RAISE IT RIGHT
A reminder on the proper use of the Philippine flag during parades
By Troi Santos
AS Independence Day draws near, streets across the Philippines and Filipino communities abroad are preparing to come alive with color, movement, and music. Parades will roll through city avenues and provincial roads. Banderitas will flutter above neighborhood streets. Children in cultural costumes will wave
flags with gleaming pride. But amid this pageantry, one detail is too often overlooked: the proper and respectful use of the Philippine flag. While the flag is a centerpiece of national celebrations, it is also a sacred symbol—one protected by law and steeped in meaning. The flag is not merely decorative. It stands for the country’s hard-won freedom, the sacrifices of generations, and the shared aspirations
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LOSING THE WEAVE, LOSING A LANGUAGE
L‘By John Eiron R. Francisco
OSING the weave is like losing a language.” In the landlocked province of Ifugao, where culture is passed down through oral tradition, the centuries-old practice of weaving faces a steep decline as fewer young women show interest—opting instead for jobs with higher pay to support their livelihood, an indigenous
For Victor Baguilat Jr., CEO and founder of Kandama Social Enterprise, who is behind a campaign to establish the Julongan Weaving Center in Kiangan, Ifugao—what’s being lost goes beyond craft: it’s the identity of the Ifugao people.
Baguilat Jr., CEO and founder of Kandama Social Enterprise advocate warns.
“A big part of what’s lost is our identity,” Baguilat told BusinessMirror after the recent media launch of the Kandama JCI Manila Benefit Fashion Show. Unlike societies with written records, the Ifugao—an indigenous group residing in the highlands of Ifugao province in northern Luzon, part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)— depend largely on oral traditions. In this context, Baguilat said, practices like weaving serve as a living record of their ancestors’ memories and meanings.
“We don’t have a written historical tradition. Everything is passed down orally, so a lot can easily be lost,” he explained. Baguilat stressed that weaving is a crucial vessel of Ifugao heritage.
It’s not just the world-acclaimed Banaue Rice Terraces that’s in peril from the steady decline of local workers desperate to escape poverty: In Ifugao, weavers whose work should fetch premium price for their cultural value are getting tired of the starvation pay for their craft that mostly ends up in some upscale, branded enterprise—where they fetch a fortune as couture pieces.
TROI SANTOS
Losing the weave, losing a language
“It’s a way to inscribe our heritage,” he said, noting that the intricate patterns are rich with symbolism and ancestral significance.
Law protects cultural heritage
THE preservation of weaving and other indigenous cultural practices is supported by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 (Republic Act No. 10066), which provides for the protection and conservation of the Philippines’ national cultural heritage. This law defines cultural property broadly to include both tangible and intangible heritage, such as traditional crafts and oral traditions that reveal a people’s identity. Under this law, cultural practices like Ifugao weaving are recognized as vital cultural treasures that require safeguarding. The Act mandates the documentation, conservation, and promotion of these cultural properties, and supports efforts to sustain the communities and artisans who keep these traditions alive.
However, the younger generation, especially women who have traditionally been the keepers of this craft, is increasingly turning away from weaving. Often treated as a part-time pursuit alongside farming, weaving is no longer seen as viable—especially since even farming in the Banaue Rice Terraces, a Unesco World Heritage Site, no longer provides enough to sustain a family.
Baguilat explained that these economic challenges are prompting many to leave the province in search of more stable and betterpaying opportunities.
Economic pressure, cultural decline
THE latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) highlights the economic pressures facing the province. Although inflation in Ifugao slowed to 4.2 percent in 2024 from 5.7 percent the previous year, prices of essential goods continue to rise.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded the steepest increase at 7.9 percent, while other sectors such as education, restaurants, clothing, and personal care also posted notable price hikes. The province’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the average change in the cost of a standard basket of goods and services, reached 129.2 in 2024—indicating that prices have risen nearly 30 percent since 2018, the base year. Meanwhile, the purchasing power of the peso has declined significantly. One peso in 2018 now has the equivalent buying power of only 76 centavos in 2024, reflecting the erosion of real income and its impact on household spending capacity.
For local weaver Jhemar Guinulpian, 37, these financial realities hit close to home. She shared that many young Ifugaos are leaving the weaving tradition behind and even seeking work abroad to
help provide for their families.
Naghahanap sila ng mas mataas na sahod [They’re looking for better pay],” Guinulpian told BusinessMirror
A mother of four, Guinulpian has been weaving for only two years. She explained that weaving is often a part-time job: on a good day, she can produce about 20 yards of textile over nearly two months, and when she first started, she finished 32 yards in three to four months. However, weaving requires many days of focused work, and the pace often isn’t fast enough to generate sufficient income.
Her earnings, however, improved significantly after partnering with a social enterprise. Before joining, independent weavers typically earned between P300 and P350 per day, roughly the minimum wage in Ifugao. Through the initiative, they can now charge up to P750 per piece—more than double the previous rate.
Still, monthly income depends on how much work they produce and demand for their products. On average, Kandama’s full-time weavers report a 40- percent increase in monthly income since joining.
Baguilat emphasized that the higher pricing model is crucial to sustaining the craft within local communities.
“That’s already double the minimum wage,” he said. “I honestly don’t know how some communities can sell their work for as low as P200, considering the cost of threads alone.”
Baguilat added that Kandama not only ensures fair pay but also provides weavers with looms, threads, and training to improve the quality of their output.
“What we are really paying for is the service—the transformation of traditional fabrics into couture garments,” he explained. Challenge of e-commerce
BAGUILAT also noted the importance of increasing the value of these handwoven products to justify premium pricing, which in turn enables higher wages for the weavers.
“It’s handmade and handwoven. It requires a lot of time and effort. If the public doesn’t recognize its value, we can’t charge high prices. And if you can't charge a high price, then why would the weavers continue weaving,” he said.
“This is why branding and marketing are vital to sustaining the tradition,” he added.
Even as the enterprise helps elevate the market value of indigenous products, Baguilat said, the wider landscape remains challenging—particularly with the rise of online selling platforms.
“E-commerce is a doubleedged sword,” he said. “On one hand, it helps us reach a wider audience. But on the other, it floods the market with cheap, machinemade fabrics—many imported from China—which undervalue authentic weaves.”
He stressed that public education is essential in preserving the integrity of indigenous textiles.
“People need to understand what genuine handwoven fabric looks like—and the labor, skill, and meaning behind it. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to justify higher prices that truly reflect the craftsmanship.”
Still, Baguilat sees technology as a potential tool for empowerment—if used thoughtfully.
“E-commerce can be a powerful platform, not just for sales, but for storytelling,” he said. “It allows us to share the heritage behind each pattern, and to uplift the weavers who carry on these traditions. The challenge is making sure we use these tools to empower— not erase—our culture.”
‘Marketing and materials threaten craft’ BEYOND digital disruption, local weavers also face more immediate,
on-the-ground hurdles—especially when it comes to finding markets and affording the very materials they need to continue.
“We need help with marketing,” Guinulpian said in Filipino.
While weaving communities are capable of creating intricate textiles, individual artisans often face challenges in finding buyers or entering broader markets, she said. With the help of a social enterprise, however, their products have reached Metro Manila, nearby provinces, and even international markets. Their textiles and handcrafted goods have been sold in eight global destinations outside the Philippines—including New York, Cannes, Paris, Melbourne, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai—where the fabrics are transformed into couture pieces. Still, Guinulpian emphasized that without sustained support, sales remain inconsistent and difficult to predict. She also pointed to the cost of materials—particularly threads— as another persistent barrier.
“Threads are expensive,” she said. “If we had to buy them ourselves, we wouldn’t earn anything. It takes months to finish a piece, and the materials alone already take a big chunk of our potential income.”
She acknowledged that the social enterprise provided essential resources, including threads and looms, to support the artisans.
Raise it right…
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ny at sunset. It must always be hoisted on a clean and upright flagpole—never taped to walls or strung haphazardly between structures. When hung vertically, the blue field must be to the left of the observer; when displayed horizontally, the blue field should always be on top in times of peace. One of the most common violations during parades is wearing the flag as a cape or part of a costume. While this may be done with patriotic excitement, it is ex-
plicitly prohibited. The law forbids the flag from being used as clothing, drapery, or fashion accessory. It cannot be printed on disposable materials like paper plates, plastic fans, flyers, or tarpaulin banners that are often discarded after the event. Wrapping the flag around floats, taping it to loudspeakers, or altering its proportions for stage backdrops are also violations, even if done with celebratory intent.
At the heart of these reminders is the need for awareness. Most infractions are
‘Weave It to Life’ TO address these challenges and ensure the continuity of weaving traditions in Ifugao, Kandama is organizing a benefit fashion show titled “Weave It to Life” on June 27 at The Manila Hotel. The event seeks to raise between P5 million and P10 million to fund the construction and startup operations of a dedicated weaving center in Kiangan, one of the province’s 11 municipalities.
Baguilat, a TOYM awardee renowned for integrating heritage weaves into contemporary fashion and championing cultural sustainability, stated that the planned center is designed to serve as a hub for empowerment, heritage preservation, and environmental stewardship.
“It will serve as a place not just for weaving but for promoting indigenous culture and protecting the environment,” Baguilat said.
Asked about how weavers will be selected to join the center, Baguilat said the primary requirement is interest. However, he emphasized that one key consideration is whether local artisans are active stewards of the Ifugao Rice Terraces.
“Part of our advocacy is to ensure that weavers remain committed to caring for the rice terraces,” he explained. “We cannot allow deforestation or the neglect of this Unesco heritage site.”
“It's very important for us to have them,” he added.
Innovation as the bridge BEYOND infrastructure, Baguilat also underscored the importance of empowering indigenous youth who may feel torn between tradition and modernity. His message: innovation can be the bridge.
“The key to cultural preservation is innovation. And the young generation is very good at innovating,” he said. “If they can find ways to integrate technology into preserving our culture or into forwarding social good, I encourage them to do so.”
“They’re very good at content creation, they’re very good at technology. So use those—harness the power of these tools to serve a purpose greater than yourself.”
For Baguilat and the weavers he supports, every thread spun and every pattern woven is more than just cloth—it’s a word in the language of their ancestors. And unless action is taken, that language may soon fall silent.
not deliberate acts of disrespect—they come from a place of pride, often combined with a lack of guidance. This is why community education is so important. Parade organizers are encouraged to appoint a flag protocol officer to oversee proper display and handling of the flag before and during the event. A simple pre-parade briefing or flyer distributed to participants can help clarify what’s allowed and what isn’t.
Schools and civic groups can also play a vital role in promoting flag etiquette. Instead of incorporating the flag into costumes or props, organizers can use regional weaves, traditional Filipino patterns, or colors inspired by the flag. These alternatives allow for creative expression while still observing the legal and cultural significance of the flag. Even abroad, where Filipino communities celebrate Independence Day with great pride, the same standards apply. Whether in Toronto, Milan, or Los Angeles, the flag should not be worn, altered, or used as background for commercial activities. The symbolism it carries knows no borders, and our responsibility to honor it should be just as strong overseas. Ultimately, respecting the flag is about more than just following rules. It is a gesture of gratitude—a way to acknowledge the history it represents and to pass on the values it stands for to the next generation. As we take to the streets this June, let us remember that patriotism is not only shown in waving the flag—it is shown in how we carry it, display it, and protect it from misuse.
True pride lies not in volume or color, but in reverence. Let’s raise our flags high. But more importantly, let’s raise them right.
