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GCash announced earlier Thursday, October 1, that its services will be temporarily unavailable on certain schedules until Friday, October 2 as its app undergoes system maintenance.

In an advisory, Gcash said bank transfers, cash-ins via InstaPay and payments via QRPH will take a break from 11:30 p.m on Thursday until 1:00 a.m on Friday.

The GCash app itself, meanwhile, will be unavailable from 2:00 a.m to 3:00 a.m.

The e-wallet platform, which is operated by G-Xchange Inc., provides services to more than 90 million users.

The mobile wallet was also down on Wednesday, but services were also immediately restored within the day.

Meanwhile, parent company Mynt Inc. is set to hold its initial public offering this October.

According to the Philippine Stocks Exchange, Mynt is set to offer 8.03 billion primary and secondary common shares to be sold at P10.00 apiece during the offer period from October 6 to 12.

Dismissed Police Corporal Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. has detailed a highly organized, multi-million-peso cash delivery scheme involving prominent political figures.

Gracioso, a former police officer who served as the close-in security for former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco from 2017 to 2024, has outlined the specific roles played by Vice President Sara Duterte, Velasco and several individuals in moving massive sums of cash across the country.

The testimony of Gracioso is being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) despite his dismissal from service, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.

Both Duterte and Velasco denied the allegations Gracioso made against them.

According to the Bureau of Immigration, Velasco is currently outside the country. Sara Duterte’s alleged role

According to Gracioso, Sara Duterte – then the mayor of Davao City – was the primary recipient of the cash deliveries, which were described as her “budget” for allegedly traveling and campaigning.

Gracioso detailed over 10 instances between 2018 and 2020 where he personally delivered suitcases containing between P10 million and P20 million in cash to Duterte upon her arrival by private plane in Pasay, subsequently escorting her to luxury hotels like the Diamond Hotel and Edsa Shangri-La.

The cash deliveries escalated significantly during the 2019 midterm elections and Velasco’s speakership, with Duterte allegedly receiving multiple shipments of P50 million to P100 million at a time.

These transactions took place at various locations, including her residence in Davao, the Quezon City Circle and even during a family trip to the Subic Safari. The affidavit reads:

9. Pagdating sa Diamond Hotel inabot ko kay Ma’am Sara ang regalo. Kinuha niya ang paper bag habang inutusan niya ako na ibigay ang maliit na maleta kay Jefry Tupaz (“Jepoy”). Sabi rin niya na sabihin ko kay Ma’am Wen at Boss Allan na “salamat.”

10. Ang laman ng inabot kong paper bag ay Royce chocolates na paborito daw ni Ma’am Sara at ang maliit na maleta naman ay naglalaman ng 20M cash.

11. Nasundan pa ito ng humigit sampung beses mula 2018 hanggang 2020. Tuwing dumarating sa Manila si Ma’am Sara sakay ng private plane, susunduin ko siya sa hangar sa Pasay. Pinaabutan siya ni Boss Allan ng pasalubong na Royce Chocolate at maleta na naglalaman ng nasa sampu hanggang dalawampung milyong piso (P10-20 Million) na “budget” niya sa pagiikot. Personal ko itong inaabot kay Ma’am Sara o minsan kapag kasama niya ang katiwala na si Jepoy ay dito niya ito pinaaabot. Inihahatid ko sila sa Diamond Hotel, o kaya naman sa Shangri-la, Edsa.

To maintain distance from the physical cash, Gracioso said that Duterte utilized trusted aides to take custody of the money.

Her primary custodian was Jefry “Jepoy” Tupaz, whom Duterte repeatedly instructed Gracioso to hand the cash-filled suitcases, vehicle keys and cash-laden vans to.

Other aides also stepped in to receive funds; a security detail named ‘Sir Giroy’ accepted two suitcases containing P100 million in Duterte’s Davao home, while a staff member named Bryan took delivery of two cash-filled vans at the Diamond Hotel basement.

Furthermore, Duterte introduced Gracioso to Ramil Madriaga, who directly received P20 million in cash for an election caravan and later picked up another P20 million from Velasco’s home for a motorcycle riding course in Davao. Gracioso wrote in his affidavit:

Velasco’s alleged cash network

According to Gracioso, Velasco served as the coordinator and primary source of the cash delivered to the Vice President.

