REMITTANCES sent by Filipinos abroad rose 3.1 percent in the first six months of the year, according to the latest data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).
The data showed cash remittances increased to $16.75 billion in the January to June period this year from the $16.25 billion recorded in the same period last year.
In June 2025, BSP data showed cash remittances increased 3.7 percent to $2.99 billion from the $2.88 billion in June 2024.
“The increase in cash remittances drove an increase in personal remittances as well. Personal remittances include cash sent through banks and informal channels as well as remittances in kind,” BSP said.
The data showed personal remittances increased 3.1 percent to $18.67 billion in January-June
IN 2024, the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas became the first local government partner of the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA)Local Government Unit (LGU) Advocacy for English Proficiency through Literature project.
The NJLA-LGU project is the brainchild of Philippines Graphic initiator of the NJLA and the Philippines Graphic Reader, the only monthly magazine completely devoted to publishing the short stories and poems written in English by budding and veteran Filipino writers and poets.
2025 from $18.1 billion recorded in January-June 2024. In June 2025, personal remittances increased 3.7 percent to $3.33 billion from $3.21 billion in June 2024.
Meanwhile, the growth of cash remittances marked the second fastest growth in remittances in 2025. For the year, the fastest growth was recorded at 4.1 percent in April 2025.
In terms of level, the cash remittances received were the highest since the $3.38 billion posted in December 2024.
The BSP said in June, landbased overseas Filipinos (OFs) accounted for $2.43 billion or a 3.7-percent year-on-year growth.
Sea-based OFs accounted for the smaller share of $555 million or a growth of 3.5 percent in June 2025.
BSP said remittances from the United States remained the top source of remittances to the Philippines during January-June 2025, followed by Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.
Remittances from the US accounted for 40.1 percent of cash sent from abroad by Filipinos overseas. This was followed by Singapore with 7.1 percent; Saudi Arabia, 6.2 percent; Japan, 5 percent; and the United Kingdom, 4.9 percent.
It can be noted that Other Places taken together accounted for 20.6 percent of total cash remittances during the period.
The Central Bank noted that there are limitations to the remittance data such that remittance centers in various cities globally are routed through corresponding banks located in the US.
“Also, remittances coursed through money couriers cannot be disaggregated by actual country source and are lodged under the
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between Philippines Graphic and City of San Juan, Batangas Mayor Arth Jhun “AJAM” A. Marasigan, with the project benefitting Grade 9 and Grade 10 students in the city’s five public high schools. Through the Student’s Corner section of the Graphic Reader, students increased their vocabulary, grammar, and understanding of the short stories and poetry featured in the literary
country where the main offices are located, which, in many cases, is in the US,” BSP said.
“Therefore, the US would appear to be the main source of OF remittances because banks attribute the origin of funds to the most immediate source. The countries are listed in order of their share of cash remittances, i.e., from highest to lowest,” it added.
Earlier, banks said Filipinos remain the greatest asset of the economy and banks stressed the importance of harnessing human capital to catapult the Philippines into high-income country status.
At the forum of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) on Monday, banks stressed that the country’s young population provides the economy a window of opportunity.
East West President Jerry G. Ngo said 64 percent of the country’s population is between the ages of 15 and 64 years old—a demographic sweet spot—that boosts the country’s economic prospects (See: https://businessmirror.com. ph/2025/08/12/pinoys-remain-thegreatest-asset-of-economy-banks/).
Along the right apron, a row of KC-135 Stratotankers, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, and a CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft sat in readiness, a visual reminder of the base’s capacity to project power from the Arctic to the Pacific.
From the runway, the tour passed JBER’s most iconic pairing: the 1967-built air traffic control tower, modernized in 2018, and the Cold Warera arched-roof hangar whose design dates back to the post-World War II
PHL a potential pandemic epicenter, but experts say it’s now ‘better equipped’
By John Eiron R. Francisco
LEGAZPI, ALBAY—The Philippines has been flagged as a possible ground zero for the future pandemic, with global health experts warning that the country’s rich bat diversity, combined with rapid deforestation, could bring humans into closer contact with virus-carrying wildlife.
“In the Philippines, there’s always the risk, because we do have one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, there is hunting,” Dr. Phillip Alviola of the University of the Philippines Los Baños Institute of Biological Sciences’ Animal Biology Division told the BusinessMirror in an online interview.
mas, covering Grade 9 and Grade 10 students citywide. In total, this translated to over 3,000 learners who now have access to the Philippines Graphic Reader as part of their academic and literary enrichment,” said Mayor Marasigan.
Mayor AJAM further said:
“The implementation of this project has been both inspiring and fulfilling. We saw firsthand how engaging literature can be when presented in a way that resonates with our Grade 9 and 10 students.”
He noted the “seamless collaboration between the City government, the Department of Education and their partner institutions” resulting in an overwhelmingly positive response.
“The passion of our teachers and school heads truly brought the project to life. It also reinforced our belief that education is not only about textbooks; it’s about opening doors to imagination, critical thinking, and lifelong learning,” Mayor AJAM elaborated.
Alviola explained that the bats originally lived deep in the forest, but as human activity encroached on their habitats and these shrank, they began venturing beyond their natural environment and coming into contact with people. This situation, he added, is not limited to bats but also affects other wildlife.
Data from Global Forest
Watch shows that in 2024, the Philippines had roughly 13 million hectares of natural forest, about 45 percent of the country’s land area. Between 2001 and 2024, the top regions contributing to forest loss included Palawan, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Quezon, with Palawan losing the most at about 219,000 hectares.
Overall, 62 percent of tree cover loss was linked to permanent deforestation, driven by agriculture, logging, infrastructure development, and other activities.
“They’re coming into contact, so there are viruses in wild animals that we people have not encountered before. And hence, [humans] do not have the right arsenal of antibodies to react to. So our antibodies will definitely overreact to these kinds of animals,” Alviola said. He cited instances in Southern Mindanao where active hunting contributed to Nipah virus outbreaks in 2014, affecting two villages and linked to horses. Several cases involved butchering or consuming horse meat, with 17 infections recorded and a mortality rate exceeding 80 percent.
Continued
Sto. Tomas, Batangas Mayor
Jhun A. Marasigan signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Philippines Graphic renewing the city’s commitment to the NJLA-LGU English Proficiency through Literature Project. (Also from left) Leah Caling-Bonotan, Special Projects Officer, NJLA-LGU Project; Loida S. Virtudazo, Executive Vice President-General Manager, Philippines Graphic ; and Olyn Cabrera-Francisco, City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas Information Officer.
AN F-22 Raptor from the 3rd Wing taxis along the runway at Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson (JBER), passing in front of the base’s 1967-built, 2018-modernized air traffic control tower and a Cold War-era hangar whose arched roof dates back to the post-World
PHLa potential pandemic epicenter, but experts say it’s now ‘better equipped’
In Bulacan, he noted that large farms near forested areas experienced Reston virus infections in late 2008. While Reston virus is not known to cause illness in humans, it was detected in both pigs and some farm workers and butchers in the affected areas.
While some parts of Asia have higher pandemic hotspot probabilities, Alviola said the risk is particularly high where bat populations live near human communities.
He stressed, however, that such events remain rare, typically involving an intermediary host— a species that carries a virus from its natural animal reservoir to humans— and that current risk estimates are based on extrapolated data, with insufficient evidence for high-confidence conclusions.
“Do not consume wild animals. Do not touch, pet, or interact, leave other wild animals alone,” Alviola urged, stressing that wildlife trade may have played a role in the Covid-19 pandemic.
He warned that the farming and illegal trade of wildlife, as well as unnecessary contact with animals, especially pets, should be stopped to prevent or at least minimize the risk of future outbreaks.
The Philippines is home to 79 bat species, 38 of which are found nowhere else, according to the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Among them, the golden-crowned flying fox ( Acerodon jubatus) and the large flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) are conservation priorities due to their ecological importance and vulnerable status.
Populations on Lubang Island, northwest of northern Mindoro, are estimated at over 3,000, while roosts in Sibugay host around half a million flying foxes, making these sites key biodiversity hotspots.
While generally peaceful, fruit bats can transmit viruses such as the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) through bites or scratches if they feel threatened.
‘Better equipped’
HOWEVER , Dr. Jaime C. Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), said that while researchers, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have identified the Philippines as a potential starting point for the next pandemic, he is not afraid.
He warned, still, that without research to understand how viruses can spread from bats to humans, the country could face another outbreak that experts consider inevitable.
“It’s just a matter of time,” he said during the Talakayang HeaRT Beat (Health Research and Tech-
nology) press conference in this city on Wednesday.
“But I think when that happens, we are better equipped to address this,” Montoya said.
He added that readiness has improved with the establishment of the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines (VIP), a facility designed to bring together experts in animal, plant, and human health for coordinated research and rapid response.
“Imagine the potential of that. In the past, they would work separately. Now, they operate under one roof. That is the concept of One Health—allowing research to move faster and helping prevent the next pandemic,” Montoya explained.
Nevertheless, he noted that the country is still awaiting executive approval of a law that would formalize the VIP and establish programs to build local vaccine production capacity—a gap exposed during the early months of Covid-19, when the Philippines had to line up behind other nations due to its lack of domestic manufacturing.
Montoya, meanwhile, told BusinessMirror, “We are confident it will be signed into law. But, of course, we’re hopeful that the President will sign it soon.”
Despite this, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr.
said preparations began even before the law was sent to the Palace for signing. Under the previous administration, the VIP was launched to strengthen the capability of Filipino scientists in addressing emerging health threats, including African Swine Fever and plant diseases affecting coconuts and other key crops.
Solidum said the initiative has already led to the development of several important technologies.
In January 2025, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. voiced support for the continued construction of the VIP, saying the government will find ways to fund the project.
Solidum earlier noted that the VIP needs P680 million to pursue its programs, including vaccine development for humans, animals, and plants.
Pio Justin Asuncion, chief of the Health Research Division at the Department of Health’s Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau, said the issue is “a call to action” across various agencies.
He noted that the DOH is closely coordinating with other government bodies, not only within the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS) but also with agencies accountable for the One Health approach, such as the Department of Agriculture and other relevant institutions. These groups, he said, can help channel more investments, particularly in funding research and innovation.
“At least from our end, we really mainstream at least One Health. That we can have a point as a support in discussing the aspects of One health,” Asuncion said.
Solidum, meanwhile, said, “We need more specialists,” citing the demand for experts on bats and spiders and the need for more research on their impact on human health.
‘Battling the unknown’ ASKED if new viruses could jump from bats to humans before sufficient research is completed, Alviola said, “There could be.”
He explained that such spillover events have occurred before, pointing to Ebola in the 1970s, which emerged suddenly and infected people, and Covid-19, which followed the earlier SARS-1 outbreak in 2002-2003.
While Covid-19’s fatality rate was below five percent, its high transmission rate made it far more devastating. “Even with a five percent fatality rate, if one million people get infected, the number of deaths could still be in the millions,” he said.
Alviola noted that the WHO has given the placeholder name “Disease X” to an unknown virus that could jump to humans, with possible candidates most likely from the coronavirus family.
As a member of WHO’s scientific advisory group, he said they have developed a global framework detailing early response measures to prevent such diseases from becoming pandemics.
“Early investigations are very important. That dictates how you study them and how to prevent the spread,” he stressed, adding that it remains difficult to predict with certainty where the next outbreak will occur.
Reflecting on recent history, Alviola described the Covid-19 pandemic as “the worst existential threat to mankind since World War II” and urged the public to avoid repeating past mistakes.
“We should trust the process of science. Everything that worked during the pandemic was because of science. Science is doing its best,” he stressed.
He explained that with measures like contact tracing, authorities in the Philippines also know what to do in such situations, conducting research on surveillance and developing risk maps to identify where pandemics might occur and what activities could trigger an epidemic.
“Trust the science. Trust our scientists to do their work and provide us with answers,” Alviola concluded.
Runway to diplomacy...
years. These structures not only guide and shelter the aircraft of today but also anchor JBER’s long-standing role as a forward edge of American defense. In the foreground of one scene, an F-22 Raptor, a stealth air superiority fighter, taxied along the airfield, with transport aircraft moving in the distance.
The base’s story began in the early 1940s, just before the Second World War demanded its creation. Then, it was Fort Richardson for the Army and Elmendorf Field for the Army Air Forces, divided by a fence after the Air Force became its own service in 1947. For decades, two distinct communities operated in parallel, paratroopers training in one, strategic aircraft turning over engines in the other. In 2010, the two merged, becoming one of only a dozen joint bases in the Department of Defense. The fence came down, but
the dual heartbeat remained: airborne brigade combat teams on the Richardson side, strategic airlift and air dominance on the Elmendorf side, where two F-22 Raptor squadrons maintain constant readiness. On the flight line during the tour, a Boeing C-17 Globemaster III from the 176th Wing and 3rd Wing was observed taxiing under partly clouded skies, its “AK” tail code and “Anchorage” marking symbolizing local roots and global reach. Tour participants stepped inside its cavernous cargo bay, where the scale of its airlift capability became clear, its flooring marked for securing everything from armored vehicles to relief supplies. KC-135 Stratotankers stood ready to refuel fighters and bombers mid-air, extending reach across the hemisphere, while the CP140 Aurora hinted at allied maritime cooperation in northern waters. Rows of F-22 Raptors underscored air domi-
Literature & English supplement
CITY officials also observed that “teachers appreciated having a new and creative resource to supplement their lessons, while students were excited to explore stories that reflect Filipino culture and values.” School officials shared that the stories and poems in the Philippines Graphic Reader sparked student interest in reading beyond what is required in class.
“The discussions became livelier and more interactive. It was heartening to see young people engaged in literature with genuine curiosity and enthusiasm,” they said.
T. Anthony C. Cabangon, publisher of the Philippines Graphic and the BusinessMirror, expressed that the Graphic Reader presented literature in a format that is both relatable and accessible, especially for young readers. “The project encourages students to learn and appreciate English in a more natural and enjoyable way, through literature.”
New MOA PHILIPPINES Graphic Executive Vice President-General Manager Loida S. Virtudazo said that in sum, “the NJLA-LGU-public high schools project popularized further the works of Filipino short fiction writers and poets published in the Philippines Graphic Reader.” This year, the Philippines Graphic and the City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas renewed its Memorandum of Agreement, with the commitment to actively engage more teachers and students in the project.
City government officials, led by Mayor AJAM—together with school superintendents and teachers—will also grace NJLA 2025, the jewel event of the Philippines Graphic, where short fictionists and poets are feted.
Named after the late National Artist for Literature and former Philippines Graphic editor-in-chief Nick Joaquin, the NJLA was initiated by the late Philippines Graphic owner Antonio L. Cabangon Chua, a prominent Filipino businessman, diplomat, media mogul, and philanthropist. This year, NJLA 2025 will be held on Aug. 28, Thursday, from 5-9 p.m. on the 5th floor, Celestial Ballroom of the Luxent Hotel at 51 Timog Avenue, South Triangle, Quezon City.
nance, and C-130 Hercules transports spoke to JBER’s tactical versatility. Anchorage’s location amplifies JBER’s global reach. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, just beyond the perimeter, is the world’s third-busiest cargo hub, a refueling “giant gas station” for goods moving between Asia and the continental United States. In a crisis, those same routes can push forces into the Pacific at unmatched speed. To meet that demand, JBER is in the midst of a $404-million expansion of its north-south runway, adding 2,900 feet and shifting its magnetic heading from 16 to 17 as the Earth’s magnetic field drifts. Over 12 million cubic yards of soil have been moved — enough to fill 3,700 Olympic swimming pools, much of it in winter, when frozen ground allows 100-ton earthmovers to work efficiently. Beyond the infrastructure, JBER is a city of more than 30,000 residents: nearly 6,000 airmen, 5,000 soldiers, thousands from the Guard, Reserve, Navy, and Coast Guard, along with families, civilians, and contractors. It holds more than 3,000 houses, 3,000 dorms and barracks, 16 lakes, a ski hill, and Moose Run Golf Course, where moose sometimes wander across the fairway. Black bears and brown bears roam the edges, a reminder of the wild setting in which the base operates. Now, less than three weeks after the tour, this living, working, and training community with its historic hangars, modernized control facilities, combat-ready aircraft, and expanding runways will serve as the stage for a summit chosen not only for its security and logistical readiness, but for its symbolic geography: a military crossroads where the Arctic meets the Pacific, and where the future of global power may be discussed within sight of the Alaska Range.
Marcos to contractor of defective flood control project: Explain
RESIDENT Marcos on Fri -
Pday ordered the contractor of a defective flood control project in Calumpit, Bulacan, which has caused a village to constantly remain submerged in flood.
Marcos issued the order in the course of his inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the river protection structure in Calumpit being done by St. Timothy Construction Corporation, one of the 15 contractors that bagged 20 percent of all flood control projects last year.
With the President were Transportation Secretary Vivencio Dizon and Bulacan Gov. Daniel R. Fernando.
Marcos said the contractor claimed the dike was completed even it failed to build 200 meters of the structure, and used substandard materials.
