Mister Philippines finished 2nd runner-up at the Mister Global 2026, Miss Asia Pacific PH placed 3rd runner-up

PH bet MJ Ordillano finishes 2nd runner-up at Mister Global 2026; Miss Asia Pacific Int'l PH placed 3rd runner-up

JADE VERONIQUE YAP
GMA News
October 11, 2026

Philippine bet MJ Ordillano finished as second runner-up at the Mister Global 2026 pageant held in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday night.

Ordillano advanced to the Top 3, where he competed against representatives from Türkiye and Nigeria for the title.

Türkiye’s Dilhan Divrikli was crowned Mister Global 2026, while Nigeria’s Bethel Mbamara was named first runner-up.

During the question-and-answer round that determined the Top 3 finalists, Ordillano was asked what quality is most important in a good man.

Ordillano highlighted the importance of loving unconditionally, drawing inspiration from his grandmother, who raised him and showed him the meaning of love through her sacrifices, patience, and courage.

“It’s a privilege to be loved by the globe, but most importantly, it is a [greater] privilege to have the opportunity to [love] others whom you’ve never even met," he said.

In the final question, the Top 3 finalists were asked how they would bring people closer together despite their cultural and religious differences.

Ordillano emphasized his commitment to advocating for people with disabilities and those facing mental health challenges.

He also said he would use the Mister Global platform to reach people, return their love, and serve as a role model.

Meanwhile, Philippine bet Gabrielle Galapia finished as third runner-up at the Miss Asia Pacific International 2026 pageant held at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday night.

Galapia advanced to the Top 5, competing against representatives from Mexico, South Africa, Costa Rica, and Thailand for the crown.

Thailand’s Sofia Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn was crowned Miss Asia Pacific International 2026, while Costa Rica’s Gia Franceschi finished as first runner-up and South Africa’s Nompumelelo Amandla Malindi as second runner-up.

Mexico’s Itzel Borbon completed the Top 5 as fourth runner-up. —JCB, GMA News

Three Philippine beaches among top 15 in the world

Three Philippine beaches among top 15 in the world: Condé Nast

The Star (Malaysia)
11 Oct 2026

MANILA: Luxury magazine Condé Nast Traveller (CNT) has named Coron, El Nido, and Boracay among the top 15 beaches in the world, the only country to get three spots on the list.

Based on the 2026 CNT Readers’ Choice Awards, Coron ranked fourth with a score of 93.32; Boracay, eighth with 91.49; and El Nido, 10th with 91.27.

The 15 best beaches are:

Veligandu Island Beach, Maldives, 97.55;

Mounday’s Bay, Anguilla, 94.71;

Ao Nang Beach, Thailand, 94;

Coron, Philippines, 93.32;

Grace Bay Beach, Turks and Caicos, 93.04;

Mambo Beach, Curaçao, 92;

Pink Sands Beach, Bahamas, 91.71;

Boracay, Philippines, 91.49;

Holbox Beach, Mexico, 91.38;

El Nido, Philippines, 91.27;

Bora Bora, French Polynesia, 91.21;

Cas Abao Beach, Curaçao, 91.14;

Iztuzu Beach, Turkey, 90.82;

Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica, 90.46; and

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 89.79

Palawan and Boracay were also named among the world’s best islands, with the former topping the Asia category.

Palawan ranked first, besting Phu Quoc and Condao in Vietnam, Koh Lanta and Phuket in Thailand, and Langkawi in Malaysia, while Boracay placed 7th, followed by Koh Samui, Thailand, and Bali and Lombok in Indonesia.

Most of the destinations made it to the CNT “top islands” list in Asia, including both Palawan and Boracay, but with Phu Quoc overtaking the rest as rank 1. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN

Philippine rice variety earns bronze medal award at World Rice Conference 2026

Bronze in the bowl: Philippine rice earns global recognition

DA Press Office
11 October 2026

Rice may be a staple on the Filipino table, but earning a place among the world’s finest grains is no small feat. After all, being a national obsession does not automatically make rice world-class.

At the 2026 International World Rice Conference in Makati City, the Philippines took home bronze, proving that local rice can hold its own in an increasingly competitive global market—even if it rarely gets the limelight.

Myanmar claimed the World’s Best Rice title, Vietnam took silver, and India and Thailand received Special Honorable Mentions. The Philippines secured bronze in a competition organized by The Rice Trader and its partners, where national pride was welcome but could not substitute for quality.

The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM), led by Rowena Sadicon, nominated the country’s entry and submitted a local rice sample for evaluation. A panel of chef judges, dubbed the “Lords of Rice,” put the contenders through double-blind judging, assessing aroma, cooked texture, grain quality and overall eating experience.

In short, this was no contest won by waving the flag over a steaming pot. The rice had to do the talking.

The Department of Agriculture, under Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., supported the Philippine entry alongside the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program.

“This recognition affirms that Philippine rice can compete on the world stage,” Tiu Laurel said, emphasizing the need to turn the achievement into lasting benefits for farmers through research, higher productivity and better access to quality rice. He also pointed to Filipino rice’s potential in global markets.

That is where the real test begins. A medal can raise the profile of Philippine rice, but it cannot automatically deliver better farmgate prices, higher farmer incomes or more affordable rice for consumers. International applause is encouraging; what matters is whether farmers hear the cash register ring, too.

As PhilRice Executive Director Dr. John de Leon has emphasized, a stronger rice value chain must connect agricultural research and improved farm production with quality on consumers’ plates. That requires more than promising varieties. Good seeds, sound farm management, careful harvesting, proper milling and efficient distribution all help determine whether rice lives up to its reputation.

The Philippine delegation also included rice breeders Thelma F. Padolina and Emily C. Arocena, whose work on Mabango 3 (NSIC Rc 218 SR) helped earn silver at the 2025 competition. Their achievement underscores the value of sustained agricultural research in turning local expertise into internationally recognized quality.

Bronze may not occupy the top step of the podium, and it will not solve the rice sector’s structural problems overnight. But it offers something worth cultivating: proof that Philippine rice belongs in the global conversation about quality.

For a country where rice is both daily nourishment and a national preoccupation, the medal deserves celebration. The next harvest of success, however, must reach beyond the podium—and all the way to the farmer’s pocket and the Filipino dining table. ### (By DA – OSEC Comms)