Sanya Lopez, Arra San Agustin, other Kapuso beauties talk baring skin, women empowerment

By Neil Ramos

Published Nov 7, 2026 11:41 am

• Sanya Lopez, Faye Lorenzo, Arra San Agustin and other Kapuso actresses share their thoughts on women empowerment as FHM Philippines returns with its November issue.

There is no denying that a big part of FHM's appeal has always been the women on its pages. And with the magazine making a comeback online and in print, six Kapuso actresses are giving readers a fresh look at what it means to pose for a publication long associated with beautiful women and the men who admire them.

Sanya Lopez leads the November issue, appearing on the cover in a black two-piece bikini with white trim. Her toned figure is hard to miss, but the actress says being part of FHM's return means more to her than simply posing for the camera.

“Kilala na ang FHM noon. Kumbaga, part na siya ng culture natin. At nakakatuwa lang na ngayon e, parte ako ng pagbabalik nila,” she said.

Sanya also brushed aside the possibility of criticism, saying people will always have different reactions.

“Kahit ano naman gawin mo, may matutuwa, may mga hindi natutuwa. I'm just blessed na maging parte ng moment na ito.”

The actress also disagreed with the idea that featuring women's bodies in a magazine automatically turns them into commodities. She said she was consulted throughout the shoot and was never asked to do anything she was uncomfortable with.

“Ako personally, hindi ako naniniwala kasi nung sa photoshoot pa lang they were really very collaborative, gusto nila yung input ko and they don't want me to do anything na hindi ako comfortable so, I don't think its disadvantageous to women.”

Joining Sanya in the issue are Faye Lorenzo, Vanessa Peña, Liezel Lopez, Analyn Barro and Arra San Agustin. They, too, welcomed the chance to be featured.

“I'm just so happy. Isang karangalan ito para sa akin,” Faye said.

Arra, who remembers admiring the women featured in the magazine when she was younger, said she was happy to finally be part of it.

“For me, nakakatuwa dahil fan kasi ako. Noon nakakakita ako nito at napapa-wow talaga ako sa mga babaeng napi-feature dito.”

Analyn sees the shoot as a celebration of women.

“For me, it's all about women empowerment, it is about celebrating femeninity, the beauty of women.”

The magazine's new team says the women featured will have a say in how they are presented. Adela-Mae Marshall, spokesperson for Playtime, the group behind the relaunch, said the shoots are meant to be collaborative, with the women involved in decisions about styling and presentation.

“There is no concept or styling imposed, they have a lot of say. We want it to be collaborative. We are telling their story and no one can tell it better than themselves,” Marshall said.

 

HOTPOT: “'Sana all': Wishing for a Philippine edition”

Tonyo Cruz

The stunning rebuke of Donald Trump in the midterm elections is the latest in a string of anti-fascist victories in many parts of the world… Previously: the surprise electoral defeat of Hungary’s autocrat Orban, the student-led protests in Serbia that led to the dramatic defeat of the government in the hands of a Student List, Lula’s victory in Brazil that led to Bolsonaro fleeing to Miami, and the election defeat of the ruling coalition of Israel’s Netanyahu. Each is a hard-won triumph… They inspire people in other countries facing or under fascism, corruption, and all sorts of evils. Read more

When every peso hurts

 

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Nov 7, 2026 12:05 am | 

Updated Nov 6, 2026 06:11 pm

For a taxi driver who went to market with ₱100, the day’s arithmetic was painfully simple. A small carrot cost ₱60. Cabbage cost even more. He returned home without either, carrying the money but not the vegetables he had hoped to buy.

That small disappointment captures a national emergency unfolding quietly in kitchens, markets, and neighborhood stores. Inflation reached 7.8 percent last October, its highest in 44 months. More troubling, the purchasing power of the peso fell to a record low: ₱1 today buys only what 72 centavos could buy at 2018 prices.

For families already stretching every peso, this is not an abstract economic indicator. It means less food on the table, another postponed purchase, or a difficult choice between commuting to work and paying the electricity bill.

The burden falls most heavily on those least able to absorb it. Inflation among the country’s poorest households—the bottom 30 percent by income—reached 9.5 percent last month, much higher than the national headline rate. Rice prices for these households rose by nearly a fourth, while transport costs jumped by over a fifth. The essentials of daily survival are becoming increasingly expensive. Unlike better-off households, these families have little room to switch brands, cut discretionary spending, or draw on savings. When prices climb, the sacrifice is immediate and personal.

Nor is relief necessarily around the corner. Private-sector economists expect inflation to breach eight percent this month, with some also anticipating another substantial interest rate increase in December. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has warned that elevated inflation could persist, keeping borrowing costs high and adding pressure on households as well as businesses alike.