Marcos ordered a comprehensive investigation on the matter, which he learned after receiving a letter from one of the floodaffected citizens.
“We need to make them answer why they did this. It would be better if they came here, they saw how difficult the life they gave to our countrymen was,” Marcos said in Filipino.
Based on the listed flood control projects of Department of Public Works and Highways, which were posted in the sumbongsapangulo. ph, the website created by the administration for auditing the projects, there were two projects by St. Timothy in Calumpit.
The first was a flood control structure at barangay BunguionSergio Bayan-Balite-San MarcosPalimbang Calumpit, Bulacan, which has a total cost of over P39.19 million and reported to be completed on August 15, 2023.
The second project was the P96.5-million Rehabilitation of River Protection Structure along Bulusan, which was completed on February 12, 2023.
St. Timothy Construction Corporation was among the 15 contractors, which got the bulk of the P545.64-billion worth of 9,855 flood control projects from July 2022 to May 2025.
On Wednesday, Marcos said he also observed defective flood control projects in Iloilo. He has committed to have the erring contractors involved in the said projects blacklisted so they can longer participate in future government contracts and expose the officials, who approved the said projects. Samuel P. Medenilla
Police officials assail Napolcom
TOP police officials and alumni of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) on Friday expressed support for the National Police chief, Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III following a National Police Commission resolution that in effect revoked his orders on the assignments of third-level officials.
An earlier Napolcom resolution “set aside” Torre’s order reassigning 13 of the most senior officers of the force.
In manifestos issued across commands, they condemned what they described as “abusive” the Napolcom resolution “that overturned a lawful order issued under the Chief PNP’s authority.”
Police regional directors, heads of national support units, more than 1,700 Highway Patrol Group (HPG) officers, the PNPA Alumni Association, the Association of Police Officers via Lateral Entry (APOLE) Inc., and the PNPA “Patnubay” Class of 1995 reaffirmed their “full, firm, and unwavering support” for Torre. They stressed that their stand is about safeguarding the integrity of the office he holds, defending institutional stability, and shielding the organization from
destabilizing encroachments.
The contested resolution reportedly nullified a directive involving key assignments within the police force—an act senior officials say blatantly violates the Chief PNP’s statutory powers under Republic Acts 6975, 8551, and 9708, which grant him full operational control, direction, and supervision over the 320,000-strong force.
Officials warned that bypassing or countermanding such authority without lawful cause is not only illegal but also corrosive to discipline and morale.
In a unified statement, the Philippine National Police Academy Alumni Association, Incorporated (PNPAAAI)—composed of active and retired officers from the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)—praised Torre as the first “Lakan” Chief PNP, saying he has exemplified the Academy’s core ideals of Justice, Integrity, and Service throughout his career.
PNPA graduates call each other “Lakan” to differentiate them from Philippine Military Academy graduates who call each other “Mistah.”
DepEd honors unsung champions of education
By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco
TO give the them lasting recognition, not “fleeting applause,” the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday launched “DepEd Heroes” that aims to find and honor the unsung champions of education. The program, that is supported by President Marcos, will celebrate teachers, parents, and community partners whose courage and service have transformed lives in and beyond the classroom and whose extraordinary dedication often escapes the spotlight of traditional
BIR exceeds June, H1 goals; pins hopes on tax reforms
By Reine Juvierre S. Alberto
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue
(BIR) is pinning its hopes on reaching this year’s collection target on new tax reforms, after it reported that it exceeded its revenue goal the month of June and for the first half of 2025.
In a statement on Friday, the BIR said it overshot its P1.549trillion collection goal in the first semester of the year by collecting P4.594 billion more, generating a total of P1.554 trillion.
The six-month collection
award-giving bodies. For its maiden roll call of heroes, DepEd conferred the title to Ma. Lourdes D. Rola, Master Teacher II of Caloocan High School, and Dea Gavas Solayao, a parent-volunteer from Maybancal Elementary School in Morong, Rizal. “Panahon na para kilalanin ang kabayanihan ng mga guro, magulang -volunteer, school heads, at education partners hindi lang sa i-isang petsa, kundi sa buong taon. Dahil hindi tumitigil ang kanilang trabaho, at hindi rin
is higher by 14.11 percent or P192.143 billion compared to the P1.362 trillion raised in the same period a year ago.
Meanwhile, the BIR said it also surpassed its P194.970-billion collection target for the month
DSWD rescues 156 children, files child abuse, other cases vs pastor
SOCIAL Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Saturday ordered the filing of child abuse and other cases against an American protestant missionary who allegedly maltreated children who are being taken cared of in his social welfare and development agency (Swada) in Mexico, Pampanga.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 3-Central Luzon and the police earlier arrested the American national who is the subject of numerous complaints by children who allegedly experienced physical, verbal and psychological abuse.
Pastor Jeremy Ferguson, director of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. (NLBCMPI) located in District 12, barangay Pandacaqui, was arrested late Wednesday evening by the DSWD’s Field Office (FO)-3 personnel and the Pampanga Police Provincial Office’s Women and Children’s Protection Desk based on the provisions of Republic Act 7610.
RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act imposes penalties ranging from prision mayor (6 years and 1 day to 12 years) up to reclusion temporal (12 years and 1 day to 20 years).
On Wednesday morning, Gatchalian issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. which was served on the same day by personnel of the Field Office 3 headed by Regional Director Venus Rebuldela.
Ferguson’s arrest came around eight hours after the rescue of 156 children from his custody based on the complaints against New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga Inc. which include: (1)physical abuse; (2) verbal abuse; (3) psychological abuse; (4) presence of fire hazards; (5) mismanagement of funds; (6) improper case management; and (7) non-compliance with the DSWD Registration, License to Operate and Accreditation standards.
“We will file criminal cases against Pastor Ferguson based on the complaints of children who have experienced physical, verbal and psychological abuse while under his custody. We will also request the Bureau of Immigration to issue a Hold Departure Order [HDO] on Mr. Ferguson to make sure that he will face his criminal cases in court,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian noted the gravity of the infractions and issued the CDO against Ferguson’s Swada “pursuant to the authority, regulatory powers, and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the DSWD to assist in the protection of the rights of children from all forms of danger,
neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development.”
The CDO is part of DSWD’s authority, regulatory powers and responsibility to assist in the protection of the rights of children from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development.
All the 156 residents of the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico, Pampanga, Inc. have been accounted for by the DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 3-Central Luzon. The children composed of 78 boys and 78 girls have been temporarily placed in the protective custody of the FO-3’s Reception and Study Center for Children (RSCC) in Lubao, Pampanga.
Gatchalian also assured that agency social workers “will journey with the rescued children from the New Life Baptist Church of Mexico Pampanga, Inc. (NLBCMPI) until they are healed from trauma.”
Gatchalian said a number of the children were distraught and recounted the stories of abuse they went through in the NLBCMPI facility, thus, their recovery is of paramount concern to the agency.
“I managed to speak to around four or five of them. The ones I spoke to were clearly distraught. They were talking about their harrowing experience inside that private care facility, what they underwent in the past couple of months. But suffice to say, they’re in our care now. Our social workers are with the kids, and our psychometricians are actually doing the trauma and post-stress debriefing. We’ll make sure that they get through difficult times together with our social workers,” Gatchalian said.
“Five of them narrated in great detail the maltreatment stories. And based on our social workers and psychologists, there is no reason to doubt them. And whether one, two, or three—the mere fact that a child got hurt or was maltreated—that’s enough for us to take severe strong actions against this agency,” he added.
Gatchalian explained that investigation is still ongoing against Ferguson, director of the NLBCMPI who was accused by the children of committing physical and verbal abuses against them.
Ferguson is an American national who is married to a Filipina.
The DSWD chief noted that aside from the pastor, the children had mentioned another staff member as they narrated their harrowing experience of abuse.
“One of the staffers’ name keeps on cropping up from the eight kids who narrated harrowing stories. So, we’re looking into more characters and more suspects, and appropriate cases will be filed accordingly,” Gatchalian said.
of June by P5.554 billion, raising P200.524 billion.
The amount is higher by 16.24 percent from the P172.503 billion collected in the same month last year.
Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said the main tax collecting agency is banking on the new tax reforms to increase collections and to surpass this year’s target.
“With the reforms introduced by the new tax laws, such as VAT on Digital Services, CREATE MORE Act and Capital Markets Promotions Act [CMEPA], we hope to increase the revenue base so we could attain and even surpass our collection target for the year,” Lumagui was quoted as saying.
This year, the BIR’s collection target was reduced to P3.219 trillion from its original goal set at
P3.232 trillion, on account of lower gross domestic product (GDP) expectations for the year.
The Cabinet-level Development Budget and Coordination Committee (DBCC) lowered the overall revenue target for the year due to prospects of slower economic growth, reduced import volumes and lower tariff collections.
The DBCC expects the GDP to settle from 5.5 percent to 6.5 percent in 2025. This was trimmed from the DBCC’s earlier projection of 6 to 8 percent.
Revenue collection of the government reached P2.260 trillion in the first half of the year, higher by 5.15 percent from P2.149 trillion in the same period last year. For 2026, the BIR is projected to collect P3.579 trillion, an 11.19 -percent increase from this year’s P3.219-trillion target.
DOST to use bigger ’26 budget for R&D, commercialization
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
will channel a larger 2026 budget into research, development and commercialization programs covering priority technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and smart agriculture.
The DOST will receive a national funding of P30.4 billion in 2026, up from P28.46 billion in 2025.
“In fact, we are grateful that [our budget] gets higher every year… and of course, our major programs would continue,” Science Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. told reporters in Filipino on the sidelines of the 18th Philippine National Health Research System in Legazpi City.
Solidum referred to the agency’s “Eight Big-Ticket R&D Programs,” which include geospatial analytics, Industry 4.0 applications, circular economy initiatives, smart technologies and biologics for pharmaceuticals, among others.
A significant portion will go to the Grants-in-Aid program, which will receive P8.9 billion to fund projects under the Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda.
These cover agriculture, health, industry, and emerging technology, and include the Science for Change Program (P737 million) and the Balik Scientist Program (P109 million).
The department’s R&D institutes will share P3.9 billion, earmarked for work in industrial
manufacturing, mineral processing, energy, textiles, microelectronics, wood products, metals and food and nutrition.
On one hand, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development will get P1.68 billion, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development P905 million, and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development P1.08 billion.
The Philippine Space Agency is also allotted P1.4 billion to sustain satellite operations, develop space-enabled services, and build facilities to assemble the country’s Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) satellite. Scholarship programs will
account for P8.3 billion, funding the education of 65,097 science and technology scholars under the Science Education Institute and the Philippine Science High School System.
“The big trust also of the funding will be on commercialization of technology because we wanted to create wealth out of our research results,” he said, adding that while not all innovations succeed in the market, the DOST aims to keep multiple pathways open for technologies that can generate jobs and economic gains.
The current Harmonized National Research and Development Agenda runs until 2028, with the eight priority programs as its main focus areas. With a report from John Eiron Francisco
Govt to strengthen maritime education
By Henry Empeño
AN NARCISO, Zambales—
SPresident Marcos on Friday said the government is set to raise the standard of maritime education in its effort to provide better opportunities to aspiring Filipino seamen.
Marcos made the statement during his speech at this year’s Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) graduation rites here.
Marcos said the government will come up with the National Merchant Marine Aptitude Test to assess the ability of those wishing to take up maritime courses, as well as the Ladderized Maritime Education and Training Program to transition maritime courses from non-degree to degree programs.
“The government is ensuring a stronger and higher-level skills training in the country,” the President said.
“The Maritime Industry Authority is doing various means
Education. . .
Continued from A3 dapat tumigil ang ating pasasalamat,” said Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara.
Heroic acts
to increase opportunities for onboard training,” he added.
President Marcos was guest of honor and speaker at the commencement exercises of the PMMA’s “Kadaligtan” Class of 2025 composed of 252 midshipmen.
He also conferred the Presidential Saber Award to Midshipman 1st Class Marc John Castañeto, the class valedictorian, and led the distribution of diplomas and awards to the graduates.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, Higher Education Commissioner Desiderio Apag III, and Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan, Coast Guard (PCG) commandant, assisted the President in the ceremony. In his speech, Marcos urged the graduates to fulfill their missions when they join the Navy, the Coast Guard, or the merchant marine.
“The seas are rife with danger,” he cautioned. “It will test you, push you to your limits; but above all, it will shape you into the mariner that you are meant to be.”
The “Kadaligtan” Class, which
TEACHER Lou, a veteran educator with over 15 years in both secondary and tertiary teaching, has built her career around the belief that learning is as much about mindset as it is about mastery of subjects. Her flagship advocacy, Project LET IT GROW, instills resilience and a “growth mindset” among students, teachers and parents. She is also the driving force behind Project ALAB (Alay-Lingap Alang-Alang sa Bata), a teacher-led adopt-a-child program that provides school supplies, transportation support, snacks, and sustained mentorship for disadvantaged learners.
“To be called a hero is something I never imagined because for me, being a teacher has always been about, not about recognition, but more about commitment and love for our learners,”
is short for Kawal ng Dalampasigan, Liwanang ng Karagatan (Soldier of the Shore, Beacon of the Sea), is composed of 144 graduates of Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (deck officers) and 108 graduated of Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (engine officers).
Members of the 252-strong graduating class were also commissioned as ensigns in the Navy Reserve Force (PhilNaRevFor) during the ceremony.
The PMMA superintendent, Commo. Joel Abutal, said the Kadaligtan Class includes 13 midshipmen who will join the Coast Guard (PCG) and 15 who will be with the Navy (PN). The rest chose to set sail aboard merchant vessels.
The class valedictorian, Marc John Castañeto, who hails from a farming community in Nueva Ecija, said the PMMA had transformed him from a clueless cadet into an able seaman and leader who has found his purpose.
“When I first got in the academy—I had no clue about ships, or
Teacher Lou said.
Meanwhile, Solayao, affectionately known as “Mommy Dea” in her community, began her volunteer journey in 2020 when the pandemic disrupted face-to-face classes. Initially serving as a Gabay Aral tutor, she helped struggling learners bridge gaps in their lessons. Over time, she found her calling as a storyteller, joining the school’s Barangayan para sa Bawat Bata Bumabasa (BRB4) reading program.
Armed only with her voice, and an unwavering belief in the power of stories, Solayao spends hours reading to children after class and in community gatherings.
how things worked at sea,” Castañeto recalled in his valedictory speech. “At first, I thought—just graduate, get a job, help my family. That’s it.”
“But as time passed, something changed,” he added. “I realized— it’s not just about being a seafarer. It’s about being a leader…It’s knowing your purpose, and helping others find theirs.”
The eldest of two sons of a retired school teacher and a former bus conductor who turned to accepting welding jobs for extra income, Castañeto applied for scholarships in prestigious schools but ultimately chose the PMMA for its free education and promise of secured employment after graduation.
In the maritime school, Castañeto likewise served as student representative to the PMMA Board of Trustees and news editor of the academy’s publication, The Galleon.
He also received the PMMA Chairman of the Board Award during the graduation rites.
Sailalimlangpokamingmgapunong manggadati,walangsilya,walang blackboard,peropunongkagustuhangmatuto ang mga bata. Kasi sila po mismo ang gumagawangparaanparamakasalidoon sa ginagawa kong pagtulong,” Mommy Dea said.
Through DepEd Heroes, the Department hopes to find more individuals like Rola and Solayao—people whose acts of service might never make headlines but whose impact is quietly transforming the future. The search extends beyond the corridors of top-performing schools into the unseen corners of communities.
PCG recovers Chinese rocket debris
THE Coast Guard (PCG) on Friday announced it had recovered floating rocket debris with People’s Republic of China (PRC) markings on the shoreline of sitio Gunting, barangay Bonbon, Looc, Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.
In a statement, the PCG said Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Lubang received a call from the National PoliceMaritime Group (PNP Marig) around 12: 30 p.m. Thursday regarding a local fisherman who retrieved a floating debris with ties to the “Long March
7A” rocket launch conducted by the PRC earlier this week.
Upon receipt of the report, CGSS Lubang coordinated with barangay Binacas and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Lubang Sub-Office, to conduct a retrieval operation.
“The joint PCG-PDRRMO team confirmed the debris’ presence and interviewed the concerned fisherman, a 50-year-old resident of barangay Binacas, who found the object while fishing one nautical mile off barangay
Miscellaneous materials
temper NCR building costs
By Bless Aubrey Ogerio
MBonbon,” the PCG said.
The debris, measuring about 10 feet wide and 14 feet long, had a PRC flag painted on it.
“By 2:40 p.m., the debris was secured at sitio Balaguin, barangay Maliig, Lubang, Occidental Mindoro for safekeeping and proper disposition,” the maritime agency said.
The PCG also reminded fishermen, coastal community residents, and other maritime stakeholders to immediately report sightings of unusual floating objects to the nearest Coast Guard unit. Rex Anthony Naval
Gcash, Maya to unlink from online gambling sites
E-WALLET GCash and digital payment
company Maya assured that they would comply with the Bangko Sentral (BSP) order to unlink from online gambling sites.
