After Typhoon Tino battered Cebu, photos of relief goods quickly went viral, bottled water and coffee packs stamped with a congressman’s name and smiling face. What should have been a symbol of compassion became a flashpoint for debate, as many Cebuanos questioned why public aid carried political branding.
The Rule We Keep Forgetting
Photo from Duke Frasco Facebook Page
This practice isn’t just questionable, it’s prohibited. The Commission on Audit (COA) has banned the use of officials’ names or faces on government-funded projects and relief goods since 2013 through COA Circular No. 2013-004. The directive is clear: taxpayers fund the aid, not politicians. Yet, more than a decade later, violations continue with little consequence.
When Public Aid Becomes Personal Promotion
Photo from Duke Frasco Facebook Page
The issue runs deeper than labels. Experts say this kind of politics, self-promotion using public funds, feeds a culture of dependency and misinformation. Many still refer to government programs as from the mayor or from the congressman, forgetting that the money behind them comes from citizens’ taxes, not personal generosity.
A Call for Accountability
Photo from Duke Frasco Facebook Page
As Cebu recovers from Typhoon Tino’s destruction, it’s time to rethink what real service looks like. Relief goods should reflect solidarity, not self-advertisement. True public service doesn’t need a face on a bottle, it needs action, transparency, and respect for the people who actually paid for it: the public.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is set to visit Cebu this Friday, November 7, following the devastation brought by Typhoon Tino. The typhoon’s torrential rains left parts of Metro Cebu submerged, taking the lives of at least 92 people and displacing hundreds more.
Initially, the President was scheduled to lead the long-awaited inauguration of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), a project that had been years in the making. However, the event has been postponed indefinitely as the province reels from the aftermath of the storm.
The People’s Questions: Help or Accountability?
Photo grab from CDN comment section
While Cebuanos welcome any sign of national attention, the President’s visit has stirred mixed emotions online. Many netizens are asking: What will the visit truly bring? Will it be genuine relief, or just another round of political appearances and promises?
Cebu’s fighting spirit is well-known, from typhoons to earthquakes, the province has always risen with resilience. But as the floodwaters recede, another tide is rising: the public’s growing frustration.
Some netizens wonder, why does he has to be here or question the existence of the president. Others echoed similar sentiments, asking whether the problem lies not in the disaster itself, but in years of unaddressed corruption and poor infrastructure planning.
Photo grab from CDN comment section
Between Hope and Doubt
Photo from Bongbong Marcos Facebook Page
As President Marcos Jr. sets foot in Cebu, he will not only face a province devastated by a natural disaster, but also a people demanding clarity. Cebuanos are known for their strength and unity, but they are also known for their discernment. For now, the island braces not only for the President’s arrival but for what his visit will symbolize: help, healing, or a reminder of promises long overdue.
When Typhoon Tino struck the Visayas, it devastated homes and communities and shelters that care for abandoned and rescued animals. Among the hardest hit were Pawssion Project and Hope for Strays, two non-profit organizations dedicated to saving and rehabilitating stray dogs and cats. Both shelters have been left struggling to rebuild their facilities and restock essential supplies after the typhoon’s destruction. Here’s how you can help.
Pawssion Project’s Plea for Help
Photos from Pawssion Project FB page
Pawssion Project, a well-known animal welfare organization with shelters in Bacolod and Bulacan, shared an emotional message after Typhoon Tino ravaged their Bacolod site. The team described how fallen trees crushed huts and damaged the seniors’ area, fences, and electrical wiring, with power outages lasting for hours and debris scattered throughout the compound, staff and volunteers faced immense difficulty checking on the rescued animals.
Photos from Pawssion Project FB page
Despite the chaos, Pawssion Project confirmed that all their rescues are safe. However, many dogs need to be dried, checked, and comforted after the terrifying ordeal. Donations in the form of cash, food, or materials are now being accepted to restore safe spaces for their rescues.
How to Support Pawssion Project?