THE Kandama JCI Manila show in Intramuros raised awareness on the declining weaving tradition in Ifugao, calling on the public to support sustainable livelihoods for indigenous artisans. KANDAMA SOCIAL ENTERPRISE
Editor: Angel R. Calso
China’s Temu and Shein want to crack Europe, but the US is too big to quit
By Bloomberg News
HUANG LUN was one of the original architects of his Guangzhou-based company’s push into the US market, helping it to sell underwear and yoga pants via the online commerce platforms Amazon, Temu and Shein. The American market now makes up 70% of the company’s total sales, but in March, with US President Donald Trump threatening imminent tariffs on Chinese imports, Huang was tasked with finding new markets in Europe and Australia to help soften the inevitable blow.
Huang’s company is one of hundreds of thousands that collectively ship billions of dollars’ worth of goods to the US, taking advantage of digital marketplaces, low-cost, high-volume manufacturing operations in China, US consumers’ voracious appetite for cheap clothing, electronics, toys and homeware, and a “de minimis” exemption on import taxes for low-value packages.
The Trump administration’s onagain, off-again trade war with China threatens the economics of the business, making it far more expensive to ship products to customers, and putting a tax on every imported product that either the consumer or the retailer will need to pay.
To mitigate the risk, Chinese e-commerce platforms are shifting resources to Europe and other markets, spending heavily on promotions to try to woo European consumers. European regulators and retailers are braced for a flood of low-cost goods. But that may be slow to come. The merchants in China—the companies that actually buy, sell and ship apparel, electronics, decorations and toys—are more focused on shoring up their core markets in the US, preferring to take higher risks and lower margins rather than tackle the complexity and bureaucracy of Europe. Huang is among them. When the Trump administration announced 145% tariffs on Chinese imports and cancelled the de minimis exemption, the company initially dropped its sales targets for the US. But soon after, Huang was pulled back to work part-time on the American market again. Trump suspended some tariffs for 90 days, and the company rushed to get new production orders to its factories and booked container space to ship a few more months’ worth of inventory to the US. “We still need to keep an eye on other markets to always prepare in case things get worse again, but it’s less urgent now,” he said. “We feel the US market is back, at least for this year.”
Price hikes AFTER the Trump administration’s tariff announcement, many Chinese
sellers on e-commerce platforms increased their US prices. The average price of 98 products on Shein tracked by Bloomberg News rose by more than 20% by early May from two weeks prior. Observed sales on Shein were 16% lower for the 28 days ended May 22, compared to the same period a year ago, according to Bloomberg Second Measure, which analyzes credit and debit card transactions in the US. Temu’s sales fell about 19% in the same period from 2024 levels.
To try to convince merchants in China to refocus on European consumers, Shein, Temu and TikTok turned to the same tactics they used to build their markets in the US, spending heavily on advertising and subsidies to sellers and customers.
According to data from advertising analytics company AppGrowing Global, the number of new adverts booked by Shein and Temu in the US market fell more than 90% in the first three weeks of May, compared to the same period last year. In April and May, Temu’s monthly ad volume in Europe was up 12 times from a year earlier, and up more than four times in the UK. Both platforms have bought more adverts in the UK than the US in the past two months. Temu, Shein and Tiktok have offered to pay part or all of the shipping costs to European markets, as well as directly subsidizing some purchases. Merchants who spoke to Bloomberg said Temu had offered €2.99 ($3.38) in subsidies on orders below €30, while TikTok was willing to subsidize sales via its newlylaunched UK store by £3.48 ($4.66).
However, interviews with six Chinese merchants selling on Temu, Shein, TikTok and Amazon suggest that these subsidies aren’t enough to convince them to devote significant resources to Europe yet. Those merchants who have tried have found the experience frustrating. Last year, Roy Chen, founder of Shenzhen-based smoke detector maker Sensereo, started selling in Europe via Amazon and his own website.
“I realized I entered a hell mode,” Chen said. “I now deeply understand why everyone loved starting their overseas businesses in the US market.”
To sell in Europe, he had to register for value added tax in each individual market, offer a range of plugs, and translate his instruction manuals into at least five different languages. Rules and product standards kept changing, meaning he had to keep tweaking the product. “In this highly-fragmented market, there’s nowhere to generate such fat profits as people do in the huge single market like the US.”
Although he’d originally discounted the US market as too competitive, Chen started selling in the US via his own website—after the tariff announcements. He’s still selling in Europe and expects to grow there, but sees the US market as a better prospect in the short term. He expects other Chinese merchants will come to the same conclusion.
“Imagine a Chinese factory boss or merchant who started their US business in the early years and used to earn $100 million per year from just one market,” Chen said. “Now he has to start from zero, to learn all the complicated rules from Italy, Germany to Spain, and only make a fraction of the money from each market.”
Many merchants are in precisely that situation, having spent years establishing themselves in the US, building their relationships with factories and platforms, and understanding what local consumers want, Wang Xin, head of the Shenzhen Cross-border E-commerce Association, said. That’s a sunk cost. “Everyone is now putting all their efforts into prioritizing the US market, busy producing and booking containers to ship as much inventory as possible,” Wang said. “Taking good care of the US business, getting cash flows and surviving, that’s the most important and urgent thing now. Exploring other markets is important too, but not urgent, and it’s not something you can rush to do.”
Dumping fears
SOME of the frustrations that Chinese companies have found in trying to enter European markets are there by design. The EU and UK typically have more rules on product standards and consumer protections than the US—non-tariff barriers that Trump has referenced in his trade disputes with the continent.
European regulators have already begun cracking down. The Commission is formally investigating Temu for potential breaches related to the sale of illegal products and manipulative user interface designs. In May, a separate enforcement action found that Shein used tactics such as fake discounts and misleading sustainability claims. Shein has one month to respond or face possible fines based on its EU turnover.
The US’ tariffs on China and the end of the de minimis rule has increased a sense of urgency in the EU, but the bloc’s concerns predate the trade war.
In 2024, about 4.6 billion parcels valued at €150 or less—the EU’s de minimis threshold—entered the bloc, almost double the 2023 total. More than 90% originated from China.
Policymakers tend to argue that enforcing European standards protect consumers and mean that imported products can’t undercut local manufacturers by producing inferior, unsafe goods. “It’s not about trying to prevent affordable products or blocking clever business models that we ourselves didn’t come up with,” Bernhard Kluttig, a deputy German economy minister, said. “It’s really just about making sure that everyone plays by the same rules.”
When the Darmstadt Regional Council, a regional authority in Germany, tested 800 products from Asian e-commerce platforms, they found 95% of them didn’t meet European standards. Among the products were laser pointers that exceeded legal output limits by up to 300 times. “If you get that in your eye, then your eyesight is gone,” Angelika Küster, head of the council’s department for market surveillance, product and chemical safety, said. Other checks found toys with 100 times the permitted concentration of toxic chemicals.
The council has stepped up inspections and hired more staff to examine products from e-commerce sites, Küster said, “but it’s clear that we can’t compete with the sheer volume of products being introduced.”
The European Commission has launched a new initiative called Priority Control Areas to carry out surprise crossborder checks and launched a web crawler tool, which it hopes can help to identify harmful products listed on e-commerce sites. Other potential solutions under discussion at the Commission include introducing a handling fee for e-commerce platforms and implementing a digital product passport, which may provide supply chain transparency through a QR code linked to detailed product information.
The EU is in the process of reviewing stricter rules and the elimination of the €150 de minimis customs duty exemption. But as the US has already closed its equivalent in May, there’s a risk that the e-commerce players now exploit Europe as a dumping ground
while it’s still possible. “We’re often not as quick as Donald Trump,” Kluttig said. “We can’t issue executive orders that apply immediately and across all of Europe. We have different elaborate and complex legal processes. Which is important — but decisions take longer.”
Similar conversations are going on in the UK, where the de minimis threshold is £135, and where industry groups have long argued that online retailers selling Chinese goods are undercutting local companies by skirting duties and safety checks. Exports of “low-value” parcels from China to the UK rose 53% in April, according to an analysis of China’s customs trade database.
Parcels under the £135 threshold generally pass through customs with limited inspection. In research published in October 2024, the British Toy and Hobby Association found 85% of the 75 toys it tested from third party sellers on 11 marketplaces, were non-compliant with EU and UK safety standards.
“It’s difficult enough to pay all the taxes that we do without facing competition from people who pay none, particularly when they’re supplying goods that are demonstrably not up to UK safety standards,” said Andrew Goodacre, chief executive officer of Teal Group, which owns toy retailer The Entertainer.
A Temu spokesperson said that the company takes product safety seriously, with “a robust seller onboarding process, regular monitoring, and enforcement actions to ensure compliance,” and that it works with testing and certification agencies. “We are committed to fair competition and supporting local businesses,” the spokesperson said. “Our platform allows European and UK-based sellers to reach new customers through a low-cost channel, with half of our UK sales expected to come from local sellers and warehouses by the end of 2025. We’re expanding this model across Europe, aiming for 80% of our European sales to come from local sellers over time.”
A Shein spokesperson said that the company is “fully committed to ensuring the products we offer are safe and compliant,” and that it is investing $15 million this year in product safety and compliance initiatives, performing 2.5 million product safety and
quality tests, and expanding its partnerships with testing agencies.
AliExpress did not respond to a request for comment.
Britain has taken action in recent years. Responsibility for collecting VAT has been shifted onto platforms, as sellers are now required to collect the tax upfront when dispatching parcels.
Ollie Marshall, managing director of online electronics retailer Maplin, said that this has lessened competition and led “Chinese direct sellers on platforms like Amazon actually becoming less prevalent.”
However, just as in the EU, the US’ dropping of its de minimis rule has increased fears of goods being rerouted and dumped in the UK. The Labour government announced a review of its policy in late April. So far, retailers and trade groups say there isn’t much evidence that dumping is happening. Martino Pessina, CEO of Takko Fashion, a German discount clothing chain, said he’s actually found short-term benefits from the US policy changes, as the temporary slowing of US demand has meant he’s getting more favorable pricing from his own suppliers in China.
This speaks to a point that isn’t always reflected in the arguments over de minimis rules and the threat of dumped goods via Chinese platforms.
“We already buy in our local stores in the UK and the EU cheap Chinese goods, it’s the same goods, often made in the same place,” Anna Jerzewska, customs and trade adviser to the EU and the UK, and director of consultancy Trade & Borders, said. Safety concerns are valid, as is the need to have a level playing field on regulations, she said, “but the cheap Chinese goods isn’t the problem. It’s the profits of the UK retailers or the EU retailers.”
Constant disruption
CHINESE online platforms are unlikely to see the increasing regulatory complexity in developed economies as an insurmountable barrier, according to Mark Greeven, dean of Asia at IMD Business School. The companies are expanding their warehouse capacity in Europe, he said, and Temu has begun to explore different business models, including working with small businesses in European markets. In April, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with DHL to develop its logistics on the continent.
“Part of their advantage which they had in the US, they’re trying to transplant to Europe, but they’re also reinventing themselves a bit,” Greeven said. It will be challenging to build in Europe the “proximity with the consumer” that the platforms have achieved in the US, he said, and their model of ultra-low price, algorithmically-marketed products may need to change. It could take a year or more to figure out how to navigate tariffs and tailor their offering to European markets.