In a statement on Thursday, GCash said it will fully comply with BSP’s proactive directive to remove links and icons that connect payment apps to online gambling platforms.
“We share the BSP’s commitment to ensure that digital financial services are used responsibly and in ways that protect the welfare of Filipinos,” GCash statement said.
“Once we receive the official directive, we will immediately enforce the necessary changes to ensure compliance and safeguard our users,” it added.
During the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on Thursday, BSP Deputy Governor Mamerto Tangonan said the central bank issued an order mandating e-wallets to unlink from online gambling platforms within 48 hours. In a separate statement, Maya indicated it is also ready to comply with the BSP directive.
“The update will be implemented in line with the BSP’s guidance. We assure customers that their accounts and transactions remain secure and fully operational,” the Maya statement said.
“We remain focused on serving our customers while fully complying with regulatory requirements,” it added. PNA
Sari-sari stores bring ‘sachet’ school supplies closer to schools–study
SARI-SARI stores are opening and expanding their inventories to offer
“sachet” or “tingi,” or small quantities, of school supplies, in response to the start of the new school year.
This is the latest insight from Filipino tech startup Packworks.io, which analyzed over a million monthly sales transactions from its network of over 300,000 sari-sari stores nationwide via its mobile app and business intelligence tool, Sari IQ.
Packworks’ data reveals that the number of stores near schools, those within the 400-meter radius or approximately 500 steps away, grew by 31 percent from approximately 71,000 in 2023 to 95,000 last year.
As of June 2025, the company has 102,058 partner stores operating near schools, according to its latest data.
From 2023 to 2024, Packworks saw that most sari-sari stores near schools are located in rural regions, specifically in Region IX or Zamboanga Peninsula (+77%), Cordillera Administrative Region (+70%), Region X or Northern Mindanao (+55%), Region VIII or Eastern Visayas (+52%), and Region VI or Western Visayas) (+50%).
Data further suggests that sari-sari stores benefited significantly from their inventory strategies during the school season. In 2023, stores experienced a 30 percent increase in sales in August, which coincided with the start of the school year on August 29.
The trend accelerated in 2024, with stores recording an impressive 130 percent surge in July, ahead of the July 29 start of the school year. For the current school season in 2025, stores generated a 71 percent sales spike in June, with the school year starting on June 16. While total sales transactions of school supplies increased by 9 percent from 2023 to 2024, the overall gross merchandise value (GMV) last year was P1.31 million, a 3 percent decrease from P1.36 million in 2023.
Packworks Chief Data Officer Andoy Montiel explains that the data points to a trend of more frequent but smaller purchases.
“Our latest findings show that the country’s ‘tingi’ economy extends beyond household commodities to school supplies as well. The contradiction between the increase in sales transactions and the decrease in the overall GMV between 2023 and 2024 indicates that sari-sari stores, especially those in rural areas, are not just
participating in the back-to-school season but strategically adapting to it with a model that works for their communities,” Montiel said. The accessibility of sari-sari stores’ “tingi” business model becomes particularly vital as educational costs, including supplies, account for more than half of a typical Filipino household’s monthly income, according to a report by WorldRemit.
Regions with the highest GMV margins from 2023 to 2024 were recorded in Region V (Bicol Region)-+381 percent, Region X (Northern Mindanao)-+256 percent, Region II (Cagayan Valley)-+120 percent, Region VI (Western Visayas)-+87percent, and Region XII (Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos)-+78 percent.
So far in 2025, stores brought in P795,000 worth of GMV during the first six months of the year alone.
Packworks Chief Platform Officer Hubert Yap highlights the entrepreneurial capabilities of sari-sari stores in responding to seasonal demands and adjusting their inventories in response to various occurrences, including the back-to-school season.
“Our data is a testament to why sari-sari stores are the lifeblood of the Philippine economy. They possess a deep understanding of their communities, enabling them to seize seasonal opportunities. They are not just reacting to demand, but they are strategically positioning themselves and adapting to the needs of their communities, especially with the recent long suspensions of the first weeks of public school due to the torrential rains this season, ensuring neighborhood educators, parents and students have access to what they need, exactly when they need it, just in time for the back to school rush,” Yap said.
Among the school products analyzed, pad paper was the top-selling item in sarisari stores with a 74 percnt spike in GMV sales between 2023 and 2024, followed by colored pencil (+74 percent), bond paper (+71 percent), paper glue (+28 percent), and correction tape (+23 percent).
“Our report also serves as a valuable roadmap for brands and education services to realize their hyper-targeted market opportunities in partnering with sarisari stores to effectively reach local communities,” Yap added.
FPJ: The real person behind the reel hero
It may sound absurd, but don’t be naive/Even heroes have the right to bleed Even heroes have the right to dream/Looking for special things inside of me/
To find the better part of me/ It’s not easy to be me.—Song ‘Superman” (It’s Not Easy)
FOR over 46 years, the movies of FPJ lorded it over competition in the Philippine movie kingdom.
From 1955 until his death in 2003, not only was he the lead star in around 300 films, he became the singular “triple threat” man of the movies, producing, writing and directing his own movies.
This is why he’s been dubbed as “Da King.” This coming August 21 marks his 95th birthday.
The reason why I am suddenly into FPJ is that I’m now working on a script for an FPJ bio documentary helmed by my friend Dik Trofeo. Before writing it, I had to sit down to watch and re-watch 38 raw uncut oncam interviews of various individuals ranging from those who knew FPJ up close and personal while he was still alive, to longlife fans who faithfully visit his grave every year as well as experts on Filipino cinema and culture who had observed the FPJ phenomenon from a distance. What I get from viewing the interviews is a kaleidoscope of casual impressions, unique glimpses and intimate revelations as well as insightful reflections on the man and the artist.
It is like putting the separate pieces of a picture puzzle together.
Here are a few interesting tidbits about FPJ that unveil his human side.
When FPJ visited Boots Anson Roa and hubby Pete Roa at their home, he would spend more time conversing with the housemaids and the driver. One time, Boots found him in the maidens’ quarters singing a ditty to one of the household help. In the same interview, Boots disclosed that FPJ was a “giggler” or as we say in our lingo, “bungisngis.” When he would find something funny, he couldn’t stop laughing. In the midst of shooting, he would burst out laughing, so much so that shooting had to be put on hold until he was finally able to control his sudden laughing bursts.
FPJ also had a “vice” or “diversion.” He loved betting on racehorses. Zenen Manahan, who became a child actor by FPJ, was the one placing his bets. Zenen would even follow FPJ to shooting locations carrying a “dividendazo” to guide FPJ in choosing his bets for the day. One time, FPJ won P1 million, which he generously shared with Zenen and his buddies. It was more of a therapy for FPJ. The thrill of winning took his mind off work and kept him going.
Several close friends like Ben Yalung and Elizabeth Oropesa reveal that FPJ was “ takot sa duktor ” as one of them put it. While he kept himself physically fit and conditioned specially
before a shoot, he would never see a doctor for an undisclosed reason. Was it a sense of trauma or resentment he harbored from the time his father died in spite of being attended to by eight doctors? It was an irony considering the physical vitality that he brought to his film characters who seemed indestructible.
Did you know that FPJ’s father wanted him to be a priest? But it was not meant to be. Ben Yalung says that he was not the religious type who would go to mass every Sunday. But still he admitted he believed in God. He
man, doubling for Lilia Dizon in the movie “Simaron” when she sprained her ankle and couldn’t do a riding scene. And there lies the secret to the popularity of FPJ’s movies. He had his finger on the pulse of the ordinary Filipino. As one of the interviewees puts it: “Ipinanganak na nakadikit ang tenga sa ibaba. Ramdam niya ang pulso ng tao.” FPJ fans resonate with his persona because he leads not through brute strength but through emotional intelligence. A super “ bida ” who is powerful and unbreakable, but not impenetrable.
His empathy for the “little people” was a kind of strength that had been, for too long, undervalued. He was popular but he hated to exploit his fame. He was the original anti “epal”. He forbade his staff to stamp his name on his acts of generosity. He actively and silently gave assistance to victims of calamities. He had an undisclosed roster of young scholars. He was a kind person always looking out for those in need.
hated shootings scheduled on a Sunday, and made him irritable. Presumably, faith was something deeply personal for him.
The more I watch the interviews, the more I encounter a more grounded Da King who wrestled with his fame. Here was a virtual demi-god who only wanted to be an ordinary human person just like anyone.
In one of his low moments, FPJ confided to Rez Cortez, one of the so-called FPJ boys and a protege of his: “Alam mo Rez tao rin ako, kumakain din ng kanin. Gusto ko i-trato ako bilang isang karaniwang tao, isang kaibigan.” It sounds like one his dialogue lines but to me it is a cry to be freed from the prison of his eminent position as “da king.” In those moments, he longed for connection to his basic humanity.
After all, he was only around 15 when his father Fernando Poe Sr. suddenly died. Green and raw in the ways of the world, the young FPJ was saddled unexpectedly with the responsibility of carrying the burden of being the family breadwinner. He was in a sense deprived of a normal youth. And he never looked back. FPJ found himself catapulted to fame, and his rise to stardom had no let up. Like a jockey on a racing derby, he couldn’t get off the horse. He had much at stake and to lose. Each film was directly hitched to his mystique and reputation as a money maker. Nick Joaquin called him “Batang Takilya.” No wonder he constantly sought the company of ordinary people, such as his FPJ boys, the reliable stable of supporting actors, stuntmen, comic actors who were his regular drinking buddies in between shootings or during his free days. He felt like he was one of them. After all, he started in the movies as a stunt
DOT offers free tour guide training to Manila seniors
By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA—Senior citizens based in Manila and are interested to work in the travel sector may now join a governmentfunded training to become an accredited community tour guide in Intramuros, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Tuesday.
The agency said the seminar is free of charge, with 30 slots open for interested applicants.
The seminar, conducted in coordination with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), will run from September 23 to October 1, and will focus on teaching the participants the history of the walled city and the basics of becoming a tour guide.
To qualify, they must be a resident
of Manila City, physically fit, age 60 and above, and be able to converse in English.
Applicants need only to submit their accomplished application form (link: http://bit.ly/45o7cwH), curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, 2x2 ID picture, and a copy of their senior citizen ID from the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) to the NCSC’s e-mail address at secadna@ ncsc.gov.ph until August 22.
The agency clarified that all applicants will undergo screening. Only those accepted would be able to join the seven-day seminar and the DOT accreditation process. The DOT accreditation, it added, is a separate process that may need other documentary requirements. PNA
At this summer camp run by grandmas, kids learn cooking skills and life advice
By Jaimie Ding | Associated Press
LOS ANGELES—The smell of frying garlic and ginger is inescapable as it wafts through the room, while a row of fidgety kids watches an older woman in a blue plaid apron cooking in front of them.
In all the interviews, every single one believes FPJ was cheated out of the Presidency and that he could have been a good President because “he was one of us.”
At its heart, FPJ’s rise and long reign is not just a story about the Titan of Philippine movies who could have saved our country. It’s about the kind of power we admire, the kind of leader we want and the kind of people we’re willing to become.
Dr. Nick Tiongson, a respected Filipino cinema historian and astute observer and annotator of Filipino culture, notes in the interview that FPJ’s films consistently helped define what a good leader is for the Filipino masses: kind, humble, ready to help, respectful of women, one who fights for the oppressed. That, in essence, is what a true champion of the people is supposed to be, which goes back to our folk myths and legends.
In 2006, we had the opportunity for FPJ to lead us, to save the country, but the corrupt political system frustrated us.
This is perhaps the reason why the ordinary Juan de la Cruz still pines for him and why he is still fondly remembered, even after he’s been gone for almost 15 years now. Disappointed time and again, the common tao has yet to see the qualities of the leader embodied by FPJ in our present crop of politicians.
But maybe we should stop waiting for that mythic leader in the mold of FPJ. As a people, we can take inspiration from his movies. His movies showed us that together we must find a way to overcome the challenges that we face, get up again and again until we finally triumph against the bad guys.
As he kept saying: “Have faith in the little people. They will not let us down.”
“When I was growing up my mom used to make this a lot,” she says, showing a chicken stir fry recipe.
At this “Intergenerational Summer Camp” in a Southern California suburb, the grandmas are in charge. Every week, they taught a group of 8-to-14-year-olds how to cook a new dish and a do a handicraft such as sewing, embroidering, clay jewelry and card marking.
“Isolation and loneliness are some of the things that seniors are challenged with, and they love having younger people around them,” said Zainab Hussain, a program manager at Olive Community Services, a nonprofit aimed at bringing older adults together that hosted the camp.
The camp was held at a community center in Fullerton, a city in Orange County that’s home to a large Arab population, and many of the campers and grandmas come from those communities. In between activities, the small room bustled with energy as the girls chatted and munched on snacks. Some of the volunteer grandmas milled around and watched, content to just be around
the youngsters.
In July, during the final week of camp, Janna Moten and her friends were learning how to use a sewing machine and make pouches.
“Slowly, slowly,” one grandma chided as Moten stomped on the machine’s pedal, causing the needle to rapidly jerk up and down.
She pressed her foot down again, gingerly, and managed to sew a straight line.
“Honestly, I’m just here for the food,” the 9-year-old quipped. Still, she beamed as she showed the two pieces of fabric she sewed together and turned inside out, forming a rectangular pocket.
Moten said she’s been practicing hand-stitching at home after learning embroidery a previous week.
“Sewing’s pretty easy, it’s just hard keeping the lines straight,” she said. She added that her own grandma was stricter than the ones at summer camp.
Haqiqah Abdul Rahim, the instructor for sewing, said many kids don’t learn these skills at school anymore through home economics classes, so they’re “filling in a gap.” She stood in front of the room at the start of the activity, holding up various tools and explaining what they were: seam roller, thread snipper, rotary fabric cutter.
Rahim also doesn’t get to spend a lot of time with her grandchildren because they don’t live close.
“It is heartwarming to be able to interact with those who love being around you,” Rahim said. The kids have learned about kitchen safety and how to cook with a grandma’s touch—such as mixing spices with water before adding them to a dish so they don’t burn, or using fresh turmeric. The summer camp was held in partnership with the Golden Connections Club, started by high school student Leena Albinali last year to foster interactions between teens and elders.
The 14-year-old lives with her grandma but realized other students didn’t have the same opportunity to spend as much time with their grandparents. She also learned about ageism and other challenges faced by senior adults in one of her classes.
At monthly lunches, they invite seniors to the school and discuss topics where both groups can learn from each other, Albinali said.
TOURISM Secretary Christina Frasco. PNA FILE PHOTO BY JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA
SHAMEEM SYED helps student Zaaria Moosani during a cooking class at Olive Community Services, on July 29, 2025, in Fullerton, California. AP PHOTO/ZOË MEYERS
THE local government of Cavite City under Mayor Denver Chua recently awarded the P100,000 cash gift to Nanay Abuela Carmen Pacifico Castañeda, a true Caviteña Centenarian, in celebration of her 100th birthday on July 16, 2025. In addition, she will receive P50,000 from
national government. Nanay Carmela will
Dennis Abrina
BusinessMirror
How AI is making home appliances smarter, more connected
OVER a month ago, I went to Bangkok for the annual SEA Tech Seminar held at Samsung’s brand-new Business Experience Studio. This was my second time at the seminar but last year, the focus was on the washing machine. This time, journalists from Southeast Asian countries got to learn about how Samsung’s AI Home display is now available across more appliances.
The AI Home Display allows users to access key functions, view personalized information through the Daily Board, manage their smart home using Map View, and integrate third-party devices via the SmartThings app, removing the need for a separate hub and creating a more integrated experience.
Daren Tay, vice president and regional head of Digital Appliances for Southeast Asia and Oceania of Samsung Electronics, welcomed us to the seminar. After that, Samsung’s engineers and tech people gave
us the rundown on what to expect from the South Korean giant in the near future. From last year to now, the progress Samsung has made on its appliances is astounding.
I have already talked about the refrigerators in a previous column so I will continue with the washing machines, air conditioners, and vacuum cleaners.
For the first time, AI Wash is now available on the new Bespoke AI Top Load Washer, which already enjoys the benefit of smart sensors to detect laundry load and fabric softness. Also new to the Bespoke AI Top Load Washer is AI Energy Mode, which optimizes power usage, and AI VRT+ (this helps to reduce vibration and noise). The Bespoke AI Washer and Dryer set is now equipped with AI Wash+ and AI Dry+, and can recognize a broader range of fabric types for a more personalized laundry process.
Samsung’s air conditioner has the new WindFree Good Sleep mode that connects with the Galaxy Watch or Galaxy Ring so the air-conditioning system automatically adjusts the room temperature based on your sleep stage. Meanwhile, WindFree Cooling gently disperses air through 10,000 micro holes (this means the air conditioner can disperse air even when the vent is closed!) to eliminate drafts and keep a steady temperature. Samsung’s new system air conditioner lineup now also has built-in Wi-Fi so there’s no need to get up in the middle of the night to adjust the temperature because now it connects to SmartThings.