Photos from Pawssion Project FB page
Those who wish to extend assistance can donate through the following channels:
Donors are encouraged to send proof of donations to [email protected] for tracking. Every peso goes toward food, medical needs, and rebuilding the damaged areas for the hundreds of animals under their care.
Hope for Strays: A Shelter in Mourning
Photos from Hope for Strays FB page
Meanwhile, another Cebu-based group, Hope for Strays, is facing heartbreaking losses. The shelter confirmed that three of their foster dogs died when Typhoon Tino brought catastrophic flooding around 4 AM. Nine sacks of dog food were also destroyed by floodwater.
Photos from Hope for Strays FB page
Still recovering from a recent earthquake, Hope for Strays described the situation as “devastating,” yet their focus remains on survival and recovery.
Feeding the Survivors
Photos from Hope for Strays FB page
Right now, Hope for Strays urgently needs dog food and solar lights to continue caring for the animals left in their protection. Without these essentials, their ability to provide even the most basic care is severely hampered. They are asking the public for help in restocking supplies and keeping the shelter operational during the recovery period.
How to Support Hope For Strays?
Photos from Hope for Strays FB page
To donate, supporters can reach out directly or send aid through the following:
GCash: 09957696592
PayMaya: 09957696592
A Call to Compassion
Photos from Pawssion Project FB page
Both Pawssion Project and Hope for Strays have spent years rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming thousands of neglected and abused animals. Now, these organizations need the community’s compassion and support more than ever.
Photos from Hope for Strays FB page
Typhoon Tino may have destroyed their shelters, but it has not broken their spirit. Through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness, each person can help these animal heroes rise again, and ensure that the dogs who have already been through so much never have to suffer alone.
“₱26 billion of flood control funds for Cebu yet we are flooded to the max,” Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro said after Typhoon Tino left large parts of the province submerged this November 2025.
Screenshot from Pam Baricuatro Facebook Page
The comment echoed a question many Cebuanos have quietly asked for years: how can billions in flood-control money disappear into projects that seem invisible when the water rises?
The Mananga River Mystery
Photo from Pam Baricuatro
In Talisay City, one of the worst-hit areas, flood-control works were supposed to protect residents from this very scenario. The Mananga River project, handled by QM Builders and Quirante Construction Corp., carries a total budget of around ₱1.9 billion and was slated for completion in 2025. Yet as 2026 approaches, the floods in Talisay remain visible, while the supposed flood-control system is not.
The Typhoon That Tested It All
Photo from Mariel Tanciano
When Tino struck on November 4, heavy rain and high tide combined to overwhelm Cebu’s major waterways. In some other parts of Talisay City, homes were torn apart by surging waters.
Photo from Mariel Tanciano
Did Not Anticipate?
Photo from Ezequiel Khin Allosada
Provincial Administrator Joseph “Ace” Durano admitted that the province “did not anticipate the extent of the flooding,” but also acknowledged the obvious, the existing flood-control projects didn’t work at all.
“As far as the flood control projects (are) concerned, we can see na walang flooding na nakontrol dito. So whatever the projects they have here, it didn’t work at all,” he said.
The Big Question: Where Did the Money Go?
Photo from CRG-CV
₱26 billion could build hundreds of kilometers of flood walls, drainage systems, and river dikes. Yet in neighborhoods like Isla Verde, those billions might as well have sunk beneath the mud. Were the projects poorly planned? Were materials substandard? Or were funds scattered too thinly across too many contracts to make a real impact? These are questions that deserve transparent, audited answers, not just press releases.
Photo from CRG-CV
The Storm Isn’t Just in the Sky
For now, the rain has stopped, but frustration continues to pour. As audit teams move in, Cebu’s people are left with the simplest, hardest question of all, if billions have been spent to stop the floods, why are we still drowning?
Heads up! PAGASA has issued a serious advisory that a tropical depression currently outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is forecast to intensify into a super typhoon.
The tropical depression may enter PAR by Friday night or Saturday morning, possibly affecting northern and eastern parts of the country.
