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Domestic fuel prices are set for another increase next week amid mounting market uncertainties following the expiration of the interim US-Iran agreement without a broader peace deal.

The first four trading days of the Mean of Platts Singapore point to a possible price hike of P1.75 to P2.25 per liter for diesel and P1 to P1.50 per liter for gasoline on Aug. 25.

The estimates could still widen with one trading day remaining, although prices could also reverse and result in a rollback.

‘With the expiration of the mid-June US-Iran MOU (memorandum of understanding) and both sides expressing intentions to take a harder line, markets are pricing in the possibility of a prolonged crisis,’ Jetti Petroleum president Leo Bellas said yesterday.

Also exerting upward pressure on prices are growing risks to Russian oil supplies due to disruptions in Black Sea shipments and concerns over the availability of replacement crude from the Middle East.

In its August 2026 oil market report, the International Energy Agency expects global oil demand to weaken further in the second half of the year as the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupts international supply chains.

‘Global oil demand is now expected to decline by an average of 1.6 mb/d (million barrels per day) this year,’ it said.

As of Aug. 14, the Philippines’ average fuel inventory was equivalent to 58.34 days of supply, according to the Department of Energy.

You cannot go wrong with Roast Chicken because roasting the chicken always brings out the poultry’s natural flavors, and if you enhance it with a few seasonings and aromatics, you get excellent results.

This Roast Chicken recipe by the mother-and-son team of Sylvia and Ernest Reynoso Gala uses the powerful combination of lemon and rosemary to make for a delicious whole roast. Rubbing the chicken with rosemary or lemon juice with salt and pepper is already enough, more so when combined.

Tita Sylvia, as her students call her, also teaches how to make an awesome gravy to go with the chicken.

Lemon-flavored Roasted Chicken

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken (1 1/2 kgs.), top ass removed

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Grated rind of lemon

1/2 cup (112 grams) Salted Butter

1 tbsp. each rock salt and fresh rosemary leaves (or 1 tsp. dried rosemary)

1 tsp. coarsely ground peppercorns

For the stuffing:

1 cup each baby potatoes and baby tomatoes, washed and unpeeled

For the gravy:

Drippings from the roasted chicken

3 tbsps. all-purpose flour

2 cups full cream milk

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Prepare the chicken. Place it on a foil-lined baking tray. Rub all over, including the cavity, with lemon juice.

2. Mix the lemon rind, butter, and seasonings, and rub all over chicken. Put stuffing in the cavity. Tie legs with a string. Enclose foil and bake at 350°F or 175°C for 2 hours. Open foil and cook for 30 minutes more or until golden brown.

3. Combine all ingredients for the gravy in a saucepan. Mix with wire whisk while cooking over medium fire until simmering.

4. Transfer chicken to serving platter. Serve gravy on the side.

The Gunners and Venom Vipers rolled to their second straight victory in the D’Generals Basketball Club Season 4: Camaraderie Cup at the Aulga Citi Sports in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City.

The Gunners blasted Go Hard, 97-69, while the Vipers also went 2-0 after handing Lightsout its first loss, 91-80.

Nathaniel Gudito exploded for 27 points with four rebounds and two assists for the Gunners to become the Sunsport Best Player of the Game.

Gudito was backed up by Michael Nicole Tabanas with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

On the other hand, Alloy Sayson fired a league-best 41 points with seven rebounds and four assists for the Vipers.

Roy Daclan also made a significant contribution for the Vipers with 14 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

In the other results, the Mix Hoopers and Still and Motion both improved to 2-1 after downing separate foes.

The Mix Hoopers whipped the Iron Bull, 77-59, while the Still and Motion escaped past Brotherhood by the narrowest of margins, 76-75.

William Barbosa led the Mix Hoopers with 18 points, four rebounds, and six assists to earn the Shoe-Ice Player of the Game honors. He was supported by Ken

Laraga with 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Herjon Daan showed the way for Still and Motion with 16 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Leoben Dequilla chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists.