Across social media, small entrepreneurs describe another painful calculation. Customers are buying less, operating costs keep climbing, while many business owners say taxes and compliance expenses are squeezing what little income remains. Reports of shops closing across the country should concern policymakers: every shuttered storefront can mean a family losing its livelihood and workers losing their wages.

Some businesses warn they can hold prices only until Christmas, with increases likely by January as they try to recover costs early next year. The holiday season may therefore offer little comfort to families already wondering how to afford a modest celebration.

The government has not been idle. Support for farmers, fuel subsidies, direct marketing programs, and efforts to stabilize electricity costs are important. But one-time assistance, especially when timed around Christmas, cannot substitute for a durable response to an erosion of purchasing power that has accumulated over years.

What is needed is a coordinated effort to make basic goods cheaper to produce and deliver. Agricultural productivity, reliable irrigation, affordable energy, better transport logistics, and faster movement of food from farms to markets deserve sustained attention. Price monitoring must be paired with action against supply bottlenecks, not merely announcements after prices have risen.

Small businesses also need breathing room: simpler compliance, accessible working capital, predictable rules, as well as practical support to manage energy and transport expenses. Assistance should help enterprises keep their doors open and preserve jobs, not leave them dependent on occasional relief.

The challenge is urgent but not beyond government action. Agencies must work together, measure whether interventions actually lower costs, and adjust quickly when they do not. Families need more than assurances that help is coming; they need to feel the difference at the market stall and the checkout counter.

A Christmas cash handout may buy a meal. A lasting policy response can help ensure that next Christmas, families can afford one without having to ask for help.

Baby Doll Juby reflects on Donny Pangilinan dream controversy: 'It hit me on my rock bottom'

 

By Neil Ramos

Published Nov 7, 2026 01:56 pm

At A Glance

• Baby Doll Juby looks back on the backlash over her viral dream about Donny Pangilinan and admits the controversy taught her to be more careful with her words.

Baby Doll Juby has learned to be more careful with her words after drawing criticism over her viral story about a dream involving actor Donny Pangilinan.

The Baby Dolls member revisited the controversy during her guest appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” recently.

Juby made headlines after revealing on “Gandang Gabi Vice” that she once dreamed of Donny doing intimate things with her. The remark drew criticism from some of the actor's supporters, who felt it was disrespectful to him.

Asked to look back on the incident, Juby described it as something that brought her to “rock bottom.”

“I would say na it hit me on my rock bottom, Tito Boy,” she said.

Her phrasing may have been a little difficult to pin down, but Juby appeared to be saying that the backlash was a low point for her, one that forced her to reflect on her actions and newfound public exposure.

“Parang ang dami kong realization. And since kaka-start lang namin, I would consider that as learning experience ko po and namin,” she added.

The experience has made her and the rest of the group more mindful of what they say, especially now that they have a bigger platform.

“Magiging extra careful po ako and kami,” Juby said.

She also said things have been settled between her camp and Donny with their respective management teams supposedly having already discussed the issue.

Donny had earlier said he was not offended by Juby's story, although he admitted that seeing the group afterward could feel awkward because they work under the same network. He also believed that she had no bad intentions when she shared the dream.

The courage to serve

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Gospel for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 25:14–30) presents

the familiar parable of the talents. At first glance, it seems to be about money and

investments. Yet its deeper message is about the gifts, opportunities, and grace God

entrusts to each of us. They are never meant to be hidden away but to be used

generously in loving service. What matters is not how much we receive, but what we do

with what has been placed in our hands.

The master gives different amounts to each servant according to his ability. This

shows that God knows each person intimately. He understands our strengths,

limitations, and circumstances. He never expects the same results from everyone, but

He does expect each of us to respond faithfully to the gifts we have received.

Two servants immediately put their talents to work and double them. The third

servant, however, does nothing. Fear controls him. Instead of trusting his master, he

buries the talent to avoid any risk. His greatest failure is not that he earned nothing, but

that fear prevented him from acting at all.

This temptation is familiar. We hesitate to take the first step because we fear

mistakes or criticism. We delay doing good because we think our contribution is too

small. We compare ourselves with others and end up doing nothing. In the process,

valuable opportunities to love, serve, and grow quietly pass us by.

The Lord reminds us that faithful stewardship always calls for action. Every gift

has a purpose. Our talents, knowledge, resources, and time are meant to benefit others

and give glory to God. Even our struggles can become offerings that strengthen our

faith and encourage those who are carrying heavy burdens.