The Bespoke AI Jet Ultra is a very powerful
PHL gets its own game server for Valorant
RIOT Games has announced that its sixth game server for Valorant in the Asia Pacific region is slated to launch in Manila. Set to go live with Patch 11.04 on August 20 at 5 am (PHT), the Manila game server aims to bring better connectivity and enrich the game experience of Filipino Valorant players. The Manila server is expected to deliver lower ping, reduce instability, and improve overall connectivity. It hopes to eliminate many of the infrastructure-related limitations Filipino players often face when connecting to overseas servers— most notably in Hong Kong. Valorant’s game server in Manila will not affect the performance of its Hong Kong server, which has been the primary hub for Pinoy players
since 2020. The game has a strong and active player base across Asia Pacific, so even if some players choose to switch to the new server, game quality and matchmaking on the Hong Kong server will stay resilient. Moreover, the Manila server is an additional option, not a replacement. Filipino players can move to the new server, and those who prefer to continue playing using the Hong Kong server can do so without any disruption. It will also not affect players’ ability to join competitive tournaments like Premier, and top Filipino teams competing from the Manila server will still have the chance to qualify for the Challengers Southeast Asia league. This keeps the path to higher-level competition open
cordless stick vacuum with 400W of suction power on its HexaJet Motor. It comes with AI Cleaning Mode 2.0, which detects the type of surface you are using it on and adjusts the power accordingly. I love that it has a self-emptying dock called the All-in-One Clean Station, which actually empties the dust bin and charges the vacuum.
We also got to check out the Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI, which has additional cameras aside from the usual sensors. There are two 3D cameras used to recognize objects, obstacles and sizes, and another camera that is designed to transmit images to a Samsung smartphone in real time. While the wet cleaning function in most robotic vacuum cleaners is usually an additional microfiber cloth that’s moistened during cleaning to wipe the floor, the Samsung Jet Bot Combo AI has two round nozzles that rotate at 170 rpm and are capable of removing difficult dirt.
The Automatic Cleaning Station has a 2.5-liter dust bag and two tanks, one for clean water with a capacity of 4 liters and the other for dirty water with a capacity of 3.6 liters. This allows for fully automated cleaning for a certain period of time without having to clean the dust cup, wet cleaning nozzles, and fill up the water.
Samsung may not be the only brand that can give you a connected and convenient home but it is probably the first one with a full ecosystem with the appliances having the capability for pairing with the smartphones, watches and fitness rings.
and fair. The Manila server will also function like existing game pods in Southeast Asia, such as those in Hong Kong and Singapore. Its location will be labelled “MNL” in the server options under the Southeast Asia region for eligible players.
The launch of the Manila server follows the month-long celebration of Valorant’s fifth anniversary, which spotlighted Filipino players through community-led moments. These tributes reflect the game’s deep cultural impact and the passion of the local community.
“The launch of Valorant’s firstever game server in the Philippines reinforces Riot Games’ commitment to improving the local player experience while celebrating the Filipino players
and communities that have fueled the game’s growth,” said Jason Roberto, Brand Manager for Valorant at Riot Games Philippines. “Our priority has always been to enrich the game experience for local players and ensure we’re providing the right level of support to our base. We’re excited for them to try out the Manila game server and experience smoother connectivity and more hyperlocal matches that will bring fresh excitement to their games.”
In celebration of the new game server in Manila, Riot Games Philippines will be mounting a series of community tournaments for Filipino players across the nation.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to Valorant’s official social media channels for more updates.
BY RIZAL RAOUL REYES
PERHAPS, this is their contribution to enhance global sustainablity. Lenovo, recognized as the world’s largest personal computer (PC) manufacturer, through its Philippine office recently launched their latest Yoga laptop series emphasizing sustainability, combining eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient design, and—recently—a groundbreaking solarpowered concept.
According to the company, this initiative is part of a broader company-wide effort to reduce environmental impact. During the recent launch held in Makati City, Lenovo Philippines President and General Manager Michael Ngan said the laptops are 10th generation models developed to respond to the current needs and operating environment.
“These 2025 Lenovo Yoga and Legion devices are more than upgrades—they represent the next era of personal computing,” Ngan said. He added that Lenovo is providing Filipinos artificial intelligence (AI)-ready laptops that will allow them to work creatively, giving more flexibility, built to match how people work, play and express themselves today. In a product presentation, Lenovo said the Yoga models were built with recycled and sustainable For example, some models have top covers made with 100 percent recycled aluminum, while others use at least 50 percent recycled aluminum in their top or bottom covers. In addition, many of the laptops utilize post-consumer recycled (PCC) plastic in components like the power adapter case, keyboard, and speaker enclosures. On some Yoga models, like the Yoga 6, the top cover features a fabric made from 100 percent recycled plastic, including material from recycled water bottles.
Furthermore, Lenovo has also introduced other recycled materials into their products, such as postconsumer recycled rare earth metals in magnets and recycled steel and copper in various parts.
To contribute towards reducing plastic waste, Lenovo is moving toward plastic-free packaging for its Yoga products by using paperboard for cushioning and system bags made from materials like bamboo fiber. The packaging for Yoga laptops uses recycled, renewable, and bio-based materials. For instance, the paper boxes are often 100 percent Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, and system bags are sometimes made from bamboo fiber, a rapidly renewable material.
Lenovo has introduced innovative packaging designs, such as a laptop stand built into the packaging of some Yoga models, encouraging reuse.
Specifically, the company said that newer Yoga models, particularly in the 9-series, have achieved Carbon Neutral certification, pointing out that the company has measured and reduced the product’s carbon footprint and then offset the remaining emissions by investing in carbon credits from projects like solar and renewable energy initiatives.
The introduction of the new Yoga models, according to the Chinese technology giant, focusing on sustainable materials and packaging in its Yoga series, is part of a larger corporate strategy. It has a long-standing commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is working to transition to a circular economy. It is pushing the envelope as they are actively engaging with their suppliers to encourage climate disclosures and the setting of science-based targets for emissions reduction.
For eco-conscious buyers, Lenovo said the Yoga laptop should be the choice because they use high amounts of recycled materials across their lineup, and packaging is nearly 100 percent plastic-free and uses renewable resources.
Moreover, the Solar PC concept showcases Lenovo’s exploration of solar-powered, nearly selfsustaining laptops—a glimpse into the future of truly sustainable mobile computing.
but the Pro’s refinements make the difference in those
www.businessmirror.com.ph
YOUTUBE TO BEGIN TESTING NEW AI-POWERED AGE VERIFICATION SYSTEM
YOUTUBE on Wednesday will begin testing a new ageverification system in the US that relies on artificial intelligence to differentiate between adults and minors, based on the kinds of videos that they have been watching. The tests initially will only affect a sliver of YouTube’s audience in the US, but it will likely become more pervasive if the system works as well at guessing viewers’ ages as it does in other parts of the world. The system will only work when viewers are logged into their accounts, and it will make its age assessments regardless of the birth date a user might have entered upon signing up.
If the system flags a logged-in viewer as being under 18, YouTube will impose the normal controls and restrictions that the site already uses as a way to prevent minors from watching videos and engaging in other behavior deemed inappropriate for that age.
The safeguards include reminders to take a break from the screen, privacy warnings and restrictions on video recommendations. YouTube, which has been owned by Google for nearly 20 years, also doesn’t show ads tailored to individual tastes if a viewer is under 18.
If the system has inaccurately called out a viewer as a minor, the mistake can be corrected by showing YouTube a government-issued identification card, a credit card or a selfie.
“YouTube was one of the first platforms to offer experiences designed specifically for young people, and we’re proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy,” James Beser, the video service’s director of product management, wrote in a blog post about the ageverification system.
People still will be able to watch YouTube videos without logging into an account, but viewing that way triggers an automatic block on some content without proof of age.
The political pressure has been building on websites to do a better job of verifying ages to shield children from inappropriate content since late June when the US Supreme Court upheld a Texas law aimed at preventing minors from watching pornography online.
While some services, such as YouTube, have been stepping up their efforts to verify users’ ages, others have contended that the responsibility should primarily fall upon the two main smartphone app stores run by Apple and Google—a position that those two technology powerhouses have resisted.
Some digital rights groups, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the Center for Democracy & Technology, have raised concerns that age verification could infringe on personal privacy and violate First Amendment protections on free speech. AP
GLOBE AT HOME REWARDS
LOYAL CUSTOMERS WITH SPEED BOOSTS OF UP TO 1 GBPS AT NO EXTRA COST
GLOBE AT HOME is boosting internet speeds for many of its loyal GFiber Plan postpaid customers at no extra cost. No sign-ups, no hidden fees, just faster, stronger, and reliable connectivity delivered straight to their homes.
“We know our customers rely on us more than ever to stay connected, whether for work, entertainment, or everyday life,” said Abigail Cardino, vice president and head of brand management, Broadband Business at Globe. “We are committed to stay true to our promise of delivering more value without asking more from our loyal customers.” The new speeds are based on tenure, with boosts reaching up to 1 Gbps. To complement the upgraded speeds, Globe AT HOME is also upgrading customers to the latest WiFi 6 modems at no extra cost, along with a refreshed 24-month lock-up. This upgrade lets families connect up to 50 devices with low lag, enjoy ultra HD streaming and smooth multiplayer gaming, and stay protected with stronger built-in security. This initiative reflects Globe AT HOME’s commitment to delivering meaningful experiences that match the evolving digital lifestyle of Filipino households, and to showing real appreciation for customers who continue to trust Globe with their home connectivity.
“We anticipate our customers’ needs and take the lead in making sure they get the service they deserve,” Cardino added. “At the end of the day, this is about showing our commitment. Because nothing connects like Globe AT HOME.” No action is needed, qualified customers will be notified via the GlobeOne app and will receive their FREE speed boost automatically. To be eligible, accounts must be active and bills up to date.
To check your new speed, manage your account, and pay your bills real-time, download and register your Globe AT HOME account via the GlobeOne app.
BusinessMirror
TWELVE HOURS, THREE COVERAGES, NO RECHARGE:
The Honor 400 Pro 5G blue carpet stress test
YEARS ago, back when I was covering the entertainment beat, there was one assignment I always tried to dodge—the red-carpet affairs.
Don’t get me wrong, they were glamorous, glitzy, and star-studded. But they also meant hours of standing in formal wear, shoulder to shoulder with veteran photographers wielding giant DSLR rigs that looked like they belonged on a nature documentary. Meanwhile, there I was, clutching a phone that tapped out at 2X zoom, praying I could crop my shots without turning the celebrities into an impressionist painting.
But the recent GMA Gala wasn’t something I could let pass—not this year. It just so happened to fall on the same day, at the very same venue, as the Honor 400 Pro 5G launch.
From the blinding flashes of the press pit to the dim, very crowded spot we were in and our distance to the celebrities, the gala would be the perfect battlefield to see if Honor’s newest flagship could keep up—and keep going—without tapping out before the night was over.
My day started way before 10 am as I traveled to The Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts.
The Honor 400 Pro 5G launch kicked off at 11 am, followed by an Honor of Kings showmatch from 1 to 4 pm, and only then would the GMA Gala festivities begin at 5 pm. It meant I’d be on my feet—and on my phone—for nearly 12 hours straight. If there was ever a perfect real-world test for Honor’s promise of an ultra-clear 200MP camera and a battery built to “go the distance,” this was it.
A DAY IN THE LIFE WITH A FLAGSHIP
AS a journalist and content creator, events are my ultimate testing ground for cameras.
Every venue, stage setup, and concept brings a new set of challenges—from tricky lighting to unpredictable movement. At the morning launch, the Honor 400 Pro 5G’s Ultra-clear AI Camera captured everything with striking precision, from the drama of the stage lights and the glow of the LED walls to the fine shimmer of the product displays.
But beyond its photographic power, one of the most practical tools for writers like me is its voice recorder. It doesn’t just capture audio clearly—it can automatically transcribe speeches into text, sparing me the tedious task of rewinding and replaying recordings.
Even better, it can identify and separate different speakers, making post-event writing faster and far more accurate. You can even translate itto different languages, and the best part is you don’t need to download or pay for apps.
Over lunch, I managed to clear a few e-mails and scroll through my social feeds before gearing up for the Honor of Kings showcase. By the time I returned to the event hall, it was a different vibe—the formal setup from the morning launch had given way to a full-blown esports arena. The energy was electric, setting the perfect stage to put the Honor 400 Pro 5G’s
gaming chops to the test.
Powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and backed by a generous 24GB of RAM (16GB physical plus 8GB from Honor RAM Turbo), the phone handled high-intensity gameplay like a seasoned pro. Frame rates stayed consistently smooth, and the 5,000nit AMOLED display made every battle animation explode with color and clarity, even under the punishing glare of stage lights. The audio pulled its weight too—the dual stereo speakers wrapped each clash and victory cheer in immersive sound, making every match feel like you were right in the middle of the action. Despite extended play sessions in between matches, Honor’s GPU and AI optimizations kept the device comfortably warm in the hand, never crossing into the kind of heat that distracts from the game. For anyone serious about mobile gaming, the Honor of Kings showmatch was a real-time demo of how the Honor 400 Pro 5G can perform at a tournament-ready level, then switch gears instantly to capture the rest of the day’s events without missing a beat.
BLUE CARPET FRENZY
BY 5 pm, we were given the final briefing before making our way to the Grand Ballroom. It was gala time, my usage stats were already high—photos, videos, constant screen-on time—but the phone’s battery was still holding strong at around 75 percent. The esports adrenaline of the afternoon was replaced with the electric buzz of the GMA Gala. The blue carpet had been divided into three sections, with celebrities arriving in curated trios. My press pit spot was strategically near the entrance, meaning I had a front-row view of each group’s grand march down the carpet—but also a big challenge: you couldn’t choose which star would end up directly in front of you. It became a test of both the Honor 400 Pro 5G’s zoom lens and my own vocal range, calling out names to get that elusive direct look into the camera.
The press pit was a battlefield of polite but determined shoving. I started in the third row, but by the time the evening hit its stride, I had somehow edged my way to the front. That’s where the phone’s 50MP telephoto lens with 50x digital zoom shone, letting me capture sharp, detailed shots even when my chosen celeb wasn’t within arm’s reach. Its main camera handled the mix of flashes and unpredictable shadows without losing clarity. AI algorithms balanced exposure perfectly, pulling detail out of tricky lighting that would normally wash out gowns or leave faces in shadow. The 6x portrait zoom proved impressive, and AI Enhanced Portrait made those
long shots clearer and detailed.
All this time, I stayed connected to the venue’s Wi-Fi, seamlessly posting Instagram Stories and reels between arrivals without draining too much power. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and optimized network management meant there was no lag switching between the camera, editing apps, and social media— even with multiple heavy apps running.
When it came to Best Dressed, my Honor 400 Pro 5G’s gallery was stacked. Cassy Legaspi brought soft elegance, Kyline Alcantara stunned in armor-inspired couture, and Ai-Ai de las Alas made a dramatic statement with a sweeping long cape. Alden Richards, Dingdong Dantes, and Marian Rivera proved why they deserved a spot in the Best Dressed Hall of Fame. As expected, Vice Ganda served high-fashion irreverence, while Anne Curtis embodied timeless black elegance. The PBB Collab Edition housemates made their own style splash and were among the most anticipated to walk the carpet.
One of my personal favorites of the night was Charlie Fleming. I honestly never knew much about her until she appeared in a breathtaking Mak Tumang gown—a vivid orange sphere of 3D butterfly appliqués that seemed to take flight with every step she made. The dress was a showstopper in motion, each flutter and swirl brought to life by the phone’s AI Enhanced Portrait mode. Her radiant presence earned her the Honor 400 Pro Star of the Night award, and rightly so—the device didn’t just capture her look, it made every detail unforgettable.
It was past 9 pm when the hosts of It’s Showtime loud, bright, and unapologetically fun—closed out the arrivals. My battery icon was finally in the red, but impressively I still had about 8 percent left after nearly 12 hours of continuous use—and capturing 1,315 photos in a single day. That’s where the 6,000mAh battery and 100W Honor SuperCharge really flexed their muscles. Plugging in for just 15 minutes while having dinner gave me enough juice to keep posting long after the carpet had rolled up. The blue carpet may have been a marathon of flashing lights, jostling elbows, and unpredictable celebrity groupings, but the Honor 400 Pro 5G kept up without missing a beat.
FINAL WORD: The only reason I didn’t get the Honor 400 5G earlier was because I was waiting for the Pro version, and I’d say it was worth the wait. The extra performance headroom, the brighter and more
A7 Editor: Gerard S. Ramos
THE stars of GMA (from left: Cassy Legaspi, Marian Rivera, and Charlie Fleming) were snapped by the Honor 400 Pro 5G as they arrived at the GMA Gala.
August 16, 2025
Department of Foreign Affairs leads public diplomacy caravan in Palawan
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) held the fifth installment of its Public Diplomacy Caravan at the Western Philippine University (WPU) and Palawan National School (PNS) late in July.