Current Location and Forecast
As of Tuesday morning (November 4), PAGASA reported the weather disturbance at 1,985 km east of Northeastern Mindanao, moving west at 20 kilometers per hour (kph). Containing a maximum sustained winds of 55 kph, with gustiness up to 70 kph. Once inside PAR (Philippine Area of Responsibility) it would be locally named Uwan, which is expected to strengthen rapidly.
The recent forecast models show maximum sustained winds that could exceed 185 kph—a threshold for a super typhoon, this coming weekend. PAGASA warns that while the exact track is uncertain, a landfall in the Philippines is increasingly likely. Updates will follow as the cyclone moves closer, so don’t ignore official bulletins, especially as landfall scenarios change daily.
Potential Impacts to Cebu and Eastern Visayas
By Saturday, rough to very rough seas are expected for the northern and eastern seaboards, stretching from Luzon to Visayas. This should be a time when Cebu residents should monitor conditions closely, as coastal flooding and dangerous waves may occur even before the system makes landfall.
Typhoon Tino, as of current, is affecting central Philippines, bringing storm signals and “life-threatening conditions” over Camotes Islands and several parts of Cebu, with severe winds and rainfall, leading to flash floods and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas. The forecast for super typhoon Uwan could mean powerful winds and rain of similar or greater intensity, especially for those living near the coastlines and rivers.
PAGASA’s Official Advisory
PAGASA emphasizes that any tropical depression outside the PAR is unpredictable, with rapid intensification possible as it moves over warm Philippine waters. The agency urges communities, particularly in Cebu, Leyte, Samar, and coastal provinces, to prepare emergency kits, secure homes, and be ready to evacuate if needed.
Local authorities may release preemptive evacuation orders and school suspensions as the cyclone gets closer. Barangays with histories of flooding or landslides should stay vigilant and follow instructions from disaster officials.
What Cebu Can Do Right Now
Cebuanos should actively monitor official updates every few hours and make sure mobile phones and power banks are charged for possible outages. Preparing a go-bag with flashlights, a first aid kit, canned food, and bottled water that can last for at least three days is crucial, as typhoon conditions can lead to supply disruptions and flooding.
Those living in flood-prone or coastal areas should know the nearest evacuation centers and check their barangay’s announcements about possible preemptive relocation. By adopting these steps, Cebu residents can safeguard their families and respond quickly when the threat of severe weather becomes real.
Every rainy season in the Philippines brings more than slippery roads, it also brings one of a car owner’s biggest nightmares…flooding. Here are some steps you can take if your car gets flooded.
Even though SUVs and high-clearance vehicles aren’t immune when streets turn into rivers. Knowing the right steps to take after your car gets submerged can spell the difference between a quick recovery and a costly disaster.
Do Not Start the Engine
Photos from Nestor Archival FB Page
Your first instinct might be to turn on the ignition, but don’t do it. Starting a flooded engine can cause serious internal and electrical damage. If it’s safe, disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits. Then, immediately call your insurance provider and a towing service to safely move your vehicle to higher ground or a service center.
Document the Damage
Photos from Nestor Archival FB Page
Before any cleanup, take clear photos and videos of your car, inside and out. Capture the waterline, wet interiors, and visible damage. These images will serve as important proof when filing your insurance claim.
Dry It Out
Stock Photo from Canva
Once conditions are safe, begin drying the car’s interior. Open all doors and windows, remove seat covers and carpets, and use a wet/dry vacuum or towels to soak up moisture. This step is crucial in preventing mold and mildew, which can damage upholstery and cause unpleasant odors.
Leave It to the Experts
Photos from Nestor Archival FB Page
Even if your car looks fine on the outside, floodwater may have seeped into the engine or electrical systems. Always have it professionally inspected before driving again. Mechanics can check for contaminated fluids, corroded parts, and damaged wiring, ensuring your car is safe to use.