The parable also points to a day of accountability. Each servant eventually

stands before the master to give an account. This should not fill us with fear but with

purpose. God is not waiting for us to fail. He desires that we grow by cooperating with

His grace and making good use of what He has lovingly entrusted to us.

The master's praise is striking. Both faithful servants hear the same words: “Well

done, good and faithful servant.” One earned five talents and the other only two, yet

both receive the same reward. This teaches that God measures faithfulness, not

numbers. He looks first at the love, generosity, and perseverance behind our efforts.

This truth frees us from comparing ourselves with others. Some are called to

serve large communities, while others quietly sanctify family life or ordinary work. Some

preach to many, while others inspire through hidden acts of kindness and sacrifice. The

size of the task matters less than the fidelity with which it is carried out.

The third servant lost everything because he allowed fear to rule his heart. Fear

keeps us from discovering what God's grace can accomplish through us. Trust, on the

other hand, gives us the courage to act despite our weaknesses. God does not ask for

perfection before we begin. He simply asks us to begin with confidence in Him.

This Gospel invites us to examine how we are using the gifts God has given us.

Today is the best time to start if we have delayed. Let us serve generously, work

faithfully, and live responsibly, knowing that every act of love offered to God has lasting

value. Then, when the Lord comes, we may joyfully hear His welcome: “Well done,

good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your master.”

What are the signs that you are wasting your life?

 

Edit: Seeing as this answer has gotten a lot of attention recently, I think it deserves another edit after 7 years. I kept the original points but added some additional information as a test to see if this helps people more or disrupts the post.

• You stay at home every chance you get - The world is waiting for you outside your home. None of the best things you experience will happen inside your own home.
• Edit: This point hinges on the word “every” chance you get. People that work from home, order in, and don’t step a foot outside most weeks. If you go outside to work, to meet friends, or to just go for a walk, then this already excludes you. The point is to leave your home some time. What that means depends on you, your social battery, your day-to-day and about a thousand other factors. There is a clear correlation between leaving your home and being happier in life; this is true for the average person.
• Your favorite word is “but” - “But I don’t want to. But I have too much to do. But it will get better on it’s own. But it doesn’t matter that much.” “But” is the best excuse maker you can find, nothing more.
• Edit: Try replacing it with “Yes, and” and see what happens. For many it is easier to say “No” or “but” to themselves not to do something, than it is to say “Yes”. Again, if you are a person too burdened by life, or are saying “Yes” to everything, that may also be overdoing it. Many people listen to the doubts, fears and worries, and then have no energy to say “Yes” to their dreams, their friends or themselves.
• Sleep > anything else - Your favorite place is your bed or your couch, you sleep in any chance you can get and you wish you could spend the entire day under the covers instead of experiencing the amazing things life has to offer.
• Edit: Sleep is important for everything. You need your 7–9 hours (depending on your own biology), but that is it. More won’t catch up on sleep, nor will it make you feel more awake. Instead, it will just waste time to let life pass you by. That does not mean you have to stand up and go for a Marathon, but try to get your day started faster when you wake up and use sleep when you need it.
• Your life is “fine” - “Fine” is the worst way to describe your life. If you ever use that word you know something is not going right.
• Edit: There is nothing wrong with a “good” or “quaint” life. That is an important distinction from a “fine” life, in the way it is meant here. The default “I am fine” is mostly something to say to avoid the truth. Very few people that say their life is “fine” actually believe that. It would be better to be honest and admit that you do not want to do anything about that, than to lie. You don’t have to do anything about it either, it is your life, but lying about how “fine” it all is serves no one.
• You are unhappy more days than not - Generally there is a feeling of unhappiness about your life, not one of excitement, joy and passion.
• Edit: Unhappiness is not the same as depression. Everyone is unhappy some days. We all experience it, and all experience it many times a year. The problem isn’t unhappiness or a lack of happiness, but the consistency in which it shows up in. If you are unhappy every day, or even multiple days a week, then your time is likely spent on avoidance or settling rather than problem solving. BIG CAVEAT: Depending on how busy, stressed or sad your life is, you may not have the energy to solve that problem alone. If that is true, then please find someone to talk to about it because that does not have to be the norm. Regular unhappiness is a warning sign. Take it seriously.
• Most of your day involves wasting time - At your job you try to look productive without being it, and at home you try to feel productive without being it. You are not giving any value to the world and just wasting your time away until you die.
• Edit: The main part that makes life feel fulfilled is conscious choice. If you consciously choose to watch cat videos all day after a stressful week, that is not a waste of time. If you go to the gym for two hours every day just because everyone else is, that actually has more of a chance to be a waste of your time. Be conscious about your choices, and choose every time you can. Caveat: Life is unfair. Some people do not have the option to choose, nor can they make choices every minute of every day, or even about many big things. That is not fair, but it is the reality. The point is that you choose what you can, make choices where you can, and become an active participant in your own life as much as you can. It is all relative.
• You are bored a lot - Boredom is one of your key emotions and you would not know what to do without Internet or your phone, or god-forbid if you were alone.
• Edit: This one follows the same principle as the Unhappiness edit. It is not about never being bored, but about the consistency in which boredom shows up. Feeling bored after an intense book, or after a long night out, or after finishing a really captivating movie, is normal. Not being bored also does not mean your life has to be exciting. This brings up the point about a “good”/”quaint”/”fine” life again. The problem is that boredom often leads to unconscious choices, and that, in large, to a wasted life.    

