OUR SINCERE APOLOGIES to Atty. Shiela Joy Socito Vargas, one of the 19 new bar passers from Catanduanes, whose photo was captioned with the wrong name in the Jan. 14, 2026 issue of the Tribune. Both the social media and website photos were subsequently corrected after several netizens pointed out the error but the street issue, however, was beyond correction. Again, we regret the error.
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Tropical storm “Ada” brought torrential rains that triggered heavy flooding and landslides, with the storm surge contributing to the deluge in Bagamanoc.
Total rainfall over the three-day passage of the storm east of the island came up to 404.7 mm according to PAGASA Virac Synoptic Station, with more than half or 219.3 mm pouring in on Jan. 17.
The maximum wind gusts in Virac reached only 43 kph at 12 noon of Jan. 18.
PAGASA said the storm’s arrival was preceded by observance of red-colored sunrise and sunset on Jan. 13.
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Last week, telecommunications giant PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) were reported to have successfully tested a direct-to-device satellite service right here in Catanduanes.
In a statement, PLDT chief operating officer Menardo Jimenez said its investments in technologies aim to strengthen and expand the company’s network and connect last-mile communities.
The report from PNA said the test was conducted by Smart’s Network and Strategy and Architecture Team with Lynk Global’s technical team in the remote barangay of Marambong in Pandan—directly facing the Philippine Sea.
It involved the successful transmission via Lynk Global satellite of text messages between a phone in Catanduanes and a phone in Metro Manila, as well as two other phones in Catanduanes.
More tests will be expected as Lynk’s technology matures, more Lynk satellites are deployed, and service availability significantly improves, Jimenez disclosed.
Other planned tests for this year include maritime routes until a planned commercial launch in 2027.
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As the PLDT chief underscored, Smart’s direct-to-device service will enable the government to respond quickly to emergencies and ensure that affected Filipinos will remain connected via satellite despite adverse weather conditions or the remoteness of their location.
There is no hint of how much Smart would offer the service which we must presume would run on all types of smartphones.
The existing satphones utilized by some aid agencies and the DPWH are costly and the user has to purchase cellphone load before it can be used.
Such an “internet anywhere” smartphone would be extremely useful to have among hikers or climbers and most especially for local fishermen who on hours-long trips to their fishing grounds out in the ocean.
Having one dedicated phone for satellite connection, loaded only for the particular trip, would be a lifesaver in case the fishermen are caught at sea by inclement weather.
The issue would be the cost of the satellite service which could be beyond the financial capability of marginal fishermen.
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CAR INSURANCE. Diana’s car was stolen so she called the insurance company and said, “I had that car insured for $15,000 – I want my money!”
The agent replied, “Sorry madam, insurance doesn’t work quite like that. An independent adjuster will assess the value of what was insured, and then we’;; provide you with another car, just like the original one.
There was a long pause, and then Diana replied, “if that’s how it works, I want to cancel the life insurance policy on my husband.”