A FOREVER-21 store hosting a Shein pop-up in Times Square, New York, in 2023. YUKI IWAMURA/BLOOMBERG
From Lewis to Washington: How Trump’s tariffs threaten Harris Tweed’s heritage and economy
By Irina Anghel
IN December 1957, Reverend Murdoch MacRae traveled from his parish on Lewis and Harris, one of the Outer Hebridean islands off the north west of mainland Scotland, across the Atlantic Ocean to confront the US Federal Trade Commission in Washington.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s tariffs on woolen imports were threatening an exodus of the island’s workers whose hand-woven tweed jackets, trousers and caps—beloved by Americans from Wall Street bankers to the Kennedys and Hollywood actors—were the lifeblood of the local economy. Little did MacRae know that his successful mission to shield islanders from US protectionism would be undone almost 70 years later by the son of a fellow Lewis native, Donald Trump.
“Trump might portray himself as a man of Scottish heritage, he might have used the family Bible at his inauguration,” says Iain Martin, a fourthgeneration weaver, but “that man doesn’t care. He’s out for himself, nobody else.”
Martin is one of just 150 weavers of Harris Tweed, a fabric made from coarse, woven wool. It’s been his life. He first started winding bobbins—a now semiautomated part of the process that’s essential for loading the yarn onto the loom—when he was five. Now, aged 57, he weaves about 8,000 meters of tweed every year, on top of looking after a 15-acre farm and 600 sheep. He uses a loom bought by his grandfather in 1926, which he keeps in a workshop together with his own stack of family Bibles, a collection of colorful bobbins and a heavy blanket hand-woven by his grandmother.
The distinctive diagonal patterned Harris Tweed, unique to the Hebrides, is part of the collateral damage caused by the US president’s imposition of sweeping tariffs on global trade, which he defends as necessary to protect American jobs. Tweed exports are tiny compared to the £59.3 billion total value of UK goods sent to the US. But even after Trump’s deal with the UK government— which reduced the levies for some sectors—the crofters and weavers face the same 10% tariff rate as much bigger companies like automaker Jaguar Land Rover Ltd, Diageo Plc the consumer products group and fashion brand Burberry Group Plc. The islanders warn, as MacRae did seven decades ago, that the tariffs threaten a way of life that dates back to the 18th century on the remote islands that are home to around
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26,000 people, the bulk of whom live on Lewis and Harris.
The US president’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, used to be one of the islanders. She grew up on Lewis before emigrating, aged 17, to New York in 1930. “A lot of islanders go to work elsewhere and they never return back home, but for people like me, crofting, weaving it’s in the blood,” says Martin, “that’s what draws me to keeping these traditions alive.”
Nike sparks a tweed renaissance Manufacture of the fabric is protected by a 1993 British act of parliament which says it can only be made from pure sheep’s wool dyed and spun in the Outer Hebrides, hand-woven at home and finished in the Western Isles. It’s then exported to around 55 countries—the US, France, Germany, Italy and Japan are the biggest markets— and used in everything from luxury suits to sneakers and even on whisky flasks.
The industry has historically been sensitive to the whims of American buyers who have had an outsized impact on the sector. Getting a tailored tweed suit was a rite of passage for young men in the post-War era. But when US consumers ditched wool for lighter fabrics in the 1980s, Hebridean tweed-makers entered a sharp downturn. Years later, a limited-edition tweed sneaker by Nike Inc. brought the fabric to the attention of a younger audience and sparked a renaissance in the 2000s.
The once derelict Shawbost mill, dating back to the 1920s, was reborn as Harris Tweed Hebrides Ltd. in 2007 to capture some of those new US consumers. Now the largest of the three mills and the biggest private sector employer on the island with turnover of around £9 million in 2023, according to company filings, the US remains its top export market. Around 1 million meters of the fabric is produced annually. The Shawbost mill makes around 65% of that total and sells to international brands like Ralph Lauren Corp., Brooks Brothers and Christian Dior SE.
Margaret Ann Macleod, chief executive officer of Harris Tweed Hebrides, describes the 10% tariff as “hugely concerning,” especially as it comes on top of higher employment taxes in the UK and against a slowdown in the global luxury market.
Demand for the fabric is also exposed to the high levies imposed on European Union exports by the Trump administration. Although not a direct cost for the Hebridean mills, anything that increases the price of a garment made with Harris Tweed fabric for US clients could make people think twice about using it.
Last week the US Court of International Trade declared the Trump tariffs illegal, but a successful appeal by the White House means that a final decision has been delayed meaning that those on the receiving end of the measures are still awaiting their fate.
“The worst thing for buyers is being unsure,” Macleod says. “When there are unknown
costs that we can’t quantify, it can make a difference between them selecting a British heritage textile or not. They may make a choice to delay that purchase, reduce the quantity or not buy at all.”
About 15% of Harris Tweed Hebrides’ annual fabric production is already sold to Asian clients. The mill is now trying to strengthen links with the likes of South Korea, its fastest growing market, and Japan, which Macleod will visit later this year as part of a British trade delegation. It’s also reviewing its prices—the cloth retails at £55 per meter for individual consumers—in response to the tariffs.
Yet quickly pivoting to new geographies is not easy for a “slow fashion” business where completing an order can take up to three months. The industry will also have to put in extra efforts to crack down on counterfeits and raise brand awareness in newer markets like China.
“We’re not going to offshore
“Trump might portray himself as a man of Scottish heritage, he might have used the family Bible at his inauguration,” says Iain Martin, a fourth-generation weaver, but “that man doesn’t care. He’s out for himself, nobody else.”
production, we legally cannot do that even if we wanted to,” says Calum Iain Maciver, interim chief executive officer of the Harris Tweed Authority, a statutory body responsible for protecting the reputation of the cloth. “Returning manufacturing plants to the USA, that is Trump’s goal, but there are so many industries that are caught up in that. It’s quite a blunt instrument to try and solve a domestic American problem, it really is a sledgehammer.”
From the sheep to the shop MAKING Harris Tweed is a complex months-long process that starts with bales of blended pure sheep wool sourced from across the UK, not just the Hebrides. Using one of 60 base colors, the mill dyes the woolen fibers before spinning them to ensure the rich hues. Different colored wools are then weighed and blended together according to precise recipes cooked up by the mill’s designer to create a wide range of shades.
The wool then goes to carding—a mechanical combing process to first disentangle and then mix the fibers— resulting in a candy-floss-like yarn thread in colors ranging from pinkish red to soft brown or earthy green. It is then spun to strengthen the yarn, making it ready to be wound onto bobbins. Millworkers then arrange thousands of warp threads—a word said to be from the Old Norse Varp, meaning “the cast of a net”—which run side-by-side lengthwise on the fabric before separating them into parallel strips and winding them onto a large beam.
The yarn, together with a pattern card, is then delivered to one of the island’s self-employed weavers, who introduce the weft colors—the horizontal threads passed through the warp that give the fabric its zig-zag quality. The cloth is then washed, dried, steam-pressed and cropped back at the mill, and made ready for inspection. If it meets the standard, it’s stamped with the Orb certification mark of the HTA and readied for export.
This intricate process employs 300 millworkers and weavers, many of whom are scattered in remote villages across the island. The Authority estimates the sector is also indirectly responsible for an additional
100 jobs in restaurants, bars and shops plus another 1,000 registered local artisans who use the fabric to make and sell clothes and small accessories.
“Harris Tweed is literally woven into the community,” says Macleod, “and the economic fortunes of the islanders have been dictated by what’s been happening in the sector.”
There’s little confidence among the islanders that the Trump family connection will prove decisive in efforts to overhaul the tariffs. After arriving in the US, the president’s mother married real-estate developer Frederick Trump. And while her son has regularly boasted about his heritage and golf courses in Scotland, he’s expressed little interest in Lewis. His last visit was a whistle-stop three hour trip in 2008.
When asked by Bloomberg News about the criticism from islanders that Trump had no interest in the Hebrides and the impact of the tariffs, Kush Desai, the White House deputy press secretary, said in an emailed statement: “The only interest guiding President Trump’s decision-making is the best interest of the American people.”
Retailers selling Harris Tweed garments like Peter Christian, a £10 million British tailoring brand are already adapting to the new tariff regime. With US customers accounting for almost 70% of its tweed suit sales, the company offered them a 10% discount labelled “reverse tariffs” in early April and scaled back advertising at the start of 2025 after a slowdown in its US sales growth that predated Trump’s measures.
Tweed is also a powerful tool for the islands’ estimated £75 million tourism sector. Stornoway received a record 57,000 cruise ship passengers last year, and many visit weavers at home and learn about crofting. They also spend big in restaurants and pubs and splash out on Harris Tweed jackets or small souvenirs like pouches, key chains or hats. For now, says the HTA’s Maciver, there’s no point in retracing MacRae’s 1957 voyage to lobby Washington given the “uncertainty and movement” around the tariffs.
In Stornoway the language is more personal, but still polite. “Shame on you, Donald John” declared a banner in front of Lewis Revival, an antique shop opposite the port, that was removed last week after the council complained.
“He’s not liked here at all,” says Miriam Hamilton, 32, a weaver in Crossbost, a picturesque village 10 miles from Stornoway. Even though Americans account for about half of her online sales, she’s not planning to cut her prices to ease the burden of higher levies on her US customers. “They voted for that guy and they can pay the tariffs.” With assistance from Jody Megson/Bloomberg
“Before
MARGARET ANN MACLEOD of Harris Tweed Hebrides says the ‘worst thing for buyers is being unsure’ and that the tariffs have created uncertainty. EMILY MACINNES/BLOOMBERG THE old family home of Donald Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, on Lewis. EMILY MACINNES/BLOOMBERG
3rd iScene proves ’smart cities’ begin with people
Story & photo by Bless Aubrey Ogerio
CAUAYAN CITY, Isabela—The future of cities may be digital, but the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) believes the heart of a smart city is still its people.
This message resonated throughout the third International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE), hosted by Cauayan City— one of the country’s pioneering smart cities. While the spotlight was on technologies that once seemed far-off, such as artificial intelligence in governance, robotics in farming, smart textiles and renewable energy for climate-resilient infrastructure, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized that iSCENE is not just a showcase of high-tech innovation, but of collaboration.
“This year’s theme serves as a reminder that the future we envision will not materialize on its own—we must build it together,” Solidum reiterated.
The event held from May 22 to 24 carried the theme “Innovation in Action: Empowering Smart and Sustainable Communities through Government-Academe-Industry Collaboration.”
The Science chief described smart technology as innovations that improve and accelerate production and processes, while sustainability ensures that such advancements do not degrade the environment.
Defining ‘smart city’
SMART cities are defined by the International Organization for Standardization as urban areas that use data and digital innovation to enhance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Locally, the DOST defines a smart city as an integrated, adaptive and responsive system where people, institutions, policies and infrastructure are aligned to achieve common goals through technology.
DOST Undersecretary Sancho Mabborang noted that one of the agency’s primary indicators for selecting local governments into the program is leadership interest.
“We look for ‘believers’—leaders who trust that science, technology, and innovation can drive development and improve lives,” Mabborang said in Filipino during the news conference.
As of now, 91 local government units (LGUs) are enrolled in the program, with 10 to 15 more awaiting onboarding, delayed due to the election-related restrictions.
“We’re confident we’ll reach at
least 100 LGUs by year-end,” Mabborang said.
He cited Cauayan City as one of the top 1,000 communities with active startup ecosystems. This, he said, was a sign of how local innovation can flourish with the right support.
Gaps in progress
Despite growing interest, the Philippines still lags behind other nations in smart city development.
Educators push for stronger research culture in PHL basic education
FOR Filipino educators deeply invested in science and education, the future of research in the Philippines is both hopeful and urgent.
They expressed the belief that the country has the potential to lead in scientific innovation in Southeast Asia—if only a stronger research culture is developed and nurtured, starting in the classroom.
