Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte says she hopes that all who died because of Eric John Casilao will get justice. Casilao, touted as the most wanted top leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), was captured in Malaysia on April 1, 2023 and brought to Davao City on April 17, 2023. Lean Daval Jr.
VP Sara hopes all who died because of Casilao will get justice
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte congratulated the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies behind the arrest of Eric John Casilao, touted as the most wanted leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
“I am glad that finally, Mr. Casilao has fallen, and I hope that all who died because of Mr. Casilao will get justice,” the vice president said in a statement shared with the media on Thursday afternoon.
Duterte said Casilao holds an important position in the terrorist organization NPA.
“Actively hatching plans to attack government forces and
the casualties of their senseless cause,” she added.
The admission of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that its ranking leaders, Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, were killed last year in an encounter with patrolling military troops highlights the government’s success against fugitives.
ceive the Filipino people. What happened in August 2022 operation was a legitimate encounter acting on information that VIPs of CPP-NPA were escaping from ongoing military operations,” he said.
infrastructures, attack civilian communities and the killing of Lumad leaders, and the forcible collection of extortion money from mining and agribusiness companies,” she said.
The vice president said the arrest of Casilao is only the beginning of the fight for justice for the victims of the bloodbath and other forms of violence perpetrated by the terrorist NPA allegedly headed by him across many parts of Mindanao, including the regions of Davao and Caraga.
Casilao a.k.a. Elian/Wally/ Chan/Kuya, alleged secretary of the Southern Mindanao Regional Committee (SMRC) and Central Committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), Communist Terrorist Group (CTG), was apprehended at Jeti Point International Clear-
“Many lives have been tragically upended and destroyed because of the ideology of violence espoused by Mr. Casilao and his terror group. Developments in the countryside were also among FRETRIBUTION, P10
passengers
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday said 85 people, including five infants, were rescued after a passenger vessel ran aground off Maigo Point, Lanao del Norte on
“The recent CPP-NPA-NDF’s (New People’s Army-National Democratic Front) declaration of the demise of the Tiamzon couple, if indeed true, was the success of government operations against the fugitives of the law, as they confirmed in their statement that these personalities have important positions in the CTG (communist terrorist group) organization,” AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilar said in a statement Friday.
He added that the AFP has long suspected of the couple’s demise following an encounter with government troops in the waters of Catbalogan City, Samar in August 2022 but could not confirm it due to lack of evidence.
However, Aguilar said CPP allegations that the AFP captured and tortured the Tiamzons before killing them is but propaganda and an attempt to deceive the public.
“Their allegations of capture and torture are part of their propaganda and an attempt to de-
Aguilar said the AFP maintains that the operation succeeded, with the CPP-NPA-NDF’s confirmation of their casualties, which included the Tiamzons.
“The alleged death of the Tiamzon couple and their Chairman Emeritus Jose Maria Sison in December 2022 only reveals the vacuum in the organizational and ideological leadership of the Communist Party. The leadership vacuum, therefore, leaves the underground movement without a sense of strategic and operational directions and the reason for its existence,” he added.
Aguilar also said that they are urging the remaining members of NPAs and other insurgent allies to surrender and reunite with mainstream society in developing the country.
“As the AFP commits to relentlessly pursue the remnants of the CPP-NPA-NDF who sow terror in our peace-loving communities, we urge them to abandon violence and help contribute to the government’s development programs,” he said. (PNA)
Thursday evening. In a statement, the PCG said its search and rescue team responded to the area.
“Siniguro ng PCG ang kaligtasan ng 85 pasahero na maingat
na isinakay sa Tugboat Foscon Diamond na ginamit sa naturang operasyon,” the PCG said.
(The PCG ensured the safety of 85 passengers who were carefully transferred to Tugboat
Foscon Diamond during the operation.)
Passenger vessel MV Filipinas Cebu was on its way to Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental from Lanao del Norte when the
incident happened around 6 p.m. Based on the assessment of PCG’s Marine Environmental Protection Unit (MEPU), there was no oil spill after the incident.
The University of the Philippines Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UP PSAE) broke ground on Friday at the Agriya Township in Barangay Cagangohan, Panabo City, Davao del Norte.
The signing of the Deeds of Donation (DOD) and the groundbreaking ceremony signal the start of the construction of the extension campus of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) in Mindanao.
DLI president Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo, DLI assistant vice president for the township and tourism Macy Bibat, University of the Philippines (UP) president lawyer Angelo Jimenez, UP-Los Baños chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho Jr. signed the DOD on behalf of Damosa Land Inc. (DLI), Anflo Management and Investment Corporation, and University of the Philippines-Los Baños for the lot where the school will be built.
UP PSAE will rise on a 31,800 square meter property at the Agriya Township, wherein the
By MAYA M. PADILLOWiththe coverage of Covid-19 booster vaccination in Davao City remaining low, the city government is planning to integrate it into the routine immunizations.
12,800 sqm was donated by the Anflo Management and Investment Corp. while the 19,000 sqm was donated by DLI.
Its first building will be donated by the Anflo Group through the Don Antonio O. Floirendo Sr. Foundation, which was signified by the DOD signing between Anflo and UP led by Anflo Group vice chairman Ricardo Floirendo, Jimenez, Camacho Jr., and Bibat.
UP PSAE will serve as the extension campus of the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) in Mindanao. It currently offers eight postgraduate programs in an off campus-mode namely MS Entomology, MS Environmental Science, Ph.D. Environmental Science, MS Soil Science, MS Rural Sociology, Master in Animal Nutrition, Master in Food Engineering, and Diploma in Environmental Planning.
Camacho assured that what they are bringing in the project is quality education in agriculture and the environment.
Routine vaccines are provided by the government for free in public health centers and facilities which include oral polio vaccines and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).
“Medyo kunhod kunhod pud ang atong booster doses specially sa second dose dili kaayo taas ang second booster dose sa adults. Dahil medyo hindi pa mataas ang coverage ng booster doses basin
ma-integrate na ito sa ating mga routine vaccinations. Basin maging yearly na ni available sa atoang programa sa national immunization program,” said Dr. Julinda Acosta, chief of the Technical Services Division of the City Health Office (CHO), over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Thursday.
Currently, two doses of booster shots are given to the adult population, one booster dose for 12 years
old to 17 years old and for 5 to 11 years old, primary series or first and second doses only.
Acosta reminded the public that Covid-19 vaccinations are available in the health centers.
