Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Armed with valuable lessons from the pre-Olympic Qualifiers, Gilas Pilipinas Women switches its attention and energy to the next big battle – the Asian Games in Japan.

‘We’re going to Japan and we want to move forward,’ said coach BT Toews, referring to the coming Asiad set in Nagoya where Gilas Women will continue its hunt for a breakthrough medal in the quadrennial Games.

‘That’s another chance for us to learn. It’s another chance for us to compete, but we want to win, more than anything else.’

At the 2026 Asian Games, the Philippine cagebelles will be up first against Kazakhstan (Sept. 17), Hong Kong (Sept. 20) and the host Japanese (Sept. 22) in Group B action, seeking to finish in the Top 2 to advance to the quarterfinals.

In the previous edition in Hangzhou, the Nationals, then under long-time mentor Pat Aquino, made it to the Last-8 but got the boot from South Korea (71-93), which went on to win bronze behind champion China and runnerup Japan.

Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas Youth was relegated to the battle for seventh place in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup after bowing to Japan, 75-80, yesterday in Ahmedabad, India.

The Gilas boys trailed by as many as 14 in the classification match and mounted a searing rally late that the Japanese extinguished with clutch free throw shooting.

Chog Moral rifled in 21 points in an explosive followup to his 26-point outing in their 103-117 loss to China in the quarterfinals the day before.

‘Rain, rain go away, come again another day.’

This is a nursery rhyme we learned as children. But for millions of Filipinos today, particularly those living in Metro Manila and other flood-prone communities, there is nothing amusing about seeing dark clouds gather. The rains have again brought flooded streets, monstrous traffic jams, stranded commuters, damaged homes and businesses forced to close.

Certainly, climate change has a great deal to do with increasingly intense and unpredictable weather. We are seeing extreme rainfall not only in the Philippines but across the world. But climate change cannot be blamed for everything. No matter which way we look at it, the floods keep coming back despite billions upon billions of pesos supposedly spent on flood-control projects over the years. And every time the water rises, the flood-control scandal rises with it.

For ordinary Filipinos, the question is painfully simple: ‘We paid for flood control; why are we still flooded?’ That question becomes even more infuriating when people hear about ‘ghost’ or unfinished projects, defective infrastructure and allegations that public money intended to protect communities ended up in private pockets.

The government’s own report indicates the scale of the problem. Of the flood control projects inspected, thousands were found to have issues, including projects classified as defective, unfinished or ghost. Authorities have also frozen, preserved or recovered billions of pesos in funds and assets linked to the investigation.

That there has been progress should be acknowledged. Cases have been filed, contractors, senior government officials and lawmakers have been charged or detained. The Sandiganbayan is now handling numerous flood-control and infrastructure-related cases. The Department of Justice reported that P841 million in cash from anomalous projects had been recovered and remitted to the National Treasury.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. revealed that nearly P25 billion in public funds and assets had been recovered, frozen or preserved in connection with the scandal.

More importantly, the President made a declaration that went straight to the heart of public concern: ‘Hindi ako pangulo ng aking pamilya. Hindi ako pangulo ng aking kaibigan. Ako ay pangulo ng Pilipinas.’

Those words carried particular weight because Filipinos want to believe that friendship, family connections, wealth, political influence or position will not put anyone above the law.

But there is another reality government must recognize: people are becoming impatient.

Investigations, hearings, affidavits and court proceedings are necessary. Due process must always be observed. We cannot convict anyone through publicity, congressional hearings or social media. Evidence must be gathered properly, and cases must be strong enough to stand in court.

But at the same time, justice cannot move so slowly that people begin to believe nothing will eventually happen. President Marcos himself said the work is not finished, and put it very clearly: ‘Unfortunately, the more we look, the more we find.’

That is precisely why the government cannot afford to lose momentum. The flood control scandal has become much more than an investigation into questionable infrastructure contracts. It has become a test of public confidence in our institutions and, ultimately, in government itself.

People need to see that those who stole public money, if proven guilty in court, will actually go to jail. They need to see illegally acquired assets recovered. Contractors who have cheated the government should never again be allowed to profit from taxpayers.

But accountability cannot end with prosecution – the system that had allowed this to happen must be fixed. Every flood control project should be transparent, properly engineered, independently inspected and publicly monitored. Technology can allow citizens to know where a project is located, how much it costs, who built it, when it was completed and whether it actually exists.