The caravan in Aborlan and Puerto Princesa City provided the public—particularly students—a better understanding of the DFA’s various functions and responsibilities through direct interactions with its stakeholders. It also gave the department, as a public-service agency, a platform to better appreciate public concerns and perspectives.
WPU students are currently taking up courses in agriculture, engineering, forestry, public administration, criminology, education, fisheries, social work, and information systems; while senior high school students represented PNS.
The DFA team included Office of Policy Planning and Coordination (OPPC) Deputy Assistant Secretary Jed Martin A. Llona; Office of Public Diplomacy (OPD) Acting Director Jacqueline Joan S. Arquiza; Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) Acting Director Jake Robin S. Ramintas; Office of ASEAN Affairs Acting Director Anwar M. Ito; and Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office Principal Assistant Dennis B. Flores, along with OPD staff. Through presentations, they shared the department’s mandate and the important issues it handles and pursues, including independent Philippine foreign policy; the twin anchors of Philippine foreign policy
in the maritime domain: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS, and the 2016 Arbitral Award; Philippine maritime zones; the Asean as a regional organization; the country’s hosting of the Asean Summit in 2026, as well as possible careers in the DFA.
In their presentations, the officers discussed their professional backgrounds and highlighted that the DFA accepts applicants for both officer and staff positions regardless of their college or university degree.
Young changemakers to drive social impact in Asean under eYAA: Cohort 5
AHEAD of the Asean Day celebration on August 8, Maybank Foundation and the Asean Foundation officially welcomed 100 youth volunteers and representatives from 10 civil society organizations (CSOs) and social enterprises (SEs) from across Southeast Asia at the opening ceremony of the latest Regional Capacity Building Workshop for eMpowering Youths Across Asean (eYAA): Cohort 5, held at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 100 selected youth volunteers, aged 19 to 35, came from 10 Asean member states, bringing diverse backgrounds, fresh ideas, and a strong spirit of volunteerism. They are paired with select local CSOs and SEs for their deep knowledge of local challenges and their ability to help guide youth-led projects on the ground.
Held from July 20 to 23, the workshop brought together passionate young changemakers and their paired CSOs/SEs to finalize 10 communitybased projects to be implemented in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam— the newest country to join the program. Building on online learning, the four-day event provided participants with opportunities to refine their projects, learn from experts and alumni, and strengthen their collaboration skills, laying the groundwork for meaningful and lasting impact in the communities they are set to work in.
In his opening remarks, Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation chair Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Zamzamzairani
Mohd Isa said that through the eYAA programme in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation, Maybank “remains steadfast to drive social empowerment by enabling young changemakers to create real impact, foster unity across cultures and build a more inclusive and resilient Asean community.”
“We firmly believe that, when given the right tools to succeed, our youth can be a constructive force for development.
The power of youth lies not only in doing something great, but also in uncovering their full potential and courage, enabling them to achieve meaningful things for the future,” added the Maybank executive.
“We are incredibly excited to continue this journey with Maybank Foundation,” added Asean Foundation Executive Director Dr. Piti Srisangnam.
“This programme reminds us that the youth are not just future leaders—they are leading change today. Through eYAA, we are taking real steps toward achieving the Asean Community Vision
2045—a region where youth are at the center of building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient Southeast Asia.”
The 10 community-based projects are designed to reflect local needs within the selected Asean countries and fall under four key focus areas: community building, arts and culture, environmental diversity, and education. Each team will receive up to $25,000 in grant support, while the local CSOs and SEs will play key roles in ensuring the success of the projects.
As part of Cohort 5, youth volunteers will support the Paaralang Bukas Kalikasan project by Curma Group Inc. in La Union, the Philippines. The program seeks to strengthen environmental literacy and nurture a culture of sustainable marine conservation in coastal communities.
In areas where many families face limited access to information and resources for marine protection, communities continue to grapple with challenges such as overfishing, plastic pollution, and waste management. The project transforms local beaches and schools into experiential learning spaces, engaging students, teachers, and community members in real-world environmental education.
Implemented across key locations that include the CURMA Center and five public high schools, the project directly benefits 50 youth ambassadors and over 1,000 individuals, while reaching an additional 2,000 members of the surrounding indigenous coastal communities. Through this holistic approach, the programme empowers local youth as environmental stewards and inspires community-led action to protect and sustain the region’s marine ecosystems.
For more inclusive education
ANOTHER forward-looking initiative, the “Project Digital Horizon” by Espoir
School of Life Inc. in Siargao Island, Surigao Del Norte brings solar-powered educational technology to local schools through e-libraries, giving learners access to digital books, interactive learning modules, and artificial intelligenceassisted literacy programs.
By enhancing access to quality learning tools and supporting educators with modern resources, the project aims to complement existing teaching practices and promote more inclusive education. It directly benefits 300 learners, 20 teachers, 10 youth volunteers, and 200 community members across key sites such as Barangay Jamoyaon and Barangay San Jose Day Care Center.
An estimated 700 others, such as families of learners and surrounding residents, are expected to benefit indirectly. By combining renewable energy with digital innovation, “Project Digital Horizon” contributes to expanding learning opportunities and fostering educational equity in remote communities.
Aside from the Maybank GroupMaybank Foundation chair and Asean Foundation executive director, the Kingdom of Thailand’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Lalivan Karnchanachari; Asean Studies Centre
Executive Director Assistant Professor Dr. Sineenat Sermcheep; Asean Socio-Cultural Community’s Deputy Secretary-General of Asean San Lwin; Asean Foundation Board of Trustees
chair and Permanent Representative of Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Asean Ambassador Sitsangkhom
Sisaketh; Permanent Representative of Malaysia to Asean Ambassador Sarah Al Bakri Devadason; Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Thailand’s envoy to Asean Ambassador Phantipha
Iamsudha Ekarohit; Maybank’s Board of Trustees member Datuk R. Karunakaran, Group Chief Human Capital Officer Puan Mazhatulshima Mohd
F.L.E.M.M.S. FINDINGS ON FOCUS In his July 31 presentation of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey or FLEMMS results at INNOTECH, Usec. Claire Dennis S. Mapa highlighted a “pressing literacy challenge,” noting that while basic literacy rate among Filipinos aged 10 to 64 is 93.1 percent, only 70.8 percent are “functionally literate”—meaning they can also comprehend what they read. According to the National Statistician, the resulting 22.3-point gap underscores a “hidden learning crisis, demanding urgent attention”
Open forums followed, where students asked about applying for jobs in the DFA, the West Philippine Sea, combating fake news, foreign scholarships, passport application requirements, DFA assistance to Filipinos intending to work abroad, and the Thailand-Cambodia conflict.
Before the caravan, the DFA team paid courtesy calls on officials of both schools, briefing them on the purpose of the events and allowing the school officials to clarify questions about DFA services.
Zahid, Group Chief Sustainability Officer Shahril Azuar Jimin; Maybank Foundation’s CEO Izlyn Ramli, CFO and Group Tax head Surin Segar; Maybank Securities-Thailand chair Dr. Areepong Bhoocha-Oom, Chief Operating Officer Henry Koh Swee Ong attended the eYAA: Cohort 5 Regional Capacity Building Workshop.
After the workshop, the youth volunteers will head to their assigned project sites—10 communities across the six participating Asean member states—where they will live and work alongside locals for two weeks, co-developing solutions and building lasting connections—that strengthen regional unity from the ground up.
Positive impact
SINCE its launch in 2018, eYAA has empowered 382 youth volunteers, implemented 40 impactful community projects, and benefitted more than 89,000 individuals across the region. Each year, the programme grows in reach and relevance, With Vietnam joining the list of project countries this year, eYAA continues to expand its footprint and deepen its impact where they are needed most.
For instance, Cohort 4 alumnus Zulfikar Dabby Anwar previously contributed to a waste-management initiative during his service in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Today, he plays a leading role as one of the CSO representatives in a Cohort 5 project. His journey reflects the tangible impact of the eYAA programme in empowering youth to lead sustainable community development efforts, while fostering cross-border collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
At its core, eYAA is a people-centred initiative that directly contributes to the realisation of the Asean SocioCultural Community Blueprint 2025, particularly in building a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Asean Community. By equipping young people with the tools, experience, and networks to lead change, the programme positions the region’s youth as the main drivers in advancing sustainable development and strengthening regional solidarity.
This shared vision is made possible through the close partnership between the Asean Foundation and Maybank, through Maybank Foundation. By supporting eYAA, Maybank Foundation said it reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth, providing a meaningful platform for nurturing young leaders who are ready to address socio-economic and developmental challenges across the region. The initiative is also aligned with Maybank’s mission to humanise financial services and supports one of its four key sustainability commitments: improving the lives of 2 million households across Asean by 2025.
THE Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s pronouncements in his 2025 State of the Nation Address that “education is the first and most important priority of his administration.”
In a statement, PBEd lauds the Chief Executive’s commitment to support teachers and boost the employability of senior high school as well as technical-vocational education and training or TVET graduates.
“The President’s renewed focus on education is a crucial step toward mobilizing national attention and resources to address one of the most urgent and consequential challenges facing every Filipino,” the organization said. “The government must pursue a bold and unifying reform agenda that goes beyond remedial initiatives.”
PBEd called on the administration to ensure a transparent and accountable education budget, alongside a substantial increase in overall investment—set at least 6 percent of the country’s gross domestic
product or GDP, in line with global standards. It emphasized that “every peso must be used efficiently: leakages and mismanagement must be eliminated so that resources truly reach schools, teachers, and students.”
The group also urged empowering local stakeholders to solve deeply rooted education problems, noting that while national policy sets direction, solutions must be localized.
PBEd emphasized the need for structural reforms, including greater coordination across agencies, a reformed teacher education, deployment and support system, and a stronger focus on lifelong learning that prioritizes quality alongside access.
It assured its commitment to working with the government, private sector, and civil society “to ensure that every Filipino learner has access to quality, relevant and inclusive education—education that leads to decent work, productive lives, and a better future for our nation.”
hosts envoy’s online lecture for Japan-PHL friendship’s 69th year
AMBASSADOR Kazuya
Endo of Japan delivered an insightful online lecture to De La Salle University (DLSU) students during the “Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership: Challenges and Prospects” seminar. Jointly organized by DLSU’s Department of International Studies and Nihon Kenkyuu Kai (NKK)—the student organization of the institution’s Japanese Studies majors—the seminar coincided with the 69th anniversary of Japan-Philippines Friendship Month.
DLSU President Br. Bernard S. Oca; College of Liberal Arts Dean Professor Ador R. Torneo; Department of International Studies Chairperson Dr. Charmaine
Willoughby; and Department of International Studies Professor Dr. Dennis Trinidad attended the online event on July 23. In his presentation, Endo delved into Japan and the Philippines’ robust bilateral ties, evidenced by the two countries’ many collaborations in the areas of economy, security, culture, and people-to-people exchange. He also touched on Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s visit to Manila last April, and its significant impact on the evolving and deepening relationship between the two countries. The lecture concluded with a question-and-answer session, where Lasallians gained more insights from the ambassador’s expertise.
A8 Editor: Mike Policarpio
HRMO Acting Director Jake Robin S. Ramintas (on stage) encourages students to consider a career in diplomacy through various entry pathways in the department.
AMBASSADOR Kazuya Endo during his talk
YOUTH-DRIVEN initiatives by eYAA have impacted over 89,000 people across the region with support from 40 partner organizations.
Tourism Editor: Edwin P. Sallan
LONDON CALLING
Revisiting the iconic landmarks of the UK capital
Story & photos by Benjamin Locsin Layug
LONDON, the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, is one of the world’s major cities and is a melting pot of history, culture and green spaces.
The city has the most museums, art galleries, libraries, and cultural venues in the UK, from world-class musicals of numerous West End theatres, to top attractions such as the British Museum, the National Gallery, Westminster Abbey, The London Eye, Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster. A trip to London wouldn’t be complete without experiencing London’s most iconic attractions, famous shows and exciting tours.
King’s Cross Railway Station, our port of entry into London (we arrived here, via a 4.5hour train ride, from Edinburgh, Scotland), is also home to over 100 shops, cafes, bars and restaurants plus its Platform 9 3/4 is a pilgrimage site for Harry Potter fans (there’s also a Harry Potter-themed shop). Beneath it is the St. Pancras Tube Station, our jump-off point to the many sites London has to offer. From here, getting to the British Museum takes about 10 minutes.
The museum’s permanent collection of 8 million works, the largest in the world, documents the story of human culture from its beginnings to the present. Notable exhibits here include the Rosetta Stone (which was crucial for deciphering hieroglyphics), the Elgin Marbles (Classical sculptures from the Parthenon of Athens), Assyrian Lion Hunt Reliefs (some of the finest examples of ancient Near Eastern art) and Egyptian mummies.
A 20 to 30-minute walk away is the National Gallery which houses a collection of more than 2,600 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900 including Leonardo da Vinci’s Virgin of the Rocks, Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait and Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers as well as masterpieces by Titian, Turner, Constable, Botticelli and many others.
Westminter Abbey is the location of the coronations of 40 English and British monarchs and, since 1100, at least 16 royal weddings have taken place at the abbey. A burial site for 18 English, Scottish, and British monarchs, over
3,300 people are also buried or commemorated in the abbey including politicians, scientists (including the celebrated Stephen Hawking), actors, musicians, writers and poets. The abbey, together with the Palace of Westminster and St. Margaret’s Church became UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1987 because of their historic and symbolic significance.
For views of London’s iconic landmarks, we rode the 135-meter (443-foot) tall London Eye, a cantilevered observation wheel (the world’s tallest) on the South Bank of the Thames River.
The most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, with over three million visitors annually, it was opened to the public in 2000 (at that time, the world’s tallest Ferris wheel).
During a complete 30-minute rotation of this modern-day icon on board one of its 32 sealed and airconditioned ovoidal passenger capsules, we had a 360-degree view of the city’s skyline, with famous buildings and historical landmarks such as Palace of Westminster and Big Ben to the left; the National Gallery, the winding streets of Covent Garden
and Trafalgar Square to the north; the Royal Festival Hall and Shakespeare’s Globe to the south; Charing Cross railway station at the center; Waterloo railway station to the right); Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens to the west; the Shard (the tallest building in the UK); and St. Paul’s Cathedral.
You can also see several iconic Thames River bridges such as Waterloo Bridge, Westminster
ABy Fernando Mendez
JOURNALIST once asked me: What is the one thing you will never do again in your lifetime? replied without batting an eyelash: “Fiesta in America!” I was probably joking, or half asleep, when I said that. Fact is, there’s probably some grain of truth to it, and half a lie as well. Throughout these past 27 years that we have been mounting “Fiesta in America,” I have always found myself at the crossroads between coming and going, questioning why I had to punish myself severely after nearly four decades of serving the Filipino community. Yet, at the back of my mind, I knew was basking in the joy of fulfilling a mission to serve while doing business.
My late wife, Mila Mendez, and I started Fiesta in America nearly three decades ago, in 1996, in New Jersey. We were both driven by a mission to connect Filipino entrepreneurs with mainstream businesses and Fil-Am consumers. We envisioned a festival that would highlight immigrant-centered services, Filipino products, heritage, and talent. We thought it would be a great opportunity for Filipino businessmen to expand into the U.S. market. This vision led to the inception of Fiesta in America. My life partner, Laura Garcia, and I manage to stage it annually through my commitment to our mission, the unwavering support of the community, and the substantial backing from our partners at American Dream.
This year, Fiesta in America 2025 will happen on August 16–17 at the American Dream, the
second largest retail and entertainment center in the USA boasting over 60,000 thousand visitors on weekends.
Preparing for Fiesta in America is a year-long process. We begin planning for the next event immediately after the current one ends, sometimes even earlier. The hardest part of staging the event is coordinating the numerous moving parts to ensure everything runs smoothly—from securing venues and sponsors to organizing committees, sales teams, performances and vendor logistics. From our humble beginnings, Fiesta in America, now the largest Filipino-American trade fair in the US East Coast, has evolved significantly since its inception. In the early years, attendance was modest, with a few hundred attendees. Today, we have
grown and attracted thousands of Filipino Americans reflecting our growth in reach and influence.
We have expanded our audience base, drawing a diverse, multi-cultural crowd, including Filipinos and other multicultural group, thanks to our strategic partnerships and continuous innovation.
Another goal of Fiesta in America is to influence multicultural diversity to be part of Philippine tapestry. Through the years, we have become the largest indoor Filipino event on the East Coast, a testament to our enduring relevance and appeal.
For this, we are most grateful for our partnership with American Dream, which has been so generous in offering to be our home. Having the support of the second-largest entertainment and retail complex in America is a significant milestone. This collaboration has elevated the festival’s profile and reach, and we are immensely proud of this achievement.
What is a Filipino fiesta without stars, entertainment and culture? We are just as thankful for the artists who have graced our weekend stages. Name them, all the top stars from the Philippines, and they have performed for Fiesta.