“Ang uban health centers naga schedule ug every Friday. Naa pud uban everyday sila gabakuna. Available pud sa People’s Park Monday to Friday. So far naa pay nagapabakuna ug daghan pud nagapa booster ug nagapangutana kung unsa ang available na vaccines,” she said. Available Covid-19 vaccines
The Supreme Court announced Wednesday that it has issued a writ of kalikasan against the Department of Agriculture, other government agencies as well as the Philippine Rice Institute and University of the Philippines-Los Banos to stop the release of genetically modified rice and eggplant products.
The decision was reached in the High Court’s En Banc session on Tuesday during which the respondents were required to file a verified return within 10 days from service.
Petitioners led by Magsasaka at Siyentipiko Para sa Pag-Unlad ng Agrickultura (Masipag) filed before the court a petition for the
FCHO, P10 FSC,
issuance of a temporary environmental protection order (TEPO) against the propagation of Golden Rice and Bt Eggplant over safety concerns and compliance with legal requirements.
TheMarcos administration’s export development blueprint will be released on June 9, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Thursday.
In a Palace briefing, Pascual said the Philippine Export Development Plan (PEDP) 2023-2028 will list strategies of the government in the next five years to increase the exports of goods and services from the country.
“And of course, that’s tied up also with the investments that we are trying to bring in, particularly the export-oriented investments,” he said.
For the last two years of the previous PEDP, the Export Development Council, chaired by the DTI chief, revised export targets amid the impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
In 2022, the EDC lowered its target to USD105.3 billion from its initial target of USD130 billion, with USD62 billion coming from merchandise exports and
USD43.3 billion from services exports.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) showed that exports of goods and services last year only reached USD98.52 billion, of which USD57.45 billion were merchandise exports and USD41.07 billion were services revenues.
Pascual said the country will take advantage of the newly ratified Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the PEDP.
RCEP will enter into force in
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has ordered the Department of Energy (DOE) to create an administrative framework for offshore wind development, a document released by Malacañang showed on Thursday.
In signing Executive Order No. 21, dated April 19, Marcos said the country’s offshore wind roadmapalready identified a total of 178 gigawatts worth of technical potential capacity that can
be generated from offshore wind resources.
The order also seeks to fasttrack the approval processes by the permitting agencies when they issue permits, licenses, and clearances for offshore wind projects, noted the President.
“There is a need to adopt a whole-of-government approach by streamlining and expediting the approval process by the permitting agencies... and eliminate
unnecessary delays in every stage of an offshore wind project,” Marcos stated in the EO.
Under the order, the President said within 60 days from the order’s release, the DOE must issue a policy and administrative framework “for the efficient and optimal development of the country’s offshore wind resources.”
This order will be applica-
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will enter into force in the Philippines on June 2, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Thursday.
Tariff commitments under the RCEP will be implemented in the country 60 days after the government deposited the instrument of ratification with the ASEAN Secretary General on April 3, he said.
Pascual presented to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board, chaired by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the executive order (EO) that would operationalize the implementation of the country’s tariff commitments under the RCEP agreement.
He said the EO would be signed by the Chief Executive anytime soon or until the entry into force of the new free trade agreement (FTA) on June 2.
“Once issued, the EO shall be the basis of the Bureau of Customs for the issuance of Customs Administrative Order, which shall be distributed to all ports to allow for the implementation of the preferential tariffs on imports from RCEP member countries,” he said in a Palace briefing.
Pascual said the EO would allow the President to modify import duties, including necessary changes in classification and other import restrictions as required or appropriate to carry out and promote foreign trade, upon recommendation of the NEDA Board.
percent of the 8,102 industrial tariff lines.
Pascual said of the 1,685 agricultural tariff lines that are retained at current rates, 1,426 are maintained at zero, while 154 would remain in their respective most favored nation (MFN) rates and excluded in any form of tariff concessions.
In the pipeline, about 105 agricultural tariff lines, which are in the sensitive and highly sensitive list, shall be generally lower than the MFN rates but still higher or at par with the ASEAN+1 rates by the 20th year of the RCEP.
“For the remaining 33 lines, these are the important 33 lines, the EO will reduce tariff rates upon entry into force or implement gradual reduction over a period of 15 to 20 years,” Pascual said, adding that the government will examine these tariff lines, particularly agricultural products that are not being produced in the Philippines.
Pascual urged businesses to take advantage of the new FTA, of which the Philippines is a signatory.
“We’ll start establishing assistance centers for businesses for possible assistance that we might be able to give to further help them implement the RCEP provisions,” he added.
The Senate concurred with the RCEP ratification on Feb. 21, 2023, two years since the RCEP participating countries concluded the negotiations in November 2020.
The Philippines was the last among 15 countries to ratify the agreement.
FMARCOS, P10 FRCEP, P10
He said the EO would maintain the current preferential tariffs of 98.1 percent of the 1,718 agricultural tariff lines and 82.7
Local telecommunications companies on Thursday asked the government anew to extend the deadline for subscriber identity module (SIM) registrations as the deadline on April 26 nears with less than half of all active mobile users in the country registered.
In a statement, Smart Communications Inc. and TNT said around 36.5 million or 55.1 percent of its subscribers have been registered and noted that extending the deadline would help the remaining unregistered users to secure documentary requirements such as government identification (ID).
“At present, all 160 million subscribers in the country are given only 121 days to register. Comparatively, in other countries like Indonesia and India, PTEs were given 1 to 2 years of a registration window to better prepare for and promote SIM registration,” PLDT and Smart First VP Cathy Yang said.
To ensure continued registration in remote communities, Smart and TNT vowed to continue working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission
ThePhilippines can open to other countries as China’s promised investments and infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that have yet to materialize, the head of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Thursday.
(NTC), and other government institutions to provide “physical assistance” at several sites all over the country.
“Through this initiative, Smart and TNT aim to help those who may need assistance in registering their SIMs, especially senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those using non-data phones,” Yang said.
On the other hand, Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu urged its users to comply with the SIM registration process, noting that 33.067 million or 38.23 percent of its 86.5 million customers have so far been registered.
“Pending response to our appeal for the government to extend the deadline, we call on all Globe SIM users to comply with the law,” Cu said.
He renewed the call for the extension of the deadline to allow their customers to obtain government IDs -- one of the main reasons why many mobile users remain unregistered.
One solution for the problem, he said, is to allow the use of alternative forms of IDs such as school or work IDs.
This comes after former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque said the issues surrounding the South China Sea and mounting tensions between China and Taiwan might further derail the realization of China-sponsored projects.
Roque also noted that as of 2016, only 2 of the promised 75 projects have so far been completed despite a “renaissance” in
China-Philippine relations under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
But NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that while the Philippines welcomes China’s funding, the Asian giant is not the only source of investment and potential funder for the country.