And we should remember that solving Metro Manila’s flooding requires more than building concrete walls and pumping stations. Drainage systems need modernization. Waterways must remain clear. Garbage disposal must improve. Local and national governments must coordinate. Urban planning must recognize that Metro Manila has grown enormously while much of its basic infrastructure was designed for another era.

Climate change makes these challenges more urgent, but it must not become a convenient excuse for corruption, incompetence or neglect.

Filipinos understand that government cannot stop the rains and that exceptionally severe weather can overwhelm even properly designed infrastructure. What is unacceptable is discovering that infrastructure meant to protect them was poorly constructed, unfinished or worse – existed only on paper.

The issue cannot be treated as yesterday’s political controversy. Flooding affects rich and poor alike, but its heaviest burden falls on ordinary families who can least afford to lose a day’s wages, furniture, appliances or livelihood. For them, effective flood control is not politics – it is protection.

That is why this scandal will not simply disappear from public consciousness. Every downpour reminds people of it. Every flooded street, and every Filipino wading through dirty floodwaters brings back questions on where those billions went.

The President deserves credit for exposing the scandal and allowing the investigation to follow the evidence wherever it leads. Now comes the harder and more important part: finishing what was started.

The rains will eventually stop. The floodwaters will recede. The streets will dry and life will return to normal. But the flood control scandal must never be allowed to simply recede with the water. Government cannot stop the rain – but it can stop the stealing.

And until Filipinos see justice served and flood control projects that actually work, every storm will bring back the same question: The rains came down, the water went up. Where did our money go?

A live-in couple was arrested during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Binlod, Argao, Cebu, at around 10 A.M. Friday, August 21, with police seizing more than 110 grams of suspected shabu worth an estimated ?748,000.

The suspects were identified as a 47-year-old man from Barangay Binlod and his 37-year-old partner from Barangay Poblacion, Ronda.

According to the Argao Municipal Police Station, the couple was allegedly involved in the large-scale distribution of illegal drugs in Argao.

Police also said the suspects allegedly supplied illegal drugs to neighboring towns in southern Cebu.

Authorities recovered an estimated 110 grams of suspected shabu from the suspects, with an estimated street value of ?748,000.

Police records showed that the 47-year-old man had previously faced a case involving illegal drugs.

His 37-year-old partner, meanwhile, had also served time for a similar offense, according to police records.

The couple is facing charges for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Gilas Pilipinas finished eighth in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup after falling against Chinese Taipei, 89-78, Sunday at the Veer Savarkar Indoor Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.

Chinese Taipei trailed by double digits in the first half but took a 14-point advantage in the fourth quarter as it gained payback against the Philippines, which escaped in their group phase matchup.

Chog Moral had another impressive performance with 22 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists in the victory. Ethan Aguas added 15 markers and seven boards, while Lino Tubongbanua Jr. had 10 points.

Carter Coleman paced the winning squad with a massive double-double of 23 points, 15 rebounds, four steals, two blocks and two assists.

Gilas had a great start, turning a 26-24 advantage to a 38-26 lead after a layup by Sizco Roquid with 5:41 left in the first half.

But a 23-3 run capped by a Li-an Chuang layup turned things around, giving Chinese Taipei a 49-41 lead at the half.

The Philippines trimmed the deficit to three, 53-56, in the third after a layup by Aguas, but Chinese Taipei retaliated with an 18-7 run to take a 74-60 lead early in the fourth.

From that point on, Gilas tried to storm back, but the nearest they got to was within nine points.

George Aidan Green had eight points and seven rebounds for the Philippines.

Yu-Sheng Xing tallied 17 markers for Chinese Taipei, while Ting-Kuan Liu and Tz-Jie Weng added 13 and 11, respectively.

Gilas won in their group phase matchup with Chinese Taipei, 89-88, in a game where the Philippines led by 27 points.

NBA legend Derrick Rose is all set to dazzle Cebuano fans in his first visit to the Queen City of the South two days from now.

Dubbed ‘Rose Meets the Queen:Derrick Rose in Cebu’, the historic event presented by ArenaPlus kicks off on Tuesday, August 25, with an exclusive Champion’s Circle Appreciation Dinner, where select ArenaPlus players will get the rare opportunity to meet and interact with the basketball icon in an intimate setting.