We thank the likes of Nora Aunor, Pilita Corales, Vilma Santos, Hotdog, Rico Puno, Gary V, Martin Nievera. Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu, Marian Rivera, Pops Fernandez, Nida Blanca, Vilma Santos, Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Dingdong Dantes, Jericho Rosales and many more. These celebrities have lent star appeal to Fiesta.
What’s in it for me? It is the beauty of witnessing the professional and personal growth
Bridge, Hungerford Bridge (also known as the Golden Jubilee Bridges) and the Millenium Bridge (a pedestrian Bridge). The world-famous Tower Bridge (a Victorian-era drawbridge) is further downstream. Any visit to London isn’t complete without watching a West End musical and, prior to leaving for the UK, we booked tickets for Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed fully-staged new production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s “Les Misérables,” the West End‘s longest-running musical, which we watched at the beautiful, 1,222-pax Sondheim Theatre.
An attraction in its own right, the theatre was opened as the Queen’s Theatre on October 8, 1907 and was designed by W. G. R. Sprague. Here, we immersed ourselves in Victor Hugo’s famous novel of love, redemption and revolution in France.
Nearby is Leicester Square Gardens with a fountain and statue of William Shakespeare at the center. Surrounding the iconic and vibrant square are renowned West End theaters (Wyndham’s Theatre, Leicester Square The -
atre, Prince of Wales Theatre, etc.), cinemas, fashion boutiques, music stores, souvenir shops, bars, hotels and restaurants (including a Jollibee store). It also hosts the interactive “Scenes in the Square,” a film-themed sculpture trail which emphasizes Leicester Square’s long association with cinema. This free exhibition depicts recognizable classic and contemporary film characters (some even brought to life, at night, with lighting) from the last 100 years of cinema, including Mary Poppins; Laurel and Hardy; Bugs Bunny, Paddington Bear, Mr. Bean, Batman, Wonder Woman, Gene Kelly (of Singin’ in the Rain fame) and, of course, Harry Potter. After the show, we toured the nearby, pedestrianized Carnaby Street (home to independent fashion boutiques), had lunch at Royal China Restaurant in Chinatown and, for dessert, proceeded to nearby Mamasons (the first Filipino ice cream parlor in the city) where we had bilog (a milk bun filled with street-style “dirty” ice cream). They also serve halo-halo, ube milkshakes, pan de sal, among others.
Photos by Fiesta in America
THE author, Fernando Mendez
KINGS Cross Train Station
NATIONAL Gallery of London
THE HOUSES of Parliarment with Big Ben on the left
THE Thames River with the London Eye on the right
THE British Museum
LE MISERABLE at the Sondheim Theatre
Editor: Angel R. Calso
Amid rising malnutrition, Netanyahu says
‘no hunger’
in Gaza, contradicting UN and on-the-ground
By Mariam Dagga & Lee Keath
The Associated Press
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip—
The dead body of 2 1/2-yearold Ro’a Mashi lay on the table in Gaza’s Nasser Hospital, her arms and rib cage skeletal, her eyes sunken in her skull. Doctors say she had no preexisting conditions and wasted away over months as her family struggled to find food and treatment.
Her family showed The Associated Press a photo of Ro’a’s body at the hospital, and it was confirmed by the doctor who received her remains. Several days after she died, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday told local media, “There is no hunger. There was no hunger. There was a shortage, and there was certainly no policy of starvation.”
In the face of international outcry, Netanyahu has pushed back, saying reports of starvation are “lies” promoted by Hamas.
However, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric this week warned that starvation and malnutrition in Gaza are at the highest levels since the war began.
The UN says nearly 12,000 children under 5 were found to have acute malnutrition in July—including more than 2,500 with severe malnutrition, the most dangerous level. The World Health Organization says the numbers are likely an undercount.
The past two weeks, Israel has
allowed around triple the amount of food into Gaza than had been entering since late May. That followed 2 1/2 months when Israel barred all food, medicine and other supplies, saying it was to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during its 2023 attack that launched the war. The new influx has brought more food within reach for some of the population and lowered some prices in marketplaces, though it remains far more expensive than prewar levels and unaffordable for many. While better food access might help much of Gaza’s population, “it won’t help the children who are severely malnourished,” said Alex DeWaal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University, who has worked on famine and humanitarian issues for more than 40 years.
When a person is severely malnourished, vital micronutrients are depleted and bodily functions deteriorate. Simply feeding the person can cause harm, known as
“refeeding syndrome,” potentially leading to seizures, coma or death. Instead, micronutrients must first be replenished with supplements and therapeutic milk in a hospital.
“We’re talking about thousands of kids who need to be in hospital if they’re going to have a chance of survival,” DeWaal said. “If this approach of increasing the food supply had been undertaken two months ago, probably many of those kids would not have gotten into this situation.”
Any improvement is also threatened by a planned new Israeli offensive that Netanyahu says will capture Gaza City and the tent camps where most of the territory’s population is located. That will prompt a huge new wave of displacement and disrupt food delivery, UN and aid officials warn.
Preexisting conditions
THE Gaza Health Ministry says 42 children died of malnutritionrelated causes since July 1, along with 129 adults. It says 106 children have died of malnutrition during the entire war. The ministry, part of the Hamas-run government, is staffed by medical professionals and its figures on casualties are seen by the UN and other experts as the most reliable.
The Israeli military Tuesday pointed to the fact that some children who died had preexisting conditions, arguing their deaths were “unrelated to their nutritional status.” It said a review by its experts had concluded there are “no signs of a widespread malnutrition phenomenon” in Gaza.
At his press briefing Sunday, Netanyahu spoke in front of a screen reading “Fake Starving Children” over photos of skeletal
children with preexisting conditions. He accused Hamas of starving the remaining Israeli hostages and repeated claims the militant group is diverting large amounts of aid, a claim the UN denies.
Doctors in Gaza acknowledge that some of those dying or starving have chronic conditions, including cerebral palsy, rickets or genetic disorders, some of which make children more vulnerable to malnutrition. However, those conditions are manageable when food and proper medical treatments are available, they say.
“The worsening shortages of food led to these cases’ swift deterioration,” said Dr. Yasser Abu Ghali, head of Nasser’s pediatrics unit. “Malnutrition was the main factor in their deaths.”
Of 13 emaciated children whose cases the AP has seen since late
reports
list of thousands the WHO says need urgent treatment abroad. For months, Israel slowed evacuations to a near standstill or halted them for long stretches. But it appears to be stepping up permissions, with more than 60 allowed to leave in the first week of August, according to the UN Permission for Shamm to leave Gaza finally came this week, and on Wednesday, she was heading to a hospital in Italy.
A child died in her family’s tent
RO’A was one of four dead children who suffered from malnutrition brought to Nasser over the course of just over two weeks, doctors say.
July, five had no preexisting conditions—including three who died— according to doctors.
Abu Ghali spoke next to the body of Jamal al-Najjar, a 5-yearold who died Tuesday of malnutrition and was born with rickets, which hinders the ability to metabolize vitamins, weakening bones.
In the past months, the boy’s weight fell from 16 kilograms to 7 (35 pounds to 15), said his father, Fadi al-Najjar, whose lean face showed his own hunger.
Asked about Netanyahu’s claim there was no hunger in Gaza, he pointed at Jamal’s protruding rib cage. “Of course, there’s famine,” he said. “Does a 5-year-old child’s chest normally come to look like this?”
Skin and bones
DR . Ahmed al-Farra, Nasser’s general director of pediatrics, said the facility receives 10-20 children with severe malnutrition a day, and the numbers are rising.
On Sunday, a severely malnourished 2-year-old, Shamm Qudeih, cried in pain in her hospital bed. Her arms, legs and ribs were skeletal, her belly inflated.
“She has lost all fat and muscle,” al-Farra said. She weighed 4 kilograms (9 pounds), a third of a 2-year-old’s normal weight.
Doctors suspect Shamm suffers from a rare genetic condition called glycogen storage disease, which changes how the body uses and stores glycogen, a form of sugar, and can impact muscle and bone development. But they can’t test for it in Gaza, al-Farra said.
Normally, the condition can be managed through a high-carbohydrate diet.
Her family applied a year ago for medical evacuation, joining a
Her mother, Fatma Mashi, said she first noticed Ro’a losing weight last year, but she thought it was because she was teething. When she took Ro’a to Nasser Hospital in October, the child was severely malnourished, according to alFarra, who said Ro’a had no preexisting conditions.
At the time, in the last months of 2024, Israel had reduced aid entry to some of the lowest levels of the war.
The family was also displaced multiple times by Israeli military operations. Each move interrupted Ro’a’s treatment as it took time to find a clinic to get nutritional supplements, Mashi said. The family was reduced to one meal a day—often boiled macaroni—but “whatever she ate, it didn’t change anything in her,” Mashi said.
Two weeks ago, they moved into the tent camps of Muwasi on Gaza’s southern coast. Ro’a’s decline accelerated.
“I could tell it was only a matter of two or three more days,” Mashi said in the family’s tent Friday, the day after she had died.
Mashi and her husband Amin both looked gaunt, their cheeks and eyes hollow. Their five surviving children—including a baby born this year—are thin, but not nearly as emaciated as Ro’a.
DeWaal said it’s not unusual in famines for one family member to be far worse than others.
“Most often it will be a kid who is 18 months or 2 years” who is most vulnerable, he said, while older siblings are “more robust.”
But any number of things can set one child into a spiral of malnutrition, such as an infection or troubles after weaning.
“A very small thing can push them over.”
Keath reported from Cairo. AP journalists Abdel-Karim Hana and Wafaa Shurafa contributed from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.
ISLAM Qudeih holds her severely malnourished shirtless, 2-year-old daughter, Shamm, at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, August 9, 2025. Doctors said Shamm may have a genetic disorder that affects muscle and bone development, but there is no way to test for it in Gaza. On Tuesday, August 12, her family was granted permission to travel to a hospital in Italy. AP/MARIAM DAGGA
High-stakes summit: Trump, Putin face off in Alaska amid Ukraine crisis and European security concerns
By Michelle L. Price & Will Weissert
The Associated Press
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—US
President Donald Trump is meeting face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday for a high-stakes summit that could determine not only the trajectory of the war in Ukraine but also the fate of European security.
The sit-down offers Trump a chance to prove to the world that he is both a master dealmaker and a global peacemaker. He and his allies have cast him as a heavyweight negotiator who can find a way to bring the slaughter to a close, something he used to boast he could do quickly.
For Putin, a summit with Trump offers a long-sought opportunity to try to negotiate a deal that would cement Russia’s gains, block Kyiv’s bid to join the NATO military alliance and eventually pull Ukraine back into Moscow’s orbit. Related Story on the venue for the historic Trump-Putin summit on A1. There are significant risks for Trump. By bringing Putin onto US soil, the president is giving Russia’s leader the validation he desires after his ostracization following his invasion of Ukraine 3 1/2 years ago. The exclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the summit also deals a heavy blow to the West’s policy of “nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine” and invites
the possibility that Trump could agree to a deal that Ukraine does not want.
Any success is far from assured, especially as Russia and Ukraine remain far apart in their demands for peace. Putin has long resisted any temporary ceasefire, linking it to a halt in Western arms supplies and a freeze on Ukraine’s mobilization efforts, which were conditions rejected by Kyiv and its Western allies.
Trump on Thursday said there was a 25% chance that the summit would fail, but also floated the idea that if the meeting succeeds, he could bring Zelenskyy to Alaska for a subsequent, three-way meeting, a possibility that Russia hasn’t agreed to.
When asked in Anchorage about Trump’s estimate of a 25% chance of failure, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters that Russia “never plans ahead.”
“We know that we have arguments, a clear, understandable position. We will state it,” he said in footage posted to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Telegram channel.
Trump said in a Fox News radio interview Thursday that he didn’t know if they would get “an immediate ceasefire” but he wanted a broad peace deal done quickly. That seemingly echoes Putin’s longtime argument that Russia favors a comprehensive deal to end the fighting, reflecting its demands, not a temporary halt to hostilities.
The Kremlin said Trump and Putin will first sit down for a oneon-one discussion, followed by the two delegations meeting and talks continuing over “a working breakfast.” They are then expected to hold a joint press conference.
Trump has offered shifting explanations for his meeting goals
IN the days leading up to the summit, set for a military base near Anchorage, Trump described it as “ really a feel-out meeting.” But he’s also warned of “very severe consequences” for Russia if Putin doesn’t agree to end the war and said that though Putin might bully other leaders, “He’s not going to mess around with me.”
Trump’s repeated suggestions that a deal would likely involve “some swapping of territories”— which disappointed Ukraine and European allies—along with his controversial history with Putin have some skeptical about what kind of agreement can be reached.
Ian Kelly, a retired career foreign service officer who served as the US ambassador to Georgia during the Obama and first Trump administrations, said he sees “no upside for the US, only an upside for Putin.”
“The best that can happen is nothing, and the worst that can
happen is that Putin entices Trump into putting more pressure on Zelenskyy,” Kelly said.
George Beebe, the former director of the CIA’s Russia analysis team who is now affiliated with the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said there’s a serious risk of blown expectations or misunderstandings for a high-level summit pulled together so quickly.
“That said, I doubt President Trump would be going into a meeting like this unless there had been enough work done behind the scenes for him to feel that there is a decent chance that something concrete will come out of it,” Beebe said.
Zelenskyy has time and again cast doubts on Putin’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. His European allies, who’ve held increasingly urgent meetings with US leaders over the past week, have stressed the need for Ukraine to be involved in any peace talks.
Political commentators in Moscow, meanwhile, have relished that
the summit leaves Ukraine and its European allies on the sidelines.
Dmitry Suslov, a pro-Kremlin voice, expressed hope that the summit will “deepen a trans-Atlantic rift and weaken Europe’s position as the toughest enemy of Russia.”
The summit could have farreaching implications ON his way to Anchorage Thursday, Putin arrived in Magadan in Russia’s Far East, according to Russian state news agency Interfax.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the visit would include meetings with the regional governor and stops at several key sites, including a stop to lay flowers at a WWII-era memorial honoring Soviet-American aviation cooperation.
Foreign governments will be watching closely to see how Trump reacts to Putin, likely gauging what the interaction might mean for their own dealings with the US president, who has eschewed
traditional diplomacy for his own transactional approach to relationships.
The meeting comes as the war has caused heavy losses on both sides and drained resources.
Ukraine has held on far longer than some initially expected since the February 2022 invasion, but it is straining to hold off Russia’s much larger army, grappling with bombardments of its cities and fighting for every inch on the over 600-mile (1,000-kilometer) front line.
Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, said US antagonists like China, Iran and North Korea will be paying attention to Trump’s posture to see “whether or not the threats that he continues to make against Putin are indeed credible.”
“Or, if has been the past track record, he continues to back down and look for ways to wiggle out of the kind of threats and pressure he has promised to apply,” said Kendall-Taylor, who is also a former senior intelligence officer.
While some have objected to the location of the summit, Trump has said he thought it was “very respectful” of Putin to come to the US instead of a meeting in Russia.
Sergei Markov, a pro-Kremlin Moscow-based analyst, observed that the choice of Alaska as the summit’s venue “underlined the distancing from Europe and Ukraine.”
Weissert reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Matthew Lee in Washington, Elise Morton in London and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.
PEOPLE hold a large Ukrainian flag during a rally in Anchorage, Alaska, Thursday, August 14, 2025, ahead of a meeting between President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. AP/JAE C. HONG
On India’s Independence Day, Modi vows to punish Pakistan for future attacks, cites ‘nuclear blackmail’
By Sheikh Saaliq The Associated Press
NEW
DELHI—Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Pakistan that India will punish its neighbor if there are future attacks on India as he marked 78 years of independence from British colonial rule.
Modi’s remarks Friday come three months after nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan engaged in four days of intense fighting, their worst clash in decades.
Modi addressed the country from New Delhi’s 17th-century, Mughal-era Red Fort, saying India has established a “new normal” that does not differentiate between “terrorists” and those who support terrorism. He said he would not tolerate what he called Islamabad’s “nuclear blackmail.”
“India has decided that it will not tolerate nuclear threats. For a long time, nuclear blackmail had been going on but this blackmail will not be tolerated now,” Modi said. There was no immediate response from Pakistan to Modi’s remarks. Pakistan previously has rejected India’s statements about nuclear blackmail as provocative and inflammatory. However, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday announced the creation of a new “Army Rocket Force Command”
to bolster the country’s defense capabilities. Sharif made this announcement during a speech marking Independence Day celebrations, but gave no further details.
India celebrates its Independence Day one day after Pakistan. The two states came into existence as a result of the bloody partition of British India in 1947. The process sparked some of the worst communal violence the world has seen and left hundreds of thousands dead. It triggered one of the largest human migrations in history and some 12 million people fled their homes.
India and Pakistan exchanged tit-for-tat military strikes in May that brought them to the brink of a war. The fighting between the two countries was sparked by an April massacre by gunmen in Indian-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. India blamed the attack on Pakistan-backed militants. Islamabad denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation.
Days after the massacre, India launched strikes on Pakistan and
said it had hit nine “terrorist infrastructure” sites.
