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El Niño: Preparedness must deliver results | |
As the country braces for a potentially severe dry spell, preparedness must be measured not only by infrastructure and government plans, but by their ability to protect communities, sustain agricultural production, and secure adequate water supplies. Read more |
By Neil Ramos
Published Oct 27, 2026 10:06 am
At A Glance
Michelle Dee announces her entry into Miss Grand International All Stars in December during the Monday premiere of her new film, "Red Crown."
Michelle Dee is heading back to the pageant stage, announcing her entry into the upcoming Miss Grand International All Stars pageant during the premiere of her new film “Red Crown” on Monday.
The actress and beauty queen maintained she is doing it for fans.
Recalling her Miss Universe journey in 2023, she said, "I'm so grateful because even though I did not take home the crown, you accepted me like a winner. But I feel like we still have a lot left in the tank.”
The beauty queen added that she was eager to return to the stage and give back to the supporters who have continued to stand by her.
“And I'm so, so happy for all of the support that you've been continuously giving me. And it's time to give back and show them that we are better, brighter, and stronger on the MGI All Stars stage,” she said.
Ahead of the announcement, Dee teased her comeback through an Instagram Reel featuring some of her memorable pageant looks. She accompanied the post with the hashtags #DeePaTapos and #WMMMO, short for “Walang mag-mo-move on.”
Dee won Miss Universe Philippines in 2023 and went on to represent the country at Miss Universe that year, finishing in the Top 10 and earning several special awards.
She previously competed at Miss World in 2019, where she reached the Top 12.
Miss Grand International All Stars held its inaugural edition this year, with Colombia's Vanessa Pulgarin taking the first title.
The Philippines sent five candidates to the competition: Gazini Ganados, Fuschia Anne Ravena, Alexia Nuñez, Imelda Schweighart and Keylyn Trajano. Ganados reached the Top 5, while Ravena advanced to the Top 18.
The Miss Grand International All Stars 2026 grand final is scheduled for December 12, 2026.
My thoughts on Filipino beauty are slightly complicated. I’ll explain.
Growing up in the Philippines, it was obvious that our country follows Western beauty standards. I see it in newspapers and television shows and even in billboard advertisements. Beautiful for most Filipinos is light skin and a sharp nose. Sometimes, “chinita” or Chinese-looking eyes and delicate features are also beautiful.
(I’ll share photos here of me and some of the women I work with. This is with 100% consent, by the way.)
The one on the left is Emely and the one on the right is Labnes, both from Cebu.
They’re fellow Bisayas, and I think they’re both very beautiful.
But their most prominent features aren’t exactly what you would call traditionally “Filipino” features. I don’t have those features.
So it took a very long time for me to accept that my Filipino nose and Filipino skin can also be beautiful. It took years of work for me to not be influenced by skin-whitening products that are sold all over the country. Or to stop dreaming about having blonde hair like a Barbie doll.
But now that I am older and wiser, and I want to be a good example to my daughter, I have a different view of Filipino beauty.
Even if our Filipino features don’t look like the beauty standards being advertised in movies or fashion magazines, I am proud to look like and be a Filipino.
Because I think Filipinos are beautiful.
Dolly Dy-Zulueta - Philstar.com
October 26, 2026 | 2:41pm
MANILA, Philippines – Who says your ice cream has to be all cream and almost nothing else? Award-winning chef Jackie Ang Po, who is best known for creating pastries, desserts and other sweet treats, recently teamed up with Kitchen 143 and Potatoes USA to create a unique ice cream with U.S. Dehydrated Potatoes in it.
Perfectly smooth, creamy, and refreshingly chilled, this icy treat is simply called U.S. Potato Sorbetes. It is great to have especially on a hot day.
U.S. Potato Sorbetes
Ingredients:
50 grams U.S. Dehydrated Potato Flakes
1 1/2 cups coconut milk
50 grams cassava starch
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups condensed milk
250 ml. all-purpose cream per 400 grams
100 grams cheese cubes
10 grams cocoa powder
2 tbsps. ube flavoring
Procedure:
1. Mix together coconut milk, dehydrated potato flakes and cassava starch.
2. Boil evaporated milk and add to coconut milk mixture. Cook until mixture thickens.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients.