• You wait for things to happen - You don’t call your friends because you didn’t plan anything, and you don’t go to the local events because you are too afraid to try out something new. But if something interesting were to happen I’m sure you would be first one out…
• Edit: If you sit at home, choosing what to do with your day, you are not waiting for something to happen. But if you are missing something in your life, and are avoiding looking at it, if you let time pass by in the hopes it comes to you by chance, then it is a waste of time. Life does not owe you that. It may never happen this way. Just don’t let your discomfort or fear keep you from chasing after the things you truly want.
• No one wants to spend time with you - No one wants to be around a boring person. Sad, but true. When you are wasting your life your friends, family and everyone else will notice it and try their best to avoid you to avoid being dragged down with you.
• Edit: This one is another sign, much like the unhappiness point. If you seek out people, and they avoid spending time with you, it likely is a reflection of the energy you bring. This is one of the bigger amplifying factors in depression. Noticing it before it spirals to that level can change the trajectory. And, again, the opposite of this is not the solution. You don’t need “everyone” to want to spend time with you.
• Nothing changes - Year after year you have the same resolutions because you never get done what you set out to do. And year after year you fail again. Haven’t you had enough of nothing ever changing?
• Edit: The key point here is that you “fail” in the resolutions you set to change life. If you like your life, then I assume you are not reading this post (if you are anyway, then you may not need anything to change). If you do not like your life, however, and nothing changes, then you need to try new things. That often means more uncomfortable things, or more difficult ones, but it can also be something simple or small. Change isn’t always good either. That is not the point of this point. The point is that any change causes a disruption, and any disruption to a life you feel you’re wasting, gives you opportunities to improve it. Without disruptions you will stay stuck in the same loops you’ve always been in.

Final note: Life is complicated. Your situation, personality, experiences, the way life treated you, the hand you were dealt, the place you grew up… everything matters and nothing can encompass it all. If these tips help you: Great. If not, then ignore them.

What golden advice did you learn in your life?

 

1. Jealousy can hide in complements, envy can hide in support and hate can hide in love. Just because they’re giving it to you, doesn’t mean they have it for you.
2. No one is judging you as hard as you think. And if they are, that sounds more of a their problem than your problem.
3. Everybody says they are grown and mature until it’s time to apologize or communicate.
4. Leave people in whatever the reality they have chosen.
5. People always have a way of revealing who they are. You just have to give them space and time to do so. No mask can be worn forever.
6. Trust nobody, people talk good and still move different.
7. The less people you chill with, the less problems you deal with.
8. Anybody can change suddenly, doesn’t matter how close the bond is. At some point you have to let people go, before they destroy you as a person.
9. It’s not overreacting, we all have different sensitivity. If it hurts, it hurts.
10. Be clear on who gets your time, who gets your energy and who gets nothing.
11. Don't go above and beyond for people anymore. Include them as much as they include you. Don't do extra.

What is the most innocent thing a person ever asked you?

Not to me, but to his mom.

So, my neighbour has a little cute kid. He is kinda mischievous kind of kid who keeps doing unpredictable things.

It was that day, he and his mom were there at our home. We were having a discussion on the daily topics. And this kid was playing with the clay kept at our home.

I got bored with the conversation and started TV to listen some good music.

There was this "Vaaste" song started playing on the TV.

As soon as kid saw that, he immediately hold the hand of his mom and asked her to dance with him. (That kid always make her mom dance along with him whenever his favourite songs plays)

That kid was showing great enthusiasm. He was trying to copy each possible steps he can. As they were dancing, suddenly this scene came,

That kid immediately lifted his t-shirt. His mom didn't do that. He kept asking her to do that but his mom started laughing hard and keep on saying, "No! No! Son.."

That particular situation made all of us busted out in a huge laughter, including me. His mom patted on my mom's hand while laughing.