“Of course, we would want China to be part of all our investment and infrastructure
programs but we open the opportunities to anyone who would like to come in,” Balisacan said in a chance interview with Malacañang reporters.
“Of course, what is best for the country is the main consideration. If it turns out that other, Japan, Korea or whoever can provide better terms and consent for the projects, we should go for those,” he added.
The Philippine government, he said, is so far open in terms of sources of funds for infrastructure programs.
He added that the administration is not looking at any particular country that could potentially
FNEDA, P10
An official of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Thursday said international air travel would likely fully recover and reach the pre-pandemic levels by the first quarter of 2024.
CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, in a public briefing, said domestic travel has recovered, and that he is hoping that
international air travel could catch up by the first quarter of next year.
Arcilla said the country had 8 million international tourists prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
“In 2022, we had 2.5 or 2.7 million which was beyond our expectations,” he said.
In coordination with different government agencies, Arcilla said
the country has been promoting Cebu and Clark, and has been urging airline companies to fly to local destinations with good airports and tourist destinations.
“Innovative airports are attractive to both the airlines and passengers. That is one of the keys to further boost domestic air travel,” Arcilla said.
GARAY DELIGERO Editorial Consultant
In foreseeing a vibrant Panabo City and Davao del Norte with the presence of the University of the Philippines Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UP PSAE) which broke ground on Friday at the Agriya Township in Panabo City, Davao del Norte:
“It creates an ecosystem whenever a school is put up. Every time I passed by Los Banos grabe yung traffic because there are so many people there, it’s a vibrant lively community. If we can replicate what is in Los Banos, it would be a very vibrant Panabo City and Davao del Norte.”
RICARDO “CARY” LAGDAMEO Damosa Land Inc. President
“Affordability and stigma hinder Filipinos from seeking mental health care.”
That’s the title of the press release which I received recently. It was sent to me by Mark Daza, project and communications manager of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), which conducted the study.
“Despite the perceived decrease in barriers to access and treatment stigma since the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) began in 2020, affordability and stigma-related reasons were the top-ranked major barriers to accessing mental health care in the Philippines,” the study said.
The above observation was reported by local mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) providers in a recently published study by the HHI’s HHI Resilient Communities program in cooperation with the Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP).
This is very interesting. So, let’s take a closer look at the findings of the study.
In the study, local MHPSS providers reported high financial costs of mental healthcare
(40.0%) as the top barrier. The other top five barriers were stigma-related, such as feeling embarrassed or ashamed (35.9%), concern that they might be perceived as ‘crazy’ (31.0%) or weak (30.3%), and concern about family (23.4%) and other people’s reactions (22.1%).
However, most of the respondents (65.0%) perceived that barriers to access and treatment stigma have decreased since the advent of COVID-19. Most provider testimonials (62.6%) emphasized that the transition to teletherapy ensured care continuity. In some cases, switching to teletherapy allowed for the expansion of services and service areas.
“These study findings are promising in that they suggest that in the face of widespread challenges posed by pandemics or disasters there is a reduction in stigma related to seeking mental health care,” said Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Program Director of the HHI Resilient Communities.
“Further, greater accessibility to mental healthcare services through telehealth create opportunities for providing care for those that may not otherwise seek support because of dis-
tance, travel costs, or other similar barriers,” he added.
The majority of respondents (97.9%) perceived an increase in mental health concerns in the help-seeking population in the Philippines since the pandemic hit. Respondents observed an increase primarily in anxiety (97.9%) and depressive disorders (97.2%), followed by bipolar and related disorders (49.0%), trauma-related disorders (46.2%), and suicide risk behaviors (e.g., suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) (44.1%).
Increases in schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (24.8%), substance-related and addictive disorders (16.6%), and obsessive-compulsive-related disorders (13.1%) were less frequently reported.
Survey respondents recommended increasing training for mental health providers or staff (82.5%), more mental health service providers (75.5%), better internet connectivity (72%); more government funding for mental health (69.9%); and greater awareness-raising for services (66.4%) to better reach communities in need.
About 26.1% of respondent
Roughly eight kilometers from the city center, Tigatto used to be a Moro enclave as much as all other precolonial waterways around the gulf of Davao were. During the Spanish peri-od, after it was reduced and turned into a Christian village, it hosted a number of converts from Mawab, Davao de Oro, who accepted the offer to resettle in the area.
When the Americans came, the Christianized village remained under the ecclesial care of the Jesuits. In a letter dated June 1, 1916, by Fr. Mario J. Sauras, a Jesuit priest, he mentioned Tigatto’s celebration of the feast of Saint Joseph as a patron. The priest called the residents of the place “some good Filipinos” and the village a “small town.”
In a report filed by the Philippine Health Service that same year, the place was chosen as
one of nine sites classified as a special-class dispensary, or school dispensary.
A dispensary is “where medicine or medical or dental treatment is dispensed.” The Tigat-to dispensary was under the care of male school teachers previously trained for the work.
The other areas categorized in the same breadth were Boston (Davao Oriental), Compo-stela (Davao de Oro), Kinablangan (Baganga, Davao Oriental), La Union (San Isidro, Davao Oriental), Lacaron (Malita, Davao Occidental), Samal Island, and Tagabakid (Mati City, Da-vao Oriental).
In the 1920s, Tigatto became one of many areas of Davao region that were concessioned as logging areas, chiefly under American and Japanese investors.
In the 1931-33 annual report of the Bureau of Forest-
testimonials endorsed successes in increasing the availability of mental health services and increasing awareness of the importance of mental health through public and community education during the pandemic.
A total of 145 MHPSS providers participated in the survey. Psychiatrists (82.1%) comprised the majority, followed by psychologists (11.7%). Respondents provided mental health services in private practices (75.2%), public hospitals (44.1%), or private hospitals (39.3%) across various regions, including the National Capital Region/Metro Manila (56.6%).
Data for this cross-sectional survey study were collected between February 1 and April 30, 2022, using an online self-report, English-language survey of adults who were practicing or providing MHPSS services in the Philippines.
This study aimed to gather perceptions of COVID-19-related mental health challenges, and perceived barriers and facilitators to mental health care from MHPSS providers in the country.
Mental illness ranks third among the types of disabilities in the country. The Department
of Health reported that one in 5 Filipino adults has some form of mental illness, topped by schizophrenia, depression and anxiety.
In 2012 alone, the regional office of World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila reported that there were 2,558 cases of Filipinos committing suicide, averaging to 7 suicide cases per day.
“Mental health and well-being are a concern of all,” says the health department in a statement, adding that it is addressing concerns related to MNS (mental, neurological and substance use disorders).
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) recently covered mental illness but limited only to patients with severe mental disorders confined for short duration.