4. Freeze for at least 4 hours.
5. Remove from freezer and use hand mixer to beat the mixture until it is double in volume. Divide into three pans (400 grams each).
. After 4 hours, add the flavoring in each one and beat until double in volume.
7. Freeze until ready to serve.
The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) has pushed for the restructuring of the excise on sweetened beverages, arguing that beverages made with natural cane sugar should be subject to lower taxes.
SRA Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona said the regulator is pushing for beverages containing natural cane sugar to remain under Tier 1, while beverages made with artificial sweeteners are placed under Tier 2.
Azcona said the SRA hopes that the excise on beverages with natural cane sugar would remain at P6 per liter, or slightly increase it at the most, to avoid affecting both Filipino farmers and consumers.
“The farmers’ suggestion, which is also our stand, is first, the most important thing to do is separate sugar from everything else. Let’s remove all [artificial sweeteners] from the lower tier, all that is not sugar, cane sugar,” Azcona said. “Our prayer is to keep [the excise on sugar] at P6 per liter. If the DOF (Department of Finance) determines an increase, we’re willing to sit down and talk about it,” he told reporters.
“We noticed that when we imposed a higher tax on HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup), manufacturers simply looked at the tax rates and saw that HFCS has higher taxes than artificial sweeteners. They shifted to artificial sweeteners,” Azcona said, noting that artificial sweeteners are cheaper since these require only a small amount to reach the desired level of sweetness.
“At the end of the day, the government didn’t generate additional revenues. Revenue remained the same,” he added.
The Philippine Sugar Millers Association Inc. (PSMA) had urged the DOF to reconsider its proposal to increase the excise on sugar-sweetened beverages as this could affect local sugar farmers amid pest infestations, El Niño and other production challenges.
“The government is encouraging sugar farmers to continue cultivating sugarcane and has recently extended emergency assistance, or ayuda, to farmers struggling to recover from severe RSSI (red-striped soft-scale insect) infestation. Yet the DOF is proposing a tax measure that could further weaken demand for the very sugar these farmers produce,” PSMA executive director Jesus Barrera said.
Under the Promoting Growth, Revenue, and Equity towards Socio-Economic Sustainability Bill, the government seeks to raise the excise to P20 per liter from only P6 per liter on beverages that use sugar or other caloric or noncaloric sweeteners.
The proposed measure also calls for an increase in excise on beverages using HFCS.from P12 to P40 per liter.
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WE HAVE all been there. You wake up in the morning, open your eyes, and suddenly, one mishap follows another. To make matters worse, the radio starts playing Jason Collett’s “When Everything Goes Wrong.” What can you do? Accept the situation, stay calm, and, most importantly, remain motivated during difficult times. Easier said than done, perhaps. I, too, had to learn this lesson the hard way, constantly reminding myself to get back on my feet whenever life knocked me down.
Of course, life’s rough patches sometimes seem as though they will last forever. But remember this: whether you are dealing with work-related difficulties, family problems, or stressful situations, very few problems last a lifetime. Remind yourself that things will not always be this bad.
When everything seems to be going wrong, it can be difficult to recognize what is still going right. We tend to overlook the good things and focus entirely on the bad. But even during difficult times, there are always reasons to be grateful. Make a conscious effort to recognize the positive aspects of your life, no matter how small they may seem.
One of the most important things to remember is that you still have some control over your circumstances. Even when you cannot control everything happening around you, you can always choose how to respond. Your attitude and reactions remain within your control. Focus your energy on managing what you can change rather than worrying endlessly about what you cannot.
Asking for help can sometimes be difficult. I know because I used to avoid it for as long as possible. That was a big mistake. Seeking help is one of the most effective ways to cope with difficult situations. When people offer assistance, tell them specifically what you need. Never hesitate to reach out to friends and family, whether for emotional support or practical assistance. The victims of the devastating floods in Germany and neighboring areas know only too well how valuable such kindness and support can be.
