The Philippines is coming home from the 2026 Asian Games with 29 medals—and athletes and coaches are set to go “paldo” mode with nearly ₱35 million in cash incentives. This year’s medal haul includes four golds, nine silvers, and 16 bronzes. “This is the best finish in 64 years, or since 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta,” Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio said. The Philippines won 18 medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, including four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes. Now, the medal haul comes with a sizeable payday. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reportedly plans to double the monetary incentives for the medalists, potentially bringing the total to around ₱70 million. Under Republic Act No. 10699, or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Asian Games medalists receive ₱2 million for gold, ₱1 million for silver, and ₱400,000 for bronze. For team events with fewer than five members, the same individual medal incentive is divided equally among the participating athletes. Teams with five or more members receive 25% of the individual medal incentive for each team member. Coaches are also entitled to 50% of the corresponding incentive, with the amount divided among multiple coaches. And there were plenty of memorable runs behind those numbers. Carlos Yulo delivered two gold medals in less than 24 hours, ruling the men’s floor exercise and vault. His younger brother, Karl Eldrew Yulo, also made the podium with a bronze in the horizontal bar. In virtual taekwondo, Jeus Yape became a pioneer, winning gold in the mixed individual event as the sport made its Asian Games debut. EJ Obiena also kept his grip on the men’s pole vault title, successfully defending his Asian Games gold. The Philippines added silver medals through Jean Claude Saclag in men’s traditional MMA and Marie June Adriano in women’s karate kumite. The Gilas Pilipinas Women’s 3x3 team also reached the podium with a silver, while tennis star Alex Eala added another medal to the country’s haul. For Gregorio, the results point to progress beyond the medal tally. “Malaki ang pagbabago sa development ng ating grassroots program sa Philippine sports,” he said. The 2026 Asian Games were held in Japan from Sept. 19 to Oct. 4, with early sporting preliminaries beginning on Sept. 10. Held every four years, the next Asian Games will be hosted by Qatar in 2030. (✍️: radar Lifestyle)

The stars of the beloved 1990s sitcom #OberDaBakod recently came together, giving fans a nostalgic glimpse of the iconic comedy show and sparking renewed curiosity about a possible comeback. Veteran actor-comedian #LeoMartinez shared photos from their reunion on social media Saturday, featuring several familiar faces from the hit GMA Network sitcom. “Mga batang 90’s, naalala n’yo pa ba kami?” Martinez wrote in the caption, followed by the hashtag #OberDaBakodReunion. Among those spotted at the gathering were #GelliDeBelen, #JannoGibbs, #MalouDeGuzman, #AnjoYllana, #DonitaRose, #DonnaCruz, #AngeluDeLeon, #DannyBrowniePansalin, and #ArielUreta. The reunion brought back memories of the sitcom, which originally aired on GMA Network from 1992 to 1997 and became one of the most recognizable comedy programs of the 1990s. Beyond television, “Ober Da Bakod” also made its way to the big screen with two movie adaptations. “Ober Da Bakod: The Movie” was released in 1994, followed by “Ober Da Bakod 2 (Da Treasure Adbentyur)” in 1996. Both films featured several members of the sitcom’s ensemble, with Ariel Ureta serving as director. Known for its humorous take on the everyday encounters of neighboring families, “Ober Da Bakod” became a familiar part of television for viewers who grew up during the decade. Now that many of its original stars have been seen together again, the reunion has brought back fond memories for longtime viewers while sparking fresh interest in the sitcom’s possible return. Whether as a television revival, a reunion special, or another big-screen project, the latest gathering has reminded fans of the lasting nostalgia surrounding “Ober Da Bakod.” (✍️ Kiko Escuadro) #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment

#CescaLitton continues to embrace life with strength and optimism after going through one of the most difficult chapters of her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2024, Cesca underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction in January 2025, followed by six cycles of chemotherapy. She has since completed her active treatment and is now undergoing hormone therapy, which is expected to last five years because her type of breast cancer is estrogen-sensitive. “I don’t think I’m allowed to call myself cancer-free. No evidence of disease for now, and if no evidence of disease for five years then I can say I’m cancer-free and I’m in remission na,” she shared during the launch of Marie France’s “Go Lose Pounds” campaign. Cesca admitted that the physical changes brought by chemotherapy were also challenging, including hair loss and significant weight gain. Her doctors advised her to prioritize getting through chemotherapy rather than worrying about losing weight during treatment. Beyond the physical battle, Cesca said faith, the support of her loved ones, and her own determination helped her push through. “That’s a lot of faith, that’s a lot of support from friends and family and that’s also a lot of me being matigas ang ulo,” she jokingly said. Cesca initially hesitated to share her diagnosis publicly because she did not want pity or for people to treat her differently. She was also concerned about her father, especially since her mother died of cancer when Cesca was only 10. “I didn’t want people to worry about me. I didn’t want my dad to worry about me because my mom passed away from cancer when I was 10 years old,” she explained. Having faced the possibility of death, Cesca said cancer changed the way she looks at life. “I think it’s just knowing that facing death and facing the possibility of not waking up the next day because of cancer but you know the way you approach life it changes you also. You really change, so something in you will really change after dealing with cancer,” she said. For Cesca, surviving cancer is ultimately about choosing to keep fighting. “I feel like anyone who has gone through cancer will always say ‘because we didn’t have a choice.’ It’s either sink or swim. Alangan naman bumigay na lang kami, so we really have to fight,” she shared. Today, she continues to rebuild her physical fitness through strength training while using her platform to promote cancer awareness. She also emphasizes the importance of early detection, which played a crucial role in her own diagnosis and treatment. (✍️ 📸 and 📹 Kiko Escuadro) #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment

#CescaLitton continues to embrace life with strength and optimism after going through one of the most difficult chapters of her life. Diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2024, Cesca underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction in January 2025, followed by six cycles of chemotherapy. She has since completed her active treatment and is now undergoing hormone therapy, which is expected to last five years because her type of breast cancer is estrogen-sensitive. “I don’t think I’m allowed to call myself cancer-free. No evidence of disease for now, and if no evidence of disease for five years then I can say I’m cancer-free and I’m in remission na,” she shared during the launch of Marie France’s “Go Lose Pounds” campaign. Cesca admitted that the physical changes brought by chemotherapy were also challenging, including hair loss and significant weight gain. Her doctors advised her to prioritize getting through chemotherapy rather than worrying about losing weight during treatment. Beyond the physical battle, Cesca said faith, the support of her loved ones, and her own determination helped her push through. “That’s a lot of faith, that’s a lot of support from friends and family and that’s also a lot of me being matigas ang ulo,” she jokingly said. Cesca initially hesitated to share her diagnosis publicly because she did not want pity or for people to treat her differently. She was also concerned about her father, especially since her mother died of cancer when Cesca was only 10. “I didn’t want people to worry about me. I didn’t want my dad to worry about me because my mom passed away from cancer when I was 10 years old,” she explained. Having faced the possibility of death, Cesca said cancer changed the way she looks at life. “I think it’s just knowing that facing death and facing the possibility of not waking up the next day because of cancer but you know the way you approach life it changes you also. You really change, so something in you will really change after dealing with cancer,” she said. For Cesca, surviving cancer is ultimately about choosing to keep fighting. “I feel like anyone who has gone through cancer will always say ‘because we didn’t have a choice.’ It’s either sink or swim. Alangan naman bumigay na lang kami, so we really have to fight,” she shared. Today, she continues to rebuild her physical fitness through strength training while using her platform to promote cancer awareness. She also emphasizes the importance of early detection, which played a crucial role in her own diagnosis and treatment. (✍️ 📸 and 📹 Kiko Escuadro) #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment

Chocolate brand Serg’s—a fixture for Batang '90s that went off the market in 2001 and announced a comeback this year—is halting its planned return in August due to equipment issues and personal “losses,” among other setbacks. "I owe you an update—and more importantly, an apology. Earlier this year, we shared our goal of beginning the return of the Serg’s Classic Chocolate Bar by Q3. We did not meet that commitment," said Randy Ong—the brand steward and son-in-law of owner Sergio Goquiolay—in a post on Serg's official Facebook page Oct. 2. Ong said part of the setback came from the "fabrication of our small-batch chocolate equipment," with machines delivered "with specifications that did not meet what we required." "[W]e made the decision to correct and rebuild them rather than compromise the product and process," he said. "There were also unforeseen personal circumstances and losses in my side of the family during this period that affected our progress during our stay in PH." Keeping the "Batang Serg's" in mind, Ong said they won't give another date "simply for the sake of giving one." "What I can tell you is that the work has not stopped," he added. Ong assured patrons that they are working on fixing their equipment, realigning their plans, and building the foundation "for the start of Serg’s—starting with the Classic Chocolate Bar that so many Filipinos remember and miss." "Our larger vision remains: to rebuild Serg’s for a new generation while respecting the Filipino heritage and memories that made the brand what it is," he said. "But before asking you to believe in that bigger vision, we first have to deliver on the promise in front of us." Serg’s became known for products such as its chocolate bars, Egg Chocolate, Moonbits, Pralin, and Breakfast Cocoa, among others. Businessman Antonio Goquiolay launched Serg’s in 1954 as a homegrown chocolate brand at a time when the local market was dominated by foreign names. The brand began to decline by 1986 amid the Goquiolay family’s alleged ties to the Marcoses, according to a 2019 Philippine Daily Inquirer report. The family later migrated to the United States, while Sergio eventually returned to the Philippines to revive Serg’s. Serg’s regained popularity in the 1990s, with its “Ikaw Pa Rin” jingle helping cement its place in pop culture. Serg’s peaked with more than 5,000 employees in its network before the Asian financial crisis halted its expansion. The company, which Sergio had reportedly financed through foreign loans, filed for bankruptcy in 2001. Sergio died months later from a massive heart attack. Ong, an IT consultant by training, took over Serg’s in 2019. That year, he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that he intended to restore the brand and the Goquiolay family legacy. The brand’s planned comeback in early 2020 was put on hold by the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequent attempts to restart were set back by severe flooding brought by Super Typhoon Carina in 2024. In January, Ong announced plans to bring Serg’s back by the third quarter of the year, saying 2026 will be their "restart year." (✍️: Kiara Gorrospe) #radarPHBusiness #radarPH