Gracioso revealed that Velasco accumulated these massive sums from a 25% “all-in” kickback or “SOP” on government projects across the Philippines, which was paid in advance.

Velasco and his wife, Rowena Amara Velasco, initially used their residence at No. 142 Sampaguita St., Valle Verde 2 in Pasig City to count, pack and store the cash.

As the volume of incoming money grew too large to fit in their home, Velasco purchased at least six additional properties in Valle Verde to serve as dedicated “cash houses” or money vaults.

Velasco also personally accompanied some of the cash shipments, even filling his own backpack with money from the suitcases during transit at a private hangar, according to Gracioso. His affidavit states:

Velasco, through his lawyer, denied Gracioso’s claims, saying that his account is ‘designed and fabricated.’

‘The ‘one-size-fits-all’ narrative by this individual seems to be designed and fabricated to attack as many targets as it can while being inconsistent with verifiable events, that is, the Covid-19 pandemic, Atty. Velasco’s period of service as speaker, other details, and even basic common sense,’ Velasco’s lawyer, Rowell Ilagan, said.

Paolo Duterte’s alleged involvement

The brother of the Vice President, Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City 1st District), also allegedly received money from Gracioso.

In his affidavit, he said that he delivered suitcases of cash to a bar in Davao and other places in Metro Manila. His affidavit states:

As of writing, Philstar.com has sought comment from Duterte’s camp on Gracioso’s allegations. But his camp has yet to reply.

Quimbo, Discayas and Cabral named

Former Rep. Miro Quimbo, according to Gracioso, acted as a key collector of money, which was sourced from the contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya.

According to Gracioso, there were multiple instances where he was ordered by Velasco to pick up cash from Quimbo.

These pickups frequently occurred at a Starbucks in Katipunan – sometimes with the late Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral in attendance.

Gracioso would then transport the cash back to Velasco’s Valle Verde 2 residence, where it was opened and counted by Velasco’s personal assistants, Charmaine and Joan. According to his affidavit:

As of writing, Philstar.com has sought comment from Quimbo’s camp on Gracioso’s allegations. But his camp has yet to respond.

Zaldy Co’s alleged cash deliveries

According to Gracioso, fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co’s security team frequently delivered cash, which was packed into suitcases and boxes, including balikbayan, Fortune and ‘Lucky Me’ boxes, to the residence of Velasco in Valle Verde.

These deliveries, according to Gracioso, became significantly more frequent and larger in volume after Velasco assumed the speakership in October 2020.

Gracioso personally picked up money from Co at his residence located in Valle Verde 6. During one of these specific cash pickups at Co’s house, Gracioso also witnessed former Bulacan District Engineer Henry Alcantara entering Co’s home.

The connection between their operations was further cemented when Velasco allegedly purchased one of his six “cash houses,” which were designated money storage vaults in Valle Verde 6, situated on the exact same street where Zaldy Co’s house was located. Gracioso further stated in his affidavit:

Gracioso also received money from Co on multiple occasions to be stored across Velasco’s various cash houses.

Additionally, in 2021, Zaldy Co’s security detail arrived at a private hangar in Pasay in a Cadillac and a van to deliver approximately 10 large suitcases of cash.

Co’s security loaded these suitcases directly onto a red-and-white private plane, which Gracioso then accompanied to Davao for delivery.

Zamboanga SiKat and Quezon City won in runaway fashion on Wednesday to complete the quarterfinals cast of the SportsPlus MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) 2026 Season at the One Arena Cainta in Rizal Province.

The Zamboanguenos warmed up in the second half to trounce Basilan Steel, 83-59, in the nightcap, duplicating the Quezon City Black Bulls’ 95-81 conquest of Pasig City in the first game.

Zamboanga became the South Division’s eighth and final playoff qualifier, while Quezon City booked the North Division’s last slot.

With Paeng Are pouring in five points ending the second quarter, and Brandon Wilson, John Arthur Calisay and Reggz Gabat greeting the third with an 11-3 run, Zamboanga broke away to stay at 68-44.

Wilson compiled 21 points, 14 rebounds and four steals to clinch Best Player honors over Reggz Gabat, who tallied 16 points and five rebounds.

