Manila Standard - 2024 April 17 - Wednesday

DOJ, Navy eye raps vs. Alvarez Probes to determine whether statements

By Rey E. Requejo, Maricel Cruz and Vince Lopez

THE Department of Justice and the Philippine Navy will investigate the statements of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez to determine whether the lawmaker can be held liable for sedition, inciting to sedition or rebellion for calling on the military to withdraw support from President Marcos.

Amid the widespread flak he has been receiving, Alvarez on Tuesday backtracked from his earlier call on the military.

“I’m sorry, I just got carried away and my emotions got the better of me,” he said.

But Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla already ordered a probe into the lawmaker’s statements, noting that these were “unbecoming of the House of Representatives.”

“As a former lawmaker myself, I would like to remind Congressman Alvarez to act in accordance with the highest standards of ethics, morality and nationalism, and avoid remarks unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives,” he said.

The Philippine Navy also ordered the 9th Marine Brigade to investigate the

Largest black hole in Milky Way

ASTRONOMERS identified the largest stellar black hole yet discovered in the Milky Way, with a mass 33 times that of the Sun, according to a study published on Tuesday.

The black hole, named Gaia BH3, was discovered “by chance” from data collected by the European Space Agency’s Gaia mission, an astronomer from the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) at the Observatoire de Paris, Pasquale Panuzzo, told AFP.

Gaia, which is dedicated to mapping the Milky Way galaxy, located BH3

2,000 light years away from Earth in the Aquila constellation. As Gaia’s telescope can give a precise position of stars in the sky, astronomers were able to characterise their orbits and measure the mass of the star’s invisible companion – 33 times that of the Sun.

Further observations from on-theground telescopes confirmed that it was

#ANONGBALITA

Schmidt heads

to Egypt for Miss Eco Int’l

CEBUANA beauty queen Chantal Schmidt will soon leave for Egypt to compete in the Miss Eco International 2024.

“I am absolutely floored by the love and support I received today. Thank you all. The tears are still drying,” she said in an Instagram post after the sendoff ceremony.

The coronation night is set to take place on April 28.

Schmidt is aiming to be the third Filipina to win the Miss Eco International title after Kathleen Paton and Cynthia Thomalla.

Fellow beauty queens showed their support for Schmidt. “Could we give a moment for that winning glow? Super proud to be at such an intimate sendoff for you,” Miss International 2023 third runner-up Nicole Borromeo said on Instagram. “Rooting for you, sis,” added Miss Supranational Philippines 2024 Alethea Ambrosio. Miss Eco International, which began in 2015, is a beauty pageant for a cause, centered on the theme “beauty for ecology.”

Uwi na kayo! Overtourism backlash in Spain

ANTI-TOURISM movements are multiplying in Spain, the world’s second most visited country, prompting authorities to try and reconcile the interests of locals and the lucrative sector.

Rallying under the slogan “The Canaries have a limit,” a collective of groups on the archipelago off northwest Africa are planning a slew of protests on Saturday.

The Canaries are known for volcanic landscapes and year-round sunshine and attract millions of visitors from all over the world.

Groups there want authorities to halt work on two new hotels on Tenerife, the largest and most developed of the archipelago’s seven islands.

They are also demanding that locals be given a greater say in the face of what they consider uncontrolled development which is harming the environment.

Several members of the collective “Canaries Sold Out” also began an “indefinite” hunger strike last week to put pressure of the authorities.

“Our islands are a treasure that must be defended,” the collective said.

The Canaries received 16 million visitors last year, more than seven times its population of around 2.2 million people.

This is an unsustainable level given the archipelago’s limited resources, Victor Martin, a spokesman for the collective told a recent press briefing, calling it a “suicidal growth model.”

Similar anti-tourism movements

have sprung up elsewhere in Spain and are active on social media.

In the southern port of Malaga on the Costa del Sol, a centre of Spain’s decades-old “soy y playa” or “sun and beach” tourism model, stickers with unfriendly slogans such as “This used to be my home” and “Go home” have appeared on the walls fn doors of tourist accommodations.

In Barcelona and the Balearic Islands, activists have put up fake signs at the entrances to some popular beaches warning in English of the risk of “falling rocks” or “dangerous jellyfish.”

Locals complain a rise in listings of accommodation on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb have worsened a housing shortage and caused rents to soar, especially in town centres. The influx of tourists also adds to noise and environmental pollution and taxes resources such as water, they add.

In the northeastern region of Catalonia, which declared a drought emergency in February, anger is growing over the pressure exerted on depleted water reserves by hotels on the Costa Brava.

“There are tourist destinations that are at the limits of their capacity,” said Jose Luis Zoreda, the vice president of tourism association Exceltur. “It’s a problem that appears occasionally in the high season and in certain parts of the country, but it’s getting worse.” AFP

Celebrity deepfake porn?

Meta board to take on cases

META’S oversight board said Tuesday it is scrutinizing the social media titan’s deepfake porn policies, through the lens of two cases.

The move by what is referred to as a Meta “supreme court” for content moderation disputes comes just months after the widespread sharing of lewd AI-generated images of megastar Taylor Swift on X, formerly Twitter.

The Meta board picked its two cases, regarding images shared on Instagram and Facebook, to “assess whether Meta’s policies and its enforcement practices are effective at addressing explicit AIgenerated imagery,” it said in the release.

The board can make recommendations regarding the social media giant’s deepfake porn policies but it is up to the tech firm to actually make any changes.

The first case taken up by the Meta Oversight Board involves an AI-generated image of a nude woman posted on Instagram.

The woman pictured resembled a public figure in India, sparking complaints from users in that country.

a black hole with a mass far greater than the stellar black holes already in the Milky Way.

“No one was expecting to find a highmass black hole lurking nearby, undetected so far. This is the kind of discovery you make once in your research life,” Panuzzo said in a press release.

The stellar black hole was discovered when scientists spotted a “wobbling” motion on the companion star that was orbiting it.

“We could see a star a little smaller than the Sun (around 75 percent of its mass) and brighter, that revolved around

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statements of Alvarez, who is a Marine reservist, and have him explain the issue.

“The result of the investigation will be the basis of the Navy’s actions moving forward,” the Navy said in a statement.

“We take exception to the recent statement of the 1st District Davao del Norte Representative and Marine reservist, Pantaleon Alvarez. The Philippine Navy is a professional organization dedicated to uphold our mandate of safeguarding the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the state,” the Navy added.

Alvarez’s colleagues at the House of Representatives said his call for a withdrawal of support may be tantamount to a power grab.

Reps. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo of Camiguin, Khalid Dimaporo of Lanao del Norte, Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe of Zamboanga

an invisible companion,” Panuzzo said. Stellar black holes are created from the collapse of massive stars at the end of their lives and are smaller than supermassive black holes whose creation is still unknown. Such giants have already been detected in distant galaxies via gravitational waves.

But “never in ours,” said Panuzzo. BH3 is a “dormant” black hole and is too far away from its companion star to strip it of its matter and therefore emits no X-rays – making it difficult to detect. AFP

City – all fellow legislators from Mindanao – said it was very irresponsible for Alvarez to make such a call.

“Former Speaker Alvarez’s irresponsible remarks are not only seditious but also undermine the stability of our government and the rule of law. We cannot allow such reckless behavior to go unchecked,” Dalipe said.

“The response to the seditious statement should be the immediate filing of a criminal case so that the move to incite people, including the military, to rebel against the government will be nipped in the bud,” Romualdo said.

“At face value, his anti-government statements are unbecoming of a member of the House of Representatives and may warrant an ethics case against him,” Dimaporo said.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said calls for a possible coup and support for a partisan agenda is “futile.” and may be grounds for criminal investigation.

“Calls for them to ‘withdraw support’ will not amount to anything but to a possible criminal investigation,” Teodoro added.

struck such a deal with China,” Khonghun, a member of the Young Guns in the House of Representatives, who sought for a congressional probe, said.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe on Tuesday, who also sits as chairman of the House Committee on Rules. “We will act on the request,” Dalipe said.

“Protecting our national territory and marine resources are of utmost importance,” Dalipe added.

Dalipe explained that “The inquiry is aimed at guaranteeing transparency and protecting the national interests […] The House of Representatives is committed to conducting a comprehensive and fair inquiry to clarify this critical national issue.”

Congress resumes its session on April 29.

Earlier, Khonghun sought a congressional inquiry into the alleged “gentleman’s agreement” concerning the WPS.

He said that at the forefront of the upcoming inquiry lies a pivotal question: “Who is lying—Duterte or China—regarding the existence of the contentious agreement?”

“It’s crucial to ascertain the truth if indeed the Duterte administration

The alleged agreement, purportedly made during the previous administration, has sparked intense debate, with Duterte now vehemently denying its existence, while China continues to assert the contrary.

“This isn’t just about conflicting narratives; it’s about upholding integrity and accountability,” Khonghun said.

The impending House probe reflects growing concerns over China’s influence in Philippine affairs, particularly in territorial disputes in the WPS.

If proven true, the agreement could have profound implications for the country’s sovereignty and foreign policy.

“We cannot allow uncertainty to cloud our national interests. The Filipino people deserve clarity and honesty from our leaders,” Khonghun said.

As lawmakers saddle up for the probe, the Philippine Navy on Tuesday reported sighting 55 Chinese Navy vessels inside various areas of the West Philippine Sea.

In a press conference, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Com-

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) has called on participants of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) for possible de-loading and use their on gensets to ease demand and avoid brownouts.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will give updates as soon as available. Meanwhile, we are ready in the event the implementation of manual load dropping (MLD) or rotating power interruptions will be needed as part of our responsibility to manage the system,” Meralco said.

The NGCP also placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert from 1pm to 2pm, 4pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm.

Luzon’s available capacity was placed at 13,537 megawatts (MW) versus the peak demand of 13,024MW.

A red alert status is issued when power supply is insufficient to meet consumer demand and the transmission grid’s regulating requirement. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

The NGCP placed the Visayas grid on yellow alert from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 7pm. Available capacity in the Visayas grid was at 2,742MW versus peak demand of 2,440MW. It said 12 power plants are on forced outage, while five others are running on derated capacities, for a total of 676.5MW unavailable to the grid.

The NGCP said Tuesday afternoon it may implement MLD that would result to outages in several areas in in five areas to maintain the integrity of the power system.

It said it will implement MLD from 2pm to 3pmin the franchise area of Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative affecting parts of Ilocos Norte), Isabela 1 Electric Cooperative (parts of Isabela), Olongapo Electricity Distribution Company, Inc. (parts of Olongapo City), Cagayan 2 Electric Cooperative (parts of Cagayan) and Batangas 1 Electric Cooperative (parts of Batangas).

modore Roy Vincent Trinidad said the Chinese vessels are either stationary or doing patrols.

He added, however, that no aggressive or provocative actions were done by the Chinese vessels.

Trinidad listed two China Coast Guard (CCG) craft and 24 Chinese maritime militia vessels (CMMVs) near Bajo De Masinloc.

Additionally, the military detected one CCG ship accompanied by five Chinese fishing vessels (CFVs) near Ayungin Shoal. One CCG vessel and 19 CMMVs were spotted near Pagasa Island.

Moreover, two CMMVs were sighted near Panata Island, and one Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy ship was observed off Lawak Island.

According to Trinidad, the increased activities of Chinese vessels in the area depend on the presence of the United States.

“If you look at the actions of China, they come in whenever there is a vacuum. So, looking at the history, pullout of foreign forces from Vietnam, they came in. Pullout of the U.S. forces from the Philippines, they came in,” Trinidad stated.

Meta left the image up, later saying it did so in error, the board said.

The second case involves a picture posted to a Facebook group devoted to AI creations.

That image depicted a nude woman resembling “an American public figure” with a man groping one of her breasts, the board said in a release.

The board did not name the woman, who it said was identified in a caption on the synthetic image at issue.

Meta removed the image for violating its harassment policy, and the user who posted the content appealed the decision, according to the board.

People were invited to submit comments, particularly on the gravity of harms posed by deepfake pornography and the harm it does to women who are public figures.

Deepfake porn images of celebrities are not new, but activists and regulators are worried that easy-touse tools employing generative AI will create an uncontrollable flood of toxic or harmful content. AFP

“We are talking with the embassy there. And today, the Iranian ambassador and the Foreign Affairs Secretary will talk. Secretary [Enrique] Manalo just returned yesterday,”

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a television interview. “What the Iranian Embassy told us so far, and I will quote, the crew members will be released very soon. All of them, not just the four Filipinos. Let’s see if it will come true and we will press for it,” de Vega added.

the Alitagtag police seized the illegal drugs from a Foton van that was flagged down in Barangay Pinagkrusan. He further emphasized the need for a careful and thorough approach to conducting operations against illegal drugs.

Asked about the possibility of changing the government’s approach, the President said he wouldn’t change his approach to dealing with narcotics.