Gilas Pilipinas Youth failed to bring down China’s great wall and yielded a 103-117 loss in the quarterfinals of the FIBA U18 Asia Cup yesterday in Ahmedabad, India.

The Gilas boys found themselves buried in a 9-20 hole early and spent the rest of the match trying to catch up with their Chinese counterparts in vain.

Chog Moral’s 26-point explosion on a 10-of-14 field goal went for naught as the Philippines bowed out of the semifinal picture and consequently missed out on a coveted stint at the 2027 FIBA U19 World Cup in Czech Republic.

Complementing Moral, who also had six steals and two rebounds, were Luke Edward Atacador with 14, Ethan Aguas and JB Cagurungan with 12 markers, and George Aidan Green 11.

Booted out of the medal round, the Pinoy U18 will now go for the next best thing – a fifth place finish in the Asia Cup – as they play in the classification stages

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to tighten the country’s sugar import policy and enable a more competitive domestic industry.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the agency is revising its sugar policy to limit imports strictly to meet domestic demand, with the proposal set for industry consultation.

‘In future importations, we will import just enough for what the country needs. Not more, not less,’ Tiu Laurel said.

He said the approach is intended to support market stability while also providing the domestic industry space to be more competitive.

‘Our fundamental policy remains clear. We want a Philippine sugar industry that is stronger, more productive, more competitive and more self-reliant,’ he added.

Tiu Laurel said the government only allows sugar imports as a temporary supply gap to prevent excessive price volatility and protect consumers.

The country has maintained a ban on refined sugar imports until November.

However, the agency will allow the entry of foreign sugar by next year amid the projected decline in sugar output.

‘Sugar importation is not the policy of this administration. It is a tool for price and market stabilization to be used when necessary and under clearly defined circumstances,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the DA will also allocate P300 million under its 2027 budget to develop laboratories or incubation centers that can produce biological agents against the red-striped soft-scale insect (RSSI).

The laboratories will be placed in each municipality to anticipate any possible resurgence in RSSI infestation.

Tiu Laurel said that the sugar industry continues to face headwinds, including RSSI infestation, high production costs, rising input prices, labor shortages, limited access to technology and financing as well as climate change.

He added that the formation of the National RSSI task force would allow the government and industry stakeholders to jointly combat the pest infestation.

The task force includes members from the DA, Sugar Regulatory Administration, farmer organizations, millers and refiners.

The pest has infested major sugarcane planting areas in the country, feeding on the cane’s fluids, thereby reducing its sugar content by up to 50 percent.

For Gilas Pilipinas Women, it’s all about ending the FIBA Women’s Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament campaign in Guadalajara, Mexico with a bang.

And the cagebelles did it in the strongest possible way: A rare victory against a non-Asian opponent at the global stage.

Claiming the scalp of world No. 22 Senegal yesterday, 79-75, the Filipinas marked one of their biggest results internationally – next only in magnitude to their historic 74-59 stunner over world No. 19 Colombia at the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament just last March in Lyon, France.

This takedown also gave the No. 30 Pinay dribblers payback for the 62-87 beating they received from the African powers when they previously faced off at the FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Rwanda back in August 2024.

Gilas Women extracted a W from Senegal nearly 12 years after Gilas Men claimed the country’s first victory outside Asia in a long while at the expense of the Senegalese, 81-79 in overtime, at the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Seville, Spain.

Vanessa de Jesus, Sophia Dignadice and Kacey dela Rosa shot 16 apiece to lead the Filipinas’ effort to exit the pre-OQT on a positive note after their fumbling start in Group B against host Mexico (58-61) and world No. 7 Canada (38-85).

‘What a difference a day makes. Senegal is definitely not Canada but their ranking is better than ours,’ said coach BT Toews, who got his first win at the helm.

‘Yesterday (against Canada) we were talking about being completely dominated in every category. Despite that, I still thought that our defense was getting better, and I thought we showed that today big time.’

Despite bowing out with a 1-2 record, Toews viewed this campaign as a promising start for his Gilas Women program.