Actor #DennisTrillo fired back at veteran actress #GellideBelen after she weighed in on the ongoing controversy involving #PatrickGarcia and #JennylynMercado during GTV’s entertainment talk show “Chika Cart.” Gelli appeared as a guest on the show’s Friday episode, where she shared her thoughts on the issue, particularly its impact on the children involved. “Hindi kailangang maging ganito kalaki, this was brought up was because nasasaktan ang anak ni Patrick […],” Gelli said. She also stressed that the children should remain the priority amid the dispute between the adults. “Sana ‘wag nating kalimutan na may mga batang pinag-usapan dito at sila talaga ang pinakaimportante, dahil ‘yong mga magulang, mga nakakatanda, nakapagmove-on na sila sa mga buhay nila. So sana let’s show the young ones what is right, what should be done, and not show them all this bad stuff,” she added. However, Dennis, who is married to Jennylyn, reacted strongly after seeing a clip of the episode posted on “Chika Cart’s” social media page. Addressing Gelli directly in the comments, the actor defended their side and questioned the discussion surrounding the controversy. “@/gellidebelen nananahimik kami… lahat ‘yan ay natural na reaksyon ng matinong TAO! Pasalamat kayo, dinaan ko na lang sa ganyan. Oo kawawa talaga mga bata, may mga anak din kami! Sisihin mo ‘yong nagsimula ng gulo!” Dennis wrote. He then appeared to call out the show for what he perceived as taking sides in the issue. “Ako lang ba o parang may kinakampihan ang mga magagaling na ito? Congrats sa new show sa GTV !!!! Bagay na bagay kayo jan 💩💩💩💩💩,” he added. Dennis’ remarks came as the issue involving Patrick and Jennylyn continued to draw public attention, with the actor making it clear that he took exception to Gelli’s comments and the way the matter was discussed on the program. #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment (✍️Kiko Escuadro 📸 Dennis Trillo/ chikacartgtv/ Instagram)

Michael Sager may be making his way back to the “Pinoy Big Brother” house—this time on the other side of the screen. The former “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” housemate is being linked to the upcoming “Pinoy Big Brother Collab 3.0” after the reality show teased a new host identified only by the initials “M.S.” The clue has prompted viewers to speculate that Sager could replace Mavy Legaspi in the hosting lineup. PBB has confirmed that “Collab 3.0” will open its doors in October, with ordinary Filipinos aged 18 to 35 eligible to audition for the new season. The upcoming edition will also move into a new Bahay ni Kuya following the closure of the original house. Sager is no stranger to the franchise. He entered the first “PBB Celebrity Collab Edition” in March 2025 as one of the Sparkle housemates, paired with Star Magic’s Brent Manalo. Sager and Emilio Daez later became the first male duo to be evicted from that season. His return to the PBB universe would also mark a shift from his previous role as a housemate to a host. Sager has since taken on television and hosting projects, including appearances in GMA programs and hosting work following his PBB stint. Meanwhile, Legaspi had been part of the show’s hosting roster across its first two GMA-ABS-CBN collaboration seasons. He joined Bianca Gonzalez, Robi Domingo, Kim Chiu, Melai Cantiveros, Enchong Dee, Alexa Ilacad and Gabbi Garcia as one of the hosts of the first “Celebrity Collab Edition.” Legaspi also drew attention during the second season’s Big Night in February after a segment of his hosting went viral. He later explained that a severe microphone delay caused him to hear his own voice with an echo, making it difficult to deliver his lines. Now, with “PBB Collab 3.0” approaching, the initials “M.S.” have given viewers another clue to dissect. If the speculation proves correct, Sager would return to the franchise less than two years after leaving the Bahay ni Kuya—but this time as one of Kuya’s guides outside the house. As of writing, PBB has confirmed the October return of “Collab 3.0,” but an official announcement naming Sager as a host or confirming Legaspi’s departure has yet to be issued. (✍️: Kieth Earl Rebaño) #radarPHEntertainment #radarPH

Amid all the “Forgotten Island” hype, Filipino-American actress and model Liza Soberano can seemingly be spotted selling pares along Cavite Street in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Or so it seems. It turns out she’s actually a regular pares vendor who netizens, customers and curious foodies have dubbed as the actress’ lookalike. People are visiting the spot not just for the pares, but also to catch a glimpse of the person serving it. Identified online in vlogs as 19-year-old Tricia, the young seller is making waves for her striking, model-like appearance. According to a Sept. 29 vlog feature by FoodTrip ni BossBill, Parezal is a family-owned business launched just four months ago. The mobile cart operates daily from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., with Tricia usually behind the counter from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. to help her family and serve customers. Across several videos, viewers and customers have been quick to comment on her beauty. Some have also noted similarities to Karina Bautista and Kathleen Hermosa from certain angles. While others argue that the resemblance to Soberano isn’t exact, her expressive features have nonetheless caught the attention of visitors, with many saying she has the face for modeling. Behind the viral attention, however, is a story of a young woman putting her education on hold to help her family. In an Oct. 2 vlog by Manuel Olazo, Tricia shared that she had to discontinue her studies because of financial difficulties. With the mobile cart short-staffed, she stepped up to help her family while saving for her college tuition. Had she remained in school, she would have been entering her freshman year of college this year. Her story adds another layer to the growing attention around the pares cart. What began as customers noticing her resemblance to Soberano has now turned Tricia herself into the reason some people are stopping by the family business. For now, Blumentritt’s “Liza Soberano” continues to serve pares while navigating an unexpected taste of viral fame, with customers and online viewers increasingly curious about the young woman behind the cart. (✍️: Rei Marquez) #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment

A bakery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is touting its Filipino-style ensaymadas as the city’s latest viral pastry—a recipe that took six months to develop without any involvement from Filipinos. Shukr Bakehouse launched on Sept. 10, with Filipino-style ensaymadas as its inaugural product. Sold in boxes of six, around 150 units reportedly sold out within 20 minutes of going live. Customers say a single ensaymada costs AED 18 (₱300), while a half-dozen box is around AED 100 (₱1,700). Premium restaurant group Atelier House Hospitality is behind the bakery, alongside airline pilot Rashed Yakhlef. The bakery operates out of the company’s Michelin-starred restaurant, 11 Woodfire. Atelier House chief executive officer Panchali Mahendra and Yakhlef were inspired to recreate the Filipino pastry after reportedly tasting ensaymada brought by a friend straight from the Philippines. Argentinian chef Carol Contreras, head pastry chef of Atelier House, developed the recipe over six months.   “My first thought: I want this in Dubai. So we went looking. We tried every version this city had to offer, and nothing gave me the nod of that first one. Which left only one question worth asking: why not make it our own?” Mahendra said in Shukr Bakehouse’s first Instagram post on Sept. 1. Shukr Bakehouse’s designs also evoke imagery of the Philippines, prominently featuring the three stars and sun present in the country’s flag. The ensaymada packaging is a plain box covered in vintage-looking postal stamps branded “Shukr,” suggesting the pastry had been shipped from the Philippines. After Shukr Bakehouse and its ensaymadas were featured in Indian culture magazine TheLabMag on Sept. 25, Filipino netizens were divided over the pastry’s success in Dubai. “Viral? Upcoming? It’s been around in the Philippines since forever,” commented one Instagram user under TheLabMag’s feature. A Threads user who claims to have tried the product compared it to popular ensaymada bakery Muhlach’s. “Masarap naman po siya, malambot ang bread, freshly baked, at smells appetizing po. Pero kung uulit ba ako, no na po. It's too expensive for me, with the taste and quality na natitikman ko naman with other Filipino brands like Muhlach's,” they said. Many expressed disappointment over the lack of Filipino involvement in the product’s development, but some also saw no issue with the pastry’s virality amid other “borrowed” cultural foods similarly gaining traction worldwide. “There’s nothing wrong for foreign chefs to make their own version. Same like we do ube croissants, ube cheesecake, leche flan cronuts etc. if the customers like it then that’s their right,” said one Threads user. The sweet, cheese and butter-covered ensaymada is a Filipino evolution of the savory Spanish ensaïmada.   The Spanish predecessor traces its roots back to Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, prominently featuring pork lard as the main ingredient. Food writer Lydia D. Castillo notes that the pastry made its way across the world during the era of Spanish colonization. Filipinos eventually turned the Ensaïmada de Mallorca into a sweet brioche with butter, sugar and cheese. (✍️: Kiara Gorrospe) #radarPHBusiness #radarPH

The familiar call of “Tahoooo!” may be one of the gentlest sounds of a Filipino morning. But a viral Threads post has made thousands look differently at the man carrying those two heavy metal containers down the street. Threads user @dee.bouchr shared photos of a taho vendor whose carrying rig appeared to include burning charcoal beneath one of his containers, apparently serving as a portable heat source to keep his taho warm while making his rounds. “I was today years old when I found out that taho buckets have burning coal under the sago and arnibal tubs,” she wrote. The post quickly went viral, registering more than 106,000 views and 4,300 likes in the screenshots, with many commenters admitting they had never noticed such a setup. “Wow! I didn’t know that. Hats off to the magtataho!” one user wrote. But commenters also pointed out an important detail: not all taho vendors use charcoal beneath their containers. “Not all taho vendors have charcoal under the tub, but kudos to that innovative idea,” one commenter said. Another, who said their family previously had a taho business, likewise said they did not use burning charcoal underneath their containers. Others suggested the photographed setup could simply be this particular vendor’s solution for keeping his product warm longer. The discovery soon became more than taho trivia. It offered a glimpse of the ingenuity—and physical effort—behind one of the country’s most familiar forms of street vending. Traditional magtataho carry two large containers suspended from a wooden or bamboo pole across their shoulders. Inside are the ingredients of the Filipino breakfast staple: soft silken tofu, arnibal and sago. The load is already substantial without the added weight and heat of burning charcoal. The post also prompted Filipinos to share memories of neighborhood taho vendors who had become fixtures of their childhood. One commenter recalled a vendor she had known since childhood who continues selling taho decades later, even after raising and educating his children and suffering a stroke. Another remembered “Kuya Mandy,” a neighborhood vendor who reportedly allowed children to get taho even when their parents were away, simply putting their purchases on a list to be paid later. Those stories helped explain why a seemingly ordinary photograph struck a nerve. The magtataho is so deeply woven into Filipino mornings that people rarely think about what happens behind that familiar call—the heavy load, the kilometers walked and, for at least this vendor, the fire apparently traveling with him. As @dee.bouchr wrote: “We really don’t know everything about everyone’s struggles.” Sometimes, something as small as noticing what sits beneath a taho bucket is enough to make people see the person carrying it. (✍️ Top Dagohoy) #radarPHLifestyle #radarPH

