Manila Standard - 2024 May 2 - Thursday

By Charles Dantes and Alena Mae S. Flores

Marcos orders wage review

Boards to act 60 days prior to wage anniversary

By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and Othel Campos

PRESIDENT Marcos ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards on Wednesday to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage of workers, factoring in the continuing impact of inflation, among others.

by the El Niño phenomenon. “In the coming days, we will send financial assistance to those who are severely affected by El Niño nationwide—those whose crops were destroyed and lost their livelihoods because of the drought.”

The Chief Executive gave the directive in his Labor Day speech, adding that actions must be taken “within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order.”

guard suffered a heart attack and died due to the rising temperature.

Because of the dangerous heat index,

the local government of Pili has decided to suspend all public school classes save for private schools, which have the benefit of air-conditioning.

‘1,000

boats needed to match China militia’

THE Philippine Navy said on Wednesday that deploying roughly 1,000 civilian vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is necessary to match the presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in the area.

Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad also told a media forum that the military supports the 100-boat civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 15.

The official was apparently referring to Atin Ito Coalition, the mission’s organizer, which earlier said that in the second iteration of the activity, it aims to conduct a “peace and solidarity regatta” and install buoys in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.

“We support all activities of the Filipino people of civic society that would show our resolve for the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said. “Actually it should not

China getting more aggressive in WPS

CHINA’S coast guard has become more aggressive towards Philippine vessels in the South China Sea and its water cannon attacks could threaten the lives of crew, a government spokesman in Manila warned Wednesday.

A series of high-seas incidents involving the two countries have injured a number of Philippine troops in recent months as the neighbors asserted rival claims over waters, reefs and rocks in the strategic waterway.

In the latest incident on Tuesday, the Philippines said one of its coast guard vessels and another government boat sustained damage from water cannon fired by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal.

By Vince Lopez

By Vito Barcelo

FILIPINO families who experienced “involuntary hunger” increased to 14.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, up by 3.5 percent for the same period last year, according to the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey results. The polling firm defines “involuntary hunger” as experiencing hunger and not having access to food at least once in the past three months. The results of the survey conducted from March 21 to 25 revealed a 1.6-point increase in

PILI Mayor Thomas Bongalonta Jr. said Wednesday that three (3) people have been killed in Pili, Camarines Sur as temperatures rose nearly

Alcaraz

Manila Police District (MPD) police locked down Recto and Morayta

rally at Mendiola. Norman Cruz

A2 NEWS

Senate probes so-called ‘PDEA leaks’

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Senate on Tuesday conducted an investigation into the so-called “PDEA leaks.”

The hearing presided by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa centered on two documents released by blogger Maharlika that detailed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s operations against two individuals in 2012, including one

“Bongbong Marcos.”

During the hearing, Dela Rosa asked PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo about the authenticity of the documents circulating on social media. Lazo responded by stating that the

He said the Senate has already passed the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act as he called on the House to do tbe same.

The daily minimum wage in the country currently ranges from P573 to P610.

“I call on the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules to ensure that the Boards are able to maintain a regular and predictable schedule of wage review, issuance, and effectivity to reduce uncertainty and enhance fairness for all stakeholders,” Mr. Marcos said.

Vice President Sara Duterte, for her part, said workers are the true heroes of the modern times.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri likewise paid tribute to members of the labor force.

Speaker Martin Romualdez reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of our workers.

“We must continue to work towards legislation that guarantees fair labor practices, promotes safety and health standards, and ensures that all feel the benefits of our growing economy,” Romualdez said.

The President likewise urged members of the 19th Congress to enact legislations that would help the government achieve its jobs generation agenda, including the Enterprise-based Education and Training Program Law, the Revised Apprenticeship Program Act, and CREATE MORE.

“Our country is built upon the sweat

#ANONGBALITA

THE Manila Zoo is giving tigers frozen treats made of animal blood and preventing lions from mating during the hottest time of the day as a heatwave scorches the country.

Unusually hot weather has sent temperatures in the capital Manila to a record high in recent days and forced schools across the archipelago nation to suspend in-person classes.

As people flock to air-conditioned shopping malls and swimming pools for relief from the extreme heat, animals at Manila Zoo are also trying to cool off.

Preventing heat stroke, particularly among the big cats, was the “main priority,” zoo veterinarian Dave Vinas told Agence France Presse (AFP) on Tuesday when the mercury hit 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit) in the city. Water is splashed on the walls and ground of concrete enclosures throughout the day to help lower the temperature inside.

“Bloodsicles” made from frozen ground beef or chicken, animal blood and vitamins are given to the big cats to lick.

Tigers and lions are also regularly sprayed with water and take dips in pools inside their pens.

‘Bloodsicles,’ baths keep Manila Zoo animals cool ‘Leaf’ over beef: 60% of Olympics meals meat-free

THE Paris Olympics is setting a new record for environment sustainability, with 60 percent of the food served to the public being meat-free and 80 percent sourced locally, euronews reported.

“It’s also our responsibility to educate the people who will be engaged in Paris 2024,” said Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet in a statement.

The restaurant in the Olympic Village will serve 40,000 meals daily and will be open 24 hours.

Chef Alexandre Mazzia pomises a

Wendell, a five-year-old Bengal tiger weighing almost 400 kilograms (882 pounds), pants non-stop as he soaks for hours in a shallow pool.

“Like the tiny cats we have at home, they need to sleep at least 1216 hours a day. But at this time, since it’s really hot they are swimming to relieve the heat from the body,” Vinas said.

Gab, a lioness, looks bored as she sits on an elevated concrete platform after zoo keepers locked her male companion Diego in another pen to prevent them from mating at the hottest part of the day.

“We don’t want to expose them to the mating part in this heat,” Vinas said. “We don’t want to trigger any heat stroke.”

Water is also poured over the enclosures housing snakes and turtles to help regulate their body temperature.

While icicles and baths were normal during the hotter months of March, April and May, Vinas said this year’s heat was the most intense he had experienced.

“Even if they get good ventilation, the temperature every year gets worse and worse,” he told AFP.

“We just find ways to make it better for the animals.”

“fun, gourmet, and healthy” touch to the dishes.

Some 33 percent of the food will be plant-based.

Athletes will eat off washable plates instead of disposable ones.

“It’s a collective duty now to change our habits and definitely to reduce our carbon footprint. So, when you buy food in the venue, you should also try the vegan food that is served because, in terms of taste, it’s very good,” Estanguet added.

Alden Richards, R’Bonney Gabriel to host Miss U PH

ALDEN Richards and Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel will host the Miss Universe Philippines coronation night.

The event is scheduled for May 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Pinoy band Lola Amour and Filipina drag queen Marina Summers are also set to perform.

Earlier, Alexie Brooks of Il-

said documents did not exist.

The signatory of the documents, former PDEA agent Jonathan Morales, claimed the documents were genuine and that he had created and signed them but denied being the source of Maharlika.

Dela Rosa pressed Morales to set the record straight, but the latter refused, stating that he wanted Maharlika to be sued since he is also affected by the leaked documents.

The senator expressed his concern about such sensitive documents being

and toil of Filipinos working day in and day out to provide for the needs of their families and take a chance to uplift their lives. From the bustling cities to the remote fields in the countryside, it’s the labor of the Filipino that propels us forward, fueling our economy and sustaining the very fabric of our society,” the President added.

The Partido Manggagawa (PM), however, described yesterday as the “coldest Labor Day” due to the government’s cool reception to labor’s demand for a wage hike.

PM, together with the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, the Kilusang Mayo Uno and other labor groups held a rally in Manila advocating for the enactment of the proposed across-theboard wage hike of not less than P150.

Pending before the Lower House

leaked and made public.

Officials from the National Privacy Commission echoed this concern by stating that those spreading such documents could face legal repercussions.

During the hearing, Alma FloresForonda, Director IV of the Civil Service Commission, cautioned that individuals proven to have disclosed confidential information could face imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Dela Rosa challenged Maharlika to attend the investigation on May 7.

are the proposed P150 wage hike bill authored by TUCP Partylist Rep. Raymond Mendoza, and the P750 bill filed by Makabayan block.

The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), on the other hand, lamented the plight of jeepney drivers affected by the jeepney phase-out, citing some 600,000 drivers who are bound to lose their livelihood with the implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

“Disappointment is an understatement. It’s obvious that many sectors see the phase-out part of the program as not beneficial to jeepney drivers and to the commuting public. And how about these areas that cannot be serviced by buses? How can people travel to work, to school?,” said ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr.

ous levels. Based on the PAGASA Heat Index Forecast, 35 areas endured rising heat levels on Wednesday, Labor Day.

Assistance and aid have also been sent by the local government to persons with disabilities, solo parents and elderly to help them during the heat wave.

Furthermore, medical personnel, including two municipal doctors, are now on call for any emergencies.

Pili boasts of 28 resorts, all of which are filled to the brim by tourists trying to beat the heat.

CBSUA-Pili, which topped the list of places with dangerous heat index at near 48 degrees Celsius, is not the only city where the heatwave has reached danger-

Not far second from Pili was Dagupan City at 47 degrees Celsius; Aparri, Cagayan at 46 degrees Celsius, Laoag City (45 degrees Celsius), Tuguegarao City (45 degrees Celsius), Puerto Princesa City (45 degrees Celsius), Virac, Catanduanes (45 degrees Celsius), and Masbate City (45 degrees Celsius).

Meanwhile, Ronald De Guzman, the head of the Dagupan City-CDRRMO, said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview that dangerous heat levels in Dagupan City, Pangasinan led to the death of one person due to heat stroke. Based on the report of the city health

due to lack of available reserves.

“Because of the intense heat, electricity consumption is increasing, which adds to the rise in prices,” the President said.

“Just yesterday, the Energy Regulatory Commission took action to temporarily suspend the operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, or WESM, when the System Operator, NGCP, declares a Red Alert. This is aimed at curbing the rise in electricity prices amid the calamity caused by El Niño,” Mr. Marcos added.

WESM prices have gone up amid the red and yellow alert notices due to the significant increase in demand amid high temperatures.

NGCP placed the Luzon grid status on yellow alert from 8 p.m to 10 p.m. even as available capacity reached 15,026 megawatts (MW) compared to peak demand of 12,899MW.

NGCP said four plants have been on forced outage since 2023, three between February and March 2024, and 13 since April 2024.

Two others are running on derated capacities for a total of 1409.3MW unavailable to the grid.

A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement.

“The Commission is working doubly hard to alleviate the impact of El Niño on our power system, and we are finding ways to mitigate the impact of the extremely high demand resulting from the high heat index as these ultimately affect our consumers,” ERC chairperson and chief executive Monalisa Dimalanta said.

office, two other individuals had been hospitalized.

Barangay officials have been instructed to do the rounds of reminding the elderly to stay hydrated and stay indoors from 10AM to 3PM. As a response, schools have shifted to online classes. PAGASA weather specialist Rhea Torres, meanwhile, reported in a 4AM weather forecast that one of two tropical cyclones is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this May.

Torres said that while there is a huge possibility for the cyclone to simply make an approach, and then swerve shortly after, the other situation could be that the storm would cross the Eastern Visayas, Bicol, Mimaropa, and some parts of Luzon.

be 100 boats only. If China could amass 300 to 400 maritime militia and they are far from their coastline, we should have 1,000,” he added in Filipino.

As long as the civilian mission to WPS follows the guidance of the government, Trinidad said the Philippine Navy will support them.

Meanwhile, nations allied to the Philippines were united in condemning China over its latest water cannon attack against a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel that conducted a routine resupply mission off the waters of Panatag Shoal this week.

Several diplomats voiced their backing for Manila while renewing their

criticism of Beijing’s actions. They also condemned the latest dangerous maritime incident that endangered Filipino personnel aboard BRP Bankaw and BRP Bagacay on Tuesday, April 30 United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said China’s water cannons intentionally disrupted a lawful Philippine mission to provide food and fuel to fisherfolk within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“The Philippines can count on U.S. support as #FriendsPartnersAllies to uphold freedom of navigation and international law,” Carlson added.

Ambassador Luc Vernon of the European Union (EU) also called out China for violating international law with its continuing aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

“The Chinese coast guard now has elevated the tension and the level of their aggression as well towards the Philippine Coast Guard,” Tarriela said.

Commander Jennifer Monforte, the Ship’s captain, recalled the days when he embarked on a journey as the commanding officer of BRP Ramon Alcaraz. He said that during their tour of duty, they need to stay focused as well as primed for any eventuality at sea during their cruise.

Sailors and officers tend to make themselves comfortable and entertained at times to forget the reality of being so far removed from families and loved ones.

Commander Juan, the morale and welfare and executive officer of BRP Ramon Alcaraz, said that there are also days when sailors and officers may go ashore for events or situations, to fly them out or ship another sailor back to the mainland.

The water pressure was far more powerful than in previous incidents, and tore or bent metal sections and equipment on the Philippine vessels, said coast guard Commodore Jay Tarriela, Manila’s spokesman on the South China Sea.

“Obviously that would be very fatal,” the official said, describing the water pressure as 200 pounds per square inch (14 kilograms per square centimeter).

However, he said there were no casualties this time as the crew were ordered to take shelter inside.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

Scarborough Shoal has been a flashpoint between the countries since China seized it from the Philippines in 2012.

The triangular chain of reefs and rocks lies 240 kilometers (150 miles) west of the Philippines’ main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometres from Hainan, the nearest major Chinese land mass. AFP

Graduations, deaths, severe sickness, and maternal labors of their wives may be some of the instances where a sailor may choose to leave the ship.

Internet connection was also highly sought after by the sailors and officers aboard the vessel, CDR Monforte said. While internet connection had been established, it remains insufficient for the crew onboard because they also need to use it to communicate with their loved ones. They also introduce a sunset dinner for the sailors at the flight deck to boost the morale of anyone onboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz.

oilo, Janet Hammond of Southern California, and Tamara Ocier of Tacloban were proclaimed the Top 3 winners of the National Costume Competition of Miss Universe Philippines in Sultan Kudarat.

The successor of Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee will represent the country in the international pageant in Mexico.

hunger compared to the findings from December 2023.

The SWS said the March 2024 hunger figure was 3.5 points above the 10.7 percent annual hunger rate of 2023 and the highest

since the 16.8 percent in May 2021. SWS noted that involuntary hunger among Filipino families was highest in Metro Manila at 19 percent, followed by Balance Luzon at 15.3 percent, Visayas at 15 percent, and Mindanao at 8.7 percent.

“The 1.6-point rise in hunger between December 2023 and March 2024 was due to increases in Metro Manila,

the Visayas, and Balance Luzon, combined with a decline in Mindanao,” SWS explained. Meanwhile, severe hunger refers to those who experienced it “often” or “always” in the previous three months. Compared with December 2023, moderate hunger slightly went up to 12.2 percent from 11.2 percent.

SC: Illegal to terminate worker based on HIV positive test

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court (SC) declared that it is illegal to terminate an employee solely for testing positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), citing the law that protects Filipino workers here and abroad.