“No, quite the contrary, why will we change? Look at the success that we have gained. As I’ve said, not only this 1.8 tons, the many, many tons that we have already seized,” the President stated.

“So, it’s much more than it has been in the past. So, it is the most successful approach to the drug war so far. So, why will we change it? We won’t change it; we’ll continue to do what we are doing,” he added. He stressed the importance of preventing the entry of drugs into the Philippines, highlighting the need for an approach that prioritizes ending drug shipments.

In recognition of the successful operation, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has recommended the “spot promotion” of Alitagtag Municipal Police Station Chief P/Captain Luis de Luna Jr. by one rank higher.

According to De Luna, the seizure occurred during a routine checkpoint in Barangay Pinagkrusan when a suspicious passenger van was flagged down.

Temperatures of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius fall under the “danger category and may bring about heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, the weather bureau said. (MST)

The driver of the passenger van was swiftly apprehended and charged with violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Currently, the suspect is under police custody. This recent drug seizure surpasses the previous record set in March 2022, when authorities seized 1,589 kilograms of shabu worth PhP11 billion in Infanta, Quezon.

Authorities are currently tracing the source of the confiscated drugs, which are believed to have been imported rather than locally manufactured. Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas meanwhile directed the provincial police to carry on with aggressive checkpoint operations which have proven to be an effective component in the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

Rep. Josefina Tallado: Ushering change from a grassroots level

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

CAMARINES Norte, a province in the Bicol Region, is known for its dynamic political climate and rich historical background. With its immaculate beaches, undulating hills, and abundant vegetation, the province is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty.

But beyond its picturesque landscapes lies a rich political history shaped by capable leaders. While challenges remain, the province has seen strides in recent years thanks to dedicated officials.

One positive aspect of Camarines Norte’s political landscape is the focus on development priorities. Local leaders have prioritized areas like infrastructure development, improving access to education and healthcare, and promoting sustainable economic growth for the benefit of all residents. This commitment to progress has fueled initiatives that aim to improve the overall quality of life in the province.

Furthermore, Camarines Norte boasts of a political scene that encourages participation and inclusivity. While the presence of political families is undeniable, there are also opportunities for fresh voices and perspectives to emerge. This mix of experience and new ideas fosters a dynamic environment where different approaches address the province’s challenges.

A shining example of a staunch leader who champions the best interests of Camarines Norte’s First District is Representative Josefina B. Tallado. Her constituents fondly know her as “Nay Josie” for her maternal instincts that constantly have her public’s best interests at heart.

Now in her second term in the 19th Congress of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tallado consistently demonstrates her dynamic leadership and genuine concern for her constituents by bringing government services and assistance down to the grassroots level, increasing its efficiency in improving her community’s quality of life, which is within the goals of the overarching theme of “Bagong Pilipinas” (New Philippines) of the Marcos administration.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL SERVICES

One of the most notable developments has been the substantial increase in funding for infrastructure projects. Since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office, the First District of Camarines Norte has seen a yearon-year rise in allocated funds.

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the district received P3,305,928,000 for infrastructure projects. This figure grew to P3,418,528,000 in FY 2023 and projected to reach P3,789,477,000 in FY 2024. This upward trend demonstrates a clear commitment to improving the district’s infrastructure, which is vital for economic growth and improved quality of life for residents. These funds go toward improving roads, government facilities, and public buildings across the district. Better roads

will reduce travel times and create new opportunities for trade and commerce. Meanwhile, upgraded government facilities will provide a more efficient and welcoming environment for residents seeking public services. Overall, these infrastructure improvements will lay the groundwork for a more prosperous future for the First District.

Rep. Tallado wanted to ensure this progressive trend sparked by the national government continues in her district, starting by boosting the social services in her district. As of Dec. 31, 2023, the lawmaker secured P622,150,000 for social welfare programs, livelihood initiatives, educational advancements, and medical benefits. It represents the largest allocation for social services in the First District’s history.

Another relevant development under Rep. Tallado’s administration is a dramatic increase in hospitalization subsidies. Before this initiative, public hospitals, often stretched thin due to limited facilities and remote locations, were the sole providers of government-funded medical care. Recognizing this limitation, Rep. Tallado spearheaded the inclusion of private hospitals within the district.

It expands the range of options available to constituents, allowing them to choose facilities that best suit their needs and location.

Moreso, recently, in a trailblazing move, Rep. Tallado brokered the partnership between the DSWD and private funeral parlors within the district so that indigent constituents can have access to decent and dignified funeral services. The Camarines Norte First District Representative is likewise studying the feasibility of forging partnerships with commercial pharmacies to make prescription or maintenance medicines accessible to the underserved and incapacitated sectors.

LEAVING AN INDELIBLE MARK IN CONGRESS

Rep. Tallado’s efforts go beyond the confines of her district. She’s also an active force in the 19th Congress of the House of Representatives, having authored 136 bills, including HB01115 or An Act Creating an Agricultural Pension Fund for Enhanced Social Protection to Poor Agricultural Workers, HB01118 or An Act to Establish an Elderly Care and Nursing Complex in the Province of Camarines Norte and Appropriating Funds Therefore, and HB03307 or An Act Strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development System, Revising for the Purpose Republic Act No. 10410, Otherwise Known as the “Early Years Act of 2013”, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, among many other resolutions.

She principally authored 136 bills and also co-authored 30 other bills in the 19th Congress.

On the other hand, Rep. Tallado has also held positions in the various Congress committees. As Chairperson of the Bicol Affairs and Economic Development Committee, she leads in shaping policies and programs that directly benefit her home region. This committee focuses on issues critical to Bicol’s progress, including infrastructure development, agricultural growth, and tourism promotion.

The lawmaker is also the Public Relations Officer for the Association of Women Legislators of the House of Representatives, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Gender Equality, and a majority member of the Committees on Agriculture and Food, Appropriations, Basic Education and Culture, Government Reorganization, Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, Labor and Employment, Social Services, and Tourism.

Hidden Gems

of the 1st District of Camarines Norte

By Peter Paul Duran

LED by Rep. Josefina “Nay Josie” Tallado, the Bagong Unang Distrito ng Camarines Norte reveals a treasure trove of tourist attractions awaiting discovery. As part of the Bicol Region’s Tourism Development Area, the district promises an array of experiences that showcase its natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Tinagong Beach, Capalonga, Camarines Norte

1. MUNICIPALITY OF CAPALONGA. Capalonga invites exploration with its diverse attractions, including the renowned Shrine of the Black Nazarene, a pilgrimage site drawing thousands annually. The pristine beaches of Pulong Guijanlao, Tinagong Beach, Sabang, and Lom-oc offer relaxation and stunning vistas, while waterfalls like Banca-banca and Itok Falls captivate with their beauty. Dive enthusiasts can explore the hidden gem of Sabongsabong Reef and Dive Site, making Capalonga a destination of choice for nature lovers.

2. MUNICIPALITY OF JOSE PANGANIBAN. Jose Panganiban boasts of untouched gems like Parola Island, Calalanay Island, and Pag-asa Beach, waiting to be explored. Despite the lack of tourism infrastructure, these destinations offer solitude and natural beauty, promising an unforgettable experience for adventurous travelers. Turayog View Deck also offers a panoramic viewpoint where you can see the beauty of Jose Panganiban.

3. MUNICIPALITY OF LABO. Labo enchants with its breathtaking waterfalls,

caves, and other natural wonders. From the majestic Saltahan Falls to the mystical Maligaya Falls, visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature. The caves of Mt. Cadig and Mambuaya offer adventure and exploration, making Labo a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

4. MUNICIPALITY OF PARACALE. Paracale boasts of historical landmarks like the

By holding these esteemed positions and actively participating in various committees, Rep. Tallado demonstrates her dedication to serving constituents and the nation. Her diverse portfolio allows her to advocate for a wide range of issues, ensuring that the voice of Camarines Norte is heard while making a significant contribution to national progress. This commitment to regional and national development positions her as a wellrounded leader with a bright future in Philippine politics. Indeed, Rep. Tallado has made her presence felt in her jurisdiction and across the Philippines by leveraging her platform in the House of Representatives. As she continues to be the voice of change and injects a part of motherly instincts in her dynamic leadership approach, the residents of Camarines Norte’s First District can expect more developments as long as she’s around.

Macolabo Island, Paracale, Camarines Norte

Parroquia de Nuestra Senora de Candelaria, alongside pristine beaches like Pulang Daga, Gumaus Beach and Macolabo Island. With its rich history and stunning coastal scenery, Paracale invites travelers to discover its hidden treasures.

5. MUNICIPALITY OF SANTA ELENA. Santa Elena captivates with its untamed beauty, highlighted by the Santa Elena Twin Falls and Mag-asawang Bato Rock Formation. The Imee-Irene Falls, steeped in history and legend, offer a glimpse into the region’s past.

Meanwhile, the picturesque Mag-asawang Bato Rock Formation invites visitors to marvel at its unique saltwater scenery, steeped in local lore and romance. The town also has an Agri Tourism Park known as Santa Elena River Hut and Swing that offers rest and relaxation to weary travelers.

One can embark on a journey of discovery through the 1st District of Camarines Norte, where each destination reveals a piece of the region’s rich culture and natural wonders.

Sta. Elena River Hut and Swing (SERHAS)

AgriTourism Park, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte

Beyond nature and tourism, the 1st District of Camarines Norte witnesses a profound transformation through enhanced government services, fervently driving the realization of Bagong Pilipinas. This evolution from a visionary aspiration to a palpable reality reverberates across the district, embodying an unwavering dedication to advancement and growth.

Maligaya Falls, Labo, Camarines Norte

Turayog View Deck, Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte

LTO sets off first phase of driver’s license renewal

By Rio N. Araja

WITH the availability of plastic driver’s licenses, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Tuesday called on drivers with expired licenses to apply for renewal.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II said these drivers must renew and claim their physical cards from April 16 to April 30, lest they could be penalized.

In a radio interview, Mendoza said only motorists with expired licenses from April to August 2023 may claim plastic cards because the available supply is just sufficient for them.

As of March 2024, the backlog was at 4.1 million driver’s license plastic cards.

“The supply side is because our supplier is not just sending us a wreck,” Mendoza said.

“In fact, what was supplied to us is 1.6 million out of 3.2 million so it’s not for the nation, on the supply side, so all the backlog of 4.1 million will be catered for in one blow,” he added.

He said the scheduled release was to prevent crowding and long lines on site.

Largest Balikatan between PH, US unfolds next week

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Philippines and the United States will hold next week what they described as the “most expansive” Balikatan military exercises in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), among other areas, with more than a dozen countries serving as observers in the largest bilateral exercises.

The US Embassy in the Philippines said at least 16,000 troops from the Philippines and the US will show their joint forces before observers from Brunei Darussalam, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. For the first time, troops from the French Navy will also join the drills,

along with contingents from the Australian Defence Force. The exercises, called Balikatan or “shoulder to shoulder,” will be held from April 22 to May 10.

During the war games, participating troops will execute a range of complex missions across domains, including maritime security, sensing and targeting, air and missile defense, dynamic missile strikes, cyber de -

DRILL. The Philippine Coast Guard conducts comprehensive water safety and survival training for students of the Bislig City National High School in Surigao del Sur, enabling the youth to be skilful swimmers.

fense, and information operations, the embassy said.

The Philippine Navy, the US Navy, and the French Navy will also conduct a Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the West Philippine Sea that is claimed by China to be part of its territorial waters.

“Each year, we work closely with AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) senior leaders to make Balikatan more challenging. This year, we’ve increased the scope, scale, and complexity across all domains,” said Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific. “We’re building military readiness across the full range of combined and joint operations. It’s our most expansive Balikatan yet,” he added.

Sara’s Hugpong party discharges several local stalwarts in Mindanao

THE Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) Party has expelled most of its leaders in Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro provinces over “differences in principles and policies.”

In a statement, the HNP thanked Davao Del Norte Vice Governor De Carlo Uy, Tagum City Mayor Rey Uy, along with Davao De Oro Vice Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, and Rep. Maricar Zamora for their contributions to the party.

“We regret to announce that the membership of the following incumbent public officials who ran under the HNP Party during the 2022 elections has been officially terminated, effective April 15, 2024. This decision comes in light of recent events and actions that have been found to conflict with the core principles and policies of our party,” the statement read.

IN BRIEF

CHR

deplores attack

on barangay tanods

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday raised deep concern over an attack against village security officers or barangay tanods and a policeman in Barangay Payatas-A, Quezon City last April 10.

“The Commission condemns this reprehensible act committed against our dedicated safety officers, who work tirelessly to preserve law and order and ensure the safety of our communities. Such actions jeopardize not only the safety and well-being of those who serve, but also the overall peace and security of the community,” the CHR said.