Floods can happen anytime, anywhere. To minimize risk, avoid parking in flood-prone areas and consider comprehensive insurance with Acts of Nature coverage. A little preparation today can save you from major repairs tomorrow, and keep your car ready to roll, rain or shine.
In the quiet city of Fukuoka, Japan, a modest inn called Asahi Ryokan has gained worldwide attention for its extraordinary offer, a room for just one U.S. dollar per night.
What sounds like an incredible bargain comes with one unusual condition, your stay will be livestreamed on YouTube.
The Idea Behind the Livestream
Photo grab from Google Maps
The concept was introduced by the inn’s owner, who wanted to attract more visitors while generating income through online views and advertising. The rule is simple yet bold, guests can stay in the room for a single dollar if they agree to be filmed throughout their visit. To protect privacy, the bathroom area remains strictly off-camera.
From Experiment to Internet Sensation
Photo gran from Google Maps
What started as a small experiment quickly turned into a viral attraction. Word spread through social media, drawing attention from vloggers, backpackers, and curious travelers across the globe. The hotel’s YouTube channel began to gain followers who tuned in just to see what guests were doing in real time.
Why Travelers Love the Experience
Photo grab from Google Maps
For some visitors, it’s an unbeatable deal for budget travel. For others, it’s a chance to take part in one of Japan’s most unusual and talked-about experiences. Many guests use the opportunity to connect with viewers, share stories, or simply embrace the novelty of being part of a global livestream
A Modern Twist on Japanese Hospitality
Photo grab from Google Maps
Beyond the entertainment factor, Asahi Ryokan’s $1 room reflects Japan’s blend of innovation, creativity, and tradition. It shows how even a small local inn can capture international attention by reimagining the meaning of hospitality in the digital age, one livestream at a time.
Health officials at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) are sounding the alarm: a surgency of HIV cases in Cebu rose up to 300 percent over the past five years, with the sharpest increase hitting the youth population—particularly those below 15 years old and ages 15 to 24. This isn’t just about numbers on a dashboard. Behind every statistic is a young person facing a life-altering diagnosis, often with little understanding of how they got there or what comes next.
The Reality Check We All Need
Photo from Unsplash
Dr. Kathleen Joyce “KitKat” del Carmen, a pediatrician and member of the HIV/AIDS Core Team at VSMMC’s Kaambag Clinic, revealed during a recent health program that most newly diagnosed patients are between 15 and 34 years old. “This tells us that our youth are getting infected younger and faster,” she emphasized.
In early 2025, the Department of Health officially declared HIV a public health emergency after seeing a 500 percent increase in new infections and AIDS-related deaths nationwide over the past decade. In 2023 alone, the country recorded 26,700 new infections—roughly 50 new cases every single day. By June 2025, total HIV cases in the country reached 153,798. Globally, HIV infections are decreasing. Here, they continue to rise,” Dr. Del Carmen shared.
Cebu’s Alarming Position
Photo from Unsplash
Central Visayas, where Cebu belongs, now ranks among the top five regions in the Philippines with 11,347 diagnosed cases as of June 2025. Region 7 ranked sixth in new infections during the first quarter of 2025 but climbed to fourth place by the second quarter, recording 367 new cases between April and June—a significant jump from the 225 cases recorded in earlier months.
From January to September 2025, the Kaambag Clinic, a DOH-accredited confirmatory testing center for the Visayas region, tested 1,210 individuals. Among those tested, 31 received positive results and were promptly referred for treatment. As of September 2025, the clinic is providing antiretroviral treatment (ART) to 1,373 people. The majority of these patients (87%) are men, with the largest proportion falling within the 25 to 49 age bracket.
The Youth Crisis No One Wants to Talk About
Photo from Unsplash
What’s truly alarming is how young the patients are becoming. A 15-year-old is the youngest confirmed case from a sexually transmitted HIV case in Cebu. Even more disturbing, health workers report that first sexual experiences can start as early as 12 years old. Some babies are being born with the virus, infected during birth.
