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Floodwaters inundated 23 out od 180 barangays across Iloilo City on October 7 as localized thunderstorms unleashed heavy rainfall, according to a 6 p.m. update from the city’s Operations Center. The CDRRMO-BDRRMS division detailed flooding depths from 2 to 12 inches in affected areas.

In the City Proper alone, 11 barangays were submerged, including Tanza Timawa II (5-12 in), San Jose alleys (3-8 in), and front of Lar’s in Tanza Timawa I (6-8 in).

Elsewhere, other districts recorded significant flooding: Mandurriao (2 barangays), La Paz (1 barangay), Molo (2 barangays), Jaro (2 barangays), Arevalo (1 barangay), and Lapuz (4 barangays).

Flooding has become a recurring challenge in Iloilo City, particularly during the rainy season.

In recent years, heavy rains have regularly overwhelmed drainage systems and low-lying barangays, prompting calls for improved flood mitigation infrastructure and better urban planning to cope with storm surges and intense downpours.

Many barangays in the city are situated in flood-prone zones or along watercourses, making them vulnerable to sudden inundation during thunderstorms. Local officials and residents have repeatedly flagged poor drainage, clogged waterways, and land subsidence as contributing factors that exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall.

The 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International pageant has opened its coronation night for free to the public, and those interested in seeing the show may get the chance to score the limited seats available by registering online.

The 2025 Miss Asia Pacific International coronation night will be held at the Cebu Complex Coliseum on Wednesday evening, Oct. 8, on the delegates’ ninth day in the province and more than a week since a magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted the island.

‘Scan the QR code to register your interest. Limited seats are now open to the public-don’t miss the most glamorous night of the year!’ the international pageant said when it posted the details on social media on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 7.

‘Witness history unfold as extraordinary women from across the globe take the stage to shine,’ the Miss Asia Pacific International pageant continued.

Lawyer and beauty queen Eva Patalinjug-Lim, the president of the international pageant, told Inquirer Entertainment, ‘Our coronation events are usually ticketed, but this year is different.’

The pageant has realigned its activities to stand in solidarity with those affected by the earthquake in Cebu. The delegates joined relief missions instead of embarking on a scenic tour of the province, something that had been planned earlier.

‘Because of what happened in Cebu, we want to dedicate this entire season, including our Grand Coronation Night, to the province and its people,’ Patalinjug said.

‘This year, we want to show up for Cebu. Miss Asia Pacific International is one with Cebu,’ she continued.

The delegates packed relief goods for two consecutive days, then distributed aid to the northern Cebu towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, and San Remigio another day. They also took part in the outreach program of their official shoe provider, extending their mission to four straight days.

Forty-three delegates from around the world are competing for the title in this year’s competition. The Philippines is represented by Anita Rose Gomez, who hopes to become the sixth Filipino woman to win the crown.

The Miss Asia Pacific International is the longest-running global pageant founded in the Philippines, and is among the oldest beauty contests in the country.

Justice Undersecretary Frederick Vida will be officer-in-charge of the Department of Justice (DOJ) once incumbent Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assumes his new position as Ombudsman.

Vida, former mayor of Mendez-Nunez in Cavite was appointed DOJ assistant secretary in January, 2023 and later become the Undersecretary in charge of Finance, Administrative Service, and Personnel Cluster.

Remulla said he has not yet discussed with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. his possible successor.

‘We have not discussed my possible replacement. We prioritized the appointment of an OIC or acting Secretary,’ Remulla said.

Around 4,000 photographers and videographers from 32 cities across the Philippines hit the streets for the FUJIFILM Nationwide Photo and Video Walk (NPVW 2025)-FUJIFILM’s largest movement aimed at capturing the distinct sights, stories, and soul of the country’s iconic cities. This annual event continues to celebrate the spirit of visual storytelling, fostering creativity and cultural pride across the country.

This year, winners of FUJIFILM NPVW 2025 will get the chance to take home incredible prizes. In the Open to All Photo Category, three winners – one each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao – will receive a FUJIFILM X-E5 camera with an XF23mm F2.8 kit lens.