“We remind everyone to adhere to the principles of human rights articulated in the Philippine 1987 Constitution, which states that every individual has the right to life, liberty, and security without discrimination of any kind. Our law enforcement officers, like all citizens, deserve to carry out their duties without fear of violence or harm,” it added. Rio N. Araja

DMW: Romania opens door wider for OFWs

JOBS await Filipino workers in Romania following reaffirmation of bilateral ties between the two countries amid observance of the Philippines-Romania Friendship Week, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

In a statement, DMW officer in charge Hans Leo Cacdac said Romania looks forward to hiring more Filipino workers as demand for labor workers in the former satellite state of the Soviet Union is high.

“The strong partnership between the Philippines and Romania in upholding safe and fair labor migration practices and the stories of dedication, perseverance, and resilience of our OFWs in Romania was shown during the Philippines—Romania Friendship Week,” Cacdac said.

Meanwhile, Romanian Ambassador to the Philippines Râduta Dana Matache expressed gratitude to the DMW for the hospitality and emphasized that better job opportunities await Filipino workers in her country. Vito Barcelo

CAAP rushes works on Laoag airport

THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) hastens ongoing development projects at Laoag International Airport which is expected to be finished by June this year.

CAAP officials led by deputy director general for administration Danjun Lucas and area center manager Ronald Estabillo recently inspected the ongoing projects, which started in June 2022 and 76.26 percent complete as of Friday.

The development project covers the airport’s runway strip grade correction, expansion of turnaround pads, construction of an access road going to the control tower, and development of VPA and drainage system.

The HNP was formed in 2018 by then Davao City mayor now Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte.

The party said it did not take the decision to expel the members in question lightly.

“We understand that such changes can be challenging, and we wish to assure you that this decision was reached only after a careful review of our party’s commitment to maintaining faithful public service. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors,” it added. The HNP also hinted that more members could be terminated from the party in the very near future.

CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said the continued development at the airport is geared towards the agency’s goal of providing safer and more efficient air travel, along with improved connectivity and mobility in the Ilocos Region.

“We expect the courtesy resignation of other members of the HNP as we continue our preparations for the upcoming elections,” it said.

MIAA says PVH may be demolished

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) plans to demolish the iconic Philippine Village Hotel (PVH) in Nayong Pilipino to give way for expansion projects for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The PVH sits close to the NAIA Terminal 2 and would have to be demolished in line with the rehabilitation and improvement of the airport.

MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines said they are just waiting for the approval of the Pasay City government to begin demolition works on the abandoned structure, being eyed as an expansion of the passenger terminal.

The government has signed a contract with San Miguel Corp. (SMC) for the improvement of NAIA.

The SMC was awarded the P171billion contract to rehabilitate, oper-

ate, and maintain the NAIA, considered the country’s premier gateway which has been criticized for issues like pests infestation, missing bags, thefts, extortion, brownouts, and other technical glitches.

According to SMC president Ramon Ang, the new passenger terminal building can handle 35 million passengers annually with 50 concourse boarding bridges as part of their commitment to increase the capacity of the airport.

The rehabilitation agreement was described by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as badly needed given the “poor state” of the country’s main international airport.

“The reputation of this airport has been shredded, and let us be frank about it, not by bad press, but by its actual poor state,” the President said. “So, it’s really important that we fix this now,” he added.

The project is also part of the Philippine government’s plans to enhance air connectivity and mobility, aimed to make the country more connected and globally competitive.

Zurbano

Joel E.

Proposed upgrade of Metro railway system

“HOW come,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. asked recently, “rich people in London ride the train?”

Our answer to this rhetorical question

is this: Because we have a woefully inadequate mass transport system that has led to horrible traffic congestion and huge economic costs.

We recall that years ago, the Japan International Cooperation Agency estimated that P3.5 billion is the daily opportunity loss due to traffic build-up in Metro Manila.

What is needed to solve the transport crisis in the metropolis is in fact a wholeof-government approach.

Here’s what National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan has to say on this issue: “What the President really wants is a comprehensive and holistic approach to solving the traffic problem, not the piecemeal approach as has been the case all these years. If there is a chokepoint in one, it affects the whole system.

“That’s why we really need to look at it as a system.”

What’s clear by now is the government should have given top priority to building an extensive and efficient and railway network in the metropolis decades ago.

A railway system is the most sustainable way to go.

Trains can carry the most number of people in the shortest amount of time in very large capacities. One train can carry over 1,200 passengers every 2.5 minutes.

With increased traffic congestion in Metro Manila today, what is needed is to shift from road-based travel to rail-based mass transport.

A concrete step along this direction is the integration of MRT-3 and LRT Line.

This is the unsolicited proposal of a joint venture of Metro Pacific Investment Corporation and the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo for the rehabilitation, operation and maintenance of MRT-3.

What they propose to achieve is what they call Through Train Operations that will “close the loop” between MRT-3 and LRT Line 1. This, they said, would result in passenger convenience, decrease travel time and travel expense of passengers, and, more importantly, mitigate the current traffic congestion especially along EDSA.

Hence, the problems that plagued the MRT-3 in the past would no longer be experienced by the riding public.

The reality today is that MRT-3 is approaching the end of its design life even if the recent general overhaul/rehabilitation may have given a life extension of five years.

Hence, maintaining the system at peak efficiency has become a primary concern.

The MPIC/Sumitomo project will involve substantial capital expenditure and a comprehensive plan to address immediate, medium and long-term needs and service objectives of the aging infrastructure.

MPIC is a leading infrastructure conglomerate with investments in power, toll roads, water, transportation, healthcare and real estate.

Sumitomo, on the other hand, has technical and institutional knowledge of the MRT-3 system as it has been the maintenance provider from 2000 to the present.

Sumitomo has proven maintenance credentials as evidenced by superior

We welcome the wider participation of the private sector and their closer collaboration with the national government in railway development

transport services and continuous passenger growth of MRT-3 up to 2012.

It was re-engaged in December 2018 to solve system degradation due to poor maintenance from 2012 to 2017.

It managed to undertake rehabilitation works without delay even during the COVID-19 period Sumitomo’s excellent track record is also proven by its successful rehabilitation efforts that led to a 94 percent decrease in major service interruption from a high of 81 in 2017 to only five incidents in 2021.

The company has been able to secure critical spare parts for the entire MRT3 system and has the competence to integrate the MRT-3 system with LRT Line 1 that would bring both short-term and long-term benefits to the riding public.

The integrated operation of MRT-3 and LRT-1 as a closed loop will result in 20 percent reduction in vehicles on EDSA, according to a traffic study.

LRT-1 and MRT-3 can be integrated as well with a second common station in the EDSA-Taft area in the south.

Integrated transport terminals and transit-oriented development must be developed with the railway stations to improve first and last-mile connectivity.

The railway system should be integrated with other transport modes: buses, jeepneys, motorcycles and tricycles.

This integration can bring better interoperability not just in terms of transfers but also payment systems.

Many Filipinos have experienced efficient and reliable rail transport in Japan, HK and Singapore, among other places.

We deserve the same type of convenience.

Thus, we welcome the wider participation of the private sector and their closer collaboration with the national government in railway development so that we can vastly improve mass transport in this country. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Working in lockstep

Tboard as the three are determined to conduct more naval training and exercises in what is seen as a potential flashpoint in the South China Sea.

This, as the Philippines, which has had maritime run-ins with China in the former’s 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, is dead set on asserting its sovereign rights in the South China, particularly the West Philippine Sea.

The three allies, which recently conducted a joint patrol with Australia in the West Philippine Sea, are ready with the point and shoot method, controls to accurately and intentionally move their vessels in tight quarters.

The countries also plan to hold a maritime training activity around Japan in 2025.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, who has accused China of “escalation of its harassment” of the Philippines, a treaty ally of the United States, under-

lined Manila’s determination “to assert our sovereign rights, especially within our exclusive economic zone.”

We share Manalo’s hope the White House meeting would allow Manila and Washington to better coordinate their responses on the diplomatic and defense as well as well as security fronts.

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The prospect of Trump becoming a convicted felon throws an unprecedented wild card into an already unpredictable Nov. 5 election —“—

The three allies... are ready with the point and shoot method, controls to accurately and intentionally move their vessels in tight quarters

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin himself said Washington stood with Manila against what he described as “coercion” as he underscored US commitment to its mutual defense treaty with the Philippines was “ironclad.”

“We’re working in lockstep ... to strengthen interoperability between our forces, to expand our operational coordination and to stand up to coercion in the South China Sea,” Austin said. His statement followed the introduc-

tion of a bipartisan bill by two prominent US senators to provide Manila with $2.5 billion over five years, funding needed to modernize the US ally’s long-neglected armed forces.

At the Pentagon later last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the developing US-Philippines alliance was not a response to any particular threat, but rather an evolution of the relationship to continue to defend international rules and law in the region.

China, which has been harassing Filipino vessels on humanitarian missions within the country’s exclusive economic zone, has been waving its mythical nine-dash line that takes in about 90 percent of the South China Sea to assert its claim to sovereignty over nearly all of the strategic waterway.

It has also deployed hundreds of coast guard vessels in patrols against rival claimants.

The United States, an ally for nearly 80 years, has a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines and has repeatedly made clear it would protect its ally if Manila’s coast guard or armed forces came under attack anywhere in the South China Sea.

Encounters have become more frequent in the past year as Beijing presses its claims and Manila continues its fishing and resupply activities for Philippine military personnel at two contested shoals which China claims are illegal intrusions.

Jury selection starts at Trump’s landmark criminal trial in New York

NEW YORK – Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial opened Monday (Tuesday in Manila) in a historic first for a US ex-president -- and a seismic twist to an already explosive 2024 election where the Republican is seeking to defy multiple scandals and return to power.

Trump has repeatedly described the hush money case as a sham.

But reality set in for the 77-year-old, hard-right Republican as Judge Juan Merchan issued the routine warning for criminal defendants that he will have to attend proceedings in the gritty Manhattan courthouse daily -- or face arrest.

Merchan also warned Trump against repeating his frequent past attempts to disrupt hearings with incendiary social media posts and courtroom outbursts.

UST GenSan opens its doors

THE University of Santo Tomas inaugurated the Main Building of its General Santos City, South Cotabato branch campus on April 11, ushering in a fresh new chapter for the centuries-old institution and a new educational opportunity for the region’s college students.

The six-level UST GenSan Main Building is 52 meters tall and mirrors the original, similarly-named edifice at the España, Manila campus – it also has a large cross on its highest tower that is illumined in blue upon nightfall, and an open plaza in front. Its construction began six years ago, in April 2018. The new UST-General Santos City Main Building illuminated at night. Photo by Rainiel Angelyn B. Figueroa/The Varsitarian.

Several major activities were conducted in line with the inauguration. On April 9, a Mass and the blessing of the building was held with UST officials, employees, and guests in attendance.

On April 10, members of the Tomasinong SOCCSKSARGEN (an alumni group), along with UST and UST Alum-

ni Association officials, spearheaded a gift-giving activity in the nearby Muslim community of Barangay Batomelong, General Santos City.

Thomasians at an outreach activity in Bgy. Batomelong, General Santos City, during the inauguration of the UST General Santos City branch campus. Photo by the UST Communications Bureau This event coincided with the feast of Eid al Fitr (end of Ramadan). Some 300 persons from 150 families attended. UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., said the activity was meant to “to strengthen [UST’s] fellowship” with the community and as a sign of “goodwill and solidarity.” “Hindi lang po kami kaagapay,” he said. “Mga Pilipino po tayo, at tayong lahat ay magkakapatid.” [We are not only someone who stands by your side. We are all Filipinos, and we are all brethren.]

The 76.78-hectare UST GenSan campus is four times as large as the Manila campus. The GenSan Main Building can accommodate 15,000 students.

Among its facilities are 77 classrooms,

The judge scheduled a hearing next week to consider whether Trump should already be held in contempt for violating a partial gag order restricting him from attacking individuals connected to the case. Selection of 12 jurors -- given anonymity to protect them from what the judge says is risk of bribery or even physical harm -- is expected to be a tortuous process.

Of the first batch of 96 prospective panelists sworn in, at least 50 were quickly excused after they said they could not be fair and impartial in a case involving one of the most famous -- and controversial -- men in the world.

Nine others were allowed to leave after stating there were compelling reasons

25 laboratories, a 100-person capacity chapel, cafeteria, library, clinic, organization rooms, functional halls, auditorium, and administrative offices. The initial schools onsite are the School of Health Sciences, School of Engineering and Technology, School of Business and Accountancy, and School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The first wave of an estimated 500 students will enroll in the 2024-2025 academic year in the following programs: BS Accounting Information System, BS Entrepreneurship, BS Industrial Engineering, BS Medical Technology, and BS Pharmacy.

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UST Rector Richard Ang said ‘This is our gift to GenSan – Luzon meeting Mindanao.’