“Terror infrastructure was turned to rubble,” Modi said in his speech Friday.
Pakistan responded by sending waves of drones into India, as well as missile and artillery bombardments. Dozens of people were killed on both sides until a ceasefire was reached May 10 after US mediation.
Pakistan immediately claimed it shot down six Indian aircraft during the clashes, including a French-made Rafale fighter. India acknowledged some losses but did not provide details.
Last week, India’s air force chief said India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one other military aircraft during clashes in the first such public claim by India. Pakistan rejected it, saying both sides should open their aircraft inventories to independent verification.
During his Friday speech, Modi also hinted India would continue its unilateral suspension of the Indus Water Treaty. The treaty, which India suspended after the April massacre, allows sharing of
the Indus River that runs about 2,897 kilometers (1,800 miles) through South Asia and is a lifeline for both countries.
“Rivers from India were irrigating the lands of enemies while my country’s farmers and land faced a deficiency of water,” Modi said.
“India has now decided that blood and water will not flow together.”
Pakistan has said any effort by India to stop or divert the water from flowing into Pakistan would be considered an “act of war.”
Modi did not directly mention US President Donald Trump’s tariffs on India in his Independence Day speech but said he would not compromise on the agriculture sector, one of the main sticking points in trade negotiations with the US.
Earlier this month, Trump imposed a 25% penalty on India in addition to 25% tariffs for buying oil and weapons from Russia.
India has resisted US pressure to open its markets to some farm products as Modi’s government is unwilling to risk angering farmers, who are a powerful voting bloc.
“India will not compromise on interest of farmers,” he said.
Modi claimed India’s demography was being changed as part of a “conspiracy” through illegal migration and announced what he called a “high-powered demographic mission” to tackle the problem. He did not provide further details.
“No nation in the world can hand over itself to infiltrators,” he said.
Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has repeatedly described influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh as a “national security crisis” and claimed that unchecked Muslim infiltration from the country is leading to a demographic shift in India. In recent months, Indian officials have conducted what they call a verification drive, which they say is intended to identify immigrants lacking legal status. Many people, most of them Muslim, have been detained or expelled to neighboring Bangladesh.
The Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.
Japan marks 80th surrender anniversary as concern grows about fading memory
By Mari Yamaguchi The Associated Press
TOKYO—Japan is paying tribute to more than 3 million war dead as the country marks its surrender 80 years ago, ending World War II, as concern grows about the rapidly fading memories of the tragedy of war and the bitter lessons from the era of Japanese militarism.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed “remorse” over the war, which he called a
mistake, restoring the word in a Japanese leader’s August 15 address for the first time since 2013, when former premier Shinzo Abe shunned it.
Ishiba, however, did not mention Japan’s aggression across Asia or apologize.
Moment of silence, peace pledge and chrysanthemum flowers “WE will never repeat the tragedy of the war. We will never go the wrong way,” Ishiba said. “Once again, we must deeply
keep to our hearts the remorse and lesson from that war.”
He vowed to keep passing down the tragedy of war and peace pledge to next generations.
In a national ceremony Friday at Tokyo’s Budokan hall, about 4,500 officials and bereaved families and their descendants from around the country observed a moment of silence at noon, the time when the then-emperor’s surrender speech began on August 15, 1945. Participants
later offered chrysanthemum flowers for the war dead.
Yaskuni Shrine and lawmakers JUST a block away at the Yasukuni Shrine, dozens of Japanese rightwing politicians and their supporters came to pray.
The shrine honors Japan’s 2.5 million war dead, including convicted war criminals. Victims of Japanese aggression, especially China and the Koreas, see visits to the shrine as a lack of remorse about Japan’s
wartime past. Ishiba stayed away from Yasukuni and sent a religious ornament as a personal gesture instead of praying at the controversial shrine.
But Shinjiro Koizumi, the agriculture minister considered as a top candidate to replace the beleaguered prime minister, prayed at the shrine. Koizumi, the son of popular former Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi whose Yasukuni visit as a serving leader in 2001 outraged China, is a regular at the shrine. Back at his ministry, Koizumi told reporters that he made the no-war pledge to the spirits. “It is important to not forget those who sacrificed their lives for their country,” he said.
Rightwing lawmakers, including former economic security ministers Sanae Takaichi and Takayuki Kobayashi, as well as governing Liberal Democratic Party
See “Japan,” A15
Nations fail to agree on landmark plastic pollution treaty in Geneva
By Jennifer Mcdermott The Associated Press
GENEVA—Talks on a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution in Geneva ended without an agreement Friday as the session was adjourned with plans to resume at a later date.
Nations were meeting for an 11th day at the United Nations office to try to complete a landmark treaty to end the plastic pollution crisis. They remain deadlocked over whether the treaty should reduce exponential growth of plastic production and put global, legally binding controls on toxic chemicals used to make plastics.
Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, said despite challenges, despite the disappointment, “we have to accept that significant progress was made.”
This process won’t stop, she said, but it’s too soon to say how long it will take to get a treaty now.
The Youth Plastic Action Network was the only organization to speak at the closing meeting Friday. Comments from observers were cut off at the request of the US and Kuwait after 24 hours of meetings and negotiating.
The negotiations at the UN hub were supposed to be the last round and produce the first legally binding treaty on plastic pollution, including in the oceans. But just like at the meeting in South Korea last year, they’re leaving without a treaty.
Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the chair of the negotiating committee, wrote and presented two drafts of treaty text in Geneva based on the views expressed by the nations. The representatives from
184 countries did not agree to use either one as the basis for their negotiations.
Valdivieso said Friday morning as the delegates reconvened in the assembly hall that no further action is being proposed at this stage on the latest draft.
After a three-hour meeting, he banged a gavel made of recycled plastic bottle tops from a Nairobi landfill.
A ‘deeply disappointing’ outcome REPRESENTATIVES of Norway, Australia, Tuvalu and others nations said they were deeply disappointed to be leaving Geneva without a treaty. Madagascar said the world is “expecting action, not reports from us.”
European Commissioner Jessika Roswall said the European Union and its member states had higher expectations for this meeting and while the draft falls short on their demands, it’s a good basis for another negotiating session.
“The Earth is not ours only. We are stewards for those who come after us. Let us fulfill that duty,” she said.
China’s delegation said the fight against plastic pollution is a long marathon and that this temporary setback is a new starting point to forge consensus. It urged nations to work together to offer future generations a blue planet without plastic pollution.
Lots of red lines
THE biggest issue of the talks has been whether the treaty should impose caps on producing new plastic or focus instead on things like better design, recycling and reuse. Powerful oil- and gas-producing nations and the plastics industry oppose production limits. They want a treaty focused on better waste management and reuse.
Saudi Arabia said both drafts lacked balance, and Saudi and Kuwaiti negotiators said the latest proposal takes other states’ views more into account. It addressed plastic production, which they consider outside the scope of the treaty.
That draft, released early Friday, did not include a limit on plastic production, but recognized
that current levels of production and consumption are “unsustainable” and global action is needed. New language had been added to say these levels exceed current waste management capacities and are projected to increase further, “thereby necessitating a coordinated global response to halt and reverse such trends.”
The objective of the treaty was revamped to state that the accord would be based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics. It talked about reducing plastic products containing “a chemical or chemicals of concern to human health or the environment,” as well as reducing of single-use or shortlived plastic products.
It was a much better, more ambitious text, though not perfect.
decisions may be made by a vote if necessary.
Graham Forbes, head of the Greenpeace delegation in Geneva, urged delegates in that direction.
“We are going in circles. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result,” he said as Friday’s meeting was ending.
Thursday was the last scheduled day of negotiations, but work on the revised draft continued into Friday.
Every year, the world makes more than 400 million tons of new plastic, and that could grow by about 70% by 2040 without policy changes. About 100 countries want to limit production. Many have said it’s also essential to address toxic chemicals used to make plastics.
But each country came to Geneva with a lot of “red lines,” said Magnus Heunicke, the Danish environment minister. Denmark holds the rotating presidency of the Council of Europe.
“To be very clear, a compromise means that we have to bend our red lines,” he said.
For its part, Iran said it’s a disappointing moment and faulted “nontransparent and non-inclusive processes on unrealistic elements,” particularly chemicals.
No consensus FOR any proposal to make it into the treaty, every nation must agree. India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Kuwait, Vietnam and others have said that consensus is vital to an effective treaty. Some countries want to change the process so
Science shows what it will take to end pollution and protect human health, said Bethanie Carney Almroth, an ecotoxicology professor at Sweden’s University of Gothenburg who coleads the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty. The science supports addressing the full lifecycle of plastics, beginning with extraction and production, and restricting some chemicals to ensure plastics are safer and more sustainable, she added.
“The science has not changed,” she said. “It cannot be down negotiated.”
Environmentalists, waste pickers and Indigenous leaders and many business executives traveled to the talks to make their voices heard. Some used creative tactics, but are leaving disappointed. Indigenous leaders sought a treaty that recognizes their rights and knowledge. Frankie Orona, executive director of the Texas-based Society of Native Nations, said the best option now is to move forward with more negotiations to “fight for a treaty that truly safeguards people and the planet.”
Most US stocks fall after disappointing inflation update, but Big Tech keeps Wall Street steady
By Stan Choe AP Business Writer
NEW YORK—Most stocks fell on Wall Street Thursday after a disappointing report said inflation was worse last month at the US wholesale level than economists expected. But gains for Amazon and some other influential Big Tech companies helped mask the losses.
Seven out of every 10 stocks within the S&P 500 fell, though the index edged up by less than 0.1% to set another all-time high.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 11 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite dipped by less than 0.1% from its record set the day before.
The inflation report said that prices jumped 3.3% last month at the US wholesale level from a year earlier. That was well above the 2.5% rate that economists had forecast, and it could hint at higher inflation ahead for US shoppers as it makes its way through the system. The data forced traders to second guess their widespread
consensus that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates at its next meeting in September. Lower rates can boost investment prices and the economy by making it cheaper for US households and businesses to borrow to buy houses, cars or equipment, but they also risk worsening inflation.
“This doesn’t slam the door on a September rate cut,” but it may raise some doubt, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.
Traders now see a 7.4% chance that the Fed may hold rates steady in September, according to data from CME Group. A day earlier, they were betting on a 100% certainty that the Fed would cut its main rate for the first time this year.
Higher interest rates drag on all kinds of companies by keeping the cost to borrow high. They can hurt smaller companies in particular because they often need to borrow
to grow. The Russell 2000 index of smaller US stocks tumbled a market-leading 1.2%.
Thursday’s disappointing data followed an encouraging update earlier in the week on prices at the consumer level. A separate report on Thursday, meanwhile, said fewer US workers applied for unemployment benefits last week. That’s a good sign for workers, indicating that layoffs remain relatively low at a time when job openings have become more difficult to find.
But a solid job market could also give the Fed less reason to cut interest rates in the short term.
The data helped send Treasury yields higher in the bond market. The yield on the 10year Treasury climbed to 4.28% from 4.20% just before the data reports’ release and from 4.24% late Wednesday.
On Wall Street, Tapestry tumbled after the company behind the Coach and Kate Spade New York brands showed it’s feeling the pres -
sure of tariffs. It detailed how much profit it could lose in its upcoming fiscal year because of tariffs and duties, and its forecast for profit fell short of analysts’ expectations even though its forecast for revenue came in above. Its stock fell 15.7%, despite it also reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.
Deere fell 6.8% even though the machinery maker likewise delivered a better profit than expected.
There, too, the focus was on where profits are heading. It cut the top end of its forecasted range for profit this fiscal year and said its customers “remain cautious amid ongoing uncertainty.”
On the winning side of Wall Street was Fossil Group, which jumped 29.8% after the seller of watches and other accessories reported better profit than expected. It also announced a plan to strengthen its finances, while trimming its forecast for how much it expects worldwide net
sales to fall this year. Big Tech stocks also helped mask Wall Street’s losses. Amazon rose 2.9% to add to its gains from the prior day when it announced same-day delivery of fresh groceries in more than 1,000 cities and towns.
Because Amazon is so huge, with a market value of $2.45 trillion, the movements for its stock carry much more weight on the S&P 500 than the typical company’s.
All told, the S&P 500 rose 1.96 to 6,468.54 points. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 11.01 to 44,911.26, and the Nasdaq composite dipped 2.47 to 21.710.67. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed across Asia and Europe ahead of a key meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.
AP Writers Teresa Cerojano and Matt Ott contributed.
China’s economic slowdown deepens in July amid tariff fallout and price war crackdown
CBy Bloomberg News
HINA’s economy slowed across the board in July with factory activity, investment and retail sales disappointing,
suggesting Beijing’s crackdown on destructive price wars and spillovers from Donald Trump’s tariffs are casting a pall over the world’s No. 2 economy. Production at Chinese factories and mines
rose at the slowest rate since November and expanded a worse-than-forecast 5.7% last month from a year earlier, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Friday, compared with June’s gain of 6.8%.
Retail sales grew 3.7% on year in July, the least this year and down from 4.8% in the previous month. Expansion in fixed-asset investment in the first seven months of the year decelerated to 1.6%, as a contraction in the real estate sector deepened. The urban unemployment rate climbed more than expected to 5.2%.
“July’s main economic indicators suggest that the country’s tariff-related swoon has begun,” said Homin Lee, a senior macro
strategist at Lombard Odier in Singapore. “The loss of momentum evident in both demand and supply indicators calls for the mid-year fiscal policy tweak.”
The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index closed 1% lower on Friday, while the onshore CSI 300 Index gained 0.7%. The offshore yuan held steady and the yield on China’s 10-year government bonds edged slightly lower.
The latest snapshot of the economy indicated China’s growth lost steam after a show of strength earlier in the year allowed Beijing to take a wait-and-see approach to further stimulus.
Top leaders have signaled they will stick with supportive measures already planned
while promising to pump more aid when needed, a strategy analysts expect to be fine-tuned pending economic figures in the coming months.
“China’s economy overcame negative factors including a complex and fast-changing external environment and extreme weather at home, and maintained progress amid stability,” the NBS said in a statement. “The economy still faces numerous risks and challenges.”
Although uncertainty abounds over the outlook for global trade, industrial activity and construction also suffered from extreme weather. The disruptions in July, caused by high temperatures, unusually heavy rain and
flooding in large swathes of China, added to what’s traditionally a slow season for the economy. Growth in yuan-denominated new loans contracted for the first time in 20 years in the month, highlighting subdued willingness for borrowing and spending. Instead of announcing massive new measures to juice growth, Beijing in recent weeks ramped up efforts to curb cutthroat competition among businesses. The campaign has attracted intense attention from investors given the stakes involved in reflating the economy and the potential impact on
See “Tariff,” A15
Hedge funds shift strategies: Betting against oil stocks while embracing renewables in energy market reversal
By Natasha White, Demetrios Pogkas, Liza Tetley & Ishika Mookerjee
HEDGE funds are betting against oil stocks and winding back shorts on solar in a reversal of positions that dominated their energy strategies over the past four years.
Since the beginning of October and through the second quarter, equity-focused hedge funds have—on average—been mostly short oil stocks, according to a Bloomberg Green analysis of positions on companies in global indexes for sectors spanning oil, wind, solar and electric vehicles. That’s a reversal of bets that had dominated since 2021, according to the data, which are based on fund disclosures to Hazeltree, an alternative-investment data specialist.
Over the same period, funds have unwound short bets against solar stocks. The analysis, which is based on a universe of some 700 hedge funds representing about $700 billion in assets—or roughly 15 percent of the industry’s total under management—also shows that portfolio managers have stayed net long wind in the period.
There has been “a bottoming out with some of these clean energy plays,” said Todd Warren, portfolio manager at Tribeca Investment Partners Pty. That trend has “really occurred at the same time as we’ve seen—in the oil patch— some concerns with regards to supply and demand balance,” he said.
The analysis shows that more hedge funds were, on average, net short stocks in the S&P Global Oil Index than net long for seven of the nine months starting October 2024. By contrast, net longs exceeded net shorts in all but eight of the 45 months from January 2021 through September 2024. The development coincides
corporate profitability in industries from steel to solar energy and electric cars.
with a rise in oil supply as some OPEC+ member nations act to preserve their market share. Joe Mares, a portfolio manager at Trium Capital, a hedge fund managing about $3.5 billion, notes that ratcheting up output has “not historically been great” for the oil industry. Evidence of an economic slowdown in the US and China, combined with an expectation that global oil inventories will continue to rise through the rest of 2025, means there’s growing skepticism toward the sector.
Once investors take in “the general slowdown in everything,” the question then becomes, “who’s buying the oil?” said Kerry Goh, Singapore-based chief investment officer at Kamet Capital Partners Pte. Greenwich, Connecticut-based Tall Trees Capital Management LP is short oil stocks because “we see much lower oil prices, especially in 2026,” said Lisa Audet, the fund’s founder and chief investment officer.
Investors may get further insight into the supply-demand balance as early as this week, with OPEC set to release its monthly market analysis. Updates are also due from the US Energy Information Administration and the International Energy Agency. In the US, meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s quest to add supply in an effort to bring down the price of oil has unsettled local producers.