Are contributed nine points and three assists, while homegrown Forthsky Padrigao pooled nine points, seven assists, three rebounds and two steals.

As the eighth seed, Zamboanga will face the South’s No. 1 qualifier Quezon Province in the best-of-three playoffs. Quezon City will tackle North No. 1 Abra Solid North in another best-of-three series.

Basilan bowed out of the competition as only Byron Villarias and Marc Sangco struck back with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Quezon City Black Bulls pulled away after the first quarter, 29-13, and unloaded 15 points against the Pasiguenos’ two closing the second quarter to storm ahead 47-23 at the break.

The Black Bulls continued their rampage and led by as far as 70-40 to return to the playoffs after a three-year absence.

Ryan Costelo posted 22 points, including three triples, three rebounds and three assists to emerge as Best Player over MJ Joson, who notched 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals.

Other Black Bulls who delivered were Jessie Sumoda, with 11 points and nine rebounds; and Kobe Monje, with 11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

With Costelo hitting three of four triple tries, Clark Derige going two for three, and Joson, three of six, the Black Bulls drilled in 9 of 24 for 37.5%, better than the Pasiguenos, who canned only 4 of 24 for 16.7%.

Pasig exited despite Warlo Batac’s 20-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist, two-steal effort; Jacob Galicia’s 19 points and 11 rebounds; Jerome Garcia’s 15 points; and Michael Lambino’s 10 points and five rebounds.

The quarterfinal playoffs start Friday at the Caloocan Sports Complex, with games pitting Gensan and Rizal XentroMall at 5 p.m. and Mindoro and Binan at 7 p.m.

Malacañang assured the public on Thursday, October 1, that the government has measures in place to prepare for a potentially stronger El Niño, while urging Filipinos not to hoard water.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Marcos administration is coordinating with concerned government agencies to prepare for the impacts of the weather phenomenon and has allocated funds for response measures.

“Kumbaga ang El Niño ay hindi na po bago sa Pilipinas. Kung mas matindi lamang po ang magiging epekto ngayon ng El Niño ay dahil dala ng climate change, pero handa po ang gobyerno,” Castro said.

(“El Niño is not new to the Philippines. If the effects of El Niño are more severe this time because of climate change, the government is prepared.”)

PAGASA said a “strong” El Niño is currently affecting the tropical Pacific and is expected to intensify into a “very strong” El Niño between September and December 2026 and persist through the first half of 2027. The weather bureau warned that the phenomenon increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, dry spells, drought and water supply stress in parts of the country.

The National Water Resources Board (NWRB) has reduced the allocation for the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System from the usual 50 to 53 cubic meters per second to 44 cubic meters per second starting October as part of measures to conserve water stored in Angat Dam. Irrigation allocation will likewise be cut from 30 to 35 cms to 20 cms.

The Climate Change Commission has also warned that the heat index in cities and towns with limited tree cover could reach 45 to 50 degrees Celsius during the intensified El Niño.

Hoarding ‘not advisable’

Castro discouraged the public from hoarding water supplies, particularly bottled drinking water, saying excessive stockpiling could unnecessarily tighten supply and push prices higher.

“Alam niyo naman ang tubig kapag ito ay bottled water, meron din po itong panahon na dapat ito ay i-consume. So hindi po advisable na kayo ay magtago, mag-hoard ng mga tubig ngayon,” Castro said.

(“As you know, bottled water should also be consumed within a certain period. So it is not advisable to stockpile or hoard water at this time.”)

Castro said the government has not received reports of a shortage of bottled drinking water and urged the public to prepare without panic-buying.

She said preparing for possible water shortages is reasonable, but should be done properly, including through water conservation.

“Kaagapay po ninyo ang gobyerno, ang pamahalaan at lahat ng mga concerned agencies. So hindi po kinakailangang mag-panic. Kailangan lang po ng tamang pagprepara,” Castro said.

(“The government and all concerned agencies are working with you. There is no need to panic. What is needed is proper preparation.”)

Task Force El Niño

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered agencies involved in the government’s El Niño response to step up preparations, particularly for the agriculture and water sectors.

Marcos reactivated and reconstituted Task Force El Niño through Executive Order 53 in January 2024. The task force was mandated to coordinate government measures on water supply, food security, energy, public health and safety, among other areas.