This was the central message during the recent fourth anniversary celebration of Japan-based science and technology initiative Leave a Nest Philippines, tagged “Fourward,” where students, teachers and academic leaders called for the deeper integration of research into the country’s basic education system.
They pointed out that early exposure to scientific thinking, better laboratory facilities and improved teacher training are key to transforming the Philippines into a researchdriven nation within the next 10 to 20 years.
Hopeful visions
AT the event’s panel discussion on “How Research Based Education can shape the future of the Philippines,” Nathaniel Sebastian of Gov. Efren B. Pascual Sr. Orani Integrated Central School expressed belief that the Philippines can become a leading country in Southeast Asia in terms of scientific research.
“The Philippines and the students produced by public and private schools have the capability to achieve more and to compete not only in the national stage but also in global competitions that may contribute to the improvement and development of humanity,” Sebastian said during the forum.
For her part, Mary Ann Aclado, a teacher at Mariveles National High School, echoed the same sentiment, stating that developing a “research mindset” among students would make the country more progressive, innovative and globally competitive.
“Filipinos will be more open to what we call new ideas, technologies and advancement,”
INDIESIYENSYA is calling for submissions for its new season that focuses on the theme “Halik sa Lupa” (Kiss the Earth).
This year’s IndieSiyensya’s ninth competition invites students, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts to expand the conversation on the interesting relationship of soil, life, and humanity.
“There’s so much more to [soil] that we have yet to discover and explore, and we want you to look beneath and beyond the ground. We want you to discover the depth and extent of the significance of land.”
This was the challenge Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director Dr. Jayeel S. Cornelio’s gave during recent the kick-off event at the University of Santo Tomas. Cornelio emphasized DOST-SEI’s interest in filmmaking in fostering public conversations about science and society.
A PANEL discussion at Leave a Nest’s fourth anniversary celebration discussed “How research based education can shape the future of the Philippines.” The panel includes (from left) Dr. Yevgeny Aster Dulla, Leave a Nest managing director; Restie Concepcion managing director of the College of Arts and Sciences of Asia and the Pacific; Mary Ann Aclado, a teacher at Mariveles National High School; and Nathaniel Sebastian of Gov. Efren B. Pascual Sr. Orani Integrated Central School.
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Aclado said in the same event. “And I think future generation like what we’re having now will be more resilient, independent, and globally competitive.”
But she also acknowledged the hard truths: in many public schools, research remains a concept more than a practice.
“Students often treat research as just another requirement. Without proper training, facilities, or funding, it’s hard to help them appreciate it as something meaningful,” she said.
Constraints WHEN asked about their impressions of research and science education in the country, respondents gave a candid overview of both its strengths and ongoing challenges.
Sebastian pointed out that public schools often struggle to align theoretical learning with real-life application due to outdated materials and insufficient laboratory access.
“There’s a lack for the hands-on activities
“For this reason, we want to shed light on issues that bear social significance, and we want to communicate it effectively for the public to discuss, debate, and dialogue,” he said.
Youth and open categories
MAKING space for more entries, two categories were set for this year’s filmmaking competition: Youth Category and Open Category.
Entries for the “Youth Category” shall revolve on the topic of “Buhay na Lupa” (The Living Soil). Through a science explainer video format, submissions shall discuss the science of soil by exploring its ecosystems, processes, and impact on life.
This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 13 to 18 years old, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed five minutes.
or learning experiences for the children or for the students,” he said.
Aclado highlighted some bright spots, such as the science, technology, engineering and mathematics track in senior high schools, science fairs, and congresses that give students opportunities to showcase their projects.
Her own school offers a science, technology, and engineering program that provides advanced training, she added.
Still, the absence of up-to-date laboratory tools limit access to teacher training, and lack of funding continue to hinder meaningful research experiences in many schools, she said.
Meanwhile, Restie Concepcion, managing director of the College of Arts and Sciences of Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the need to embed research skills across all levels of basic education.
“In basic education, research and lab work should be part of the curriculum,” he said, adding that language barriers also hinder
Meanwhile, the “Open Category” challenges filmmakers to expound on soil as “Yamang Lupa” (Soil as a Resource). Through a documentary format, entries shall explore soil from social, cultural, and economic perspectives—integrating soil’s intricate relationship with various aspects of human life.
This category is open for Filipino citizens aged 19 years old and above, either as individuals or in teams. Submissions must not exceed eight minutes.
Interested applicants for both categories may visit https://bit.ly/IndieSiyensyaMechanics for the complete competition guidelines.
Deadline of submission of entries is on June 22, via email (indiesiyensya@sei. dost.gov.ph).
From all the submissions, five entries from each category will be chosen as
comprehension—especially in science and math.
He suggested that using Filipino in certain assessments might help reduce misunderstanding and boost student performance.
Moreover, Concepcion also pointed out that small private institutions are under pressure, facing funding shortages and competition from government-run science high schools and local universities.
“We have the faculty and the programs,” he said, “but sustaining them is difficult without government support. That creates an imbalance.”
Policy shifts
ACCORDING to the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, some 18 million high-school graduates in the Philippines are considered functionally illiterate.
In response, lawmakers and education advocates are pursuing reforms to help close the gaps.
The House of Representatives recently approved on second reading House Bill 11214, which seeks to strengthen the Private Basic Education Vouchers Assistance Act.
The bill aims to update and replace outdated provisions in Republic Act 8545, allowing for more dynamic and flexible support for private school students.
Meanwhile, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) is pushing for improvements in teacher education.
Executive Director Karol Mark Yee has called for longer, more structured practicum periods and a curriculum that better aligns with both public school realities and licensure exam standards set by the Professional Regulation Commission.
As part of its anniversary event, Leave a Nest Philippines was graced by two of Leave a Nest Group’s founders, Dr. Yukihiro Maru and Dr. Shuichiro Takahashi. Bless Aubrey Ogerio
finalists. The films will form part of the Film Festival that will be screened at various Cinematheque Centers nationwide from October 7 to 11, and will be streamed on JuanFlix: The Film Development Council of the Philippines Channel from October 12 to 31.
All finalists will vie for all major and special awards. The top three films will take home P200,000, P150,000 and Php 100,000, respectively. Meanwhile, the Viewer’s Choice winner will bring home P20,000.
As the country’s first and only science filmmaking competition, DOST-SEI and FDCP annually hosts IndieSiyensya to push the boundaries of creativity and environmental advocacy among the youth. The competition aims to build interest among the public, especially students, on the importance of science, as well as science communication in society.
A 2023 survey by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the World Bank found that among 115 urban LGUs, 70 percent were still in the planning phase, 61 percent had ongoing smart initiatives and only 56 percent had begun crafting supportive policy frameworks.
In the 2024 Index of Multiple Deprivation Smart City Index, the country ranked 121st out of 142 cities—slipping further
from its previous rank of 115th out of 141.
Recognizing local efforts DOST launched the Philippine Smart and Sustainable Cities Awards during iSCENE. From 58 entries, 29 cities and municipalities were nominated across the country, including Baguio, Quezon, Muntinlupa, Bacolod, Butuan and Dapitan. The entries were grouped under four categories, namely Human Well-being, Wealth Creation, Wealth Protection and Sustainability, while nominees were judged on innovation, relevance, impact, sustainability and implementation. Winning LGUs will receive project funds ranging from P500,000 to P1 million with plaques of recognition. Their initiatives will also be documented as best-practice case studies for replication across other LGUs.
Top winners in each category, along with an overall champion, will be awarded during the 2025 National Science and Technology Week in November.
Ateneo de Davao to compete anew in world’s largest rocketry competition
By Manuel T. Cayon
AVAO CITY—Ateneo de Davao
DUniversity (AdDU) will follow through its historic feat last year in the world’s largest rocketry competition in the US, this time competing in the next higher altitude with rocket “Siklab.”
The school is still the country’s sole competing team as last year, and one of three Asian teams to repeat their respective feat and in the higher altitude of 30,000 feet
“We are happy to announce that the Ateneo de Davao University Rocketry Team has qualified for the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition [IREC] 2025 to be held in Midland International Air and Space Port, Midland, Texas, USA,” said AdDU President Fr. Karel S. San Juan.
This will mark the team’s second qualification feat after it qualified and successfully launched its first rocket, named “Sibol,” in the prestigious Spaceport America Cup in a hail of cheers and an accolade from American directors of the event in June last year.
The Ateneo Rocketry team will send a slimmer yet longer and power-packed rocket to make it easier to reach the ceiling height which is equivalent to the cruising altitude of commercial airplanes.
Dr. Rogel Mari D. Sese, chairman of the AdDU Aerospace Engineering Department and lead advisor of the AdDU Rocketry Team, said the team is composed of 30 students, although 13 of them and three mentors and advisers will compose the team that will launch the rocket during the competition.
This year’s Siklab is made of fiber glass measuring 11 feet long and 4 inches diameter and a payload, or total weight of 2 kilograms.
Last year’s Sibol measured 9.7 feet with 6 inches of diameter. It was heavier at 8.8 pounds, or 4 kilograms.
Incidentally, Sibol was given the Barrowman Award last year based on how closely actual altitude matches simulation indicates engineering accuracy, the school said. Its actual launch was also beamed online and in the big screen during the baccalaureate ceremony that time drawing a proud applause from the graduates and the audience.
Siklab is also faster at 1.7 Mach (or equivalent to 609 meters per second) faster
than the speed of sound.
Sese said this slimmer but faster version will be able to reach the 30,000 feet ceiling in the Commercial Off-The-Shelf category in the competition.
The rocket is also fitted with two Global Positioning System (GPS) gadget, a satellite-based navigation system that provides accurate information on speed, time and location, and placed in the two sections that will separate during the rocket’s flight.
The two sections have also their respective chutes to cushion and lessen any damage during the descent, the drogue parachute for apogee recovery and to have less drift and the main and larger parachute to slow final descent.
An onboard camera and sensor to measure air quality is also fitted in the rocket
The AdDU said it took one semester for planning and material procurement, one semester for assembly and integration, 3D-printed parts for fin alignment jig and sled and test for heat resistance.
The sole Philippine team will see its team counterparts from Thailand and Malaysia, the three Asian countries that similarly competed last year in the 10,000 feet category.
The US rocketry competition is the world’s largest university-led rocketry competition with more than 2,000 students, faculty, and mentors involved from more than 150 universities worldwide. The
AGENCIES install exhibits at the third International Smart City Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE) held at Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City, Isabela.
A6 Sunday, June 8, 2025
Faith Sunday
St. Thérèse: A Doctor for our times of ‘a deeply wounded, divided world’
By Lyn Resurreccion
ST. Thérèse is a Doctor of the Church for our times, in this “deeply wounded and divided world,” Fr. Rev. Fr. Mariano Agruda III, OCD, Superior at St. Joseph Community in Jaro, Iloilo, said in his discussion of the topic “St. Thérèse: Doctor of Love” at the recent Congress on Prayer II held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The event was held in celebration of the centennial of the saint’s canonization on May 17, 1925.
The timing for her doctorate is profoundly providential. Through her person and teaching, God provides the much needed medicine to treat the wounds of our time.
“Our times call for a particular type of doctor to treat our maladies, one who can adequately respond to the hopelessness we feel in the face of many complex challenges and complicated situations,” said the Carmelite friar, the Provincial Delegate to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites.
‘Little way’ of confidence IN response to this predicament, Providence raises a St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, the smiling saint of the shower of roses, “the greatest saint of modern times,” Father Agruda said.
The charm of her “little way,” with all its confidence and mercy, harmonizes with the radicality of the Gospel.
According to the OCD friar: “A childlike confidence is the air St. Thérèse breathes.” She is also known as St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
Knowing herself being gratuitously loved by God brought her humility, which leads to confidence, “a confidence that leads to love.”