In a decision penned by Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, the High Court’s Third Division found the respondent’s dismissal as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) invalid for being discriminatory.

The said respondent in October 2017 was deployed to Saudi Arabia as a cleaning laborer under a two-year contract through Bison Management

Senate seeks SC dismissal of Quiboloy plea vs. arrest

THE Senate has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to dismiss the petition filed by Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy who questioned the validity of an arrest order issued by the Senate.

Quiboloy’s arrest was issued last March by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality which is chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The controversial religious leader was cited in contempt and an arrest order was subsequently issued for his refusal to participate in the Senate’s investigations on alleged sexual abuse, human trafficking, forced labor, and other human rights violations hurled against him.

In his petition, Quiboloy asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and stop implementation of the arrest order against him for being “unjust and unconstitutional.”

He said the Senate’s investigation violates his constitutional rights to due process and against self-incrimination. According to him, the Senate hearings “do not serve any legislative purpose” and that the probe was tantamount to usurpation of judicial functions.

During its traditional summer sessions in Baguio City, the SC required the Senate to comment on Quiboloy’s petition.

SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting said the High Court would deliberate on Quiboloy’s plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the arrest order once the Senate’s comment on the petition is filed.

In its comment, the Senate argued that “Quiboloy has failed to establish a clear and unmistakable right that is under threat, nor is he at risk of suffering an irreparable injury” should the arrest order be implemented.

“He offers not a right but a speculative and doubtful prediction of what will happen if he attends a legitimate inquiry, as if he is prescient as to how the 24 senators will act in the future,” the comment said.

The Senate also asserted that the injuries claimed by Quiboloy because of the Senate’s arrest order “is purely selfinflicted.” Rey E. Requejo

Corporation, a recruitment agency.

After working for 15 months, the respondent in January 2019 underwent a routine medical exam and was found positive for HIV. This prompted his foreign employer to terminate his employment, citing Saudi Arabian laws that consider an HIVpositive individual unfit to work. The respondent was repatriated to

COMMEMORATIVE

STAMP. Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Undersecretary Felipe N. Egargo Jr. hands over to Speaker Martin Romualdez a commemorative stamp for the 50th anniversary of the Labor Code of the Philippines during the 122nd Labor Day celebration led by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañan Palace on Wednesday. Also in the photo is Rizal 4th District Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, chairperson of the House Committee on Labor and Employment.

the Philippines in February 2019. He then filed a complaint for illegal dismissal, which was dismissed by the Labor Arbiter.

The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) reversed the Labor Arbiter, finding Bison Management, its president, and foreign recruitment agency Saraja Al Jazirah Contracting Est. liable for illegal dismissal. This was affirmed by the Court of Appeals, prompting Bison to go to the SC.

In a ruling against the employer, the High Tribunal resolved the respondent was illegally dismissed and thus entitled to salaries for the unexpired portion of his employment contract. along with moral and exemplary damages, among others.

Citing Republic Act 11166 or the Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, the SC said it is unlawful for employees to be terminated from work on the sole basis of their HIV status. It ruled there was no valid cause to terminate the respondent as Philippine law prohibits the use of a person’s HIV-positive condition as a ground for dismissal.

“Further, if the foreign law stated in the employment contract contradicts Philippine law, morals, good customs, public order, or public policy, then Philippine law shall apply. In this case, even if it is proven that Saudi Arabian law prohibits workers who test positive for HIV, RA 11166 takes precedence over it for being against Philippine law,” the High Court wrote.

DA requests extension of rice enhancement fund

By Rochelle Campos

The Department of Agriculture (DA) urged the House of Representatives to extend the DA’s Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) until 2030, highlighting its significant contributions to boosting rice production and supporting small farmers.

Established under the Rice Tariffication Act (RTL) of 2019, the RCEF collects tariffs on rice imports and allocates funds to modernize and improve the rice industry’s productivity.

DA Undersecretary for Rice Indus-

try Development Christopher Morales, speaking before the House Committee on meeting on Monday, detailed the RCEF’s achievements since its implementation.

He noted that over 15 million sacks of certified rice seeds have been distributed to about 1.2 million farmers, alongside 27,508 pieces of machinery and post-harvest facilities to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.

Morales added that the RCEF has provided training to 250,000 farmers, granted P4.6 billion in credit assistance,

Zubiri backs return to old school sched

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday said he fully supports the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to revert to the old academic calendar by school year 2026 to 2027. He promised to seek the approval of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on this “very crucial and important decision.”

Zubiri also said the change in the calendar “could save lives and enhance the learning situation of our students in the country.”

The endorsement of the DepEd to return to the old school calendar will mean classes will start in June and will end in March.

With this schedule. students will be on vacation during the months of April and May when the country experiences extreme heat.

In yesterday’s hearing of the Senate Basic Education committee chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, DepEd Asst. Sec. Cesar Bringas said the department had endorsed this to the President and provided the President other other options.

He said the DepEd initially considered a five-year transition period for the return. But this was changed to a two-year transition period.

At the beginning of the transition, ongoing classes in Basic Education, which covers Kindergarten to Senior High School, will end during the second week of May.

The next school year- 2025 to 2026 will end April 16, 2026.

IN BRIEF

TB Salvage Worker bound for Japan. The incident occurred in the vicinity waters off Poro Point, La Union, the PCG said. The PCG said around 10:21tpm on April 30, it received a phone call informing that 28-year-old Christopher Allan Eduria (resi-

the vessel MTUG Polaris King for its for the medical evacuation. At around 3:30 am on May 1, the PCG said its DRT onboard MTUG Polaris King transferred the patient to the standby ambulance of the Bureau of Quarantine and rushed the patient to the Lorma Medical Center for further assessment and medical attention.

TRANSPORT group Manibela threatened to hold a transport strike starting today to appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to stop the government’s Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program. Mar Valbuena, Manibela

and offered P20.1 billion in financial aid.

“While we are on the direction toward our desired impacts, we still have a long way to go,” said Morales, underscoring the need to extend the Rice Fund when its six-year life ends this year.

“The extension of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund until 2030 and reallocation of funds towards farm machinery, seed development, and training and extension services are recommended, with special attention given to soil health improvement initiatives,” he added.

SUMMER HARVEST. Workers harvest pineapples in a plantation near Mt. Matutom in Polomolok, South Cotabato. Joven Cagande

Acuzar says EO 34 bolsters 4Ps program

By Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Wednesday said the nationwide implementation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) got another boost with the promulgation of the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order 34 ing,” Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar said.

“Now that we have given details to EO 34, together with the other agencies responsible for it, we can better ensure the smooth running of national hous-

IN BRIEF

CHR cites gov’t efforts to ease workers’ plight

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Wednesday acknowledged the effort of many government agencies, particularly the Department of Labor and Employment, to implement programs that help ease the plight of workers.

The CHR cited the positive impacts of the Integrated Livelihood Program, Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged Workers, Public Employment Service Office, Government Internship Program and Special Program for the Employment of Students.

“Moreover, the Commission reiterates its expression of gratitude to the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council (NTIPC) for adopting Resolution No. 2, s. 2023, which calls upon the Department of Budget and Management and Congress to ensure an adequate budget for the Commission,” the agency said.

“The NTIPC is the main consultative body with regards labor, employment, and social policies at the national level. We express our high hopes that the said resolution will pave the way towards the full support of Congress to help CHR sufficiently perform additional mandates delegated under newly passed pieces of legislation,” it added. Rio N. Araja

Solon lauds PBBM stand on BARMM ‘25 elections

HOUSE assistant majority leader Zia Alonto Adiong has commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for determination in ensuring that the first-ever elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will push through next year.

“I fully support the President’s call to proceed [with the BARMM] elections in 2025,” Adiong, representative of Lanao del Sur’s first district, said. Adiong made the observation in response to a recent statement by President Marcos who issued a warning to those who might seek to obstruct the BARMM polls scheduled for next year.

The Chief Executive warned that any attempt to undermine the electoral process will face the full force of the law.

Adiong expressed excitement about witnessing the “matured political process in the BARMM” and the opportunity for its residents to choose their leaders freely.

He emphasized the unique political structure of the BARMM, which features a parliamentary setup, and expressed optimism about the region’s progress under the Marcos leadership.

“This is going to be the first election of the BARMM, simultaneous with the national and local governments in 2025, and we are very excited as a resident of BARMM,” Adiong said. Maricel V. Cruz

Taguig marks 147th year with Laguna Lake event

TAGUIG City officials on Tuesday released some 125,000 tilapia fingerlings into the Laguna de Bay as part of the city’s 437th founding anniversary celebration.

The initiative spearheaded by the Taguig City Agriculture Office and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources - National Capital Region aims to boost the livelihood of local fishermen who depend on Laguna de Bay for their existence.

The efforts also seek to repopulate inland bodies of water and maintain the ecological balance of freshwater fish in the lake.

Mayor Laarni Cayetano joined the activity and reaffirmed her commitment to support Taguig’s fishing industry. She expressed gratitude for Taguig’s history, emphasizing the importance of farming and fishing as main livelihoods. She promised to support 2,000 fishermen who currently benefit from the Lake of Laguna and will continue creating programs for their benefit.

In 2020, the local government also signed an agreement with the Department of Agriculture for the implementation of the Urban Agriculture Project (UAP).

Taguig recognized the importance of promoting urban agriculture as a measure to address the stability of food supply, alleviate poverty, foster social integration among communities, and protect the environment through eco-friendly methods Joel E. Zurbano

“This is a big thing for the success of the national housing and for our countrymen who continue to dream of owning a decent and affordable home,” he added.

The order declared 4PH as a flagship program and called for the inventory of government idle lands appropriate for housing, while its IRRs had been released on April 29 and duly signed by Acuzar, Environment and Natural Resources Sec-

retary Maria Antonia Loyzaga, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. and Land Registration Authority administrator Gerardo Sirios. Under the IRRs, the roles and responsibilities of these agencies were defined with the DHSUD heading the requirement and collection of the detailed inventory of all available and suitable lands for housing and human settlements from national government agencies, governmentowned and -controlled corporations and local government units. EO 34 was described as a pro-poor measure that could spell the difference in finally addressing homelessness in the country as it empowered the DHSUD’s rollout of the Pambansang Pabahay. Acuzar expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive for the order which he said has a direct positive impact to common Filipinos, particularly the informal settler families, who are priority beneficiaries of the 4PH.

House bill imposes tougher penalties for fake medicines

By

Maricel V. Cruz

WITH the sale of fake medicines in online platforms on the rise, a party-list lawmaker has pushed for the speedy passage of a measure imposing tougher penalties, including life imprisonment for large-scale manufacture, sale, and possession of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of the Bicol Saro party-list group issued the call after the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOHIL) and the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) recently launched a joint campaign aimed at stamping out counterfeit medicines from the market and promoting affordable healthcare innovations.

“This partnership between the government and the pharmaceutical sector will help achieve our collective goal of protecting Filipinos from the serious dangers to health posed by the sale of fake and substandard meds, especially online. However, this campaign should be complemented by a measure that would put more teeth to existing laws that penalize the manufacture, sale and distribution of these counterfeit products,” said Yamsuan, member of the House committee on public order and safety.

Yamsuan said House Bill (HB) 3984, of which he is a co-author, will strengthen the campaign against counterfeit pharmaceutical products and classify their large-scale manufacture, sale, distribution and possession as acts of economic sabotage.

Gatchalian seeks rewrite of public school teachers law

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday renewed his push for the passage of amendments to the 57- year old Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers embodied in Senate Bill No. 2493.

Meanwhile, in conjunction with the national observance of Labor Day, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri renewed their commitment to fight for the rights and welfare of Filipino workers.

“Let us remember the dedication to their work of our teachers, They are the ones molding the intelligence and capability of our students so let us

support huge pay and better lives for them,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The proposed measure aims to introduce substantial amendments to the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670) to uphold teachers’ welfare and provide crucial benefits for them.

The incentives included calamity leave, educational benefits, and longevity pay.

The proposed law also aims to address the conditions for granting special hardship allowance, enhances salary criteria, and protects teachers from out-of-pocket expenses.

The measure also provides that probationary teachers shall have the same or equally favorable salaries, benefits, and work conditions as entry-level teachers. It also reduces classroom teaching hours from six to four to improve teachers’ working conditions. Teachers, however, may render up to eight hours of service when the exigencies of the service require.

Those who render these additional hours are entitled to compensation equivalent to their regular remuneration plus at least 25 percent of their basic pay. The bill also allows for the temporary hiring of substitute teachers when an incumbent teacher is on leave.

Former Surigao Sur solon faces Comelec probe over faulty COC

By Vito Barcelo

THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will investigate former Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. for filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 polls despite being perpetually disqualified from seeking elective posts. The probe stems from alleged material misrepresentation in his

NEWEST LAKAS=CMD MEMBER. Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez administers the oath to former Minister of the Interior and Local Government and and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao spokesman Naguib Sinarimbo as the newest member of the ruling Lakas-CMD Party in simple ceremony at the Speaker’s office in the House of Representatives. Witnessing the event are Deputy Speaker and Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong, majority leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. Ver Noveno

PASAY CITY KADIWA CARAVAN. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano leads the rollout of the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo” discount caravan at the Cuneta Astrodome, offering rice at P39.00/kilo and other agricultural products at a affordable prices. Joseph Muego

LABOR DAY JOB FAIR. Some 2,000 jobseekers trooped to the Labor Day job fair at the SM City Valenzuela where at least 30 companies offered working opportunities . The job fair was put together through a collaboration between the Valenzuela Public Employment Services Office and the Department of Labor and Employment. Andrew Rabulan

OPINION

The MMDA struggles

IT USED to be that EDSA had six wide lanes on both directions.

This was reduced to five lanes each when the MRT3 Light Rail project was constructed. This was because MRT3 was constructed in a way that part of it will be at grade level and the other part elevated.

Because of this, some parts of EDSA are wider than other parts.

Some portions have more than five lanes while others have exactly five lanes.

In intersections where there are overpasses, we can see narrower lanes of about four lanes only.

This being the case, traffic flow can be adversely affected.

Vehicles oftentimes behave like flowing water by seeking available spaces when there is gridlock but when these vehicles try to go back to the regular lanes bottlenecks occur thereby slowing traffic flow.

Over the years, due mainly to lack of driver discipline and the others engineering interventions done on EDSA by traffic authorities in the vain attempt to improve traffic flow, travel time has in fact slowed considerably.

We know that one reason for this is the tremendous increase of vehicles using the road.

Still, there are engineering reasons why travel time has slowed and these are the barricades and lane conditions mentioned above.

The other is assigning lanes for the exclusive use of certain types of vehicles like motorcycles and bicycles.

Still another reason is the worsening discipline of motorists caused by the traffic gridlock resulting in many road rage incidents.

Now, the MMDA, in another attempt to improve traffic flow along EDSA, wants to remove the bicycle lanes and transfer the use of that lane to motorcycles.