Speaking in 2022 about the establishment of UST GenSan, UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., said

they could not serve, while remaining prospective jurors were grilled about their education, hobbies and news consumption. The process, which will resume Tuesday at 1330 GMT, could go on as long as two weeks, according to one of Trump’s lawyers.

Merchan also indicated opposition to

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allowing Trump to be out of court next Thursday, when the US Supreme Court will hear his claims of presidential immunity in another, unrelated case. “It’s a scam. It’s a political witch hunt,” Trump said leaving court Monday. “We’ve got a real problem with this judge.”

The Republican presidential candidate is accused of falsifying business records in a scheme to cover up an alleged extramarital sexual encounter with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to shield his first election campaign, in 2016, from last-

the branch campus will “train and employ people from the surrounding cities to work with us as faculty and staff, we will also form meaningful partnerships with local industries which will lead to the generation of new job opportunities… “This is our gift to GenSan – Luzon meeting Mindanao.”

Founded on April 28, 1611, UST is the “oldest existing university in Asia” and the “largest Catholic university in the world in a single campus,” according to UST’s Communications Bureau.

Established by the Dominicans (the Order of Preachers), UST was initially located in Intramuros and called the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario. It was later renamed in honor of the foremost Dominican theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas.

In 1645, Pope Innocent X elevated the college to a university, and in 1680 it came under Spanish royal patronage.

In 1902, Pope Leo XIII bestowed upon it the title “pontifical university.” These are titles the university carries in its official name: The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas.

minute upheaval.

He faces three other criminal cases centered on his hoarding of top-secret documents after leaving office and his unprecedented attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. All morning Monday, lawyers for both sides in the case wrangled with Merchan over admissible evidence.

Trump, shoulders hunched, stared sternly straight ahead or looked down at the computer alongside his legal team. According to The New York Times reporter sitting close to Trump, he at times appeared to doze, head drooping. The judge ruled against allowing prosecutors to play the jury the infamous Access Hollywood recording that rocked Trump’s 2016 campaign in which he can be heard boasting that famous men can “grab” women by their genitals because “they let you do it.”

However, the contents of the recording -- which prosecutors see as key in motivating Trump to pay to bury news reports about Stormy Daniel -- can be introduced as evidence.

Prosecutors also demanded that Trump be fined for violating the gag order imposed earlier by Merchan to try and get the ex-president to stop attacking potential witnesses and others in the courtroom on social media.

Wearing his trademark red tie, white shirt and blue suit, Trump struck a defiant tone on arrival at the courthouse, telling a throng of journalists that his trial was an “assault on America.” AFP

In 1947, Pope Pius XII called it “The Catholic University of the Philippines,” a title the university uses in some of its branding.

As such, some of UST’s academic activities are religious activities, such as the annual commencement exercises, which are not known as such but as ‘solemn investitures’ (as I was informed by a fellow faculty member).

Among the prominent Filipinos who have attended UST are Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini, Manuel Luis Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel, Diosdado Macapagal, and many others who have proved outstanding in their chosen professions.

Three popes have visited the campus: Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Francis. I’ve spoken to a long-time faculty member who was present at the visit of the latter two and still speaks about her experiences with tears in her eyes.

Follow UST’s Facebook page for enrollment advice and more information about the new campus: https://www.facebook.com/UST1611official *

Future champs take spotlight in IRONKIDS

THE future stars of Philippine triathlon will be on display as the RLC Residences IRONKIDS takes place this Saturday (April 20) at The Reef Island Resort in Mactan, Cebu.

The aquathlon event, designed for participants aged 6 to 15, aims to foster an active and healthy lifestyle among the youth. They will compete for titles in several age-group categories, ranging from 6-8 to 13-15 years old, in both individual and mixed relay divisions. The races are set over designated swim and run distances tailored for each age group, ensuring a challenging yet enjoyable competition for all involved.

Specifically, the 6-8 age group will tackle a 100m swim followed by a 1km run. Those in the 9-10 category will take on a 150m swim and a 1.5km run, while the 11-12 contenders will face a 200m swim and a 1.5km run in the event organized by The IRONMAN Group. The 13-15 category will be held over a 250m swim and a 2km run.

In relay events, the 6-10 age group will complete a 100m swim and 1km run, and the 11-15 group will challenge a 200m swim and 1.5km run.

For details, visit ironkidsphil.com or contact sai.mayol@ironman.com.

The event not only showcases the budding talent in the sport but also serves as a precursor to the highly anticipated IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu presented by Megaworld and the Mactan Newtown, which fires off Sunday (April 21) in Mactan, Cebu.

The premier 1.9 km swim, 90km bike and 21k run race features a line-up of elite international triathletes alongside top local competitors.

The IRONKIDS, now backed by the RLC Residences, has served as a side event to the IRONMAN series for years with the event not only contributing to the growth of the sport but also ensuring the steady flow of talents.

“We are thrilled to support IRONKIDS. Our commitment is not just to promote a healthy, active lifestyle among youth, but also to nurture the next generation of triathletes,” said RLC Residences Head of Brand Management Dan Carlo Torres.

He added that RLC Residences’ support for IRONKIDS aligns with their broader mission to enrich lives and provide opportunities for young athletes to shine, while also instilling values such as discipline, sportsmanship and respect. The IRONKIDS also serves as a constructive alternative to screen time, encouraging more physical activity among children.

BARELY three days after an exhilarating showdown with Criss Cross, Cignal faces yet another formidable opponent in its quest for a sixth consecutive victory, taking on the D’Navigators in the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

However, the HD Spikers will be without their star player as Bryan Bagunas, who steered Cignal to a five-set victory over Cross Cross Sunday night, had to honor a prior commitment to participate in an All-Star game scheduled for April 20 in Taiwan.

Despite Bagunas’ absence, Cignal head coach Dexter Clamor remains

Paris Olympics faces cyber battle to keep games running

PARIS — The Paris Olympics are bracing themselves to fight off an unprecedented level of cyber attacks, for the first time augmented by artificial intelligence.

The kaleidescope of threats could come from criminal groups, states eager to undermine the Games, “hacktivists” with ideological ambitions, gamblers or even athletes.

“There are so many moving pieces that the attack spectrum is quite large and it’s a very serious security challenge,” John Hultquist, an analyst at Mandiant Consulting, a cybersecurity consultancy owned by Google, told AFP.

“We are worried about everything from the broadcasters to the sponsors, transport infrastructures, logistics and support, competitions.

“Any kind of disruption is on the table.”

Japanese telecom company NTT, which provided IT security for the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, reported 450 million individual cyber attacks during the last edition of the Games, twice as many as during the 2012 London Olympics.

By Dennis Abrina

MARAGONDON -- The local government here opened the 2024 edition of the ‘Unlad Angat Kabataang Maragondon’ Cup Sports for the Youth, held at the Town Plaza covered court in Barangay Poblacion 1-A on Saturday.

Mayor Lawrence ‘Umbe’ Arca, Vice Mayor Bernie Ilagan, and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Robby Tañagas led the opening of the tournament for this year’s edition.

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters PBA player Simon Camacho, a native of Maragondon, led the lighting of the cauldron to signal the formal opening of the tournament.

The tournament is participated in by 20 teams from different barangays for the 25-Under and 18 teams for the 15-Under for basketball, 10 teams for men’s volleyball and six teams for the women’s division volleyball.

Tournaments for badminton, table tennis, billiards, softball and Mobile Legend are also featured.

optimistic about the team’s chances against the D’Navigators in their 6 p.m. clash. With Jau Umandal expected to lead the charge, Clamor believes in the team’s resolve as demonstrated when Umandal cranked up his game in Bagunas’ absence during their previous match against the King Crunchers. Umandal delivered a solid 20-point performance to complement Bagunas’ game-high 27-point showing. Clamor also expressed gratitude towards his players for their adaptability and cohesion in maintaining the team’s system, regardless of individual absences.

“Mataas ang morale ng team, pero what’s good during the fourth set na nawala si Bryan, binalik ulit namin sa dati naming rotation,” said Clamor, referring to the stretch when the rest of the HD Spikers had to stepped up after Bagunas cramped out.

“Pasalamat ako sa players ko na hindi naman nalito, hindi nahirapan. Nabalik nila ‘yung sistema na meron kami dati na nakakalaban pa rin kami with or without Bryan,” added Clamor, who, aside from Umandal, will again rely on the likes of Wendel Miguel, JP Bugaoan, Mark Calado, Nastin Gwaza and Lloyd Josafat.

The D’Navigators, on the other hand, are ready and eager to bounce back after their recent defeat to the King Crunchers, which halted their fourgame run in the league organized by Sports Vision. Meanwhile, Savouge Aesthetics guns for its second straight win after dropping its first three matches as it collides with also-ran RichMarc Sports 3B at 4 p.m.

Led by standout performances from Sherwin Caritativo and team captain Lorenz Senoron, Savouge Aesthetics aims to extend its momentum against the Bonjomar Castel-led

Fending off such attacks is primarily the responsibility of France’s information systems security agency (Anssi) and interior ministry, with backup from the cyber defence arm of the defence ministry (Comcyber).

Vincent Strubel, the director general of Anssi, told AFP in March that his attitude to the threat was “neither nonchalance, nor panic”.

“We’ve prepared hard. And we still have a few months to fine-tune,” he added.

‘Worst-case scenario’

“The worst-case scenario is that we end up drowning in attacks that are not very serious, and that we don’t see a more dangerous attack coming, targeting a critical infrastructure,” he added.

Cyber attacks are nothing new. A risk management expert recalled in the research magazine Herodote the first cyber-attack on an Olympics, at Montreal in 1976, in the Stone Age of computing.

Those Games were hit by a 48-hour electrical disruption to information systems. Several events had to be postponed or moved.

International tensions multiply the risks. Russia, whose relations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are atrocious and whose athletes will not be able to compete under their national flag, has been suspected of several sports-related attacks already. The IOC complained of Russian disinformation campaigns in November and March.

In 2019, Microsoft said that a Russian hacking group, Fancy Bears, had tried to attack the computer systems of several global anti-doping agencies. Russian military intelligence services were blamed by the US for releasing the so-called “Olympic Destroyer” malware shortly before the opening ceremony of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games in South Korea, from which Russian athletes were banned.

In early April, the Kremlin denounced President Emmanuel Macron’s “unfounded” accusations that Moscow was disseminating information suggesting that Paris would not be ready for the Olympics. AFP

Round Table PH hosts inaugural golf tourney at Mimosa

ROUND Table Philippines is set to host its inaugural golf tournament, dubbed “A Round of Golf with Tablers,” on May 1 at the newly renovated Mountain Course of the Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Clark, Pampanga.

In partnership with Collabera Digital as the co-presenter, this championship event aims to benefit the SOS Children’s Villages and serve as a qualifying event for the prestigious World Amateur Golfers Championship (WAGC).

The WAGC stands as the largest amateur golf championship globally, spanning over 40 countries. Winners across five class categories (A, B, C, D, E) will advance to the National Finals, vying for the opportunity to represent the WAGC Philippine team at the annual championship, set this year in Phuket, Thailand.

a.m.

For inquiries, sponsorship opportunities, and payments, contact RJ Lista at 0917-5366947 or Don Valdez at 09171174269. Payments are accepted via Gcash at 0917-5366947.

Round Table Philippines has desig-

series of activities, including a leadership summit, national assembly, general meeting, and gala night, culminating in a breakfast sendoff.

Established in Norwich, England in 1927, Round Table serves as an assembly of young professionals and businessmen guided by the principles of “Adopt, Adapt,

Greek actress Mary Mina, playing the role of the High Priestess, holds

Quiroz ranks 4th in 25-m air pistol preliminaries

OLYMPIC hopeful Franchette Quiroz ended up in fourth place in the ongoing qualification round of the women’s 25-m air pistol event of the 2024 International Shooting Sports Federation’s World Olympic Qualification Tournament for rifle and pistol.

The 27-year-old Quiroz tallied a subtotal of 293 in the precision category, as action got under way on Monday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the event that serves as the final qualifier for the Paris Olympics.

Up next for Quiroz, who is coached by Qatari instructor Murad Hanov, is the rapid fire subgroup of the competition, where she is expected to do even better.

Greek shooter and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic gold medallist Anna Korakaki leads the field with her subtotal of 296, ahead of Vietnamese bet Trin Thu Vinh (294).

At third is Azerbaijani standout Nigar Nasirova with the same score as Quiroz (293).

“She is currently no. 4 after first day in Precision 25m. She is competing later today for the second half of rapid fire. Hopefully, she maintains the momentum and get in the finals,” said Philippine National Shooting Association secretary general Iryne Garcia.

Meanwhile, Amparo Acuna settled for 100th place in the women’s 10-meter air rifle qualifications with a tally of 607.

Jeannette Derestag of Norway came out on top with 633.6, with Iranian bet Najmeh Khedmati behind with 633.

Acuna hopes to do better in her next event, the 50-meter 3-position competitions.

