ESPN and NBA Shows Available on DISNEY+

Anywhere you go in the Philippines, you're bound to see a basketball court. It doesn't have to be fancy, a simple hoop means hours of fun for Filipinos.  Not surprising because we love it that much, that includes the NBA.

These days, you can access it anywhere using the Disney+ app.  This means your favorite teams are just a click away as ESPN becomes available on Disney. This season starts with an opener with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat, then LA Lakers versus Golden State Warriors on October 22 (today). The next one is Cleveland Cavaliers versus Philadelphia 76ers, and Denver Nuggets versus Oklahoma City Thunders on October 23. We got first dibs on the tip off event they hosted at the Dave and Busters branch in Opus Mall in Quezon City.

In the LAKERS GSW game, GSW was doing good with Steph Curry punishing folks from the 3 point area, while the Lakers did good in rebounds and plays courtesy of Walker Kessler. Things heated up between Docic and Lendeborg because yes, it's getting physical between the two. Things got quiet though after an almost half court shot courtesy of DOCIC that went in, punishing them with a huge double digit lead in the first half. In the end, score was 127-105, people wept seeing that huge win from the Lakers.

There's also the Christmas Games happening this year between San Antonio Spurs (my fave team) and the New York Knicks (this year's champ!) plus the LA Lakers versus Philadelphia 76ers with Lebron James pitting against his former team, that's going to be exciting! 

There's also the Eastern and Western Conference Finals and the NBA Finals which you can watch on demand. You can also watch the pre game and post game shows with commentaries of your favorite NBA players, that's awesome! As they say, ITO ANG HOME COURT MO!

Aside from NBA shows, the UFC, NFL and more games will be at the Disney+ app. Go sub if you can! 

Candid Talk with KORINA SANCHEZ at Maddox Jewelry

Ms. Korina Sanchez Roxas took time to visit the Maddox Jewelry branch in Marikina City to talk candidly with its owner Ms. Charo Cordial. Their fun conversation started when Ms. Korina and Mar were just planning their marriage. She openly admitted to wanting to have a pre nuptial agreement so she could protect what she's earning from her work. She even consulted a lawyer about it. This was because she wanted to have control over what she earned because she often helps other people. She also shares part of her earnings to adorable pets, dogs and cats which is a cause she supports even in the early times of her career. 

Ms. Korina also supported her nephews and nieces who were still studying that time, but attests she didn't marry the former Senator for money. Her lawyer laughed a bit because she was marrying someone richer than her and she was the one asking for it. 

During the visit, she also admitted mixing expensive and reasonably priced jewelry when she goes out with it. Ms. Charo also asked if she doesn't worry if people notice that she wears the more affordable items, but she says she doesn't mind the naysayers, it's none of their business! She doesn't equate elegance with the price of jewelry she wears (although our sources say she spent over a million pesos that day at the Maddox Jewelry branch). She only uttered "I deserve this because I've worked really hard for it!". 

Ms. Korina also shared her animal welfare cause and said she plans to put up an animal shelter in Siargao and Boracay islands. It will also be a place where no animal will be put down, so she's asking for support for it too. With her success she still makes it a point to work on causes she believes in, if you would like to hear about it, you may subscribe to the Maddox Jewelry YouTube channel, their FB and TikTok accounts too.

Don Macchiatos Lands Bold Flavors in Queen City of the South CEBU

Cebuano folks need not to travel all the way to Vietnam just to get a taste of their good coffee as Don Macchiatos lands in Cebu. As you know, Cebu has their own coffee culture so bringing in new flavors to this vibrant city (inspired by local flair) feels just the right thing to do. They did this last October 20th, at their new flagship store in P. del Rosario right beside Sto. Rosario Church in Cebu City. This gives you reason not to go far ey!? 

The new line consists of Coconut Coffee, Salt Coffee, Iced Milk Coffee and Iced Black Coffee. They did this with Phin filters and sourced Trung Nguyen Beans (Robusta) that are darker than usual (has chocolate notes) just like the what the Vietnamese love. They also use Vinamilk condensed milk so you get the same experience as Viet's do, but not overpriced as it only costs PHP 59.00 only. While they differ in taste (of course they're different flavors!) you would be able to tell because one has got dessicated coconut on it, then salted cream toppings, some have sweetened condensed milk, and the latter having darker chocolate/notes. Don Macchiatos also looks different in this side of the world as they had it designed by Yaoto Architects + partners that have done exceptional spaces in the past. Imagine it like the various coffee shops in Vietnam but sits right in the tropical Cebu township. Spend a few minutes or hours here and you'll feel right at Hanoi, like an escape. 

If you're out in Manila or other places where Don Macchiatos is currently in, don't worry because they plan to roll out these new flavors too in your neighborhood very soon. Say Xin Chao all over again when that happens okay?!

AFN 2026 Releases "Asia Pacific Declaration" in Manila

 

Took a really early trip to the city of Pasig to witness some of the most remarkable gathering of experts for the Asia Forum on N|c0+ine as they discuss matters and push for larger efforts in T0bacc0 Harm Reduction and advocating safer N|c0+ine utilization especially in Asia. 

The event was attended by Clarisse Adriatico of the Coalition of Asia Pacific T0bacc0 Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), Michael Ellis formerly of Interpol (discussed Illicit Trade), Professor Marewa Glover the Director of the Centre of Research Excellence Indigenous Sovereignity and Sm0k!ng, UST's Professor Jay Jazul, Dr. Hiroya Kumamaru of the AO1 Universal Hospital, Nancy Loucas of the Coalition of Asia Pacific T0bacc0 Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA), Dr. Lorenzon Mata the President of Quit for Good, Heneaege Mitchell the founder of factasia, Commissioner Ariel Nepumoceno of the Bureau of Customs, Gabriel Oke, Professor Tikki Pangetsu, Professor Young Bum Park, Asa Saligupta, Sairah Salim Sartoni, Jagannath Sarangapani, Professor Dr. Sharifa Ezat Wan Puteh, Ron Christian Sison of the UST and convenor of HARAP.

They chose the Philippines for something specific and told us "We chose the Philippines because organizations here have been very supportive of the work that's being done in the entire region. So this is a kudos to them and that is why we are here."

They see a huge challenge when it comes to implementing T0bacc0 Harm Reduction (THR) measures in the region and also study the implications of it and how it causes activity in illicit markets. They also discussed this with consumers and asked for the issues they face. While THR is not accepted in most Asian countries, they are doing this to provide information so adults can give informed decisions when it comes to staying off the habit. They are advocating for availability of options for lesser harmful products and its regulation. Their call is for a broader access to safer products across the Asia Pacific region and hope that other countries would learn from those who have successfully implemented it. The 2 day forum was held at Astoria Hotel and streamed live on the CAPHRA YouTube channel.

Here's the whole press conference on video:

They presented the Asia Pacific Declaration which is  call for stakeholders (including government and public health officials, the WHO and folks in this region) to recognize risks posed by high risk combustible T0bacc0 products and show how lower risk n!c0+ine alternatives can provide options with regulated adult access with youth protection measures. This is used as an advocacy tool which participants can carry to their respective countries and submit to WHO regional offices and further their cause. They mentioned how this is evidence based, scientific, and hope governments listen to it. More materials about the cause can be found on afn.asia if you need it. 

Visit their website and social channels to participate in the discussion and to know more about it.