FUJIFILM users will also have the chance to win top-tier gear in the exclusive categories. The winner of the FUJIFILM-Exclusive Photo Category will receive a FUJIFILM X-T5 with an XF16-80mm kit lens. The winner of the FUJIFILM-Exclusive Video Category will take home a FUJIFILM X-H2S paired with an XF23mm F1.4 II lens.

Winners will be announced on December 5, 2025 through FUJIFILM Philippines’ Facebook and Instagram pages (@fujifilmphilippines).

On top of that, FUJIFILM Philippines has partnered with leading tech and lifestyle brands – including ASUS Philippines, Peak Design Philippines, SanDisk, Aputure, Beach Hut, Godox, Lowepro, Seagate, and Hollyland – who will be giving away additional amazing prizes.

Adding excitement to the event, returning champions from NPVW 2024-Rey Ann Llaguno, Justin Varela, Javes Molles, and Joshua Bughao-joined this year’s walk. They were among the 61 FUJIFILM leaders who guided participants in their respective cities, sharing expertise, inspiration, and a shared passion for photography and videography.

Participants across the country set out to capture the soul of the Philippines-turning their lenses toward iconic locations like the walled city of Intramuros in Manila, the historic Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City, the urban greenscape of the Quezon Park in Davao City, and beyond. Through photography and videography, they crafted powerful and deeply personal narratives, offering a glimpse into how they envision and navigate the places they call home.

The theme for this year’s NPVW was ‘contrasts’, where photographers and videographers were challenged to express elements of juxtapositioning in their work.

NPVW 2025 proved to be more than just a photo and video walk-it was a vibrant, nationwide celebration of creativity. The event served as a refreshing and inspiring platform to reconnect and reignite the country’s creative community.

‘Many photographers and videographers from all over the nation are coming together to capture the beauty of the country. FUJIFILM supports local communities by highlighting the spirit and stories of the neighborhood and city streets. This event is open to everyone, no matter what your skill is. We want you to show pride in your city and share your unique view with the world. A big thanks as well to our walk leaders and business partners. Let’s have fun together, be creative, and connect with one another,’ shared Masahiro Uehara, President of FUJIFILM Philippines, Inc., in his opening remarks.

Jobert Lucading, a first-time participant of the NPVW 2025, shared that he came all the way from Nueva Ecija to join the photo walk in Intramuros. ‘Coincidentally, it is our anniversary (with my girlfriend) today, so we really got to celebrate our hobbies together and have fun. We were happy with the freebies and the friendly walk leaders at the event. We are looking forward to getting some insights from fellow hobby photographers,’ he shared.

Hen Namoca, another first-time participant of the NPVW, appreciated the openness of FUJIFILM to include analog users in the event. ‘I am fairly new to film photography, and photo walks like this encourage me to meet other members of the community,’ he explained. ‘Film photography is a casual hobby of mine, and I love to go around just to capture the moment and preserve the memory of a place. I am glad to be part of NPVW, doing what I love while meeting others who are the same.’

Christian Tubice shares that he has been joining photo walks for a few years, and he looks forward to the many shots he can take during the NPVW 2025. ‘I really appreciate FUJIFILM for this experience. The event makes us bond together with our passions. Out of all the brands, they are always on top with activities like this,’ he commented.

Inspired by the FUJIFILM Café concept and in support of local businesses, FUJIFILM also teamed up with 32 cafes nationwide during the photo and video walk, where lucky participants were able to receive a complimentary cup of coffee.

Visit FUJIFILM Philippines’ Facebook and Instagram @fujifilmphilippines to get the latest updates about FUJIFILM and other events happening in the future soon!

Two public utility vehicle (PUV) stops with ‘commuter-friendly’ features were unveiled in Marikina City on Tuesday.

These are located at Concepcion Elementary School and San Roque Park.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the PUV stops are designed to ‘provide commuters with a safer, more comfortable, and accessible waiting environment while promoting efficiency and inclusivity in public transportation.’

Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said in an interview with reporters that the said PUV stops are commuter-friendly, especially for persons with disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, and senior citizens.

‘There are tactile pavements for the visually impaired,’ he said, adding that these have PWD ramps and designated seats for PWDs, pregnant women, and senior citizens.

Aside from this, the PUV stops also have CCTV cameras, bike and lane route map panels, and a bike repair station.

Lopez likewise said that the overall allocations for the DOTr-funded PUV stop in Concepcion Elementary School is P2.8 million, while the smaller one at the San Roque Park is at P700,000.

He added that these will serve as a template for the next PUV stops that they will build in the future.

Meanwhile, Marikina City Mayor Marjorie Ann ‘Maan’ Teodoro thanked the DOTr that two transport stations were built in their city.

‘This is very sustainable, and this is also in line with our program that we want PWD and senior citizens to be in full swing,’ said Teodoro.

This is also a good eye-opener for alternative sources of energy because this is solar-powered,’ she added.

Baron Geisler and Jake Cuenca will join forces in the upcoming film ‘The Delivery Rider’ set to be released on Netflix on Oct. 23.

The Lester Pimentel Ong-helmed film was announced in a media con on Tuesday, Oct. 7, where Geisler and Cuenca will be joined by Euwenn Mikaell, Jennica Garcia, and JC Alcantara.

According to Ong, the film is a tribute to delivery riders, who take up this occupation and withstand many challenges in order to provide for their families.

”Yung pagiging delivery rider, it is something many are thankful for kasi maraming less privileged sa society, maraming hindi masyadong nakapag-aral and kulang sa opportunities,’ he said.

‘Dahil sa delivery riders, nabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon mag-hanapbuhay. Noong pandemic, ang dami kong na-meet na nawalan ng trabaho pero dahil sa food delivery apps and food delivery jobs, nakapag-hanapbuhay sila,’ he said.

(Many are thankful for the chance to be delivery riders. Not a lot of people are privileged enough to finish their education and have access to good opportunities. Because of delivery riders, they are given the chance to get a job. A lot of people have lost their jobs during the pandemic but because of being a delivery rider, they were able to live.)

BARON JAKELOOK: Baron Geisler and Jake Cuenca are confirmed to join forces in the upcoming film ‘The Delivery Rider’ which will be directed by Lester Pimentel Ong. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/0sC1LfMv6I

To prepare for the film, Geisler shared that he had to practice using a motorcycle to navigate around Quezon City. He also pointed out that working on the film reminded him why it’s important to treat delivery riders with respect.

‘Babalik na lang ako sa buhay [nila], mas mahusay nga ang sensibilities ng mga delivery rider which is really special. Ang sarap na inikot ko ang buong Quezon City nang naka-motor. This is where I really appreciated them. This is why I’m extra kind to delivery riders, binibigyan ko sila ng tubig and encouragement,’ he said.

(I can return to how they live. Delivery riders have better sensibilities, which is really special. It was nice to go around Quezon City through a motorcycle – this is where I really appreciated them. This is why I’m extra kind to delivery riders. I would give them water and encouragement.)

‘The Delivery Rider’ marks the reunion of Geisler and Ong after the action drama ‘Incognito.’

Instead of a mass resignation of elected officials, the influential Makati Business Club has urged the government to pursue systemic reforms to address corruption amid the flood control scandal.

‘Simply changing the people in power will not achieve the lasting improvement in the country’s governance,’ MBC said in a statement on Monday.

The statement was in response to Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for a snap election in the executive and legislative branches amid the political maelstrom caused by allegations of massive corruption in the government.

Urgent reforms

The MBC said Congress should work on long-delayed reforms, including an anti-dynasty law, changes to the bank secrecy laws and the Freedom of Information bill.

‘These are immediate measures that need to be put in place for meaningful reforms that the country need,’ the group added.

Flood control probe

The MBC urged legislators to support the passage of the proposed bills of Senator Risa Hontiveros, Akbayan party-list Representative Chel Diokno and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima to fully empower the Independent Commission for Infrastructure that President Marcos formed to look into irregularities in flood control projects.