According to a report, there are 46 outpatient mental health facilities available in the country, of which 28% allocate units that are for children and adolescents only.
“These facilities treat 124.3 users per 100,000 general population,” it said. “Of all users treated in mental health outpatient facilities 43% are female and 8% of all contacts were children or adolescents.”
ry, the place was the HQ of the log-ging firm The Heirs of M. Y. Maruyama, a Japanese company with a daily capacity of 5,000 board feet.
During the war, especially at the tail-end of the Allied’s liberation of Davao City, Tigatto was one of the last strongholds of the retreating Japanese forces and became the focus of bombardments. Finally, it became the holdout of Imperial forces when they surrendered.
On April 14, 1945, B-24 bombers from Angaur, an island of Palau, pounded areas of Ti-gatto where Japanese supplies were kept and the personnel were hiding. Three weeks later, napalm bombs were dropped by Allied planes on May 7, knocking out pillboxes and destroy-ing tanks.
That same day, more napalm bombs were dropped, directly hitting the Japanese naval
headquarters and blanketing the building in flames.
After the conflict, Tigatto returned to where it was as a peaceful, agricultural community lying adjacent to Davao River. For decades, it was a regular community of contented families cultivating homesteads and was accessible only by a trail not too far away from the highway.
In the 1970s and 1980s, however, as a poor farming settlement, it became a hotbed of in-surgency. Its neighboring villages, namely Mandug, Callawa, and Buhangin, were in similar setups at the time, and Tigatto was one of skirmish fields between the military and com-munist rebels.
Of particular interest was the 1984 incident when a band of Bangsa Moro Army (BMA) led by Kapitan Inggo terrorized the place and its neighborhood,
pretending to hunt down insurgents. While the trouble was ordered investigated by Col. Geronimo Valderrama, then Davao Metropolitan District Commander chief, the problem resulted in displacement.
The colonel, in a report carried out by The Mindanao Daily Mirror, also dispatched a civic team to address the needs of the evacuees and to convince them to return to their residences. He also directed the formation of a PC detachment inside the compound of the sprawling Lapanday Plantation, to secure the barangays of Mandug and Tigatto.
Today, the once-reduced village, now neighbored by two impressive malls, is home to housing communities, and host to several thriving establishments lined along the main road that leads to the interior regions.
In summer last year, eight-year-old Raymond found a sick puppy lying in front of their yard seemingly needing some help. He decided to bring in the puppy inside the house so he could feed the animal. Unexpectedly, the puppy bit his fingers and right hand. The bites were not very severe but with some bleeding. He told his parents about the incident, but they did care at all. The puppy died the following day. The father dumped the dead body in garbage nearby.
They forgot all about it until two months later when Raymond developed fever, muscular aching all over his body and intense pain in his right arm. He was brought to the hospital but by this time he had trouble drinking water. In fact, he
trembled just even seeing anything with water.
Five days after admission to the hospital, Raymond died. He was a victim of rabies, a viral infection of the brain to which all mammals, including human beings, are sus-
ceptible.
Don’t take that bite of an animal, particularly dogs and cats, for granted, urged the Davao City Animal Bite Treatment Center. If not treated as early as possible, it can cost the life of a person!
“Rabies is 100 percent fatal if there are symptoms,” Dr. Ace Culas, officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Animal Bite Treatment Center, emphasized this during a live-streamed interview with City Information Office (CIO) OIC Harvey James Lanticse via the Madayaw Davao TV Facebook page. “If you can’t prevent it, death is the only way to go. We encourage our patients to go for a checkup to know what should be done.”
Despite continued attempts at medical interventions, rabies retains the dubious distinction of being the infectious disease with the highest cases of death. “Globally, around 50,000 to 70,000 people die of rabies every year,” said Dr. Rubina O. Cresencio, a veterinarian.
Although in Singapore, Japan and other industrialized countries the disease is already unheard of, rabies remains a serious public health problem in the Philippines. “Rabies is responsible for the deaths of an average of around 200 to 250 Filipinos per year,” Dr. Crescencio said.
As a matter of fact, the country ranks third in Asia when it comes
to rabies deaths – after India and China. Below the Philippines are its neighboring countries: Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
There are several reasons why rabies remains a health threat in the country, although the Philippines has an anti-rabies law. Republic Act No. 9482 provides for the control and elimination of human and animal rabies, prescribing penalties for violation.
According to Dr. Cresencio, the reason why rabies still thrives in the country is that most Filipinos don’t know the dangers of rabies. In fact, some people even refused to have their animals, particularly dogs, to be injected by rabies vaccine.
“They have this wrong notion that dogs will be less aggressive once vaccinated,” pointed out Dr. Cresencio. “In addition, they don’t want their dogs to be vaccinated because these are to be butchered for some special events like fiesta and birthdays.”
Other reasons on why rabies is still exists in the country: ineffective ordinance in the province, city, and town of the implementation of the rabies prevention and control program, poor vaccination coverage by the province, numerous stray dogs, lack of funding, limited/lack of personnel, and lack of vaccinators and dog catchers.
Health experts say that a virus
that is in the saliva of infected animals causes rabies, and it is usually transmitted by bites from infected animals. About 95% of rabies are from dog bites while the rest are from food such as animal liver and brain.
To azucena lovers – people who love to eat dog meat – here is a warning. Medical experts say cooking does not kill the rabies. “Since rabies is a nerve-lover, it is concentrated in the brain. So, don’t eat the (dog’s) brain,” physicians caution.
In Davao City, most of the rabies cases were coming from dogs, although there some from cats. “The usual pattern of transmission is dog to dog and then from dog to human,” said Dr. Mary Elizabeth Miranda, one of the country’s top experts on rabies.
A person can also get rabies by kissing a rabid person and by using his or her utensils. Because of this, the Department of Health (DOH) discourages members of the family dying of rabies from giving a farewell kiss as it could mean a “kiss of death.” The victim is a reservoir of rabies virus.
Dogs may be infected with rabies virus in either the “furious” or the “dumb” form. Furious rabies is characterized by agitation and viciousness, followed by paralysis and finally death. “The animal’s inability to swallow caused drooling
Wait for it! Exciting food brands and destinations are coming to the City of Firsts.
Gateway Mall 2, the latest lifestyle offering at Araneta City, is set to welcome the public this year. And with this new marketplace, expect to be amazed by new and additional choices of restaurants, cafes, and other food destinations.
Once fully open, Gateway Mall 2 will enhance the breadth and depth of gastronomic selection in Araneta City – making it the latest place to satisfy all sorts of food adventures in the metro.
Get ready for the mall’s opening and keep an eye on these brand-new dining spots at the City of Firsts.