Predictably, the organizations representing both are up in arms against the plan. The bicycle group does not like their lane to be given to the motorcycle riders while the motorcycle group wants better enforcement to solve the motorcycle problem along EDSA.

What should MMDA do?

Let me first say that I am not anti-bicycle. How I wish that the Metro area is a bicycle friendly Capital City like Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, it is not for many good reasons.

Considering the traffic volume along EDSA, it is the wrong place to have an exclusive bike lane due to underutilization.

Although the exclusive bicycle lane there is only half a lane, one lane has ac-

tually been lost.

The MMDA figure of 1,600 riders a day is almost certainly an exaggeration.

I stood for a couple of hours in two places along EDSA at one time to count the number of bicycle riders using EDSA and, in those two hours, I counted one rider each in both places.

One reason for this is perhaps because no bike rider will start from Caloocan to go and work in Makati.

It is too long a bike ride. But it should be encouraged on other roads within city limits of each of the 17 cities and municipalities of the NCR.

Another reason could be that EDSA is basically used for intercity travel that is why if we do a cost benefit analysis whether the bike lane is all worth it, the MMDA is right in wanting to recover it to maximize EDSA’s usage.

But MMDA should have known this long ago.

—“—

The problem is with government refusing to allocate funds so that the use of technology can be maximized to improve traffic management and enforcement

Now, MMDA wants to give that lane to motorcycles which will be committing the same mistake.

There used to be a motorcycle lane along EDSA which failed. Good enforcement is the better bet but it must be done in a way that it works.

The problem is with government refusing to allocate funds so that the use of technology can be maximized to improve traffic management and enforcement.

The preferred step is simply increasing traffic enforcers. Technology, however, can multiply many times over what a single traffic enforcer can do.

Unfortunately, when the MMDA introduced the no contact apprehension being practiced all over the world, bright people went to the Supreme Court for an injunction which the Supreme Court shockingly granted.

t is, therefore, safe to say that the traffic future of NCR is bleak.

One free solution, however, that can do wonders is practicing a little driving discipline and patience to make travel around the NCR less stressful.

That way, we can all live longer.

Vice-presidents

(Part two)

JOHN Nance Garner, who was vice-president to Franklin Delano Roosevelt from 1933 to 1941, described his office as “not worth a pitcher of warm piss.”

The US of A consigns its vice president to being Senate President, with largely ceremonial powers, where the real power lies in the Majority Floor Leader elected by its hundred members.

In the Philippine system though, the vice president merely sits and waits for the president to die, resign, removed or is incapacitated, unless the president appoints him to a Cabinet post.

Our post-EDSA history shows us that Cory and Doy were elected as a team, but as early as the night after their Club Filipino inauguration, the betrayal of “palabra de honor” began.

To follow the 1987 charter, Laurel was named prime minister and foreign affairs secretary, but weeks later, a “revolutionary” government was proclaimed, abolishing the Batasan and with it, the position of Prime Minister.

(More details of the “betrayal” that led to the break-up we intend to write about in a book for future release, having been given a front-seat to the “unity” by Laurel).

FVR’s squeaky win over Miriam got him a vice president from the opposition, Joseph Estrada, to whom he gifted a position “right down his alley” which was to head the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission, which Erap was able to use effectively

to nail down criminal syndicates and the scalawags in the peace-keeping forces.

Six years after, Erap was president.

Though GMA ran with Joe de Venecia who lost to Erap, the latter graciously gave her what was then thought of as a less significant Cabinet department, the DSWD.

(This writer, sitting with Erap in a car from Alaminos to Rosales in Pangasinan suggested another post, after briefing him on surveys that showed an Erap-GMA victory was imminent, but again, the details are for a book).

—“—

Will BBM reward her with endorsement come 2028? Again, that is doubtful and Inday must know it, deep in her heart

But Erap lost the presidency a scant 31 months after, and GMA first appointed her VP, Teofisto Guingona Sr., who had a falling-out with her before the 2004 elections where she “won” over FPJ, Ping Lacson, Raul Roco and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. GMA won with her teammate, Noli de Castro, a first-term senator elected in 2001,

El Niño causes huge crop damage

SATHE entire country reels from the scorching summer heat exacerbated by the El Niño weather phenomenon, it is agriculture that appears to have taken a severe beating.

According to the latest Department of Agriculture data, damage to agriculture from the dry spell has reached P4.39 billion in about 66,065 hectares of farmland.

The El Niño Task Force estimated that of the damaged agricultural land, 78 percent could still be recovered once the drought is over. The agricultural land rendered unrecoverable by the El Niño is more than 14, 500 hectares.

We’re told that the crops in the affected areas are totally damaged so these are no longer fit for human consumption.

The land is too dry and no longer viable for planting during the current planting season or until water can be regularly made available, the Task Force reported.

Citing data from the Department of

Social Welfare and Development, the Task Force also said that more than 2.1 million individuals have been affected by El Niño.

The World Bank has monitored El Niño occurrence eight times since 1980.

Since then, while the Philippines has put in place mitigation measures to at least minimize the losses from El Niño, especially in the farm sector, the latest weather event has nevertheless cost billions of pesos in losses in the agriculture sector.

We should not let these twin weather aberrations to catch us unawares as science can predict them with accuracy

This tells us the government should craft a holistic plan to prepare the country for every El Niño weather phenomenon that comes our way.

The enormous farm losses since the dry spell hit the country this year should prod policy makers to come up with a comprehensive approach

THE “’NO to US-BBM Proxy War‘ Koalisyon ng Mamamayan Kontra Giyera” was launched last April 24, with public intellectuals, political leaders, people’s organizatonions and community groups that number almost 200 at a gathering in the modest venue of the middle-class watering hole in Quezon City Sports Club (unlike events of the US-sponsored CSIS and ADRI events at the plush five-star hotels).

Leading public intellectuals who supported it were former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad, former government spokesman Atty. Harry Roque, former undersecretary Loraine Badoy, scientific pollster and columnist Malou Tequia (who stayed at the back of the hall and did not introduce herself), activist and former congressional detainee Ka Eric Celiz, social media scholar-warriors Sassot Rogando and Anna Malindog-Uy via Zoom, a former National Security Council deputy, a retired general and a retired major.

Worthy of special mention is Senator Tatad, today star columnist of the Manila Times and of course a list of “formers” -such as a presidential “spox,” senator and consistent anti-war advocate.

He was a major contributor to the manifesto of the “No to US-BBM Proxy War” initiative but texted at the last minute during the conference that due to momentary physical discomfort with the weather, he sends his support but could not make it on the grand gathering.

The Manila Times reported the event, giving vent to the anti-war perspective of the gathering and the movement it was launching, quoting its manifesto accurately: “The ideals of independence and sovereignty have always been at the core

whom she appointed HUDCC chairman. Noli was scoring well in pre-election surveys for 2010, but decided to go back to broadcast journalism, an unusual but admirable move.

PNoy had Jojo Binay, not his teammate Mar Roxas, although Binay was a loyalist of his mother Cory, and got the housing post as well. Duterte won with Liberal’s Leni Robredo, to whom he gave the same housing post, revoked months later after “confidential” information that she was “meeting with plotters.”

In post-Marcos governments except for Pres. Garcia, vice presidents came from the same party as the president, and were appointed to the Cabinet.

In our history, vice-presidents became presidents only after their president died, or in the case of GMA, after Erap was dethroned. Only Diosdado Macapagal became president by fair election.

So is our vice presidency likewise not

to tackle the adverse effects of the drought.

Such a holistic program, according to the World Bank, should consist of policy interventions that could include the preparation of detailed El Niño risk and vulnerability maps developed with stakeholders and with recommended actions for farmers or businesses; the inclusion of contingency and preparedness funding for El Niño events in the national budget; and the adoption of drought- and flood-tolerant crop varieties and fishery practices.

Moreover, the national government should set up a trigger mechanism for the release of the funds with early warning systems to avoid undue delays and political issues.

It should also expand grain storage capacity by buying additional storage silos before a predicted El Niño event to avoid shortages and price spikes, and invest in more rural infrastructure such as irrigation and water harvesting systems

All these should mitigate the economic losses from the effects of regular El Niño and La Niña occurrences. We should not let these twin weather aberrations to catch us unawares as science can predict them with accuracy and give us enough time to prepare for contingencies.

Anti-war equals pro-China?

of our national identity, and we refuse to compromise these values in the face of current threats posed by the US-BBM proxy war against China,...” citing Herman Tiu Laurel, of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.

—“—

The US-BBM powerwielders today are not leaving any room for being pro-Filipino anymore

The manifesto went on to explain the United States has a long history of intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations using economic, political and military means, and focused on the 2011 “pivot to Asia” strategy of the US was aimed at containing China’s rise as a global power with a major part of the strategy utilizing escalation of tensions in the Asia-Pacific employing countries like the Philippines as “strategic pawns in this nihilistic game.”

The manifesto slammed BBM’s acquiescence to the militarization of the South China Sea, signing lopsided agreements on US EDCA bases in the Philippines, consenting to erosion of democratic institutions to impose US control of the domestic scene in the Philippines, and stifling information freedom against the proxy war, pointing to complicity in the US plot to “entangle the country in the US-Japan-Philippine Triad proxy war against China.”

worth a “pitcher of warm piss?” Today we have a parallelism between the post-EDSA Cory and Doy tandem, whose relationship soured soon after their proclamation. We have a BBM-Sara “Uniteam” that is all but formally sundered. Doy could not hold his disappointment and could not publicly pretend cordiality with Cory. If he had suffered in silence, made a pretense of cooperating with the popular Cory, would she have endorsed him in 1992? Not likely. Inday Sara, probably learning from the Cory-Doy saga, has decided to suffer in silence, and remains cordial with BBM but not his powerful First Lady who has publicly declared the vice president “bad shot.”

Will BBM reward her with endorsement come 2028? Again, that is doubtful and Inday must know it, deep in her heart. Family and close friends have urged her

The irony is the title of the article which the editor (as the report itself is very objective and unbiased) tacked on -- a jaundiced reference in the story’s headline “Pro-China coalition formed.”

There was nothing pro-China in the content of the report, all that can be read in it is the exposé of strategic US intentions to contain China and its plot to create tension, instability and an eventual proxy war that will harm, if not devastate, the Philippines being used as a war proxy.

Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong laid down the risk of the Philippines acting as proxy, in a Bloomberg news interview he asks Filipinos “... are you sure you want to be a Battleground?”

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on April 26, 2024, in front of Philippine Foreign Secretary Manalo, warned of a “bleak” future for ASEAN and Indo-Pacific if SCS tensions rise and, not so obliquely, ”.. . no single ASEAN country wants to become a proxy or vassel state of any power...”

The “Pro-China” tag is a propaganda handle of the US-BBM psywar and mass mind manipulation campaign that started in February 2023 when BBM pivoted back to the US after his “secret” deal with the US, trading off Philippine independence for whatever concessions he got (everybody speculates what it is, from hidden wealth to blackmail) from the US warmongers. The US-BBM power-wielders today are not leaving any room for being pro-Filipino anymore, its either you’re pro-American, which they don’t deny themselves and just don’t mention, or pro-China which is false but no one is given any choice anymore. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

to resign as DepEd secretary, a position she should not have accepted to begin with, after her desire to be defense secretary, as announced by her president, was declined. Sure, DepEd has the biggest budget, but it also has problems far too difficult to solve within a six-year term. Astute advisers should have told her to opt for DSWD, now the new fountain of government graces in the form of “ayuda” for most everything. Then again, who would want to be president in the benighted land of food insecurity, persistent inflation, an intractable energy crisis, a traffic and transportation crisis, with little wherewithal to go by because come 2028, government debt will be more than 20 trillion?

And on top of all these, a nation that could be the battleground of war between the world’s superpowers? Ah, but pure ambition is what drives our politics.

IN BRIEF

Judge threatens Trump with jail

NEW YORK – The New York judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial fined the former president on Tuesday for defying a gag order and warned that further violations could see him thrown in jail.

Trump, 77, is accused of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels just days ahead of the 2016 election, in which Trump ran against Hillary Clinton. Keith Davidson, Daniels’ former lawyer, spent several hours on the witness stand on Tuesday testifying about the negotiations he held with Cohen to secure the X-rated movie star’s silence about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump. Before Davidson’s testimony, Judge Juan Merchan held Trump in contempt of court for multiple violations of a gag order he imposed on the former president ahead of the trial prohibiting him from publicly attacking witnesses, jurors or court staff and their relatives.

He fined Trump $1,000 each for nine specific violations of the gag order, and instructed him to remove seven “offending posts” from his Truth Social account and two from a campaign website. The posts were removed Tuesday afternoon. AFP

‘Violence vs. women a national crisis’

SYDNEY – Australia’s prime minister on Wednesday declared violence against women a “scourge” and a “national crisis”, days after protests in several major cities.

Meeting state premiers, Anthony Albanese announced a raft of measures and funding to tackle “toxic male extremist views”, curb deep fake pornography and fund help for victims.

Albanese told Australians that “we all have to take responsibility” for stamping out violence.

So far this year, 28 women have been killed in the country -- an average of one death every four days. By comparison, 14 women died in the same period last year.

The deaths have sparked a reckoning, with domestic violence survivors and support services demanding stricter laws at nationwide protests last week.

Albanese on Wednesday announced new legislation to ban deep fake pornography and additional funding for the country’s online watchdog to pilot age assurance technologies.

He also announced Aus$925 million (US$598 million) in funding to bolster support services for those fleeing violent situations.

Among the deaths that have rocked the country is that of Molly Ticehurst, a 28-year-old mother who was allegedly murdered last month by her former partner after he was given bail for other serious alleged offences. AFP

US to reclassify cannabis in big shift

WASHINGTON, DC – US President Joe Biden’s administration is set to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous drug, an official said Tuesday (Wecnesday in Manila) -- a historic shift that would bring federal policy more in line with public opinion.

The US attorney general sent a proposal to the White House on Tuesday to “reclassify marijuana,” Justice Department spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa said in a statement. It comes after Biden became the first president to initiate a federal review into the matter, in 2022.

The issue is seen as a potential vote winner for Biden as he faces Republican Donald Trump in a tough election rematch this November, especially among younger people whom the Democratic incumbent is struggling to court.

Marijuana has been classified since 1970 as a so-called “Schedule I” drug along with heroin, ecstasy and LSD, meaning it is deemed to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.

But it would be downgraded to a Schedule III drug under the proposal, along with drugs like ketamine and painkillers containing codeine, with a moderate to low likelihood of dependence, Hinojosa’s statement said. AFP

Police arrest Columbia students

NEW YORK –

Dozens of helmeted police flooded Columbia University’s campus in the heart of New York City on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to evict a building occupied by pro-Palestinian student protesters and detain demonstrators. Police climbed into Hamilton

Hall via a second floor window they reached from a laddered truck, before leading handcuffed students out of the building into police vans.