“For this reason, she allows herself to be drawn by this God who longs for her love. Confidence takes its rightful place as the cornerstone of holiness. It is the key link between human misery and Merciful Love because it is loving that perfects confidence,” he pointed out.
Nothing is more consequential in our lives than the image of God we hold. “Not God, but the image of God. This is what steers the
ship,” he said.
“St. Thérèse’s genius lies fundamentally in the way she urges us to return to Sacred Scripture to rediscover through its profound truths the answers to two basic human questions: who we are and whose we are,” he pointed out.
Fr. Agruda expressed concern that it is sad to note “how toxic many of our notions of God are.”
“Don’t we often pray to God to allay His wrath and then promise to behave accordingly? Don’t we often find ourselves relating to God mostly out of fear of damnation rather than love, doing things out of obligation and duty? Our images of God can often be projections of our own insecurities. Aren’t we often told, ‘be good so you can go to heaven.’ ‘Be bad and you go to hell.’ Can heaven be bought? Can salvation be gained by personal merit? Is there a price tag for entering God’s Kingdom?” he further explained.
He said most people settle for the stale “believe-behave-be saved” relationship with God.
“How could we have gotten this so wrong? What is the image of God proclaimed by Jesus in the Gospel? Can you imagine Merciful Love rejecting us because of our chronic weaknesses and repeated failures?” he asked.
Dominican theologian and mystic Meister Eckhart said: “No one is forgotten. It is a lie, any talk of God that doesn’t comfort you.”
St. Thérèse brings us back to this core reality: a loving relationship of trust and confidence in Jesus empowers and sets us free, according to Father Agruda.
Her autobiography, “The Story of a Soul,” chronicles what was happening inside the privacy of
her own soul during all the years when she was hidden away and unknown, as a child and as a contemplative nun, he pointed out.
Her autobiography describes her main spiritual insight, which she calls the “little way.”
Written to her prioress, Mother Marie de Gonzague in 1897, the year of her death, she said that she have always desired to be a saint. Instead of getting discouraged, she said to herself: “God could not inspire us with desires that were unrealizable, so despite my littleness I can aspire to holiness. It is impossible for me to grow up, I must put up with myself as I am, with all my imperfections; but I want to find how to get to Heaven by a little way that is quite straight, quite short, and completely new.”
The friar said that in this age of inventions one doesn’t have to climb up the stairs in rich people’s houses with the presence of an “elevator.”
Looking for an elevator to lift him up to Jesus, Father Agruda some sign of the elevator in holy Books: “Whoever is VERY LITTLE let him come to Me.” (Proverbs 9:4); “As a mother caresses her baby, so will I comfort you. I will carry you by my breast and rock you on My lap.” (Isaiah 66:13)
The friar said: “For St. Thérèse there is an equal sign between Love and Mercy in God. He turns away from sin but never from sinners. Sin grieves God, sin offends God because sin prevents His Love from finding its way into the hearts and lives of sinners. It was crystal clear to her that God not only wants our love but needs it.”
A straight, short and completely new way A PATH to holiness was, therefore,
certainly possible, Father Agruda said as St. Thérèse had the grace to restore the correct view of what holiness is—not the idea that many people make up, but what Jesus really proposes to us in the Gospels.
“She describes this little way using three adjectives: straight, short and completely new!” he pointed out.
This is perhaps the most surprising expression of this 24-yearold who wants to find a new way to holiness after nearly 2,000 years of Christianity, the friar said.
“Is this a new path to heaven? Now she is really bold! How did the Church take all that? Had the theologians who were in favor of St. Thérèse’s Doctorate actually read that passage?” he asked.
Father Agruda acknowledged that St. Thérèse’s message could be found all over the Scripture— quotes from the prophets, psalms and the book of proverbs, the Gospel and the letters of St. Paul.
“St. Thérèse’s genius is original in the way she discovers everything she needs and makes it refreshingly concrete in her life,” he said, as can be gleaned as follows: First, she rediscovers the heart of the Gospel in its freshness and originality. Her writings often incorporated Sacred Scripture.
Deeply admiring the holy texts, St. Thérèse shed a refreshing understanding of the Gospel mandate in Matthew 18:3, that to enter the Kingdom one needed to change and become “as a little child.”
Second, St. Thérèse’s way is new, by comparison with the mentalities confronting believers at that time, including the mindsets of her companions in her religious community.
The piety of the Carmelite nuns whose life she shared in Lisieux
Economic hardships subdue the mood for Eid al-Adha
J AKARTA, Indonesia—Less spending, higher prices and fewer animal sacrifices subdued the usual festive
as the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha was celebrated in many parts of the world.
In Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, Muslim worshippers were shoulder-to-shoulder in the streets and the Istiqlal Grand Mosque was filled for morning prayers Friday. Eid al-Adha, known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” coincides with the final rites of the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
It’s a joyous occasion, for which food is a hallmark with devout Muslims buying and slaughtering animals and sharing two-thirds of the meat with the poor.
Outside Jakarta, the Jonggol Cattle Market bustled with hundreds of cattle traders hoping to sell to buyers looking for sacrificial animals.
While sales increased ahead of Eid, sellers said their businesses have lost customers in recent years due to economic hardship following the Covid-19 pandemic.
A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2022 to 2023 also significantly dampened the typically booming holiday trade in goats, cows and sheep, though Indonesia’s govern -
ment has worked to overcome that outbreak.
Rahmat Debleng, one of the sellers in the market, said before the pandemic and the FMD outbreak, he could sell more than 100 cows two weeks ahead of Eid al-Adha.
But on the eve of the celebration this year, only 43 of his livestock were sold, and six cows are still left in his stall.
“Though the foot-and-mouth outbreak threats remain loom large, the declining sales is mostly because of economic hardship,” Debleng said.
Jakarta City administration data recorded the number of sacrificial animals available this year at 35,133, a decline of 57 percent compared to the previous year.
The government has made next Monday an additional holiday after Friday’s festival to allow people more time with their families.
Eid momentum is expected to support economic growth in Indonesia, where household consumption helps drive GDP. It contributed over 50 percent to the economy last year, though analysts expect more subdued consumer spending in 2025.
Eid al-Adha commemorates the Quranic tale of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice
Ismail as an act of obedience to God. Before
he could carry out the sacrifice, God provided a ram as an offering.
In the Christian and Jewish telling, Abraham is ordered to kill another son, Isaac.
South Asian countries like India and Bangladesh celebrated Eid al-Adha on Saturday.
Ahead of the festival, many Muslims in the region were turning to livestock markets to buy and sell millions of animals for sacrifice.
In New Delhi, sellers were busy tending to their animals at these markets, while potential buyers negotiated prices with them.
Mohammad Ali Qureshi, one of the sellers, said this year his goats were fetching as high as $640, some $60 more than the last year.
“Earlier, the sale of goats was slow, but now the market is good. Prices are on the higher side,” Ali said.
Preparations for the festival were also peaking in Indian-controlled Kashmir, where many Muslims dye sheep and goats in henna before they are sacrificed.
“We are following the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim,” said Riyaz Wani, a resident in Kashmir’s main city of Srinagar, as his family applied henna on a sheep they plan to sacrifice.
Across west Africa Muslim families are grappling with the steep cost of rams for the traditional sacrifice that is central to the celebration of Eid al-Adha, a struggle that mirrors the region’s deepening economic and humanitarian crises.
At the Kara livestock market in southern Nigeria’s Ogun state, ram sellers and buyers are in a bind. Prices have at least doubled compared with last year, slowing sales for what is usually a busy market packed in the lead-up to Eid.
“The ram that bought for 200,000 naira [$127] last year, this year we started negotiating from 600,000 naira [$380],” said Abiodun Akinyoye, who came to buy meat for the festival.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said last month that over 36 million people are struggling to meet basic food and nutrition needs in West Africa and Central Africa, a number expected to rise to 52 million during this year’s lean season from June to August.
More than 10 million of the most vulnerable people across the region have been uprooted by conflict, the WFP said, added to other major drivers like food inflation and climate conditions like extreme weather.
had many good elements, but there were also persistent traces of Jansenism, a difficulty in perceiving the goodness of God, an obsession about God’s Justice and wrath, the severity of the divine demands and a tendency to confuse holiness with extraordinary occurrences, the friar said.
He explained that even for many today, “holiness is a far-off and unattainable goal reserved only for the heavyweights. We despair of our ordinariness and chronic weaknesses.”
“Yet the greatest saint of modern times, as Pope St. Pius X called her, makes clear that her life’s [and death’s] task was to say that it is precisely in the ordinary that God comes to us,” he said.
“Her attitude toward the littleness and insignificance of her life was delightfully simple and disarming. Her littleness was for her not a mark of failure but an opportunity for confidence in God, just as a kitchen table is more conducive to a loving chat than an enormous banquet hall,” he explained.
St. Thérèse delighted in her smallness and even rejoiced in her limitations since they made her all the more attractive to the God who delighted to show Himself as Merciful Love to the smallest and weakest of His creatures.
It is important to remember also that this merciful embrace of Jesus does not overlook the aspect of ethical responsibility and the person’s freedom to choose. The human response to the divine initiative of Mercy is repentance, a repentance that is the fruit of love and not from fear of punishment, according to the friar.
Third, St. Thérèse was given the grace to correct a common notion,
Father Agruda said.
She had suffered for a long time from the fear that her inner poverty and weakness were displeasing to God and separated her from Him, he said. She had carried a heavy load of worry and scruples about this point especially during her first years in Carmel, which were marked with inner dryness and a keen sense of her limitations.
The friar cited a moment when going to Confession to the Capuchin Fr Alexis Prou, St. Thérèse came to understand the exact opposite: “Her weaknesses did not displease God” and her littleness attracted God’s Love; just as a father is moved by the weakness of his children and loves them still more as soon as he sees their good will and sincere love despite their faults.
“In this one’s poverty and limitations can be deeply nurturing. One’s weaknesses can become extremely advantageous because these can dispose us to make a more radical surrender to the Divine Initiative. There is no innocent romanticism here, no place for naively believing that this assures a fairy tale ending. This path will not tolerate half measures. It’s all or nothing,” he said.
Precisely because she forgot herself, Father Agruda continued, St. Thérèse had a “confidence which was almost as shocking as her embrace of nothingness.”
The young girl who could rejoice in her weakness and even proclaim her nothingness, could also say, “Our Lord has one great weakness. He is blind and he really knows nothing about arithmetic. He does not know how to add, but to bind Him and prevent Him from adding the smallest sum I take Him by the heart…It is in this way that I took hold of the good Lord and that is why I shall be well received by Him.”
Such clear-eyed recognition of her littleness and absolute confidence in the love of Christ was what enabled St. Thérèse to speak of Jesus as her “Divine Elevator” and her “Divine Eagle” to bear her up.
“Drawn to her by her very weakness, He could, she was confident, swoop down, lift her up and place her on the Father’s lap simply because she trusted Him to. Inspired by this almost shocking confidence in that Fatherly love, St. Thérèse was able to see the most insignificant parts of her life as opportunities for confidence and love,” Father Agruda said.
“We are at a tipping point and millions of lives are at stake,” said Margot van der Velden, WFP’s regional director.
With a majority of Muslim populations in most of the worst-hit countries, families who previously bought rams to take part in the annual joyful festival are finding it difficult to sustain that lifestyle with some spending significantly more of their disposable income on trying to fulfill the religious rites.
