance. With technology advancing further, online sports betting will be even more immersive and entertaining. The thrill of playing is indeed in your pocket.

The Philippines’ gross international reserves rose to $108.8 billion in September, the highest in 11 months, as higher gold prices boosted the value of the central bank’s holdings.

The figure climbed from $107.1 billion in August, reflecting gains from global gold prices, investment income, and foreign currency deposits by the national government, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Tuesday.

The reserves-composed of foreign securities, exchange holdings, and gold-serve as a buffer against external shocks, helping the country meet import and debt payments and stabilize the peso.

The latest level is enough to cover 7.3 months’ worth of imports and payments for services and primary income, the central bank said.

Bella Belen dazzled in her pro debut with 20 points, 18 digs, and 12 excellent receptions, but not enough to lift Capital1 to a winning start in the PVL Reinforced Conference.

Belen’s all-around game was in full display, but Capital1 fell short against Choco Mucho, 31-33, 24-26, 23-25, on Tuesday night at Ynares Center Montalban.

‘Of course, I’m really happy that I finally got to play. But sadly, we didn’t win. It’s a bit frustrating because I felt like we could’ve pushed the game further, but we fell short in the end,’ Belen told reporters in Filipino.

‘There were crucial moments, like during long rallies, where we kind of stopped fighting. I think we still lack some mental toughness and trust in each other. That’s something we really need to work on, especially since most of the sets were really close. Like in the first set, we even went past 30 points. So it was really a missed opportunity.’

Belen, the top overall pick, was far from satisfied despite an impressive opening game.

‘I just focus on what I can contribute to the game and what I can still improve on for the next matches. I don’t really think too much about the scores or stats. I just want to perform well,’ Belen said.

‘I honestly feel like I could’ve done more. I know I can still play better, but I guess it’s fine for a first game. There were some nerves, of course. I think I can definitely step up more in the next games.’

The 23-year-old Belen dominated in the UAAP, where she led National University to three championships with the same number of MVP awards.

Belen, however, knows that playing in the pros against the best volleyball players in the country offers a different kind of challenge.

‘I think what I need to develop more is patience, because this is a different level of play. It’s not like the UAAP anymore. Everyone here really wants to win, even our opponents. I need to be more patient with myself and with the team,’ she added.

‘It’s a totally different vibe now compared to when I played with NU. I’m with different teammates, under a new system, so I really need to adjust. But it’s just the first game. There’s still time for me to adapt, and there are more games ahead. We just need to adjust quickly because the pace here is fast,’ said Belen.

Belen and the Solar Spikers seek to bounce back on Monday against On Tour and Invitational champion PLDT at Smart Araneta Coliseum.