Bago City SK councilor crowned Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026

 

By Glazyl Masculino

Published Oct 27, 2026 04:48 pm

ALBARICO (MassKara Festival 2026)

BACOLOD CITY – A 24-year-old Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilor from Bago City, Negros Occidental was crowned Miss Bacolod MassKara 2026 as part of the 47th MassKara Festival here on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Macy Alaine Albarico, who represented Barangay Singcang Airport, bested 14 other candidates in the pageant and coronation night at STI-West Negros University Gymnasium which highlighted women’s empowerment, local heritage, and community service.

The youth leader and environmental advocate received P150,000, a sash, a bouquet, and bagged the Miss Congeniality award.

Albarico, a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Financial Management, works as a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) agent and plans to use her title to promote coastal conservation and responsible waste management, particularly among young people.

She described winning the crown as the fulfillment of a long-held dream and credited her family, glam team, and community for their support throughout the competition.

“So, the crown would not be mine alone, rather it is our crown,” Albarico said.

Albarico was also crowned Lin-ay sang Pontevedra 2025 and Diwata sang Bago 2023 second runner-up in Negros Occidental.

Julie Mikayla Borja of Barangay Mansilingan was first runner-up and received P100,000, a sash, and a bouquet, while Maria Zonora Ellyssa Curaza of Barangay Sum-ag was second runner-up, receiving P50,000, a sash, and a bouquet.

Completing the Top 5 were Kyla Aligaga of Barangay Pahanocoy and Daniella Louisse B. Merelos of Barangay 32.

During the question-and-answer round, Albarico highlighted the need to expand opportunities for Bacolodnons when asked what she would change for the city.

“If I were to pull a string for this city, that would be the strength of opportunities,” Albarico said, emphasizing the importance of access to jobs, seminars, and information that can help residents improve their lives and contribute to the city’s progress.

Borja won four special awards, Best in Festival Costume, Best in Gown, Best in Talent, and Darling of Social Media.

Aaron Spencer Marin was named Best Festival Costume Designer for the costume worn by Borja while Reina Caspe won Best Gown Design for the gown worn by Margarette Ymballa of Barangay Taculing.

Curaza received the Miss Photogenic award, Aligaga won Best in Production Number, and Lourdeth Codico of Barangay Bata was named Best in Swimwear.

Mayor Greg Gasataya congratulated all candidates who graced the stage, poured their hearts out, and made this year's pageant meaningful.

“Padayon, Bacoleña!” (Keep going Bacoleña), he said, as he acknowledged them for embodying the heart, resilience, and beauty of Bacolod.

The pageant’s creative direction celebrated Bacolod’s cultural identity through local landmarks and symbols, with the Bacolod City Public Plaza serving as inspiration for the Evening Gown Competition.

This year’s creative narrative explored women taking control of their own identities and destinies, using the imagery of dolls in a child’s play as a metaphor for self-determination and empowerment.

Leading the panel of judges were Bea Millan-Windorsky, who is set to represent the Philippines at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico, and Asia Rose Simpson of Miss World Philippines.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros graced the event and recalled the tragedies and difficult circumstances that confronted Bacolod in the 1980s, which helped inspire the creation of the MassKara Festival as a symbol of resilience and hope.

Who holds the purse?

By Ignacio R. Bunye

SPEAKING OUT

Most Filipinos glaze over when talk turns to the national budget. Numbers in the trillions have a way of sounding distant from the daily concerns of Juan and Maria. But a recent Supreme Court ruling has brought the budget process into the spotlight, raising a simple but important question: Who gets to decide how our tax money is spent?

Last week, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional key portions of the 2024 and 2025 national budgets and struck down certain provisions of the 2026 budget. The Court ruled that Congress cannot increase the President's total recommended appropriations when it passes the annual General Appropriations Act.

To many, this sounds like a technical dispute among lawyers, legislators, and budget officials. It is not. Every peso in the national budget comes from taxpayers. Whether through income taxes, VAT, fuel taxes, fees, or government borrowing that future generations must repay, the money being allocated belongs to the Filipino people. That is why the dispute matters.