“There’s enough livestock [in Niger],” said Hasoumi Daouda, who was at a local market to buy ram. “But it’s the financial crisis that makes them too expensive to buy.” Even in predominantly Muslim countries like Morocco, its rulers in February urged citizens to forgo buying sheep to be sacrificed during this year’s Eid al-Adha amid record inflation and climate change. The challenge of hardship is also raising the question of how obligatory the ram sacrifice is for Muslims. The tradition is not mandatory for those who “genuinely cannot afford it,” Bukola Hameed, a Nigerian Islamic scholar, said. However, those who can afford it also have “a duty to share their meat with poorer neighbors,” another Islamic scholar, Mikail Adekunle, added. Niniek Karmini/Associated Press
PHOTOS of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face from different stages of her life are flashed at the stage during the Congress on Prayer II, in celebration of 100 years of her canonization, held at Smart
Editor: Lyn Resurreccion
Tarantulas, ‘king of spiders’ species, discovered in Romblon
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
ANEW species of tarantula, the Romblon black tarantula (Selenobrachys ustromsupasius), was recently discovered in Romblon Island, an archipelagic province in the Mimaropa.
The tarantula species is considered the second Selenobrachys species in the world, as the genus is endemic to the Philippines, a testament to the country’s rich and unique biodiversity.
Named in honor of the institutions of the researchers, S. ustromsupasius is a portmanteau of the University of Santo Tomas, Romblon State University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, University of the Philippines Diliman, and Philippine Arachnological Society Inc.
The team of researchers includes Darrell C. Acuña, Maria Mikaela U. Dumbrique, Maricel C. Ranido, Lorenz Rhuel P. Ragasa, Charles Nylxon C. Noriega, Anna Beatriz R. Mayor, Gregorio Antonio Florendo Jr, Mary Jane A. Fadri, Volker von Wirth, Myla R. Santiago-Bautista, and Leonardo A. Guevarra Jr.
This scientific breakthrough was funded by the National Research Council of the Philippines through the Department of Science and Technology-Grant in Aids program and led by Prof. Leonardo A. Guevarra Jr. through the research program
“Gagamba: Gamot Mula Sa Gagamba at Mananaliksik para sa Bayan: an Omics-guided bioprospecting of Philippine Spiders.” “Omics” refer to the study of specific type of biological process within an organism based on technologies, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
‘King of spiders’ IN the world of spiders, tarantulas are undeniably among the most famous
and can even be considered the “king of spiders” because of their sheer size and majestic appearance.
Tarantulas are large spiders with hairy bodies and legs. They are often targeted by hobbyists who put them in an aquarium as “pet” or “trophy.” They eat even “fighting” spiders being harvested by spider cockpit enthusiasts.
While tarantulas were widely believed to be venomous spiders, their venom has low toxicity.
It is a nocturnal predator and feeds on insects as its main prey, but also targets frogs, toads, and mice. It is a burrower and typically lives underground.
Rare Filipino tarantulas AS a country rich in biodiversity, the Philippines is home to several known tarantula species that can only be found in specific sites.
The Philippine Tangerine or Philippine Orange Tarantula (Selenobrachys philippinus) found on Negros island, while the Philippine tree tiger tarantula (of subfamily Ornithoctoninae) is from Mindanao faunal region.
According to the Asean Centre for Biodiversity, “More than 130 tarantula species belonging to the subfamily Selenocosmiinae and Ornithoctoninae are now known in Southeast Asia, citing the World Spider Catalogue. Among the well-known tarantula species in Southeast Asia are the electric blue tarantula (Chilobrachys natanicharum) that is endemic to Thailand and famous for its vibrant blue colour. The Thailand black tarantula
(Haplopelma minax) is endemic to Thailand and Myanmar, and known for its defensive nature and burrowing habits.
The region’s dense forests, jungles, and caves are habitats for these fascinating arachnids.
Collaborative effort
ERL PFIAN T. MAGLANGIT, science and research associate from the Biodiversity Science Division of Biodiversity Knowledge Management Department of the Acean Centre for Biodiversity, told the BusinessMirror that the discovery of the Romblon black tarantula highlights the impact of collaborative efforts in Philippine spider research.
“This fills the gap of the unknown diversity of spiders on the Romblon Island Group and plays a significant role in conserving the habitat of this species while enriching our knowledge of underrated Philippine tarantulas,” Maglangit said via email on May 23.
He noted that Philippine tarantulas are not yet officially assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
However, he said, with the limited range and specific island distribution of the species, the findings suggest vulnerability pending formal assess -
Fisherfolk, green groups urge govt: Prioritize people, planet over profit
FISHERFOLK alliances, civil society groups, and coastal communities reasserted their call on National Fisherfolks Day on May 30 for the government to uphold climate justice and prioritize people and the planet over profit by stopping commercial encroachment in municipal waters.
“Small-scale fishermen are losing their livelihoods, and there is a risk that fish stocks along the coast will be depleted due to large-scale commercial fishing that will certainly destroy and deplete marine life in waters vital to small scale fishers,” said Pablo Rosales, chairman of Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Mangingisda, an alliance of artisanal and small-scale, municipal fisher organizations.
Over 500 fisherfolk from Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Navotas, Bataan, and Zambales gathered in a march on Friday calling on the government to stop reclamation projects and large-scale commercial fishing within the 15-kilometer municipal waters—a zone vital to local communities and the environment. Coastal communities across the country
joined the call.
“The 15-kilometer municipal waters are not just lines on a map—they’re lifelines for small fishers in my community,” said Frank Melgar Marba, a community leader and climate survivor from Dinagat Islands.
“As someone living in one of the most climate-impacted areas in the country, I urge the government to keep commercial fishers out. Protecting these waters is protecting lives,” he said.
“Our fisheries production has not been getting any better the past years,” said Atty. Rose-Liza Eisma-Osorio, Oceana acting vice president, in a statement addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Our laws are in place to conserve our marine biodiversity and help our fisheries recover from imminent collapse. We need officials committed to full law enforcement and to helping fisherfolk rise from poverty,” Eisma-Osorio said.
Greenpeace Philippines, which joined the mobilization, said that protecting municipal waters is not only vital for the livelihoods of fishers and coastal communities and the
nation’s food security. With the escalating climate crisis, the imperative to secure coastal waters from overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction is crucial.
“At a time when we need to be protecting marine habitats and securing livelihoods of communities from the threats of climate change, moves to open up municipal waters to commercial fishing are completely insane,” said Virginia Benosa-Llorin, Greenpeace Philippines senior climate justice campaigner.
“Scientists have already warned that the climate crisis will significantly damage vital marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove areas. Commercial fishing and reclamation will most certainly hasten the destruction of what we should be protecting. This is a deplorable move, one that solely benefits large fishing corporations while entrenching fishers and coastal communities in poverty, and risking the country’s food security,” Benosa-Llorin said.
The march to commemorate National Farmers and Fisherfolks Month underscored the urgent need to stop destructive projects, uphold laws protecting small-scale fishers, and ensure climate justice for those most affected.
“The message is clear: protect our coastal waters, defend our fisherfolk, and take climate action before it’s too late,” said Llorin.
According to Antonio Abletes, climate advocate from a coastal community in Salcedo, Eastern Samar, the government must choose if it is to represent large corporations, or the true wellbeing of the people.
“We truly believe that fisherfolk represent the people,” Abletes said. “They are believers and fighters for better futures for their families. Let us protect the rights of the Filipino fisherfolk.”
ment of the conservation status category of the known species.
Rich biodiversity
ROMBLON , located in the central Philippines, shelters diverse threatened and endemic flora and fauna, as found in field-based expeditions and biodiversity-related research, Maglangit said.
Although conservation works are in progress, their ecosystems and habitats are vulnerable to any anthropogenic activities, or environmental change caused or influenced by people, directly or indirectly.
“It’s essential to strengthen biodiversity awareness and sustained collaborative efforts to safeguard and bolster the protection of Romblon biodiversity,” he said.
Habitat loss
ACCORDING to Maglangit, recent faunal and floral discoveries boast conservation in many areas across the region.
However, he said, just like any other new species being discovered, habitat loss is still the major threat to the species, combined with conversion of land into commercial or agricultural areas, illegal wildlife trade, and the effects of climate change.
With the limited range of these
Story & photo by John Eiron R. Francisco
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is considering the possibility of collaborating with likeminded countries like France to enhance biodiversity surveillance in the West Philippine Sea, as limited access continues to impede data-driven efforts to monitor and prevent marine degradation caused by illegal and aggressive activities.
“I think all the help that we can get from our strong partners and allies would be most welcome,” said DENR Undersecretary Carlos Primo David, for Integrated Environmental Science, during a panel discussion on FrancePhilippines cooperation in marine biodiversity, on June 5 at the Manila Polo Club in Taguig City.
David cited a previous research expedition to the Kalayaan Group of Islands, which was conducted in coordination with Vietnam—a country facing similar maritime challenges from China in the South China Sea.
“We call it the West Philippine Sea; they call it the East Vietnam Sea on their side. I think we should do more of that within the region. But there’s also a lot of expertise from other countries—France in particular. We should plan that,” he said.
However, David emphasized that the main obstacle to effective datadriven environmental monitoring in the area is the limited access itself.
species in their ecosystem, it could jeopardize their population and their survival.
As tarantulas are ambush predators, or sit and wait for their targets, the Romblon black tarantula feeds on insects, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, and smaller spiders and small vertebrate lizards or frogs.
Significantly, they play a vital role in pest control, soil nutrient cycling, and are a good biological indicator of a healthy forest ecosystem.
Online trade
LIKE scorpions, tarantulas are illegally harvested in the wild and traded in the Philippines, which is both a source and end-consumer of these endangered species.
A study titled “Trade of Live Tarantulas and Scorpions in a Social Media Platform in the Philippines” would reveal the illicit trade of this remarkable spider species.
The study published in the Journal of Nature Studies said the international trade of live arachnids as pets is widespread, with undescribed or newly described species being particularly sought-after by enthusiasts due to their novelty and perceived rarity.
The authors of the study discovered different groups on Facebook where tarantulas and scorpions are being offered for sale.
More than 16,000 individuals representing 135 and 25 species of tarantulas and scorpions, respectively, were documented between 2020 and 2022.
Smuggled and bred in captivity?
MOST or 95 percent of tarantulas and scorpions recorded are non-native or imported.
The price ranges from as low as P20 for a commonly traded species to P20,000 for an undescribed species.
According to the study, non-native species are poached and illegally shipped domestically and internationally to supply the pet trade.
The author said that despite the widespread availability of hundreds of species in international trade, only five species of scorpions and 37 species of tarantulas are regulated by the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES, 2024).
The study further revealed that only three scorpion species and 39 tarantula species were assessed by the IUCN.
The authors noted that in the Philippines, Republic Act 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, allows local trade of threatened wildlife if the wildlife was acquired legally, and if the trader possesses a Wildlife Farm Permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Potentially invasive SINCE most tarantulas and scorpions are being smuggled into the country or bred in captivity by wildlife traders, there is a danger that these species would end up being invasive alien species, a serious threat to biodiversity.
Interviewed via Messenger, Emerson Y. Sy, one of the authors of the study, said: “Non-native species could have detrimental effects on our local wildlife if released accidentally or intentionally.”
He said wildlife enthusiasts should exercise utmost care to prevent it from happening and contribute to untoward biological pollution.
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so while many people [including myself] are deathly afraid of spiders, some people love tarantulas and pay top dollar to keep them as pets,” environment enthusiast Gregg Yan shared his thoughts about the pet trade via Messenger on May 26.
He said nine of every 10 tarantulas kept by Filipino hobbyists are nonnative to the Philippines, though a few more might be discovered by scientists in the next years.