Restaurant Collection
Araneta City expands its selection of dining options with restaurants owned by Chef Margarita Fores and her family to open as part of Gateway Mall 2’s Restaurant Collection. The renowned culinary clan brings their unique brand of scrumptious dishes to the City of Firsts with a mano, Mamou, and Grace Park.
There are also other restaurants to watch out for. Savor the finest steaks, burgers, and other grilled favorites at Wolfgang Steakhouse Grill. Sate your longing for comfort food with beloved signature Pinoy dishes of Abe, and Cochi Bistro. For a burst of flavors from around the world, catch Choi Garden, Botejyu, Coco Ichibanya, and Tokyo Milk Cheese as they open in Gateway Mall 2. And for coffee lovers, UCC Park Café and Starbucks Coffee will open their branches in the new mall’s hardto-miss location.
Coliseum Plaza
More choices are made available in Araneta City, especially to patrons of Smart Araneta Coliseum. Located just a few steps away from the Big Dome’s Red Gate entrance is the Coliseum Plaza, which hosts a variety of options to satisfy any type of craving in one convenient spot.
Put a savory punch to your coliseum experience by enjoying some good meals and snacks from Shake Shack and Mo’s Burger, Hong Kong dim sum at Tim Ho Wan, Pinoy comfort fare at Manam and Nono’s, and a drinks and cocktails bar soon.
Restaurants at the Coliseum Plaza
offer both indoor and outdoor seating, giving customers more options on how they want to enjoy their dining experience.
Palenque Mallgoers who long for dishes from their respective hometowns don’t need to go far, as Gateway Mall 2 will feature a food crawl called Palenque – a Pinoy-themed food arena with the best-of-the-best in Filipino food heritage.
At Palenque, diners can do a “food crawl” through a selection of signature cuisine native and unique to every province or region in the Philippines and prepared by celebrated chefs in their own inimitable way. Check out Bale Dutung of Chef Claude Tayag, Al Puruganan’s Ilocos cuisine, Chef Tatung’s Cebu offerings and delicacies, Palm Grill
from Zamboanga, Sea Salt Davao Grill, Chinoy’s Chicken Fandian and more Bacolod delicacies, and offerings like Diwal.
Behind this exciting food idea is Filipino chef and restaurateur Claude Tayag, who brings his vision and culinary expertise in Philippine gastronomy to the City of Firsts.
Asian Village Foodies looking for a mouthwatering Asian culinary experience also don’t need to go far. Gateway Mall 2 is host to an inviting Asian Village that will showcase the richness of cuisine on this side of the globe. Treat yourself to a tour around the region with delicacies from Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Thailand, Korea, and other Eastern nations, all within the comforts of Araneta City’s new mall.
Expect an abundance of other exciting dining options when you explore the entirety of the 190,000-square-meter Gateway Mall 2.
Coliseum patrons entering or exiting via the mall’s upper ground floor access will be greeted with an array of nearby food choices such as Hawker Chan, BLK 513, French Baker, Tong Yang, Yoshinoya, Llao Llao, Pound, Panda Express, Subway, and more. Also, the largest Mary Grace Cafe in the metro will soon open alongside these restaurants.
More exciting food go-tos will spread in various parts of the mall. There’s Ramen Nagi, Red Crab, Burgoo, Tsokolateria, Dookki Korean, Banana Leaf, Bread Talk, Peri-Peri, Classic Savory, Via Mare, and more. Vikings—one of the go-to buffet
restaurants of Filipinos—is also set to land on this side of Gateway Mall 2. An exciting concept is also in store for K-pop and P-pop fans. Opening soon at Araneta City’s latest mall is K Pop Town and Café—a first in the Philippines—which will provide an additional Korean and local pop experience beyond the City of Firsts’ usual entertainment scene.
Araneta Group-owned brands Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, and Taco Bell will have more presence in Araneta City with additional branches in Gateway Mall 2.
There’s plenty more to expect when Araneta City opens its new mall this 2023. So watch out for Gateway Mall 2 and get ready to try these new dining destinations at the City of Firsts.
MANILA, Philippines - In celebration of the International Day of the Forest, Forest Foundation Philippines announced that it will scale up its grant program through its 2023 - 2026 Results Framework. The new framework aims to enable a holistic and transdisciplinary approach to forest protection, restoration, and conservation in the Philippines.
The 2023 - 2026 Framework is a four-year program that will empower organizations and individuals to protect and sustainably manage forests for land productivity, water, and biodiversity, while improving forest-related climate action. In addition, the framework will continue and expand Forest Foundation Philippines’ grant program to conserve and protect four focal landscapes in the country: the Sierra Madre, Palawan, Samar & Leyte, and Mindanao.
2023-2026 Results Framework
The Philippines is currently suffering from diminished forest cover that is primarily due to anthropogenic causes, including large scale logging and land conversion. This is done to cope with the increasing demands of a growing population of over 115 million Filipinos. Of the nation’s total forestlands, only 6.8 mil-
lion HA remains forested as of 2010; a significant drop that is lower than the 1934 forest cover of 17 million HA, according to the DENR Forest Management Bureau.
These challenges towards deforestation are compounded by the ongoing effects of climate change, such as storm surges, floods, and landslides, destroying the country’s first defense against natural disasters.
According to the 2017 Philippine Climate Change Assessment, these issues have led to damages upwards of USD $8.45 Billion.
Forest Foundation Philippines’ 2023 - 2026 Results Framework is grounded by a strong commitment to reinforce the relationship between people and forests by building partnerships among stakeholders to ensure a livable future for the next generation.
“Our 2023 - 2026 Results Framework is a commitment to the continued protection, restoration, and conservation of our nation’s most important resource,” said Atty. Jose Andres Canivel, Forest Foundation Philippines’ Executive Director.
“We urge interested organizations and individuals to reach out to us and learn more about the ways
they can apply for a grant and collaborate with us. Join us in setting solid roots and foundations for a better tomorrow,” he added.
The Framework continues to build on its current efforts in the four focal landscapes and will also expand its efforts in Mindanao, specifically in the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, with additional site-based projects around the country. Support projects include the initiatives that can:
1. Grow Forests Projects that restore, protect, and conserve forests and their adjacent ecosystem to ensure these areas can sustainably meet the needs of present and future generations.
2. Grow Opportunities Projects that empower local communities by improving their livelihoods and developing economic incentives.
3. Grow Partners Projects that strengthen cross-sectoral partnerships between the government, private sector, and communities towards the protection and conservation of the forests.
4. Grow Advocates Projects that empower individuals, communities, and organizations to become advocates for the forests
through knowledge sharing and collective action.