‘One game does not give you an identity but we’re definitely headed in the right direction,’ he said.

‘We need to play with passion, which is something that the Gilas team always does, and fight. But fighting is not enough at this level, your brain has to follow so we’re still waiting for the execution to get better.’

Heavy rains and flooding from the enhanced southwest monsoon destroyed more than P591 million in government infrastructure and local agriculture here in the last two weeks, prompting the Zambales provincial government to declare a state of calamity on Wednesday, August 19.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), which recommended the emergency declaration, said the destruction of critical and lifeline infrastructure has curtailed accessibility and the delivery of essential assistance to affected communities in the province, and that the magnitude and geographic spread of impacts ‘warrant coordinated provincial-level intervention.’

It also pointed out that the province continues to be threatened by adverse weather conditions, thus the need for sustained emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.

The PDRRMC said the declaration of a state of calamity will boost province-wide coordination of response, recovery and rehabilitation measures, and allow government offices and local government units implement appropriate recovery and rehabilitation programs.

According to Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Rolex Estella, Zambales heavily incurred damages in government infrastructure, with P569.26 million losses reported so far from breached river dikes and collapsed revetments.

Seven sections of the river dike along the Bucao River in Botolan, Zambales were totally damaged, while six other breaches were reported along slope protection projects in the towns of Masinloc, Cabangan, and Botolan, Estella said.

PDRRMO data showed the seven dike breaches along Bucao River, which is a major tributary of Mount Pinatubo, totaled 2,931 linear meters.

In Subic and San Marcelino towns, which are both drained by the Sto. Tomas River, a total of four river revetments were also totally damaged.

The local engineering districts of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Zambales estimated the aggregate cost of repairing the destroyed dikes and revetments at P1.28 billion.

Meanwhile, more than P23.81 million were lost in terms of crops, agricultural infrastructure, and farm machinery and equipment due to heavy habagat rains, Estella said.

The PDRRMO broke down the agricultural losses as follows: P11.21 million in palay crops, P8.7 million in corn and other high-value crops, P1.39 million in fisheries, P1.34 million in agricultural infrastructure, P1.1 million in livestock and P61,500 in farm machinery and equipment.

A total of 1,498 farmers and 892.3 hectares of farming and fishery facilities were badly affected, the PDRRMO also reported.

Estella also said that the flooding in the last two weeks displaced more than 7,000 residents across the province at the height of the typhoons, partially damaged a total of 256 houses, and totally destroyed 32 others.

In a rousing international debut, Palarong Pambansa standout Anton Paulo Dominick Della secured an age group silver in the men’s 10-kilometer race that kicked off the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Championships presented by the Philippine Sports Commission here yesterday.

Swimming in ideal conditions at the 1.66-kilometer course off the Boracay Newcoast overlooking the Sibuyan Sea, Della clocked two hours and 20 seconds in placing second in the 18-19-year-old division.

The pride of San Fernando, La Union, who bagged four golds in the most recent Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur, actually narrowly missed a podium finish in the Open division.

He was five seconds behind Vietnamese bronze medalist Van Dung Cao (2:00.15) in the event won by another Vietnamese Ngoc Vin Dho (1:58.30). Mochammad Taufik took bronze (2:00.06).

For years, the dream for most aspiring Mobile Legends: Bang Bang players was simple: make it to the MPL Philippines, secure a spot with a franchise team, and hopefully earn a chance to compete internationally.

But for thousands of grassroots players and independent organizations, that dream often felt out of reach.

That may soon change with the introduction of the MLBB SEA Championship Tour (MCT SEA), a new regional competition that opens a pathway for non-franchise teams to qualify for the M8 World Championship.

Announced as part of MLBB Philippines Esports’ roadmap for the remainder of 2026, MCT SEA connects domestic development leagues across Southeast Asia to the global stage, creating opportunities for aspiring professionals outside the established MPL ecosystem.