Lacking confidence in your ability to handle difficult situations can make stressful experiences even more overwhelming. I experienced this myself when COVID-19 changed my life and disrupted my business. But one important lesson I learned is that we are often stronger than we think. You may feel angry, hurt, disappointed, or deeply saddened, but these emotions do not have to defeat you. Difficult times can be endured, and you can find the strength to overcome them.
No matter how terrible a situation may seem, something worthwhile can often emerge from it. At the very least, you may learn an important life lesson. Perhaps you will discover how to avoid repeating the same mistake, or you may find the courage to leave an unpleasant situation behind and pursue something better. Even when things go wrong, try to recognize the opportunities for growth that adversity may bring.
Many people struggle to accept that certain things are simply beyond their control. You cannot change the past, dictate another person’s behavior, or eliminate a loved one’s health problems through sheer determination. Do not exhaust yourself trying to force circumstances or people to change when the outcome is beyond your influence. Spending your time and energy on the impossible will only leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. Acceptance, difficult as it may be, is an essential part of building resilience.
Remember, too, that you have already overcome difficulties in the past. When confronted with new challenges, do not underestimate the strength and determination that helped you survive earlier struggles. Reflect on the problems you have successfully faced and the lessons you learned from them. These experiences can give you the confidence to confront whatever difficulties lie ahead.
Above all, do not forget to take care of yourself. When everything seems to be falling apart, your physical and emotional well-being becomes even more important. Get enough rest, exercise regularly, eat healthy food, and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. The better you care for yourself, the better equipped you will be to deal with life’s challenges.
Everything is temporary, including the difficult moments when nothing seems to go right. Happiness depends not only on what happens to us but also on how we choose to approach life.
Sometimes, moving forward means taking one small step at a time. Even if those steps seem insignificant, keep moving. Instead of dwelling on the worst possible outcome, consider the opportunities that may still lie ahead. Look for the lessons hidden within your struggles. Challenging experiences often reveal what we still need to learn about ourselves and the world around us. Maintain a positive attitude by focusing on solutions, developing your skills, and recognizing your strengths. Start small, and surround yourself with people who genuinely support and encourage you.
And as you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, consider setting one meaningful goal that can bring lasting change to your life. Sometimes, a clear sense of purpose is all we need to regain our direction and move forward with renewed determination.
There is, of course, that familiar saying: “If anything can go wrong, it will.” This tongue-in-cheek principle, popularly known as Murphy’s Law, has been invoked by economists, sports teams, and even prominent politicians. Human nature and life’s unpredictability seem to ensure that things rarely turn out exactly as planned.
But perhaps that is precisely the point. Life will never be free of setbacks, disappointments, or unexpected challenges. What matters most is not how often things go wrong, but how we choose to respond when they do.
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Email: doringklaus@gmail.com. Follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X (formerly Twitter), or visit my blogs at www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com and www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com./PN
Living in the moment (mindfulness) means being fully present with your mind, body, and surroundings in the here and now, rather than dwelling on past regrets or worrying about future events
When you live in the moment, you are fully present and aware of the emotions and thoughts that you have right now. If you're not present, your thoughts are either turned towards the past or fixated on the future.
Living in the present moment means no longer worrying about what happened in the past and not fearing what will happen in the future. It means enjoying what's happening now and living for today. Choosing to live in the past or the future not only robs you of enjoyment today, but it also robs you of truly living.
But living in the moment, although difficult, can benefit your relationships, productivity, and, most importantly, overall wellness. Living in the moment is about paying attention to the here and now. Instead of letting your mind wander, you're focused on your current actions, sensations, and surroundings.
Living in the moment means being fully aware and engaged in the present time—mind, body, and soul—instead of dwelling on the past or excessively worrying about the future.
Imagine this: you’re sitting on your couch, watching a movie while eating popcorn, scrolling through Instagram, and half-heartedly listening to your partner talk about their work day. All the while, you’re thinking about a task that you need to do next week.
Later, when you’re lying in bed, you realize you didn’t quite understand the movie, enjoy your popcorn, or hear what your partner said. What’s worse is that you don’t feel relaxed or rejuvenated.