“The dangers wrought by introducing non-native species are obvious, with so many plants and animals— ranging from Finlayson’s squirrels to ravenous knife-fish—already making themselves at home in [Philippine] towns and cities. Finding a tarantula under your bed or inside your room? That’s just the stuff of nightmares,” the Best Alternatives founder said.
should be the very first item that we need to tackle—access there,” he said.
David, who recalled participating in a scientific expedition to the region in the early 2000s with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, noted that even then the Chinese vessels were already attempting to block their route.
“Once there’s access, we can put in place regular monitoring, maybe even remote monitoring,” he said.
“But definitely, we should be able to access it first.”
Meanwhile, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel told BusinessMirror in an interview on the sidelines of the forum that although no formal initiative on joint biodiversity surveillance has been launched yet, future collaboration remains a possibility.
“There’s no initiative yet,” she said.
the future, but let’s see if there’s any development on that aspect on the Philippine side—the willingness of the Philippines to organize this kind of biodiversity surveillance patrols— and then we’ll see where we stand.” Fontanel noted, however, that France and the Philippines have been strengthening maritime cooperation.
“Basically, we have increased all interactions between the French Navy and the Philippine Armed Forces, also the Coast Guards. It’s getting more and more frequent that we have interactions,” she said.
She cited the historic port call of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Subic Bay last February,
“That becomes even more difficult if the area that you are trying to monitor has issues of access. I think that
“I guess this is the trend—and that could continue,” Fontanel said. PHL, France eye joint WPS marine biodiversity surveillance
“The possible action [could happen] in
Male (A) and female (B) Romblon black tarantula
(Selenobrachys ustromsupasius)
PHOTO BY DARREL C. ACUŃA
FISHERFOLK from Cavite, Laguna, Manila, Navotas, Bataan, and Zambales gather in a march on National Fisherfolks Day on May 30 to call on the government to stop reclamation projects and large-scale commercial fishing within
A SOCCER MYSTERY
Why mighty China fails at the world’s biggest sport
By Stephen Wade & Didi Tang
The Associated Press
N April, Chinese President Xi
IJinping visited a company that makes humanoid robots. There
he floated an idea to fix the country’s woeful men’s soccer team.
“Can we have robots join the team?” Xi was quoted as saying on the website of Zhiyuan Robotics.
It might be too late. China will be out of World Cup qualifying if it fails to beat Indonesia on Thursday. Even a victory may only delay the departure.
What’s the problem? China has 1.4 billion people, the globe’s second largest economy and won 40 Olympic gold medals last year in Paris to tie the United States. Why can’t it find 11 elite men’s soccer players?
How soccer explains a bit of China
THE government touches every aspect of life in China. That top-down control has helped China become the largest manufacturer of everything from electronics to shoes to steel.
It has tried to run soccer, but that rigid governance hasn’t worked.
“What soccer reflects is the social and political problems of China,” Zhang Feng, a Chinese journalist and commentator, tells The Associated Press. “It’s not a free society. It doesn’t have the teamlevel trust that allows players to pass the ball to each other without worrying.” Zhang argues that politics has stalled soccer’s growth. And there’s added pressure since Xi’s a big fan and has promised to resuscitate the game at home. Soccer is a world language with its “own grammar,” says Zhang, and China doesn’t speak it.
“In China, the more emphasis the leader places on soccer, the more nervous the society gets, the more power the bureaucrats get, and the more corrupt they become,” Zhang adds.
Xi Jinping’s dream—or nightmare?
AFTER China defeated Thailand 2-1 in
BusinessMirror
A8 | SundAy, J une 8, 2025
mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao
2023, Xi joked with Srettha Thavisin, the Thai prime minister at the time. “I feel luck was a big part of it,” Xi said. The consensus is clear. China has too few quality players at the grass roots, too much political interference from the Communist Party, and there’s too much corruption in the local game.
Wang Xiaolei, another prominent Chinese commentator, suggests that soccer clashes with China’s topdown governance and the emphasis on rote learning.
“What are we best at? Dogma,” Wang wrote in a blog last year. “But
football cannot be dogmatic. What are we worst at? Inspiring ingenuity, and cultivating passion.”
Soccer is bigger than China
THE latest chapter in China’s abysmal men’s soccer history was a 7-0 loss last year to geopolitical rival Japan.
“The fact that this defeat can happen and people aren’t that surprised— despite the historical animosity—just illustrates the problems facing football in China,” says Cameron Wilson, a Scot who has worked in China for 20 years and written extensively about
the game there. China has qualified for only one men’s World Cup. That was 2002 when it went scoreless and lost all three matches. Soccer’s governing body FIFA places China at No. 94 in its rankings—behind war-torn Syria and ahead of No. 95 Benin.
For perspective: Iceland is the smallest country to reach the World Cup. Its latest population estimate is almost 400,000.
The website Soccerway tracks global football and doesn’t show a single Chinese player in a top
PARITY REIGNS
OKLAHOMA CITY — In the entirety of David Stern’s 30-year tenure as the NBA’s commissioner, eight different franchises won a championship. Adam Silver is in Year 12 of his run overseeing the league — and a ninth different franchise is about to win a title on his watch. The parity era in the league is not new, and it most certainly lives on this year, with either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Indiana Pacers set to become NBA champions. The winning team in these NBA Finals will be the seventh different champion in the last seven seasons, a run the likes of which the league has never experienced before.
“We set out to create a system that allowed for more competition around the league,” Silver said Thursday night in his annual news conference before Game 1 of the finals. “The goal being to have 30 teams all in the position, if well managed, to compete for championships. And that’s what we’re seeing here.”
In Stern’s 30 years, the eight championship-winning franchises were the Los Angeles Lakers (eight times), Chicago (six), San Antonio (four), Boston (three), Miami (three), Detroit (three),
Houston (twice) and Dallas (once).
For Silver, the chart looks much different. Golden State has won four titles since he became commissioner, and Milwaukee, Cleveland, Boston, the Lakers, Denver, Toronto and San Antonio have one. Oklahoma City or Indiana will be the next entry on that list.
“David used to joke early on in his tenure as commissioner,” Silver said.
“He said his job was to go back and forth between Boston and LA handing out championship trophies.” And this run—seven champions in seven years—started in 2019, immediately after Cleveland and Golden State played in four consecutive finals and the league heard plenty of grumbling about a lack of unpredictability.
In that seven-year span, 11 different franchises (out of a maximum of 14, obviously) have been to the finals at least once, with the Thunder and Pacers the newest names on that list.
“It’s healthy for the league for all 30 teams to be constantly positioning,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said.
“If you’re good, you have to navigate being good. If you’re not good, there’s systematic things that can help you. I think generally that’s good for the league. We’re not focused on what’s
good for the league. We’re focused on what’s good for the Thunder. We’re trying to operate within that environment.”
Expansion
THERE is a board of governors meeting in Las Vegas next month, and Silver thinks it’s likely that those owners will decide at that time whether or not to take the next official step toward expanding the league in the coming years.
Officially exploring the notion of adding teams seems likely.
“It will be on the agenda to take the temperature of the room,” Silver said. “We have committees that are already talking about it, but my sense is at that meeting they’re going to give direction to me and my colleagues at the league office that we should continue to explore.”
That does not mean it will definitely happen, even though there are certain markets—Seattle and Las Vegas among them—that are known to want NBA teams.
“I’d say the current sense is we should be exploring it,” Silver said. “I don’t think it’s automatic.”
Silver said he and the league office have gotten numerous calls from
LA28 organizers confident Trump’s
latest travel ban won’t affect Olympics
LOS ANGELES—Planning and preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has made “significant progress” and organizers on Thursday expressed confidence that President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban won’t prevent games participants from entering the U.S.
“It was very clear in the directive that the Olympics require special consideration and I actually want to thank the federal government for recognizing that,” LA28 chairman and president Casey Wasserman said during a news conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“It’s very clear that the federal government understands that that’s an environment that they will be accommodating and provide for,” he said. “We have great confidence that that will only continue. It has been the case to date and it will certainly be the case going forward through the games.”
International Olympic Committee member Nicole Hoevertsz, who is chair of the Coordination Commission for LA28, anticipates the U.S. government will cooperate, as it did in hosting previous Olympics.
“That is something that we will be definitely looking at and making sure that it is guaranteed as well,” she said.
“We are very confident that this is go -
ing to be accomplished. I’m sure this is going to be executed well.”
Sixteen IOC members wrapped up a three-day visit Thursday, having inspected multiple venue locations, including Dodger Stadium where they attended a Major League Baseball game between the New York Mets and the Dodgers.
The IOC’s Coordination Commission was last in the city in November.
“We’ve seen significant progress,” Hoevertsz said. “We leave the city very confident with the road ahead.”
Noting the games are 1,135 days from opening on July 14, 2028, Wasserman said, “We are in delivery mode now.”
Saturday marks the six-month anniversary of the start of the deadly wildfires that devastated Pacific Palisades on the city’s west side and the community of Altadena, northeast of downtown.
“In California, there are some obvious things you should be prepared for—earthquakes, wildfires,” Wasserman said. “You certainly hope that they never happen, but shame on us if we’re not prepared for any and every kind of eventuality because that is our job.”
Reynold Hoover, who runs the dayto-day work of LA28 as its CEO, said contingency planning is ongoing.
Part toy, part fashion, the arrival of the viral Labubu was a long time in the making
JUNE 8, 2025 | soundstrip.businessmirror@gmail.com
A NIGHT FILLED WITH CLARITY
Zedd thrilled to get all the love at
Story by Ica Hontiveros-Cheng
When I received the assignment to cover the ‘&Friends’ Music and Pop Culture Festival at Cove Manila in Okada Manila, I thought for a minute that I was “too old” or “too short” to enjoy a rave but then none other than Grammywinning EDM artist Zedd was the headliner. How can I miss an opportunity like that right?
So despite it being a rainy Friday evening and a pay day at that-or what I would like to call Satan’s Trifecta because of the high probable traffic jam; I braved it all, to catch Zedd perform live, this on top of still having to log in work after the show.
And you know what? It was all worth it.
A sold out first day for the ‘&Friends’ Music and Pop Culture Festival, to which Zedd was the headliner, ensured a full venue.
And while lovers and big groups of friends enjoyed the night away dressed in their best party outfits and
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dancing to Zedd’s solid set, pumping out hit, after hit, after hit, such as: ‘Break Free’, ‘Clarity’ ‘Stay The Night’ and so much more. I actually didn’t mind being alone and just enjoying the music, bobbing my head here and there.
A Night to Remember
It was interesting to see younger audience members taking photos with an analog camera, while others had a digital camera, probably for that natural vintage look without the filter. Of course, there were others who preferred more updated ways of capturing memories of that epic night, using GoPros, and 360 cameras.
Needless to say, cell phones went up once Zedd’s set started, capturing as many photos and videos of his performance, which will without a doubt find their way on social media.
Plumes of smoke wafted in the air from e-cigarettes, while my fellow older members of the audience took whiffs from menthol inhalers, I saw at least three around my vicinity. Most likely as some form of relief, it was a long time standing and being in a big crowd, although I am happy to report that the ‘&Friends’ attendees were generally well behaved, well from my experience at least.
Giving the love right back
“(The) Philippines is known as the country with the best (singing) voice.” Zedd called to the crowd, inviting them to sing-as if, we Filipinos need any invitation or coaxing to sing. The crowd did not disappoint as they belted out to Zedd’s biggest hits, with the DJ even putting the volume down so the audience’s voice could be heard.