Castro said Marcos has convened agencies involved in the current preparations, including PAGASA, the Department of Agriculture, National Irrigation Administration, NWRB and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

“Lahat po ito ngayon ay pinapakilos na po,” Castro said.

(“All these agencies are now being mobilized.”)

Malacañang said Davao City Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste’ Duterte seems “unconcerned” about Vice President Sara Duterte’s financial interest in GenCorp Industries Inc. following his appearance as a witness in his sister’s impeachment trial.

At a press briefing on Wednesday, September 30, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro declined to make a conclusion as to whether Baste was covering for Duterte after claiming in his testimony that he only learned about GenCorp through the trial.

‘Hindi natin masasabi. Hindi natin mabibigyan ng anumang paghuhusga ang kanyang statement. Ang ipinakita lang niya kahapon ay wala siyang alam. Wala siyang alam. Hindi niya inalam at parang wala siyang pakialam,’ Castro said.

(We can’t say. We can’t give any judgment on his statement. What he showed yesterday was that he knows nothing. He is clueless. He did not bother to find out and he seems unconcerned.)

Baste appeared in the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, September 29, to testify on the alleged unexplained wealth of the vice president, particularly on what the prosecutors claim as a conflict of interest involving GenCorp’s contracts with the Davao City government.

He was later declared by the Senate impeachment court as a hostile witness.

The prosecutors’ arguments stemmed from the P34.2 million worth of 15 contracts in Davao City awarded to GenCorp from 2022 to 2026. Baste, on the other hand, claimed there were 19 contracts.

The vice president is listed as a stockholder in GenCorp, which was also declared in her 2024 and 2025 statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Good faith

Castro also said Baste appeared to defend himself after Senator-judge Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson brought up the Arias doctrine during the trial, asking the witness if he had been informed by his counsel regarding it.

‘Parang lumalabas na pinagtanggol niya ‘yung sarili niya as a mayor. Inangat niya yung sarili niya as a mayor,’ Castro said.

(It appears that he is defending himself as a mayor. He held himself in higher regard as a mayor.)

The Arias doctrine was established in a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1989, which states that heads of offices can rely in good faith on the decisions and signatures of their subordinates when approving routine documents.

Castro noted that the Arias doctrine can only be invoked in an isolated case and cannot be used to cover up repeated anomalies or signs of irregularities that a public official should have noticed.

The Palace spokesperson also stressed that public officials should not use the doctrine to protect their own interests or hide potential negligence of their families and allies.

‘Hindi lang ito para kay Mayor Baste Duterte. Sa lahat na po ng pinuno, dapat maging alerto rin kayo. Hindi pwedeng gamitin itong Arias v. Sandiganbayan para lang isagip ang sarili niyo,’ Castro said.

(This is not just for Mayor Baste Duterte. To all head officers, you should be alert. The Arias v. Sandiganbayan cannot be invoked to save yourselves.)

Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGEN) and PLDT’s VITRO REIT Inc. are embarking on a strategic venture to develop data centers powered by renewable energy.

MGEN and PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan led the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two companies, which covers a joint feasibility study ahead of potential project development.

MGEN is behind what could become the world’s largest integrated solar and battery storage facility, while VITRO is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLDT’s ePLDT Inc. that is gearing up for a public listing.

Under the agreement, MGEN will explore potential sites where data centers can be developed alongside power generation facilities. It will also evaluate potential power supply arrangements.

VITRO, meanwhile, will take charge of data center design and site studies, connectivity planning and engagement with prospective hyperscalers and other locators.

MGEN president and CEO Emmanuel Rubio said the partnership highlights the growing convergence of the energy and digital infrastructure sectors, with reliable power emerging as a critical factor in supporting data center growth.

‘By bringing together our respective capabilities, we can explore solutions on how reliable, cost-competitive and sustainable power can be integrated into the development of digital infrastructure,’ Rubio said.

The collaboration is expected to help the Philippines meet the growing demand for digital services and high-density computing infrastructure.

‘Improving the cost and reliability of power is one of the key objectives of this collaboration, as energy remains a decisive factor in attracting hyperscale and AI (artificial intelligence) investments to the country,’ VITRO president and CEO Victor Genuino said.

