Jasha Gamao

PASAY CITY—The Senate approved two important resolutions on August 5, 2026 to give financial aid and show deep sympathy to families who lost their loved ones in recent tragedies. 

Senate President Win Gatchalian ordered the Senate secretariat to send money directly to the families of Ateneo basketball player Rene Baterbonia and three students killed in a Tacloban school shooting. 

Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri pushed the chamber to give immediate support to help ease the financial burden on the grieving relatives.

Resolution No. 57 pays tribute to Rene "Bobet" Baterbonia, an Ateneo Blue Eagles player who passed away recently. 

Senators Camille Villar and Risa Hontiveros honored Baterbonia as an amazing athlete, son, and friend who inspired young people across the country. 

Hontiveros shared her hope that the Senate’s tribute would bring peace to the player's family, reassuring them that the nation will never forget his dedication and talent.

Resolution No. 58 sends sincere condolences to the families of Joyancee Separa, Ayessa Nicole Dazo, and Chris Lorenz Fabian, three high school students who died in a Tacloban shooting last June. 

Senator Robinhood Padilla sponsored the measure and urged lawmakers to quickly pass laws that make schools safer for all children. He emphasized that the government must act fast to prevent violent acts inside school grounds.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go supported both resolutions and called for better mental health programs in schools. 

He stressed the urgent need to fully implement Republic Act No. 12080, also known as the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, to protect students' mental health. Go pointed out that strong mental health support can help spot warning signs early and keep students safe from violence.

The Senate’s active response shows its focus on supporting grieving families while tackling the main causes of these tragic events. 

By offering money, honoring young lives, and pushing for better safety and mental health laws, lawmakers aim to protect Filipino youth and build safer schools across the nation.

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Alex Eala’s sensational Canadian hard-court campaign came to an honorable close on Monday, Aug. 10, following a valiant 6-4, 0-6 battle against former champion Belinda Bencic in the fourth round of the National Bank Open. 

The 25th-seeded Filipina star went toe-to-toe with the world-class Swiss veteran early on, showcasing the elite power and resilience that have captivated tennis fans around the globe.

Although fatigue caught up with Eala following an exhausting string of matches, her performance in Toronto proved she can stand on the biggest stages against Grand Slam-level talent. 

Bencic, who won the Toronto title in 2015, had to bring her absolute best tennis to break open a gritty first set where Eala traded heavy blows and held her ground through a 4-4 deadlock.

The fourth-round finish puts the cap on an incredible chapter for Eala, capping off a career-defining seven-match winning streak that saw her lift her historic breakthrough WTA Tour trophy at the Mubadala DC Open just last week. 

Leaving Canada with newfound confidence, high-profile victories, and a rapidly climbing world ranking, the rising Filipina prodigy now looks ahead with massive momentum for the remainder of the season.

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Alas Pilipinas rewrote Philippine volleyball history by capturing its first-ever silver medal in the SEA V League, delivering a gritty victory over regional rival Indonesia. 

The national squad put on a statement performance to lock up the podium finish, overcoming tough resistance to prevail in a four-set battle: 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 33-31.

The Filipina spikers set an aggressive tone early, overpowering Indonesia with a commanding 25-13 opening set. 

Though Indonesia bounced back to steal a razor-thin second frame, the Philippines quickly regrouped to assert dominance in the third. 

The match escalated into an absolute dogfight in the fourth set, where both squads traded relentless attacks until Alas Pilipinas showed incredible composure to close out a heart-pounding 33-31 marathon finish.

This breakthrough silver marks a milestone moment for the national team program, establishing the Philippines as a formidable threat on the regional stage. 

By converting intense crunch-time pressure into a legendary triumph, Alas Pilipinas has raised the standard for Philippine volleyball and ignited pride across the nation.

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The battle for supremacy in UNTV Cup Season 12 intensifies as the elimination round wraps up. 

Headlining the top of the leaderboard, the Ombudsman Graftbusters and the PNP Responders locked in identical 7-2 win-loss records, officially earning the coveted direct passes straight to the semifinal round.

Trailing closely behind, four formidable contenders have punched their tickets to the quarterfinal phase. 

The COMELEC Vanguards and the AFP Cavaliers matched each other with impressive 6-3 standings, while the Judiciary Magis secured their playoff berth at 5-4. 

Rounding out the quarterfinal stage, OP Bagong Pilipinas safely advanced with a 4-5 record to keep their championship hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the elimination round brought heartbreak to two squads fighting to stay above water. 

Despite finishing with a 4-5 mark, the PhilHealth Health Insurers fell short of the playoff cut. Joining them on the sidelines are the DENR Lawin Patrollers, who officially bow out of the tournament with a 2-6 record.

The high-stakes playoff battle resumes as the Quarterfinal Round tips off on August 12, 2026, staying grounded at the historic Paco Arena in Manila. 

Expect zero room for error as surviving teams fight tooth and nail in knockout action to secure the remaining semifinal slots.

Don't miss a single second of the hard-court action as public servants play for glory and charity! Catch the games live at the Paco Arena or stream full live coverage online via the official UNTV Sports social media channels.

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MANILA—The COMELEC Vanguards fended off a furious late-game rally by OP Bagong Pilipinas to secure a razor-thin 94–92 victory on August 9 at the Paco Arena in Manila. 

The hard-fought win officially propelled COMELEC into the UNTV Cup Season 12 quarterfinals, locking up the third spot in the team standings with an impressive 6–3 record.

Despite missing crucial momentum down the stretch after Team Captain Jemuel Namocatcat fouled out in the game’s final minutes, COMELEC leaned heavily on player of the game Vincent Curador. 

Curador delivered a clutch performance with 12 points and 2 rebounds, steadying the Vanguards’ offense and repelling OP’s relentless comeback attempt until the final buzzer sounded.

Refusing to waver in the clutch, Curador reaffirmed his team’s commitment to their battle plan heading into the next round. 

“Then doon talaga sa quarterfinals, gagawin talaga namin lahat yung mga turo ni Coach, lahat ng mga play…wala kaming babaguhin–takbo lang ng takbo yun lang talaga,” Curador stated after his game-winning effort.

Despite taking the agonizing two-point loss, OP Bagong Pilipinas still kept their playoff hopes alive. 

Dropping to a 4–5 record, they managed to secure a spot and advance to the next round, setting up an even higher-stakes quarterfinal stage in the UNTV Cup Season 12.

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