The hall had been occupied at dawn by demonstrators who vowed they would fight any eviction, as they protested the soaring death toll from Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In related developments, in Providence, Brown University reached an agreement with students protesting the war in Gaza that would see them remove their encampment from school grounds in exchange for the institution considering divesting from Israel.

The move represents a first major concession from an elite American university amid relentless student protests that have paralyzed campuses across the country, divided public opinion and led to hundreds of arrests.

In a statement, Brown President Christina Paxson said students had agreed to end their protests and clear their camp by 5:00 pm local time Tuesday and “refrain from further actions that would violate Brown’s conduct code through the end of the academic year.” The Columbia action came as university administrators around the

Indonesia volcano eruption shuts more airports

ERUPTIONS at a remote Indonesian volcano forced more than half a dozen airports to close with ash spreading as far as Malaysia, officials said Wednesday, while authorities rushed to evacuate thousands due to tsunami fears.

Mount Ruang erupted three times on Tuesday, spewing lava and ash more than five kilometres (three miles) into the sky and forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders for 12,000 locals.

A rescue ship and a warship were dispatched to help move thousands from neighbouring Tagulandang island north to Siau island because of a warning about parts of the volcano falling into the sea potentially causing a tsunami.

Rosalin Salindeho, a 95-year-old resident of Tagulandang in Indonesia’s outermost region of North Sulawesi province, spoke of her fears when Ruang erupted after arriving in Siau.

BEIJING --China’s Fujian aircraft carrier took to the water for maiden sea trials on Wednesday, state media said, a key next step in a vast naval build-up by Beijing as it carves out a more assertive role for itself in the Pacific and beyond.

The Fujian is China’s third aircraft carrier after the Liaoning and the Shandong vessels and is the Chinese navy’s largest-ever ship.

It departed from eastern Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard at around 8:00 am, state news agency Xinhua said.

The trials will “primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier’s propulsion and electrical systems”, it added.

“The mountain exploded. Wow, it was horrible. There were rains of rocks. Twice. The second one was really heavy, even the houses far away were also hit,” she said.

The country’s meteorological agency (BMKG) shared a map on Wednesday morning that showed volcanic ash had reached as far as eastern Malaysia on Borneo island, which the country shares with Indonesia and Brunei. AFP

China has stepped up a massive expansion of its naval forces in recent years, as it seeks to expand its reach in the Pacific and challenge a US-led alliance system. Tensions have notably flared in the disputed South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety, and near the self-ruled island of Taiwan, where it has deployed the Shandong aircraft carrier.

A January report by the Congressional Research Service, citing the Pentagon, described it as the largest navy in the world and said it projected it to grow to 435 ships by 2030.

The build-up is aimed at “addressing the situation with Taiwan militari-

United States have struggled for weeks to contain pro-Palestinian demonstrations on dozens of campuses. In a letter addressed to the New York Police department, Columbia University president Minouche Shafik said that the occupation of the school building was being led by “individuals who are not affiliated with the University” and asked “NYPD’s help to clear all individuals from Hamilton Hall and all campus encampments.” She also asked the police to remain on campus through at least May 17, “to ensure encampments are not reestablished.” AFP

Blinken says US ‘determined’ to get deal ‘now’

TEL AVIV – US Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed calls for Hamas to accept a ceasefire deal Wednesday as he started talks with Israel’s leadership.

“Even in these very difficult times we are determined to get a ceasefire that brings the hostages home -- and to get it now. And the only reason that that wouldn’t be achieved is because of Hamas,” Blinken said as he met Israeli President Isaac Herzog. Hamas is set to respond to an offer in which Israel would temporarily halt its offensive in Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in return for hostages seized on Oct.

Meanwhile, at the United Nations in New York, a ground operation by Israeli troops in the southern Gaza city of Rafah would be a “tragedy beyond words,” the UN’s humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said in a statement on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

“The simplest truth is that a ground operation in Rafah will be nothing short of a tragedy beyond words. No humanitarian plan can counter that,” Griffiths said, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to launch an offensive on Rafah, which has become a refuge to some 1.5 million Palestinians. With Hamas weighing a truce plan proposed in Cairo talks with the US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators, Netanyahu vowed to launch the assault on Rafah “with or without a deal”. AFP

ly, if need be” as well as “achieving a greater degree of control or domination over China’s near-seas region, particularly the South China Sea”, the report said.

China wants its navy to be able to deter “US intervention in a conflict in China’s near-seas region over Taiwan or some other issue, or failing that, delay the arrival or reduce the effectiveness of intervening US forces,” it added.

Analysts at Washington-based think tank CSIS have said the Fujian is expected to feature more advanced take-off systems, allowing the Chinese air force to deploy jets carrying larger payloads and more fuel. AFP

CAMPUS UNREST. Pro-Palestinian student protesters lock arms at the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University, on Wednesday in New York City. Dozens of helmeted police flooded Columbia University’s campus in the heart of New York City to evict a building occupied by pro-Palestinian student protesters and detain demonstrators. Police climbed into Hamilton Hall via a second floor window they reached from a laddered truck, before leading handcuffed students out of the building into police vans. AFP

THOUSANDS EVACUATED. An eruption from Mount Ruang volcano is seen from Tagulandang island in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, on Tuesday. The spread of volcanic ash, which has reached Malaysia, forced seven airports to close, the biggest in provincial capital Manado and the city of Gorontalo, according to a notice from state-run air traffic control provider AirNav Indonesia. AFP

SWORD-WIELDING MAN NABBED. Police forensic officers examine the crime scene in Hainault, east of London on Tuesday where a 36-year-old man wielding a sword was arrested following an attack on members of the public and two police officers.

man wielding

sword in east London, police said. AFP

SPORTS

Flying Titans, Angels seek to forge title showdown

PETRO Gazz and Choco Mucho hope to build on the momentum of their thrilling come-from-behind victories as they seek to arrange a titular showdown in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today (Thursday).

The Angels displayed resilience in overturning a set deficit against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, clinching a 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 victory. Similarly, the Flying Titans staged an impressive comeback from two sets down to upend the Creamline Cool Smashers for the first time in 13 face-offs, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, in Tuesday’s opener of the single round semis before a packed crowd at the Pasig venue. They switch opponents this time with the Angels battling Cool Smashers at 4 p.m. and the Flying Titans collid ing with the Crossovers at 6 p.m. Victories by top se ed Petro Gazz and No. 2 Choco Mucho w ill propel them to the finals while Creamline and Chery Tiggo will duel for the bronze.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed his confidence in his wards’ winning mindset while stressing the importance of hard work and determination on the court. Despite facing a dominant opponent in the Cool Smashers, Alinsunurin believes in his team’s ability to make timely adjustments and rise to the occasion.

“Yun naman talaga yung goal namin every time na ganitong sitwasyon. Kailangan namin trabahuin talaga bawat puntos,” said Alinsunurin.

The Cool Smashers looked poised to extending their 12-game dominance of the Flying Titans when they took the first two sets in lopsided fashions. But Sisi Rondina and Royse Tubino found their rhythm in the crucial third frame, leading to the team’s fourth match that went the distance and the historic win.

First Lady vows full support to 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World tourney

THE Philippines’ solo hosting of the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 took one giant stride after First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos vowed her full support during an historic organizational meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday.

“The First Lady readily gave her full support to the country’s solo hosting of the world championship,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon

“Tats” Suzara after the meeting at the First Lady’s Office at the PMS Building in the Palace.

“She’s so enthusiastic about the event and showed everyone in the room her love for sports,” Suzara added.

In firming up Malacanang’s support, the First Lady asked youngest

Presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos to join the meeting that also set the foundation of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 32-nation—including the Philippines—world championship set September 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena. It was one significant meeting that practically nailed all hinges for a smooth and best-ever hosting of the now biennial competition with Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and Depart-

Junior Altas tennisters to represent NCR in Cebu Palarong Pambansa

PERPETUAL Help Junior Altas Grade 11

standout Sherwin Nuguit of Team Las Piñas City defeated Kristian Novak Brazal of Pasig City by a score of 8-1 in the finals for the secondary division tennis title of the Palarong National Capital Region recently at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court in Vito Cruz, Manila. With his title romp, Nuguit earned the right to become the representative of Metro Manila in the National Palarong Pambansa in Cebu from July 6 to 16. Meanwhile, Perpetual Senior High

School’s Grade 11 Airies Nuguit ruled the secondary girls’ division en route to the gold to join Sherwin Nuguit in the annual sports meet. They will be with Grade 11 Lance Maglaqui and Grade 10 Jor Cardinal, coached by legendary mentor Samuel Nuguit. JR Castro of the secondary division, from Perpetual High School, also qualified for the Palarong Pambansa by winning the gold in the javelin throw of the NCR Meet. Dennis Abrina

ment of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco providing a general brief on the world championship that will be hosted only for the second time by an Asian country after Japan in 1998 and 2006.

“For the first time in several years, we’ll host the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Philippines 2025,” Cayetano, who is also the chairman emeritus of the PNVF, said.

“All systems are now off and running and we’re bound to become the best host ever for the world championship,” the senator added, emphasizing the need for all channels to cover for wider reach of the global event.

Drawing parallels to the successful hosting of previous international sporting events like the 2019 SouthEast Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA Championship, Cayetano remarked

Marapoc, Ramirez help defending champ Altas outclass St. Benilde

By Dennis Abrina

JEFFERSON Marapoc and reigning Most Valuable Player

Louie Ramirez scored a combined 47 points to lead the defending champion Perpetual Help Altas Spikers to their eighth straight win at the expense of the College of St. Benilde on Wednesday in the #NCAASeason99 men’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil Arena in San Juan City.

Cebu native Marapoc scored a game high 27 points, while Ramirez had 20 points, 16 in attacks and 4 in blocks to lead the Altas to the win.

Setter JC Enarciso recorded 24 excellent sets, while libero Phillip Pepito had 16 digs and 12 receptions.

The five-set game lasted almost two hours with a score of 2325, 25-16, 24-26, 25-15, 15-8.

The Las Pinas-based tossers hope to keep a clean slate in the elims to get the automatic first finals berth and never go through the step-ladder semis for the number 2, 3 and 4 spots.

The defending champion CSB Lady Blazers also recorded their 8th straight win at the expense of the Lady Altas with a score of 25-14, 25-18, 25-7.

Coach Sandy Rieta’s Perpetual women’s team now has a 4-4 win-loss record.

Multi-titled coach Sinfronio ‘Sammy’ Acaylar’s men’s team has just one game left, against the undefeated EAC Generals with a 7-0 card.

that this will also be another opportunity for the Philippines to shine on the global stage.

“We are still known worldwide as the most hospitable people. I’m talking about how we, as a nation, welcome the rest of the world,” he said. Frasco meanwhile assured the DOT’s comprehensive and encompassing support to the event. “The DOT will form a consortium for attractive packages for fans—foreign and local—with all efforts bordering on our “Love The Philippines” campaign,” she said.

Also present in the meeting were Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann, Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, PNVF Vice President Ricky Palou and Secretary General Donaldo Caringal, and national team member Bryan Bagunas. Striegl wins

By Peter Atencio

A TRADEMARK move, known as the marcelotine, propelled comebacking Mark Striegl to win by submission over Ilonggo champion Paige Alitao on Sunday evening at the Circuit Events Ground in Makati City. The 35-year-old Striegl got down to business with the high elbow guillotine choke at the 3:11 mark of Round 3 to claim the Grappling Championship honors of the Kombat Sports Kalayaan’s Mixed Martial Arts Festival.

Alitao, a known Brazilian jiujitsu fighter, got pinned down on Striegl’s signature move near the end their three-round showdown.

The last time Striegl used this maneuver was in 2018, when he fought off Do Gyeom Lee for a Universal Reality Combat Championship title. “It’s the same finish that I was able to fight tonight. It’s one of my favorite moves and it feels great. A finish is a finish because it’s one of my favorite techniques,” said Striegl. It was Striegl’s first MMA fight in more than a year as he lost three straight encounters. The win has inspired him to go into more MMA fights later this year. The match was part of the Kombat Sports Kalayaan’s MMA Festival, which was moved the Poblacion for safety reasons and avoid traffic congestion in the area. In the other cards, a bloodied Singaporean Sim Kai Xiong brought down Godwin Langbayan with a foot strike to the tummy, for a technical knockout triumph, a few seconds into the second round of their 135-lbs encounter.

Games Thursday 4 p.m. – Petro Gazz vs Creamline 6 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Choco Mucho

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos (seventh from left) and Presidential son William Vincent Araneta Marcos (sixth from left) are shown with (from left) PNVF vice president Ricky Palou and secretary-general Donaldo Caringal, PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Volleyball World CEO Finn Taylor, PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara and national player Bryan Bagunas.

Louie Ramirez (14) of Perpetual breaks through the defense of Leonard Jaboli (8) and Neil Manalo (14) of the College of St. Benilde in a Labor Day game of the NCAA Season 99 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City. Perpetual won in 5 sets. Dennis Abrina

Mark Striegl

Sherwin Nuguit of Team Las Piñas City Dennis Abrina

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Beermen smother Bossing, notch 10th straight triumph

By Peter Atencio

CJ Perez led six teammates in double-digit scoring as the San Miguel Beermen smothered the Blackwater Elite Bossing, 124-109, Wednesday night in the 48th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Perez knocked in 26 points for the Beermen, who capitalized on a great start and a bigger finish to post their 10th straight win.

Don Trollano drilled in 25 points for the Beermen as they banked on a decisive fourth quarter finish to leave the Bossings behind.

SMB’s unblemished record came on

PSC stresses passion for grassroots advancement

THE Philippine Sports Commission highlighted the importance of passion among sports leaders and coaches in establishing a concrete grassroots program and discovering new talents during the National Grassroots Sports Summit held in Bacolod City in Negros Occidental.

a memorable evening as team management retired the jersey no. 29 of Arwind Santos, who, however, still plans to play as early as the next conference.

Junemar Fajardo made 21 points and 16 rebounds for the Beermen, while Jericho Cruz, Terrence Romeo and Marcio Lassiter sank 17, 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The Beermen relied on two big scoring blasts to decisively move out of range.

Trollano, who fired 15 points in the last period, led a final 13-0 run which allowed the Beermen to widen a 68-64 lead to 78-66, in the remaining 4:47.

Coach Jorge Gallent said they managed to check on their turnovers in the last canto.

“When we were making turnovers, we were giving Blackwater opportunities to score on those transitions. So, we just have to minimize our turnovers, and minimize our post shots, for us not to easily give away transition points,” said Gallent.

PH places 8th overall in world surfing tilt

THE Philippines placed eighth in the recent 2024 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championships at the shores of El Sunzal in El Salvador.

Team Philippines, behind Rogelio Esquievel Jr., Roger Casogay, Daisy Valdez and Ashlee Lopez, picked up a total of 1648 points from their performance in the tournament that drew 39 countries.