#RovelynBaterbonia has addressed criticism surrounding her efforts to preserve the memory of her late son, Ateneo student-athlete #ReneBaterbonia, including claims that she has been profiting from his death through the sale of his memorabilia and a ₱30 entrance fee at his mini-museum. During her appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Rovelyn firmly rejected the accusation, saying she never asked anyone for money following her son’s passing. “Sa totoo lang, hindi ko pineperahan 'yong pagkamatay ng anak ko, kasi kahit ni piso, hindi po ako nanghingi [sa] kahit sinong tao,” she said. Rovelyn also said the idea of selling Rene’s memorabilia did not come from her after his death. According to her, Rene had already thought of the idea while he was alive and had left it to her as a business. “Noong buhay pa po ’yong anak ko, ’yon na po ’yong iniwan niya sa akin na negosyo. Siya ’yong nakaisip na magbenta kami ng mga memorabilia niya,” she explained. Boy Abunda also asked her about the entrance fee for the mini-museum at their home. Rovelyn confirmed that visitors are asked to pay the amount, but clarified that it goes toward maintaining the space. “Opo, totoo po ’yon. May ₱30 entrance po kami sa mini-museum ng anak ko po para po sa mga maintenance doon sa amin. Kasi hindi ko naman po kaya kung ako lang talaga,” she said. Addressing her critics, Rovelyn said, “'Yong mga basher ko, thank you kasi kayo ’yong nagbibigay sa akin ng lakas." She nevertheless urged critics to make sure the information they share about her is factual. “Sana naman kung magbabash kayo, 'yong katotohanan, hindi 'yong mga fake news,” she added. Rovelyn then expressed her appreciation to those who have remained by her side, particularly people who extended help to her family, in cash or in kind. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta. ’Yong nagbibigay ng damit ko, pants ko, relo ko, at saka bracelet ko, aritis (accessories) ko, lahat ito binigay sa akin. Maraming salamat po,” she shared. She also thanked those who joined their family in mourning Rene's death. Rovelyn’s remarks come amid continued public interest in Rene’s story and the ways his family has chosen to preserve his memory, including through his memorabilia and the mini-museum at their home. (✍️: Kiko Escuadro, 📸: Fast Talk GMA / YouTube & Rovelyn Bartebonia / Facebook) #radarPHEntertainment #radarPH

A post about a BPO interview supposedly being held at a popular coffee shop branch in Davao City has sparked discussion over the use of public spaces as recruitment venues. DAVAOMIGRANT—an account known for political commentary and social observations—said in an Oct. 2 post on X that he was waiting out the rain at Dunkin' when he noticed what appeared to be interviews for call center jobs at a nearby table. According to the account, the BPO company had paid the branch ₱3,000, consumable, to use the café as a venue for the interviews. “Dumudugo na tenga ko sa karirinig ng Ingglisan. Tama naman ang grammar ni madam interviewer. But the applicants? I pity them. It’s a torture to listen to them," the account wrote. Rather than dismissing the setup, several commenters said BPO interviews in cafés were not unusual, pointing to practical reasons for doing so. One commenter said BPOs sometimes use cafés because of the foot traffic and because they can bring recruitment closer to applicants. They also pointed out that communication skills can be “trainable” and that companies may hire applicants based on the needs of a particular client. Another commenter said the practice has been around for decades, particularly when a company is still building its office. They also noted that while online interviews are now an option, in-person recruitment could still be a means of "giving chance sa mga walang pang online." Others said applicants may feel more comfortable with the “relaxed” setting of a café compared with the “stiffness” and “formality” of an office. But not everyone was convinced. One commenter called it “kinda sketchy” that the BPO did not have a recruitment area, while another wondered whether it might be a “fly by night company.” Another said applicants would be better off seeing the workplace where they could potentially be employed. The setup also raised concerns for people who were not part of the recruitment process. “Allowed pala ang mag-conduct interview sa public place,” one commenter wrote, saying the arrangement could be uncomfortable for both applicants and customers who simply wanted to wait out the rain. Some commenters, however, criticized DAVAOMIGRANT for what they saw as a dismissive or mocking tone toward the applicants. The account later clarified that his “I pity them” remark was about their spoken English, which he said did not meet the requirements of the jobs they were applying for. The following day, the account addressed the criticism again, noting they just “ACCIDENTALLY” overheard the interview and did not intend to ridicule the applicants. "Since when has it become a sin to voice out one’s honest opinion? Was I spewing hatred over these applicants who must have known from the start that what they were applying for is a job that needed a good command of spoken English?" the account wrote. "I will not say sorry for something that I said which was not intended to ridicule, but to voice out a bit of my agony over what I was feeling given that I did not intend to be in this situation," it added. Dunkin' has yet to issue a statement on the matter. (✍️: radar Business) #radarPHBusiness #radarPH