The alarming truth is undeniable. HIV cases among individuals under 15 and those aged 15-24 have skyrocketed by over 300 percent in the last five years. This indicates that our youth—your classmates, nieces, nephews, and friends—are increasingly affected by a public health crisis that many are still unwilling to openly address.
Treatment Is Available, But Stigma Is the Real Killer
Photo from Unsplash
There are some great news! HIV is now a manageable condition thanks to effective medication. The standard treatment, a single daily tablet called the LTD regimen (Lamivudine, Tenofovir, Dolutegravir), has minimal side effects. Furthermore, the 2018 HIV Law permits minors aged 15 and above to access Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) without needing parental consent.
Central Visayas now has 20 HIV treatment hubs, with Kaambag Clinic serving as the confirmatory testing center for the entire Visayas. From January to September 2025, 50 individuals were started on PrEP at Kaambag alone.
But here’s the catch, the stigma remains the number one barrier to getting tested and treated. Dr. Del Carmen put it bluntly “Stigma kills faster than the virus”. Many people refuse to get tested out of fear. Others hide their diagnosis from family members and stop taking their medication to avoid being discovered.
For children born with HIV, the psychological struggle is real. Many grow up believing their daily pills are just vitamins. When they reach adolescence and start asking questions—”Why do I need to take this every day?”—that’s when the truth has to be revealed, often with the help of doctors, social workers, and psychologists.
What Can We Do About It?
Photo from Unsplash
First, get tested. If you’re sexually active, HIV testing should be part of your regular health checkup. Testing is free at government health centers and HIV hubs like Kaambag Clinic.
Second, practice safe sex. Use condoms consistently and correctly. If you’re in a high-risk situation, ask your doctor about PrEP. As this can significantly reduce your risk of HIV infection by up to 92 percent when taken consistently.
Third, talk about it. Break the silence. Have honest conversations with your friends, partners, and family about sexual health. The more we normalize these discussions, the easier it becomes for young people to seek help without shame.
Fourth, educate yourself. Learn the facts about HIV transmission, prevention, and treatment. Organizations like LoveYourself Inc. offer resources, free testing, and support services across the Philippines.
A Call to Action for Sugboanons
Photo from Unsplash
The fight against HIV won’t be won in hospitals alone. It requires early education, open conversation, and dismantling the shame that still surrounds testing and treatment. It means confronting uncomfortable truths about youth sexuality, rejecting outdated stigmas, and prioritizing health over hiya.
So, Sugboanons, let’s be real: HIV is here, it’s affecting our youth, and pretending it doesn’t exist won’t make it go away. Get tested. Stay protected. Talk openly. Because every statistic begins with a person. As every person deserves a chance to live without fear.
The concept shown in National Geographic’s “Aftermath: Population Zero”, a world where nature heals without human interference, comes to life in Colase Marine Sanctuary in Samboan, Cebu. The site features thriving coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity, flourishing in a protected environment.
A Coastal Town in Southern Cebu
Photo from Hanna Menchavez
Samboan is located at the southern tip of Cebu, roughly 140 kilometers from Cebu City. The municipality is known for its coastlines, heritage structures, and marine habitats that remain largely undisturbed compared to other southern destinations.
Gateway to Colase Marine Sanctuary
Photo from Samboan Tourism
Located in Barangay Colase, the sanctuary is approximately 15 minutes from the town center. The shoreline is made up of pebbles, rocks, and washed corals, but the main attraction lies underwater, where expansive coral gardens dominate the seascape.
Protected Coastline and Marine Recovery
Photo from Samboan Tourism
The coastline was declared a protected marine zone nearly 20 years ago, prohibiting fishing activities. The restriction allowed the reef ecosystem to regenerate naturally, resulting in healthier coral formations and increased fish populations.
Coral Gardens and Marine Life
Photo from Samboan Tourism
Snorkelers can observe staghorn, soft, and brain corals in shallow areas that serve as shelter for reef fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. Due to the closeness of corals to the surface, life jackets are recommended to prevent accidental contact and damage.