The two-day spectacle will culminate on Wednesday, August 26, at SM Seaside City.

Starting at 11 a.m., fans will have the chance to experience basketball activities, giveaways, and entertainment featuring renowned Filipino artist Skusta Clee.

Admission is free and open to guests 21 years old and above.

‘Sports have always been about more than what happens on the court. They bring people together and give fans a community where they can share the moments that make the game special,’ said Ethan William, Head of ArenaPlus.

‘That’s why we want to bring experiences like this closer to fans across the country, not just in

Metro Manila. Cebu has an incredible passion for basketball, and bringing Derrick here is one way for us to celebrate that community and give Cebuano fans an experience they can call their own.’

The visit marks Rose’s third trip to the Philippines as an ArenaPlus brand ambassador and his first time in Cebu – one of the country’s biggest basketball hotbeds.

A three-time All-Star, Rose made history in 2011 as the youngest player ever to win the NBA Most Valuable Player award at just 22 years old with the Chicago Bulls. He retired from the NBA in 2024 after a 16-year career.

With Rose Meets the Queen, Cebu fans get their turn to welcome the former NBA MVP and experience one of the game’s most recognizable stars up close.

Ossobuco alla Milanese, or simply Osso Bucco, is an Italian specialty dish made of cross-cut veal shanks braised with vegetables, broth and white wine until fork-tender and is usually garnished with gremolata.

Modern versions of this dish has tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onions in it. Its name, Osso Buco, translates to ‘bone with a hole’ in Italian, and the hole refers to the marrow in the hole of the bone that is highly prized in gourmet dining.

The newly appointed Lambassador of the Philippines, well-known and seasoned Filipino chef J Gamboa has created a delicious and mouth-watering lamb version of the dish and made it easy for everyone to prepare at home by making it home-style.

During the recent media lunch held at Cirkulo Restaurant where Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) officially announced his appointment, Chef J served this Homestyle Lamb Osso Buco as well as the other lamb dishes on the restaurant’s menu – and everyone loved it.

To recreate this impressive but home-friendly dish, here is Chef J’s recipe, scaled for four servings while preserving the rich red wine flavor.

Homestyle Lamb Osso Buco

Ingredients:

For the lamb:

4 pcs. lamb shanks (300 to 400 grams each)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup all-purpose flour, for dredging

2 tbsps. olive oil

Procedure:

1. Season lamb shanks generously with salt and pepper. Lightly coat with flour and shake off any excess.

2. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Sear the lamb until deeply browned on all sides for about 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Remove and set aside.

For the vegetables:

1 pc. medium onion, diced

1 pc. carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsps. tomato paste

Procedure:

1. In the same pot, sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic for 5 to 7 minutes or until softened.

2. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute.

For the braising liquid:

1 cup dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, or Merlot)

2 cups chicken stock (or beef stock)

1 cup water

2 tsps. fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp. dried thyme)

1 bay leaf (optional)

Procedure:

1. Deglaze. Pour in red wine and scrape up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly.

2. Braise. Put lamb back into the pot. Add chicken stock, water, thyme, and bay leaf. The liquid should come about two-thirds up the shanks. Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook in 160°C (325°F) oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or cook on stovetop over very low heat for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lamb is very tender and almost falling off the bone.

3. To finish the sauce, carefully remove the lamb. Let the braising liquid simmer, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning. Return lamb to the sauce and warm through.

For the gremolata:

Zest of 1 pc. lemon

2 tbsps. finely chopped parsley

1 pc. small garlic clove, finely minced

Procedure:

1. Mix together lemon zest, parsley, and garlic.

2. Sprinkle over the lamb just before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

*Chef’s tips:

1. Make the dish a day ahead to allow the flavors to deepen overnight.

2. Use a full-bodied dry red wine to make the best sauce. Avoid using sweet wines.

3. If the sauce is too thin, reduce it, uncovered, instead of adding flour.

4. The gremolata is essential. It adds freshness that balances the richness of the braised lamb.

*Serving suggestions: Serve with creamy mashed potatoes, soft polenta, buttered pappardelle pasta, saffron risotto, or crusty artisan bread.

The SM Group of the Sy family earned numerous recognitions for parent-company reporting and programs delivered through its malls and communities.