These projects are expected to contribute to forest-related climate action towards increased resilience, mitigation, and adaptation capacities integral to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Implementing the Framework
The Results Framework 20232026 is enabled by the Tropical Forest Conservation Act of the United States of America, which is a “debt-for-nature” agreement that converts Philippine debt into funds that are used by the Foundation for forest protection and conservation activities.
Forest Foundation Philippines is a non-stock, non-profit, non-governmental organization that provides grants and technical assistance to organizations and individuals that empower the people to protect and conserve the forests.
Forest Foundation Philippines Programs Committee Chairperson Dennis Salvador emphasized that at the end of the day, the efforts of Forest Foundation Philippines and its partners are to ensure a lush and sustainable future for the country.
“We want a future, where our current efforts can lead to biodiverse
and productive ecosystems that benefits all Filipinos, especially Indigenous Peoples, as we expand our work in the Mindanao region,” Salvador added.
“The Foundation’s sustainable landscape approach, together with the support of forest-dependent communities and other stakeholders, ensures a future, where we can all thrive together.”
Apply for a grant with Forest Foundation Philippines and together, let’s work to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage Philippine forests and biodiversity.
To submit a proposal, please visit https://grants.forestfoundation.ph.
For proposal development assistance, please email proposals@foresetfoundation.ph.
For partnerships, please email partnerships@forestfoundation.ph.
For general inquiries: Send an email to info@forestfoundation.ph.
Visit our website: https://www. forestfoundation.ph/
Check us out on social media or chat with us via Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/forestfoundationph or Instagram: @forestfoundationph.
ance Gate, Langkawi, Malaysia on April 1, 2023 through a joint law enforcement operation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), Bureau of Immigration, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) with the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) and Malaysian Immigration.
He was brought to Davao City on April 17, 2023 where he was turned over to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 11 (CIDG 11).
Casilao has existing warrants of arrest for crimes of murder, kidnapping, serious illegal detention, and attempted murder.
“Talagang malaking pangarap ito nung una kasi we have to consider the dynamics of Mindanao. But essentially to bring quality education not just graduate quality education but to make education more inclusive UP education. Yes, we have here UP Mindanao and hindi po tayo makipag compete sa UP Mindanao,” he said.
Angeles said they are strengthening their presence not just in Panabo City and Mindanao but also in neighboring countries like Indonesia.
He said what they are trying to provide in the project is the latest technology for the development of the agricultural industry and the livelihood of people and sustainability in terms of environmental awareness.
“Nalipay mi nga naa mi diri and we are going to cooperate and committed to making this a very successful partnership with Anflo and Damosa,” he said.
The UP PSAE is envisioned to uplift the practice of agriculture in the Davao Region and an accessible hub for knowledge sharing in an agricultural and related discipline to support human resources in Mindanao.
The construction will start this month and is targeted to be finished in October 2024.
Meanwhile, Lagdameo is foreseeing a vibrant Panabo City and Davao del Norte with the presence of the school.
“It creates an ecosystem whenever a school is put up. Every time I passed by Los Banos grabe yung traffic because there are so many people there, it’s a vibrant lively community. If we can replicate what is in Los Banos, it would be a very vibrant Panabo City and Davao del Norte,” he said.
The campus will complement the residential, commercial, and agritourism components inside Agriya, an 88-hectare master-planned township, which is considered the first-of-its kind agricultural metropolis in the country and in Asia.
the Philippines on June 2, 2023.
Pascual earlier said investments play a crucial role in improving the country’s exports industry.
“Evidently, we need to diversify our export basket, and investments play a key role in developing Philippine capabilities to produce and export more of higher value products. We will focus on investment attraction and industry development in sectors where we have established capabilities that can serve as a solid foundation for export growth and are well-positioned to seize opportunities in emerging trends,” he said in a statement last weekend. (PNA)
are Pfizer and Sinovac.
“Gamay ra gyud nagapabakuna sa mga kabataan 5 to 12 years old. Medyo dili kaayo taas ang turnout maong ginaawhag nako ang mga ginikanan nga pabakunahan nila ang ilang mga anak diha sa mga health centers and People’s Park,” she said.
Acosta also reminded all Dabawenyos not to be too complacent and still observe the public health standards particularly the wearing of facemask specially since Covid-19 is still around and the number of cases is erratic.
“Dili lang gyud ta mu kumpyansa kay naa pa gyud ang Covid-19, naglatagaw pa gyud ang virus dinhi. Ipractice gihapon nato ang public health standards, wear your face mask, mandatory ang face mask sa public transportation,” she said.
ble to all permitting agencies, which shall also submit to the agency a list of requirements, fees, and procedures for the issuance.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), for its part, must submit to the DOE a complete list of permits required by local government units. Those permits or clearances deemed completed will be integrated into the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) platform.
“DILG shall disseminate to concerned LGUs the standard list of permits for offshore wind development activities,” the EO read.
After this, the DOE will review the submission and will either initiate its full integration to the one-stop shop platform or require the permitting agency to complete its submission.
The Philippine Energy Plan 2020 to 2040 aims to raise the country’s renewable energy contribution to the power generation mix from 22 percent to 35 percent share by 2030. By 2040, government seeks to further raise this to 50 percent.
fund the BRI projects.
“We look at the terms. We look at the commitments to complete the projects. Because particularly... the infrastructure flagship projects, we want to make sure these are all unrolled as the administration completes its term,” he said.
“We want to have most, all of those started so that when the next administration comes, there are projects that are already there,” he said.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte pursued friendlier ties with China to seek investments and infrastructure funding.
However, last year the Department of Transportation revealed that the construction of several China-backed railway projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program could not move forward because they have yet to be funded.
Among the projects that still don’t have funds are the planned train systems from Laguna to Bicol, Clark to Subic, and the Mindanao Railway--which was a campaign promise of Duterte.
Chinese Ambassador in Manila Huang Xilian last year boasted about economic ties between the two sides, saying China has been the Philippines’ biggest
modified organisms.
In a statement posted Thursday on the group’s social media page, Masipag national coordinator Alfie Pulumbarit welcomed the decision as a good development, as the DA approved in 2021 yet the propagation of Golden Rice in 17 areas across the country.
He added that the DA approved the commercial propagation of Bt Eggplant last year.
Pulumbarit urged the SC to also issue a TEPO for the immediate stoppage of the project, and declare as null and void the commercialization approval. (MindaNews)
The RCEP participating countries are composed of the 10 ASEAN member nations and its FTA partners, except India, which pulled out its participation from the agreement. ASEAN+1 partners that are part of the RCEP include Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and South Korea. (PNA)
“SIMs that remain unregistered by the deadline will be deactivated, preventing customers from using Globe’s call, text, and data services. This could severely impact customers who rely on their mobile numbers for authentication in various sensitive transactions, especially banking, and other financial services, and who use mobile phones for day-to-day needs,” he said.