“MLBB Esports has entered a new era of globalization, and the Philippines has a unique role to play in it. We are building an ecosystem that connects Filipino talent from local competition to Southeast Asia, and ultimately to the global stage,” said Lee Viloria, head of business development and partnerships for esports at Moonton Games Philippines.

Under the new system, champions of development leagues such as MDL Philippines will no longer see their season end at the domestic level. Instead, they will have a chance to compete against counterparts from Indonesia and Malaysia, with a route toward the MCT SEA playoffs and ultimately a berth in the M8 Wild Card.

While MPL Philippines remains the country’s primary route to the world championship, MCT SEA offers something many aspiring players have long sought: another legitimate path toward international competition.

Viloria noted during a Season 18 press conference that for years, semi-professional teams had limited opportunities beyond local competition.

“For the longest time, yes, we have MPL. But after their journey in a season in MDL, usually what’s next? But now, with the program called MCT, we already have a platform for our semi-pro teams to discover and prove that those teams that are not included in the franchise league can also battle it out on the international stage,” said Viloria.

For Jon Arvin Tenoria, better known as content creator and Team Fuego owner Fuego Gaming, the change could be transformative.

As someone who built his name teaching Mobile Legends concepts online before eventually establishing his own MDL organization, Tenoria believes the new tournament gives aspiring players something they previously lacked: a visible future.

“I think MCT SEA is a great opportunity for players to compete eventually on the international stage. Previously, joining MDL Philippines could lead to a transfer to the professional league, while winning the local MDL title was already seen as the ultimate goal. With MCT SEA, players now have a more unified pathway to advance from the national level to regional and global competition, including the M8,” said Tenoria.

Tenoria, whose journey from MAPEH teacher to gaming educator and team owner was previously chronicled by Philstar.com, said many young players often questioned the value of competing in development leagues because there appeared to be little progression beyond the domestic level.

“When they say MDL, they are saying, ‘What’s the point of joining MDL?’ Most Filipino players before were not looking forward to joining the MDL because they do not see the future out of it. But because of this unified pathway leading to M8, Filipinos will become encouraged to join and compete,” added Tenoria.

The arrival of MCT SEA comes at a notable time for esports in the Philippines.

While competitive gaming continues to grow and Filipino teams remain among the world’s best in Mobile Legends, public discussions surrounding video games have recently intensified, with some sectors raising concerns about their impact on young people.

As a former educator, Tenoria believes those conversations should be approached with nuance.

“When you view a game as just a game, people can look down on it. People tend to forget that Mobile Legends and other titles are also esports. Esports is not just a game. It can help kids who dream of competing in their own way on a global stage,” said Tenoria told Philstar.com.

Tenoria emphasized that gaming should not be treated as the sole cause of behavioral problems among children and teenagers.

“Maraming factors na pwedeng maka-apekto sa isang bata. Hindi natin pwedeng sabihin, para sa akin lang, na kaya siya nagkaganito ay dahil naglalaro siya ng games. It’s too collective of a reason. Yung esports at video games, hindi siya yung sole reason,” added Tenoria.

Amid renewed discussions about the impact of video games on young people, Tenoria believes initiatives like MCT SEA can help shift the conversation toward the opportunities esports can create for aspiring young players.

“Hindi na lang mga big companies yung magko-compete sa worlds. May chance na yung mga grassroots teams and mga aspiring players, kahit malayo at mahirap, at medyo, sabihin natin, talagang butas ng karayom ang nadadaanan nila. Kasi ang dami nilang kailangan talunin para makapunta sa M8 pero the thing is may opportunity. May pag-asa na for those teams na hindi franchise. May patutunguhan na yung mga teams na hindi, sabihin na natin, hindi ganun kayaman para makabili ng slot sa MPL. May future para sa mga aspiring players dahil dito sa MCT,” said Tenoria.

The inaugural MCT SEA will feature 12 teams from across Southeast Asia competing for a $50,000 prize pool and coveted spots in the M8 World Championship.