“Your unfinished business has something to do with him.” That statement sets the story of “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)” in motion, as Sassa Gurl’s Marcel returns as a ghost after her sudden death, determined to confront the one thing she left unsaid to Miguel, played by Joao Constancia. But as the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival heads into its final days, it is the chemistry between Sassa and Joao that has given audiences another reason to keep coming back to their story. With 21 sold out screenings reported for ‘Multwoh,’ Sassa and Joao have emerged as the festival’s Sold Out King and Queen, with their pairing at the center of Rodina Singh’s queer romantic ghost story. The film follows Marcel, a queer college student who dies before finding the courage to confess her feelings to her longtime friend and crush, Miguel. Her unfinished business brings her back from the dead, giving her one last chance to say what she could not while alive. The premise gives Sassa and Joao a tricky romantic dynamic. Marcel is chasing a confession while Miguel remains unaware of what she has been carrying all along. Several reviews have praised the two performers for making that tension work. One described their chemistry as natural, with glances and gestures carrying quiet intensity, while another praised their charisma together and noted that they become even more effective when sharing the screen. The pairing also had an unexpected beginning behind the scenes. Joao became Sassa’s leading man after Martin del Rosario, who had originally been cast opposite her, left the project because of a scheduling conflict. That gamble appears to have connected with audiences. ‘“Multwoh” opened its CinePanalo run on Sept. 23 and quickly stacked up sold out screenings. The film’s team has now reported 21 sold out screenings, with audiences continuing to show up for Marcel and Miguel’s unfinished business. Marcel may have returned from the dead to finish her unfinished business, but Sassa and Joao have given audiences a love story worth staying for. ‘Multwoh’ screens today, Oct. 3, at Fairview Terraces, where limited seats remain for those who have yet to catch the festival’s Sold Out King and Queen. #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment

As the planned film about the life of late Ateneo student-athlete #ReneBaterbonia continues to take shape, his mother #RovelynBartebonia already knows who she would want to portray her in the highly personal project: #DimplesRomana. Rovelyn shared her casting preference during her appearance on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” where she opened up about the proposed movie and the possibility of bringing her son’s story to the big screen. When asked which actress she would personally choose to play her, Rovelyn quickly named Dimples, although she admitted that she has yet to have a detailed conversation with #BBGandanghari, who is reportedly involved in the film project. “Si ano po, Dimple Romasa,” Rovelyn said, referring to Dimples Romana. Boy Abunda immediately recognized the actress she meant and agreed with her choice. “Si Dimples. Napakahusay na artista ho noon. Napakahusay,” the veteran host remarked. While Rovelyn has expressed her personal preference, Dimples’ involvement in the project has yet to be confirmed. No official casting announcement has been made regarding the actress who will portray Rene’s mother. For Rovelyn, however, the identity of the actors is secondary to the bigger purpose of the project: sharing her son’s story. She previously addressed the public’s curiosity over the movie’s casting in a Facebook post, emphasizing that what matters most to her family is seeing Rene’s story reach audiences. “Maraming nagtatanong kung sinong artista ang gaganap sa aming [pelikula], hintayin [niyo] na lang kasi para sa amin kahit sino, ang importante mapalabas namin ang [pelikula] ng anak ko,” she shared. The planned film is expected to chronicle Rene’s life and experiences as a student-athlete while also giving audiences a glimpse into the family’s journey surrounding his story. For now, Rovelyn’s mention of Dimples remains a personal wish rather than an official casting confirmation. But if the actress eventually takes on the role, she would portray the mother at the heart of Rene’s story—making the potential casting particularly meaningful for Rovelyn and her family. (✍️: Kiko Escuadro, 📸: Fast Talk GMA/ YouTube and Dimples Romana / Instagram) #radarPHEntertainment #radarPH

A viral Threads post has sparked a curious question: Who owns bananas hanging over a neighbor’s wall? The Oct. 2 post showed the poster's backyard with a banana tree from the neighboring property extending over the wall. Its leaves and fruit were already hanging above the backyard. "Asking for a neighbour. Amin ba yun bunga or sa kapitbahay namin?" the poster asked. Under Article 681 of the Civil Code, "Fruits naturally falling upon adjacent land belong to the owner of said land." And there's the important caveat: the fruit must have already fallen—naturally. Article 415 helps explain why. It considers "trees, plants, and growing fruits, while they are attached to the land" as immovable property. So bananas that are still growing on the tree remain attached to the land where the tree is planted. Even if the fruit hangs over the neighbor’s property, it doesn’t become the neighbor’s simply because it has crossed the property line. It remains attached to the tree until it is severed or naturally falls. Article 544 also provides that "Natural and industrial fruits are considered received from the time they are gathered or severed." Simply put: Bananas hanging over your wall don’t automatically make them yours. Picking them without the neighbor’s consent could also raise a theft issue. Article 308 of the Revised Penal Code covers taking another person’s personal property without consent and with intent to gain, among other circumstances. For this particular backyard banana dilemma, the answer is fairly simple: if it falls into your property, it can be yours. If it’s still hanging, it belongs to the neighbor. A few bananas may not be worth losing a good relationship with the kapitbahay—or having a run-in with the law. (✍️: radar Lifestyle) #radarPHLifestyle #radarPH