Last January, Quiroz’s chances of reaching the Paris Olympics got boosted again after her Olympic and world rankings rose.

Back then, the 27-year-old Quiroz, got her highest grade in the Qualification Ranking for the Olympic Games at no. 70 in the women’s 25-meter air pistol event. Peter Atencio

Lady Falcons gun for 11th straight UAAP softball crown

Fil-Am Bossong hoping to represent PH in Paris

By Peter Atencio

HAVING a shot at competing in the Paris Olympics is Filipino-American trackster Victoria Bossong’s biggest dream this year.

dard time of 1:59.30.

“I’m hoping to have a shot this year.

And my focus is on Paris. It’s my biggest goal right now,” said Bossong in an inter-

WEEK’S BEST PBA PLAYER. Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang, shown here trying to make his move under the basket against traffic, earned the nod as PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period April 10 to 14 on account of his averages of 27.5 markers (with 64 percent field goal shooting), 11 boards and 2.5 dimes

view with the Manila Standard.

Bossong is fortunate to be coached by 12-year Harvard mentor Kebba Tolbert, who handled Olympic medalist Gabrielle Thomas when she was still studying at Harvard. Thomas bagged a bronze medal in the women’s 200-meters of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, to go with a silver in the women’s 4x100 meter relays.

With her personal best time down by six seconds since last year, Bossong said she is confident that her clocking can go lower in the coming weeks.

And Bossong hopes that her personal best in the 800-meters will even be lower when she joins an Ivy League Championship meet in Princeton this May, regional meets and national meets of the NCAA in the coming months and the Penn Relays.

“I will be striving for an NCAA title in those events (NCAA regionals and nationals). I will try to get a shot at that, and run super fast,” added Bossong.

Back in March, Bossong’s clocking was considered as the best and fastest time in the NCAA pre-season, better than what Hayley Kitching of Penn State submitted at 2:01.17 for the silver in the same event.

But all that changed as the season progressed, after Michaela Rose of LSU, Glady Chepngetch of Clemson and Kelly Ann Beckham ran faster times in the first two weeks of April, with Rose checking at 1:58.37 at the Bryan Clay Invitationals on April 11.

Bossong, with her 800-meter clocking now ranked fourth, from first last month, continues to wait since she started sending feelers to the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association last year, so that she will make her dream for the country possible.

ADAMSON University will aim for its 11th straight UAAP softball championship against University of the Philippines when the two powerhouses collide for one last time in Game 3 of the Finals series today (Wednesday) at the latter’s home field.

The Lady Falcons dominated the challenging home side in Game 2 with a 15-2 rout and will look to consolidate the job at 4 p.m. against the Fighting [Maroons.

“Tabla uli ‘yan, so everybody’s ball game uli ‘yan. So, we’ll have to prepare lang,” the long-time Adamson mentor Ana Santiago said.

Reigning Finals MVP Glory Alonzo put up an impressive stint on the mound in that series equalizer, but it was Jeelyn Pajotal who provided the much-needed boost from the dugout on offense.

Seniors Khrisha Cantor and Alaiza Talisik will try to end their UAAP careers with another diadem. Standing in their path is the UP side, which is looking for a breakthrough fifth title – a first since Season 70 (2007-08) with an expected comeback performance from ace pitcher KC Valino, who sat out the seven innings of the second game. Algrace Adajar and Jamm’n Rasco will try to lead the Diliman-based side to the elusive glory in perhaps their final times in the maroon colors, with reigning MVP Nickole Dela Cruz seeking to find her top-athlete form come Game 3. On the other hand, De La Salle University aims for a third

DENICE “The Menace” Zamboanga’s quest to become the first ever Filipina world champion in ONE Championship is truly bigger than her. And count on a former Filipino world champion to voice his support to his compatriot.

Eduard “Landslide” Folayang admitted that it would be massive for the country’s burgeoning MMA scene if Zamboanga fulfills her dreams and become the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion.

“Napakalaking karangalan para sa Pilipinas pag naging champion si Denice dahil historic ‘yan at marami siyang mai-inspire kung magagawa niya ‘yun,” said the Lions Nation MMA founder. Zamboanga is bracing for her friend and defending champion Stamp Fairtex in the main event of ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga at Impact Arena in Bangkok on June 8. Folayang knows that Zamboanga is more than capable of competing and showing that she deserves to be hailed among the best. It also helps that familiar faces in Zamboanga’s training camp are present with

brother Drex “T-Rex” Zamboanga and fiance Fritz “Kid Tornado” Biagtan helping “The Menace” every step of the way.

“Tinitignan ko sa kanya is ‘yung wrestling and ground game kontra kay Stamp. Kailangan mas maganda ‘yung maging game plan niya kasi tested na siya sa striking, so kailangan niyang i-counter ‘yung mga strengths ni Stamp,” he said.

“Magandang bagay na rin na she has surrounded herself with the right people na magpu-push sa kanya to get that belt.”

Though odds may not favor Zamboanga in this clash against Stamp, Folayang reminded the challenger to keep her focus on the task at hand and not be distracted by outside forces.

After all, it’s this mentality which Landslide used when he shocked the world and won the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship against Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki back in 2016.

“No. 1 talaga ‘yung faith niya kay God na Siya ang magbibigay ng kalakasan for her to win. And syempre ‘yung magandang preparation niya talaga,” he said.

HARMIE Constantino is bracing for a formidable challenge as she aims for her third consecutive victory in the ICTSI Luisita Ladies International 2024 set to unfold from April 23-25 at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

The $100,000 championship features a strong international roster, including top talents from the LPGA of Taiwan (TLPGA) and top competitors from Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Fresh off her triumph in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship last week, Constantino, renowned for her strategic play and resilience, is prepared to take on both the challenging course and a diverse field of competitors. Her recent performances, marked by dramatic come-from-behind victories, underscore her capability to compete at high levels. She overturned a five-stroke deficit to claim victory at Rancho Palos Verdes in Davao, followed by a remarkable comeback from three shots down to defeat two of the best players on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour – Pauline del Rosario and Princess Superal in Cavinti, Laguna. Reflecting on her ascent in the competitive golf scene. Constantino said:

“Honestly, I’m just happy to be in contention because it shows that my game is keeping pace with strong competitors. It’s a testament that my hard work is paying off.”

As she sets her sights on a third straight win – and ninth overall – Constantino faces a steep path lined with elite adversaries. The field at Luisita is studded with top players from the current TLPGA rankings, and a host of talented players from Thailand and elsewhere.

The local talent is equally competitive, featuring big names like Superal, Chanelle Avaricio, Daniella Uy, Mikha Fortuna, Florence Bisera and Mafy Singson, making the 54-hole tournament one of the season’s most anticipated events. With her resolve and proven track record of overcoming odds, Constantino is poised to deliver yet another thrilling performance as she confronts one of the most skilled assemblies of players in the prestigious international championship. The TLPGA and the LPGT have joined forces in pre-pandemic times, sanctioning LPGT events in Taiwan and vice versa. Their last partnership was the ICTSI Anvaya Cove Ladies International, which LPGA campaigner Bianca Pagdanganan dominated last year.

Victoria Bossong

Online sellers given 90-day extension on tax compliance

issued Revenue

Circular No. 55-

extending the transition period by 90 days or until July 14, 2024.

extension was made after considering the private sector’s request in relation to implementing

No. 16-2023, he said. “This 90-day extension of the transitory period under RR No. 162023 shows the BIR’s commitment in listening to the voice of the private sector. This is part of my administration’s thrust on excellent taxpayer service. We hear the thoughts of the private sector, and if the same is reasonable, then we make policy adjustments for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he said. RR No. 16-2023 was issued to enhance the government’s effort to regulate and tax online transactions.

The online transactions industry experienced significant growth during and after the pandemic, but the BIR said many online sellers were not paying their just share in taxes. This is unfair to brick-and-mortar stores that are regularly complying with their tax obligations, the agency said.

Peso weakens to 57 a dollar on rising oil prices, ME tension

THE Philippine peso touched the 57-a-dollar mark for the first time in nearly 17 months as the escalating Middle East tension pushed up global crude prices.

The peso closed at 57.0 against the greenback Tuesday, down from 56.80 on Monday. It was also the local currency’s weakest finish since Nov. 22, 2022 Analysts said the rising oil prices and the possibility of a wider war in the Middle East weighed on the peso and the local stock market. The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index also plunged 157.46 points, or 2.4 percent, to close at 6,404.97 Tuesday, while the broader allshares index dropped 68.26 points, or 1.96 percent, to finish at 3,409.85.

MPTC keen on acquiring gov’t interest in Cavitex

By Darwin G. Amojelar METRO Pacific

Tollways Corp. (MPTC) said Tuesday it remains interested in acquiring the government’s stake in the Manila-Cavite Expressway (Cavitex) to settle an ongoing dispute with its partner, the Public Estates Authority Tollway Corp. (PEATC), a unit of the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA). MPTC president and chief executive Rogelio Singson said in a virtual news conference that the company repeatedly offered to buy out the PRA’s residual interest in Cavitex for P2.5 billion.

“The last offer was made in 2023 and that’s the fourth offer. The PRA board never acted on those offers,” he said.

MPTC chief finance officer Christopher Daniel Lizo said the P2.5-billion buyout is a “standing offer” to the government.

“Unfortunately, they never replied to the offer. But if they did, of course we are willing to negotiate with them on the offer. Right now, we don’t know if the offer is acceptable,” Lizo said.

“This is something that we want to pursue to resolve the problem,” he said.

Singson rejected the government’s proposal to adjust the current revenue-sharing agreement to 40:60 in their favor, citing the Cavitex project’s ongoing development.

“The agreement can only be revised after all project loans are fully paid,” he said, highlighting MPTC’s need to recoup its investments.

The local selling came after Wall Street’s three main indexes tanked in response to forecast-beating US retail sales data that reinforced the view that the world’s top economy remained in rude health and further dented hopes for interest rate cuts this year. Traders were also digesting figures showing Chinese expansion easily beat expectations in the first three months of the year but retail and industrial data came in well below par, suggesting leaders have much work to do to kickstart growth.

All eyes are on the Middle East after Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at its regional enemy, saying the attack was retaliation for an April 1 strike on the consular annex of its Damascus embassy that killed seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals.

While air defense systems destroyed the vast majority of the barrage and Iran said “the matter can be deemed concluded”, Israel’s army chief General Herzi Halevi sounded a note of warning, fueling worries of a dangerous escalation.

“This launch of so many (Iranian) missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” Halevi told troops at the Nevatim military base, which was hit in Iran’s Saturday barrage. With AFP

Recto: Trilateral meeting in US ensures economic security for Filipinos

FINANCE Secretary Ralph Recto said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s working visit to Washington D.C. from April 10 to 14, 2024 for the inaugural Trilateral United StatesJapan-Philippines Leaders’ Summit will ensure economic security for the Filipino people.

“This synergy will go a long way in ensuring economic security for the Filipino people—which is a cornerstone of national security. The limits of what we can achieve through this heightened collaboration are countless,” he said.

President Marcos joined United States President Joseph Biden and Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the inaugural Trilateral US-Japan-Philippines Leaders’ Summit at the White House on April 11, 2024 to advance the countries’ shared

“The president’s recent visit to Washington marks the beginning of a historic partnership between the world’s economic powerhouses-the US and Japan--that will not only advance economic growth, peace, and security in the Indo-Pacific region but the entire world,” Rector said.

agenda of prosperity and peace.

The president explored ways to advance cooperation in the areas of critical infrastructure, semiconductors, digitalization and cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy and and maritime cooperation.

Apart from defense and maritime cooperation, both leaders expressed their support for advancing efforts to address climate change and boost the Philippine economy to allow industries to flourish and generate more quality jobs for Filipinos.

The three countries announced the first Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment corridor in the Indo-Pacific. The Luzon Economic Corridor in the Philippines will be launched to support connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas.

It will become the first corridor in the Indo-Pacific that will bring more jobs for people across the entire region, as well as more investments in sectors critical to the future, ports, railroads, and agriculture, among others.

DA chief says new PMI facility to recharge PH tobacco industry

By Othel V. Campos

Secretary Francisco

facility in Batangas province, Tiu Laurel commended PMI and its local affiliate PMFTC. Inc. for fulfilling its investment commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and for its continued support of tobacco farmers.

“I understand that local leaf is

being considered for inclusion in the production of smoke-free products, including heated tobacco sticks in the new manufacturing lines. I’m confident that our local tobacco leaf will be able to meet this new demand,” he said.