The SM Group received 12 Stevie Awards at the 2026 International Business Awards, with parent company SM Investments Corp. securing four awards.

SM Investments won Gold Stevies in the Conglomerates (large) and Best Annual Report (publicly held corporations) categories for its 2025 integrated report.

Its 2025 Sustainability Report received Bronze for Best Sustainability Report, while the SM Sustainability School secured Bronze under Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

‘Clear reporting gives investors and other stakeholders a better view of how we make decisions, manage the business and plan for the long term,’ SM Investments president and chief executive officer Frederic DyBuncio said.

‘The other awards show how that same sense of responsibility is carried through by our businesses in the communities they serve,’ he said.

SM Supermalls, meanwhile, bagged eight awards, with the Philippine International Pyromusical Competition winning Gold for Brand Experience of the Year (consumer) and the Find Your SM campaign receiving Silver in the same category.

The SM Green Movement won Silver for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility.

The SM Cares Coastal Cleanup initiative received Silver for Achievement in Environment, while SM Cares: A Mall for All received Silver for Achievement in Diversity and Inclusion.

The SM Cares Book Nook, a program that makes space in malls for people to read and share books, received Bronze for Most Innovative Creative Project.

The Empowering Communities campaign was also recognized under Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

SM Mindanao Art, which gives Mindanaoan artists and their work a wider public audience, received Bronze in the Corporate and Community (community engagement event) category.

‘People experience a mall through the things they do there, not through what we say about it. A place to read, an event that brings local art to more people, or a program that makes the mall easier to use can make a practical difference to a community,’ SM Supermalls president Steven Tan said.

The International Business Awards, now in its 23rd year, recognize organizations, executives, entrepreneurs and teams worldwide.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for the immediate passage of the Child Online Safety and Protection Act, an expanded version of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (Anti-OSAEC) Law, to equip the government with stronger legal tools against the growing threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).

The bill is currently under the period of amendments in the Senate, while it has already passed third reading in the House of Representatives.

Hontiveros said the measure should be certified as urgent amid the alarming rise of NVE.

‘This bill should be certified as urgent. NVE is an alarming new trend that needs immediate action,’ she said in a press statement.

She said the passage of the amended Anti-OSAEC bill would provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary legal tools to arrest suspects and hold those responsible for such acts accountable.

‘Let us not wait for school shootings to increase before we act,’ she added.

Hontiveros led a hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality on NVE, where she stressed that the Senate has a rare opportunity to close legal gaps that could be exploited within digital ecosystems to groom, radicalize, and push children toward violence.

She said that while OSAEC and NVE are distinct threats, both can be facilitated through the same digital platforms, lack of monitoring and early detection, and failure to protect children.

If passed, the bill would impose penalties for various forms of technology-facilitated violence against children, including both sexual and non-sexual abuse.

Hontiveros was one of the authors of the original Anti-OSAEC Law and has continued to call for its full and faithful implementation through Senate oversight.

‘We authored the Anti-OSAEC law to shield our children from different forms of online abuse and exploitation. Now that there is a new threat against them, it is our duty to address it without hesitation,’ Hontiveros added

The Visayas power grid was placed under yellow alert on Sunday, August 23, following forced generator outages and derated plant capacities that took more than 900 megawatts (MW) offline.

In a statement, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said that the yellow alert will be in effect from 6 p.m to 9 p.m.

A yellow alert is declared when operating margins fall below the transmission grid’s required contingency reserves.

According to the NGCP, available grid capacity was estimated at 2,516 MW against a forecast peak demand of 2,292 MW.

The grid operator said the yellow alert was triggered by the ongoing unavailability of two major coal-fired facilities, TVI Units 1 and 2, along with the unexpected shutdown of KSPC Unit 1 on Saturday, August 22, due to a suspected boiler tube leak.

The NGCP also reported that a total of 901.9 megawatts was unavailable to the grid due to forced outages across dozens of power plants, including eight that went offline in August 2026 and others dating back as far as 2021, as well as nine facilities operating at reduced generation capacities. Miss Universe defends Fatima Bosch amid Nawat Itsaragrisil row

It was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Big John, the Gokongwei Group founder whose riches-to-rags-to-riches story continues to be told in every Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) mall, condominium, hotel; in every Cebu Pacific flight; in every Universal Robina Corp. product; in every Robinsons Retail Holdings shopping mall, grocery, department store and so much more.