‘VITRO is committed to working closely with the energy sector to help secure ample, stable, sustainable and affordable energy for the digital infrastructure that supports the Philippines’ digital economy,’ Genuino added.

VITRO was earlier targeting to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Oct. 12, but a source told The STAR the move could be postponed to a later date.

MGEN, on the other hand, is now selling electricity from a portion of its P200-billion MTerra Solar project in Central Luzon.

MTerra Solar, which is poised to become the largest of its kind in the world, consists of a 3,500-megawatt solar farm equipped with a 4,500-MW-hour battery storage component.

The Gateway Art Fair is holding its fifth edition this year at the Gateway Mall 2 in Quezon City. It will feature over 200 artists and art groups from all over the country, its largest number yet.

More than the volume of participants, however, it will be a chance for young as well as long-time art collectors to meet the artists behind the pieces that will be on display from October 1 to 4.

‘With AI now, it’s so easy to come up with beautiful images just by entering a few words or prompts. When you think about it, it’s actually very scary,’ said professor Abdulmari ‘Toym’ Ymao Jr., Dean of the University of the Philippines-College of Fine Arts.

He was present at the media briefing held September 22 as staff from the college will lead a talk during the event on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in art education.

Ymao praised the Gateway Art Fair because unlike other local art fairs, this one puts the artists front row and center.

‘Visitors will have the chance to see and talk to the artists about their work. In this day and age of artificial intelligence, we should always look for the authentic,’ Ymao said.

‘The Gateway Art Fair is an opportunity for collectors to learn stories behind art that moves them… from authentic creatives.’

The four-day event is presented by J. Amado Araneta Foundation, Gateway Gallery and Araneta City, and co-presented by Metrobank and in partnership with Megaworld.

This year also marks the first Gateway Art Fair Awards with categories from masterpiece award and breakthrough artist award to the exhibit of the year award.

Aside from the artworks on display at the Gateway Mall 2 atrium, there will be three days of art workshops on mandala making, collaborative drawing, soft sculpting, and relief and rubber cutting.

Check out the art installations by local artists on display on the upper levels of the mall. These include works by Chris Lucas on the struggles of commuting, Elias Pernecita Jr. on art and sustainability, and Nina Libatique’s interactive artwork for pets.

Held annually since 2022, the Gateway Art Fair will be from October 1 to 4 at Gateway Mall 2.

Philippine businesses need to turn the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) into a springboard for exports, rather than simply a channel for bringing more foreign products into the domestic market, according to SM Investments Corp. economist Robert Dan Roces.

The test of whether the world’s largest free-trade agreement is delivering for the Philippines can be seen in supermarkets, where Asian brands are increasingly visible while Filipino products remain relatively scarce across neighboring markets, Roces said at the inaugural RCEP Business and Investment Summit in Manila.

‘The proof of concept is how the grocery shelf is stocked,’ Roces said during a panel discussion titled ‘The Philippines in the RCEP Economy: From Participation to Competitiveness.’ ‘What we have to be able to do is to be present on all the shelves of the participating economies in RCEP.’

RCEP brings together the 10 ASEAN economies with Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand, representing almost a third of global population and gross domestic product.

The agreement, signed in 2020 and implemented by the Philippines in 2023, seeks to reduce trade barriers and establish common rules that can facilitate cross-border commerce and supply chains.

For the Philippines, however, preferential market access is only the first step. Companies still need to meet the scale, quality, consistency and commercial requirements of buyers in larger regional markets.

‘What we need to do is shorten the trip and make the outbound journey easier,’ Roces said. ‘There are many Korean, Japanese and Thai products on our shelves today. But if we look for Filipino products in supermarkets in Seoul or Bangkok, they are much harder to find.’

The imbalance highlights a broader challenge for Philippine exporters-gaining access to regional markets does not automatically translate into distribution, brand recognition or sustained sales.

Frederic C. DyBuncio, president and chief executive officer of SM Investments, said Filipino suppliers must be prepared to compete on the requirements of large-scale retail.

‘RCEP opens the door, but Filipino products still have to earn their place on the shelf,’ DyBuncio said. ‘Suppliers need to meet the quality, volume and consistency that larger markets demand. Businesses like ours can help them get there.’

SM’s retail operations work with suppliers ranging from small businesses to established producers, giving the group a view of the capabilities needed to compete in modern retail.