The tournament creates a direct pathway for development league and open circuit teams, with the MDL Philippines champion set to battle counterparts from Indonesia and Malaysia for a chance to advance deeper into the regional competition and ultimately contend for M8 qualification.

The top two teams will qualify directly for the M8 Main Stage in Istanbul, while the third- and fourth-placers will earn spots in the M8 Wild Card.

For decades, I hosted a radio segment. I enjoyed every moment of it. Still, complaints would come in from time to time, always about the same thing. It was never about the content. It was my voice.

Some found my voice irritating and said my delivery needed work. The odd thing was, they liked what I had to say; they just could not stand the way I said it. I tried, but by the time I left the program, I still hadn’t really fixed it.

Now, I post many short video clips online, and the internet, with its honesty, has a way of keeping me humble. The other day a comment appeared under one of my TikTok clips. It read: ‘Why is Francis Kong swallowing his words? It is so hard to understand. Just close your eyes, don’t look at the captions.’

Then this well-meaning person ended with, ‘Just positive feedback.’

I replied, ‘Thank you. Will try to improve on it.’

Here is what I find interesting. Back on the radio, that comment would have bothered me. I would have lost sleep over a voice I could not make perfect. This time, I read it and smiled.

Something has changed in the world, and now my imperfect delivery seems to fit right in. If millennials disliked the ‘airbrush,’ young people today have turned against the ‘filter.’ But now, the twist is that people want imperfection. They like raw images and unpolished captions. The small mistakes that would have shocked a creative director twenty years ago are now seen as special.

For them, imperfection is not a flaw. It shows something is real.

The numbers tell the story. In a 2024 Gen Z report by Rival Technologies and Reach3 Insights, nearly half of young respondents, 47.5 percent said they were ‘not very likely’ or ‘not likely at all’ to buy what an influencer recommended. On trusting claims, only 12 percent trusted influencers, while 42 percent trusted independent sources.

What did they want instead? In their own words, ‘normal people with normal incomes and lives.’ Not celebrities with perfect jawlines and sponsored teeth.

That is why companies are moving away from mega-influencers toward micro-influencers, everyday people with smaller but loyal followings. The Influencer Marketing Hub reports that micro-influencers on Instagram average a 3.86 percent engagement rate, while mega-influencers reach only 1.21 percent. Brands have noticed: Stack Influence found that 73 percent now prefer micro- and mid-tier creators.

Fewer followers, but more trust. Surprising, but true.

This may explain something happening to me lately. Recently, I have received offers to promote products and services, and invitations to be a ‘brand ambassador.’ This never happened before.

Yes, I have a large following across several platforms. But I have not monetized it, and I have never thought of myself as an ‘influencer.’ I use these platforms the way I would use a classroom or a stage, to share thoughts and ideas that might help people improve their lives, relationships, careers and businesses.

Now, with all my imperfections out in the open, it seems a new career might be starting for me.

Francis Kong, the influencer?

Let me enjoy a small moment of satisfaction because I have been saying this for decades, long before smartphones existed. The old-fashioned traits still rock.

Credibility, track record, integrity and character are the real virtues. No filter can fake them and no algorithm can create them.

Now, trust is built on a proven track record. Young people are not rejecting influence. They are rejecting counterfeit and searching for real people.

This is not really about marketing. It is about life.

Solomon wrote it long ago in Proverbs: ‘A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.’

That was true when he wrote it. It is trending again today.

So, what should we do with this, whether you sell shoes, run a small business in the province, or lead a boardroom in Makati?

If you are an entrepreneur, stop trying to appear bigger than you are. Being small is not a weakness. It may be your credibility.

If you are a leader, your team is watching you every day, and they can spot a fake promise from far away.

If you are a young professional, your reputation is quietly growing, like interest. Protect it. It is the only asset that increases in value even while you sleep.

The tools have changed. The pace has changed. The platforms have changed. But the most important thing has not.

It has always been trust, and trust is always earned.

Filters come and go, but character never goes out of style.

As for my voice, I have accepted it. Maybe the message was always what mattered, and maybe the younger generation was right all along.