On Aug. 5, RLC officially renamed Bridgetown Avenue as John Gokongwei Jr. Boulevard, creating a permanent tribute to the taipan just days before what would have been his 100th birthday on Aug. 11.

At the unveiling ceremony, John’s only son, Lance, president and CEO of JG Summit Holdings, said, ‘This avenue is more than a physical tribute or a name on a sign. It is a living reminder of the path my father paved for all of us. It represents the foundation upon which the entire Gokongwei Group stands, and the benchmark of integrity and purpose that continues to guide our journey forward.’

Many people know John Gokongwei as a bold entrepreneur, a visionary who built businesses from the ground up.

But Lance said that to his family, and to those who worked closely alongside him, John Gokongwei was first and foremost a teacher.

‘My father lived his life by a set of very simple, non-negotiable principles: relentless hard work, absolute integrity, prudence in managing what we are blessed with and an unwavering belief in the potential of the Filipino. He didn’t just teach us these values in words; he demonstrated them every single day in the way he lived, the way he treated people and the way he made decisions,’ Lance recalled.

‘He showed us that true vision isn’t just about dreaming big – it’s about having the grit and discipline to turn those dreams into reality for the service of others,’ Lance added.

Surviving, adapting, thriving

Perhaps John Gokongwei’s biggest success is evident in the fact that his empire, now under the leadership of Lance, has outlived him and, more importantly, had the courage to adapt to the changing times.

JG Summit, for instance, made the bold move to exit the petrochemical business, as the times called for, even if it meant saying goodbye to Big John’s dream of building a modern manufacturing industry in the country.

‘By naming the road in his honor, RLC celebrates a century of his vision while recognizing the hard work, resilience, discipline, prudence and long-term thinking that shaped his life and the businesses he built,’ RLC said.

Riches to rags to riches

John Gokongwei Jr. was 13 years old when his father died.

As the eldest child, he began helping support the family and learned at an early age to meet hardship with resourcefulness.

From his challenging circumstances and humble beginnings, he slowly built businesses that expanded opportunities for Filipinos, disrupting the market.

Budget carrier

One very concrete example was the introduction of budget carrier Cebu Pacific.

As a side story, let me share with you that during a recent dinner hosted by Sabin Aboitiz, we talked about Aboitiz Shipping Company and the iconic SuperFerry, a major inter-island passenger and cargo ferry brand in the Philippines.

We recalled those times in the late 1980s when Filipinos would travel days and nights to get to the provinces. That was how it used to be back in the day, before the era of budget carriers.

These ferries were a big help to Filipinos, of course, and at the time, were the choice for many because traveling by plane was very expensive – more than double, if not triple, the price.

The SuperFerry made it possible for people to go home to the islands, but it took a while, 24 hours or more.

The Aboitiz Group eventually exited the shipping business for various reasons.

Eventually, John Gokongwei introduced Cebu Pacific, whose maiden flight from Manila to Cebu took place on March 8, 1996.

It was no doubt a game changer, and the rest is history.

Suddenly, people could travel home to the provinces in just an hour or two, instead of spending days and nights in the middle of the deep blue sea.

A road that carries the vision forward

And that was how John Gokongwei was. He built businesses around the needs of Filipinos.

At Bridgetowne estate, RLC said that same people-first philosophy is reflected in a road designed to make daily movement easier.

John Gokongwei Jr. Boulevard is at the center of Bridgetowne, playing a role in bringing John’s vision to life.

Along the road is a 200-meter bridge that provides a direct route between the Quezon City and Pasig sides of Bridgetowne, connecting the two cities.

Bridgetowne can be reached through C-5 Road, Ortigas Avenue and Amang Rodriguez Avenue.

The boulevard’s practical purpose makes it especially meaningful as a tribute to John Gokongwei.

RLC said that with the renaming, his name becomes part of a place shaped by the same belief that guided his life’s work: growth is most meaningful when it improves lives and strengthens communities.

John Gokongwei’s journey is a reminder that one can not only survive but thrive in our consistently challenging country.

And now, his road to success has a name – his very own.

Lance said: ‘May this boulevard serve as an enduring symbol of his spirit – a reminder that with vision, discipline and a heart for our nation, there are no limits to what we can build together.’