Hawaii won the team honors with 2820 points, ahead of Japan and France, which was second and third with 2755 and 2318 points, respectively.

The La Union-based Esquievel Jr. went on to finish seventh place overall, the highest placed Filipino in the men’s division with 555 points.

After bowing out in the fourth round, Esquievel Jr. went as far as the ninth in the repechage, where he failed to catch a four-foot wave to ride on, conditions which the waters off El Sunzal are known for.

“Grabe ang competition na hinarap nila. Nandoon lahat ng nagme-medal sa world, from USA, Japan, France, Brazil,” said Team Philippines’ coach Wilmar Siargao following a visit to the offices of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Eequivel Jr.’s rival in the repechage, 2018 world champion Kai Sallas won his second team championship for Hawaii, after settling for the individual bronze medal in the finals with 17.31 points.

“Sobrang saya. Sobrang ganda ng experience. Nandu’n lahat ng world champions sa El Salvador,” said Esquievel.

Lopez and Valdez were tied at 29th place in the women’s side.

Hawaiian Honolua Blomfield won her first women’s ISA World Championship as she took the individual bronze.

Rachael Tilly claimed the individual women’s gold, with Natsumi Takai of Japan in second.

ANOTHER Filipino-American is raring to showcase his skills in The Home of Martial Arts.

Sean “The One” Climaco is ready to introduce himself as he takes on Josue “Tuzo” Cruz in the opener of ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova this Saturday at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Though born and raised in California, Climaco proudly wears his Filipino blood that he wants to carry the torch for the country in the field of Muay Thai.

“I’m ready to represent the Filipino-Americans, for sure,” said the American Kickboxing Academy standout. “I don’t know if it’s a Filipino thing because there’s also a lot of Filipino fighters who are into MMA, but I think I just fell in love with striking a lot.”

Climaco is part of this new wave of Muay Thai fighters who are pushing the art of eight limbs Stateside and he’s happy to be among those at the forefront.

“I believe it’s definitely getting a lot bigger. ONE is bigger in Asia, but now with Amazon Prime subscription and we have two more shows in the US, it’s starting to grow,” he said.

And what better way to back up his words than a victory against Cruz this weekend—one that he’s confident he’s getting.

“Stylistically, I don’t think he’s ever fought my style. The strikes that I throw, the style I bring is very unique and you can’t train for it,” he said.

More than anything, Climaco feels blessed to be in this position as this marks as a realization of a dream for him especially after recovering from an ACL injury.

“This is a dream come true,” he stated. “I didn’t think I’ll end up here a couple years ago but all of a sudden, this opportunity came and here I am ready to prove that I’m the best.”

“What’s most important among coaches and leaders here is the passion you have. Being an ordinary coach can create an extraordinary athlete in the future,” said PSC commissioner Edward Hayco. Assigned lead commissioner for the agency’s grassroots initiative program, Hayco is continuously roaming all corners of the country to deliver the agency’s commitment in intensifying its agenda as mandated by the constitution. The sports summit has already taken place in Legazpi City, Cagayan de Oro City, Pagadian City, Angeles City, Tuguegarao City, Zamboanga City, and recently in Bacolod City. The next edition will come to the sports stakeholders of Kidapawan City in Cotabato

Among the key topics discussed in the summit were the blueprint of the local grassroots initiative within Iloilo City and the relevant legal basis that can be used by leaders and coaches for lobbying partnerships with their local government units.

Comm. Matthew ‘Fritz’ Gaston also shared the same sentiment as he also graced the latest summit conducted in STI West Negros University.

By Randy Caluag

PARA-BOWLER Patrick Eusebio, recently unemployed from a call center job, has embarked on selling specially designed t-shirts to provide for his family, particularly his daughter’s medical needs amid her battle with an illness.

At 38 years old, Eusebio, born without a lower right arm, has found support from friends and clients on social media, who have responded to his entrepreneurial endeavor, rallying around his cause.

“Kailangan po talagang kumilos

kasi kakatanggal ko lang po sa trabaho,” said Eusebio, emphasizing the urgency of his situation.

Eusebio’s journey from basketball to athletics and eventually becoming a national paralympic bowler is marked by resilience. He now navigates the dual responsibilities of being a parent to his eldest daughter, Keanne Gerardine, who is battling Major Depressive Disorder

with Psychotic Features.

“Hindi po puwedeng mawalan ng kabuhayan kasi kailangan ng tuloytuloy na therapy ng anak ko,” he emphasized, highlighting the critical need for sustained medical support for his daughter’s recovery.

“As a solo parent, I am doing all my best na gumaling po siya at manumbalik ang kanyang normal state of mind,” he added, underscoring his unwavering commitment to his daughter’s well-being.

From his tenure as captain ball of his elementary and high school basketball teams to being awarded Athlete of the Year during his senior year at Bloomfield Academy in Las Piñas, his love for sports has been unwavering.

A graduate of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy (minor in Political Science), Eusebio’s academic pursuits also reflect his dedication to sports, which is evident in his thesis on Sports Philosophy.

Rogelio Esquievel Jr. tames the waves in El Sunzal, El Salvador.

Inset shows Exquivel Jr., with his coach Wilmar Siargao waving the Philippine flag.

PSC commissioner Edward Hayco

Sean Climaco

with

$236 million

Hot money outflows in March

$1.4 billion

Registered investments in March

$1.6 billion

Gross outflows in March

Meralco pursues nuclear energy feasibility study

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co., in partnership with US-based Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. (USNC), plans to proceed with the full feasibility study on nuclear power this year, company executives said. This is part of Meralco’s overall target to put up a nuclear facility as proof-of-concept.

“Our goal is to be able to start an operational plant perhaps in one of the island provinces to produce power and demonstrate that it’s a safe mode of producing power. So we hope to do that certainly well before 2028,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Meralco executive vice president and chief operating officer Ronnie Aperocho said the results of the pre-feasibility study were presented to the company, and Pangilinan agreed to proceed to the formal feasibility study.

The full feasibility study will cover site-specific assessment and detailed analysis of local and regulatory landscapes crucial to the deployment of nuclear technologies.

“On the formal feasibility study, we will need to deep dive more on the financial safety and other very important parameters as well as on the site-specific study like where do we install this micro modular reactors,” Aperocho said.

Investors pull out $689-m funds in March—BSP data

By Darwin G. Amojelar

FOREIGN fund managers withdrew funds from the local equities and money markets in March 2024 amid the heightened global uncertainties and delayed interest rate adjustment by the US Federal Reserve.

Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed that foreign portfolio investments, or hot money, registered $236 million in net outflows in March, a reversal of the $689-million net inflows in February.

The BSP said transactions on foreign investments registered through authorized agent banks (AABs) showed gross outflows of $1.6 billion, exceeding the gross inflows of $1.4 billion in March.

Hot money refers to foreign funds temporarily parked in the equities and money market to take advantage of short-term interest.

The BSP said the $1.4-billion registered investments for the month were lower by 9.1 percent than $1.5 billion recorded in February. It said 56.7 percent of registered investments were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities amounting to $798 million, while the remaining

43.3 percent were in peso government securities worth $610 million.

The March investments mostly came from the United Kingdom, Singapore, United States (US), Switzerland and Luxembourg with combined share of 83.6 percent. Meanwhile the $1.6-billion gross outflows in March increased 91.4 percent from the gross outflows recorded for February amounting to $859 million.

The US remained the top destination of outflows, receiving $887 million (or 53.9 percent) of total outward remittances.

The BSP said registered investments in March increased 12.1 percent from $1.3 billion recorded in the same month last year, while gross outflows went up by 24 percent from $1.3 billion.

THE government is keeping the P4.3trillion revenue target this year, according to Department of Finance

Secretary Ralph Recto.

“Our revenue collection today seems to be on target,” Recto said.

Revenue collection in the first quarter reached P933.7 billion, 14.05 percent, or P115.1 billion higher than in the first three months of 2023.

Tax revenues and non-tax revenues amounted to P820.3 billion and P113.4 billion, respectively.

Recto acknowledged the role of his predecessors in keeping the economy strong and stable throughout periods of crisis during a dinner reception in celebration of the DOF’s 127th anniversary on April 24, 2024.

He described the gathering as “a re-

union of survivors of economic crises, of veterans of wars against deficits, because of the 43 finance secretaries the country had, none had the luxury of being spared of confronting one.”

Recto recounted how his predecessors successfully steered the Philippines in turbulent times in history and how their actions have accumulated into the fortitude, tenacity, and professionalism that define DOF today.

“These can be words in the coat-ofarms of this fighting unit, if ever there was one,” he said.

He recognized Carlos Dominguez for successfully keeping the Philippine economy afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which brought the global economy to a standstill.

THE Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) called for a strategic shift to address the tight power supply by managing peak demand as a prerequisite to planning new generating and transmission capacities.

PE2 president Alexander Ablaza said in a statement a significant portion of the country-wide 3,340 megawatt rise in summer demand could actually be flattened through either peak-shaving or load-shifting toward off-peak hours.

“While it would be theoretically impossible to achieve a totally flat demand curve, our energy-use economy should at least aspire to reduce the 3.3 GW bump in peak demand every

FINANCE CHIEFS.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto (center) pays tribute to his predecessors during the Secretary’s Hour toast on April 30, 2024 at the Ayuntamiento de Manila. Secretary Recto recounted how his predecessors successfully steered the Philippines in turbulent times in history and how their actions have accumulated into the fortitude, tenacity and professionalism that define DOF today.

He also acknowledged the efforts of Cesar Purisima and Cesar Virata who both raised much-needed funds to rebuild the economy and support the victims of two of the country’s most devastating typhoons.

Virata was at the helm of DOF when both super typhoon Yoling and the Great Central Luzon Flood devastated the country in 1970. Meanwhile, Purisima was the DOF secretary when super typhoon Yolanda--one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded— struck the Philippines in 2013.

Recto also lauded Bobby de Ocampo who manned the fort to fend off the contagion of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and a decade later, Gary Teves who shielded the country from the fallout of the recession of 2008.

summer,” Ablaza said.

Ablaza said it is imperative to initially exhaust all opportunities to flatten daily and seasonal peak demand curves prior to the planning of new power plants. He said PE2 believes that the thinning of power reserves every summer is always brought about by the vicious cycle where the end-use economy perpetually requires more energy when ambient temperatures soar.

“The hotter the weather, the more energy is required to provide cooling through air conditioning and refrigeration,” Ablaza said. Alena Mae S. Flores

PNP, Globe arrest cable cut suspects in N. Cotabato

GLOBE Telecom said the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office apprehended two suspects involved in a cable cut-for-ransom scheme. North Cotabato police arrested Jonie Magtawil Dacutan, a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and his cousin Jimmy Apolinsia Dacutan. The suspects are linked to multiple incidents of cutting Globe’s underground fiber optic cables (FOCs) in Barangay Manarapan, Carmen town, disrupting services for numerous customers.

“Cable cut is not just a problem for Globe but a serious crime that affects entire communities by depriving them of vital telecommunications services,” said Joel Agustin, senior vice president and head of network planning and engineering at Globe.

“We are grateful for the support of the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office in apprehending these suspects. We will continue to work with law enforcers as we remain committed to protecting our network assets through enhanced security measures and active stakeholder collaboration,” he said. The incidents began on Dec. 12, 2023 when Globe’s underground FOC in Manarapan was severed by unidentified suspects. The perpetrators left a note demanding a P250,000 ransom, or they would cut more lines by Dec. 20. When they did not get paid, the suspects struck again on the promised date.

A third cable cut happened on March 23, 2024, where the suspects left a contact number. This led Globe’s security team to engage with the suspects via text and calls. The perpetrators demanded a ransom of P300,000, or they would cut another underground FOC in Carmen.

Globe immediately coordinated with the North Cotabato Police Provincial Office to set up an entrapment operation in the guise of a payoff. That led to the arrest of the two suspects, who are now detained at the Matalam Police Station pending further investigation and the filing of criminal charges. Darwin G. Amojelar

BAZAAR FOR A CAUSE. Tzu Chi Philippines opens the gates of its Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus (BTCC) in Sta. Mesa, Manila and organizes a bazaar to raise funds for the Taiwan earthquake victims. Customers from Barangay 621 and nearby areas showed support and purchased different items. Julie Ann Lope

BIKE NETWORK. Officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH),

Meralco to tap spot market for 260-MW peaking supply

By Alena Mae S. Flores

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co.

plans to source its 260-megawatt

peaking capacity requirement from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, where prices are more volatile due to lack of available capacity offered from generation firms.

Meralco senior vice president and head of regulatory management Jose Ronald Valles said the company’s bids and awards committee declared a failure of bidding for the second round of the competitive selection process of the 260-MW supply.

He said Meralco then commenced direct negotiation with the single offeror, San Roque Hydropower Inc.

Meralco, however, received a letter of withdrawal from SRHI on April 13, saying that “we will not be able to generate the required portion of the target 260-megawatt peaking capacity due to El Niño.”

Valles said Meralco did not receive any other offer from other power suppliers since then. The company needs the 260-MW peaking supply until July.

“The 260 MW, if we were able to get that, then that should have adequately covered our requirements except for the sudden increase in the demand given the severe weather conditions that’s happening,” he said.

“We will have to source that elsewhere again from WESM. So that’s the only available option to us,” he said.

PHINMA pursues expansion of education, construction units

WITH the Ukraine-Russia war becoming a protracted struggle and the Middle East conflict nowhere close to a resolution, the international market for commodities, especially oil and liquified natural gas (LNG), remains on a roller coaster. Oil and gas prices gyrate at every news of the conflicts on the other side of the world. It is understandable for market traders to be nervous on geopolitical developments. Russia and Ukraine are major natural gas producers while Iran is a key member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

A disruption in the supply from these major oil and gas producers will predictably raise the prices of these two commodities and wreak havoc on the global economy. Reducing the dependence on these producers, thus, will be the key to insulating an economy but it is not that easy—especially for importing nations with no indigenous resources.

Fortunately, the Philippines has the Malampaya natural gas field that has been feeding big power plants in Batangas province. The Malampaya field may not

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHINMA Corp. plans to pursue the expansion of its business units as the country is expected to sustain its economic recovery.

and

PHINMA

RE MARKET. The Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) is awarded by the US-based nongovernmental organization Center for Resource Solutions during the Renewable Energy Market Asia event in Singapore on April 29, 2024 for its renewable energy market contribution.

PEMC president Elvin Hayes Nidea (center) and market development senior manager Dece Marwil Falar receive the award which recognizes establishments that promote and expand renewable energy in Asia.

PHINMA

PHINMA Education president and chief executive Dr. Chito Salazar said the group is now looking at other locations in Indonesia. It is also exploring investment opportunities in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

PHINMA Construction Materials Group recently secured a strategic partnership with Petra Cement Inc. in Mindanao. It is also planning to build a new cement plant in Davao worth P2 billion.

These projects will boost the group’s total capacity to about 5 million tons.

PHINMA Construction operates a cement plant in Mariveles, Bataan.