The Executive Branch prepares the National Expenditure Program. It identifies priorities, forecasts revenues, and determines how much the government can afford to spend. Congress then reviews the proposal and decides where the money should go.

The Supreme Court has now reminded everyone that while Congress may adjust allocations, it cannot enlarge the overall spending envelope proposed by the President.

Think of it this way. A family decides that it can afford to spend ₱30,000 this month. The parents may debate whether more should go to education, groceries, repairs, or medical needs. But they cannot suddenly decide to spend ₱50,000 if the family's income only supports ₱30,000. The Supreme Court is essentially applying the same principle to government finances.

Supporters of the ruling say it protects fiscal discipline and prevents excessive spending. They argue that constitutional limits exist for a reason and that government must live within its means. Critics, including some officials in the Executive Branch, contend that the decision could make government budgeting less flexible. They worry that restrictions on so-called "unprogrammed appropriations" may limit the government's ability to respond quickly to emerging needs and opportunities. The administration has already sought reconsideration of the ruling.

Reasonable people can disagree on the legal arguments. But there is one lesson that should unite us. The budget is more than an accounting document. It is a moral document. A budget reveals what a nation values. It determines whether classrooms are built, roads repaired, hospitals equipped, farmers assisted, and communities protected from floods.

For too long, budget discussions have been treated as a private conversation among experts. Yet ordinary Filipinos have the greatest stake in the outcome. When a project is delayed, it is Juan and Maria who wait. When public funds are wasted, it is Juan and Maria who pay. When spending is prudent and effective, it is Juan and Maria who benefit.

The Supreme Court ruling is ultimately not about lawyers winning arguments or politicians winning battles. It is about strengthening the safeguards that govern the people's money. At a time when Filipinos continue to struggle with high prices, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty, every peso matters.

That is why the question before us is not merely constitutional. It is deeply personal. After all, the money being debated in court and in Congress is not government money. It is the people's money. And the people deserve nothing less than transparency, discipline, and accountability in how it is spent.

 

Government moves ahead with ₱103-billion MRT-3 privatization plan

The government’s plan to transfer the operations of Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) to the private sector remains on track for next year, despite the project recently being deemed incomplete by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center. Read more

10 hard truths of life

1. Time always reveal what you truly mean to someone.

2. Ultimately, you only have yourself.

3. Don't be a prisoner of your past; it was a lesson, not a life sentence.

4. Distance doesn't kill relationships; lack of communication and delayed replies do.

5. Your glow changes with good people and good intentions in your life.

6. If it makes you happy, keep it quiet.

7. Life teaches the hardest lessons to the softest hearts.

8. Life in words: Everything you fear will happen.

9. It's okay to disconnect for a while.

10. If nobody helps you, do it alone.

From our Opinion Section

 

From our Opinion Section

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

Michelle Dee returns to pageantry, joins Miss Grand International All Stars

 

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.

What do you think of Filipino beauty?

 

Ronna Lou

 

 

Filipina Writer and Matchmaking Consultant at Philippine-Women.Com

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.

What is your one golden rule in life?

 

Flavian Mwasi

 · 

Follow

Entrepreneur | Life Coach | Mentor at Life and Living

1. If you want to achieve something different, you have to do something different.
2. Take time to read.
3. Start believing in yourself.
4. Don’t make excuses.
5. Don’t waste time. Lost time can never be recovered.
6. Trade a hundred failures for one success. It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. Remember, you only have to succeed once.
7. Make sacrifices to try things. Make sacrifices to get out of your comfort zone. Make sacrifices to do things that are risky, and when you fail, be courageous to stand up and try again.
8. If you want to escape poverty, you have to be disciplined enough to do things that are not comfortable.
9. It’s not comfortable to read, but you have to do it.
10. It’s not comfortable to take actions that may lead to failure, but you have to do it.
11. Failure is painful, but you have to endure the pain of failure and try again.

This Pinoy ice cream is made with potato

 

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.

 

SRA backs higher tax on drinks with artificial sweeteners

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

OCTOBER 27, 2026

iSTOCK

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.

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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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