Access to large domestic retailers can also give smaller suppliers experience in meeting requirements on quality, volume and reliability before they attempt to expand overseas.

The summit, organized by the East Asia Business Council and the Management Association of the Philippines, focused on how companies can translate RCEP’s market-access provisions into greater participation in East Asian trade and investment.

For Philippine producers, the opportunity extends beyond replacing imports or expanding domestic sales. Greater integration with RCEP markets could give companies access to a much larger consumer base while allowing them to participate more deeply in regional supply chains.

‘The real measure is not simply how many products come into the Philippines,’ Roces said. ‘It is whether more Philippine products can make the journey out.’

After a chaotic battle for control – and a fierce test of will and character under ever-changing weather conditions – an emerging star from Sarangani stood tall. Yet a band of proven winners remains in hot pursuit as the third round of the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge delivered as promised: a wild, wild chase.

The day began under a steady early morning rain that dampened the fairways of the Iloilo Golf and Country Club, forcing players to adjust their touch and strategy. As the morning progressed, a brief spell of bright sunshine peeked through, bringing a sudden wave of humidity that compounded the field’s physical strain before dark, overcast skies rolled back in to wrap the course in a gloomy, unpredictable backdrop.

The lead kept changing hands the moment the last drive on the first tee was struck. Four players quickly caught halfway solo leader Miki Ryoma at the helm. The race – not yet for the trophy, but for the lead – became an all-out free-for-all until Jeffren Lumbo took firm control late in the round behind what he termed a “solid” iron game.

“My irons just really clicked. It was solid,” said the 30-year-old Lumbo in Filipino, profusely praising his near-impeccable iron game that set up nine birdies within average pin-length distances. “I struggled during the first two days, but everything worked for me today.”

Lumbo’s masterful display led to an eight-under 62 and a 10-under 200 aggregate, seizing a comfortable three-stroke cushion over Jhonnel Ababa and Francis Morilla, who both could not match Lumbo’s blistering finish.

Ababa surged early into a joint lead, dropped off the leaderboard midway through, but fought his way back into contention with late birdies for a second straight 68 and a 203 total. He was matched by longshot Morilla, who birdied three of the first seven holes before surviving a roller-coaster finish of three birdies and two bogeys for a 66.

The performance put Morilla in title contention for the first time in 12 years on the Philippine Golf Tour.

“My recovery shots were good,” said Morilla, who drilled in six birdies inside eight feet to negate a pair of bogey miscues on a day when the cooling, overcast skies provided a brief respite from the sweltering heat that had plagued the field over the first two days.

Three strokes back and set to play in the final group for the first time, Morilla remained brimming with confidence.

“With how I’m driving and putting right now, I think I have a real chance. I just hope the putting stays hot,” said Morilla, 32, who narrowly missed grabbing solo second after a bogey on the final hole.

Despite the crowded leaderboard throughout the day, it was Lumbo who dominated the back nine. Becoming increasingly aggressive down the stretch, he birdied five of the last six holes on the exacting backside of Iloilo Golf and Country Club, reducing the challenging layout into his personal playground.

What started under dark skies as a day-long brawl saw Ababa, Rupert Zaragosa and Reymon Jaraula join Ryoma in the lead after just four holes. The top spot became a revolving door, with new names surging to the top with practically every hole holed out. It became the norm rather than the exception as contenders pounded and jostled just to stay on top or stay within striking distance.

Lumbo, playing in the fourth-to-last group, fueled his massive surge with a six-foot birdie putt on No. 11. What followed was a pure showcase of pinpoint iron shots and clutch putting. The 30-year-old rattled off three consecutive birdies starting at No. 13, rebounded from a missed birdie putt on No. 16, and closed his round in style with back-to-back birdies on No. 17 and 18.

“The course condition is great today, but my irons were even better,” said Lumbo, who made his breakthrough last year in a dramatic five-hole playoff against Russell Bautista at South Pacific. “My driving was steady, which is crucial to scoring on this course.”

Prior to this surge, it was his runner-up finish to Art Arbole in Negros Occidental last week that hinted at his impending ascent to a second career victory.

“My driving and putting both improved, but especially my irons,” added Lumbo. “Everything was so good, that’s why I managed to score an 8-under today.”