On Wednesday, the DICT said there are no plans “at this point” to extend the deadline for SIM registration beyond April 26.
It noted the importance of SIM registration to promote the responsible use of SIMs and provide law enforcement agencies with the necessary tools to crack down on cybercriminals who take advantage of the unrestricted purchase of prepaid SIMs.
To date, the NTC said a total of 75,564,837 SIM cards have so far been registered nationwide, making up 44.97 percent of the 168,016,400 active mobile users in the country as of December 2022.
(PNA)
trading partner since 2016, and the second-largest foreign investor in 2020.
Some bilateral government-to-government projects were also carried out under the Duterte administration, which included 12 programs worth $100 million and 7 projects with a total value of around $700 million, said the envoy.
Among these are the China-backed “Two Bridges Project” in Manila, the Philippine-Sino Center for Agricultural Technology-Technical Cooperation Program, which is on its 3rd phase, and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Project.
This year, Malacanang said Marcos had secured some $22 billion worth of investment pledges during his state visit to China.
At the start of his term, Duterte also visited China and said he had brought home around $24 billion in investment and loan pledges.
But in 2020, Duterte’s own Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said China was “slow” in providing funding for the country’s infrastructure projects.
of saliva,” explains Dr. Jude Alon, a veterinarian who used to work with a non-government organization in southern Philippines.
In dumb rabies, paralytic symptoms predominate and are manifested by a dropped lower jaw, Dr. Alon says. He added that a dog afflicted with rabies “changes personality.” This means a previously friendly dog becomes reclusive; a shy dog, aggressive.
Victims of dog bites in dangerous sites such as the head, neck, face, fingertips and back should immediately be given a rabies vaccine. “The nearer the site of the bite to the brain, the faster the movement of the virus,” Dr. Alon says.
While dogs are the primary rabies virus carriers, people should not disregard cats. One late afternoon in April last year, 5-year-old Ellen was bitten on the right knee by her pet cat. According to her neighbors, the cat died the day after it had bitten Ellen.
Unfortunately, Ellen did not inform her parents about the incident. Nothing was known after that until three months later when she complained of difficulty in drinking and breathing. Her parents brought her to a hospital. The doctors found Ellen positive for hydrophobia (a morbid dread of water) and aerophobia (excessive fear of drafts or fresh air). She died at about 7:45 the same day she was checked in the hospital.
Dr. Alon says an animal which bit, suspected rabid or not, should not be killed. It should immediately be confined and observed for 10 to 14 days for signs of rabies. “If possible, do not hit the head of the animal so that in case it is positive with rabies, the animal can be studied carefully at the laboratory,” he says.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 30-60% of human cases of rabies occur in children under 15 years of age. The health department reports that children over 12 months are particularly at risk.
“Children are mostly affected because of their close association with dogs,” says Dr. Dey G. Brato, a medical doctor who is a member of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Mindanao Chapter. “And because of their short stature, bites are often close to the central nervous system, especially face, head and hands, which are the most dangerous areas to be bitten.”
In man, the time interval between the bite of an infected dog and the appearance of the symptoms may last anywhere from 10 days to two years, depending on the virulence of the virus, the place of the bite and other factors.
“Early signs are the tingling or twitching sensation around the area of the animal bite, accompanied with fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue,” says Dr. Cresencio.
He added that the public should not hesitate to travel whether internationally or locally as this would increase consumer spending, thereby generating more jobs.
He also encouraged travelers to reach out to CAB’s help desks located in airports should they have concerns.
Aside from help desks, Arcilla said the CAB has “very intense” information drive to make the public aware of their rights.
Hotlines and the CAB webpage can also be reached out, while the CAB’s call center is ready to attend to the passengers during peak hours, he added.
“Book your flights and go to the airport early. You also need to be sure of the details of your online booking,” he advised. (PNA)
“As the disease progresses, the victim may eventually develop these symptoms: irritability, excessive movements of agitation, confusion, hallucinations, bizarre or abnormal thoughts, aggressiveness, muscle spasms, seizures/convulsions, sore throat, depression, weakness or paralysis, extreme sensitivity to bright light/sounds/touch, and increased production of saliva/tears.”
“Hydrophobia (the fear of water) is experienced by 17-18% of rabies patients,” says former health secretary Alberto Romualdez, Jr. “In this stage, the victim experiences forceful, painful muscle spasms of the throat, which expel any liquids administered orally.” Hydrophobic episodes last 1-5 minutes.
Coma is the terminal phase. “After the patient has become comatose, hydrophobia is replaced by an irregular pattern of respiration-cluster breathing with long apneic periods,” explains Dr. Brato. “This is soon followed by progressive paralysis until the patient dies.”
Actually, a person dies of rabies because of the overwhelming viral infection of the brain or central nervous system.
As stated earlier, rabies is 100% fatal. “After symptoms of rabies develop, no treatment can help,” Dr. Cresencio says.
If you’re bitten or scratched by an animal – particularly dogs or cats – Culas advised that you should remain calm and follow simple first aid procedures. The first thing to do is to wash the bitten area with soap and running water for 10-15 minutes. After doing so, let it dry and then apply any antiseptic solution like alcohol or betadine.
Culas forbids forcing the bitten area to bleed as it would deepen the wound. If you do so, it opens the wound to be susceptible to infection. Likewise, the bitten part should not be covered by anything to allow it to heal quickly.
After doing all the first aid treatment, you need to see a doctor for appropriate preventive measures.
People not previously immunized with rabies vaccine should receive immediate treatment with human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) – made from purified serum of people who were previously immunized with rabies vaccine and contains rich antibody against rabies – which is injected into and around the wound followed by rabies vaccination.
“Prevention of human rabies must be a community effort involving both veterinary and public health officials,” said the World Health Organization in its website. “Rabies elimination programs focused mainly on mass vaccination of dogs are largely justified by the future savings of discontinuing prevention programs.
“However, until canine (dog) rabies is eliminated or at least well controlled, safer and more economical post-exposure treatments for humans are a desirable alternative to the use of nerve tissue vaccines,” the United Nations health agency added.
the first round.
SECRET STAT?
76ers coach Doc Rivers was answering a question about how the Nets were defending Harden when he revealed something that created some puzzled looks in the room.
“I don’t want to sound like I’m campaigning, but I am,” Rivers said. “James and Joel do lead the league in missed calls, as far as fouls. They got fouled the most, and that’s not a Sixers stat by the way. I’m just saying.”