Tiu-Laurel

smoke-free products. This marks a significant

P57.0 a dollar P56.8 a dollar

exchange rate on April 16 Foreign exchange rate on April 15

billion

MEDIA PLATFORMS. Philippine Health Insurance Corp. president and chief executive Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. (sixth from left) signs a memorandum of agreement with Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) acting chairman Romando Artes ( fth from left) to promote and enhance public awareness on PhilHealth bene ts and services through MMDA’s digital and non-digital media platforms located throughout Metro Manila.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (right) joins the inauguration of the Philip Morris International’s new manufacturing facility for smokeless products in Batangas province. With Laurel are (from left) PMI region president Frederic De Wilde, PMFTC Inc. manufacturing director Elvio Rocco, PMI senior vice president for operations Scott Coutts, PMI chief executive Jacek Olczak, First Lady Louise AranetaMarcos, PMFTC president Denis Gorkun, PMFTC director Michael Tan and LT Group president Lucio Tan III.

Vista Land books 39% profit surge to over P10b

VISTA Land & Lifescapes, Inc., the property arm of the Villar family, said Tuesday its net income surged 39 percent in 2023 to P10.3 billion on aggressive project launches.

Consolidated revenues jumped 18 percent to P35.2 billion, marking an 18-percent increase, Vista Land said in a stock exchange filing.

The property firm launched 34 projects in 2023, with an estimated project value of about P50.7 billion.

“Our 2023 results showed our optimism in the real estate industry. We have launched over P50 billion worth of projects across the country. These launches were key to our reservation sales reaching about P72 billion,” Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar said.

“We are on our way with our maximization of resources strategy as the majority of our launches were vertical developments across the country and we will continue to do so in 2024,” he said.

Real estate revenue totaled P15.2 billon, up 19 percent from a year ago, while rental income amounted to P16 billion. Vista Land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar said the group’s residential segment showed an improvement after the negative growth since 2020.

“We will continue to pursue our residential segment now with the launch of more vertical, as well as higher-end products. This has been part of our overall strategy of asset optimization,” he said.

He said the company would also continue to launch master-planned developments through Vista Estates, which reached 26 located across the country. Jenniffer B. Austria

Property, gaming businesses lift AGI’s net income to P30b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ALLIANCE Global Group Inc.

(AGI), the holding company of tycoon Andrew Tan, saw its attributable net profit hit a new high of P19.6 billion, up 21 percent from the year on the back of the strong performance of its property and gaming businesses.

Net income also hit an all-time high of P30.3 billion, up 20 percent from 2022 despite higher inflation, which pushed overall costs and expenses up during the period, AGI said Tuesday in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Consolidated revenues reached P211.2 billion, reflecting a 15-percent growth from P183.6 billion

the year before.

“2023 was a historic year for the group as it delivered excellent performance across all of its businesses, led by its real estate, tourism and consumer segments. This was achieved even amid heightened competition in the domestic and global market, various macro challenges in some key markets, rising cost pressures and higher interest rates,” said AGI chief executive Kevin Tan. He said most of the company’s businesses posted higher results in terms of net income and sales versus pre-pandemic levels.

“Such strong performance has encouraged us to carry on with our ag-

gressive business strategies and expansion plans across our diversified portfolio,” Tan said. Tan expects the policy rate cuts, easing inflation and improving economic and business environment to boost demand for housing, tourism and staycation activities this year.

Megaworld, AGI’s property unit, posted a 17-percent increase in net income to P69.7 billion in 2023, driven by higher leasing revenues from its mall, hotel and office businesses. Megaworld’s reservation sales surged to P139 billion, boosted by project launches during the year amounting to P73 billion. Travellers International Hotel

Group Inc, the group’s leisure and tourism arm and owner-operator of Newport World Resorts (NWR) also posted an 89-percent increase in net income to P2 billion as net revenues hit a new record high of P31.9 billion, up 19 percent year-on-year.

This was driven by the resurgence in tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition (MICE) activities. Gross gaming revenues went up by 7 percent to a new high of P34.2 billion.

Liquor unit Emperador Inc. also booked consolidated revenues of P65.6 billion, up 5 percent from a year ago level largely due to higher whiskey sales.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp., through its subsidiary Therma Marine Inc. (TMI), recently held the ceremonial switch-on of Southeast Asia’s first 49-megawatt (MW) hybrid battery energy storage system (BESS) built on a floating platform in Maco, Davao de Oro to help address the variable nature of renewable energy.

“This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant stride towards revolutionizing the Philippines’ energy landscape,” said AboitizPower Thermal chief operating officer Ronaldo Ramos in a statement. Ramos said the hybrid BESS is an important addition to the growing and dynamic energy needs of the country, especially with the increase in intermittent renewable energy sources, the implementation of a power reserves market and the switch-on of the Mindanao-Visayas interconnection project, which facilitates the trading of power reserves between connected islands.

power barge that TMI currently operates has been in Maco, Davao

1994. It was installed as part of the solution to address the

power

in

Thirty years later, who would’ve thought that we’d still find ourselves in the same mission of supporting our beloved Mindanao, this time with an innovative twist and a different need to address – the reserve requirements of the grid,” Ramos said.

A BESS is a type of energy storage that uses a set of batteries to store electrical energy from the grid and released when needed to augment supply or improve the quality of the electricity in the system. Floating battery storage in Davao now operational

PH stock market plunges amid geopolitical risks, rate cut delays

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE main composite index of the local bourse fell below the 6,500 level Tuesday as global markets declined amid the geopolitical risks and possible delay in rate cuts.

The bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index plunged 157.46 points, or 2.4 percent, to close at 6,404.97, while the broader all-shares index dropped 68.26 points, or 1.96 percent, to finish at 3,409.85.

“The continuous sell-off was due to increasing tensions in the Middle East and worries regarding possibly delayed rate

cuts by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas amid upside risks to inflation,” Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Mikhail Plopenio said.

“The negative cues from Wall Street amid rising treasury yields also contributed to the market’s drop,” he said. Tuesday’s sell-off extended the market’s decline to nine consecutive trading days, the longest losing streak since October 2016.

All sub-indices ended in the red as foreign funds were net sellers for the day by P1.19 billion, Seasoned financial professional Jonathan Ravelas also cited the sticky infla-

Fruitas optimistic, opens more stores in 2024

FRUITAS

Inc., the leading operator of multi-format food and beverage stores, recorded net income of P113 million in 2023, representing a 37-percent increase from the P82 million it booked in 2022 on record revenues. Fruitas said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday that revenues reached an all-time of P2.47 billion in 2023, up 37 percent from P1.8 billion in 2022. The net margin remained steady at 4.6 percent.

“The impressive financial performance of Fruitas Holdings in 2023 underscores our capability to deliver

an exceptional outcome for all of our Fruitas brands,” said Fruitas president and chief executive Lester Yu. Yu said the recent acquisitions of Ling Nam and Fly Kitchen also boosted the group’s performance in 2023. Yu said the group would focus on its e-commerce business to adopt to evolving consumer preferences and market trends to sustain the company’s growth. “We are enthusiastic about our future growth as we embark on expanding our presence in strategic locations and enhancing our product offerings to better serve our customers,” Yu said.

The growth in revenues was led by Balai ni Fruitas, which operates bakery chain Balai Pandesal and Fruitasgroup, which manages several brands.

Gross profit went up by 42 percent to P1.5 million in 2023, while gross profit margin reached 60.5 percent, up 2 percentage points from last year’s level due to production efficiency improvement, sales price increase and entry into higher-margin product categories.

The company had a total of 817 stores across its over 30 brands in its portfolio. It opened 44 stores last year. Jenniffer B. Austria

tion/higher rates as among the the factors affecting the market. At the same time, the geopolitical tension is also adding to the uncertainty. Meanwhile, Asian stock markets fell and oil prices climbed Tuesday on growing fears of a wider war in the Middle East after Israel’s army chief vowed a response to Iran’s unprecedented attack on his country at the weekend. The selling came after Wall Street’s three main indexes tanked in response to forecast-beating US retail sales data that reinforced the view that the world’s top economy remained in rude health and further dented hopes for interest

PetroEnergy’s

rate cuts this year.

Traders were also digesting figures showing Chinese expansion easily beat expectations in the first three months of the year but retail and industrial data came in well below par, suggesting leaders have much work to do to kickstart growth.

All eyes are on the Middle East after Tehran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at its regional enemy, saying the attack was retaliation for an April 1 strike on the consular annex of its Damascus embassy that killed seven Revolutionary Guards including two generals. With AFP

net profit rises 9% to P944m amid stable operations

THE Yuchengco Group’s listed energy arm PetroEnergy Resources Corp. (PERC) said Tuesday it posted a 9-percent increase in its consolidated net income in 2023 to P944 million from P863 million in 2022. PERC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange this improved performance was due to the acquisition of additional stakes in its existing renewable energy (RE) portfolio and to sustained and well-managed power plant operations. The company recorded a 30-percent increase in its consolidated assets in 2023 to P21.9 billion from P16.8 billion in 2022 as a result of its acquisitions.

PERC acquired from EEI Power Corp. (EEIPC) a

BUSINESS

DOST sets up materials recovery facility in Isabela

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in partnership with the city government of Cauayan, and Isabela State University (ISU), launched the development of material recovery Facilities (MRF) in Cauayan City, Isabela. The DOST said that aside from recycling, there are meaningful opportunities and smart solutions for waste reduction management across the value chain in developing a circular economy.

The MRF was invented by Victoriano Ocon of Suki Trading Corp. in Cebu City and a member of Filipino Inventors Society Multi-Purpose Cooperative (FISMPC) chaired by Francisco Pagayon, who also promotes the invention.

Pagayon negotiated with the DOST and LGUs for the MRF promotion and distribution from Ocon.

Under Republic Act No. 9003, or the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000,” the DOST has been providing technical assistance and technological support to local government units (LGUs) and other relevant organizations and institutions to comply with the law.

ISU is tasked at monitoring the use of MRF. The machine has 17 components.

Several technologies were developed and deployed in the communities, including strategies and mechanisms to increase public awareness and the capability of LGUs to implement solutions such as the waste analysis and characterization study (WACS) and the establishment of MRFs, among others.

The assistance is beyond the typical MRF in terms of scale, sophistication and level of integration of technologies in its operations.

Manila Water assures schools, hospitals of enough water supply

MANILA Water Co. Inc. on Tuesday assured hospitals and schools of adequate water supply in its concession area as the country experiences one of the warmest summers brought about by the El Nino weather phenomenon. The water company said it is ensuring uninterrupted water supply to 173 public and 210 private hospitals as well as to 916 public and 999 private schools in the east zone of Metro Manila and Rizal province. “Together with the national government, we take public health and safety as our prime concerns. Especially now that our kids have classes during the summer, schools need more support from the company,” Manila Water corporate communications affairs director Jeric Sevilla said.

The water company, through the Manila Water Foundation, has also been rolling out the Lingap Program to identified hospitals and schools.

The program undertakes the rehabilitation of water lines leading to these public institutions and provides technical assistance on the repairs of their internal reticulation systems. These identified institutions primarily serve low-income communities.

Manila Water’s Lingap program has completed projects for various institutions which included 496 schools, 22 hospitals, 12 detention centers, 20 barangay halls, 11 daycare centers, 10 orphanages and 21 other institutions such as health centers, public markets, churches, parks and stadiums since it began in 2000.

GSIS boosts stake in REIT unit of Gokongwei Group to 8.2%

By Jenni er B. Austria

STATE-PENSION fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) acquired 8.2-percent stake in RL Commercial REIT Inc. (RCR), the real estate investment trust company owned by the Gokongwei Group.

RCR said in a stock exchange filing Tuesday GSIS now owns 877.434 million common shares in the company, or equivalent to 8.18 percent of the company’s total outstanding common shares. RCR’s stock closed

at P4.95 Tuesday. GSIS did not say how it acquired the RCR shares.

RCR’s parent firm Robinsons

Land Corp. (RLC) early this month sold 1.75 billion RCR shares

at P4.92 apiece to institutional investors via an overnight placement. The transaction enabled RLC to P8.5 billion in fresh capital. RCR’s portfolio consists of 16 premium assets in 10 major cities, spanning 480,000 square meters (sq. m.) of gross leasable space.

The company has consistently distributed increasing dividends per share quarter-on-quarter since its initial public offering in September 2021.

RCR posted total revenues of P5.52 billion in 2023, excluding the effect of the change in fair market value of investment properties. It paid out total

Livelihood for WPS fishing communities launched

By Othel V. Campos

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) launched LAYAG-WPS or Livelihood Activities to Enhance Fisheries Yields and Economic Gains from the West Philippine Sea in Subic, Zambales on Tuesday.

The new project aims to improve the lives of Filipino fishing communities facing the West Philippine Sea by unlocking the potential of the resource-rich fishing ground and providing fisheries livelihood opportunities in the regions of Ilocos,

Central Luzon and MIMAROPA. “To our local fishermen, I extend my sincere gratitude for your efforts to secure not only your livelihood but also the food security of our country. You are the pillar of the blue economy or the sustainable use of the ocean resources for the growth of our economy and the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems of our seas,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in his message. He assured the fishing communities of Department of Agriculture’s (DA) support to programs such

food safety regulations in the European Union on their food management system, specific regulations related to food hygiene, pesticide residues, contaminants, and the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) and EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), as well as the import requirements on non-shelf stable composite products,” said

as LAYAG-WPS, adding that the President instructed national agencies to align government programs to avoid overlaps and repetitions, ensuring that government programs complement and hit targets.