It also said the 2026 national budget should truly reflect national priorities, including well-conceived priority infrastructure projects and rules -based social programs.

Furthermore, the MBC called for the convening of a multisectoral group composed of distinguished experts to craft an improved system for prioritizing, planning, funding and implementing public infrastructure projects. All these must be anchored on transparency, fair bidding and citizen monitoring, the business group said.

The MBC said other changes could be implemented administratively.

Financial trading has trends and techniques that fall in and out of fashion just like any other industry does. These techniques can shift from place to place and from year to year. Traders in the Philippines in 2025 are using new tools, new techniques and making money moves just like they always have, just with a slight twist.

For financial traders in the Philippines, or anywhere else in the world, keeping up to date with the most common and effective tools and techniques for trading is imperative. As the global financial market encounters new tools and techniques, shifts in usefulness and fashion can happen lightning quick.

Maybe you’re a Filipino trader who’s been busy with other things and has fallen out of vogue with what is currently being done in the market, or maybe you’re totally new to the whole game of financial trading. Either way, taking the time to understand what tools and techniques are common and punch above their weight can be absolutely vital.

Monkey See, Monkey Copy Trade

While the world of financial trading can take skill, the real skill is gained from experience and the ability to parse information. These things can’t really be shortcutted. But you can mimic the moves of traders that have those skills and make the same moves they do. This is exactly the point of copy trading: You let someone else do the legwork and research, then you follow in their footsteps.

There are plenty of platforms that are popular across the Philippines that let traders view the profiles of other traders and pick successful ones, and simply mirror what they do. Obviously, the financial market is a harsh mistress, and even the most veteran trader can make mistakes, so it’s probably best not to sell all your belongings and let it all ride on whatever AceTrader69 thinks is a good bet, even if they have an amazing track record. Even the best traders can be blindsided by events they don’t see coming.

If you are a younger trader in the Philippines, picking a more successful and established profile on one of these platforms and following their moves, maybe at a scaled-down level, could be a great way for you to learn about trading without investing heaps of money in expensive courses.

Ride the Wave with Swing Trading

Swing trading is all about biding your time and picking the perfect moment to leap. 2025 has seen swing trading pick up a good deal of popularity in the Philippines, but it is all about trying to pick the right time to buy or sell. The whole point is that you want to buy on a dip and then sell on a peak.

There is a suite of tools that can help swing traders make incisive decisions, such as:

Relative Strength Index (RSI) tools.

Moving averages (MA) calculators.

Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) calculators.

These tools all do different jobs, which we won’t cover here, but the end result is the same: They help you to identify the best time to enter and exit the swing. Swing trading is absolutely not for everyone, and it requires that you have the time to dedicate to watching small changes as well as reasonable nerves.

Maybe You Want More Action? Maybe You Want to Try Scalping

Interestingly, this article is accidentally moving from the slowest-paced to the fastest-paced trading methods that are popular in 2025. Well, we say fast-paced. A lot of the reality of scalping is that you will need to stare fixedly at charts for hours, waiting for a tiny price movement in the right direction. When that movement occurs, that’s your queue to jump in, maybe to jump out again in mere minutes.

The idea behind scalping is that you want to make a profit from small movements in currency or price movements. Two of the biggest drawbacks of scalping are that you either need to make lots of trades in a day to make any money, or you need to have the capital to make those small movements worthwhile. Getting 0.5% back from $100 isn’t much. But from $100,000? That might be worth it.

Scalpers need to work in markets that have a high degree of liquidity, such as:

Cryptocurrency.

Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) blue-chip stocks.

Forex.

As we said earlier, scalping is all about making tiny incremental profits, but with enough volume, either of the size of the trades, or the amount (and probably both), that it adds up.

Put Those Bots to Work!

Just as in many other industries, in 2025, AI bots are seeing a lot of play in the financial trading sector. While they might not be causing the same level of disruption as they are in some sectors, they have become influential as tools for many traders.