The Philippines began 2026 with 10 regular holidays and eight special non-working days on the national calendar, with Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha proclaimed separately. Filipinos see long weekends. Many employers see something else: How much will this holiday cost us? For workers, another non-working day can mean rest, family time or travel. For businesses, it can mean lost production, disrupted deadlines—or substantially higher payroll. Welcome to Philippine “holiday economics,” where hotels, malls and restaurants can win while many other businesses absorb the cost. THE WINNERS There is serious money behind the long-weekend argument. Filipino household consumption reached ₱21.4 trillion in 2025. Tourism demonstrates how days off can translate into spending. Domestic tourism expenditure hit ₱3.26 trillion in 2025, while tourism directly generated ₱2.27 trillion, equivalent to 8.1 percent of GDP. Tourism industries employed about 7.7 million people. More leisure time creates opportunities to travel, eat, shop and book hotels. But what is good for tourism, restaurants and retail is not automatically good for every business. WHEN A HOLIDAY BECOMES A BUSINESS EXPENSE A factory’s production target does not shrink because there is a holiday. Neither do rent, loans, utilities or client deadlines. Close and lose production time. Stay open and labor becomes more expensive. Under DOLE rules, an eligible employee who works on a regular holiday receives 200 percent of the basic wage for the first eight hours. If the regular holiday also falls on a rest day, the rate rises to 260 percent. Work on a special non-working day generally pays 130 percent. A packed restaurant may recover that premium through additional customers. A manufacturer, logistics company, construction firm or BPO servicing foreign clients may simply pay more to keep operations running. THERE IS NO FREE LONG WEEKEND Holidays have real value. Workers need rest. Families get time together. Tourism creates jobs and consumer spending keeps money circulating. But holidays do not erase economic costs. They redistribute them. Retail, food and tourism can collect the windfall. Production-dependent businesses can absorb downtime or higher payroll. So while Filipinos celebrate another long weekend, somewhere a business owner is staring at payroll, deadlines and production targets. For consumers, a holiday is a break. For many businesses, it is another bill. (✍️ Top Dagohoy) #radarPHBusiness #radarPH

A young Philippine Eagle rescued in Magpet, Cotabato was found carrying three airgun pellets inside its body, according to the Philippine Eagle Foundation. In a post published on its website on Oct. 1, the PEF said the eagle—approximately five years old and presumably female—was found weak on Sept. 27 in Barangay Manobo. The bird was later brought to its headquarters for examination and treatment. An X-ray showed three pellets lodged near the bird’s right wing, right leg, and the base of its tail. Two were removed under local anesthesia, while the third was left in place after veterinarians determined that removing it could pose additional risk. The PEF said no fresh entry wound was found, suggesting the eagle may have been carrying the pellets for some time. The bird, later named “Magpet,” remained bright, alert, and responsive during its initial examination. The incident is not the first shooting involving a Philippine Eagle in the area. In 2013, a juvenile eagle rescued in nearby Barangay Amabel, Magpet later died from a .22-caliber gunshot wound. “We have seen this happen too many times. Philippine Eagles continue to be shot with air guns and improvised firearms,” PEF Executive Director Dennis Salvador said. The Philippine Eagle is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with the PEF estimating around 400 pairs remaining in the wild. A 2023 study put the potential breeding population at 392 territorial pairs, or about 784 mature individuals, based on modeled suitable habitat and the species’ average home-range requirements. Found only in the Philippines, the country’s national bird inhabits the forests of Luzon, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao. The PEF identifies habitat loss and human persecution, including shooting and trapping, among the major threats to the species. The foundation also says at least one Philippine Eagle is killed by shooting every year. Magpet was rescued in an area with a long history of Philippine Eagle nesting, with records dating back to 1983. The last confirmed nesting record there was in 1990. The area is also part of the greater Mt. Apo Key Biodiversity Area, which PEF said covers around 100,000 hectares and includes 10 old Philippine Eagle nest sites. The foundation said the rescue confirms that Philippine Eagles are still using the wider landscape, even after decades without a confirmed nest in the area. Magpet remains under veterinary care, with the areas where the pellets were removed being monitored for swelling, infection, and other complications. The PEF said it will continue to provide updates on Magpet’s recovery and rehabilitation. (✍️: radar Lifestyle)