Under the program, BFAR turned over 62-footer fiber reinforced plastic (RFP) vessels complete with modernized fishing equipment to select fisherfolk associations from Central Luzon and the Ilocos Region.

Some 100 WPS fisherfolk received livelihood inputs like gillnets while 50 women

to

EMB director Bianca Sykimte during a two-day training for Filipino exporters. She said that in 2023, the EU emerged as the Philippines’ 6th largest export market with total export sales amounting to $8.4 billion including food exports valued at more than $400 million.

These include tuna, desiccated coconuts, preserved pineapples and pineapple juice, fruits and nuts, bread and pastries, rum and other distilled fermented sugarcane products.

The EU, through the ARISE Plus Philippines project, conducted a two-day training for over 400 Philippine food exporters on the EU Food Safety Regulations Manila and on the virtual platform. Othel V. Campos

dividends amounting to P0.3914 per share.

RLC earlier said it planned to further expand its portfolio through asset infusion. Aside from its offi ces, RLC also plans to infuse other asset classes such as malls, hotels and warehouses into RCR.

RLC’s investment portfolio includes 1.6 million sq. m. of leasable mall spaces, 270,000 sq. m. of leasable office spaces, 26 hotels with a total of 4,243 room keys and 227,000 sq. m of leasable logistics facilities.

MRF FACILITY.

year hike, and plumbing materials at 0.2 percent from 0.3 percent annual hike in the previous month.

A faster annual decrease was also observed in the index of miscellaneous construction materials during the month at 1.5 percent from 1.0 percent drop down in the previous month.

also noted annual declines in the indices of masonry materials at 0.2 percent from 0.4 percent year-on-

TAX transactions have overwhelmed Bank of the Philippine Island’s (BPI) system, resulting in temporary service disruptions Tuesday morning.

Meanwhile, the PSA noted higher annual increase in carpentry materials index at 0.2 percent during the month from 0.1 percent in February 2024.

Several BPI services became temporarily unavailable Tuesday morning. “Our system is still processing the unusually high weekend transactions due to tax payments,” BPI said in its 9:20 a.m. advisory. BPI said in a statement that among the services affected were ATM withdrawals, CAM deposits, debit card purchases, BPI app, BPI online and use of BPI online credentials for payments and loading using third party apps. The disruptions lasted until 2 p.m. as the processing of transactions took longer. The bank said it finally resolved the unavailability of ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases, mobile and online services at 2:40 p.m.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ACEN Corp. said its subsidiary ACEN Renewables International (ACRI) signed a $150 million green term loan facility with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. Singapore Branch (SMBC) to fund its renewable energy projects across the region.

ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group., said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange the fiveyear green term loan was arranged by SMBC, which acts as both lender and

BPI is one of the country’s largest lenders with total assets of P2.9 trillion as of end-2023. It merged with Robinsons Bank Corp. this year, with BPI as the surviving entity. The merger expanded its reach and unlocked synergies within the Gokongwei Group, which used to control Robinsons Bank.

green loan coordinator.

It said this marks the first partnership green financing between ACEN and the financial institution, signaling a new chapter in the company’s journey towards achieving 20 gigawatts of renewables by 2030.

ACEN said the loan would help enable its strategic expansion into several key international markets including Australia.

“We are very pleased with the closing of this landmark US$/AU$ dual-currency loan with SMBC. This

benchmark deal not only lends support to our momentum in expanding our international business, but is also a testament to the faith our banking partners place in our ability to execute on our vision,” ACEN group treasurer Cecile Cruzabra said. She said the facility is a strategic addition to ACEN’s portfolio of green financings aimed at fulfilling its contribution to achieving its net zero commitments.

“SMBC is proud to extend our support for ACEN Renewables Interna-

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT Global Corp. teamed up with the Overseas Filipino Bank (OFBank) to bring digital services closer to Filipinos living overseas through TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing).

“This exciting collaboration further strengthens our shared commitment to fostering a sustainable future for overseas Filipinos and their families. It also adds to our portfolio of services that address the financial needs and uplift the lives of Filipinos abroad,” said Albert Villa-Real, president and chief executive of PLDT Global.

tional in its push for a greener future. This achievement underscores the strength of our relationship and our shared commitment in supporting the Asia Pacific region’s transition towards a Net Zero aligned future,” SMBC executive officer for corporate banking for Asia Pacific Hideo Uchida said. “As we celebrate the success of this closing, we look forward to our continued partnership with all our clients on their transition journey in achieving their sustainability ambitions,” he said.

NorMin’s 1st bamboo innovation hub to rise in

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— Bukidnon province will be the site of the first Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) in the Northern Mindanao Region.

Rubie Mae Fernandez, science specialist of the Department of Science and Technology-Northern Mindanao (DOST-10), said the undertaking is in collaboration with the DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) and the Central Mindanao University (CMU).

The hub is expected to open inside the CMU campus in Maramag town this September.

“We are poised to fully operationalize the establishment of the BTFIH, aligning with current market demands. Numerous neighboring LGUs have already expressed keen interest in this initiative,” said Dr. Rolito Eballe, CMU president.

BTFIH is envisioned to boost bamboo’s economic and environmental value chain through sustainable fiber extraction and processing.

The hub will also be a venue for community engagement, empowering residents to participate in fiber processing and fostering sustainable livelihoods. DOST will fund the BTFIH research project, which is sponsored by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development.

Meanwhile, the P1.54 billion Bukidnon Sports Complex in Malaybalay City was turned over by the Department of Public Works and Highways over the weekend.

The sports complex is the new most extensive facility in Northern Mindanao, with a 6,000-seat capacity, a world-class eight-lane rubberized track and field, and a 6,160 square meter worldclass football field.

The facility also has three grandstands with a track and oval field, an aquatic center building with 10 lanes, a 50 by 25-meter Olympic-size swimming and diving pool, a 45-meter-wide entrance, and an 840 sq.m. area for multipurpose rooms. Adjacent to the sports complex is the Bukidnon Center for Culture and the Arts, which has two buildings for the museum, with an area of 1,938 sq.m., and a two-story amphitheater with 3,690 sq.m. total area.

P866-m infra projects in Albay to start this month

THOUSANDS of villagers in the towns of Guinobatan, Oas, Polangui, and the City of Ligao, all in Albay province, are set to benefit from P866 million worth of infrastructure projects set to start construction this April. Albay 3rd District Rep. Fernando Cabredo commended President Marcos for prioritizing the implementation of the projects along the Maharlika Highway road sections that will provide convenience to the public in going to and from various destinations, not only within the province and region but also in Visayas and Mindanao. Cabredo said the P866 million would fund a total of 15 projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“The projects are focused on the Maharlika Highway. These are 15 projects with rehabilitation, reconstruction, upgrading of damaged paved roads, road widening, preventive maintenance, offcarriageway and intersection improvements. There is a lot to be done and we can see that when these are finished, going to and from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao would be much easier,” he added.

1.4-m hectares of agri lands up for distribution in Cagayan

By Rio N. Araja

SUSTAINABLE FASHION.

UNIDO, MinDA team up to develop industrial parks

THE United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) have launched the first Philippine Leadership Training Programme on Industrial Parks in Mindanao.

Over 70 government officials representing 34 local government units, MinDA, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Economic Zone Authority and the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority will participate in the program until April 19 at Acacia Hotel in Davao City. The leadership training aims to equip leaders with essential skills and strategies for industrial parks development, operation, and management.

UNIDO director general and managing director Fatou Haidara emphasized their commitment to support economic and industrial development in the Philippines by advancing industrial parks as catalysts of growth and transformation.

“If implemented properly, industrial parks can create ecosystems that benefit people and the environment, beyond serving as mere business and investment attraction models,’’ Haidara said.

The program includes a series of training sessions covering various aspects of industrial parks where UNIDO experts will share insights and expertise on industrial park models, such as eco-industrial parks and agro-food parks.

It will also highlight lectures on in-

vestment and green financing, as well as China’s economic breakthrough and the country’s success stories, contributing knowledge and successful experiences to the discussions.

“Economic zones are not merely spaces of production but catalysts for change, engines of economic advancement, and bridges to international cooperation. They hold the potential to propel export promotion, attract Foreign Direct Investments, generate employment opportunities, and foster linkages within the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area) community,” MinDA Executive Director Undersecretary Janet Lopoz said.

THE Department of Agrarian Reform is set to distribute 1,416.35 hectares of agricultural lands to 901 farmer-beneficiaries in Cagayan Valley Region, and to turn over infrastructure facilities worth P263.8 million as well as farm machineries and equipment worth P23.63 million today (Wednesday). Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III will spearhead the distribution of land titles and various support services to the agrarian reform beneficiaries. At least 1,117 certificates of land ownership award/emancipation patent (CLOA/EP) shall be distributed in Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino. Of the 1,117 land titles, 620 are electronic titles issued under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Projects (SPLIT Project), and 497 are CLOAs issued under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Of the P230 million worth of infrastructure facilities, 17 comprise the construction of farm-to-market roads with a P33.8-million bridge constructed in Isabela and a P15-million road project in Cagayan. Eighty farm machineries and equipment will be turned over to 23 farmerorganizations in the region to benefit 3,105 farmers.

Council okays state of calamity reso for Antique due to El Niño

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique—The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) approved a resolution recommending the state of calamity in Antique due to the El Niño. Antique PDRRM Officer Broderick Train said the council made the recommendation following the declaration of a state of calamity in three municipalities in the province.

“The towns of Sibalom, Anini-y, and Laua-an have now come up with their own declarations of the state of calamity that is why the PDRRMC also had come up with a declaration for the province,” Train said. Sibalom declared a state of calamity on March 13, Anini-y on March 27, and Laua-an on April 12. “The PDRRMC will be submitting its recommendation for the provincial board to deliberate in next week’s regular session,” Train said. The PDRRMC allocated an initial funding of P10 million from its Quick Response Fund (QRF).

Bamboo textiles designed by Filipina designer Mayeth Codoy are featured at a fashion show in Malta.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2024 lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

By Nickie Wang

ACTRESS Lovi Poe is currently back in the Philippines for a few months to film her new project with Regal Entertainment, Guilty Pleasure. The film was written by Noreen Capili and directed by Connie Macatuno

decisions and is excited about her projects, which have allowed them to spend quality time together during Christmas.

In addition to Guilty Pleasure, Lovi will also star in another action-drama film titled The Untamed. This film, directed by Richard Somes, will require her to undergo physical preparation due to its intense action scenes.

While preparing for The Untamed, Lovi is also tackling a unique challenge in Guilty Pleasure She plays a lawyer, a role that makes her feel nervous.

“This is one of the roles I haven’t played before, so I’m thoroughly preparing for it,” Lovi, who even cut her hair to give the character a more sophisticated look, said. “I’m a lawyer in this movie, which tackles many important issues, from the Me Too movement to women’s empowerment.”

Lovi has already made three films in Hollywood, but she still feels hesitant to be called a Hollywood actress. She prefers to be recognized as an actress in America, emphasizing that the experience feels different when she walks the red carpet at events in Hollywood.

“I’m just an actress in America, because it’s like being on set with my co-actors there, it’s just super fun, and the experience of filming there was truly wonderful,” she said.

Lovi expressed gratitude for her supportive husband, mentioning that she doesn’t need to seek permission for her projects but discusses them with him. Her husband respects her career

“It’s not like I ask permission. Nothing’s changed. I’m still the same…alam naman niya yung work ko. And there’s no need for approval, he respects my job. And yun, he’s very excited for me to do this project kasi it’s been a while,” the 35-year-old actress explained.

Lovi also shared that they share similar interests and enjoy hearing about each other’s work experiences, despite their different professional fields.

Monty Blencowe, Lovi’s husband, will visit the Philippines to spend time with her. Lovi often travels to America to be with Monty while balancing her showbiz career in Hollywood and the Philippines.

RENOWNED singer and songwriter Cecile Azarcon is celebrating her 45-year anniversary in the music business with an all-star concert at The Theatre in Solaire on May 24 and 25. The show will feature Azarcon’s compositions from the past four decades, most of which are now considered among the biggest-selling contemporary classics. Azarcon is the daughter of Minda Azarcon a pianist, singer, music teacher to many big names and music director of acclaimed films like Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, and Insiang Azarcon started playing the piano at the age of three and writing songs when she was six years old. She had her hit breakthrough at 19 with

LEADING broadcast media company GMA Network, in partnership with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), held a special voters registration at the GMA Network Center on April 6.