Lumbo’s 62, however, didn’t make the course record books because play was conducted under preferred lies.

Reymon Jaraula carded a third consecutive 68 to share fourth place at 204 alongside Ryoma, who flashed resilience throughout his round, bouncing back from every stumble. He went one-under through 10 holes, working his way back into contention after briefly losing the lead before the turn.

But after recovering from a bogey on No. 13 with a birdie on the next, he dropped another stroke on No. 15 before parring out for a scrambling 70.

Despite slipping from the top spot into a tie for fourth, the Japanese golfer remained confident in his chances of securing his breakthrough PGT victory.

Meanwhile, Rupert Zaragosa also shot a 68, while Clyde Mondilla and Ira Alido matched 69s for joint sixth at 205

With beauty pageants often associated with fierce competition, four stars of GMA Pictures’ upcoming thriller ‘Red Crown’ shared why competition among women does not have to mean tearing one another down.

Sanya Lopez, Faith Da Silva, Ashley Ortega, and Shuvee Etrata discussed healthy competition during the press conference of ‘Red Crown,’ which takes the glamorous and highly competitive world of beauty pageants to a deadly extreme.

For Faith, healthy competition means focusing on one’s own journey instead of comparing achievements with others.

”Yung healthy competition dapat hindi ka nagko-compare sa ibang tao. The success of other people doesn’t take away your own,’ she said.

Ashley, meanwhile, sees having strong competitors as an opportunity to challenge herself and improve.

‘When I have a strong competitor, I actually challenge myself to become better,’ she said.

For her, competition becomes unhealthy when it is fueled by jealousy and constant comparison.

‘If there’s a comparison or jealousy, I feel like you have lost to competition already,’ Ashley said.

The actress also reflected on the failures she has experienced throughout her career, saying these setbacks ultimately became lessons that helped her grow.

‘I’ve lost so many times before, but I didn’t take my failure as a way that I should not continue my dreams. It actually helped me to become better,’ she said.

Shuvee, for her part, acknowledged how women are often pitted against one another.

‘Uso ‘yon ngayon. They pit women against each other,’ she said.

‘But I believe the only competition that is allowed for women is healthy competition,’ she added.

Rather than viewing other women as rivals, Shuvee believes there is enough space for everyone to succeed.

She emphasized that women can support one another because ‘there’s always more room for another woman to shine.’

Sanya echoed the importance of maintaining respect and kindness even in a highly competitive environment.

‘You can be competitive even if you’re in a competition. But you’re still respectful. You’re still kind. You have a good heart,’ she said.

Their comments come as ‘Red Crown’ puts the darker side of pageant competition under the spotlight.

Directed by Dominic Zapata, the film follows 25 contestants competing in the 25th anniversary edition of the Queen of the Islands pageant. What begins as a glamorous competition, however, turns into a fight for survival when contestants begin dying one by one.

The contestants are forced to confront betrayal, sabotage and fear as they uncover the dark system behind the pageant. They must eventually set aside their differences and work together if they want to survive and expose the truth.

Written by Kit Villanueva and Ken de Leon, ‘Red Crown’ blends satire, comedy and survival-thriller elements while exploring the pressure placed on women to look beautiful, perform perfectly and emerge on top.

The film features an ensemble cast composed of real-life beauty queens and Sparkle stars, including Yana Aduana, Alethea Ambrosio, Ara Arida, Herlene Budol, Skye Chua, Faith da Silva, Michelle Marquez Dee, Haley Dizon, MJ Encabo, Shuvee Etrata, Gazini Ganados, Rein Hillary, Maika Kemmochi, MJ Lastimosa, Aira Lopez, Sanya Lopez, Ahtisa Manalo, AZ Martinez, Ashley Ortega, Vanessa Peña, Sandy Riccio, Jade Tecson, Tarah Valencia, Yna Angela Uy and Yza Thalia Uy.

Also joining the cast are Michael De Mesa, Epy Quizon, Bianca Manalo, Vince Maristela, Roxie Smith, Christian Singson, Jay Ortega, Tim Yap, Pinky Tobiano, Cat Arambulo, Anna Magkawas and Ruffa Gutierrez.

‘Red Crown’ opens in cinemas nationwide on October 28.