There is a tendency to describe Philippine cinema through the same handful of formulas: "kabitan," rich-boy-poor-girl romances, second-chance love stories, predictable love triangles, revenge plots, and coming-of-age stories that hit the same familiar beats. But the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival offers a lineup that goes well beyond those formulas. The festival's full-length films already show a wide range of genres, settings, and subjects. “Apol of My Ai,” “Beast,” “Mono No Aware,” “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa 'Yo),” “Patay Gutom,” “Stuck on You,” and “Wantawsan” move across family drama, fantasy, romance, comedy, horror, animation, and stories set outside the Philippines. This year's Best Film, “Mono No Aware,” follows a Filipino kodokushi cleaner in Japan who meets an elderly widower nearing the end of his life. “Beast” follows a farmer and his carabao on a magical road trip to Manila, while “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa 'Yo)” combines horror, comedy, and romance. “Patay Gutom” takes another unusual approach, combining live action and rotoscoped animation while incorporating queer elements into a story about grief. Its visual form is part of what separates it from the conventional Filipino drama. “Wantawsan,” meanwhile, takes on the country's vaunted idea of Filipino resilience, stripping away its romanticized framing and presenting it as a consequence of state neglect and the government's failure to provide a dignified life for its people. The student shorts make the lineup even more varied. “Limlim,” which won Best Film, tackles abortion, a subject that remains highly taboo in the Philippines. Its recognition at the festival puts a difficult and rarely discussed subject at the center of the competition. “Nakabinbin” turns the process of securing government documents into a story about bureaucracy. “The Sound of K” centers on a young boy with an orofacial cleft who is afraid to speak. “Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.” takes its story to Samar, where a young lawyer returns home to find her estranged activist mother before her wedding. “Miss Intrams” puts a queer transmasculine college student in the setting of a campus pageant. Then there is “Kanibal,” which tackles the privatization of public markets through body horror. “Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa 'Yo)” also received the Audience Choice Award, giving a queer-led genre film a notable connection with festivalgoers. Its mix of horror, comedy, and romance shows how queer stories can move beyond the familiar coming-out narrative and meet audiences through genre, humor, and entertainment. The variety is not limited to subject matter. CinePanalo's films also use different genres and forms to tell their stories. “Patay Gutom” mixes live action and rotoscoping. Horror becomes a way to discuss public-market privatization in “Kanibal.” A campus pageant becomes a setting for a queer story. Bureaucratic paperwork becomes a central conflict. A Filipino worker in Japan becomes the lead in a story about grief and death. A familiar idea like Filipino resilience becomes the subject of a direct critique of government neglect. That is a long way from simply recycling the same romance, family drama, or "kabitan" formula. The festival also shows that being brave does not always mean making a film about a huge political issue. Sometimes it means choosing a subject that Filipino cinema rarely puts at the center of a story, such as abortion, disability, queer identity, death abroad, bureaucracy, or the privatization of public spaces. CinePanalo 2026 has films about love and family, but they do not all look or sound the same. It has social issues, but they are not presented through one formula. It has romance, comedy, horror, animation, fantasy, and drama, often mixing genres instead of staying within familiar boundaries. Philippine cinema is alive because Filipino filmmakers are still finding new subjects, new settings, and new ways to tell stories. CinePanalo 2026 makes that variety difficult to ignore. (✍️: Kieth Earl Rebaño) #radarPHEntertainment #radarPH

Jennylyn Mercado’s longtime friend and Aguila Entertainment CEO Kat Aguila has shared another little-known story about the actress, recalling how Mercado drove herself to the hospital while already in labor with her first child, Jazz. “Kahit tumatama na ang tiyan niya sa manibela, she still drove herself,” Aguila told radar Entertainment.  When Mercado arrived at the emergency entrance of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, she left her car at the ER entrance, took her baby bag and walked into the hospital by herself. Two hours later, she had given birth. “Lahat kami nagulat na nanganak na siya,” Aguila recalled. When they asked Mercado why she had not told anyone, particularly her mother Lydia, Aguila said Mercado did not want her mother to worry or become more anxious. For Aguila, the story reflected a trait that defined much of Mercado’s life. She said the actress had a tendency to carry things quietly, figure things out on her own and keep moving without asking others to carry the weight for her. “She never wanted anyone to feel that she was a burden,” Aguila said. The story comes as renewed attention has been drawn to Mercado’s past following Patrick Garcia’s recent tell-all interview with Ogie Diaz. Garcia said he decided to speak publicly after his daughter Michelle, whom he shares with another partner, became the target of online bashing amid renewed discussion of his past with Mercado. He said he wanted to protect his daughter by telling his side of the story. The interview, however, instead reignited public discussion surrounding Mercado and Garcia’s relationship and her experience as a young mother, bringing old issues back into the spotlight. “There are still so many stories that people don’t know,” she said. “Stories that have never made it into the headlines, never been shared publicly, and perhaps never will.” Aguila said these untold stories show a side of Mercado that often remained away from cameras and headlines: someone who could face difficult circumstances without wanting others to worry about her. “She would carry things quietly, figure things out on her own, and somehow find the strength to keep going without asking anyone to carry the weight for her,” Aguila said. Aguila described her longtime friend as someone who lived a “colorful life,” marked by strength, courage, imperfections, laughter and struggles. “There was so much more to her than what people saw,” Aguila said. (✍️: Marinel Cruz) #radarPH #radarPHEntertainment