But that kid seems to be in confusion why his mom didn't do that. He was literally enjoying that step as he lifted up 2-3 times his t-shirt. And our laughter didn't stopped for a good time.

The Kingdom of God is in our midst

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THE Gospel for Thursday of the 32 nd Week in Ordinary Times (Luke 17:20-25)

invites us to see God's kingdom with fresh eyes. The Pharisees asked Jesus when the

Kingdom of God would come. They expected something dramatic and unmistakable.

Christ answered that the Kingdom was already in their midst because he himself was

present among them.

The same misunderstanding can affect us today. We sometimes think God acts

only through extraordinary events, overwhelming emotions, or spectacular miracles. We

wait for something remarkable while overlooking the quiet but real ways he is already

working in our daily lives.

Jesus says that God's kingdom does not come with outward display. It begins

wherever people welcome his grace, obey his word, and allow him to reign in their

hearts. Before transforming the world, God first transforms the human heart.

This truth changes how we look at ordinary life. Every honest day's work, every

hidden sacrifice, every sincere prayer, and every act of kindness becomes a place

where God's reign quietly grows. Holiness is not built through rare achievements but

through ordinary duties carried out with love.

Jesus also speaks about his glorious return. He warns his disciples not to follow

those who say, "Look, here he is," or "There he is." The Lord discourages unhealthy

curiosity about the end of the world and instead teaches faithful perseverance in the

present.

That lesson is especially relevant today. We are surrounded by sensational news,

alarming predictions, and voices claiming special knowledge about the future. The

Gospel calls us to remain calm, grounded, and focused on living faithfully each day

instead of being distracted by speculation.

When Christ comes again, no one will need to announce it. His return will be as

unmistakable as lightning flashing across the sky. Rather than trying to predict that day,

we should make sure our hearts are always ready to welcome him.

Before speaking of his glory, Jesus reminds his disciples that the Son of Man

must first suffer and be rejected. This pattern also shapes every Christian life. The

Cross always comes before the crown. Growth in holiness often requires sacrifice,

patience, and perseverance.

This truth brings hope during life's trials. Difficulties do not mean God has

abandoned us. United with Christ, every burden can become an offering of love, every

disappointment an occasion to trust him more deeply, and every hardship a step toward

lasting joy.

The Gospel also reminds us that we help extend God's kingdom wherever we

are. Families become stronger when forgiveness replaces resentment. Workplaces

improve when honesty overcomes compromise. Communities flourish when generosity

triumphs over selfishness. God's reign spreads quietly through faithful people.

Several practical resolutions naturally follow. Begin each day by asking Christ to

reign in your thoughts, words, and actions. Spend a few moments daily in silent prayer

to recognize his presence. Carry out your ordinary duties with love and care. Refuse to

be distracted by sensational claims about the future, and remain firmly rooted in the

Church's faith. Accept daily crosses with confidence, knowing they prepare you for

greater union with Christ.

The Kingdom of God is not far away. It is already growing wherever Christ is

welcomed. If we allow him to reign in our hearts today, we will face the future with peace

instead of fear, faithfully walking with him until the day he returns in glory.

WHEN I THINK BACK SOMETIMES

 

by Klaus Döring

Not long ago, I passed a milestone marking 55 years since I began writing my first published article in a newspaper. I began keeping all the clippings since then. Time changed. Yes. I have my only online-archive. Believe me, it's like a book. As I reread my first articles, I was amazed, I ever kept them  up.

Back to my clippings. Can you imagine that there are some benefits from keeping them? From life experiences, I see that progress and failure are both parts of my journey. My columns are mostly a view into a mirror. I am reminded of God's grace when I read (and wrote before) how He helped me to find solutions to problems. I also gained insight from past struggles that help with issues I am currently facing. I remember one of my previous columns entitled "If failures get results".

God has indeed been faithfully working in my life.

I read a story by Dennis Fisher, who didn't keep publishing clippings but a spiritual journal. He advised: "Journaling may be useful to you too. It can help you see more clearly what God is teaching you on life's journey. To begin a journal, record your struggles, reflect on a verse that is especially comforting or challenging, or write a prayer of thankfulness for God's faithfulness."

Our brains prioritize rewarding memories over others, and reinforce them by replaying them when we are at rest.
It may help strengthen bonds with friends and family. It makes me optimistic. Optimism is having the ability to think positively of the future, and recalling moments that made you feel courageous, happy, successful, or any other positive emotion gives you an optimistic lens to see the future through.This can help us live each day to the fullest or even help us see the beauty that is in everyday life.

Yes, I am 73 now. I will complete my biography during these days in the middle of my wonderful Philippine family.

+++

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn or X -Twitter or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com .