Asian markets track Wall Street’s decline as US Fed decision looms

HONG KONG, China—Asian stocks sank in holiday-thinned trade Wednesday, tracking a sharp sell-off on Wall Street after fresh US data dealt another blow to hopes the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this year.

The reading on labor costs followed a string of recent reports out of Washington suggesting the central bank’s battle against inflation has some way to go, even with borrowing costs at two-decade highs.

It also adds to the angst among investors leading up to the Fed’s latest policy decision later in the day, which many were already expecting to see officials turn more hawkish.

That will be followed by closely watched non-farm payrolls (NFP) figures that should provide a fresh snapshot of the labor market, which has so far remained resilient to the high rates environment.

—“—

Malampaya provides a certain degree of energy security to the Philippines. Besides, LNG is a much cleaner fossil fuel than oil and coal.

be as huge as those found in the Gulf of Thailand, North Sea in northern Europe and the vast lands of Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East. But Malampaya’s output in LNG form has been instrumental in providing fuel to our gas-fired plants in Southern Luzon Malampaya provides a certain degree of energy security to the Philippines. Besides, LNG is a much cleaner fossil fuel than oil and coal.

Prioritizing the Malampaya gas supply over imported LNG should be the order of the day. The Senate took notice of this. A bill is now pending at the Senate to reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fuel and offer energy security.

Contrary to the claims of certain critics, the Malampaya gas field’s potential to yield more natural gas through the drilling of new wells is real and high. The bright prospects earlier prompted the Department of Energy to renew Service Contract 38, which includes the Malampaya gas field, until 2039.

The gas field already feeds 20 percent of Luzon’s electricity needs, powering

industries and trade with indigenous fuel that equates to zero importation cost and delivers billions of millions in revenue to the government on a regular basis.

Developing our gas fields further will protect us from the volatility of the world market for natural gas because the chances of supply disruption are real and not imagined, not to mention the higher freight cost in shipping imported LNG.

Senate Bill 2247 of Senator Raffy Tulfo offers answers to ride us through the fickle market. The bill proposes to institutionalize the development and operation of the Philippines’ natural gas wealth.

The bill hopefully will mandate the Department of Energy (DOE) to lay down rules making the use of natural gas found and developed in the Philippines a priority in the generation of electricity.

Senato Tulfo’s bill makes sense against the backdrop of an unpredictable imported LNG market, and clears the road for investors to confidently exploit the resources of the Philippines

The indigenous gas supply now is saving the Philippines billions of dollars

Wall Street’s three main indexes tanked Tuesday after news that the employment cost index, the Fed’s preferred gauge of wage inflation, came in hotter than forecast in the first quarter.

That provided another hammer blow to hopes the Fed will cut rates this year, with bets already reduced to just one by January -- compared with an expected six at the start of 2024. Some are even warning of a possible hike.

Investors ran for the sidelines on the report, which came as another batch of data showed US consumer confidence had tumbled to its lowest level since July 2022. The wage “data delivers a straightforward message: the US economy isn’t showing signs of rapidly slowing inflation”, said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. AFP

in importation cost and protecting it from fluctuations in the world LNG market.

SB 2247 will put things in perspective insofar as exploiting our natural resources is concerned. We hope lawmakers will have the foresight to see the real potential of the Philippines of having its own supply and system to deliver zero-importation cost natural gas to the energy grid.

Natural gas, meanwhile, is a cleaner fuel that will help the Philippines transition to renewable sources.

Burning natural gas, according to scientists, produces less carbon dioxide per unit of energy, or about half compared to the best coal technology.

Environmentalists have long described natural gas as a good stepping stone for a world looking to replace coal with renewable energy. It is a stand-in for dirty fuels, like coal and oil.

Natural gas already replaced dirty coal as the fuel of choice for electricity production, given the former’s climate and air quality benefits.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

HEALTHCARE FACILITIES. A woman and her companion use the improved healthcare facilities of the recently rehabilitated rural health units (RHUs). The BDO Foundation turns over four RHUs in four municipalities in Iloilo province, benefitting over 220,000 residents in 160 barangays.

BUSINESS

POWER PROFILE

No secret in MVP’s success

By Jimmy Montejo

ITHOUT doubt, it takes nothing short of a genius to simultaneously manage multiple corporations with impeccable efficiency to deliver the desired results. DOT,

I am talking here about Manuel Veles Pangilinan—simply MVP to most people—who is so successful everything he touches virtually turns into gold. And perhaps, MVP, more commonly translated as Most Valuable Player, is a most fitting moniker for the man who, at this point, has nothing more to ask for.

ARTA pilots e-signatures for employees

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TWALA, a digital signature and identity startup on April 25, 2024 to secure electronic signatures (e-signatures) for 300 ARTA employees.

The partnership aims to digitize ARTA’s internal processes through a pilot implementation plan (PIP).

Around 300 ARTA employees will receive free access to TWALA’s signing platform for two months, along with training and support.

ARTA Secretary Ernesto Perez highlighted the potential of the collaboration to streamline government services.

“This is a step towards the direction we’re pushing for under the President’s directive for all government processes to be streamlined and digitalized,” he said.

TWALA earlier partnered with other agencies including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) and the Senate.

“The current administration aims to digitalize basically everything, and with ARTA as the main implementer of the ease of doing business, it cements our position to be able to help not just ARTA, but the rest of the bureaucracy, the rest of the government, eventually to help the general public,” said TWALA chief executive Jeffrey Reyes.

Othel V. Campos

But what is his secret to success?

There is no secret, he says, and I suppose he doesn’t have the mythical Midas touch either.

Addressing Ateneo de Manila University graduates a few years back, MVP said; “When it comes to success, there are no secrets, no magic, no mystery.”

In his speech, MVP enumerated the ingredients of success. “I told them (graduates) that success springs from old-fashion values—values as fundamental as being honest and truthful— with yourself and with others. And so is being diligent, hard-working, and disciplined.”

“But most of all, success is about passion—passion to succeed, passion for excellence, passion to compete,” he added.

MVP himself was an alumnus of the Ateneo where he graduated cum laude in Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Then he dreamed of taking his master’s degree in the United States although he was aware that his parents could not afford the costs of attaining his vision.

So he explored his options, and Lady Luck smiled down on him. Procter and Gamble was offering scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. Established in 1881, it was reputedly the world’s oldest collegiate business school.

So it came to pass that MVP took the competitive tests for the scholarship, and passed it with flying colors, so to speak.

However, MVP had his own share of defeat. It was even ironic that after his masteral at Wharton, he applied

for a job at Procter and Gamble, but he was rejected.

“I ended up working at PHINMA where I had the privilege of working for and learning from many giants in Philippine industry,” he recalled.

After seven years in PHINMA, MVP decided it was time to expand his career horizons. So, he flew to Hong Kong, resolute to go it alone, cognizant though that being still young, he is vulnerable to mistakes.

Somehow, the negative thought failed to dampen his determination.

Eventually, he formed First Pacific in 1981 and rented a 50-square meter room as its base of operations, manned by no more than six people, himself included. Thus, the seed of the money tree was sown.

Cutting to the chase, when First Pacific turned 30 in 2011, it has ballooned into a regional conglomerate with operations across Asia and more than 100,000 workers under its wings. The rest is history.

DA seeks participants for summer internship program

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is calling on young Filipinos to participate in its 45-day Summer Youth Internship Program starting June 2024.

Fifteen slots are available at the DA’s main office, with five specifically reserved for individuals with disabilities.

The number of slots in regional field of-

fices, bureaus and attached agencies will depend on funding availability, it said.

University students, high school graduates and out-of-school youth between 18 and 25 years old are eligible to apply.

The program, running since 1993, aims to introduce young people to pub-

Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), International Container Terminal Services Inc.’s (ICTSI) operation in Central Philippines is making progress towards transforming the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) into a more competitive and efficient trade gateway for Western Visayas. The terminal has serviced some 40 vessels, including container ships, Ro-Ro and bulk carriers, mirroring the increased efficiency that underscores ICTSI’s global standard of port operation.

ICTSI subsidiary transforms Iloilo port as major trade hub

THE Visayas Container Terminal (VCT), operated by International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI), is transforming the Iloilo Commercial Port Complex (ICPC) into a major trade hub for Western Visayas. VCT, which started commercial operations of ICPC on April 1, 2024, enhanced the terminal’s infrastructure and productivity to position it as a key player in the region’s maritime trade.

The terminal has serviced some 40 vessels, including container ships, Ro-Ro and bulk carriers, mirroring the increased efficiency that underscores ICTSI’s global standard of port operation.

“Our operations are off to a good start thanks to the great team that we have here at VCT. Everyone

worked tirelessly to get everything up and running, including the renovation of the terminal’s facilities, and set up of the systems needed to run the terminal within our desired standards,” VCT executive director Timothee Jeannin said.

“Customers can expect more improvements as we continue to deploy more equipment and complete the rest of the terminal upgrades in less than two months,” he said.

VCT operates with five reach stackers, four trailers and three prime movers. Additional equipment are set to arrive in the coming weeks, including five empty container handlers, 12 prime movers and 12 trailers. VCT will deploy two mobile

harbor cranes in September to further boost vessel operations. The terminal also looks to improve its bulk operations by investing in new bagging machines, clamshells, and additional mobile equipment for bulk cargo. Catering to refrigerated cargo, VCT looks to complete the construction of its reefer stacks by August. The facility will have an initial capacity of 40 plugs, which will be increased accordingly based on demand.

VCT is also negotiating possible opportunities and connections with both domestic and international shipping lines services to and from Iloilo, aside from fast-tracking the remaining works at the terminal.

Darwin G.

Amojelar

Samar launch 3 travel circuits to promote province’s culture

By Othel V. Campos

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) and the provincial government of Samar launched three new tourism circuits on April 16, 2024 to highlight the province’s rich natural, cultural and gastronomic treasures.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the Tandaya Trail I, Secret Kitchens of Samar Gastronomy Tour and Mabaysay Cultural River Cruise offer immersive experiences that showcase Samar’s natural beauty, cultural legacy and culinary delights. The travel circuits offer unique activities that will pique the interests of tourists.

The Tandaya Trail is a day tour package through Samar’s towns of Sta. Rita, Basey and Marabut. It provides participants with river boat rides, kayaking, spelunking, swimming and local cuisine at La Cocina de Marabut.

The Secret Kitchens of Samar Tour (SKoS) is a discovery of Samar’s culinary heritage, of treasured family recipes passed down through generations. This journey unveils the secrets behind Samar’s beloved dishes. Meanwhile, the Mabaysay Cultural River Cruise is a transformative journey along Samar’s Golden River in Basey. The immersive river expedition is reminiscent of Loboc River cruises in Bohol.

The tourism circuits were established with the collaboration of the Samar LGU and DOT-Region VIII. Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan emphasized the collaborative efforts of local communities and stakeholders in shaping Samar’s tourism landscape.

lic service, identify potential government employees and provide financial assistance for future education. Interns will receive a daily wage of P610 and will be assigned to various offices based on their needs. The program concludes on Aug. 5, 2024.

Othel V. Campos

“Tandaya Trail I, Secret Kitchens of Samar Gastronomy Tour, and Mabaysay Cultural River Cruise represent a significant milestone in Samar’s tourism development journey. By involving local communities in every stage of tourism development and service provision, we are not only preserving our heritage but also creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and economic growth,” she said.

In recognition of Samar’s opulent gastronomic heritage, Frasco invited the province to join the UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific to be held in June in Cebu City.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

chairman Manuel Pangilinan shares ‘no secrets’ to success. (Photo by Lester Babiera)

Financial corporations’ domestic claims topped P9t

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the domestic claims of non-bank financial companies rose 2.7 percent in the fourth quarter 2024, slightly higher than the 2.1-percent growth in the third quarter of the same year.

Preliminary results of the Other Financial Corporations Survey showed that domestic claims of other financial corporations reached P9.05 trillion in fourth quarter of 2023, up from P8.8 trillion in the third quarter and P7.8 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2022. The survey provides a comprehensive measure of the claims (or assets)

US reiterates support for Luzon economic growth corridor

By Othel V. Campos

A UNITED States official reiterated Washington’s support for the Luzon Economic Corridor’s infrastructure network connecting Subic, Clark, Manila and Batangas to facilitate expansion opportunities for US and foreign companies in the Philippines.

US Assistant Secretary of State Ramin Toloui emphasized the importance of connectivity in strengthening transport and logistics.

“The transport and logistics infrastructure can be accelerator for further economic development in a variety of sectors - manufacturing and clean energy, in agribusiness. And we want to partner with the Philippines to realize that vision. That’s why in the very important trilateral summit between Japan, Philippines and the United States in Washington, we elevated this corridor because part of leadership is identifying priorities and providing a vision,” Toloui said in a briefing with Philippine media.

“We wanted our heads of state to articulate this vision, which then helps focus the efforts of the those of us in the government who are working on this on a daily basis. We talked with my counterparts about how to carry that work forward,” he said.

Toloui visited the Philippines as the fourth leg of a nine-day tour of five Asian cities including Tokyo, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh, Manila and Singapore.

and liabilities of the other financial corporations (OFCs) in the Philippines.

“The QoQ [quarter-on-quarter] growth in the other financial corporations’ domestic claims stemmed from the rise in its claims on the other sectors, the central government and the depository corporations,” the BSP said.

“The other financial corporations’ claims on the other sectors, particularly the private sector, grew on account of the sector’s increased investments in equity shares issued by other nonfinancial corporations and higher loans extended to households,” it said.

The sector’s claims on the central government increased as its holdings of

government-issued debt securities rose.

Similarly, the sector’s claims on the depository corporations grew, owing to its higher holdings of bank-issued debt securities and deposits with the banks.

The net foreign assets of the other financial corporations also climbed 4.8 percent QoQ from P370.9 billion to P388.7 billion as the sector’s investment in nonresident-issued debt securities expanded.

The growth, however, was lower than the 6.4 percent upturn posted in the third quarter. Meanwhile, the sector’s other liabilities rose on account of the increase in its shares and other equity issuances and insurance technical reserves.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

THE Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP) is willing to sell its stake in Philippine Dealing System Holdings Corp. (PDSHC) to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) at the “right conditions”.

BAP president Jose Teodoro Limcaoco said in a recent interview the group engaged a third-party adviser to determine the value of the group’s shares in PDSHC.

The adviser, however, has yet to finalize the fair valuation for BAP’s 20-percent interest in PDS.

“We’re willing to sell at the right conditions,” Limcaoco said.

PDSHC is the operator of the fixedincome exchange. It also owns the Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. (PDEx).

Limcaoco said that as the banks are the biggest customers of PDEx, the BAP wanted more information on how the PSE would operate and govern the PDEx.

“So we want understand how PDEx will be governed, if we were to sell our shares in PDS,” Limcaoco said.