Asked for more details about this stat, Rivers would only reply: “I will just say that it’s a stat that we know that it’s there.”
NEW YORK — Joel Embiid, limping throughout the game and perhaps lucky not to have been ejected for kicking a Nets player in the groin area, blocked a potential tying basket with 8.8 seconds left and the Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn, 102-97, on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.
Tyrese Maxey made the tiebreaking 3-pointer with 44 seconds left for the 76ers, who can sweep their way into the second round with a victory Saturday in Brooklyn.
With James Harden having been ejected in the third quarter for another groin shot and Embiid not looking like his usual dominant self, Maxey took over the
offense and scored eight straight points, turning a five-point deficit into a 99-96 lead on his 3-pointer.
Spencer Dinwiddie made one free throw, then appeared to have a path to the basket for a tying layup before Embiid rose up and swatted it. P.J. Tucker made a free throw to make it 100-97, and the Nets turned it over on their next possession.
Maxey scored 25 points and Harden had 21 for the 76ers. Embiid shot just 5 for 13 but had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Dinwiddie had 20 for the Nets, who have lost nine straight playoff games and are on the verge of being swept for the second straight year. Cam Johnson scored 17 points.
Embiid went to the locker room for treatment after checking out in the first quarter, then was limping multiple times later.
The 76ers might’ve been lucky he was still in the game at that point.
Nets fans loudly booed the decision not to eject him for kicking his leg up toward Nic Claxton’s
As this was being written, Russian superGM Ian Nepomniachtchi leads Chinese fellow super GM Ding Liren 4.5 pts. - 3.5 pts. in the on-going14-game FIDE world championship at Astana, Kazahkstan.
Abdicated by now ex-world kingpin Magnus Carlsen of Norway, the new world champion must reach 7.5 pts. to clinch the throne and the top prize of 1.2 Euro dollars while the loser pockets 800,000.
Expert analysts led by WC commentator and world number 5 Anish Giri said Ding missed
groin in the first quarter and those not in the arena took to social media to ask why he wasn’t, as Golden State’s Draymond Green was for stepping on Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of their series. Green was then suspended by the NBA for Game 3.
But the ruling went against the 76ers in the third quarter when Harden, while closely guarded by Royce O’Neale, swung out his arm and struck the swingman, who fell to the court in pain.
The Nets raced to a 19-11, riding an emotional boost after Embiid’s flagrant foul. But Philadelphia would recover to lead 3228 after one, extended the lead to 51-40 on Maxey’s 3-pointer with 3:52 left in the half and the lead
remained 11 at the break.
But Bridges got the Nets off to a quick start in the third and Johnson scored 13 points, helping the Nets outscore the 76ers 35-18 in the third to bring an 82-76 edge to the fourth.
76ers: Tobias Harris scored 15 points.
Nets: Brooklyn’s last playoff victory was Game 5 of the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals, before Milwaukee rallied to win that series and eventually the NBA title. ... The Nets fell to 0-6 vs. the 76ers at home in the playoffs. They are 4-5 on the road, with one win in 2019 and three in 1984, when they stunned the defending NBA champions 3-2 in FSIXERS, P10
some winning lines for the equalizing victory in a Nimzo Indian Game 8 Thursday.
With white, Nepo grabbed the upperhand for the second time in Game 7 as Ding tried to defend in another time-pressured situation to ease into move 40 but ultimately lost the match.
With the white colors, Nepo has won thrice but Ding failed to equalize in Game 8 after missing several winning chances.
The Chinese world number 3, who did not castle, essayed a sharp line by sacrificing a bishop early - which Nepo gamely accept-
ed - to open the h-file for his rook.
By the time they reached the first time control (with no increments), the position was just about even.
The momentum has then shifted as Ding lost control of his previous commanding position and was playing for a draw.
When the smoke of battle cleared, a truce was agreed in a rook and pawn ending. Nepo had his king, rook and two separated pawns while Ding had three (one on a3 but a double pawn on c3 and c4.
In the postgame press inter-
view, Ding was not quite sure with his hushed (?) responses while Nepo as usual maintained a confident elan like the championship were already in the bag.
The Russian (2795) evokes a far and enriched championship experience. He terribly lost to Carlsen in a mismatched two years ago but regained composure with a great comeback in the 2022 Candidates, topping it with the Chinese (2788) bulldozing his way to finish second, including a final round triumph over the highly-touted American Hikaru Nakamura.
We could say that Nepo’s 2022 match up with Carlsen - although not as impressively remarkable as it had been - equipped him with the necessary tools that the Russian is now effectvely employing against the Chinese bet.
Game 9 with Nepo having the white pieces and hoping to widen his lead, will help discover the weaknesses that Black has to endure which - in another relevant manner - will also determine the durability of Ding’s defensive repertoire. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
WBA/IBF super-bantamweight title holder Marlon Tapales paid a courtesy call to President Marcos Jr. and got the chance to watch his favorite PBA team Barangay Ginebra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Governors Cup finals against TNT before heading back home to Lanao Del Norte, .
That summed up the busy week for the 31-year-old Tapales since arriving in the country last Monday following his triumphant title campaign in San Antonio, Texas when he dethroned Murodjon Akmadaliev of Uzbekistan to claim the unified belts.
Two days upon arrival, the Filipino champion was the special guest at ringside by the PBA as he watched Game Five of the bestof-seven title series between the Kings and Tropang Giga.
“Paborito niya si Japeth Aguilar,” said Sanman top honcho JC Mananquil, who accompanied the Filipino world champion in the game together with MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons and manager Mike Pelayo.
“Yes, he (Tapales) plays basketball and he is rooting for Ginebra.”
The following day, Tapales and his team made a courtesy call to President Marcos at Malacanang as he brought along his two championship belts.
Gibbons, Mananquil, and Pelayo were also with Tapales, who was joined in the courtesy
call by fellow world champion and Sanman stablemate Melvin Jerusalem, trainers Ernel Fontanilla and Michael Domingo, and IBF and IBO Inter-Continental super-featherweight champion and WBA Oceania and WBC Asian Boxing Council super-featherweight title holders Charly Suarez together with trainer Delfin Boholst.
“Well done and keep up what you’re doing of bringing glory to the Philippines,” said the President in his brief speech. “In the grand tradition of our athletes, you have put once again on the map the Philippines, and the people will remember us once more as this grand culture with such great capacity, with such great potential that you are now showing to the rest of the world.”
And capping off the week for Tapales is a homecoming motorcade set Saturday when he comes home in Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.
“Pagtapos nito, pahina muna si Marlon. Deserve niya yun,” said Mananquil.