Manila is a special place for the 35 year old German DJ, who shared that the Philippines was one of his first real fan bases, and was also where he had his first ever arena show. He was of course referring to his 2015 show at the Mall of Asia Arena, where he performed to about 12,000 fans.
And yes, in case you are feeling your age that was already ten years ago! That’s the thing about music, it can easily transport us to happier, simpler, and less complicated times. For a few hours we can leave all our worries by the door and just enjoy and dance with friends, and hey even alone, and when you’ve got a Grammy-award winning DJ in charge of the music, it will be a night to remember for sure.
‘&Friends’ Festival
Photos credits: From Zedd’s Instragram, by AI Visuals and Nick Farrar.
KNOW YOUR HEARTBREAK
The Juans do and they’re singing it back to you
Story and photos by John Eiron R. Francisco
We’ve all been there—that moment when a song catches us off guard and suddenly, emotions come flooding in. You hit play, thinking it’s just background music while you go about your day. But out of nowhere, a lyric lands like a punch to the gut. Suddenly, you’re back in that one memory—an old love, a heartbreak you thought had healed, or a past self you’ve worked hard to outgrow.
And more often than not, the ones behind that unexpected emotional spiral? The Juans.
The band, which formed in 2013, truly broke through in 2019 when their emotionally charged tracks “Hindi Tayo Pwede” and “Hatid” resonated with a wide Filipino audience.
Since then, The Juans have become known for their remarkable ability to turn raw, personal pain into lyrics that feel deeply familiar—almost like they were written about your own story.
But what exactly is it about their music that stings so much? Is it intentional? Do they really mean to make us cry in the middle of our commute?
Apparently, yes. But not for the reason you’d expect.
In their recent interview with BusinessMirror’s SoundStrip, the band sat down and bravely answered the question fans have long asked: Why do your songs hurt so much?
RJ Cruz, guitarist and vocalist, explained that the vulnerability in their music comes from a place of empathy.
“A lot of people are vulnerable when they’re broken-hearted,” he said. “And since so many people are going through that, we want to speak to them. That’s why our songs have a lot of ‘hugot’—because we want to connect with them.”
But RJ was quick to clarify: the goal was never just to stir pain. “We want the ‘hugot’ to be a way for them to heal, or at least a way for them to acknowledge their feelings.”
He emphasized that the band hopes their songs remind listeners they’re not alone—and that their pain is valid and shared.
This kind of raw, intentional vulnerability has helped shape The Juans’ identity as a band known for emotionally resonant music—one that often reflects the experiences of listeners dealing with love, loss, and everything in between.
For vocalist and bassist Chael Adriano, the reason the songs hit so hard is simple: the truth hurts.
“It hurts because it’s true,” he said. “The scenarios—and even the stories of people who relate to the songs—are real. Even for us, when we write, we always try to come from a place of truth.”
He added, “That’s our approach—we always try to put ourselves in other people’s shoes.”
And maybe that’s the real magic of The Juans:
on purpose. Not to hurt you, but to hold space for your feelings.
And maybe, just maybe, to help you feel a little less alone.
The Juans on purpose and progress
Beyond crafting music that cuts deep and resonates with listeners, the band shared that even as their musical style evolves—adapting new production
don’t just tell stories—they tell our stories. They give voice to things we don’t always know how to say. They remind us that we’re not alone in our struggles, that someone else has felt the same aching in the chest, and somehow turned it into music.
So if you’ve ever found yourself tearing up midsong, clutching your earphones like they’re your last source of strength, just know—The Juans did that
methods or exploring different creative directions— their core message remains the same. According to Carl Guevarra, the band’s lead vocalist and keyboardist, staying true to their purpose has always been nonnegotiable.
“We’ve remained faithful to our calling,” Guevarra said. “Our mission is to be an inspiration to ordinary Filipinos.”
That sense of purpose extends to how they approach their craft. While the heart of their music remains consistent, The Juans acknowledged that their sound has matured significantly over the years—not just lyrically, but also in terms of production quality. This evolution, however, hasn’t been accidental. It’s the result of intentional growth and a shared commitment to constantly improve. Guevarra highlighted the behind-the-scenes work of Japs Mendoza, lead vocalists and lead guitarist, whose dedication to refining their sound has helped define their musical identity.
“Japs is quiet, but he’s serious when it comes to production,” Guevarra said. “He spends countless hours researching, learning, and fine-tuning our sound.”
The band emphasized that this growth has been deliberate. “I think we really became intentional in terms of growth. We really like to improve all the time,” Japs said.
‘Ano Ba Talaga Tayo?’
The Juans recently released the music video for their latest single “Ano Ba Talaga Tayo?”—a cinematic short film starring Miles Ocampo and Elijah Canlas, and directed by John Manalo.
In the story, Ocampo plays Ari, a young artist who loves wholeheartedly. Her openness and vulnerability in relationships are often misunderstood as weakness, making her an easy target for people like her ex, Joms. Canlas portrays Joms, a commitment-phobic guy who jumps from one relationship to another. His emotional detachment stems from growing up in an unstable home, leading him to unintentionally hurt others despite having a good heart. He’s portrayed as someone who still has a lot of growing up to do. As of writing, the short film has reached nearly 207,000 views on The Juans’ official YouTube channel where the band already has over 1 million subscribers. It premiered on May 16, 2025, at Viva Café in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Juans
Part toy, part fashion, the arrival of the viral Labubu was a long time in the making
By Michelle Chapman
The Associated Press
LABUBU, the plush toy from China’s Pop Mart is a social media darling, but the toothy little monsters are far from an overnight success.
Having appeared a decade ago, Labubus may have finally cemented their place in the collectible toy market for years to come. The Labubu, by artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, first appeared with pointed ears and pointy teeth, in three picture books inspired by Nordic mythology in 2015.
In 2019, Lung struck a deal with Pop Mart, a company that caters to toy connoisseurs and influencers, to sell Labubu figurines. But it wasn’t until Pop Mart started selling Labubu plush toys on key rings in 2023 that the toothy monsters suddenly seemed to be everywhere, including in the hands of Rihanna, Kim Kardashian and NBA player Dillon Brooks. K-pop singer Lisa of Blackpink began posting images of hers for her more than 100 million followers on Instagram and on TikTok, where Labubu pandemonium has broken out.
Now a style symbol and a bonanza
THERE are 1.4 million #Labubu TikTok posts and counting, videos of fans unboxing them, showing styles inspired by them, and of course, Labubu cosplay. Fans have latched on to Labubu’s mashup of play and fashion, making them accessories on hand-
bags, backpacks and belts, or hanging them from car mirrors.
“The character has evolved into a collectible and style symbol, resonating with fans who connect with its quirky aesthetic and unique backstory,” Emily Brough, Popmart’s head of IP licensing in the Americas, said.
Labubu has been a bonanza for Pop Mart. Its revenue more than doubled in 2024 to 13.04 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), thanks in part to its elvish monster. Revenue from Pop Mart’s plush toys soared more than 1,200 percent in 2024, nearly 22 percent of its overall revenue, according to the company’s annual report.
Aside from their ability to pique the interest of toy aficionados and fashionistas, Labubu latched on to the blind box phenomenon, where the purchaser doesn’t know exactly which version of the plush toy they’ll get. And Pop Mart made sure there is a Labubu for everyone, regardless of income. Most are priced in a wide range between $20 and $300, with certain collaborations or limited editions priced higher, according to Brough.
Appeal to adults
UNLIKE many toys, Labubu devotees include a large number of adults. Buyers ages 18 and over drove a year-over-year increase of more than $800 million in the US toy market in 2024, according to market research firm Circana. Adult shoppers, mostly female, bought the toys for themselves. In 2025’s first quarter, toy sales for those ages 18 and over rose 12 percent from the prior-year period. At $1.8 billion, adults also accounted for the highest spending among all age groups in the quarter.
Like many retailers, Pop Mart is actively monitoring negotiations between the US and just about every one of its trading part-
What toughness means for star athlete Dwight Ramos
By Ian Jonas Ruga
AFTER promoting the G-Shock “G-Steel” series last year, Dwight Ramos is back once again with the watch brand manufactured by the Japanese electronics company Casio. This time, “Saint Dwight” proves that toughness and resilience can go hand in hand with style.
ners as prices may be impacted. The situation with China is at the forefront, with US President Donald Trump saying last week that the country “violated” an agreement with the United States on trade talks.
Right now, Pop Mart, whose products are manufactured across Asia, says that it is continuously scaling production and expanding distribution across its online shop, retail stores and blind box vending machines to meet increasing demand.
Short supply has led to long lines at stores and at least one physical fight at a shopping center in the United Kingdom. Pop Mart also said in an Instagram post late last month that it was temporarily suspending all in-store and blind box machine sales in the U.K. Peter Shipman, head of Europe, said in a Facebook post that the company is currently working on a new method to distribute toys to stores.
Resellers have become problematic and many Labubu fans are still willing to pay exorbitant price markups. Kena Flynn was at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles recently when she stumbled upon some Labubus being sold at a kiosk. Flynn said in a TikTok on Sunday that the prices were “really bad,” but her boyfriend bought two anyway.
“At a certain point, you can’t buy them,” Flynn said in her video. “I just want a Labubu and I cannot buy one from Pop Mart, so here we are.”
Looking to keep up with the overwhelming demand, Pop Mart says it’s on track for 50 more retail locations in the US by the end of the year. That’ll give shoppers more chances to hunt for Labubus, as Pop Mart says it’s planning multiple new Labubu releases tied to seasonal moments and holidays throughout the rest of the year.
n Cover photo by Garn Phakathunya via Dreamstime.com.
The recent G-Shock Touch Enough event gathered basketball fans and watch enthusiasts at the Piazza, Venice Grand Canal Mall in Taguig City, featuring a pop-up store showcasing the brand’s latest releases. The theme for the event was toughness, both in style and sport. To highlight the concept, the event’s centerpiece was a meet-and-greet with basketball star Dwight Ramos.
Avid basketball fans know the Gilas Pilipinas and Japanese B. League guard for his high-IQ play. During the event, he used his wits and athleticism in taking on every interactive challenge with ease during the program’s challenge portion. First was a vertical jump, which felt less of a challenge and more of a showcase of what Ramos was capable of. He also displayed his shooting touch through a fun competition with a fan.
After barely breaking a sweat from the challenges, Ramos helped G-Shock launch its newest models, the GM110BD-1A9 and the upcoming GMWB5000D-1C. The watches embody toughness, which, for the star athlete, means being resilient, disciplined, and consistent.
“G-Shocks complement my life because I’m always on the go,” said Ramos, emphasizing the brand’s rugged design and durability. “I like doing things outdoors, and these watches are built for that—they’re tough, they last long, they’re durable.”
The statement applies to Ramos as well, who had his fair share of bumps on the road.
“Throughout my career I have had a lot of injuries,” he said. “Before I got from where I am now, I have a lot of hardship but I just stay positive and tough and just keep showing up every day and do what I have to do no matter what’s going on.”
The event ended with an open challenge for guests to test their own toughness at the interactive challenge booth, driving home the idea that toughness is more than a trait but a lifestyle.
THIS image provided by Pop Mart, shows Labubu, the plush toy from China’s Pop Mart. POP MART VIA AP
FOR basketball star Dwight Ramos, toughness equates to resilience, discipline, and consistency. Fans fondly call the Gilas Pilipinas/ Japanese B. League guard “Saint Dwight,” who helped G-Shock launch its newest models, the GM-110BD-1A9 and the upcoming GMW-B5000D-1C.
PHOTO BY IAN JONAS RUGA