Limcaoco said the PSE already sent a letter stating that they are interested in acquiring BAP’s stake in PSE. However, it has yet to state its

JuanHand, FEdCenter team up to raise financial literacy

FEdCenter, an umbrella association of finance teachers and students known for promoting financial knowledge teamed up with JuanHand, an online cash lending platform to launch an app-based education platform to increase financial literacy by making it fun, rewarding and convenient.

JuanHand, with over 24 million downloads and over P21 billion worth of loans disbursed, has become the preferred online cash lender of the undeserved who are seeking reliable, fair and quick financial solutions.

Economic czar recognizes SEC for pushing capital

SPECIAL Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go acknowledge the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its “excellent” response in implementing capital market reforms.

“Allow me to commend the SEC for their decisive actions on boosting the Philippine capital market and the country’s stock exchange. We discussed some reforms needed and they have been excellent in their response,” Go said in a keynote speech during the Global Good Governance Summit organized by Cambridge IFA and hosted by the SEC at Shangri-La The Fort Manila in Taguig City on April 29, 2024

“On the investments and economic level, this is what my office for investment and economic affairs is all about

market reforms

– actualizing the whole-of-government approach to integrate and implement the President’s priority programs and economic agenda,” he said.

The SEC met with Go at the start of the year to align the commission’s programs with the targets of the Marcos administration in pursuing capital market development and improving ease of doing business.

The SEC has since implemented several regulations and programs to help spur capital market activity.

The SEC issued Memorandum Circular Nos. 7 and 8, Series of 2024, which provide for the removal of the minimum commission charged by Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) stockbrokers and the guidelines for

It has been instrumental in expanding financial inclusion in the Philippines and now wants to serve the country more by democratizing financial literacy.

FEdCenter aims to assist JuanHand by providing engaging content in the soon-to-be-launched financial literacy platform and by promoting its use through their other partners such as the Junior Confederation of Finance Associations – Philippines (JCFAP) and the Finance Educators Association (Fin.Ed). JCFAP and Fin.ED are composed of 16,000 individu-

als from over 160 universities and organizations in the country.

The partnership started in January 2024, which was expected to revolutionize not only financial literacy in the country but also transform the fintech landscape across the nation. The partnership signing was held on April 21, 2024 during the National Finance Summit in Le Pavillon Pasay.

This marks a significant milestone in the history of both companies, as a testament to their dedication to financial literacy and inclusion.

from Visa Foundation to support its nationwide student and leadership development programs. Visa Foundation will enable TFP to help public school students and communities recover from learning loss exacerbated by the

offer price.

The PSE also owns 20.98-percent stake in PDS. Other shareholders of PDEx are the Singapore Stock Exchange, Whistler Technology, Tata Consulting, San Miguel Corp. and Financial Executives Association of the Philippines.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in December 2023 granted the PSE an exemptive relief that would enable it to acquire full ownership in PDS.

The exemptive relief will enable the PSE to breach the 20-percent cap in the ownership of a single industry in an exchange. A merger of the equities and fixed income market exchanges is being pushed to expand the volume of trades and improve the country’s capital markets.

PSE president Ramon Monzon earlier said he was hoping to complete the acquisition of PDS within the year.

IN BRIEF

Salazar Bakery champions Binondo’s flavor

Valenzuela chamber marks 50th anniversary

Valenzuela Mayor Weslie Gatchalian graced the event.

By Julie Ann Lope

Strolling through the lively and energetic atmosphere of Ongpin Street in Binondo, one cannot miss the prominent signage of Salazar Bakery.

Founded in 1947, Salazar Bakery holds the distinction of being one of the oldest bakeries in Manila’s Chinatown. Its original location was situated in Salazar Street, named after Fr. Domingo de Salazar, the first Bishop of Manila from 1579 to 1594.

Starting from simple beginnings, Salazar Bakery has transformed into a symbol of baking excellence. Loved by many for its top-notch quality and delicious flavors, it has become a favorite across generations.

Its dedication to preserving culinary traditions and innovating in baking has earned its praise and a loyal customer base.

Salazar Bakery specializes in authentic Chinese delicacies and is renowned for its signature hopia, mooncakes, buchi, tikoy as well as an assortment of breads, pastries and cakes.

Hopia flavors include mongo, pork, black mongo, ube, salted egg, mongo with raisin and mongo with cheese.

Tikoy comes in plain, mongo and

peanut flavors, while mooncake flavors include white lotus cream with salted egg, sweet mixed nuts and black mongo with salted egg. Breads available are cream breads, monay, pan de leche, ube loaf, ensaymada, mamon and more.

Cake options include marble, custard, chiffon, mocha and ube.

The bakery also offers nuts, seeds, spreads and crackers.

Salazar Bakery is a cherished establishment in the heart Binondo. It takes pride in upholding tradition and providing comfort food that brings back nostalgic memories spanning from the past to the present.

Generations of customers have patronized the bakery, forming lasting memories with each visit. For many, a trip to Binondo is incomplete without a stop at Salazar Bakery, where the aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air.

Salazar Bakery has physical stores in Ongpin, SM Manila, SM North Edsa, Festival Mall and Farmers Plaza.

Filipino-Chinese educators invited to attend workshops in China

By Michael Wong Ho

THE Philippine Chinese Education Research Center is collaborating with various institutions in China to organize a series of workshops aimed at training Filipino-Chinese school principals and teachers.

Quanzhou Normal College in Fujian province will host the “Silk Road

Chinese Education and Garden’s Love” workshop on June 15 to 21, 2024.

Liaoning Normal University in Liaoning province will organize the workshop on June 17 to 30, 2024.

Dongbei Normal University in Jilin province will facilitate the training on June 24 to July 7, 2024.

Henan University in Henan province will be the venue of the workshop on Aug. 5 to 18, 2024.

The said workshops are hosted by the overseas Chinese affairs offices of their respective provinces.

The workshops will encompass teaching lectures, course trainings, school visits, classroom observations and cultural experiences.

Filipino-Chinese teachers under 55 years old, in good health, and THE Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valenzuela Inc. celebrated its 50th anniversary at Ocean Palace Restaurant in Paranaque City on April 20, 2024.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Valenzuela chairman Zhang Jin Xiu reflected on the hard work of the association’s founding chairman Yao En Hui and other leaders, highlighting their resilience, innovation and unwavering commitment to the city’s prosperity.

Zhang reiterated the association’s dedication to promoting economic growth and entrepreneurship, while creating opportunities for social advancement.

The event was also attended by the association’s honorary chairman Chen Zhuo Yuan, Zhang Zhao He, and the executive vice chairman of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers Of Commerce & Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) Lin Rong Hui. Michael Wong Ho

costs of studying,

Northern Rizal Yorklin School teacher wins recognition

WU JIAN Quan, an educator from Northern Rizal Yorklin School, was named the 2023-2024 outstanding Chinese teacher by the Philippine Chinese Education Research Center.

Wu, who received the award “in memory of anonymous Cebu Intsek Shi Wei Peng”, has dedicated 30 years of service to Yorklin School. Initially, he taught Mathematics and Chinese, but later focused solely on teaching Chinese due to a shortage of Chinese educators at the school.

In addition to his regular teaching duties, Wu also spends his spare time actively mentoring students in Chinese cultural activities. He guides them in becoming

presenters and prepares them for speech and singing competitions, both within the school and in external events.

Despite facing challenges such as the pandemic, Wu continued to provide online instruction, even while battling a virus infection himself.

Wu, who owns a hardware store, has handed over its management to his wife and son, committing himself entirely to a distinguished career in education.

Despite achieving notable success, he remains modest and prioritizes his role in mentoring a significant number of exceptional students. Michael Wong Ho

Philippine Fujian General Business Association assists Manila fire victims

THE Philippine Fujian General Business Association, under the leadership of chairman Jiang Xiao Wei, honorary chairman Wu Qing Quan and other directors, led a charity activity in Sta. Cruz, Manila on April 14, 2024.

A recent massive fire in the area left properties damaged, and most residents were unable to save their belongings while escaping the fire.

The incident left many residents homeless and forced them to live in narrow tents under the scorching heat.

The association distributed rice, canned food, instant noodles, rice powder, biscuits and clothing to the victims of the incident.

“We trust that this act of kindness will aid the victims in overcoming their challenges.” it said.

Founded in 1904, the Philippine Fujian General Business Association (PFGBA) is gearing up to commemorate its 120th anniversary with a series of charitable activities. Julie Ann Lope

Tzu Chi PH offers free acupuncture consultation in May

TZU Chi Philippines, a Buddhist humanitarian organization, is offering a free acupuncture consultation and treatment for the month of May at its Buddhist Tzu Chi Campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The service will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Dr. Stanley Chua will be attending to patients on Tuesdays, specifically on May 7, 14 and 21.

Dra. Kristephenie Liang and Dr. Jeff Liang will cover Wednesdays, with consultations scheduled for May 8, 15, 22 and 29.

Fridays will be managed by Dr. Chito Guzman and Dr. Regina Talavera, specifically on May 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31.

The clinic hours will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The registration guarantees the participant a slot for consultation, and the doctor will determine the number of sessions required after an assessment. Anyone can register, but priority will be given to indigent and needy registrants.

Registration for the free service is weekly, and participants should make sure that they will be able to attend.

Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines was inaugurated in 1994. It works in disaster-stricken areas and transforms lives through its various programs in disaster relief and rehabilitation, education, medicine and environmental protection. Julie Ann Lope

Salazar Bakery now has physical stores in Ongpin, SM Manila, SM North Edsa, Festival Mall and Farmers Plaza.

Several universities in China are holding workshops for Filipino-Chinese educators. without a criminal record are eligible to participate. Family members are not allowed to accompany participants. Participants will cover round-trip airfare, while hosts will shoulder the

accommodations, meals and local transportation during the stay in China.

Wu Jian Quan, an educator from Northern Rizal Yorklin School

THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

SUNDO : A GMA Integrated News

Documentary bags a Bronze World Medal at the New York Festivals

TV and Film Awards, marking a significant milestone for GMA Integrated News as its first production under GMAIN 360.

Affirming its commitment to a “Mas malaking misyon, mas malawak na paglilingkod sa bayan,” GMA Integrated News led as the first Philippine news organization to report directly from the Middle East.

Broadcast journalist Raffy Tima, a one-man team in Cairo, Egypt, chronicled the grueling pleas and attempts of Filipinos and their loved ones to be granted safe passage at the Rafa Border.

Long-time foreign affairs

correspondent JP Soriano, accompanied by video producer Kim Sorra, on the other hand, traveled to Israel to document firsthand accounts of Filipino survivors and the heroism of those who fell in Tel Aviv. Through their lens, they revealed overseas Filipinos’ hope, despite the harsh realities and destructions of war, and the joy of returning home and reuniting with their loved ones.

Sundo documented the profound impact of the relentless conflict between Israel and Hamas on Overseas Filipino Workers. It captured the resilience, indomitable spirit, strength, and unwavering

SHOWBIZ

Docu on OFWs in war-torn Middle East bags bronze at NY TV and film awards

courage of Filipinos working amidst the war, risking their lives to provide for their families back home in the Philippines.

Four Filipino workers, including two caregivers who valiantly shielded their wards, succumbed to the sudden assault from Hamas and the lethal retaliation of Israel. Despite being offered repatriation, a chance to go home safely, some hesitated, unwilling to abandon those under their care, as exemplified by the courageous plea of Filipina caregiver Camille Jesalva. As the militants

Grammy-winning Laufey brings ‘Bewitched: The Goddess Tour’ to Manila

GRAMMY-WINNING jazz phenomenon

Laufey has announced the Asian leg of her highly anticipated Bewitched: The Goddess Tour which will sweep through Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, and Singapore in August and September.

Laufey (pronounced lāy-vāy) is a 24-yearold singer, songwriter, producer, and multiinstrumentalist based in Los Angeles. Her jazzinfused music delves into themes of young love and self-discovery.

Raised in Reykjavík, Washington D.C., and Beijing, her musical journey started with the cello and evolved into a passion for jazz, inspired by Ella Fitzgerald

Laufey’s career took off in 2020 with her debut single “Street by Street,” topping Icelandic radio charts while she was still at Berklee College of Music. Since then, she’s won Best New Artist in Jazz and Blues at the Icelandic Music Awards, hosted her own show on BBC Radio 3/BBC Sounds, and her album Everything I Know About Love debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Alternative New Artist Album chart.

Her lead single, “Valentine,” even hit #1 on the Spotify Jazz Chart. With an impressive 425 million streams across platforms in 2022, Laufey was Spotify’s most-streamed jazz artist. Laufey Manila concert is happening at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sept. 2. Fans can secure their tickets early through an exclusive Live Nation presale starting May 6 at 10:00 a.m. and running until May 7 at 9:00 a.m. local time. Registration for presale access is available at livenation.ph: livenation.ph.

General ticket sales will commence on May 7 at 12:00 p.m. local time via SM Tickets. For more information on the complete tour schedule and ticketing details, visit livenation. asia: livenation.asia.

Icelandic singersongwriter Laufey stops in Manila for her ‘Bewitched: The Goddess Tour’ will be on Sept. 2

stormed at their dwelling place, she offered her savings just so she and her elderly ward could be spared.

In Gaza, over a hundred Filipinos found themselves trapped, their desperation imminent. Among them is Nadia Alzanki, who still mourns the loss of 27 relatives who all perished in a single airstrike. She and her husband Mahmoud attempted to cross the Gaza Border several times.

As the war intensified, the urgency for Philippine embassy officials to mount a rescue mission heightened.

GMA Integrated News was one with

F R O N T R O W

By Nickie Wang

G

INO Santos ’s Men Are From QC , Women Are From Alabang takes audiences on a journey through the intricate maze of modern relationships.

Starring Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo , the film promises a relatable story that resonates with young audiences struggling to balance love, career, and personal issues.

The red carpet premiere at SM North Edsa Cinemas on April 30 was a starstudded affair, with fans flocking to the venue just to catch a glimpse of Peralejo and Gallo.

Turning heads on the red carpet, Marco sported a royal blue suit, while Heaven shimmered in a champagne dress. They acknowledged their adoring fans with waves while walking hand-in-hand.

“We’re just so happy that Direk Gino is our director because our talent, Marco’s and mine, wouldn’t have shined if it weren’t for him. When we watched the

Tima documented the efforts of Filipinos and their loved ones in order to cross the Rafa Border in ‘Sundo’

GMA Integrated News was the first news organization in the Philippines to report the repatriation of Filipinos directly from the Middle East

in carrying out the task: To bring our Filipino workers back home to safety. GMA Integrated news gave an up-to-the-minute account of the

Redefining modern romance on the big screen

film yesterday, it was so beautiful, and we’re just so proud of this film,” Peralejo told reporters during an interview on the red carpet.

“This project offers something fresh,” Gallo said. “It’s a realistic story that I believe will resonate deeply with many viewers.”

This movie shows a couple in a real-life office romance. They treat each other well and want to improve themselves.

As the story progresses, we see how their love starts strong, but then they face challenges. They both want to succeed at work, but it can be hard to balance that with their relationship.