The special voters registration, initiated by GMA Integrated News, was open to all GMA Network employees, talents, and subsidiaries.

“For GMA Integrated News, it is part of our advocacy not just to cover elections but also to be at the forefront in championing an inclusive, accessible electoral process. We take to heart our “mas malaking misyon, mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan,” says Oliver B. Amoroso Senior Vice President and Head of GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy. GMA Network employees who participated in the special voters registration were pleased that the entire process took no more than ten minutes.

As part of its preparations for the 2025 midterm elections, COMELEC launched the “Register Anywhere” program on Feb. 12. This program aims to make the voter registration process easier by bringing it to various schools, designated malls, churches, and offices, such as GMA Network.

Besides encouraging new voters to register, the program is also for disenfranchised voters who have not voted for the past two elections or more and wish to re-activate their voter registration status. Voters may also transfer their registration or correct their registration data. According to COMELEC, since the launch of “Register Anywhere,” voter registration has reached 1.7 million.

Through the years, GMA Network has provided Filipinos with the widest, most comprehensive, and most trusted election coverage. Viewers can expect this once more in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

Singer-songwriter

Lovi Poe (second from left) with director Connie Macatuno (second from right), and fellow ‘Guilty Pleasure’ cast members Sarah Edwards (leftmost) and Angelica Lao (rightmost)

‘Guilty Pleasure’ will be Jameson Blake’s first film with Lovi

Fresh from his role in ‘Linlang,’ JM de Guzman will be starring alongside Lovi as a fellow lawyer

SUMMER’S here, and the getaway season is in full swing. But the fun doesn’t stop there. iWantTFC, the home of Filipino stories, makes a splash with its must-watch picks that stream for free, perfect for your summertime viewing.

IF YOU look up the word inclusivity in the dictionary, Mr. Webster defines it as “the quality or state of being inclusive.” Cambridge Dictionary has a narrower definition – “the quality of including many different types of people and treating them all fairly and equally.” Such a broad phrase, and equally hard to accomplish, I surmise.

In the creative sector, being inclusive means everyone has equal access to artmaking and education, including opportunities and livelihood, with respect for diversity. For years, inclusivity has been one of the priorities of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. “Dapat kasama ang lahat sa gawaing pansining at kultura,” said CCP Production and Exhibition Department (PED) head Ariel Yonzon during the gradution rites of the Front of House’s Apprenticeship Program held recently.

students from the Philippine School for the Deaf, namely Mc Neil John T. Bañarez, Kyrah C. Marifosque, Joemari Glenn L. Miguel, Jerome B. Palingcod, Benjie Sedillo, and Sherwin S. Valloso, finished the program, where they underwent training on basic front of house training, basic safety and health protocols, and technical theater, among others. They also had hands-on experience in ushering during the run of Pingkian, the theater offering of Tanghalang Pilipino, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Managed by the CCP Venue Operations Division, under PED, the CCP Apprenticeship Program was established in 1991 as a training ground for backstage and front-of-house works. “Back then, it was called the Back Up. It referred to Backstage and Upfront. Light director Barbie Tan-Tiongco was in charge of the

Airplay, and more. Visit https://www.iwanttfc.com/ for a

and Nathalie Hart, and the immersive island drama of the multi-awarded film Siargao with Jericho Rosales and Erich Gonzales More summer picks await. Dive into Can We Still Be Friends, the lovers-turned-friends comedy-drama with Gerald Anderson and Arci Muñoz, or the generational romance in Love Me Tomorrow starring Piolo Pascual, Coleen Garcia, and Dawn Zulueta

Feed your wanderlust with a series of lifestyle shows. Explore the best beaches around the country and beyond in Metro Channel’s Beached. Go on a food trip with your favorite personalities in The Crawl, or join Robi Domingo and Sue Ramirez in visiting hidden gem destinations in the Philippines’ iWantTFC original Unlisted

Catch all these and more for free and on-demand on iWantTFC via its official app (iOS and Android) or website (iwanttfc.com).

Don’t miss out! Explore curated titles perfect for summer in iWantTFC’s “Hot Bods,” “April Fresh Finds,” and “Destination, Love” selections.

In the Philippines, get easy access to iWantTFC’s content library for free. Enjoy the viewing experience on a larger screen with select devices compatible with Chromecast,

“Front of house receives the visitors and guests. Tayo ang mukha ng gusali at pagtatanghal. Tayo ang unang nakakasalamuha ng mga panauhin,” said Yonzon.

From its inception, the Apprenticeship Program has improved by leaps and bounds, and it has become more inclusive.

In recent years, CCP VOD partnered with various organizations such as Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Center for Migrant Youth, Bahay Kalinga, Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Pasay, among others. They also engaged out-of-school youth from Smokey Mountain, senior citizens, and retired employees. Kinakatawan ng programang ito ang konsepto ng inclusivity, na sana kasama lahat, sa pagtatanghal, sa panonood, sa hanapbuhay, sa gawaing pangsining at kultura,” expressed Yonzon

While the apprentices learn about Philippine arts and culture and gain employable skills, the CCP also learns from them.

do it from simple theater plays to big productions such as opera. We are also studying to the possibility to do an audio describe performance, kung saan nakalagay kung ano ang tunog na nagaganap,”

Through the Apprenticeship Program, the Center can understand what its audiences go through and have been experiencing when they visit and watch at CCP. “Natututo rin kami sa mga apprentice. The ramps and PWDfriendly facilities we incorporated in our theaters and building were the result of our interactions with the Tahanang Walang Hagdan,” shared Yonzon. CCP also created braille souvenir programs for visually impaired audiences. With the recent partnership, there are now intentions to incorporate sign language in various CCP productions.

“We are planning to have sign language interpretation in our shows. We hope we can

complete

‘Beach Bros’ is a coming-of-age comedy drama series directed by Victor Villanueva

Gerald Anderson (right) stars alongside Yam Concepcion in the melodrama ‘Init sa Magdamag’

Barong is for everyone

How this National Dress evolved and became a unifying symbol of style and culture

THE Barong Tagalog is a symbol of Filipino pride. It boasts a fascinating history tracing its roots back to the pre-colonial era when the Tagalog people wore loose-fitting “baro” shirts made from indigenous materials.

The Spanish arrival in the 16th century ushered in new influences. Filipinos adopted aspects of Spanish clothing, like collars and tailoring, while retaining the baro’s basic form. This fusion birthed the Barong Tagalog – a long-sleeved shirt with intricate embroidery, typically made from sheer piña fabric.

Over time, the Barong Tagalog continued to evolve. The “Barong Mahaba” (long baro), reaching the knees, eventually transformed into the shorter and more modern version we know today.

The 20th century saw a rise in the use of more affordable fabrics like jusi and even silk. Additionally, the traditional ecru or off-white color palette expanded to embrace a wider spectrum, offering a vibrant selection for the modern wearer.

The Barong Tagalog’s versatility has also broadened. Once solely formal attire for men, it’s now embraced by women as well. Modern Filipinas don stylishly tailored Barongs, adding a touch of elegance to their formal wear.

This evolution reflects the changing Filipino identity, where tradition meets contemporary style. The Barong Tagalog, transcending its origins, has become a national treasure, capturing the essence of a culture that thrives on both heritage and innovation.

Barong for everyone

Kultura echoes this sentiment by highlighting how the Barong Tagalog has evolved through the years to become the outfit of choice for many Filipinos – from office workers to the stylish set to Presidents.

It’s not surprising as the Barong’s lightweight fabric, sleek shape, and comfortable cut make it perfect for tropical climates like the Philippines. Besides that, embroidery, appliques, and other embellishments highlight its fashion possibilities, even for women, who have made it part of their Filipiniana and formal wear wardrobes.

Combining elements from both the precolonial native Filipinos and traditional Spanish colonial styles, the Barong was named the official national attire in 1975. What is considered the distinctive type of modern Barong – with its tapering cut, cuffs, and flared sleeves – was created by fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier of Pierre Cardin Manille in the ‘70s.

Since then, we have had short-sleeved polo barongs preferred by office workers made with linen, ramie, or cotton; as well as shirt jack barongs popularized by politicians.

The finest Barong Tagalog are made from a variety of indigenous sheer fabrics – piña from pineapple fiber, piña seda interweaving pina with silk, and jusi handwoven from abaca fibers. Pinukpok from the Bicol Region is made from loosely woven abaca fibers; jusilyn is mechanically woven from silk or cotton or polyester; while organza is made from silk or polyester.

At Kultura, the Barong is celebrated for its ability to unite people from diverse backgrounds with the different ways it can be worn today. Classic or modern, paired with slacks for formal occasions or jeans for a streetstyle take, the timeless and versatile Barong remains a symbol of cultural pride.

Take inspiration from these individuals who have made it their own; regardless of age, gender identity, nationality, and beyond.

Very Wang Nickie Wang

collar Barong with classic floral embroidery, which she dresses down with denim.

Mikyle Quizon

Fashion model and photography influencer Mikyle Quizon plays it cool in a short-sleeved pinasilk polo Barong with pintucks, a versatile option that can be taken from the office to dinner and beyond.

Bambi Del Rosario Young Restaurateur, content creator, and dance enthusiast Bambi Del Rosario Young creatively matches a men’s black and white embroidered Barong with a black slip dress and layers of pearls.

Addy Raj

Indian actor and singer Addy Raj shows the Barong’s inclusive appeal by wearing this men’s blue silk cocoon Barong with geometric embroidery.

KC Montero

With a myriad of styles, designs, and fabrics – the Barong is undoubtedly a unique garment. TV and event host KC Montero wears a one-of-a-kind men’s Barong with embroidery inspired by warrior tattoos.

Tessie Singson

Fashion guru Tessie Singson AKA Lola Androgynous highlights her timeless style in our embroidered short sleeve Barong worn with a pleated skirt and bright orange sabutan bag for a pop of color.

Rex Intal

Volleyball star Rex Intal relaxes off-court in a short-sleeved pinasilk Barong featuring a “suksok” pattern with denim.

Discover Kultura’s Barong collection – from handembroidered piñasilk, to coat Barongs, versatile shirt jacks, office wear, and much more. Available in selected Kultura stores from over 45 branches nationwide.

Find your nearest store at http://bit.ly/KulturaStores or shop online at www.kulturafilipino.com.

THE Samsung Performing Arts Theater is presenting a week-long celebration for International Dance Day (IDD) from April 24 to 28. The event will showcase more than 500 Filipino dancers across a range of styles including folk, ballet, and contemporary dance, along with a workshop on dance film. Presented by Ayala Land in collaboration with Make It Makati and Circuit Makati, the event is initiated by the International Theatre Institute (ITI) Dance Committee.

IDD serves as a global tribute to the profound influence of dance on society. This annual celebration, established in 1982 in honor of Jean-Georges Noverre, the “father of modern ballet,” aims to unite communities across cultural and political boundaries while recognizing the artistic contributions of dancers and choreographers worldwide.

Themed “Dance For All,” IDD offers a captivating exploration of music and movement. Featured highlights include Bungad, a folk dance choreographed by Nicole Primero of Airdance and performed by Carlos Deriada Jr., accompanied by enchanting melodies by Dr. Robin Daniel Rivera

On April 25, immerse yourself in Filipino folk dance performances by Bayanihan, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and other renowned groups. April 26 brings a showcase of street dance featuring UPeepz, Sayawatha, and more.

On April 27, indulge in the elegance of ballet with performances by Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, and other prestigious ballet companies. The festival culminates

April 28 with

contemporary dance performances

Dance

The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group presents Pindulas, showcasing Yakan courtship rituals from Basilan Island. Ballet Manila presents Dancing to Verdi, a pas de deux choreographed by Tony Fabella and performed by principal dancers Shaira May Comeros and Joshua Ray Enciso. Additionally, a contemporary piece titled Tahan Na, directed and choreographed by PJ Rebullida with Abby Bonifacio as performer, adds a modern flair to the festival.

on

captivating

by Myra Beltran’s

Forum, Daloy Dance Company, and others. The event concludes with a Dance in Film Workshop led by Fifth Wall Dance Fest, a revolutionary movement platform founded by dance artist, Madge Reyes. For tickets, visit ticketworld.com.ph

Performers from Galaw Co. Dance Theatre, Airdance, Ballet Manila, and Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group

Volleyball athlete Fifi Sharma partners a Barong with a mandarin collar and floral embroidery with some denim pants

Mikyle Quizon poses with a short-sleeved pinasilk polo Barong with pintucks Bambi Del Rosario Young wears a black dress under a men’s Barong embroidered with black and white details

Actor and singer Addy Raj’s blue silk cocoon Barong features an embroidered pattern of geometric shapes

Host KC Montero’s Barong features a majestic warrior tattoo-inspired embroidery

Athlete Rex Intal dons a pinasilk Barong with short sleeves and a denim ‘suksok’ pattern