We’re constantly surrounded by distractions, making it difficult to focus on just one thing at a time. Stress, anxiety, and regret can also make it difficult to focus on the present moment. But living in the moment, although difficult, can benefit your relationships, productivity, and, most importantly, overall wellness.
Living in the moment is about paying attention to the here and now. Instead of letting your mind wander, you’re focused on your current actions, sensations, and surroundings.
Learn to grow beyond a moment in your life. Don’t let life pass by you while you’re still stuck at a certain moment in your life. Don’t you give something that power over you or over your life. Learn to look at things exactly as they are without giving them a higher value. Because your life has so much more in it than this. The worst thing you could ever do to yourself is to narrow down your whole story into some of these moments and think that this is it.
Almost facing the age of 73 next month, I learned most of all these things from my Philippine family.
Carlo Orosa - The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines — There is something fascinating about the phenomenon of Regine Velasquez. In recent clips from her “Finale” concert, one can hear moments when the voice that once seemed capable of conquering every musical mountain struggles to deliver the notes that made her legendary. And yet, the audience continues to cheer. They applaud, sing along and embrace her with an affection that seems undiminished by the imperfections of the performance.
Why? Perhaps because Regine has become something far greater than the voice we have admired for four decades. She has become part of our collective memory.
My earliest recollection of meeting Regine goes back to 1985, at BB’s, the karaoke sing-along bar of the late Bernardo Bernardo. She was there to sing and serve as one of three judges in a singing contest I joined that evening. I could not have imagined then the extraordinary career that awaited this young singer or how profoundly her voice would eventually become woven into the soundtrack of Filipino life.
Over the years, Regine gave us songs that became more than recordings. They became declarations of love, expressions of heartbreak, companions through loneliness and anthems for moments when words alone were insufficient. Her music traveled across generations, finding new listeners while remaining cherished by those who had grown up with her. Few Filipino singers have occupied such a lasting place in the hearts of so many.
But time, inevitably, changes everything — even a remarkable voice.
Regine herself has spoken candidly about the changes she has experienced, including vocal difficulties associated with menopause. She has acknowledged that she can no longer sound exactly as she did 10 or 20 years ago. For a singer whose identity and career have been built around extraordinary vocal command, that admission must carry a particular kind of pain. Imagine spending most of your life mastering an instrument, only to discover that it no longer responds in quite the same way.
Yet perhaps the most revealing part of the story is not that Regine struggles. It is that she has allowed us to witness that struggle.
We live in a culture that celebrates perfection, particularly in entertainment. We expect our idols to remain untouched by age, to reproduce their greatest performances indefinitely, and to preserve the very qualities that made them famous. We can be unforgiving when reality fails to meet nostalgia.
Regine’s “Finale” challenges that expectation. The concert is not simply a celebration of her 40 years in the industry; it is also an encounter with change, vulnerability and the difficult process of letting go. Her decision to step away from major solo concerts acknowledges a truth that even the greatest artists must eventually confront: the instrument may change but the contribution remains.
And then there is the extraordinary gesture of offering free performances to the very audience that helped build her legacy. What a beautiful way to give back. After years of receiving applause, affection and unwavering support, she is giving her audience something in return — not merely a concert, but an opportunity to celebrate a shared history. It feels less like a commercial farewell and more like a deeply personal thank-you.
This may explain why audiences continue to cheer even when the singing is not flawless. They are not necessarily applauding every note. They are applauding the years behind those notes. They are remembering the songs that accompanied their own lives, the performances that moved them and the artist who gave so much of herself to her craft.
To acknowledge that Regine’s voice has changed is not to diminish her. Nor should our affection require us to pretend otherwise. We can recognize the limitations of a present-day performance while remaining profoundly grateful for the artistry that preceded it.
Perhaps this is the real measure of greatness: not the ability to remain untouched by time but the ability to leave something enduring enough that time cannot erase it.
In the end, Regine may no longer be able to deliver every song as she once did. But the songs remain. The memories remain, and the love of her audience remains.
The voice may have changed, but the magic was never hers alone. It lives, too, in the millions of Filipinos who have carried her music in their hearts for 40 years.
And that is a legacy no imperfect note can take away.