The director shows how important it is for couples to talk things out. If they

don’t share their feelings and problems, it can hurt their love, even if it’s strong at first.

“Many will relate to this. I mean, if you work 9-5, stuck in traffic, not sure if you want to fall in love or focus on your career, this is the movie for you,” the director said.

While the premise may seem familiar, Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang gives a new way of thinking about the old question: can men and women really understand each

other? By watching Peralejo and Gallo act, viewers are encouraged to think about their own experiences with the ups and downs of love in today’s world.

From Viva Entertainment, Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang , based on the best-selling book of the same title by Stanley Chi , is now screening nationwide.

Veteran war correspondent Raffy

The documentary captured the impact felt by Overseas Filipino Workers who were caught between the Israel and Hamas conflict

From left: ‘Men Are From QC, Women Are From Alabang’ stars Heaven Paralejo and Marco Gallo with director Gino Santos

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

What our kidneys need

Eight ways to prevent having chronic kidney disease

Caring for one’s kidneys through developing good habits can help in preventing illnesses such as CKD

By Angelica Villanueva

A2021 report by the International Diabetes Federation, indicated that 4.3 million Filipino adults are suffering from diabetes, which is one of the main causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

CKD is a serious condition where kidneys become progressively damaged and lose their ability to effectively filter waste products and excess fluid from your blood.

Adding to this information, studies estimated that around 33 percent of adults with diabetes develop CKD. This translates to an estimated 1.43 million Filipinos with CKD caused by diabetes. Moreover, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute also reported that approximately one Filipino develops chronic renal failure every hour, leading

Touchbass Yugel Losorata

to an estimated seven million Filipinos suffering from CKD.

In a recent press conference held by German pharmaceutical company Bayer, experts addressed this issue and shared ways to prevent yourself from having chronic kidney disease.

Bayer Philippines Inc.’s

Country Medical Director Dr. May Pagunsan presented what they called eight golden rules that people can follow to have a healthy kidney.

Eat lots of fruits and vegetables

One of the best ways to remain healthy is to have a regular intake of fruits and vegetables that promote overall health. As for our kidneys, it is advised to take fruits and veggies rich with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Do not smoke

Smoking harms blood vessels throughout our body, including those in our kidneys. This hinders its ability to filter waste effectively. Quitting allows for better blood flow, enabling kidneys to function more efficiently. Keep a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for CKD. Losing and maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is key to keeping the kidneys functioning optimally.

Hollywood fashion trailblazer

Monsanto speaking words of wisdom

FOR young Filipinos who want to become established fashion designers, it’s a privilege to get some pointers from someone who’s been excelling right in Hollywood, Los Angeles – of all places.

Alexis Monsanto, a born-Filipino couturier who after moving to the United States became the first American designer to present his work in a 3D fashion show, certainly personifies that someone.

Monsanto dreamed of Hollywood, conquered it, and in his own right, developed himself into a trailblazer who eventually landed on the list of the top 25 newsmakers in fashion more than a decade ago. He’s been a major figure in the field since.

Monsanto has been described on paper as a “creative genius” and a “runway visionaire.”

The director of his recent showcase at Los Angeles Fashion Week (powered by Art Hearts Fashion) labeled his work as “very theatrical with a high caliber entertainment value.”

His track record is long and hailed, his words are taken as a kind of holy grail. So, when asked for some message for startups, especially those with Filipino blood, he said, “If they are fresh out of design school, they need to find a job as soon as possible. They need to get all the experience and find their niche market. They need to be able to experience the rank and file so that when it’s time for them to open and start their company, or be a leader of the company they work for, at least they know how every department

operates.”

Some of the Hollywood stars whom Monsanto had dressed up on special occasions include Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Felicity Huffman, Jordin Sparks, Kara DioGuardi, Stacey Dash, and Jennifer Coolidge

Be active and fit

Physical activity helps manage blood pressure and blood sugar, both crucial for kidney health.

Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. This will help to manage blood pressure and weight, reducing the risk of CKD. Monitor your blood pressure

Managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and even cholesterol levels could prevent you from the risk of developing kidney disease.

Drink enough water daily

Staying hydrated throughout the day helps the kidneys to function effectively and will help to eliminate waste products. Aim for around eight glasses of water daily. Consult your doctor for CKD screening Certain factors like a family history of kidney

hand to worthy recipients who listen to his evaluations and suggestions. Those who have already worked with him acknowledge the value of welcoming his ideas.

Last March, the fashion guru who studied at L.A.’s Otis College of Art and Design and who opened his own studio Alexis Monsanto Atelier on Melrose Avenue fashion strip, presented his collection “Jewels of the Nile” in la-la land’s The New Mart. He collaborated with a strong pool of Filipino craftsmen and creatives parading emerging Filipino brands like Noble Creations (Filipiniana wear) and Viktorya Minaudieri (luxury clutches).

The fall-winter 2024 collection showcased Monsanto’s signature combination of feminine and timeless appeal using fine fabrics. Seeing L.A. models radiantly wear and confidently carry his designs – appropriately described as a classy mix of sensuality and sophistication, along with touches of Filipino inventiveness – is a full-on display of glamour and finesse that blow sweet kisses to the pride of Pinoys.

The highly touted designer expressed, “I refer to the collection as jewels because they are like precious gemstones. They are classic and timeless as juxtaposed with the Nile River. It’s explained in my show visuals with sand dunes, Sahara Desert, falling amber leaves, and the colors of sunset as backgrounds for Fall.”

For his partnership with other Filipinoborn fashion specialists like Lumban, Laguna’s Amiel Noble, and luxury bagmaker Victoria Mejia, Monsanto takes pride in championing ingenuity, featuring their high potential products. He has now embraced his role as a mentor, extending a

Stressing his belief in the work of Filipinos, he related, “Filipino fashion designers are world-class. We are talented and hardworking people. We thrive from challenges despite the lack of technology and resources in the homeland. We are innovative and creative.”

With roots in the Southern Philippines province of Misamis Occidental, the celebrated fashion figure went to schools in the cities of Dumaguete and Manila, and Cebu. He served as an assistant to designers Leonardo Igloria and Philip Rodriguez before studying higher education in L.A.

The vocally expressive industry leader described by one L.A.-based magazine as “incomparable” does acknowledge his fortune of getting trained in the US as well. He pointed out, “Here in the United States, I’m backed with technology, like mills and factories that can easily produce fabrics and develop products.”

A key part of Monsanto’s core beliefs is for one to first determine which kind of design and market they fit well, and that knowledge gained goes hand in hand with expanding the right connections.

“Focus on honing your craft and don’t rush. Stay in the course of the competing market,” he noted, “Enjoy the journey along with the sacrifices that come with it. Your time will come to be in the limelight and you will get your rewards through respect from the media, the fashion industry, and your peers.”

There are many reasons why Alexis Monsanto has long been shining in a place made iconic and fashionable by achievers and movers like him. He’s one generous soul to share how he did it.

With a sparkle in his eyes that implies he’s practicing what he preaches, he reminded me, “I’ve been working in the industry for decades. I stay relevant by doing market research, attending trade shows, and getting attuned to forecasting and trends. I separate my emotions and the brand I work for. I listen to the sales manager, buyers, and store merchandisers. I make sacrifices. And even when I get victories, I never stop.”

disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure increase your risk.

“If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or hypertension, overweight, obese, or have any family history of kidney diseases, then you need to be more aggressive. Consult your doctor and ask, to demand a screening for chronic kidney disease,” Dr. Pagunsan advised. Do not take over-the-counter pills regularly

During her talk, Dr. Pagunsan emphasized the risk of taking over-the-counter pills such as antiinflammatory drugs or pain relievers, mefenamic acids, and ibuprofen, regularly that could harm our kidneys, as there are kinds of medicines that are toxic to our body organs.

“We take them when we have a headache, a muscle ache, toothache—any kind of body ache and pain—but you cannot take them in perpetuity. You can only take them when the acute pain indication is there and no more than seven days,” the expert said.

She also pointed out to be careful in taking food supplements that are mostly available online as you may not know its ingredients that can affect your kidneys.

“So, these are dangerous, particularly if they are just sold on online platforms and not registered with the FDA. We do not know their toxicity effects on the kidneys, on the liver, and even the heart,” she added.

She then mentioned that in case that CDK is already present, it is better to take medicine that can slow down the progression of the disease.

This is where Bayer enters as it recently launched its new therapy for CKD, Finerenone (Firialta), aiming to prevent inflammation and fibrosis in the kidneys which can lead to kidney failure.

With the approval of the Bureau of Food and Drug Administration, Firialta is available at Mercury Drugstore branches for P96 per tablet, with a recommended dosage of 10mg per day.

Beat the heat and stay healthy this summer

AS THE summer season goes on and heat index levels rise across the Philippines, KonsultaMD, the country’s leading telemedicine provider, is urging the public to take precautions against common health risks during the hot weather months.

Extreme heat can take a serious toll on one’s health, making it crucial to take appropriate measures to prevent harmful conditions. Here are some health concerns to watch out for this season, and some helpful tips from KonsultaMD:

Sunburn

Sunburn is one of the most common summer afflictions, caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. To prevent sunburn, use a high-SPF sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and seek shade whenever possible, especially during peak sun hours around midday.

Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats from hot weather or exertion, leading to symptoms like thirst, weakness, dizziness, and anxiety. To prevent it, stay hydrated, avoid sugary/alcoholic drinks, and limit outdoor activities in peak heat. If symptoms worsen due to convulsions or loss of consciousness, it could be a heat stroke—seek emergency medical help immediately.

Food Poisoning

Summer heat also increases the risk of food poisoning by creating ideal conditions for bacteria growth in improperly stored foods. Safe food handling such as hand washing, thorough cooking, and proper refrigeration are critical during these months.

Those experiencing symptoms are encouraged to speak to a medical professional, which can easily be done through a virtual consultation on the KonsultaMD app.

“One of the biggest advantages of telemedicine, like what KonsultaMD offers, is preventing issues from escalating by providing expert medical advice early on,” said Beia Latay, KonsultaMD CEO.

“For non-emergency situations such as sunburns or dehydration, we can offer guidance on athome care. However, for more severe cases, our boardcertified physicians can help determine if a trip to the Emergency Room or clinic is necessary based on the symptoms,” she said. For more information about KonsultaMD, visit https://konsulta.md or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

From left: Managing Director and Country Division Head - Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Philippines Inc. Angel Michael Evangelista, Nephrologist and Finerenone

Trialist Dr. Ronnie Perez, and Country Medical Director, Bayer Philippines Inc.

Dr. Carmela Luisa Pagunsan

LEADING health and beauty retailer

Watsons continues its mission of making clean beauty accessible to its customers with the expansion of its Naturals line.

The new “Prestige Rose” variant features a luxurious blend of certified organic rose water sourced from France, Bulgaria, and Morocco, catering to the growing demand for natural and sustainable beauty products.

“Naturals by Watsons has always been about offering affordable, natural products without compromising quality,” Jared De Guzman, Customer Director at Watsons, told Manila Standard Life in an interview.

According to De Guzman, Watsons introduced the Naturals line over 10 years ago, a time when natural beauty options were scarce. “Back then, if you found natural products, they were expensive and

only available in high-end stores and malls,” De Guzman shared.

The Prestige Rose collection offers a complete head-to-toe pampering experience, including shampoo, conditioner, hair oil, and a soothing gel. The gel, infused with rose and niacinamide, is a standout

JUST in time for Earth Day, Robinsons Department Store launches a new curated collection called Eco Corner. The collection includes eco-friendly brands that promote sustainability and support local craftsmanship among customers who are mindful of their purchases.

As one of the largest retailers in the country, Robinsons Department Store ensures that products and supplier practices are conscious of the environment. The department store is home to a wide range of products, from apparel, and beauty, to homeware, which shoppers can avail with great deals in branches nationwide, as well as e-commerce channels.

With the Earth Day 2024 theme being “Planet vs. Plastics,” Eco Corner showcases thoughtfully curated products to encourage customers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.

Recycling and waste reduction are vital for a cleaner, healthier planet. Switch to reusable bottles like Healthy Human’s stainless steel flask, available in a variety of sizes and colors for your convenience.

Another brand worth checking out is Curated Home, which includes wooden food trays, cake trays, and other eco-friendly items that you can add to your space. Discover Halia biodegradable sanitary napkins at Robinsons Department Store, made from organic bamboo for ultimate softness and eco-friendliness. Also, explore Tindahan’s sustainable decor crafted from indigenous materials. Support local businesses at Robinsons Department Store, championing Filipino brands and quality products.

Embrace sustainability with their summer promos, in-store and online via Lazada Mall and Shopee Mall.

product formulated to soothe and revitalize sunexposed skin. The haircare products gently cleanse and nourish hair, leaving it with a healthy shine.

“With Prestige Rose, we’re catering to younger generations who appreciate floral and fruity fragrances, while remaining committed to sustainability and affordability,” De Guzman explained. “With the recent surge in popularity of rose-infused products, we’re simply adapting to their preferences.”

All Naturals by Watsons products are dermatologically tested, 100 percent vegan, and formulated with safe, effective ingredients. The brand also prioritizes eco-conscious packaging, minimizing its environmental footprint.

“We’re proud to introduce this expanded Naturals lineup,” said De Guzman. “These highquality products not only enhance your beauty but also contribute to the well-being of the planet. With Naturals by Watsons, you can feel confident knowing you’re making a positive difference.”

The Prestige Rose collection launched in the Philippines on April 22 at the Watsons Flagship store in SM North Edsa. Naturals by Watsons products are available at all Watsons stores and online via the Watsons app, with prices starting at P189.

THE Body Shop’s Summer Limited Edition Collection arrives in two refreshing scents: citrusy Yuzu and floral Bluebell, each offering a distinct experience - bright and invigorating or soft and fresh. Featuring a range of body care formats and luxurious textures, the collection is formulated with over 90 percent natural ingredients and is vegan-certified. It provides the perfect lightweight care to keep summer skin illuminated and feeling refreshed. New Limited Edition Bluebell Indulge in petal-soft textures with the delicate aquatic floral scent of the Bluebell range. This collection promises smoother and softer skin all summer long. Discover a symphony of soft and creamy textures that glide effortlessly onto skin, enveloped in a fresh, watery spring scent. Key notes include bergamot, wild hyacinth, and cashmere musk. The range introduces a groundbreaking innovation: the Bluebell Body Butter Melt, a hero product that instantly melts onto the skin, leaving it luxuriously soft. For a gentle moment of morning dawn and dewy freshness, experience the Bluebell Shower Cream. It cleanses, hydrates, and leaves skin feeling silky smooth. Fill your home with local, sustainable items

Summer season’s beauty must-haves

The Bluebell product line helps in making the skin smoother and softer during the summer season

The Yuzu body care range features a zesty citrus floral

Very Wang

Nickie Wang

Watsons executives together with event host Kaladkaren (rightmost) during the launch of the new product line