The main usage of bots in trading has been for analysis, although some are gaining popularity for making trades while their human operators are busy. While it might be a little deeper involved and require additional skills, some traders are customizing scripts to get their bots to fulfil specific instructions.

The main advantage of using bots for analysis or to make trades is that they are entirely without emotion. They aren’t going to misread the data because they have a bias, or panic and forget the plan when they see a number lower than expected. That doesn’t mean they can’t make mistakes or are foolproof, but they have their uses.

How Should Smart Traders in 2025 Move?

The best move will depend largely on your circumstances. Only you know your risk tolerance and what you can afford to put on the line. That being said, traders who are positioned to take advantage of the changing techniques and tools in the market are at a serious advantage over those who let these innovations pass them by.

Cebuana Lhuillier’s Kanegosyo Center (KNC) continues to strengthen its mission of empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its latest collaboration with Suy Sing, the country’s leading one-stop grocery distribution company.

In its most recent engagement, KNC supported Suy Sing’s Retail Academy on tax compliance by providing a full suite of resources and financial solutions for the academy’s Ka-Suy Sing MSME partners. The program featured Mon Abrea, Global Tax Policy Expert, and Chief Tax Advisor of the Asian Consulting Group (ACG), who led the session on ‘Pass the Tax Audit Today. Prevent LOAs Tomorrow.’

Beyond tax education, Cebuana Lhuillier also introduced Ka-Suy Sing partners to KNC’s full range of services-including business loans, microinsurance, and savings accounts-designed to help entrepreneurs manage and grow their operations sustainably.

‘Cebuana Lhuillier and Suy Sing share the same vision of empowering entrepreneurs to thrive,’ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘Through the Kanegosyo Center, we are not only equipping MSMEs with knowledge through training but also providing them with access to essential financial tools-credit, insurance, and savings-that can help them expand and protect their businesses. This partnership with Suy Sing’s Retail Academy perfectly reflects what KNC stands for: collaboration that delivers real, tangible support to Filipino entrepreneurs.’

The training program-attended by more than 200 MSME partners from across the country-addressed one of the most pressing challenges among small business owners: tax compliance. Abrea’s session emphasized that compliance is not just about avoiding penalties but a key factor in ensuring long-term business stability and growth.

‘This is KNC in action,’ shared Annette Tirol, Senior Vice President and Group Head for Strategy, Market Development, Data, and Customer Engagement at Cebuana Lhuillier. ‘By combining capacity-building programs like this with our range of financial services, we’re helping MSMEs become more resilient and future-ready. These are the kinds of meaningful collaborations we want to keep building-partnerships that provide knowledge, access, and opportunity to entrepreneurs nationwide.’

Through partnerships like this, Cebuana Lhuillier Kanegosyo Center continues to fulfill its commitment to empower entrepreneurs with both the know-how and financial access needed to thrive in today’s competitive business landscape.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla assured that the Office of the Ombudsman will not be used as a weapon against political rivals and critics of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

‘When I became DOJ [Department of Justice] secretary, the first thing I removed was the weaponization of the law. It will not be weaponized. I will assure everyone,’ Remulla, speaking in Filipino, told reporters after his appointment as the new Ombudsman was announced.

Remulla’s nomination as Ombudsman was met with opposition after criminal and disbarment cases were filed against him due to his involvement in the arrest and subsequent transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The criminal cases against him were eventually dismissed, and he received a clearance from the Office of the Ombudsman; thus, he was included in the shortlist of candidates.

On Tuesday, Malacañang announced his appointment replacing former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term ended last July 27, 2025.

‘The job of the Ombudsman is for the entire Philippines, not for one political camp, so we will not spare anyone here,’ he said.

One of the pending cases at the Office of the Ombudsman involved confidential funds.

‘It’s already there at the OMB, those reports. We will open them, study them, and ask the current handlers and those with the duty to handle those cases before we proceed,’ he said, indicating an intention to address high-profile matters directly.

Remulla will take his oath on Thursday and officially assume his new position on Friday.

Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Fredderick Vida will be the DOJ’s officer-in-charge.