The Dallas Fed’s latest quarterly energy survey, published on July 2, shows negative sentiment among oil companies toward the Trump administration’s policy on the fossil fuel. One respondent in the anonymized study said the administration’s implied price target of $50 a barrel is simply unsustainable for the industry. Another spoke of the “chaos” caused by current US trade policies, adding the volatility will drive companies to “lay down rigs.”
Meanwhile, the outlook for solar and wind stocks is starting to improve.
The analysis of Hazeltree’s data shows that the average share of funds that were net short stocks in the Invesco Solar ETF dropped to 3 percent in June. That’s the lowest percentage since April 2021, when green equities were trading near record highs. The number of funds net long stocks in the First Trust Global Wind Energy ETF reached a 30-month high in February this year. Those positions fell back in June, but net longs still dominated shorts overall.
Other hedge fund managers said AI has the potential to trigger a generational swell in energy demand that is likely to give new support to renewables.
“The market is telling you that AI is the biggest thing we’ve seen in our entire careers,” said Karim Moussalem, chief investment officer of equities at London-based Selwood Asset Management LLP, which manages about $1.6 billion.
better shape, Rong added.
To meet energy demand from AI, renewables will need to play a big part, not least “because they’re the fastest to market,” he said. Renewables are likely to meet more than half of the required additional generation capacity by 2035, BloombergNEF said in a report last month.
In China, green stocks are now enjoying a rebound after its solar industry started addressing overcapacity concerns. After losing about half its value between the end of 2021 and 2023, the Solactive Select China Green Energy Index—which includes solar giant Longi Green Energy Technology Co.—has advanced around 19 percent from an April low.
In the US, Trump administration attacks on green energy— including a rollback of Biden-era subsidies—have already contributed to over $22 billion of clean energy projects being canceled or delayed since January, according to an analysis from the E2 advocacy group.
Yet, for a number of fund managers, the decision to slash green subsidies helps end some of the policy uncertainty that had prevented investors from moving into wind and solar.
“At least now we know what the rules are going to be and so people can go back to evaluating these as businesses,” Mares said.
The final version of Trump’s $3.4 trillion budget bill—dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill—was actually more favorable toward some corners of the renewables market than Tall Trees Capital’s Audet expected. Utility-scale solar, for example, has emerged as a relative winner, she said.
For green investors, it’s been “less bad than expected,” said Nishant Gupta, founder and chief investment officer of Kanou Capital LLP, an energy transition-focused hedge fund. “There’s been more protection around US domestic production than expected.”
And this year’s tariff wars have coincided with a broad rebound in green stocks. Since Trump first unveiled his proposed tariffs on April 2—dubbed Liberation Day by the White House—the main S&P index tracking clean energy stocks has added about 18 percent. Over the same period, the main S&P index for oil companies is down around 4 percent.
Much of the clean-energy rebound has been driven by solar.
The Invesco Solar ETF, a widely tracked exchange-traded fund packed with solar stocks, is up more than 18 percent since April 2.
More hedge funds continue to be short stocks in the Kraneshares Electric Vehicles and Future Mobility Index ETF than long—a constant since 2021 as China has steadily displaced Western manufacturers. But the share of net shorts dropped to 2.87 percent in June, which is the second-lowest level in almost half a decade.
At the same time, there’s an
expectation among fund managers that the continued rise in sales of EVs globally will reduce the need for petroleum. That matches BloombergNEF estimates, which anticipate a 25 percent annual increase in EV sales this year. BNEF also expects that about 40 percent of vehicles on the road could be electric by 2040, displacing 19 million barrels of oil a day by that year. The strategy shift among funds reflects the fact that economic growth without low-carbon energy is now inconceivable, according to Trium’s Mares.
“If we are going to continue to grow both in developed and emerging economies, we’re going to need a lot of energy,” he said. “A big chunk of the marginal growth in energy over the last 10 years has come from renewables and it’s hard to see why that isn’t going to continue.”
MethodologyBloomberg Green analyzed anonymized weekly data that around 700 hedge fund managers disclosed to Hazeltree, from January 2021 through 27 June 2025. The hedge funds in the Hazeltree database vary in terms of assets under management, and the analysis is not weighted by hedge fund assets or size of position held. Collectively, AUM for the hedge funds analyzed is around $700 billion. Total assets under management in the hedge fund industry were around $4.7 trillion at the end of the second quarter 2025, according to Hedge Fund Research. Bloomberg also interviewed hedge fund managers on their oil and energy transition bets and on trends from the data analysis. Hedge funds mostly provided their data to Hazeltree via prime brokers. There is a possibility that some positions may not be disclosed. These will not be included in Hazeltree’s data or in the Bloomberg analysis. With assistance from Sheryl Tian Tong Lee, Will Mathis and Simon Casey/Bloomberg
Continued from A12
heavyweight Koichi Hagiuda, also visited the shrine Friday.
A non-partisan group of 87 parliamentarians led by Liberal Democrat Ichiro Aisawa also prayed at Yasukuni, pledging “to uphold peace” in Japan and in the Indo-Pacific region. Aisawa vowed to “pass down the historical facts of war to future generations.”
Separately, Sohei Kamiya, head of the populist far-right Sanseito, came with 17 parliamentarians and 70 local assembly members from his party and said he prayed for the war dead. He told reporters that the prime minister should visit Yasukuni.
Emperor shows ‘deep remorse’ and stresses importance to keep telling the war’s tragedy
JAPANESE emperors have stopped visiting the Yasukuni site since the enshrinement of top war criminals there in 1978.
Emperor Naruhito, in his address at the Budokan memorial Friday, expressed his
“If August’s economic data continue to be weaker than expectations, policymakers may feel compelled to introduce additional supportive measures in late September or early October to prop up growth in the fourth quarter,” she said.
The size of any potential stimulus package might be smaller than what was provided for the same period last year, however, given the risk of missing the around 5% annual growth target is lower and the stock market is in much
Investment in manufacturing, property and infrastructure fell across the board in July, which was “extremely rare,” according to Jacqueline Rong, chief China economist at BNP Paribas SA. The effort to curb so-called involution drove local governments to “strictly control” new investment in industries suffering from intense competition or having overcapacity concerns, holding back spending in manufacturing, she said.
hope that the ravages of war will never be repeated while “reflecting on our past and bearing in mind the feelings of deep remorse.”
Naruhito reiterated the importance of telling the war’s tragic history and the ordeals faced during and after the conflict to younger generations as “we continue to seek the peace and happiness of the people in the future.”
As part of the 80th anniversary, he has traveled to Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Hiroshima, and is expected to visit Nagasaki with his daughter, Princess Aiko, in September.
“China’s economy lost momentum in July at a faster-than-expected pace, reinforcing the case for more stimulus from Beijing.
Most notably, consumption continued to decelerate quickly after a negative surprise in June, while investment—a key lever for fiscal stimulus—contracted from a year earlier in July, an infrequent occurrence,” said Bloomberg economists Chang Shu and Eric Zhu.
There are signs the government’s consumer subsidies are also having less impact on boosting demand, as retail sales
Passing on history to younger generations amid revisionism
HAJIME EDA , whose father died on his way home from Korea when his ship was hit by a mine, said he will never forget his father and others who never made it home. In his speech representing the bereaved families, Eda said it is Japan’s responsibility to share the lesson—the emptiness of the conflict, the difficulty of reconstruction and the preciousness of peace.
There was some hope at the ceremony, with a number of teenagers participating after learning about their greatgrandfathers who died in the battlefields.
of household electronics, office supplies and furniture slowed in July from a month ago. Car purchases fell 1.5% from a year earlier, the first drop since the JanuaryFebruary period.
Some local governments ran into a funding shortage for the subsidy program starting from June, before the country’s top economic planning agency allocated more money to them around late July.
Officials may consider broadening the trade-in program to cover more goods and even services as part of its response to the broader slowdown, according to Standard Chartered
Among them, Ami Tashiro, a 15-year-old high school student from Hiroshima, said she joined a memorial marking the end of the battle on Iwo Jima last year after reading a letter her great-grandfather sent from the island. She also hopes to join in the search for his remains.
As the population of wartime generations rapidly decline, Japan faces serious questions on how it should pass on the wartime history to the next generation. The country already faced revisionist pushbacks since the 2010s under Abe, who said Japan should correct a “selfdeprecating view” of its wartime history
Plc analyst Ding Shuang, who expects the government to prepare contingency plans to prevent any further downturn.
“The data should sound the alarm to the policymakers, but they may not shift policies abruptly based on a one-month data point,”
Ding said. “Investment is the main drag.”
Private capital expenditure declined 1.5% in the first seven months from a year ago, the worst reading for the cumulative gauge since September 2020.
Authorities are also looking for ways to boost domestic consumption to reduce reliance on foreign demand in the long run amid rising rivalry with the US. The government this week unveiled a plan to subsidize part of the interest payments on some consumer loans, after announcing earlier it will gradually waive preschool fees to ease education costs and offer childcare subsidies for families across the nation.
and regain national pride.
Since 2013, Japanese prime ministers stopped apologizing to Asian victims, under the precedent set by Abe.
Some lawmakers’ denial of Japan’s military role in massive civilian deaths on Okinawa or the Nanking Massacre have stirred controversy.
Naoya Endo, 64, came to Yasukuni in place of his late father who was among a few out of his unit’s 50 members who returned from Taiwan. He said he worries about the growing global tension and hopes there will be no war in his lifetime. He lamented that many Japanese have lost pride and a love
“Looking ahead, economic activity data will likely show more signs of growth slowdown, perhaps even at
of their homeland.
In an editorial Friday, the Mainichi newspaper noted that Japan’s pacifist principle was mostly about staying out of global conflict, rather than thinking how to make peace, and called the country to work together with Asian neighbors as equal partners.
“It’s time to show a vision toward ‘a world without war’ based on the lesson from its own history,” the Mainichi said. The Associated Press journalists Mayuko Ono, Ayaka McGill and Reeno Hashimoto contributed.
Al Panlilio: Focus on FIBA World Cup qualifiers
A16 | SAturdAy, AuguSt 16, 2025
mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph
Editor: Jun Lomibao
FILIPINO athletes heading home from Chengdu could proudly hold their heads high—with or without a medal— as the World Games approach its homestretch with two days of competition remaining in only two sports.
For Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc, also the president of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines, it’s mission accomplished.
“The World Games opened our eyes to what is ahead of us in each sports competition. It may appear hard, but with all fairness I must say they gave it all,” said Arapoc, who was tasked to oversee the campaign of the 48 athletes in the 11-day tournament for nonOlympic disciplines.
With the duathlon mixed relay contest rolling off at the Xinglong Lake Hubin Arena and powerlifter Regie Ramirez trying his best for a podium finish in the men’s equipped lightweight division at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium on Saturday, much is anticipated when the entire delegation leaves this modern and accommodating city with a big smile and an even greater hope of success in future events.
Supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, headed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the national team has reasons to celebrate after a decent haul of two silver and two bronze medals so far.
Kaila Napolis took the first silver medal in women’s -52-kilogram of ju-jitsu, while Chezka Centeno came so close at winning the gold if not for a late
blunder in women’s 10-ball final pool.
Carlos Baylon Jr. delivered bronze in the men’s sanda 56-kg class in wushu, just as Aislinn Yap pounced on her Costa Rican opponent Thursday night to claim bronze in sambo’s combat 80’kg category.
There was also a ton of potential seen in wakeboarding, muay thai, kickboxing, dragon boat and floorball—some of which are programmed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
“All their strength, all their will and determination to win big for our country, that is commendable,” Arapoc said. “They really fought hard. They all deserve a standing ovation.”
In the lone result of the day, Kim Mangrobang was the best Filipina finisher in women’s individual duathlon, clocking on hour, 32 minutes and 10 seconds for the 18th spot—she finished some six and a half minutes behind gold medal winner Anahi Alvarez Corral of Mexico (1:25:31).
Merry Joy Trupa (1:32:40, 19th) and Bea Quiambao (1:43:17, 26th) struggled on the course but were able to complete the race.
The cue masters, Centeno, Rubilen Amit and Jeff de Luna, and the support staff of the Philippine delegation—from the team physician, physical therapists, masseuse and the two hands-on personnel of the POC— took the spare time and enjoyed a day trip to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
The billiard players then proceeded to the Tianfu Airport for a return flight home in the evening with Centeno the happiest one with a silver medal in her possession.
By Josef Ramos
THE Asia Cup in Jeddah is now a thing of the past and the focus shifts to the FIBA World Cup Asia Qualifiers, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio told BusinessMirror on Friday.
“We just need to move on,” said Panlilio a few hours after arriving from Saudi Arabia where he was up close and personal the entire way in Gilas Pilipinas’s unsuccessful campaign in the tournament.
“Jeddah is just a thing of the past now and we’re looking forward to November,” he said. November marks the start of the Asia Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar set August 27 to September 12, 2027.
The qualifiers run from November 24 to March 2, 2027, and the SBP, Panlilio said, is very concerned—the Philippines is bracketed with Australia and New Zealand—teams that beat Gilas in Jeddah—and Guam in Group A.
“We will be having a meeting with coach Tim [Cone] to discuss what’s the
best for the team for the qualifiers,” he said. “We, at the SBP, always support his decision making because he knows what’s best for Team Philippines.”
That said, Panlilio basically confirmed that Cone’s here to stay for Gilas.
Cone, meanwhile, said that tinkering heavily with the Gilas roster is farthest in his mind.
“We put this team together for the long term trying to get them to grow together and get better,” Cone said.
“And if we are going to just go ahead and change personnel, then we are all back to zero again.”
Panlilio concurred but suggested a minimal change
“could do the team better than overhauling the entire roster.”
“Maybe we can add a few shooters or some bigs,” he said.
“The qualifiers are going to be a tough road for us. We really want to qualify and be the best Asian team to qualify for Los Angeles.”
The best Asian team in the Qatar FIBA World Cup automatically qualifies for the LA 2028 Olympics. After the completion of the quarterfinals, the Philippines wound up eighth overall behind South Korea, Chinese-Taipei and Lebanon—a small improvement from the ninth-place finish from the Jakarta 2022 Asia Cup. In hindsight, Panlilio said Gilas could have done better if it wasn’t for that loss to Chinese-Taipei that could have prevented the quarterfinals clash with Australia.
“We could have done more or at least made it to the semifinals,” he said.
The Philippines lost to Chinese-Taipei, 95-87, and New Zealand, 94-86, but beat Iraq, 6657, in Group D action and defeated Saudi Arabia in overtime, 95-88, only to lose to Australia, 84-60, in the quarterfinals where Kevin Quiambao carried the cudgels with a team-high 17 points.
The semifinals pit Australia against Iran and China against New Zealand.
Panlilio also said that FIBA has yet to announce the status of 6-foot-10 Quentin Millora-Brown, a top player of the University of the Philippines, on his eligibility to play as a local for Gilas.
THERE’S no better way to cap an inaugural tournament than by pitting the three best players from the first three legs in a head-to-head duel that is expected to make Round 4 of the Internaitonal Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Intercollegiate Tournament into a thrilling test of will and character. This Sunday, the men’s contest resumes at Beverly Place Golf Club in Pampanga where Sean Granada (College of Saint Benilde-1), Zachary Castro (De La Salle-1) and Joshua Buenaventura (University of the Philippines-1) are gunning not only for a second leg win but also for the critical momentum heading into the grand finals set September 23 to 25 at Splendido Taal Golf Club. Granada stormed to victory in Round 2 at Splendido Taal and was runner-up in Round 3 at Pradera Verde, while Castro bounced back to dominate the Pradera leg after placing second in Round 1 at Royal Northwoods.
Both players sit atop the leaderboard with 27 points each. The ladies’ competition, on the other hand, resumes with its Round 4 on August 24 at Eastridge Golf Club in Binangonan, Rizal.
All eyes are on Julia Lua (De La Salle-1), who is expected to return after missing the Caliraya Springs and Pradera Verde legs due to health issues.
Lua dominated the pre-launch at Sherwood Hills and Round 1 at Royal Northwoods, but her absence opened the door for Addie Manhit (UP-1) to seize the individual lead with 27 points, backed by two runner-up finishes and a win at Caliraya.
Not far behind is Simi Tinio (Ateneo-1) with 18 points, while Lua is tied in third with Shane Tan (Ateneo-2), who topped the Pradera leg, both with 15 points.
Buenaventura, who shone in Round 1 but skipped the second leg, finished third at Pradera Verde, collecting 25 points or two off the leaders.
PHILIPPINE Sports
Maya Bank president Angelo Madrid, co-founder and CEO Orlando Vea, co-founder and Group president Shailesh Badwan and PSC commissioner Walter Francis Torres, Deputy Executive Director Merlita Ibay and Chief Accountant Atty. Erik Jean Mayores.
AL PANLILIO (seen at the bottom right side of the photo) supports Gilas Pilipinas all the way in Jeddah as Kevin Quiambao reacts during the team’s game against Australia. FIBA PHOTO