Ideal Snorkeling Conditions
Photo from Samboan Tourism
The best time for snorkeling is between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, when water visibility is at its peak and the seabed remains undisturbed. Coral fields become denser farther from shore, acting as natural buffers against strong waves.
Signs of a Healthy Reef System
Local reports note occasional sightings of sea turtles, small sharks, dolphins, and whales passing through the deeper sections of the sanctuary, indicating a balanced and thriving ecosystem.
Community-Based Environmental Management
The sanctuary is jointly managed by the Municipal Government of Samboan and a local fisherfolk organization, ensuring continuous protection of the area. Colase is one of several coastal barangays, alongside San Sebastian (Bato), Dalahikan, Tangbo, Bonbon, Suba, and Poblacion.
By Car: Drive south via Barili and follow the coastal highway to Samboan (3.5–4 hours). Continue along the highway until reaching the signage for Barangay Colase, which sits directly beside the shoreline.
By Commute: From South Bus Terminal in Cebu City, take a bus bound for Samboan or Bato via Barili (approx. 4 hours). Alight at Samboan Poblacion, then take a tricycle or habal-habal to Barangay Colase / Colase Marine Sanctuary (10–15 minutes).
They say the old campus changes after midnight, its halls no longer echo with laughter or footsteps, only whispers that sound too close to your ear. The air grows colder, the lights dim for no reason, and shadows stretch where no one walks. Some claim it’s just the wind, or the age of the building, but those who’ve seen what moves in the basement know better. Because when the night is at its stillest, you can hear them, the headless ones, dragging their feet through the dark, searching for what was taken from them long ago.
The rain had already drowned the courtyard by the time Iskaela realized she was alone. Everyone else had gone home after their night shoot, but she stayed behind to return the borrowed camera. The equipment room was in the basement, that basement, the one students joked about but never stayed in long enough to test the stories.
Photo from Pexels
The power flickered as she descended. The hallway lights buzzed, casting sickly yellow light over cracked tiles. It smelled of rust and something older, something like rot trapped beneath wet concrete.
Halfway down, she heard footsteps. Not hers.
They were slow, uneven, dragging.
“Hello?” she called, her voice trembling slightly. “Sir, is that you?”
No answer. Only the faint sound of water dripping and the distant groan of metal chains being pulled somewhere deep within the dark.
Her flashlight flickered once, then caught movement at the end of the hall. A silhouette stood there, motionless, dressed in what looked like a student’s uniform, shirt stained dark at the collar.
She lifted the flashlight higher.
Photo from Pexels
The beam landed on its shoulders.
And stopped.
There was no head.
Iskaela stumbled back, her breath catching in her throat. The figure twitched, turning slightly toward her. Then she saw another one step out of the shadow behind it. And another.
Four. Maybe five.
All headless. All moving with that sick, puppet-like gait.
They didn’t walk so much as sway, like they were being pulled by strings. Something glistened down their necks, dripping onto the floor—thick, black, and slow.
Her flashlight went out.
She ran.
But the sound followed, footsteps pounding, echoing, closing in. She didn’t dare look back. She burst through the stairwell door, sprinted up the steps, and slammed into the ground floor corridor.
Photo from Pexels
Then she heard a whisper.
Right beside her ear.
A voice that didn’t come from a mouth.
“You shouldn’t have looked at us.”
Iskaela froze. Her reflection in the glass door stared back at her—and in that reflection, she wasn’t alone.
Behind her, just inches away, stood one of them.
And in its hands, it held something round, dripping.
A head.
Her head.
The world tilted, her vision warping into darkness.
They found Iskaela’s phone the next morning on the basement stairs. The last video she recorded showed her flashlight beam shaking wildly, catching brief glimpses of motion, headless figures closing in, and then a single, whispered word before the camera cut to black:
“Here.”
Photo from Pexels
Now, students say if you pass by that basement after midnight, you can sometimes hear wet footsteps following behind you.
And if you turn too quickly, you might see a girl standing in the dark, small, barefoot, still holding something cradled in her arms.
